Below is a detailed analysis of Quant Tekel, a proprietary trading firm and brokerage, based on the provided criteria. The analysis incorporates online complaint information, risk level assessment, website security, WHOIS lookup, IP and hosting details, social media presence, red flags, regulatory status, user precautions, and potential brand confusion, using information from the provided search results and critical evaluation.
Business Description: Quant Tekel (formerly AscendX Capital, rebranded in September 2024) is a proprietary trading firm and brokerage offering funded trading programs and brokerage services. It provides traders access to financial instruments like forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies via platforms such as MetaTrader 5 (MT5), DXTrade, cTrader, and Trade Locker. The firm offers evaluation-based prop trading with funding up to $200,000 and a 90% profit share.
Company Details:
Quant Tekel (Pty) Ltd: Registered in South Africa at 60 Noll Avenue, Gatesville, Cape Town, Western Cape, 7764.
Quant Tekel Ltd: Payment processor, UK-registered (Company Number: 15923693), located at 1 Canada Square, Level 39, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AB.
Quant Tekel LLC: Registered as LLC 3984 in 2025, providing proprietary trading evaluations.
Quant Tekel has a 4-star rating on Trustpilot with 3,977 reviews (as of April 24, 2025) and 3,915 reviews (as of April 18, 2025).
Positive Feedback: Users praise customer support (e.g., staff members like Akash, Gladys, Ghen, and Mystic) for responsiveness and problem resolution. The platform is described as reliable, user-friendly, and supportive for prop trading.
Complaints:
A user reported passing a two-stage evaluation but was flagged for “high-risk” trading without clear explanation, with new rules imposed post-evaluation (e.g., 0.5% profit for five days per 10-day cycle). The issue was resolved by customer support, but the lack of transparency raised concerns.
Another user complained about being accused of violating terms without evidence, particularly regarding a withdrawal request on September 12, 2024.
Some users noted technical glitches, though these were often resolved by support staff.
Forex Peace Army:
As of January 29, 2025, Quant Tekel has no reviews on Forex Peace Army, which limits insight into trader experiences on this platform.
Scam Complaints:
Scam Detector and Scamadviser flagged Quant Tekel as potentially risky, citing a low trust score (40.8/100 on Scam Detector) due to associations with high-risk financial services, potential phishing, or spamming activities. However, no specific scam incidents were detailed.
A Scamadviser review mentioned questionable practices by a payment processor (BoomFi, not directly linked to Quant Tekel), including hidden fees and lack of transparency, which could indirectly affect trust in Quant Tekel’s payment processing.Analysis: While Quant Tekel has a strong positive review base on Trustpilot, complaints about unclear rule enforcement and transparency in evaluation processes are notable. The absence of Forex Peace Army reviews limits broader trader feedback. Scam allegations from automated tools like Scam Detector lack concrete evidence but suggest caution due to the firm’s youth and industry risks.
Quant Tekel’s brokerage services involve margin trading, which carries a high risk of losing the entire initial deposit. The firm explicitly warns users to assess their risk tolerance and seek independent financial advice.
Proprietary trading evaluations use simulated trading conditions, and funds paid for evaluations are treated as subscriptions, not client money, increasing financial risk if users fail challenges.
Trading Rules and Restrictions:
Strict risk management rules include a 2% trailing drawdown limit, a 3% maximum risk per trade, and a ban on “all-in” or gambling-like trades, with account closure as a penalty for breaches.
News trading is restricted (no positions 5 minutes before/after major news events).
These rules aim to enforce discipline but may feel restrictive, as seen in complaints about unexpected rule changes post-evaluation.
Geographic Restrictions:
Services are unavailable in high-risk jurisdictions like Canada, Crimea, Cuba, Cyprus, India, Iran, Malaysia, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and the United States due to regulatory compliance. Traders from restricted countries can use DXTrade but not MT5 or cTrader.
Scam Detector Risk Score: A 40.8/100 trust score indicates “controversial” and “risky” operations, potentially due to the firm’s newness (founded 2023) and high-risk financial services.Analysis: Quant Tekel’s services are inherently high-risk due to margin trading and strict prop trading rules. While risk management guidelines are clear, their enforcement can lack transparency, as noted in complaints. The low trust score from Scam Detector reflects industry-wide risks rather than specific misconduct but warrants caution.
The website (https://quanttekel.com/) uses HTTPS, indicating SSL/TLS encryption for secure data transmission. This is standard for financial services websites.
Payment Processing:
Payments are handled by Quant Tekel Ltd, a UK-registered payment processor compliant with UK financial regulations, suggesting secure transaction handling.
Scamadviser Analysis:
Scamadviser noted the site uses a free e-commerce platform and is hosted by WPEngine Inc., which is reputable but not specialized for high-security financial platforms.
No specific malware or phishing issues were reported, but the site’s low trust score (due to its youth and industry) suggests potential vulnerabilities.
Privacy Policy:
The privacy policy outlines data collection (from public databases, social media, etc.), processing for fraud prevention, and compliance with legal requirements. However, it lacks granular details on encryption standards or third-party data sharing.Analysis: The website employs basic security measures (HTTPS, compliant payment processing), but the use of a free e-commerce platform and lack of detailed security disclosures raise concerns for a financial services provider. No direct evidence of breaches exists, but users should verify security practices before sharing sensitive data.
Registration Date: Not explicitly provided, but Scamadviser notes the website is “very young” (first analyzed September 19, 2024).
Registrant: Likely Quant Tekel (Pty) Ltd, as the website is owned and operated by this entity. WHOIS privacy protection via NameCheap may obscure full details.Analysis: The domain’s registration with a reputable registrar (NameCheap) is positive, but its recent creation aligns with the firm’s founding in 2023, contributing to low trust scores. WHOIS privacy is common but limits transparency about ownership.
IP Details: Not provided in the search results, but WPEngine is a well-known hosting provider for WordPress-based sites, offering decent reliability but not specialized for high-security financial platforms.
Geolocation: Hosting is likely US-based (WPEngine’s primary data centers), though Quant Tekel operates from South Africa and the UK.Analysis: WPEngine is a reliable host, but its use for a financial services platform is unconventional, as such firms typically opt for specialized, high-security hosting. This could indicate cost-cutting or a less robust infrastructure, though no specific hosting-related issues were reported.
Quant Tekel is active on X (@QuantTekel), with posts announcing the rebrand from AscendX Capital and promoting services.
The firm fosters a community via Discord, where users can ask questions and engage with support.
User Feedback on Social Media:
Positive mentions include praise for customer support and community engagement.
No widespread reports of scams or negative campaigns on social media, but Scam Detector noted potential risks from unsolicited ads or emails linked to the site.
KYC Requirements:
Users must notify Quant Tekel of changes to social media accounts as part of KYC verification, indicating scrutiny of online presence.Analysis: Quant Tekel maintains an active social media presence, particularly on X and Discord, which aligns with its community-driven approach. The lack of significant negative feedback on social platforms is positive, but users should be wary of unsolicited promotions, as flagged by Scam Detector.
Scam Detector (40.8/100) and Scamadviser flag the site as risky due to its youth, high-risk industry, and potential phishing/spamming associations.
Transparency Issues:
Complaints about unclear rule enforcement (e.g., post-evaluation rule changes) and lack of explanation for account violations suggest inconsistent communication.
Youth of the Firm:
Founded in October 2023 and rebranded in September 2024, Quant Tekel lacks a long track record, increasing perceived risk.
Payment Processor Concerns:
While Quant Tekel Ltd is UK-regulated, Scamadviser’s mention of BoomFi’s questionable practices (hidden fees, lack of transparency) raises indirect concerns about payment processing integrity.
Geographic Inconsistencies:
The firm operates from South Africa, has a UK payment processor, and claims a London office (77 Marsh Wall, E14 9SH), but the UK entity’s address (1 Canada Square) is a shared office space, which may indicate limited physical presence.
No Regulatory Details:
No mention of oversight by recognized financial regulators (e.g., FCA, ASIC, FSCA), which is concerning for a brokerage.Analysis: Key red flags include the firm’s low trust scores, lack of regulatory clarity, transparency issues in rule enforcement, and its short operational history. While not definitive evidence of misconduct, these factors suggest heightened risk, particularly for margin trading and prop trading.
The website promotes prop trading evaluations (1-, 2-, or 3-step challenges) with funding up to $200,000 and a 90% profit share. Brokerage services cover forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies via MT5, DXTrade, and other platforms.
Risk disclaimers emphasize the high risk of margin trading and the educational nature of prop trading evaluations, with no guarantees of accuracy or results.
Transparency:
Terms and conditions detail KYC requirements, prohibiting trades without verified accounts and voiding profits accrued pre-KYC.
The site clearly states that evaluation fees are subscriptions, not client funds, which is transparent but may deter users expecting refunds.
User Experience:
The dashboard is praised for ease of use, and demo accounts are offered for risk-free practice.
Support channels (live chat, Discord, email, ticketing) are robust, with 24/5 availability.
Potential Misleading Claims:
Claims of “industry-leading” platforms and profit shares lack third-party verification, and the absence of regulatory status may mislead users about the firm’s legitimacy.Analysis: The website is professionally designed with clear disclaimers and robust support options, but the lack of regulatory details and unverified claims of industry leadership are concerning. The transparency about evaluation fees and KYC rules is positive, though strict enforcement may frustrate users.
No evidence of regulation by major financial authorities (e.g., FCA in the UK, FSCA in South Africa, ASIC in Australia, or SEC in the US). The firm’s South African registration (Quant Tekel (Pty) Ltd) and UK payment processor (Quant Tekel Ltd) are noted, but these are not equivalent to financial regulatory oversight.
The rebrand announcement claimed Quant Tekel is a “regulated broker,” but no specific regulator was named, casting doubt on this claim.
Compliance:
The firm restricts services in jurisdictions with strict regulations (e.g., US, Canada, Cyprus) to comply with local laws, suggesting awareness of compliance needs.
KYC verification is mandatory, aligning with anti-money laundering (AML) standards.
Industry Context:
Many prop firms operate without traditional brokerage regulation, as evaluations are educational rather than direct investment services. However, Quant Tekel’s brokerage arm requires regulatory oversight, which is currently unclear.Analysis: The lack of confirmed regulatory oversight is a significant concern, especially for brokerage services involving margin trading. The claim of being a “regulated broker” is unsubstantiated without naming a regulator, and users should assume the firm operates in a lightly regulated or unregulated capacity until proven otherwise.
To mitigate risks when engaging with Quant Tekel, users should:
Verify Regulatory Status: Independently confirm whether Quant Tekel is regulated by a reputable authority (e.g., FSCA for South Africa). Contact support at support@quanttekel.com for clarification.
Start with a Demo Account: Use the risk-free demo account to test the platform and understand trading conditions before committing funds.
Review Terms and Conditions: Thoroughly read the terms, evaluation rules, and risk management guidelines at https://support.quanttekel.com/support/solutions to avoid unexpected account closures.
Limit Financial Exposure: Avoid investing significant funds in evaluations, as fees are non-refunded subscriptions, and margin trading carries high risks.
Monitor Withdrawals: Be aware of withdrawal rules (e.g., 5% profit requirement for first withdrawal, bi-weekly processing, $110 minimum payout) to avoid delays or disputes.
Secure Personal Data: Ensure KYC submissions are made via secure channels and verify the legitimacy of payment processors.
Seek Independent Advice: Consult a financial advisor before engaging in margin trading or prop trading, as recommended by the firm.
Check for Updates: Monitor Quant Tekel’s X account (@QuantTekel) or Discord for rule changes or service updates, as post-evaluation rule changes have been reported.Analysis: These precautions address the firm’s high-risk services, unclear regulatory status, and potential transparency issues. Starting with a demo account and limiting financial exposure are critical given the firm’s youth and complaint history.
Quanttekel.io: A separate entity (Quant Tekel Services Ltd, registered at 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London) focuses on data solutions, not trading. The similar name and shared address with Quant Tekel Ltd (payment processor) could cause confusion.
AscendX Capital: Quant Tekel’s former name (pre-September 2024) may still appear in reviews or discussions, potentially confusing users searching for the firm.
Domain Similarity:
The domain quanttekel.com is distinct, but the similarity to quanttekel.io (data services) and the use of “Quant” (common in fintech) could lead to mistaken identity.
Trademark Issues:
No evidence of trademark disputes, but the rebrand from AscendX Capital and the existence of Quant Tekel Services Ltd suggest potential overlap in branding, especially in the UK.
User Impact:
Users may confuse Quant Tekel’s trading services with Quanttekel.io’s data solutions or assume shared ownership due to the Canary Wharf address. This could lead to misplaced trust or incorrect service expectations.Analysis: The rebrand from AscendX Capital is recent, and the similarity to Quanttekel.io poses a moderate risk of confusion, particularly for users researching the firm’s legitimacy. Users should verify they are engaging with quanttekel.com for trading services and not quanttekel.io.
Strong Trustpilot ratings (4 stars, ~3,900 reviews) with praise for customer support and platform usability.
Transparent disclaimers about risks, evaluation fees, and KYC requirements.
Active community engagement via Discord and X, fostering trader support.
Offers demo accounts and multiple trading platforms (MT5, DXTrade, cTrader), appealing to diverse traders.
Weaknesses:
Unclear regulatory status for brokerage services, a major red flag for margin trading.
Complaints about transparency in evaluation rule enforcement and withdrawal disputes.
Low trust scores from Scam Detector and Scamadviser due to the firm’s youth and high-risk industry.
Potential brand confusion with Quanttekel.io and lingering AscendX Capital references.
Industry Context:
Prop firms often face scrutiny for strict rules and high failure rates in evaluations, which aligns with Quant Tekel’s complaint patterns. The lack of regulation is common in prop trading but problematic for brokerage services.
The firm’s rebrand and expansion into brokerage services suggest ambition but also increase scrutiny due to regulatory expectations.
Analysis: Quant Tekel offers compelling prop trading and brokerage services with strong user support, but its unregulated status, transparency issues, and low trust scores are significant concerns. The firm’s youth and rebranding add to the risk profile, though positive reviews indicate potential reliability if regulatory clarity improves.
Reasons: Unclear regulatory oversight, high-risk margin trading, transparency complaints, low trust scores, and the firm’s short operational history (founded 2023, rebranded 2024) elevate the risk. While positive reviews and robust support are encouraging, the lack of regulation and potential brand confusion outweigh these strengths for now.
Context: The high-risk rating aligns with the broader prop trading and forex brokerage industry, where strict rules and financial exposure are common. Users with high risk tolerance and trading experience may find Quant Tekel viable, but caution is warranted.
Recommendation:
Approach Quant Tekel with caution, starting with a demo account to test the platform.
Verify regulatory status directly with the firm or a financial authority before engaging in brokerage services.
Limit financial exposure to evaluation fees and avoid large deposits until the firm establishes a longer track record or confirms regulation.
Monitor user reviews on Trustpilot, Forex Peace Army, or X for emerging issues, as the firm’s reputation is still developing.
Final Note: Quant Tekel shows promise as a prop trading and brokerage firm, but its unregulated status, transparency concerns, and industry risks necessitate careful due diligence. Users should prioritize the precautions outlined above and stay informed about regulatory updates or rule changes.