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From my perspective as an experienced trader, I approach platforms like LME with a great deal of caution. After actively researching and testing various brokers over the years, I have found that the benefits of using LME are relatively narrow and industry-specific. Perhaps the most significant advantage is LME’s longevity and reputation as a marketplace established in the UK since 1996, which means the infrastructure for metals trading has matured over decades. This level of operational continuity can provide professional participants with a certain degree of reliability, at least when it comes to access to global metal markets. Another potential benefit for me is the niche specialization—LME focuses explicitly on non-ferrous and ferrous metals, as well as EV and precious metals. This specialization, coupled with platforms like LMEselect and “the Ring,” caters directly to institutional and high-volume traders who require both electronic access and, uniquely, open outcry and telephone trading. It’s rare to find such comprehensive and traditional access methods in today’s landscape, which might suit those who prioritize direct interaction and price discovery. However, I must emphasize that the lack of any valid regulatory oversight gives me serious pause. While accessibility to specialized products is valuable, for retail traders—or anyone without deep industry ties—the risk profile sharply outweighs the potential benefits. Based on my personal standards for safety and transparency, I see LME’s strengths as useful only for seasoned professionals in the metals space, never for general trading or portfolio diversification. For my own capital, regulation is non-negotiable, and that crucially diminishes the appeal of LME despite its industry standing.