A London-listed group with separately licensed companies in the UK, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Canada, New Zealand and Dubai. Which company you join, and the protection you get, depends on where you live.
Facts last checked 20 October 2026. Always confirm on the regulator’s register. How we review brokers
Get an email when CMC Markets's licence or key facts change.
Key facts
Founded
Not yet checked
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Minimum deposit
$0
Max. retail leverage
1:30 on major currency pairs (UK and EU retail clients)
Cheapest cost per lot
Not yet checked
Regulators
FCA (United Kingdom), BaFin (European Union), ASIC (Australia), MAS (Singapore), CIRO (Canada), FMA (New Zealand) (New Zealand), DFSA (United Arab Emirates (DIFC))
Platforms
CMC web platform, CMC mobile app, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView
✓FSCS (UK, CMC Markets UK plc clients); other countries have their own schemes or noneWhat this means
Regulation and entities
Your protection depends on which company holds your account, and that depends on where you live. Each row is one licensed company. What regulation means
Before you deposit: search the licence number on the register, then check that the website and phone number listed there match the ones you are using. How to check a licence
Websites
Official websites
✓cmcmarkets.com
✓cmcinvest.com
Type the address yourself or use a bookmark. Check it matches the website listed for the firm on the regulator’s register.
Watch out for look-alike sites
We have not recorded any look-alike sites for CMC Markets. That does not mean none exist.
A clone firm copies a real broker’s name, licence number and branding to take deposits. The register shows the genuine firm, so the surest check is the contact details: if the website, email or phone number you were given is not the one on the register, treat it as a clone. Check a broker step by step
Accounts and costs
Account types and costs not yet checked.
Cost per lot = typical EUR/USD spread × $10 + round-turn commission, for one standard lot (100,000 units) in busy hours. Swap and other fees are extra. Trading costs explained
Leverage and margin
Leverage lets you open a position bigger than your deposit, so losses grow as fast as gains. The caps below are the most CMC Markets allows; you can always use less.
50% of margin (UK and EU retail close-out rule)When your equity falls to 50% of margin (UK and EU retail close-out rule) of your used margin, the platform starts closing your trades, usually the biggest loser first, until the level recovers.
Every company we checked holds a licence from a strict or standard regulator, from the FCA to the DFSA
UK client money is held in segregated accounts under the FCA's client money rules, with FSCS cover for eligible claims
No minimum deposit on the UK site and no charge from CMC for deposits or withdrawals
Watch out for
Inactivity fee of £10 a month after a year without trading
The UK site quotes minimum spreads (from 0.5 pips, or 0.0 pips plus commission on FX Active), not typical spreads, so check live prices before you compare
The FCA has warned about clone firms using CMC Markets' details, including ibplatform.info, ib-platform.info, ibplatform.co and marketstradeltd.com
Overview
CMC Markets is a London-listed broker that offers spread betting and CFDs on currencies, indices, commodities, shares and bonds. It runs a separate company in each main region, so the firm you sign with in London is not the one you sign with in Sydney or Toronto. In the UK it also offers share investing through CMC Invest, which this profile does not cover.
Regulation and safety
We checked seven licences on the regulators’ own registers. CMC Markets UK plc is authorised by the FCA, and CMC Markets Germany GmbH, which serves EU clients, is on BaFin’s database. CMC Markets Asia Pacific holds an Australian financial services licence. The Singapore company holds a capital markets services licence from the MAS. CMC Markets Canada is a CIRO investment dealer. CMC Markets NZ is a licensed derivatives issuer. CMC Markets Middle East is licensed by the DFSA in Dubai.
UK client money sits in segregated accounts under the FCA’s client money rules. If the firm failed, eligible claims could go to the FSCS. The FCA register also lists clone firms using CMC’s details, such as ibplatform.info and marketstradeltd.com. Use only the website and phone number on the register. Our guide to forex broker regulation explains each layer, and you can run any name through check a broker.
Costs
On the UK spread betting and CFD accounts the cost is in the spread, which starts from 0.5 pips on major pairs. FX Active starts from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, NZD/USD, USD/CAD and USD/JPY, plus a fixed commission of 0.0025% per side (US $2.50 per $100,000 traded). These are minimum spreads, not typical ones. Holding costs apply to positions kept open overnight, and a £10 monthly fee applies after a year without trading. The trading costs guide shows how to add these up.
Platforms and tools
CMC’s own web platform and mobile app carry the full range. MetaTrader 4 and 5 and TradingView are also offered. See MT4 vs MT5 if you are choosing between them.
Deposits and withdrawals
The UK site says deposits and withdrawals carry no charge from CMC. Your bank may still charge for currency conversion.
Who it may suit
The set-up fits traders who want a broker licensed by a strict regulator in their own country. It also suits people who want a choice between spread-only pricing and a commission account on the main currency pairs. Start on a demo and compare live spreads in the hours you trade.
How to open an account
The steps as we checked them. Never deposit until you have confirmed the licence.
Check which company you will join
UK residents join CMC Markets UK plc (FCA). EU clients join CMC Markets Germany GmbH (BaFin). Australia, Singapore, Canada, New Zealand and the DIFC each have their own company, named in the client agreement.
Choose spread betting, CFDs or FX Active
In the UK, spread betting and CFDs are quoted with the cost in the spread. FX Active is a CFD account with spreads from 0.0 pips on six major pairs plus a fixed commission.
Verify your identity and fund the account
There is no minimum deposit on the UK site, but you need money in the account before you can place a trade. Practise on a demo account first.
What changed on this profile
Profile published. Licences checked on the FCA, BaFin, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, NZ Financial Service Providers and DFSA registers.
CMC Markets: common questions
Is CMC Markets regulated?
Yes. On 2026-10-20 we found CMC Markets UK plc authorised by the FCA (173730), CMC Markets Germany GmbH by BaFin (154814), CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd by ASIC (AFSL 238054), CMC Markets Singapore by the MAS, CMC Markets Canada by CIRO, CMC Markets NZ by the FMA and CMC Markets Middle East by the DFSA (F002740).
Which CMC company will I join?
It depends on where you live. UK residents join CMC Markets UK plc and EU residents join CMC Markets Germany GmbH. Australia, Singapore, Canada, New Zealand and the DIFC have their own companies. The company is named in your client agreement.
What is the minimum deposit?
The UK site says there is no cost to open an account, but you need to deposit money before you can trade. No fixed minimum is published.
Can I lose more than I deposit?
UK and EU retail clients have negative balance protection, so losses are capped at the money in the account. Leverage still magnifies losses, and CMC's own warning says most retail accounts lose money.
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This profile is factual information, not a recommendation or financial advice. Trading leveraged products such as forex and CFDs carries a high risk of losing money rapidly, and most retail accounts lose money. Read the full disclaimer.
