CMC Markets Review 2026
The full CMC Markets write-up for Canada traders: the kitchen inspection, the ingredient costs, the bill, and our straight verdict.
Regulation in Canada
| Regulator | IIROC, Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) |
| Registration | Registered |
| Regulated Entity | CMC Markets Canada Inc |
| Max Leverage (Forex) | 1:30 |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| EUR/USD Spread | From 0.5 pips |
| Instruments | 12,000+ |
| Platforms | Next Generation, MT4 |
| Copy Trading | ✗ |
| Real Stocks | ✓ |
| Inactivity fee | Inactivity fee: GBP10/month after 12 months |
| Verify on IIROC register → | Registered |
Verdict
Cooks under IIROC (registration). Cover charge $0. In Canada, forex leverage is capped at 1:30.
About CMC Markets
CMC Markets opened its doors in 1989 out of a kitchen in London, UK. Its menu runs to 12,000 tradeable instruments, forex pairs alongside CFDs on stocks, indices and commodities. CMC Markets trades publicly on the LSE:CMCX. It holds licences across several jurisdictions, with the head licence carried by CMC Markets Canada Inc under IIROC.
In Canada, CMC Markets serves as CMC Markets Canada Inc, cleared by IIROC registration. Under IIROC house rules, Canada traders are poured no more than 1:30 leverage on forex pairs.
Trading Platforms
Pros
- IIROC regulated, registration
- 12,000+ instruments to trade
- Negative balance protection in Canada
- Platforms: Next Generation, MT4
- Real stock ownership (not CFD)
- Founded in 1989 (37 years operating)
- 12,000+ instruments, one of the widest menus reviewed
Cons
- Inactivity fee: GBP10/month after 12 months
- 72% of retail clients burn their fingers
- CFDs only, you trade the price, you never own the dish
Key Facts, CMC Markets
- Founded London 1989, listed on London Stock Exchange (ticker: CMCX)
- Next Generation proprietary platform includes pattern recognition scanner and Reuters news feed
- Over 12,000 instruments, one of widest selections in industry including 330+ forex pairs
Known Limitations
- Pricing on some instruments worse during news/high-volatility periods
- CFD and spread betting focus means no real stock ownership on main platform
- Guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLO) available but at extra cost
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CMC Markets regulated?
Yes. CMC Markets is authorised by IIROC, issued to the entity CMC Markets Canada Inc, an authorisation you can look up for yourself on the official IIROC public register.
What is the minimum deposit for CMC Markets in Canada?
The cover charge is $0, the smallest amount Canada traders need to open a live account with CMC Markets under IIROC rules.
What leverage does CMC Markets offer in Canada?
In Canada, IIROC rules cap CMC Markets at 1:30 on forex pairs. A larger pour is sometimes available through offshore-regulated entities, with thinner protection to match.
Is CMC Markets safe to trade with?
The kitchen passes inspection: CMC Markets cooks under IIROC. A tier-1 regulator insists on segregated client money, negative balance protection and independent audits, while lighter offshore regimes offer weaker cover and often no compensation scheme. That does not make trading risk-free, so check which entity holds your account and what protections actually apply before you deposit.
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