CMC Markets Review 2026
The full CMC Markets write-up for United Kingdom traders: the kitchen inspection, the ingredient costs, the bill, and our straight verdict.
Regulation in United Kingdom
| Regulator | FCA FCA, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Licence Number | 173730 |
| Regulated Entity | CMC Markets UK plc |
| 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 FCA register → | 173730 |
Verdict
Cooks under FCA (licence 173730). Cover charge $0. In United Kingdom, 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 UK plc under FCA.
In United Kingdom, CMC Markets serves as CMC Markets UK plc, cleared by FCA under licence number 173730. Under FCA house rules, United Kingdom traders are poured no more than 1:30 leverage on forex pairs.
Trading Platforms
Pros
- FCA regulated, licence 173730
- 12,000+ instruments to trade
- Negative balance protection in United Kingdom
- 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 FCA, issued to the entity CMC Markets UK plc, an authorisation you can look up for yourself on the official FCA public register.
What is the minimum deposit for CMC Markets in United Kingdom?
The cover charge is $0, the smallest amount United Kingdom traders need to open a live account with CMC Markets under FCA rules.
What leverage does CMC Markets offer in United Kingdom?
In United Kingdom, FCA 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 FCA. 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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