CMC Markets Review 2026
The full CMC Markets write-up for New Zealand traders: the kitchen inspection, the ingredient costs, the bill, and our straight verdict.
Regulation in New Zealand
| Regulator | ASIC ASIC, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) |
| Licence Number | 238054 |
| Regulated Entity | CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd |
| 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 ASIC register → | 238054 |
Verdict
Cooks under ASIC (licence 238054). Cover charge $0. In New Zealand, 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 Asia Pacific Pty Ltd under ASIC.
In New Zealand, CMC Markets serves as CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, cleared by ASIC under licence number 238054. Under ASIC house rules, New Zealand traders are poured no more than 1:30 leverage on forex pairs.
Trading Platforms
Pros
- ASIC regulated, licence 238054
- 12,000+ instruments to trade
- Negative balance protection in New Zealand
- 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 ASIC, issued to the entity CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, an authorisation you can look up for yourself on the official ASIC public register.
What is the minimum deposit for CMC Markets in New Zealand?
The cover charge is $0, the smallest amount New Zealand traders need to open a live account with CMC Markets under ASIC rules.
What leverage does CMC Markets offer in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, ASIC 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 ASIC. 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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