CMC Markets Review 2026
LSE-listed, 12,000 instruments, competitive spread.
LSE-listed since 1989. 12,000+ instruments and a competitive 0.5 pip EUR/USD spread. The proprietary Next Generation platform is genuinely good.
What's on the menu
CMC Markets has been serving since 1989, with the kitchen based in London, UK. Its shares trade publicly under the ticker LSE:CMCX. The order book runs deep: 12,000 CFD instruments spanning forex, indices, commodities and crypto. Beyond the CFD menu, you can also own real shares outright.
MetaTrader comes plated on every account type. There is no copy-trading option here.
| Founded | 1989 |
| Headquarters | London, UK |
| Instruments | 12,000+ |
| Platforms | Next Generation, MT4 |
| MetaTrader | Yes, MT4 and MT5 |
| Copy trading | No |
| Real stocks | Yes |
Kitchen inspection: is CMC Markets safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| FCA | 173730 ✓ | CMC Markets UK plc |
| ASIC | 238054 ✓ | CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd |
| BaFin | 154814 ✓ | CMC Markets Germany GmbH |
| MAS | 200605050E ✓ | CMC Markets Singapore Pte Ltd |
| IIROC | Registered ✓ | CMC Markets Canada Inc |
Want to inspect the kitchen yourself? Pull up register.fca.org.uk and look up the FCA licence. The listing lays out the entity name, its authorisation status and the full list of what it is cleared to do. A minute, tops.
Ready to open an account?
CMC Markets - FCA regulated, min deposit None, 12,000+ instruments.
Ingredient costs: CMC Markets spreads
Here is what the raw ingredients cost on a standard CMC Markets account. Spreads breathe with the market and with your account tier; step up to an ECN or raw-spread table and the spread shrinks, but a per-trade commission joins the bill.
| EUR/USD | 0.5 pips |
| GBP/USD | 0.7 pips |
| USD/JPY | 0.7 pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 20c/oz |
| S&P 500 | 0.4pt |
That EUR/USD figure of 0.5 pips is a lean, low-cost ingredient, right up there with the ECN specialists.
The bill: CMC Markets withdrawal fee and timing
Cost to take money out: None. CMC Markets does not charge withdrawal fees.
How long it takes: 1 to 3 business days. Bank transfers take longer. Card withdrawals are generally faster.
No cash leaves the till until your identity checks out. If your proof of ID and address are not yet filed and cleared, the payout waits; once you are fully verified, cash-outs follow the timings shown above.
The cover charge by entity
The opening deposit at CMC Markets depends on which entity seats your country. Offshore branches tend to set a smaller cover charge, but you dine with a thinner layer of regulatory protection.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage (forex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMC Markets UK plc | FCA 173730 | None | 1:30 |
| CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd | ASIC 238054 | None | 1:30 |
| CMC Markets Germany GmbH | BaFin 154814 | None | 1:30 |
| CMC Markets Singapore Pte Ltd | MAS 200605050E | None | 1:20 |
| CMC Markets Canada Inc | IIROC Registered | None | 1:30 |
CMC Markets vs IG Group
| CMC Markets | IG Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 173730 | FCA 195355 |
| Min deposit | None | None |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.5 pips | 0.6 pips |
| MetaTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Instruments | 12,000+ | 17,000+ |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Withdrawal fee | None | None |
Both kitchens hold real licences, so neither is a bad table. Pull up a chair at CMC Markets if you value MetaTrader and running algorithms. IG Group plates up better for anyone who leans on its particular regulated-entity coverage.
The licences, line by line
| FCA | 173730, CMC Markets UK plc |
| ASIC | 238054, CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd |
| BaFin | 154814, CMC Markets Germany GmbH |
| MAS | 200605050E, CMC Markets Singapore Pte Ltd |
| IIROC | Registered, CMC Markets Canada Inc |
Under ESMA house rules, retail traders in the EU and UK are served leverage no higher than 1:30 on the major forex pairs.
What tastes good, what leaves a bad aftertaste
Cooked well
- FCA regulated
- LSE listed (CMCX)
- 12,000+ instruments
- Proprietary Next Generation platform
- MetaTrader 4
- Real stocks available
Sent back
- No copy trading
- GBP 10 inactivity fee after 12 months
- US clients not accepted
Compare CMC Markets before you commit
4.3/5 rating - FCA regulated - min deposit None
The verdict
Nothing on the plate here is fake: CMC Markets is a genuine, regulated broker, and FCA licence 173730 checks out on the public register. The table is set best for traders who want MetaTrader served on a regulated platform. We rate it 4.3 out of 5.
Other tables worth a look
If CMC Markets is not quite to your taste, these regulated kitchens are worth comparing:
Frequently asked questions
Is CMC Markets safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent. The kitchen holds FCA licence 173730, and you can confirm it for yourself on the official register.
What is the CMC Markets minimum deposit?
The cover charge is None at the main regulated entity. Offshore branches may plate it differently, so check the entity table above for the full spread.
What is the CMC Markets EUR/USD spread?
On a standard CMC Markets account the EUR/USD ingredient runs about 0.5 pips. It moves with the market; an ECN or raw table trims the spread in exchange for a per-trade commission.
How long does CMC Markets take to process withdrawals?
1 to 3 business days. Bank transfers take longer. Card withdrawals are generally faster.
Does CMC Markets charge withdrawal fees?
None. CMC Markets does not charge withdrawal fees.
Does CMC Markets have MetaTrader?
Yes. Both MT4 and MT5 are on the menu across every account type, so automated strategies, custom indicators and expert advisors are all on the table.