eToro Review 2026
The full eToro 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 | 491139 |
| Regulated Entity | eToro AUS Capital Ltd |
| Max Leverage (Forex) | 1:30 |
| Max Leverage (Crypto) | 1:2 |
| Minimum Deposit | $50 |
| EUR/USD Spread | From 1 pips |
| Instruments | 3,000+ |
| Platforms | eToro Platform, iOS, Android |
| Copy Trading | ✓ |
| Real Stocks | ✓ |
| Inactivity fee | Inactivity fee: USD10/month after 12 months |
| Verify on ASIC register → | 491139 |
Verdict
Cooks under ASIC (licence 491139). Cover charge $50. In New Zealand, forex leverage is capped at 1:30.
About eToro
eToro opened its doors in 2007 out of a kitchen in Tel Aviv, Israel. Its menu runs to 3,000 tradeable instruments, forex pairs alongside CFDs on stocks, indices and commodities. eToro trades publicly on the NASDAQ:ETOR. It holds licences across several jurisdictions, with the head licence carried by eToro AUS Capital Ltd under ASIC.
In New Zealand, eToro serves as eToro AUS Capital Ltd, cleared by ASIC under licence number 491139. Under ASIC house rules, New Zealand traders are poured no more than 1:30 leverage on forex pairs.
Trading Platforms
Pros
- ASIC regulated, licence 491139
- 3,000+ instruments to trade
- Negative balance protection in New Zealand
- Platforms: eToro Platform, iOS, Android
- Copy trading available
- Real stock ownership (not CFD)
- Founded in 2007 (19 years operating)
- Publicly listed (NASDAQ:ETOR), subject to stock-exchange disclosure rules
Cons
- Inactivity fee: USD10/month after 12 months
- 77% of retail clients burn their fingers
- CFDs only, you trade the price, you never own the dish
Key Facts, eToro
- Founded 2007, publicly listed on NASDAQ (ticker: ETOR) since 2024
- CopyTrader allows copying exact positions of other traders in real-time
- Offers fractional real stock and crypto ownership alongside CFDs
Known Limitations
- Withdrawal fee of $5 per withdrawal
- USD-denominated accounts create conversion costs for non-USD deposits
- Platform can feel slow on complex portfolios with many positions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is eToro regulated?
Yes. eToro is authorised by ASIC, issued to the entity eToro AUS Capital Ltd, an authorisation you can look up for yourself on the official ASIC public register.
What is the minimum deposit for eToro in New Zealand?
The cover charge is $50, the smallest amount New Zealand traders need to open a live account with eToro under ASIC rules.
What leverage does eToro offer in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, ASIC rules cap eToro at 1:30 on forex pairs. A larger pour is sometimes available through offshore-regulated entities, with thinner protection to match.
Is eToro safe to trade with?
The kitchen passes inspection: eToro 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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