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.
The basics
CMC Markets was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in London, UK. It is publicly listed under the ticker LSE:CMCX. The broker offers CFDs on 12,000 instruments across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto. Real stock ownership is available in addition to CFDs.
MetaTrader is available on all account types. Copy trading is not offered.
| Founded | 1989 |
| Headquarters | London, UK |
| Instruments | 12,000+ |
| Platforms | Next Generation, MT4 |
| MetaTrader | Yes — MT4 and MT5 |
| Copy trading | No |
| Real stocks | Yes |
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 | N/A ✓ | CMC Markets Canada Inc |
You can verify the FCA licence at register.fca.org.uk. The registration shows the entity name, authorisation status, and full permissions list. It takes under a minute.
CMC Markets spreads
These are the typical spreads on CMC Markets's standard account. Spreads vary by market conditions and account type. ECN or raw-spread accounts offer lower spreads in exchange for a per-trade commission.
| 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 |
CMC Markets's EUR/USD spread of 0.5 pips is among the tightest available, competitive with ECN brokers.
CMC Markets withdrawal fee and processing time
Fee: None. CMC Markets does not charge withdrawal fees.
Processing time: 1 to 3 business days. Bank transfers take longer. Card withdrawals are generally faster.
Withdrawal requests must pass identity verification before processing. If your account is not yet fully verified (proof of identity and address submitted), expect additional delays. Verified accounts follow the standard processing times above.
CMC Markets minimum deposit by entity
The minimum deposit depends on which CMC Markets entity serves your country. Offshore entities often allow lower minimums but with less 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 N/A | 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 brokers are regulated and legitimate. CMC Markets suits traders who value MetaTrader and algorithmic trading. IG Group is better for traders who prioritise its specific regulated entity coverage.
Regulation — the numbers that matter
| 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 | N/A — CMC Markets Canada Inc |
Leverage for retail clients in the EU and UK is capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs under ESMA rules.
Pros and Cons
What works
- FCA regulated
- LSE listed (CMCX)
- 12,000+ instruments
- Proprietary Next Generation platform
- MetaTrader 4
- Real stocks available
What does not work
- No copy trading
- GBP 10 inactivity fee after 12 months
- US clients not accepted
The verdict
CMC Markets is a legitimate, regulated broker. The FCA licence number 173730 is verifiable on the public register. It is best suited for traders who want MetaTrader on a regulated platform. Rating: 4.3 out of 5.
Alternatives to CMC Markets
If CMC Markets does not fit your needs, these regulated alternatives 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. CMC Markets holds FCA licence 173730, which is publicly verifiable on the official register.
What is the CMC Markets minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit is None. This applies to the main regulated entity. Some offshore entities may differ. See the entity table above for full breakdown.
What is the CMC Markets EUR/USD spread?
The EUR/USD spread on CMC Markets standard accounts is typically 0.5 pips. Spreads vary with market conditions. ECN or raw accounts offer lower spreads with a per-trade commission instead.
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. CMC Markets supports both MT4 and MT5 on all account types. This allows automated trading, custom indicators, and expert advisors.