What is CMC Markets?
Founded in 1989 and headquartered in London, UK, CMC Markets is a FTSE 250-listed CFD and spread betting powerhouse with over 35 years of experience. Serving more than 1.6 million clients globally across 100+ countries, it specializes in forex, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, and treasuries via CFDs—totaling 12,000+ instruments. Known for its innovative next-generation platform and low-cost structure, CMC Markets won some awards in 2025. However, its focus only on CFDs (no ownership of real assets) and lack of cryptocurrency trading for UK retail clients limit its appeal to some investors.
Is it Licensed and Regulated?
CMC Markets is robustly regulated in multiple Tier-1 jurisdictions, including the UK’s FCA (licenses 173730 and 170627), Australia’s ASIC, Germany’s BaFin, Canada’s IIROC, New Zealand’s FMA, and Singapore’s MAS. Client funds are segregated in top-tier banks, with up to £85,000 FSCS protection in the UK and negative balance protection for retail clients. Execution follows a no-dealing desk (NDD) model with 99.9% fill rates. While highly trusted (Trustpilot 4/5 from 2,400+ reviews), U.S. clients are unavailable, and some users note slippage during volatility.
Account Types
CMC Markets streamlines with a single retail CFD account, plus tailored options:
- Demo Account: Unlimited virtual funds (£10,000) for platform testing.
- Standard CFD Account: No minimum deposit, commission-free on most assets, spreads from 0.7 pips (EUR/USD). Suited for all levels.
- FX Active Account: For high-volume forex traders, with $2.50/side commissions and raw spreads from 0 pips (1.15 pips all-in on EUR/USD).
- Professional Account: Higher leverage (up to 500:1 in select regions) and advanced tools (eligibility-based).
- Islamic Account: Swap-free for Sharia compliance. The unified setup aids quick onboarding (1-2 days verification), but lacks tiered ECN options for pros.
Insights from Legal Documents
CMC Markets uses an NDD/STP model with institutional liquidity, delivering ultra-fast execution (0.009-second median in 2025). This enables scalping, hedging, and EAs on MT4, with minimal requotes. Terms stress transparency—variable spreads widen in volatility, and stop-losses (including guaranteed stops) are reliable but not absolute during extremes. Advanced orders like trailing stops and partial closures enhance risk management. No conflicts via straight-through processing, though third-party data fees apply.
Are There Additional Fees?
Trading is largely commission-free, with tight spreads (0.7 pips EUR/USD average, below industry norms). FX Active adds $2.50/side for raw pricing. No deposit/withdrawal fees, but a $10/month inactivity fee after 12 months and competitive swaps (asset-based) apply. Active trader discounts (up to 40% on spreads via Alpha/Price+ programs) reward volume. Costs are low for mid-tier traders, though stock CFD commissions (0.1% min $10) exceed some ECN rivals.
How to Deposit and Withdraw Funds
Deposits start at $0 via bank transfers, cards (Visa/Mastercard), e-wallets (PayPal, Skrill in select regions), and Apple Pay—processed instantly for most. Withdrawals to the same method take 1-3 business days, fee-free from the broker (third-party charges possible). The digital process is seamless, with 99% of withdrawals within 24 hours per 2025 data.
What is the Trading Platform Like?
CMC Markets’ platforms emphasize power, speed, and customization, making it a standout for active traders:
- Next Generation Platform: Proprietary web/mobile/desktop suite (award-winning for Best Platform & Tools 2025), with 80+ indicators, 40+ drawing tools, 13 chart types, pattern recognition (auto-scans 120+ instruments), and client sentiment by timeframe/profitable traders. Features one-click execution, chart trading, Reuters news integration, and 24/5 extended hours on 250+ US stocks. Execution at 0.009 seconds with 100% automation.
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4): Desktop/web/mobile for EAs, 30+ indicators, and forex automation—enhanced with CMC’s liquidity for low slippage.
- TradingView Integration: Added in 2025 for seamless charting, social ideas, and direct execution on 12,000+ assets; ideal for technical analysts. Platforms offer 99.9% uptime, push/SMS alerts, and multi-device sync. Mobile apps (iOS/Android) mirror desktop features with biometric login, though some advanced tools are desktop-only. Drawbacks: Steep learning curve for beginners; no native copy trading.
Available Trading Assets
CMC Markets offers CFDs and spread betting on:
- Forex: 282 pairs (141 quoted both ways, majors/exotics) with spreads from 0.7 pips.
- Commodities: 124+ (gold, oil, softs) for hedging.
- Indices: 80+ global (US Tech 100, FTSE 100).
- Stocks and ETFs: 9,000+ share CFDs, 1,000+ ETFs, plus treasuries and share baskets (e.g., Magnificent 7 themes).
- Other: Options and bonds; no spot crypto for UK retail clients. The 12,000+ instruments support diversification, with 2025 additions like extended US stock hours (1am-10pm UK time).
News and Analysis
CMC Markets is a leader in research with in-house analytical reports, Trading Central signals, Reuters feeds, and an economic calendar integrated across platforms. Educational tools include webinars, e-books, and OPTO CMC YouTube (over 3,000 videos). Trend scanners and sentiment indicators support technical analysis. In-house daily reports are also available, but with a limited number of fundamental indicators.
Conclusion
CMC Markets, regulated by FCA, ASIC, and more, excels in platform innovation with Next Generation, MT4, and TradingView for dynamic CFD trading across 12,000+ assets. Its razor-thin fees, rapid execution, and research depth suit active forex/CFD traders, though no real stocks/crypto and a $0 entry may not thrill investors.
