CMC Markets Review 2026
Full CMC Markets review for Australia traders — regulation, spreads, fees and our honest verdict.
Regulation in Australia
| 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 |
Verdict
Regulated by ASIC (licence 238054). Minimum deposit $0. In Australia: maximum forex leverage 1:30.
About CMC Markets
CMC Markets was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in London, UK. The broker offers 12,000 tradeable instruments including forex pairs, CFDs on stocks, indices and commodities. CMC Markets is publicly listed on the LSE:CMCX. It is regulated across multiple jurisdictions with a primary licence held by CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd under ASIC.
In Australia, CMC Markets operates as CMC Markets Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, authorised by ASIC under licence number 238054. Australia traders are subject to a maximum leverage of 1:30 on forex pairs under ASIC rules.
Trading Platforms
Pros
- ASIC regulated — licence 238054
- 12,000+ instruments to trade
- Negative balance protection in Australia
- Platforms: Next Generation, MT4
- Real stock ownership (not CFD)
Cons
- Inactivity fee: GBP10/month after 12 months
- 72% of retail clients lose money
- CFD trading — you do not own the underlying asset
Key Facts About 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?
CMC Markets holds ASIC licence 238054, issued to the regulated entity {entity}. This is a real, verifiable licence recorded in the official ASIC public register.
What is the minimum deposit for CMC Markets in Australia?
The minimum deposit is $0. This is the amount required to open a live trading account for traders in Australia under ASIC regulation.
What leverage does CMC Markets offer in Australia?
In Australia, CMC Markets offers maximum forex leverage of 1:30 under ASIC rules. Higher leverage may be available through offshore-regulated entities.
Is CMC Markets safe to trade with?
CMC Markets is regulated by ASIC, which requires segregated client funds, negative balance protection and independent audits. Regulation does not eliminate trading risk, but it provides meaningful investor protection.
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