Markets.com Review 2026
Regulated broker with real licence numbers.
Markets.com is a regulated CFD broker founded in 2008. It holds a CySEC licence under number 138/11.
The basics
Markets.com was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus. It is privately owned. The broker offers CFDs on 2,200 instruments across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto. All positions are contracts for difference — there is no real asset ownership.
MetaTrader is available on all account types. Copy trading is not offered.
| Founded | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Instruments | 2,200+ |
| Platforms | Markets.com Platform, MT4, MT5 |
| MetaTrader | Yes — MT4 and MT5 |
| Copy trading | No |
| Real stocks | No — CFDs only |
Is Markets.com safe?
CySEC-regulated brokers must keep client funds segregated, provide negative balance protection under ESMA rules, and contribute to the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), which covers up to €20,000 per client.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| CySEC | 138/11 ✓ | Safecap Investments Ltd |
| FSB | 43906 ✓ | Finalto (IOM) Ltd |
| FSA | SD028 ✓ | Finalto Ltd |
You can verify the CySEC licence at www.cysec.gov.cy. The registration shows the entity name, authorisation status, and full permissions list. It takes under a minute.
Markets.com spreads
These are the typical spreads on Markets.com'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 | 0.6 pips pips |
| GBP/USD | 0.9 pips pips |
| USD/JPY | 0.7 pips pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 21c/oz |
| S&P 500 | 0.5pt |
Markets.com's EUR/USD spread of 0.6 pips pips is competitive for a retail broker without a per-trade commission.
Markets.com withdrawal fee and processing time
Fee: None. Markets.com does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Processing time: 1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
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.
Markets.com minimum deposit by entity
The minimum deposit depends on which Markets.com entity serves your country. Offshore entities often allow lower minimums but with less regulatory protection.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage (forex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safecap Investments Ltd | CySEC 138/11 | $100 | 1:30 |
| Finalto (IOM) Ltd | FSB 43906 | $100 | 1:400 |
| Finalto Ltd | FSA SD028 | $100 | 1:500 |
Markets.com vs eToro
| Markets.com | eToro | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC 138/11 | FCA 583263 |
| Min deposit | $100 | $50 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.6 pips pips | 1.0 pips |
| MetaTrader | Yes | No |
| Instruments | 2,200+ | 3,000+ |
| Copy trading | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | None | $5 per withdrawal |
Both brokers are regulated and legitimate. Markets.com suits traders who value MetaTrader and algorithmic trading. eToro is better for traders who prioritise its specific regulated entity coverage.
Regulation — the numbers that matter
| CySEC | 138/11 — Safecap Investments Ltd |
| FSB | 43906 — Finalto (IOM) Ltd |
| FSA | SD028 — Finalto Ltd |
Leverage for retail clients in the EU and UK is capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs under ESMA rules. The offshore entity offers up to 1:500, but with lighter regulatory protection.
Pros and Cons
What works
- CySEC regulated — Safecap Investments Ltd
- MetaTrader 4 and 5 available
- Regulated in 3 jurisdictions
What does not work
- No copy trading
- No real stock ownership — CFDs only
- Inactivity fee: $10/month after 3 months
- High leverage only via offshore entity
The verdict
Markets.com is a legitimate, regulated broker. The CySEC licence number 138/11 is verifiable on the public register. It is best suited for traders who want MetaTrader on a regulated platform. Rating: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to Markets.com
If Markets.com does not fit your needs, these regulated alternatives are worth comparing:
Frequently asked questions
Is Markets.com safe?
CySEC-regulated brokers must keep client funds segregated, provide negative balance protection under ESMA rules, and contribute to the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), which covers up to €20,000 per client. Markets.com holds CySEC licence 138/11, which is publicly verifiable on the official register.
What is the Markets.com minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit is $100. This applies to the main regulated entity. Some offshore entities may differ. See the entity table above for full breakdown.
What is the Markets.com EUR/USD spread?
The EUR/USD spread on Markets.com standard accounts is typically 0.6 pips pips. Spreads vary with market conditions. ECN or raw accounts offer lower spreads with a per-trade commission instead.
How long does Markets.com take to process withdrawals?
1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Does Markets.com charge withdrawal fees?
None. Markets.com does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does Markets.com have MetaTrader?
Yes. Markets.com supports both MT4 and MT5 on all account types. This allows automated trading, custom indicators, and expert advisors.