ThinkMarkets Review 2026
Regulated broker with real licence numbers.
ThinkMarkets is a regulated CFD broker founded in 2010. It holds a FCA licence under number 629628.
The basics
ThinkMarkets was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. It is privately owned. The broker offers CFDs on 4,000 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 lets you replicate the positions of other traders automatically.
| Founded | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Australia |
| Instruments | 4,000+ |
| Platforms | ThinkTrader, MT4, MT5 |
| MetaTrader | Yes — MT4 and MT5 |
| Copy trading | Yes |
| Real stocks | No — CFDs only |
Is ThinkMarkets 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 | 629628 ✓ | TF Global Markets (UK) Ltd |
| ASIC | 424700 ✓ | TF Global Markets (Australia) Pty Ltd |
| FSCA | 49835 ✓ | TF Global Markets South Africa |
| FSA | SD060 ✓ | TF Global Markets (Seychelles) Ltd |
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.
ThinkMarkets spreads
These are the typical spreads on ThinkMarkets'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 | 0.1 pips pips |
| GBP/USD | 0.4 pips pips |
| USD/JPY | 0.2 pips pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 16c/oz |
| S&P 500 | 0.4pt |
ThinkMarkets's EUR/USD spread of 0.1 pips pips is among the tightest available, competitive with ECN brokers.
ThinkMarkets withdrawal fee and processing time
Fee: None. ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets minimum deposit by entity
The minimum deposit depends on which ThinkMarkets entity serves your country. Offshore entities often allow lower minimums but with less regulatory protection.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage (forex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| TF Global Markets (UK) Ltd | FCA 629628 | None | 1:30 |
| TF Global Markets (Australia) Pty Ltd | ASIC 424700 | None | 1:30 |
| TF Global Markets South Africa | FSCA 49835 | None | 1:400 |
| TF Global Markets (Seychelles) Ltd | FSA SD060 | None | 1:500 |
ThinkMarkets vs eToro
| ThinkMarkets | eToro | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 629628 | FCA 583263 |
| Min deposit | None | $50 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.1 pips pips | 1.0 pips |
| MetaTrader | Yes | No |
| Instruments | 4,000+ | 3,000+ |
| Copy trading | Yes | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | None | $5 per withdrawal |
Both brokers are regulated and legitimate. ThinkMarkets suits traders who value copy trading and social features. eToro is better for traders who prioritise its specific regulated entity coverage.
Regulation — the numbers that matter
| FCA | 629628 — TF Global Markets (UK) Ltd |
| ASIC | 424700 — TF Global Markets (Australia) Pty Ltd |
| FSCA | 49835 — TF Global Markets South Africa |
| FSA | SD060 — TF Global Markets (Seychelles) 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
- FCA regulated — TF Global Markets (UK) Ltd
- No minimum deposit
- MetaTrader 4 and 5 available
- Copy trading available
- No inactivity fee
- Tight EUR/USD spread from 0.1 pips
What does not work
- No real stock ownership — CFDs only
- High leverage only via offshore entity
The verdict
ThinkMarkets is a legitimate, regulated broker. The FCA licence number 629628 is verifiable on the public register. It is best suited for social and copy traders. Rating: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to ThinkMarkets
If ThinkMarkets does not fit your needs, these regulated alternatives are worth comparing:
Frequently asked questions
Is ThinkMarkets 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. ThinkMarkets holds FCA licence 629628, which is publicly verifiable on the official register.
What is the ThinkMarkets 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 ThinkMarkets EUR/USD spread?
The EUR/USD spread on ThinkMarkets standard accounts is typically 0.1 pips pips. Spreads vary with market conditions. ECN or raw accounts offer lower spreads with a per-trade commission instead.
How long does ThinkMarkets take to process withdrawals?
1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Does ThinkMarkets charge withdrawal fees?
None. ThinkMarkets does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does ThinkMarkets have MetaTrader?
Yes. ThinkMarkets supports both MT4 and MT5 on all account types. This allows automated trading, custom indicators, and expert advisors.