CMC Markets Review

CMC Markets is a publicly listed forex and CFD broker founded in 1989 and headquartered in London. It trades on both the London Stock Exchange (LSE: CMCX) and the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: CMC), making it one of the most transparent brokers in the industry. CMC Markets holds regulatory licences from the FCA, ASIC, BaFin, and MAS, and offers trading on 12,000+ instruments through its proprietary Next Generation platform and MetaTrader 4.

With over 35 years of operation, CMC Markets is one of the longest-established retail brokers globally. The combination of its publicly listed status, tier-1 regulation, and massive instrument range makes it a natural choice for serious traders who value safety and market access above all else.

Regulation and Safety

All four regulators are tier-1 authorities. The FCA licence is the primary one for European and UK clients, providing segregated client funds, negative balance protection, and access to the FSCS compensation scheme (up to £85,000 per client).

Being publicly listed on two stock exchanges adds an additional layer of accountability. CMC Markets is required to publish audited financial statements, comply with corporate governance standards, and disclose material information to shareholders. This level of transparency is rare among retail brokers.

CMC Markets has never faced a major regulatory sanction or client fund issue in its 35+ year history.

Account Types

Standard CFD Account

The Standard account is CMC Markets' core offering. It provides access to the full 12,000+ instrument range with spreads from 0.7 pips on EUR/USD and no commission. There is no minimum deposit requirement — traders can start with any amount.

The 0.7 pip EUR/USD spread is competitive for a spread-only account and tighter than AvaTrade (0.9 pips). However, traders seeking raw spreads will find the FX Active account more cost-effective for high-volume forex trading.

FX Active Account

The FX Active account is designed for high-volume forex traders. It offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on six major pairs (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, NZD/USD, USD/CAD, USD/JPY) with a commission of $2.50 per $100,000 in notional value. All other forex pairs receive a 25% spread discount compared to the Standard account.

The commission structure is unusual — rather than a per-lot flat fee, CMC charges based on notional value. For a standard lot ($100,000), this works out to $2.50 per side or $5.00 round turn, which is competitive with brokers like Pepperstone ($3.50/side on Razor) and Tickmill ($3/side on Raw).

Spread Betting Account

Available to UK residents only, spread betting allows traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset. The key advantage is that profits from spread betting are currently exempt from capital gains tax and stamp duty under UK tax law. Spreads and conditions mirror the Standard CFD account.

Trading Platforms

Next Generation Platform

CMC Markets' proprietary Next Generation platform is one of the most powerful retail trading platforms available. Key features include:

• Advanced charting: 115+ technical indicators, 12 chart types, and multiple timeframes
• Client sentiment data: Real-time view of how other CMC clients are positioned on each instrument
• Pattern recognition scanner: Automated scanning for chart patterns across all instruments
• Module linking: Customisable workspace with linked modules that update simultaneously
• Price projection tools: Forward-looking analysis tools built into the chart

The platform is available on web and mobile (iOS and Android). For a detailed walkthrough of its features, see our guide on CMC Next Generation platform tricks.

MetaTrader 4

MT4 is available as a secondary platform for traders who prefer the MetaTrader ecosystem or need Expert Advisor support. It provides access to a reduced instrument range compared to Next Generation but supports automated trading and custom indicators.

CMC Markets does not currently offer MetaTrader 5, cTrader, or TradingView integration — a gap compared to some competitors.

Instruments

CMC Markets offers one of the largest instrument ranges of any retail broker, with 12,000+ tradeable products:

• Forex: 330+ currency pairs — one of the widest forex selections available
• Indices: 80+ global stock indices
• Commodities: 100+ including metals, energies, and agriculturals
• Stocks: 9,000+ share CFDs from global exchanges
• ETFs: 1,000+ exchange-traded funds
• Bonds: Government and corporate bond CFDs
• Crypto: 20+ cryptocurrency CFDs

The 9,000+ stock CFDs and 330+ forex pairs are industry-leading numbers. Very few brokers can match this breadth. For traders who want to diversify beyond forex into stocks, ETFs, and commodities, CMC Markets provides exceptional coverage.

Spreads and Fees

CMC Markets' Standard account spreads are competitive for the spread-only model. The FX Active account brings CMC into ECN-competitive territory on major pairs.

There are no deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a strong point. The inactivity fee only applies after 12 months of zero trading activity — more generous than AvaTrade's 3-month threshold. CMC also offers reimbursement of up to 3 months of inactivity fees once trading resumes.

Deposits and Withdrawals

CMC Markets has no minimum deposit requirement, which lowers the barrier to entry. Deposits via card and PayPal are instant. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days. There are no fees on any deposit or withdrawal method.

The payment method range is more limited than some competitors — there is no Skrill, Neteller, or crypto deposit option. Traders who prefer e-wallets or cryptocurrency funding will need to use bank transfer or card.

Customer Support

CMC Markets offers customer support via live chat, email, and phone during market hours. The broker supports multiple languages and has local offices in London, Sydney, Singapore, and other major financial centres.

The educational resources are solid, with market analysis, webinars, and trading guides available through the platform. The Next Generation platform also includes built-in educational overlays and tooltips for newer traders.

Who Is CMC Markets Best For?

CMC Markets is best suited to experienced traders who want access to a massive instrument range on a powerful proprietary platform. The 12,000+ instruments, advanced charting, and client sentiment tools make it ideal for traders who analyse multiple markets and want everything in one place.

The FX Active account makes CMC competitive for high-volume forex traders who want raw spreads with low commissions. UK traders benefit from the spread betting option for tax-free profits.

CMC Markets is less suited to traders who specifically need MetaTrader 5, cTrader, or TradingView. The platform offering is limited to Next Generation and MT4, which may not appeal to traders locked into other ecosystems.

Final Thoughts

CMC Markets is one of the most established and trusted brokers in the industry. Founded in 1989, publicly listed on two stock exchanges, and regulated by four tier-1 authorities, it offers a level of safety and transparency that few competitors can match. The 12,000+ instrument range is industry-leading, and the Next Generation platform is genuinely powerful.

The main limitations are the lack of MT5, cTrader, and TradingView support, and a somewhat limited payment method range. For traders who value breadth, safety, and platform quality over platform variety, CMC Markets is an excellent choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CMC Markets regulated?

Yes. CMC Markets is regulated by four tier-1 authorities: the FCA in the UK (173730), ASIC in Australia (238054), BaFin in Germany (154814), and MAS in Singapore. It is also publicly listed on the LSE and ASX.

What is the minimum deposit for CMC Markets?

CMC Markets has no minimum deposit requirement. Traders can open an account and deposit any amount. This applies to all account types including Standard CFD, FX Active, and Spread Betting.

Does CMC Markets charge commission?

The Standard CFD account has no commission — costs are built into the spread. The FX Active account charges $2.50 per $100,000 notional value per side, with raw spreads from 0.0 pips on six major pairs.

How many instruments does CMC Markets offer?

CMC Markets offers 12,000+ instruments including 330+ forex pairs, 9,000+ share CFDs, 1,000+ ETFs, 80+ indices, 100+ commodities, bonds, and 20+ cryptocurrency CFDs. This is one of the largest instrument ranges of any retail broker.

Does CMC Markets offer spread betting?

Yes, for UK residents. Spread betting profits are currently exempt from capital gains tax and stamp duty under UK tax law. Spreads and conditions mirror the Standard CFD account.

Does CMC Markets charge an inactivity fee?

Yes. CMC Markets charges an inactivity fee after 12 months of no trading activity — £10/month for UK clients, $15/month for Singapore and Canada. Up to 3 months of fees can be reimbursed once trading resumes.