CMC Markets

CMC Markets is a UK-based online trading provider that has been offering retail forex and CFD services since 1989, according to its public brand history. However, the specific legal entity registered under the domain oaf.cmcmarkets.com was incorporated on 25 August 2020 in the United Kingdom. The firm is a FTSE 250 group with over 2 million global clients and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK under two separate market-making licences. Its registered address is 133 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7BX.

The broker holds FCA authorisation, which is a top-tier regulatory status offering client protection through the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 and mandatory segregation of client funds. The FCA licence covers market-making activities, meaning the broker may act as counterparty to trades. Despite the brand's long industry presence, the specific entity registered in 2020 is relatively new, and its FXCanary scam risk score is 44 out of 100, indicating a guarded level of risk. The FCA profile can be verified via the UK Financial Services Register.

CMC Markets provides multiple account types tailored to different trader profiles. The Standard account is designed for CFD and spread betting traders and is available on both the proprietary platform and MetaTrader 4. The FX Active account targets high-volume forex traders with tighter spreads from 0.0 pips and access to the tiered discount scheme Price+. For investors seeking direct ownership, the Invest account allows buying and selling real shares and ETFs with zero commission and no platform fees, though a 0.7% FX conversion fee may apply. Demo accounts are also available for practice.

Clients can choose from four trading platforms: CMC Markets' proprietary web platform and mobile app, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView. The proprietary platform is praised for its advanced charting with over 115 technical indicators and tools, while MT4 and MT5 offer automated trading through Expert Advisors. The broker claims ultra-fast execution speeds of 0.066 seconds on MT4, supported by a London-based server and tier-one liquidity providers. Additional features include market insight, price alerts, and a full range of order types.

CMC Markets offers access to over 12,000 financial instruments spanning forex (175+ currency pairs), indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, shares, and treasuries. Retail leverage is capped at 1:200, and micro lot trading from 0.01 lots is available. The broker lists minimum FX spreads from 0.0 pips on the FX Active account, with competitive spreads on other products. CFD trading is the core offering, enabling speculation on price movements without owning the underlying asset.

CMC Markets is aimed at retail traders and investors seeking a comprehensive multi-asset trading experience under a regulated environment. Its range of accounts suits both beginners and experienced traders, with the FX Active account specifically catering to high-volume forex participants. The presence of an Invest account also appeals to long-term share investors. The broker's educational resources, demo accounts, and customer support are designed to assist traders at all levels.