Knowledge Base · Leverage
Leverage Forex Questions
10 questions · last verified May 2026
ESMA caps retail leverage at 30:1 on majors, 20:1 on minors and gold, 10:1 on commodities and non-major indices, 5:1 on individual equities, and 2:1 on crypto CFDs. These limits apply across every EU/EEA-regulated broker. Answers below cover the cap by instrument class, the legitimate professional-client route to higher leverage, and how MAS, FCA, ASIC and JFSA leverage rules compare.
Can I trade gold with Pepperstone at 1:30 leverage in 2026?
No.
5 supporting facts·Updated 2026-05-25Exness vs FBS — which is better for unlimited-leverage offshore trading?
Exness wins for serious offshore traders.
5 supporting facts·Updated 2026-05-25Should I get a professional trading account in Europe?
Only experienced traders should consider professional status in Europe.
5 supporting facts·Updated 2026-08-09Stop-out vs margin call — what is the difference?
A margin call is a warning that account equity has dropped close to the required margin — typically triggered at 80-100…
5 supporting facts·Updated 2026-05-25What are Exness leverage limits by country in 2026?
Exness leverage is set by the entity that onboards the client, and Exness no longer onboards EU/EEA or UK retail client…
5 supporting facts·Updated 2026-06-27What are the ESMA leverage limits for retail forex traders?
ESMA limits retail forex leverage to 30:1 on major currency pairs, 20:1 on minors and major indices, 10:1 on commoditie…
6 supporting facts·Updated 2026-08-09What are the FCA leverage limits for UK retail traders?
The FCA caps leverage for UK retail CFD and spread-betting accounts between 30:1 and 2:1 by asset volatility: 30:1 on m…
5 supporting facts·Updated 2026-07-08What is a margin call in forex and how do I avoid one?
A margin call is a warning from your broker that your account equity has fallen below the required maintenance margin.
5 supporting facts·Updated 2026-08-09What is leverage in forex trading?
Leverage lets you control a larger position than your account balance by borrowing funds from the broker.
5 supporting facts·Updated 2026-05-08What is the stop out level in forex trading?
Stop out level is the margin percentage at which a broker automatically closes your open positions to prevent further l…
5 supporting facts·Updated 2026-05-13
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