Discover our list of the best CFD brokers with great CFD trading platforms. Every CFD provider we recommend has been tested by our research team, earning a high overall rating and the trust of our experts.
Top 6 CFD Brokers
In October 2026 we have reviewed 143 brokers and our hands-on tests show that these are the 6 best CFD brokers in the United Kingdom:
-
- FTSE Spread: 1.0
- GBPUSD Spread: 0.9
- Stocks Spread: 0.02
70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. -
- FTSE Spread: 1.8
- GBPUSD Spread: 1.4
- Stocks Spread: 0.2%
74% of accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. -
- FTSE Spread: 1.10
- GBPUSD Spread: 0.4
- Stocks Spread: 0.17 (Apple)
-
- FTSE Spread: 1.0
- GBPUSD Spread: 0.9
- Stocks Spread: 0.15%
-
- FTSE Spread: From 0.4
- GBPUSD Spread: From 0.6
- Stocks Spread: Variable
-
- FTSE Spread: 0.005% (£1 Min)
- GBPUSD Spread: 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value
- Stocks Spread: 0.003
Learn how we test brokers and why you can trust our ratings.
Why Are These Brokers the Best for CFD Trading?
Here is a short summary of why we think these are the best CFD brokers:
- IG is the best CFD broker in the United Kingdom in 2026 4.8/5 IG offers a huge selection of 17,000+ CFDs, providing more trading opportunities than most CFD brokers. Traders can go long or short on popular markets like stocks, currencies, commodities and cryptos, while custom price alerts and the IG Academy continue to enhance the trading experience.
- XTB 4.8/5 XTB offers a huge selection of CFDs spanning forex, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, and cryptos (location-dependent). Leverage up to 1:30 is available in the EU and UK, while global clients and pro traders can access up to 1:500. XTB stands out for its CFD trading resources and tutorials to assist traders in developing short-term trading strategies.
- FXCC 4.6/5 FXCC offers a range of CFDs beyond forex with a modest selection of metals, energies, indices, but hundreds of equities and more than two dozen cryptos. The ECN XL account has no restrictions on CFD trading strategies and MetaTrader offers robust charting tools and risk management, including take profit and stop loss orders.
- Spreadex 4.5/5 Trade CFDs on Spreadex's diverse list of instruments with leverage up to 1:30 and highly competitive spreads. While this broker's USP is spread betting, the excellent trading terms and range of markets makes it an equally good choice for CFD trading.
- Trade Nation 4.4/5 Trade leveraged CFDs on over 1000 assets with low-cost spreads. You can also take advantage of the broker's integrated signals to help you determine when to enter and exit positions.
- Interactive Brokers 4.3/5 Over 8,000 CFDs are offered on a vast array of instruments, encompassing stocks, indices, forex, and commodities. Moreover, the TWS platform lends itself to seasoned day traders, offering a comprehensive selection of over 100 order types and algorithms, alongside premium market data sourced from reputable sources such as Reuters and Dow Jones.
Compare the Best CFD Brokers on Key Attributes
Find the best CFD broker for you based on our comparison of key features important to CFD traders:
| Broker | Minimum Deposit | Leverage | Platforms | Regulators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | $0 | 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) | Web, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime | CFTC, NFA, FCA, BaFin, ASIC, FINMA, MAS, JFSA, FMA, DFSA, BMA, CONSOB |
| XTB | $0 | 1:30 | xStation | FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, CMF, Bappebti |
| FXCC | $0 | 1:1000 (Exceeds FCA limits; high risk) | MT4, MT5 | CySEC, MISA |
| Spreadex | £0 (but £5 minimum for standard payment methods) | 1:30 | Spreadex Platform, TradingView, AutoChartist | FCA |
| Trade Nation | $0 | 1:30 | TN Trader, MT4, TradingView | FCA, ASIC, CMVM , FSCA, SCB, FSA |
| Interactive Brokers | $0 | 1:30 | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower | SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, CIRO, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS |
How Safe Are These CFD Brokers?
How dependable are the top CFD brokers and do they have features that help safeguard your funds?
| Broker | Trust Rating | Guaranteed Stop Loss | Negative Balance Protection | Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | |
| XTB | ✘No | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | |
| FXCC | ✘No | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | |
| Spreadex | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | |
| Trade Nation | ✘No | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | |
| Interactive Brokers | ✘No | ✔Yes | ✔Yes |
Compare Mobile CFD Trading
Are these brokers good for mobile CFD Trading?
| Broker | Mobile Apps | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | iOS & Android | ✔Yes | ||
| XTB | iOS & Android | ✔Yes | ||
| FXCC | iOS & Android | ✘No | ||
| Spreadex | iOS & Android | ✘No | ||
| Trade Nation | iOS & Android | ✘No | ||
| Interactive Brokers | iOS & Android | ✔Yes |
Are the Top CFD Brokers Good for Beginners?
CFD trading beginners should use brokers that allow trading with virtual money (a demo account) and have other features that new traders need:
| Broker | Demo Account | Minimum Deposit | Minimum Trade | Education Rating | Support Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | ✔Yes | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| XTB | ✔Yes | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| FXCC | ✔Yes | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Spreadex | ✘No | £0 (but £5 minimum for standard payment methods) | £0.01 | ||
| Trade Nation | ✔Yes | $0 | 0.1 Lots | ||
| Interactive Brokers | ✔Yes | $0 | $1 |
Are the Top CFD Brokers Good for Advanced Traders?
Experienced CFD traders should look for sophisticated tools to enhance the trading experience:
| Broker | Automated Trading | VPS | AI | Pro Account | Leverage | Low Latency | Extended Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | ✔Yes | 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) | ✔Yes | ✔Yes |
| XTB | - | ✘No | ✘No | ✔Yes | 1:30 | ✔Yes | ✘No |
| FXCC | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✔Yes | ✘No | ✘No | 1:1000 (Exceeds FCA limits; high risk) | ✔Yes | ✘No |
| Spreadex | ✘No | ✘No | ✘No | ✔Yes | 1:30 | ✔Yes | ✔Yes |
| Trade Nation | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘No | ✘No | ✘No | 1:30 | ✘No | ✘No |
| Interactive Brokers | TWS API | ✘No | ✔Yes | ✘No | 1:30 | ✔Yes | ✔Yes |
Compare the Ratings of Top CFD Brokers
See how the top CFD brokers compare in all key areas according to our hands-on tests:
| Broker | Trust | Platforms | Assets | Mobile | Fees | Accounts | Research | Education | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | |||||||||
| XTB | |||||||||
| FXCC | |||||||||
| Spreadex | |||||||||
| Trade Nation | |||||||||
| Interactive Brokers |
Compare CFD Trading Fees
The cost of trading with a CFD broker will make a big difference over time. Here's how the top CFD providers stack up on costs:
| Broker | Cost Rating | Fixed Spreads | Inactivity Fee | CFD FTSE Spread | CFD GBP/USD Spread | CFD Oil Spread | CFD Stocks Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | ✘No | $12 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 0.02 | |
| XTB | ✘No | €/$10 per month after 365 days | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.03 | 0.2% | |
| FXCC | ✘No | $5 | 1.10 | 0.4 | 0.035 | 0.17 (Apple) | |
| Spreadex | ✘No | £0 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 0.15% | |
| Trade Nation | ✔Yes | $0 | From 0.4 | From 0.6 | From 3.0 | Variable | |
| Interactive Brokers | ✘No | $0 | 0.005% (£1 Min) | 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value | 0.25-0.85 | 0.003 |
Community Sentiment
See how users rate these brokers based on the average customer ratings submitted on DayTrading.com, plus ratings from Trustpilot, the Apple App Store and Google Play.
| Broker | Our Users' Rating | Trustpilot Score | Trustpilot Reviews | iOS App Rating | Android App Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | 10204 | ||||
| XTB | 3026 | ||||
| FXCC | 223 | ||||
| Spreadex | 2294 | ||||
| Trade Nation | 2173 | ||||
| Interactive Brokers | 5527 |
How Popular Are These CFD Brokers?
Many traders prefer the most popular CFD brokers, i.e those with the most signed up clients:
Why Trade CFDs with IG?
IG continues to provide a comprehensive package with an intuitive web platform, best-in-class education for beginners, advanced charting tools bolstered by its recent TradingView integration, real-time data, and robust trade execution for experienced day traders.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
IG quick facts
- FTSE Spread
- 1.0
- GBPUSD Spread
- 0.9
- Stocks Spread
- 0.02
- Leverage
- 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro)
- Regulator
- CFTC, NFA, FCA, BaFin, ASIC, FINMA, MAS, JFSA, FMA, DFSA, BMA, CONSOB
- Platforms
- Web, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD
Pros
- As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust.
- The ProRealTime advanced charting platform is free as long as certain modest monthly trading activity requirements are met.
- The IG app offers a superb mobile trading experience with a clean design that helped it secure Runner Up at our 'Best Trading App' award.
Cons
- IG applies an inactivity fee of $12-$18 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors.
- Beginners might find IG’s fee structure complex, with various fees for different types of trades or services, potentially leading to confusion or unexpected charges.
- IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders.
Why Trade CFDs with XTB?
XTB stands out as a top choice for new day traders with the terrific xStation platform, low trading costs, no minimum deposit, and excellent educational tools, many of which are seamlessly integrated into the platform.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
XTB quick facts
- FTSE Spread
- 1.8
- GBPUSD Spread
- 1.4
- Stocks Spread
- 0.2%
- Leverage
- 1:30
- Regulator
- FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, CMF, Bappebti
- Platforms
- xStation
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP
Pros
- Opening an XTB account is a hassle-free, entirely online process that takes just a few minutes, making the entry into day trading smooth for new traders.
- The xStation platform continues to impress with its user-friendly interface and intuitive features, including customizable news feeds, sentiment heatmaps, and trader calculator, reducing the learning curve for newer traders.
- XTB has improved its assets and markets offering further in 2026 with options trading in Spain and Germany, spot cryptos in some regions, and Investment Plans 2.0 with more pre-built plans covering sectors like Defence, a more intuitive interface, and greater flexibility to combine single stocks and ETFs into individual plans.
Cons
- The demo account expires after just four weeks, a serious limitation for traders who wish to thoroughly test the xStation platform and practice short-term strategies before committing real funds.
- XTB does not offer a raw spread account, which is becoming increasingly common among competitors like Pepperstone, and may disappoint day traders looking for the tightest spreads.
- Not being able to adjust the default leverage level of XTB products is frustrating, as manual adjustment can significantly mitigate trade risk, especially in forex and CFD trading.
Why Trade CFDs with FXCC?
FXCC continues to prove itself an excellent option for day traders with a particularly strong selection of 70+ currency pairs, ultra-tight spreads from 0.0 pips during testing, and a free VPS for qualifying traders.
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
FXCC quick facts
- FTSE Spread
- 1.10
- GBPUSD Spread
- 0.4
- Stocks Spread
- 0.17 (Apple)
- Leverage
- 1:1000 (Exceeds FCA limits; high risk)
- Regulator
- CySEC, MISA
- Platforms
- MT4, MT5
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD
Pros
- FXCC’s ECN XL account has been built with active traders in mind, featuring spreads from 0.0 with no commission, while also passing our execution speed benchmark for day traders.
- The free VPS for qualifying traders and the ability to build or buy EAs on MetaTrader make FXCC a strong option for algo traders.
- Customer support still relies on human agents with response times of under three minutes on live chat during our tests and knowledgeable reps - a welcome break from the frustrating AI chatbots increasingly offered by brokers.
Cons
- Although regulated by the CySEC, FXCC’s offshore entity operates with weak regulatory oversight from MISA and may not provide safeguards like investor compensation in the event of broker insolvency.
- Although FXCC has bolstered its range of markets with US, European and Asian stocks, the choice of metals and energies is light, and there are no soft commodities.
- Although the economic calendar has benefited from a facelift, FXCC still offers very little in terms of market research beyond basic daily technical analysis and aggregated market news, with no tools like Autochartist or social sentiment data.
Why Trade CFDs with Spreadex?
Spreadex will appeal to UK day traders who are interested in both spread betting on financial markets and placing traditional bets on sports events. Fees are low on short trades and profits are tax-free on spread bets. There's also a powerful proprietary charting platform, plus £0 minimum deposit required to get started.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Spreadex quick facts
- FTSE Spread
- 1.0
- GBPUSD Spread
- 0.9
- Stocks Spread
- 0.15%
- Leverage
- 1:30
- Regulator
- FCA
- Platforms
- Spreadex Platform, TradingView, AutoChartist
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, CHF
Pros
- Spreadex introduced trading signals to its desktop platform, powered by Autochartist, providing real-time, pattern-based insights to help active traders identify potential opportunities.
- In our live tests near London, Spreadex returned 120–200ms round-trip latency across 50+ FTSE and EUR/USD trades, with no requotes and mostly controlled slippage in normal market conditions.
- The web platform works well for active trading from testing, with one-click trading, watchlists, saved layouts, while Force Open all worked smoothly. It was easy to build a clean workspace and manage short-term trade.
Cons
- Spreadex makes you use real money from the start, with no demo. It's one of the few spread betting brokers that fail to serve prospective traders this way.
- Execution is decent but not elite from our tests - we recorded 0.2–0.4 pip slippage on liquid markets in calmer periods, but news spikes pushed some fills toward 1 pip, and thinner AIM stocks regularly slipped by 2–4 points.
- CFDs, financial spread bets, sports, and casino activity all sit in one pooled balance. For serious active traders, that means losses outside trading can directly reduce margin available for trading positions.
Why Trade CFDs with Trade Nation?
Trade Nation suits discretionary traders who want to speculate on major indices like the US 500 or liquid FX pairs, and want the predictable all-in costs of fixed spreads. In tests, we found the fixed-spread TN Trader environment particularly useful for trading around scheduled economic releases owing to its reliable charting environment and because published spreads stayed capped.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Trade Nation quick facts
- FTSE Spread
- From 0.4
- GBPUSD Spread
- From 0.6
- Stocks Spread
- Variable
- Leverage
- 1:30
- Regulator
- FCA, ASIC, CMVM , FSCA, SCB, FSA
- Platforms
- TN Trader, MT4, TradingView
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, ZAR, SEK, NOK, DKK
Pros
- Trade Nation accounts can now be linked with TradingView, providing advanced multi-charts and the ability to execute trades directly.
- The demo comes with a $5,000 practice account and you can request a one-on-one platform walkthrough by callback - this level of personal help is rare.
- In testing of the TN Trader account under normal market conditions, fixed spreads held while fills were prompt on major forex pairs, with a slight drift in the entry level as price ticked between click and fill.
Cons
- Withdrawals can take up to five business days, which is around the industry average but slower than the 1-3 days we’re increasingly seeing brokers offer in an attempt to quash withdrawal complaints from retail investors.
- Offshore SCB and FSA entities allow retail clients up to 1:200 and 1:500 leverage compared to 1:30 in regions like the UK, Europe and Australia, so an FSA client can have 16 times the exposure of a UK retail client on the same trade, but with less oversight and no compensation scheme.
- There is no raw or ECN pricing tier, which are often prefered by day traders. No matter how much you deposit or trade, you use the same fixed (or variable on MT4) pricing as beginners, making it unsuitable for scalpers especially.
Why Trade CFDs with Interactive Brokers?
Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry.
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Interactive Brokers quick facts
- FTSE Spread
- 0.005% (£1 Min)
- GBPUSD Spread
- 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value
- Stocks Spread
- 0.003
- Leverage
- 1:30
- Regulator
- SEC, FINRA, CFTC, NFA, CIRO, FCA, CBI, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS
- Platforms
- Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower
- Account Currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF
Pros
- IBKR is one of the most respected and trusted brokerages and is regulated by top-tier authorities, so you can have confidence in the integrity and security of your trading account.
- There's a vast library of free or paid third-party research subscriptions catering to all types of traders, plus you can enjoy commission reimbursements from IBKR if you subscribe to Toggle AI.
- Interactive Brokers was named 'Best US Broker' for 2025 by DayTrading.com, recognizing its long-standing commitment to US traders, ultra-low margin rates, and global market access at minimal cost.
Cons
- Support can be slow and frustrating based on tests, so you might find it challenging to reach customer service representatives promptly or encounter delays in resolving issues.
- TWS’s learning curve is steep, and beginners may find it challenging to navigate the platform and understand all the features.
- You can only have one active session per account, so you can’t have your desktop program and mobile app running simultaneously, making for a sometimes frustrating trading experience.
How To Choose A Top CFD Broker
Contracts for difference (CFDs) are a high-risk product available from hundreds of online brokers, however not all firms can be trusted and trading conditions vary. That’s why we, and you, should look at several factors to find the right CFD provider for your needs:
Trust
The most important consideration is choosing a trusted CFD broker.
You risk losing money in scams or from business failure if you sign up with an unreliable broker. One example is EverFX: the FCA banned the firm from offering CFDs to UK customers in May 2021 after raising concerns about its practices, where clients were encouraged to move funds to high-risk, unregulated entities, leaving clients with little to no regulatory protection.
The best sign that a CFD broker can be trusted is oversight from a top-rate regulator like the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), or Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (CySEC).
That’s why we review each CFD broker’s licensing details to ensure they have the regulatory authorizations they advertise.
We also test each broker carefully to check for unethical practices and only recommend providers that earn the confidence of our in-house experts, who have reviewed hundreds of brokers over many years.
- Plus500 maintains a very high trust score of 4.9/5 thanks to its oversight from the likes of the FCA, ASIC and CySEC, listing on the London Stock Exchange, 15+ years of industry experience, transparent trading conditions, and excellent reputation.
Markets
Selecting a CFD broker that offers access to the financial markets you want to speculate on is key.
CFDs are a versatile trading vehicle that can be used to trade a wide range of asset classes, including stocks, forex, commodities and cryptocurrencies, and we look for brokers that provide enough variety for traders to build a diverse portfolio.
- CMC Markets continues to excel for its above-average selection of 12,000+ CFDs, including 300+ currency pairs – more than every other CFD provider we have tested to date.
Fees
Picking a CFD broker with competitive fees is an important consideration, especially for active day traders for whom frequent costs can cut into profits.
Most CFD platforms make money through spreads. This is the difference between the quoted buy and sell prices, and real market prices. It’s essentially a markup for the broker’s services.
Fees also come in the form of commissions which take a percentage of each trade. The good news is that to stay competitive, many of the best CFD brokers are waiving commission fees.
CFD brokers also make money through financing. When you trade using margin or leverage, you essentially borrow funds from the brokerage to increase your position size. Most firms factor in a fee for these financing services.
We monitor the trading fees of our top CFD brokers each year to ensure they maintain their edge by continuing to offer tight spreads with low or no commission fees.
We also weigh the trading and non-trading fees (deposit/withdrawal charges and inactivity penalties) against the total package available, including market access and trading tools, on the basis that value for money is more important than simply having the lowest fees.
- IC Markets consistently ranks as one of our cheapest CFD brokers. The Standard account is great for beginners with commission-free CFDs and spreads from 0.8 pips, while the Raw account will serve intermediate and advanced traders with spreads from 0.0, a low commission of $3.50 per lot, per side, plus rebates for high-volume traders.
Leverage
Given the risk of high losses with derivatives like CFDs, choosing a broker with transparent leverage and margin requirements is key.
Leverage allows you to greatly increase the potential profitability of trades with a relatively small amount of capital. Leverage is often written as a ratio, for example 1:10. Here, a $100 outlay would give you $1,000 in buying power ($100 x 10).
Importantly, the amount of leverage available can vary greatly among CFD providers. If your broker is regulated by a top-tier body like the FCA, ASIC or CySEC, then it is likely to be restricted to a maximum of 1:30 for forex and lower amounts for more volatile instruments like crypto.
These regulators also require CFD brokers to provide negative balance protection, ensuring you cannot lose more than your account balance.
Still, many traders choose to sign up with offshore CFD brokers who can offer higher amounts of leverage, sometimes reaching 1:3000.
I do not recommend beginners trade CFDs with high leverage given the risk of substantial losses. Risk management tools like stop-loss orders can help limit potential losses, but they do not guarantee execution at the chosen price and can be affected by slippage and market gaps.
James BarraAuthor- Pepperstone is a good example of a reliable CFD broker that offers transparent leverage and margin terms in line with regulatory requirements where it’s authorized.
Platforms and Apps
Choosing a broker with a user-friendly CFD trading platform and the features you need to analyze the markets is essential.
Based on our extensive experience, the top CFD providers offer popular third-party software like MetaTrader 4, which is great for advanced traders interested in technical analysis and algo trading, alongside user-friendly proprietary platforms and mobile apps that deliver an intuitive user experience for beginners.
- AvaTrade stands out for its excellent platform line-up, from MT4 and MT5 to the in-house WebTrader that performed well during testing with an intelligent design, smooth user experience and a strong charting package comprising 60+ indicators, 14 drawing tools and 10 timeframes.
Value-Add Features
With many CFD brokers offering competitive packages today, considering the additional features available can be a great way to find a firm that best caters to your experience level and strategy.
We’ve seen that the best CFD providers offer a variety of extra tools to give traders the best chance at success. This can include engaging educational materials and social investing platforms to support new traders, market research tools like Trading Central to help you discover opportunities and virtual private server (VPS) hosting to give advanced day traders the fastest execution speeds with low latency.
- Pepperstone excels for its large suite of extra tools that elevate the CFD trading experience, from daily market news, code-free automation tools like Capitalise.ai, and top-rate education with guides to CFDs for beginners.
Regulators Are Stepping Up Oversight Of CFD Brokers
While more could always be done, regulators in multiple major jurisdictions have been tightening their grip over CFD brokers in recent years:
- Australia (ASIC): In January 2026, ASIC announced it secured nearly A$40 million in refunds for more than 38,000 retail investors after finding widespread breaches among CFD brokers, including unlawful “margin discount” practices.
• UK (FCA): In October 2025, the FCA warned some firms were pressuring retail CFD clients to opt up to elective professional status, which can mean losing important retail protections like 1:30 leverage caps and negative balance protection. In March 2026, the FCA also finalized new operational incident and material third-party reporting rules. - Cyprus / EU (CySEC): The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) tightened CFD leverage requirements in 2018, applying a 10% initial margin requirement – effectively 1:10 leverage – to certain commodity CFDs and non-major indices, which was subsequently incorporated into Cyprus rules.
Bottom Line
The best CFD platforms provide a secure environment where you can speculate on global financial markets with user-friendly tools and low fees. Choose from our list of top CFD brokers to find the right platform for your needs.
Find out more about how we test CFD brokers.
FAQ
What Is A CFD Broker?
A CFD broker is a financial intermediary that enables you to speculate on price movements in various financial markets without owning the underlying assets.
They facilitate the trading process through an online platform. You sign up for an account, deposit funds, trade CFD products and then withdraw any profits.
Are All CFD Brokers Regulated?
CFDs are legal financial instruments that are tightly regulated in many jurisdictions. That said, brokers are banned from offering CFDs in some countries, including the United States.
For Specific Countries
Article Sources
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