CMC Markets is a forex and CFD broker offering online trading services to traders and investors worldwide. The broker provides a diverse range of trading instruments, including Forex Major, Forex Crosses, Forex Minor, Metals, Oil , CFD, Stock indices. It also supports multiple trading platforms and tools such as MT5, TradingView, Mobile App, Web Trader..
Although CMC Markets is regulated by several authoritative bodies such as FCA, ASIC, BaFin, IIROC, FMA, MAS, it is not regulated by CySEC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission). In this article, we will explore CMC Markets’ regulations, and its features, and provide a list of alternative brokers that are regulated by CySEC.
Does CMC Markets Operate Under CySEC?
No, CMC Markets does not operate under CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission) regulation. However, the broker is regulated by several other reputable financial authorities including FCA, ASIC, BaFin, IIROC, FMA, MAS. These regulatory bodies ensure compliance with various standards for financial stability, transparency, and investor protection, though they do not provide the specific protections offered by the CySEC in the EU.
What Other Regulations Does CMC Markets Have?
FCA:
CMC Markets is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK under license number 684312. The FCA, established in 2013, is responsible for regulating financial markets and firms in the United Kingdom.
The FCA requires CMC Markets to adhere to strict guidelines for financial conduct, including maintaining adequate capital, safeguarding client funds, and ensuring transparency in its operations. This includes keeping client money separate from company funds and providing regular financial reports. FCA regulation helps ensure that CMC Markets operates securely and fairly, offering a high level of protection and trust for clients in the UK and across Europe.
ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission):
CMC Markets is regulated by ASIC. Founded in July 1998, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) is Australia’s national corporate regulator, overseeing corporations, markets, and financial services in accordance with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001. Being based in Australia, ASIC regulation ensures that the broker complies with Australian laws on financial services, including responsible conduct, risk management, and financial reporting. Client money is kept in segregated accounts, and there is an emphasis on risk disclosure and trader protection.
BaFin:
CMC Markets is authorized by BaFin to provide services in Germany. BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) was founded in 2001 and regulates the financial markets in Germany. It supervises forex trading with a maximum leverage of 1:30 and provides negative balance protection. Operated by the German government, BaFin ensures financial stability and investor protection. For more information, visit BaFin’s website.
IIROC:
CMC Markets is regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC). IIROC, established in 2008, is a national self-regulatory organization responsible for overseeing investment dealers and trading activities in Canada’s debt and equity markets.
IIROC requires CMC Markets to comply with strict standards, including maintaining sufficient capital, segregating client funds from company assets, and providing transparent, regular financial reporting. IIROC’s regulation ensures that CMC Markets operates with integrity, offering a secure and transparent trading environment for clients in Canada, protecting investors, and ensuring market fairness.
FMA:
CMC Markets is regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) of New Zealand under. The FMA, established in 2011, is responsible for overseeing financial markets and ensuring fair, transparent, and efficient operations in New Zealand.
The FMA requires CMC Markets to follow strict guidelines, including maintaining sufficient capital, protecting client funds by keeping them separate from company assets and providing regular financial reporting. This regulation ensures that CMC Markets operates securely and fairly, offering a reliable and transparent trading environment for clients in New Zealand.
MAS:
CMC Markets is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). MAS, founded in 1970, is the government body responsible for overseeing financial institutions in Singapore, ensuring financial stability and investor protection.
Under MAS regulation, CMC Markets must follow strict rules, including maintaining enough capital, keeping client funds separate from company assets, and providing regular financial reports. MAS supervises forex trading and limits the maximum leverage to 1:20 to manage risk. Although there is no specific protection scheme, MAS’s oversight ensures that CMC Markets operates safely and transparently. For more details, you can visit their website: http://www.mas.gov.sg.
Best CySEC Regulated Forex Brokers: Alternatives to CMC Markets
CMC Markets is one of the leading forex and CFD brokers. The broker is not regulated by CySEC. It is regulated by other top-tier regulators including FCA, ASIC, BaFin, IIROC, FMA, MAS. There are several CySEC regulated brokers that can serve as alternatives to CMC Markets. These brokers include:
- Founded In: 2010
- Minimum Deposit: $0, Recommended: $200
- Maximum Leverage: 500:1
- Regulations: FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFIN, DFSA, CMA, and SCB
- Trading Platforms : MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and Own Trading Platforms
- Trading Instruments: Forex, Commodities, Indices, Currency Indices, Cryptocurrencies, Shares, ETFs, and CFD Forwards.
- Founded In: 2007
- Minimum Deposit: $200
- Maximum Leverage: 1:1000
- Regulations: ASIC, CySEC, and FSA
- Trading Platforms: MT4, MT5, Ctrader and TradinView
- Trading Instruments: Forex, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, shares, ETFs, and CFD forwards
- Founded In: 2007
- Minimum Deposit: $50
- Maximum Leverage: 30:1 EU, 50:1 USA
- Regulations: SEC, FINRA, FCA, CySEC, FSA-S, SIPC,
- Trading Platforms: eToro Trading Platforms
- Trading Instruments: Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, Commodities, Currencies
- Founded In: 2009
- Minimum Deposit: $100
- Maximum Leverage: 1:500
- Regulations : ASIC,FCA, CySEC, SCB
- Trading Platforms : MT4, MT5, TradingView, Webtrader
- Trading Instruments: Forex,Commodities,Indices,Shares,Crypto
- Founded In: 2014
- Minimum Deposit: $100
- Maximum Leverage: 1:1000
- Regulations: FCA, DFSA, FSCA, CySEC, FSA- Labuan, FSA-S
- Trading Platforms : MT4, MT5, WebTrader Platform, MetaTrader for Mac , Tickmill Mobile App
- Trading Instruments: Forex, stock, indices, commodities, bonds, cryptocurrencies, Futures & options
These brokers operate under CySEC regulation. According to CySEC rules, they offer leverage up to 30:1 and provide negative balance protection for retail traders. To learn more about CySEC-regulated forex brokers, you can read our content on the best CySEC-regulated forex brokers.
How Can I Verify If My Broker is CySEC-regulated or not?
You can find a CySEC-regulated broker’s profile on the CIF Regulated Entities List on the CySEC website. To verify if your broker, such as CMC Markets, is regulated by the CySEC follow these steps:
1. Get Broker Details
Start by finding the broker’s license number or name. This info is usually on the broker’s website. Having the right details is key for the next steps.
2. Visit the CySEC Website
Go to the CySEC Regulated Entities List. This is where you can verify if your broker is regulated.
3. Conduct the Search
Enter the license number or broker name into the search bar. This will bring up the broker’s profile on the CySEC website, showing important details about their regulatory status.
4. Check Authorization
Make sure the broker is authorized to offer specific services:
- Look for “9 – Financial contracts for differences” under Investment Services.
- Check for “Foreign exchange services connected to investment services” under Ancillary Services. This confirms they can legally offer forex and CFD trading.
5. Match Firm Details
Finally, ensure that the information on the CySEC website matches what you see on the broker’s site. Check the website, email, and other contact info. If anything doesn’t match, it could mean the broker isn’t authorized, and you should stay away to protect your money
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs)
What is CMC Markets?
Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is a publicly traded broker (Ticker: CMCX). The broker is regulated in the UK, Australia, Canada, and Singapore. It offers over 9800 trading instruments, including Forex, Indices, Cryptocurrencies, Shares & ETFs, and Commodities. There is no minimum deposit requirement on IC Markets; you may deposit as low as $1. CMC Markets allows EA trading and news trading. The broker uses the most popular trading ust Marketsplatform, MetaTrader (MT4), as its trading platform.
Is CMC Markets Considered Safe?
Yes, CMC Markets is considered safe. The broker is regulated by multiple top-tier regulatory authorities, including FCA, ASIC, BaFin, IIROC, FMA, MAS. It offers negative balance protection and holds client funds in segregated bank accounts.
Does CMC Markets Offer Negative Balance Protection?
Yes, CMC Markets offers negative balance protection. All CySEC-regulated brokers must offer negative balance protection. Negative balance protection means that traders are protected from losing more money than they have in their trading accounts. If a trade results in losses that exceed the amount of funds in the account, negative balance protection ensures that the trader’s balance cannot go below zero. This prevents the trader from owing the broker any additional money.
Is CMC Markets regulated in Cyprus?
No, CMC Markets is not regulated in Australia. The broker is not regulated by CySEC, the Australian regulator. However, it accepts Australian clients under its global entity. CMC Markets is regulated by several other authorities, including FCA, ASIC, BaFin, IIROC, FMA, MAS.
