The allure of high leverage is irresistible to many forex traders – the ability to control positions worth hundreds or thousands of times your capital with just a small deposit. However, the double-edged sword of leverage can just as easily amplify losses.
Choosing the right high-leverage forex broker is therefore critical. This article will guide you through key factors when selecting a broker offering 500:1, 1000:1, or even 2000:1 leverage. We analyze fees and spreads, regulations, risk protections, trading platforms, and account funding options across leading high-leverage brokers like FXTM, Exness, and IC Markets.
While profits can skyrocket, poor risk management can wipe out even the largest accounts in seconds during extreme volatility. By implementing disciplined risk controls, traders can take advantage of leverage as a tool rather than let it destroy their capital base.
Join us as we explore into the exciting yet perilous world of high-leverage forex trading.
10 Best High Leverage Forex Brokers (2024)
| Forex Brokers | Leverage Offered |
|---|---|
| FP Markets | Up to 500:1 leverage |
| Exness | 1:2000 maximum leverage |
| IC Markets | 1:500 max leverage |
| XM | Up to 1000:1 leverage |
| Pepperstone | Max 1:500 leverage |
| Axi | 1:500 leverage offered |
| InstaForex | 1000:1 max leverage |
| FXTM | Offers 1000:1 leverage |
| OANDA | Up to 50:1 leverage [Regulated] |
| Tickmill | 500:1 max leverage |
1. FP Markets
FP Markets is a leading Australian-based online broker offering Forex and CFD trading services to clients worldwide. Founded in 2005, it has established itself as a reputable and reliable platform known for its competitive spreads, high-leverage options, and diverse trading platforms.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Trading Benefits
- Access to multiple markets: Forex, commodities, indices, shares, and
cryptocurrencies. - Advanced order types for risk management and profit optimization.
- Educational resources to hone your trading skills.
- Demo account to practice before risking real money.
- 24/7 customer support for queries and assistance.
Features of FP Markets
| Max Leverage Offered | Up to 500:1 |
| Traded Instruments | Over 10,000 across Forex, Shares, Metals, Indices, Commodities, and Bonds |
| Deposit & Withdrawal Methods Accepted | Accepts bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and various e-wallets for deposits and withdrawals. |
| Crypto Deposit & Withdrawal | Yes |
2. Exness
Exness, with its headquarters in Cyprus, has carved a niche as a reliable online broker catering to both seasoned traders and curious newcomers. Imagine Exness as your gateway to the bustling global markets. It allows you to trade currencies, commodities, and even cryptocurrencies, all from the comfort of your digital device. They offer a variety of account types, catering to different trading styles and risk appetites.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Trading Benefits
- Advanced order types: Manage risk and secure profits with stop-loss and take
profit tools. - Social trading platform: Learn from experienced traders by copying their trades.
- Mobile app: Trade and manage positions on the go.
- 24/7 support: Get help and answers anytime with dedicated customer service.
Features of Exness
| Max Leverage Offered | Up to 1:2000 |
| Traded Instruments | Forex, metals, cryptocurrencies, energies, stocks, indices |
| Deposit & Withdrawal Methods Accepted | Internet Banking, USDT, Bitcoin, Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, and several e-wallets |
| Crypto Deposit & Withdrawal | Yes |
3. IC Markets
IC Markets is an Australian-based online forex and CFD broker known for its tight spreads, high-leverage options, and diverse trading platforms. They cater primarily to experienced traders seeking control and performance in their trading activities.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Trading Benefits
- Sharp Spreads: Keep more profits with razor-thin margins on trades, especially through Raw Spread accounts.
- Leverage Power: Amplify potential gains (and losses) with options up to 1:500 (for experienced traders only).
- Platform Playground: Choose from MT4, MT5, cTrader, and their own platform, tailoring your experience to your style.
- Mobile Control: Manage positions and trade on the go with their user-friendly mobile app.
- No Inactivity Fees: Take breaks without penalty, your account stays open and ready when you return.
Features of IC Markets
| Max Leverage Offered | Up to 1:500 |
| Traded Instruments | Over 2250 instruments including Forex, stocks, and cryptocurrencies |
| Deposit & Withdrawal Methods Accepted | Bank transfers, credit/debit cards, e-wallets |
| Crypto Deposit & Withdrawal | Yes |
4. XM
XM is a forex broker that offers a range of leverage options for traders. The company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Cyprus. XM is regulated by multiple authorities, including the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
XM can refer to different things, including a forex broker and a discipline called Experience Management (XM). In this context, XM refers to Experience Management, which is a holistic approach to listening to the voice of customers, employees, and other stakeholders and using the knowledge, understanding, and insights to design and improve the experiences delivered by an organization.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Trading Benefits
- Suitable for beginners and experienced traders, with a wide range of educational
materials available - Offers a user-friendly and customizable platform
- Award-winning broker with years of reputation
- Fast execution speeds and slippage control
- Unlimited leverage offered
- No deposit/withdrawal fees
Features of XM
| Max Leverage Offered | 1:1 up to 1000:1 |
| Traded Instruments | Over 1,000 instruments including currency pairs, CFDs, stocks, and commodities |
| Deposit & Withdrawal Methods Accepted | Supports credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and various e-wallets |
| Crypto Deposit & Withdrawal | Yes |
5. Pepperstone
Pepperstone is an Australian online broker that provides CFD trading, offering a wide range of markets for forex, crypto, indices, commodities, and shares trading. The company was founded in 2010 and has offices in Melbourne, London, Düsseldorf, Dubai, Limassol, Nassau, and Nairobi.
Pepperstone is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities, including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and the Federal Financial Market Supervisory Authority (BaFin) in Germany.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Trading Benefits
- Pepperstone is a great choice for traders looking for a diverse range of trading
instruments and a variety of trading platforms. - The company's regulation by multiple authorities and its award-winning status make it a reliable and trustworthy option for both beginners and experienced traders.
- With competitive spreads, fast execution speeds, and a wide range of educational resources, Pepperstone is an excellent choice for traders looking to expand their trading portfolio.
Features of Pepperstone
| Max Leverage Offered | Up to 500:1 for professional clients, up to 30:1 for retail clients |
| Traded Instruments | Forex, crypto, indices, commodities, shares |
| Deposit & Withdrawal Methods Accepted | Supports bank transfers, cards, PayPal, Skrill, and other e-wallets. |
| Crypto Deposit & Withdrawal | Trading in cryptocurrencies available |
6. Axi
Axi is a global online broker that offers a seamless trading environment for forex, shares, indices, commodities, and crypto. The company provides fundamental tools, training resources, and trading education, and it is the Official Online Trading Partner of Manchester City Football Club.
Axi is known for its competitive trading costs, high leverage for most international traders, and a wide range of trading platforms, including MT4, with raw spreads from 0.0 pips and the AI-powered third-party trading analytics platform PsyQuation.
The broker is regulated by multiple authorities globally, including the FCA in the UK and ASIC in Australia, providing a high level of trust and security. Axi is a low-cost forex broker ideal for those who need extra tools to build their trading strategies, offering a great forex pair selection and compensating for a less impressive CFD lineup. The broker's product range is, however, limited to forex and CFDs, and its research tools lack trading recommendations.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Trading Benefits
- Axi offers a competitive trading environment with favorable trading conditions, including raw spreads, low commission fees, and fast execution speeds.
- The availability of advanced trading platforms and third-party trading analysis tools enhances the trading experience for clients.
- The broker's commitment to regulation and the provision of educational resources make it a suitable choice for both novice and experienced traders.
Features of AXI
| Max Leverage Offered | Up to 100:1 |
| Traded Instruments | Forex, Shares, Indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies |
| Deposit & Withdrawal Methods Accepted | Accepts deposits and withdrawals via credit card, bank transfer, and e-wallet services such as Skrill and Neteller |
| Crypto Deposit & Withdrawal | Yes |
7. InstaForex
InstaForex is an international forex broker that offers a wide range of trading services and features. The company is known for its diverse offerings, including being the title sponsor of the InstaForex Loprais Team, and an official participant in the Dakar rally.
InstaForex provides a user-friendly and reliable digital currency exchange platform called InstaSpot, which allows for the buying, selling, and exchanging of various assets, including cryptocurrencies.
The broker also offers a mobile trading app for active traders, providing access to the forex market on the go. The company also provides a wide range of deposit/withdrawal methods, ensuring the security
and transparency of all transactions.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Trading Benefits
- InstaForex offers a competitive trading environment with a wide range of trading
instruments, including currencies, stocks, indices, metals, oil and gas, commodity futures,
and cryptocurrencies. - The broker provides user-friendly trading platforms like MT4 and MT5, high-leverage,
and various bonus programs. - The company's commitment to regulation and the provision of educational resources
make it a suitable choice for both novice and experienced traders.
Features of InstaForex
| Max Leverage Offered | Up to 1:1000, depending on the account type |
| Traded Instruments | Forex, stocks, indices, metals, oil and gas, commodity futures, cryptocurrencies, InstaFutures |
| Deposit & Withdrawal Methods Accepted | Bank cards, Bitcoin, PayCo, Tether, Litecoin, Ethereum, and more |
| Crypto Deposit & Withdrawal | Offers trading in cryptocurrencies |
8. FXTM
FXTM is a global forex and CFD broker established in 2011 and headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus. The broker offers a wide range of trading instruments, including over 2,500 assets, and provides user-friendly trading platforms like MT4 and MT5.
FXTM is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities, including the FCA in the UK, the CySEC of Cyprus, and the Mauritian FSC. The broker offers various account types, competitive spreads, and low commission fees. FXTM provides fast and responsive customer support and supports multiple languages.
The company has served over 4 million clients across 180 countries and has offices in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. FXTM has received over 45 awards since its establishment, reflecting its commitment to providing high-grade services and maximum opportunities for successful trades.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Trading Benefits
- FXTM offers a competitive trading environment with a wide range of trading instruments, including currencies, stocks, indices, metals, oil and gas, commodity futures, and cryptocurrencies.
- The company's commitment to regulation, awards, and recognition makes it a suitable choice for both novice and experienced traders.
Features of FXTM
| Max Leverage Offered | Up to 1:2000, depending on the account type and trading instrument |
| Traded Instruments | Forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and cryptocurrencies |
| Deposit & Withdrawal Methods Accepted | Credit cards, bank transfer, and electronic wallets |
| Crypto Deposit & Withdrawal | Yes offers trading in cryptocurrencies |
9. OANDA
OANDA was introduced in 1996 as a global broker with experience in financial services. OANDA is a popular forex broker that offers margin trading, allowing traders to enter into positions larger than their account balance by borrowing money from their broker.
The OANDA Trade platform supports margin trading, and the maximum leverage allowed per trade in the US is determined by the National Futures Association (NFA). OANDA offers competitive spreads on 68 major and minor forex pairs and provides various tools, powerful platforms, and transparent pricing.
The broker's professional trading account allows professional traders to trade forex and CFDs with higher leverage ratios, offering a range of leverage options to suit different trading strategies and risk appetites.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Trading Benefits
- OANDA offers a competitive trading environment with a wide range of trading
instruments, including currencies, stocks, indices, metals, oil and gas, commodity futures, and cryptocurrencies. - The company's commitment to regulation, negative balance protection, and the
provision of reliable customer service makes it a suitable choice for both novice and experienced traders. - The broker provides user-friendly trading platforms like MT4, MT5, and a proprietary trading platform.
Features of OANDA
| Max Leverage Offered | Up to 30:1 for retail clients, up to 100:1 for accredited investors |
| Traded Instruments | 68+ currency pairs, commodity CFDs, index CFDs, crypto CFDs |
| Deposit & Withdrawal Methods Accepted | Credit/debit cards, bank transfer, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller |
| Crypto Deposit & Withdrawal | Supports trading crypto CFDs |
10. TICKMILL
Tickmill was founded in 2014 by brothers Ingmar and Illimar Mattus, both long-time forex industry entrepreneurs with significant experience in financial services.
The company was introduced in the United Kingdom, with additional regulatory statuses in Cyprus, South Africa, Seychelles, and Labuan in Malaysia. Tickmill is a multi-regulated forex and CFD provider that offers first-class products and services with industry-leading trading conditions.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Trading Benefits
- Tickmill offers a competitive trading environment with low forex fees, fast and easy account opening, and free deposit and withdrawal options.
- The broker provides a wide range of trading instruments competitive fees and ultra-fast execution speeds.
- Tickmill's commitment to regulation, low fees, and the provision of reliable customer service make it a suitable choice for both novice and experienced traders.
Features of AXI
| Max Leverage Offered | Up to 1:500 |
| Traded Instruments | Supports various deposit and withdrawal methods including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, Neteller, Skrill, and crypto payments |
| Deposit & Withdrawal Methods Accepted | Supports various deposit and withdrawal methods including bank transfer, credit/debit cards, Neteller, Skrill, and crypto payments |
| Crypto Deposit & Withdrawal | Yes |
How to Calculate Leverage Offered by Your Forex Broker?
Leverage in forex trading refers to the ratio of the total transaction or position value to the margin deposit required to open the trade. It is calculated as:
Leverage = Total Transaction Value / Margin.
Most brokers offer leverage up to 100:1 or 200:1 for major currency pairs.
You can calculate the leverage by considering the following points mentioned below:
- Leverage is expressed as a ratio, such as 100:1, 200:1, etc. This refers to the maximum amount of money/positions you can control relative to the margin deposit.
- To calculate margin-based leverage, use the formula: Leverage = Total Value of Transaction / Margin Required. For example, if you need to deposit a 1% margin, then the leverage is 100:1 (1% margin requirement = 100x leverage).
- Brokers often set different margin and leverage limits based on factors like account size, trader experience, currency volatility, etc. For a $10,000 account trading major pairs, the leverage offered might be 100:1 or 50:1. For smaller accounts or volatile currencies, it may be 30:1 or 20:1.
- The maximum leverage legally allowed in the US is set by the National Futures Association at 50:1 for major currency pairs and 20:1 for minor pairs. Other regulators like ESMA in Europe restrict leverage between 30:1 and 2:1 depending on the currency.
- Traders can calculate their “effective” or “true” leverage used on trade as: Effective Leverage = Total Position Value / Margin Used. This measures how much you are actually leveraging your capital.
FAQs on High Leverage Forex Brokers
What is high leverage in forex trading?
High leverage in forex trading refers to trading with borrowed money, which allows traders to control a larger position than their account balance. Leverage is expressed as a ratio, such as 1:50, meaning a trader can trade $5 for every $1 in their account. However, trading with high leverage also increases the risk of losses.
Why is high leverage important in forex trading?
High leverage is important in forex trading because it allows traders to potentially trade larger positions and profit from small price movements. This can lead to higher returns but also involves higher risks. It is particularly useful for traders with limited trading capital who want to participate in the forex market.
What are the risks associated with high leverage?
Trading with high leverage increases the risk of losses, as the potential profit and loss on a trade are magnified. High leverage can lead to significant losses if the market moves against a trader's position. Regulators and trading platforms often have limits on the maximum leverage allowed to protect traders from excessive risk.
Are there any restrictions on high-leverage trading?
In the United States, margin requirements are limited to 2% (50:1 leverage), while internationally, traders can leverage trades up to 500:1 on most major currencies. Brokers may offer even higher leverage ratios, but it is essential to choose a broker that offers limits that work for you.
What is the maximum leverage most regulated brokers offer?
Most regulated brokers offer a maximum leverage of 1:30 for major currency pairs due to restrictions from regulators like ESMA. Some offshore brokers offer higher leverage like 1:500 or 1:1000.
Which regulators have the tightest leverage restrictions?
Regulators like ESMA (Europe) and ASIC (Australia) restrict leverage to 1:30 for major forex pairs. The CFTC (US) allows a maximum of 1:50 leverage.
Does leverage affect spreads and trading costs?
Yes, brokers offering very high leverage tend to have higher spreads and commissions to compensate for the increased risk.
Are there any trading conditions I should check?
Check execution quality, trading platforms, account funding/withdrawal methods, spreads, commissions, and customer support.
Will I pay tax on my profits from high-leverage trading?
In most countries, you must pay capital gains tax on any trading profits, no matter what leverage you use.
End Note on High Leverage Forex Brokers
Trading with ultra-high leverage is akin to a double-edged sword – while profits can skyrocket exponentially, poor risk management can result in equally drastic losses. As the saying goes, leverage can be your best friend or worst enemy.
Ultimately, sustainable success lies not in chasing the highest leverage, but in developing solid trading skills and discipline. Start with more modest leverage between 30:1 and 200:1 offered by mainstream regulated brokers until you prove consistency.
💡 As your expertise grows, then consider carefully graduated increases in leverage.
Always implement strong risk management using tools like guaranteed stops, limit orders, and scaling out of trades. The brokers profiled herein offer advanced risk protections alongside high leverage.
So which high-leverage forex broker is best for you? The one that enables your trading style and goals while providing the features, conditions, and risk control that suit your risk appetite. Choose wisely and leverage will unlock your profit potential.
Now over to you – happy high-leverage trading!
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