How much default leverage does FXCM offer? When does this change?
Leverage is a function of the size of your trading position divided by the Margin Requirement.
Therefore the larger the margin requirement the smaller the leverage available.
The amount of leverage offered by FXCM differs depending on the instrument being traded and, for forex, the equity in your account.
Every individual trading instrument has its own leverage ratio that is determined by FXCM’s Risk Management team. This ratio is maintained via the increase or decrease of margin requirements on a monthly basis or after/prior to specific market events.
All new accounts are defaulted to up to 1000:1 leverage. Accounts that are funded in excess of $5,000 will be moved to a leverage of up to 400:1 and accounts in excess of $50,000 will be moved to a leverage of up to 100:1 on FX and 200:1 on CFD's. The leverage on your account will then be adjusted based on the equity in your account. FXCM reserves the final right, in its sole discretion, to change your leverage settings.
Please see the below table for more information.
| Equity* | Less Than $5,000 | Between $5,000 and $50,000 | Greater Than $50,000 |
| FX Leverage | Up to 1000:1 | Up to 400:1 | Up to 100:1 |
| CFD Leverage | Up to 1000:1 | Up to 400:1 | Up to 200:1 |
The exact leverage available for any instrument is at the sole discretion of FXCM, may be less than the allowed maximum, and is subject to change at any time.
*Equity is your account balance plus the floating profit/loss of your open positions.