FP MarketsCFDs carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.
If you trade CFDs, leverage is the first thing you'll want to understand, and the short version for UAE clients is this: FP Markets offers up to 1:500 under its offshore entity. That's a lot of firepower, and it comes with a specific regulatory context worth knowing before you fund an account.
FP Markets is an Australian broker founded in 2005, and the group holds top-tier licences with ASIC and CySEC. UAE retail clients are onboarded through the offshore arm, FP Markets LLC, registered in St Vincent & the Grenadines (Reg. No. 126 LLC 2019). The group's ASIC or CySEC oversight does not cover UAE retail onboarding, so your account sits under the SVG registration. There is no SCA (Securities & Commodities Authority) or DFSA/ADGM licence involved. That means no local UAE leverage cap applies to you, which is exactly why you can see that 1:500 figure.
The One-Line Answer
For UAE retail clients, FP Markets offers leverage up to 1:500 through its offshore entity, with no local SCA or DFSA cap.
The nuance is that this is both the appeal and the thing you need to manage carefully. Here's what that looks like in practice.
What the Numbers Mean
The leverage available to you depends on which entity serves your account, not on the broker's global reputation. Your FP Markets account falls under FP Markets LLC in St Vincent & the Grenadines.
| Entity | Regulator | Max Leverage | Local UAE Cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| FP Markets LLC (SVG) | SVG registration | Up to 1:500 | No SCA/DFSA licence |
| FP Markets Pty Ltd | ASIC (Australia) | Lower, restricted | Not for UAE clients |
| FP Markets Ltd | CySEC (Cyprus) | Lower, restricted | Not for UAE clients |
The 1:500 figure is available because the UAE arm isn't under the stricter ASIC or CySEC regimes. That's the trade-off you're accepting, and it's common with international brokers serving this region.
To put 1:500 in perspective, a 0.2% adverse move in your position wipes out your entire margin. At 1:100, the same move costs you 20% of your margin. Leverage amplifies both wins and losses, so position sizing becomes the whole game.
Local Leverage Rules in the UAE
The UAE has three regulators, and their leverage limits differ. If you're comparing options, this matters because it shows what a locally regulated experience would look like.
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | Retail Leverage Cap |
|---|---|---|
| SCA/CMA | Mainland UAE | ~1:50 major FX, 1:20 minors, 1:10 commodities, 1:3 stocks |
| DFSA | DIFC (Dubai) | ~1:30, EU-aligned |
| FSRA | ADGM (Abu Dhabi) | Varies, typically conservative |
Offshore brokers marketing to UAE residents advertise far higher, often 1:500 to 1:1000+. FP Markets sits at 1:500, which is on the higher end but not the extreme.
If you're choosing between a broker, the leverage on offer tells you a lot about the entity you'll be dealing with. Higher leverage isn't a sign of a better broker.
How FP Markets Structures It
FP Markets keeps the conditions reasonably simple. You get two account types, both available on all the major platforms.
| Account Type | Spread (US30) | Commission | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | ~1.0 - 1.2 pips | None | USD 100 |
| Raw | From 0.0 - 0.1 pips | ~USD 6 per round-turn lot (USD 3/side) | USD 100 |
The Raw account is where the tighter pricing lives, but you pay a commission per lot. The Standard account builds the cost into the spread, so you won't see a separate fee. Over a month of regular trading, the Raw account usually works out cheaper for anyone trading more than a few lots.
There is no broker-side deposit fee, and the minimum deposit is USD 100 or equivalent.
The Islamic account is available as swap-free, which is a standard expectation for UAE clients and works across the account types.
Platforms and Instruments
FP Markets gives you a choice of terminals. You are not locked into one ecosystem.
- MT4 and MT5 for the classic MetaTrader experience
- cTrader, which is popular with active day traders for its execution stats
- TradingView for charting-based traders who want direct execution
IRESS is available but Australia-only, so do not plan around it. The instrument list covers 10,000+ CFDs, including 60+ FX pairs, indices, commodities, shares, ETFs, bonds, and crypto CFDs.
For day traders, the platform choice can be as important as the spread. cTrader shows you detailed execution statistics, while MT4 has the deepest library of Expert Advisors.
Funding and Currency
Base currencies include USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, SGD, and others. A dedicated AED base currency is not verified at review, so you will likely work in USD or another major currency.
Funding options are cards, bank wire, and e-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller. Local UAE bank transfers work through the usual rails, including Emirates NBD, ADCB, and Dubai Islamic Bank. Card and e-wallet deposits are typically instant; bank transfers take roughly one to two business days.
On the tax side, the UAE has no personal income tax and no capital gains tax on individual trading profits. You keep what you make. If you operate as a business or company, the 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000 could apply, so confirm with the FTA if that is your setup.
The Trade-Offs
Your FP Markets account is served by an offshore entity without local statutory protection. The Fintelegram compliance list has flagged this offshore mutation, which is worth being aware of.
When you compare, look for brokers with strong regulation at the FCA, CySEC, or ASIC level, segregated client funds, transparent fees, and a long operating history. The FP Markets group has those at the top level, but the entity serving you does not.
Another thing to verify is how the broker handles withdrawals. Offshore entities can vary in speed and reliability here, so test with a small amount first before committing real capital.
Who This Works For
Is there a margin call warning before liquidation?
FP Markets uses standard margin call and stop-out levels across its platforms. The exact percentage depends on your account and platform, and you can see it in the trading conditions. You will get a warning when margin falls below the call level, but liquidation happens automatically at the stop-out level if you do not act.
What is the margin requirement for a standard lot of US30 at 1:500?
At 1:500 leverage, the margin for one standard lot (100,000 units) of US30 is roughly USD 200, depending on the exact price. The formula is position size divided by leverage. At 1:100, the same position would require USD 1,000, which shows how much room the 1:500 option gives you.
Does the higher leverage affect the spreads or commissions?
No. Leverage does not change the cost structure. The Raw account keeps its 0.0-0.1 pip spread and USD 6 per round-turn lot commission, and the Standard account keeps its 1.0-1.2 pip spread regardless of the leverage you choose. The two are independent variables.
How do I avoid a margin call with high leverage?
The practical trick is to size positions so that a worst-case move does not hit your margin level. A simple rule is to use no more than 1–2% of your account balance as margin for any single trade. That way, even a sharp move against you leaves room to stay in the trade or exit on your terms.