What is XM?
XM is one of the best-known forex and CFD brands, run since 2009 by the Trading Point group from Limassol, Cyprus. International clients are served by XM Global Limited, licensed by the Financial Services Commission of Belize, while EU clients are covered by the CySEC-regulated parent company. Accounts start from just $5 and leverage reaches up to 1:1000 outside the EU, as shown on the official XM website.
Here are the key facts about XM (reviewed in October 2026).
| Item | XM |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 (Trading Point group, Limassol, Cyprus) |
| International entity | XM Global Limited (FSC Belize, licence 000261/309) |
| EU entity | Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd (CySEC 120/10) |
| Maximum leverage | Up to 1:1000 outside the EU (1:30 for EU retail clients) |
| Minimum deposit | From $5 |
| Account types | Micro, Standard, Ultra Low, Zero, Shares |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, XM app |
| Instruments | 1,000+ CFDs, including shares and crypto |
The conditions you receive depend on the XM entity that opens your account, so check the client agreement before you deposit. Leverage of up to 1:1000 applies to smaller balances, and XM lowers it automatically as your equity grows. You can open an account with a $5 deposit on the XM registration page.
＼Accounts from $5／
XM regulation and client protection
The XM group is headed by Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd, regulated by CySEC in Cyprus, and international clients are served by XM Global Limited under the Financial Services Commission of Belize. Client money is kept in segregated accounts at major banks, and negative balance protection stops your account from going below zero. The details for your entity are in the legal documents on the XM website.
Here is a summary of how XM protects client funds.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| International clients | XM Global Limited (FSC Belize) |
| EU clients | Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd (CySEC) |
| Client funds | Segregated accounts at major banks |
| Negative balance protection | Yes, on all account types |
A Belize licence allows the high leverage and bonuses that make XM popular, but it offers less protection than CySEC. XM has a long record of paying withdrawals, which is one reason many traders start with it. Start small and test a withdrawal early from the XM members area.
What XM does well
XM is known for very low entry requirements, a simple account lineup and execution without requotes. You can open an account with $5, trade more than 1,000 instruments from one account and use MT4, MT5 or the XM app. Bonus-eligible accounts also qualify for welcome bonuses and a loyalty programme, as listed on the XM website.
Here are the main strengths of XM, summarised in plain terms.
| Strength | What it means for traders |
|---|---|
| Low entry | Accounts from a $5 deposit |
| High leverage | Up to 1:1000 for smaller balances outside the EU |
| Micro lots | Micro account with 1,000-unit lots for small positions |
| No commission | Micro, Standard and Ultra Low are commission-free |
| Wide market range | 1,000+ CFDs, including shares and crypto |
| Bonuses | Welcome bonus, deposit bonuses and loyalty rewards on eligible accounts |
XM suits beginners who want to start small and traders who like bonuses with high leverage. Active traders who care most about spreads will prefer the Ultra Low or Zero account. Our sister site Hercules Finance has a detailed XM review, and you can open an account on the XM registration page.
＼From $5／
XM account types
XM offers Micro, Standard, Ultra Low, Zero and Shares accounts. Micro and Standard are commission-free with spreads from about 1.0 pip, Ultra Low offers tighter spreads without commission but no bonuses, and Zero has raw spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission. The account details are explained on the XM website.
Here is a comparison of the XM account types (reviewed in October 2026).
| Item | Micro | Standard | Ultra Low | Zero | Shares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $5 | $5 | $5 | $5 | $10,000 |
| Lot size | 1,000 units | 100,000 units | 100,000 units | 100,000 units | 1 share |
| Spreads | From about 1.0 pip | From about 1.0 pip | Tighter than Standard | From 0.0 pips | Exchange spread |
| Commission | None | None | None | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum leverage | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:1000 | No leverage |
| Bonuses | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Beginners usually start on Micro or Standard to qualify for bonuses, while cost-focused traders choose Ultra Low or Zero. Leverage of up to 1:1000 applies to equity up to about $40,000 and is reduced above that. Our sister site FXCodex.com explains XM’s accounts and conditions in more detail, and every account opens from the XM registration page.
＼Micro, Standard, Ultra Low and Zero／
XM promotions
XM is known for its bonuses on international accounts. They have included a welcome no-deposit bonus for new clients, deposit bonuses on Micro and Standard accounts and the XM loyalty programme, which rewards trading volume with points. Our sister site FXBonus follows XM bonuses and promotions closely, and the current offers are on the XM website.
Here are the types of promotions XM offers on bonus-eligible accounts.
| Promotion | Details |
|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | No-deposit bonus for new clients after verification |
| Deposit bonus | Bonus credit on deposits to Micro and Standard accounts |
| Loyalty programme | Points earned on trading volume |
Bonus amounts and conditions vary by region and change over time. Bonuses are credit for trading, so they are reduced when you withdraw your own funds. You can check the offers available to you after you open an account.
Crypto trading at XM
XM offers crypto CFDs on popular coins such as Bitcoin and Ethereum on the MT5 platform. They are traded from the same account as forex and other CFDs, so you do not need a separate exchange account. Our sister site CryptoArmy looks at XM from a crypto trader’s point of view, and crypto conditions are listed on the XM website.
Crypto CFDs are far more volatile than major currency pairs, so use lower leverage and smaller positions. You need an MT5 account to trade them, which you can choose during registration. You can try crypto trading first with a free XM demo account.
bestfx verdict on XM
XM is a strong choice for beginners and bonus-focused traders who want a well-known broker, $5 entry and leverage of up to 1:1000. Its main drawback is that international accounts are held by a Belize entity, and the best spreads come only on accounts that do not receive bonuses. For most new traders, the Standard or Micro account is worth opening on the official XM website.
Here is a summary of the pros and cons of XM.
| Points | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Since 2009 with CySEC parent; accounts from $5; up to 1:1000; Micro lots; commission-free accounts; negative balance protection; bonuses and loyalty rewards |
| Cons | International accounts under FSC Belize; leverage reduced for larger balances; tightest-spread accounts excluded from bonuses |
We suggest Micro or Standard for beginners who want bonuses and Ultra Low or Zero for active traders who want lower costs. Check the entity in your client agreement and test a withdrawal early. Opening an account is free on the XM registration page.
＼Free account opening／
XM FAQ
Is XM regulated?
Yes, the XM group’s parent company is regulated by CySEC in Cyprus, and international clients are served by XM Global Limited under the Financial Services Commission of Belize. The entity that opens your account sets your leverage and bonuses. You can check your entity in the legal documents on the XM website.
What is the minimum deposit at XM?
Micro, Standard, Ultra Low and Zero accounts start from $5, and the Shares account needs $10,000. Your payment method may have its own minimum. You can open an account on the XM registration page.
What is the maximum leverage at XM?
XM offers up to 1:1000 outside the EU for equity up to about $40,000, with lower leverage above that. EU retail clients are limited to 1:30 on major pairs. Your leverage is set when you open an account.
Is XM the same as XMTrading?
XM and XMTrading belong to the same Trading Point group but are different brands for different regions. This page covers the international XM brand at xm.com. You can visit it through the official XM website.
Facts on this page were reviewed in October 2026 using our sister sites’ research and independent broker reviews.
