Which CFD brokers offer professional accounts in the UK?
Verdict
- Pepperstone is our pick for UK traders who qualify as professional clients: its Pro terms raise leverage to as much as 1:500 on FX, major indices and gold, and add Pro-only products such as perpetual CFDs.
- To qualify with Pepperstone you must meet two of three tests: frequent significant trading, a portfolio over €500,000, or a year in the financial sector with derivatives knowledge.
- Pro status costs you protections: Pepperstone says negative balance protection does not apply to Pro clients.
- StoneX Trading's terms also refer to Professional clients, Equiti's UK company serves professional and eligible counterparty clients only, and Exness's FCA company does not serve retail clients.
Several FCA-regulated firms will reclassify experienced traders as professional clients, which lifts the retail leverage caps. Pepperstone publishes its criteria, its Pro leverage table and what you lose, which makes it the clearest place to start. Below are its terms, the other UK firms whose pages show pro arrangements, and the trade-offs.
Pepperstone Pro: the terms in brief
Pepperstone Limited (FCA 684312) asks you to meet two of three conditions: about 10 significantly sized trades per quarter over the last year; a financial-instrument portfolio above €500,000; or at least one year working in the financial sector in a role needing knowledge of derivatives. Pro clients get leverage up to 1:500 on FX, gold and major indices, 1:200 on energies, 1:50 on metals and soft commodities, and 1:20 on shares and ETFs. Crypto CFDs and perpetual CFDs are available to Pro clients only in the UK. Pepperstone also lists a free VPS for eligible and Pro clients.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Which UK brokers offer professional client accounts?
From the firms' own pages, these UK-regulated brokers show professional-client arrangements:
| Firm | FCA reference | What the firm publishes |
|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | 684312 | Full Pro page: criteria, leverage table, loss of negative balance protection |
| StoneX Trading (StoneX Financial Ltd) | 446717 | Says negative balance protection does not apply to Professional clients |
| Equiti Capital UK | 528328 | Products directed at Professional and Eligible Counterparty clients only |
| Exness (UK) Ltd | 730729 | States it does not offer services to retail clients |
What you give up as a professional client
- Negative balance protection: Pepperstone says it will not apply to you as a Pro, so losses can exceed your deposit.
- The retail leverage caps that limit how fast a position can wipe out an account: 1:30 on major FX becomes up to 1:500.
- Some regulatory protections designed for retail clients. Ask the broker in writing which ones you lose, including whether FSCS eligibility changes for you.
Pro leverage at Pepperstone vs UK retail
| Market | Retail | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Major FX | 1:30 | 1:500 |
| Major indices | 1:20 | 1:500 |
| Gold | 1:20 | 1:500 |
| Shares | 1:5 | 1:20 |
What about IG, CMC Markets and Capital.com?
Their professional-client terms were not part of the material we verified for this page, so we don't list criteria or leverage for them. If you hold accounts there, ask each firm for its written pro criteria and the protections you would lose.
Sources
How many of Pepperstone's tests must I pass to become a Pro client?
Two of the three: trading frequency, a portfolio over €500,000, or relevant financial-sector experience.
Can UK Pro clients trade crypto CFDs at Pepperstone?
Crypto CFDs appear only on Pepperstone's UK Pro page and Pro-only margin table; the FCA bans crypto derivatives for retail clients.
Do Pro clients keep negative balance protection at Pepperstone?
No. Pepperstone states it won't apply to Pro clients.
Professional status removes key retail protections and raises leverage, which can turn small price moves into large losses, including losses beyond your deposit. CFDs are complex and high risk. This page is not investment advice.