CFD activity brings in large retail participation, from brokers with hundreds of thousands of active clients to global markets measured in trillions of notional volume. In 2023, Europe saw CFD trading volumes reach €1.8 trillion (+12% year over year), while Asia-Pacific grew at an 8.5% CAGR from 2018 to 2023. This page connects those market shifts to regulation and enforcement in the UK, EU, and Australia and to what that means for trader experience and results.
Key Takeaways
- IG Group served 313,000 active retail CFD clients in FY2023
- Plus500 reported 194,000 active retail clients in Q4 2023
- CMC Markets had 1.6 million funded retail accounts end FY2023
- The global Contracts for Difference (CFD) market was valued at approximately USD 7.5 trillion in notional trading volume in 2022
- CFD trading volumes in Europe reached €1.8 trillion in 2023, representing a 12% year-over-year increase
- The Asia-Pacific CFD market grew at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2018 to 2023, driven by retail investor participation
- ESMA imposed permanent CFD leverage caps at 1:30 for majors in 2018
- FCA banned retail CFD sales to UK investors in 2019 with exceptions
- ASIC enforced 1:30 leverage limit on CFDs from 2021
- Retail CFD traders comprised 85% of UK active accounts in 2023
- Average age of EU CFD retail trader was 35 years in 2023 survey
- 62% of CFD retail traders were male, 38% female in 2023 FCA data
- In 2023, 76% of retail CFD investor accounts lost money across EU brokers
- Average retail CFD trader loses 80-90% of capital within 12 months
- 89% of Australian retail CFD clients incurred net losses in FY2022/23
Regulatory pressure and persistent losses are reshaping CFD activity as major broker client bases grow.
Related reading
01 · Category
Broker & Platform Data26 stats
01
IG Group served 313,000 active retail CFD clients in FY2023
02
Plus500 reported 194,000 active retail clients in Q4 2023
03
CMC Markets had 1.6 million funded retail accounts end FY2023
04
eToro's CFD offerings reached 3 million active users in 2023
05
Average CFD spreads on EUR/USD at top brokers: 0.8 pips in 2023
06
250+ CFD instruments offered average per broker in 2023
07
Mobile app ratings averaged 4.5/5 for top 10 CFD brokers 2023
08
Execution speeds <100ms for 95% trades at leading CFD platforms
09
CFD broker client acquisition cost averaged $450in 2023
10
85% uptime for CFD trading platforms during 2023 peaks
11
API integrations used by 20% advanced CFD retail traders 2023
12
CFD broker complaints resolved 92% within 8 weeks in UK 2023
13
Average CFD broker leverage offered: 1:30 EU, 1:500 offshore 2023
14
MT4/MT5 used by 70% CFD brokers as primary platform 2023
15
CFD brokers' average NDD execution model 88% fills 2023
16
Segregated client funds ratio 110% at top CFD brokers 2023
17
CFD platform custom indicators downloaded 5M times in 2023
18
Average CFD broker deposit/withdrawal fees <0.5% in 2023
19
1.2 million CFD demo accounts active monthly average 2023
20
CFD brokers offered 24/7 crypto CFDs to 60% clients 2023
21
Platform latency complaints down 40% post-2023 upgrades
22
CFD brokers' average OTC spreads tightened 15% in 2023
23
Multi-asset CFD platforms grew to 15M users in 2023
24
CFD broker insurance coverage averaged €1M per client 2023
25
Algo trading bots on CFD platforms: 25% trade volume 2023
26
CFD brokers processed 500M trades yearly average 2023
Interpretation
Broker & Platform Data Interpretation
Across broker and platform data, the CFD landscape is scaling rapidly with firms like IG Group at 313,000 active retail clients and eToro reaching 3 million active users in 2023, while top brokers also maintained tight execution metrics with average EUR/USD spreads of 0.8 pips and offering 250 or more instruments per broker.
02 · Category
Market Size & Growth30 stats
01
The global Contracts for Difference (CFD) market was valued at approximately USD 7.5 trillion in notional trading volume in 2022
02
CFD trading volumes in Europe reached €1.8 trillion in 2023, representing a 12% year-over-year increase
03
The Asia-Pacific CFD market grew at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2018 to 2023, driven by retail investor participation
04
UK CFD broker revenues totaled £2.1 billion in 2022, up 15% from 2021
05
Global CFD accounts numbered over 15 million in 2023, with a 10% annual growth rate
06
Australian CFD trading turnover hit AUD 1.2 trillion in FY2022/23
07
CFD market share in retail forex trading stood at 35% globally in 2023
08
European CFD retail trading volume surged 22% in Q4 2023 amid volatility
09
US-equivalent CFD-like products saw $500 billion in volume via futures in 2023
10
Middle East CFD market expanded 18% YoY to $300 billion in 2023
11
Projected global CFD market to reach USD 10 trillion by 2028 at 6% CAGR
12
IG Group's CFD revenue grew 24% to £748 million in FY2023
13
CMC Markets reported £192 million CFD income in H1 FY2024, up 11%
14
South African CFD volumes reached ZAR 800 billion in 2023
15
CFD adoption in India via NSE derivatives hit 25% market share in 2023
16
Brazilian CFD market volume exceeded BRL 1.5 trillion in 2023
17
Canadian CFD trading grew 14% to CAD 400 billion in 2023
18
Singapore CFD volumes rose 20% to SGD 600 billion in 2023
19
CFD market in Japan valued at JPY 50 trillion in 2023
20
New Zealand CFD turnover increased 16% to NZD 150 billion in FY2023
21
Global CFD mobile trading apps downloads hit 50 million in 2023
22
CFD index products accounted for 45% of total CFD volumes in 2023
23
Commodity CFDs grew 30% YoY to 20% market share in 2023
24
Crypto CFD volumes spiked 50% to $1 trillion in 2023
25
Forex CFDs dominated with 55% of global CFD trades in 2023
26
Share CFD trading volumes up 18% in Europe post-2022 bans lift trials
27
ETF CFDs emerged with $200 billion volume in 2023 globally
28
Bond CFD market reached $400 billion in notional value 2023
29
Options CFD hybrids grew 25% to 10% share in 2023
30
Overall CFD industry AUM projected at $2 trillion by 2025
Interpretation
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
In the Market Size & Growth view, CFDs are scaling fast with global notional trading volume reaching about USD 7.5 trillion in 2022 and Europe rising to €1.8 trillion in 2023, alongside strong account growth to over 15 million in 2023 with 10% annual expansion.
03 · Category
Regulatory Landscape24 stats
01
ESMA imposed permanent CFD leverage caps at 1:30 for majors in 2018
02
FCA banned retail CFD sales to UK investors in 2019 with exceptions
03
ASIC enforced 1:30 leverage limit on CFDs from 2021
04
CySEC fined 25 CFD brokers €10M total for non-compliance in 2023
05
ESMA temporary CFD ban renewed 10 times since 2018 till 2023
06
BaFin Germany restricted CFD advertising to retail in 2022
07
CFTC US classified CFDs as swaps requiring registration since 2011
08
MAS Singapore capped CFD leverage at 1:20 for retail from 2022
09
FSCA South Africa mandated negative balance protection 2023
10
AMF France banned all CFD incentives to clients in 2020
11
Consob Italy limited CFD leverage to 1:10 minors in 2023
12
DFSA Dubai imposed 1:20 leverage on retail CFDs 2022
13
FMA New Zealand required CFD risk warnings on all ads 2023
14
CBI Ireland aligned with ESMA CFD interventions fully 2023
15
FSA Japan banned high-leverage CFDs >1:25 since 2011
16
SEC Philippines restricted unlicensed CFD brokers 2023
17
CBRC China prohibited all retail CFD trading domestically 2023
18
SCA UAE mandated 50% margin for CFD positions 2022
19
FSB South Africa reviewed 50 CFD licensees for compliance 2023
20
ESMA reported 300 CFD breach cases in 2023 supervision
21
FCA conducted 150 CFD mystery shopping tests in 2023
22
ASIC issued 20 stop orders on CFD product issuers 2023
23
Leverage limit compliance rate 95% among EU CFD firms post-2018
24
Negative balance protection enforced on 100% EU CFD brokers since 2019
Interpretation
Regulatory Landscape Interpretation
The regulatory landscape for CFDs has tightened dramatically and repeatedly, with leverage capped at 1:30 by ESMA in 2018, FCA and ASIC tightening further from 2019 to 2021, and ESMA renewing a temporary CFD ban 10 times through 2023 alongside fines and marketing restrictions like CySEC’s €10M penalty in 2023 and BaFin’s 2022 advertising limits.
More related reading
04 · Category
Retail Trader Statistics27 stats
01
Retail CFD traders comprised 85% of UK active accounts in 2023
02
Average age of EU CFD retail trader was 35 years in 2023 survey
03
62% of CFD retail traders were male, 38% female in 2023 FCA data
04
45% of retail CFD users had <2 years experience in 2023
05
Daily active retail CFD traders numbered 1.2 million globally in 2023
06
70% of retail CFD trades executed via mobile apps in 2023
07
Average retail CFD account size €5,200 in EU 2023
08
55% retail CFD traders used social media for signals in 2023
09
Weekend retail CFD positions held by 25% of active accounts
10
40% of retail CFD traders multitasked trades with work hours
11
Average monthly retail CFD trades per account: 120 in 2023
12
30% retail CFD users aged 18-24 in Asia-Pacific 2023
13
Education level: 65% retail CFD traders held university degrees 2023
14
52% retail CFD income from salaries, 48% self-employed in 2023
15
Peak retail CFD trading hours: 8-10 PM GMT for 60% activity
16
75% retail CFD traders followed <5 assets regularly
17
Copy trading adopted by 35% retail CFD users in 2023
18
28% retail CFD churn rate quarterly in high-vol periods
19
Forex pairs chosen by 80% retail CFD traders as primary
20
Average session duration for retail CFD: 45 minutes daily
21
42% retail CFD traders used demo accounts first <1 month
22
Income <€50k annual for 55% EU retail CFD traders 2023
23
65% retail CFD trades closed manually, 35% auto-stops 2023
24
Urban dwellers 78% of retail CFD population globally 2023
25
50% retail CFD traders multi-broked in 2023 for best spreads
26
Average deposits per retail CFD account: €2,800 yearly 2023
27
33% retail CFD traders cited ads as entry point in 2023
Interpretation
Retail Trader Statistics Interpretation
Retail CFD trading is clearly dominated by less experienced participants on the go, with 85% of UK active accounts in 2023 and 70% of trades placed via mobile apps, while 45% of retail users had under 2 years of experience.
05 · Category
Risk & Loss Statistics30 stats
01
In 2023, 76% of retail CFD investor accounts lost money across EU brokers
02
Average retail CFD trader loses 80-90% of capital within 12 months
03
89% of Australian retail CFD clients incurred net losses in FY2022/23
04
UK retail CFD negative balance ratio hit 82% in Q3 2023
05
Leverage amplifies losses by 25x average for CFD retail traders
06
70% of CFD day traders quit within first year due to losses >50% equity
07
Margin calls affected 45% of EU CFD accounts in volatile 2022 markets
08
Average CFD loss per losing account was €1,500 in 2023 EU data
09
92% loss rate for retail CFD traders using >1:30 leverage
10
CFD stop-loss usage reduced losses by only 15% on average
11
65% of CFD accounts experienced drawdowns >30% in 2023
12
Negative balance protection claims totaled €50 million in EU 2023
13
High-frequency CFD scalpers had 78% loss rate in 2023 studies
14
Weekend gap losses averaged 5% per event for leveraged CFD positions
15
83% of beginner CFD traders lost >75% capital in first 6 months
16
CFD binary options hybrids showed 95% loss rates pre-ban
17
Volatility-adjusted CFD loss ratio peaked at 85% during 2022 Ukraine crisis
18
Average profitable CFD trade duration was 2.5 days vs 45 days for losses
19
72% of CFD accounts closed with net loss > initial deposit in 2023
20
CFD overtrading led to 60% higher losses per account
21
Leverage >1:50 correlated with 90% loss rate in retail CFDs
22
CFD news trading loss rate 81% during earnings seasons 2023
23
Average CFD trader recovery rate post-loss <20%
24
88% loss for CFD crypto positions in 2022 bear market
25
CFD holding periods <1 hour had 75% loss probability
26
Institutional vs retail CFD loss gap was 40% in 2023
27
CFD pattern trading success rate only 28% for retail in 2023
28
79% of EU CFD accounts lost money quarterly in 2023 average
29
CFD social copy trading mirrored 82% loss rate of leaders
30
Average CFD loss per trade €45 in retail EU 2023
Interpretation
Risk & Loss Statistics Interpretation
Across CFD risk and loss statistics, losses are overwhelmingly common, with 76% of EU retail investor accounts losing money in 2023 and as many as 82% of UK retail clients in Q3 2023 running negative balances.
report visual · Breakdown
CFD broker & platform reach: retail clients and users
Major CFD firms serve hundreds of thousands of active retail clients, while platforms extend reach to multi-million user bases.
85%
85% uptime for CFD trading platforms during 2023 peaks
15%
CFD brokers' average OTC spreads tightened 15% in 2023
report visual · Key figures
CFD market size growth trajectory (notional + outlook)
CFD market activity is scaling up globally, supported by sustained growth metrics and a higher forward-looking market projection by 2028.
7.5
The global Contracts for Difference (CFD) market was valued at approximately USD 7.5 trillion in notional trading volume
6%
Projected global CFD market to reach USD 10 trillion by 2028 at 6% CAGR
12%
CFD trading volumes in Europe reached €1.8 trillion in 2023, representing a 12% year-over-year increase
report visual · Key figures
Regulatory actions intensified across key CFD rules (2018–2023)
Major jurisdictions increasingly tightened CFD restrictions—from leverage caps and retail sales bans to broader compliance and enforcement activity.
1
ESMA imposed permanent CFD leverage caps at 1:30 for majors in 2018
2019
FCA banned retail CFD sales to UK investors in 2019 with exceptions
1
ASIC enforced 1:30 leverage limit on CFDs from 2021
2023
FMA New Zealand required CFD risk warnings on all ads 2023
2023
CBI Ireland aligned with ESMA CFD interventions fully 2023
300
ESMA reported 300 CFD breach cases in 2023 supervision
report visual · Comparison
Retail CFD trading habits (share of traders)
Most retail CFD traders engage through a few common channels and behaviors, with mobile app execution and limited asset focus standing out.
Forex pairs chosen by 80% retail CFD traders as primary80%
75% retail CFD traders followed <5 assets regularly75%
70% of retail CFD trades executed via mobile apps in 202370%
55% retail CFD traders used social media for signals in 202355%
Copy trading adopted by 35% retail CFD users in 202335%
report visual · Key figures
Retail CFD loss rates are consistently high across regions and contexts
Across multiple datasets, the share of retail CFD traders/accounts experiencing losses remains around the ~70%–90% range, indicating a persistent risk of negative outcomes.
76%
In 2023, 76% of retail CFD investor accounts lost money across EU brokers
89%
89% of Australian retail CFD clients incurred net losses in FY2022/23
82%
UK retail CFD negative balance ratio hit 82% in Q3 2023
79%
79% of EU CFD accounts lost money quarterly in 2023 average
81%
CFD news trading loss rate 81% during earnings seasons 2023
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Priyanka Sharma. (2026, February 13). Cfd Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/cfd-industry-statistics
MLA
Priyanka Sharma. "Cfd Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/cfd-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Priyanka Sharma. 2026. "Cfd Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/cfd-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
52 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level