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⚖️ What is Leverage?

Tim avatar
Written by Tim
Updated over 6 months ago

Leverage allows you to open larger trading positions than your account balance would normally permit. It multiplies your buying power, making it possible to control a higher-value trade with a smaller amount of capital.

To use leverage, you provide a margin deposit—a portion of the full trade value—as collateral.


The higher the leverage, the lower the margin required.


🧮 Example: Initial Margin vs. Leverage

Account Balance

Leverage

Buying Power (Trade Size)

$1,000

1:1

$1,000

$1,000

1:10

$10,000

$1,000

1:33

$33,000

Leverage can be displayed as a ratio (e.g., 1:20) or a percentage (e.g., 5% margin). Both formats are shown on our website.


💡 How It Works

If you choose 1:20 leverage, this means:

  • You only need 5% of the total trade size as margin

  • To open a position worth $100,000, you only need $5,000 in your account


⚠️ Important Risks

While leverage increases your potential profits, it also amplifies potential losses. Misuse can lead to:

  • Rapid losses

  • Stop Out (automatic closure of your positions)

  • Greater impact of spreads and swaps on your capital

For example:

  • If the spread is 0.1%, and you use 20x leverage, the spread will cost you 2% of your margin upfront.


🧾 Real-World Example

  • With 1:5 leverage, you'd need €20,000 to open 1 lot of EUR/USD (100,000 units)

  • With 1:30 leverage, you'd only need €3,333 for the same position


Use leverage responsibly as part of a risk-managed strategy. Let us know if you want to adjust your leverage settings or explore lower-risk account options.

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