Become a professional client. Keep your leverage high.
- The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has introduced a new regulation that will cap leverage available to retail traders.
- The new rule comes into effect on 1st August 2018 and it will require from retail traders to add more funds, should they wish to retain their current trading style.
- You can avoid this limitation by becoming a professional client.
How to become a professional client?
I am an existing client. How to avoid leverage restrictions and become a professional client?
Check the eligibility criteria
- You opened 40 trades of significant size in the last twelve months;
- You have a financial portfolio that exceeds $100,000;
- You have work experience in the financial sector;
Contact us
Please send us an email to become a professional trader.Please double check and make sure the information provided in the email is correct.
Contact us
We will be in touch shortly
As soon as we receive your request our customer support team will review your application and will get in touch with you.We aim to process your applications within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Why is leverage being limited?
In March 2018, ESMA, the European Securities and Markets Authority, announced that they will be restricting leverage to a maximum of 30:1 in an attempt to strengthen financial trading and protect retail traders form high risk. These limitations do not apply for GQ Capital Markets professional trading accounts or other accounts onboarded under the Australian entity of GQ Capital Markets.When does the new regulation come into effect?
The new regulation comes into effect on 1st August on 2018.I am not eligible. What now?
If you don’t satisfy the EPC requirements, you can continue using your GQ Capital Markets account as a retail client and the relevant leverage restrictions will apply. We will notify you once the changes come into effect. The ESMA rules apply to brokers based in the EU. Clients trading with brokers based outside the EU are exempt from the changes. For more information, please contact our customer service team.What is included in a “financial instrument portfolio”?
A financial instrument portfolio includes cash deposits, savings, shares, options and fund investments. Please note that property portfolios are not included.How much experience do I need in the financial sector in order to qualify?
You work or have worked in the financial sector for at least 12 months in a position that requires knowledge of CFDs and/or spread betting transactions.Are there any tax implications?
No changes apply to the tax status of the products we provide to our clients.Do I have to provide proof of meeting the criteria?
In accordance with the FCA regulations, elective professional account holders might be required to provide proof of meeting the criteria.What protections does the elective professional trader lose?
Elective professional traders are not protected by negative balance protection and therefore may lose more than they deposit. GQ Capital Markets will assume that an EPC client has a certain level of knowledge of the financial markets and we can therefore use sophisticated language in our communications.Experience the difference
Now open the account of GQ Capital Markets and start trading.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69.1% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.