One of the ways for the banks (or other large financial institution) to make money is to exchange large amounts of one currency into another and then change it back. For example, EUR vs USD is traded at 1.13457.
A bank has 1,000,000 EUR and sells it at 1.13457 USD per each (gets 1,134,570 USD).
After a while EUR vs USD is traded at 1.13420, so, the bank takes 1,134,570 USD and exchanges them into EUR (and gets 1,000,326.22).
Bank's profit here is EUR 326.22(=1,000,326.22-1,000,000).
Usual mortals (retail clients) don't have millions to do the same, so margin trading was introduced, when a user doesn't have to actually HAVE a million to exchange it, he can have a small fraction of it (can be less than 1% of that million).
Leverage and margin requirements
This "fraction" is used as a certain collateral and is the necessary minimum to start trading with this particular volume (1 mln in our example). Also it's known as "margin requirements".
In case margin requirements are 1% - it means we need to have only 1% of the volume we want to deal with in our balance.
1% is 1/100, so, "100" here is called "leverage".
The wording is: leverage of 1:100.
Weltrade’s leverages
We provide our clients with an opportunity to trade hundreds of various assets. As they are different - we provide different leverages for them.
Platform and account availability
Dynamic leverage with a maximum of 1:2000 is available on MT5 trading accounts: Micro, Cent, Premium, Pro, Raw, and Demo.
MT4 trading accounts support a maximum leverage of 1:1000 for FX and Metals.
How dynamic leverage works
As trading with high volumes is risky and can lead to significant losses, for most groups of instruments leverage depends on the total volume of your open positions. The larger your total open position, the lower the leverage applied to the additional volume. This protects both you and the broker from excessive risk.
Here are the details:
FX majors and metals
Trading volume, USD | Leverage |
0 - 2,000,000 | 1:2000 |
2,000,000 - 3,000,000 | 1:1000 |
3,000,000 - 3,500,000 | 1:500 |
3,500,000 - 4,500,000 | 1:200 |
4,000,000 - 5,000,000 | 1:100 |
5,000,000+ | 1:25 |
FX minors
Trading volume, USD | Leverage |
0 - 1,000,000 | 1:2000 |
1,000,000 - 1,500,000 | 1:1000 |
1,500,000 - 2,000,000 | 1:500 |
2,000,000 - 3,000,000 | 1:200 |
3,000,000 - 4,000,000 | 1:100 |
4,000,000 + | 1:25 |
Crypto
Trading volume, USD | Leverage |
0 - 250,000 | 1:100 |
250,000 - 1,000,000 | 1:50 |
1,000,000 - 2,000,000 | 1:25 |
2,000,000+ | 1:10 |
Indices
Trading volume, USD | Leverage |
0 - 3,000,000 | 1:500 |
3,000,000 - 3,500,000 | 1:200 |
3,500,000 - 4,000,000 | 1:100 |
4,000,000 - 5,000,000 | 1:50 |
5,000,000+ | 1:25 |
Trading volume, USD | Leverage |
0 - 1,000,000 | 1:500 |
1,000,000 - 1,500,000 | 1:200 |
1,500,000 - 2,000,000 | 1:100 |
2,000,000 - 3,000,000 | 1:50 |
3,000,000+ | 1:25 |
Example: How dynamic leverage affects margin
Let's say you open a position in EURUSD (a Major pair) on an MT5 Pro account with 1:2000 leverage selected.
Position: 10 lots of EURUSD at 1.13000
Position value = 10 x 100,000 x 1.13 = $1,130,000
Since $1,130,000 falls within the 0 - 2,000,000 tier, the full position gets 1:2000 leverage:
Margin = $1,130,000 / 2,000 = $565.00
Position: 25 lots of EURUSD at 1.13000
Position value = 25 x 100,000 x 1.13 = $2,825,000
This position spans two tiers:
First $2,000,000 at 1:2000 → margin = $2,000,000 / 2,000 = $1,000
Remaining $825,000 at 1:1000 → margin = $825,000 / 1,000 = $825
Total margin = $1,825
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How is leverage expressed?
How is leverage expressed?
Leverage is shown as a ratio, such as 1:10, 1:100, or 1:500, indicating how much the trading power is multiplied.
Does higher leverage mean higher profit?
Does higher leverage mean higher profit?
Higher leverage increases potential profit, but it also increases potential losses. Both gains and losses are amplified.
What is margin and how is it related to leverage?
What is margin and how is it related to leverage?
Margin is the amount of money required to open and maintain a leveraged position. Higher leverage means lower margin requirements.
Is leverage mandatory when trading?
Is leverage mandatory when trading?
No. Leverage is optional. Traders can choose lower leverage levels to reduce risk exposure.
Can I change leverage on my trading account?
Can I change leverage on my trading account?
Yes. Leverage can usually be changed in your Personal Area, subject to account conditions and open position requirements. Visit this article to find out more about how to change leverage.
Is 1:2000 leverage available on MT4?
Is 1:2000 leverage available on MT4?
No. 1:2000 leverage is available only on MT5 trading accounts. MT4 accounts support a maximum of 1:1000 for FX and Metals.