Pepperstone maximum leverage by region
Pepperstone’s leverage is capped by each regulator. Retail clients in Australia, the UK, the EU, and Germany can use up to 1:30 leverage on major forex pairs. Clients in the Dubai International Financial Centre also receive 1:30 leverage because the Australian entity issues their trades.
Clients served by the Bahamas entity, including those onshore in the UAE, can use up to 1:200 leverage on forex, gold, and major indices. Kenyan clients can use up to 1:400. Leverage on other markets, such as shares and crypto, may be lower than on major forex pairs.
| Regulator | Who it covers | Max retail leverage (major forex pairs) | Max Pro leverage (major forex pairs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASIC | Australia | 1:30 | 1:500 |
| FCA | United Kingdom | 1:30 | 1:500 |
| CySEC | Most EU countries | 1:30 | 1:500 |
| BaFin | Germany | 1:30 | 1:500 |
| DFSA (via the ASIC entity) | Dubai International Financial Centre | 1:30 | 1:500 |
| SCB | Most other countries, including UAE onshore | 1:200 | 1:500 |
| CMA | Kenya | 1:400 | Not published |
How Pepperstone leverage affects your margin
Leverage determines how much margin, the deposit required to keep a position open, you need for each trade. Margin equals the position size divided by the leverage. At 1:30, a position needs about 3.3% of its value as margin. At 1:200, it needs 0.5%, and at 1:400, 0.25%.
For a 1-lot EUR/USD position worth EUR 100,000, the margin is about EUR 3,333 at 1:30, EUR 500 at 1:200, and EUR 250 at 1:400. Lower margin frees up more of your balance, but the same price move produces the same profit or loss regardless of the leverage you use. Using less leverage gives each trade more room before a margin call.
| Leverage | Margin as % of position | Margin for 1 lot EUR/USD |
|---|---|---|
| 1:30 | 3.33% | About EUR 3,333 |
| 1:200 | 0.5% | EUR 500 |
| 1:400 | 0.25% | EUR 250 |
| 1:500 | 0.2% | EUR 200 |
Pepperstone margin call and stop-out levels
Pepperstone issues a margin call warning when your account equity falls below 90% of the margin required to keep your positions open. On MT4 and MT5, positions close automatically at 50% for retail clients and at 20% for Pepperstone Pro clients under the Bahamas entity. On cTrader, the stop-out level is 50% for both retail and Pro clients.
cTrader’s Smart Stop Out closes part of each position, starting with the largest running loss, rather than the entire trade. In a fast market, all trades may still close at once, and equity can fall below zero, which is why retail negative balance protection matters.
Pepperstone Pro leverage
Pepperstone Pro clients can use leverage of up to 1:500 on major forex pairs. To qualify, you must meet two of three criteria: experience trading leveraged products, cash and portfolio holdings above $500,000, and professional experience in financial services.
Higher leverage comes with fewer protections. Pro clients lose guaranteed negative balance protection, so losses can exceed the account balance. However, Pro clients under the Bahamas entity may qualify for a one-off protection of up to $100,000.
Bottom Line
Pepperstone’s leverage varies by region, ranging from 1:30 under its Tier 1 regulators to 1:400 in Kenya, with up to 1:500 for qualified Pro clients. In our assessment, the 1:30 limit gives most retail traders ample room, and retail negative balance protection limits downside risk. Traders choosing higher leverage should use only part of it and monitor the 50% stop-out level.