First steps

To apply for a live trading account, follow these steps:

Desktop: Log in to your demo account, select the ‘Open a Live Account’ button at the top of the screen and follow the on-screen instructions.

iPhone or iPad: Open the app and log in, then select the 'More' button (with the three dots), tap the ‘Open a Live Account’ button, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Android: Open the app and log in, then tap the three lines at the top of the screen, tap ‘Open a Live Account’, and follow the on-screen instructions.

We aim to help you start trading as quickly as possible. If you're a UK resident, we'll normally respond to you the same day that you submit your online application, if you apply between Monday and Friday before 6pm (UK time). If it's submitted after 6pm or at the weekend, we aim to respond on the next business day.

Your account will then either be open, or we'll send an email to ask you for additional documents to support your live account application. The length of the application process can vary based on factors such as your location and eligibility.

If you need to submit supporting documents, we aim to open your account within one business day of receiving them. Please note that the account opening process could be delayed if you don't provide us with the required, valid documents.

To complete your live account application, you may be asked to provide:

1) A scanned copy or clear photograph of your valid UK photo driving licence, showing your current address;

Or:

2) A clear and readable copy of one document from List A and one document from List B, below:

List A:

• Valid passport

• Valid photo driving licence

• Valid national ID card

List B:

• Bank statement in your name, posted to your residential address (no online statements)

• Mortgage statement in your name

• Utility bill (please note we cannot accept final demands, reminders, online bills or mobile phone bills)

All documents in List B should be dated within the last three months. We need to see complete documents. Online bank statements printed and stamped at your local bank branch are acceptable. You can email scanned versions of your documents to newaccounts@cmcmarkets.co.uk. Alternatively, hard copies can be sent to us by post at the below address:

Client Management team
CMC Markets
133 Houndsditch
London EC3A 7BX
UK

You don't need to deposit funds to 'activate' your account, but you'll need to fund your live account in order to place trades.

Once your application for a live account is successful, you can log in to your account after clicking on the verification link that we send to your registered email address. However, you won’t be able to place a spread bet, CFD trade or any other type of trade until there are sufficient funds in your account to open a position.

No. Our spread betting and CFD accounts offer trading on forex, alongside indices, commodities, shares and more.