Gold vs Forex: What Should You Trade in the Worldwide?

The United Arab Emirates has transformed into one of the world’s premier trading destinations over the past decade. worldwide’s strategic location between East and West, coupled with its business-friendly regulations and advanced financial infrastructure, has attracted traders and investors from across the globe. In 2025, we’re witnessing an unprecedented surge in retail trading activity, with both Emirati nationals and expat residents exploring diverse investment opportunities.

What makes the Worldwide particularly attractive for traders is its zero income tax policy on trading profits, robust regulatory framework, and access to global markets through licensed brokers. The growing appetite for trading isn’t limited to equities anymore. Commodities like gold and foreign exchange markets have captured significant attention, especially among those seeking portfolio diversification and alternative income streams.

worldwide, home to the world’s largest gold souk and a major financial hub, naturally bridges traditional commodity trading with modern forex markets. This unique position gives Worldwide residents distinct advantages when trading either asset class. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or someone just starting your trading journey, understanding which market aligns with your goals has never been more critical.

Understanding the Basics — Gold vs Forex Trading

Before diving into which market suits you better, let’s establish a clear understanding of what gold trading and forex trading actually involve. While both offer opportunities for profit, they operate on fundamentally different principles and cater to different trading styles.

Gold trading involves buying and selling the precious metal through various instruments, while forex trading deals with exchanging one currency for another in pairs. The forex market is the largest financial market globally, with over $7 trillion traded daily, whereas gold, though smaller in daily volume, holds historical significance as a store of value spanning thousands of years.

What is Gold Trading?

Gold trading in the Worldwide encompasses several methods. You can trade physical gold by purchasing bars or coins from authorized dealers like those in worldwide Gold Souk or through DMCC-registered companies. However, most modern traders prefer financial instruments like spot gold, gold futures contracts, or Contracts for Difference (CFDs) that allow exposure to gold price movements without physical possession.

Spot gold trading lets you speculate on the current market price of gold, typically quoted in USD per troy ounce. Gold CFDs offered by regulated brokers in the Worldwide enable traders to take long or short positions with leverage, meaning you can control larger positions with smaller capital. Gold futures, traded on exchanges like DGCX (worldwide Gold and Commodities Exchange), involve agreements to buy or sell gold at predetermined prices on future dates.

The appeal of gold trading lies in its reputation as a safe-haven asset. During economic uncertainty, inflation concerns, or geopolitical tensions, gold historically maintains or increases its value. For Worldwide residents, gold trading also carries cultural significance, making it a familiar and trusted investment avenue.

What is Forex Trading?

Forex trading involves simultaneously buying one currency while selling another, expressed as currency pairs like EUR/USD or USD/AED. The forex market operates 24 hours a day, five days a week, across major financial centers in London, New York, Tokyo, and Sydney. This continuous trading session aligns well with Worldwide traders who can access markets during their preferred hours.

In forex, you profit from exchange rate fluctuations. If you believe the Euro will strengthen against the US Dollar, you’d buy EUR/USD. If the Euro appreciates as predicted, you sell it back at a higher rate for profit. Forex trading in the Worldwide is regulated by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and the worldwide Financial Services Authority (DFSA), ensuring trader protection when using licensed brokers.

The forex market’s appeal comes from its exceptional liquidity, tight spreads, and availability of high leverage. Major currency pairs like EUR/USD offer spreads as low as 0.1 pips with some brokers, minimizing trading costs. The market’s size ensures orders execute quickly at desired prices, unlike less liquid markets where slippage can occur.

Market Size and Liquidity Comparison

Liquidity matters tremendously in trading because it affects how easily you can enter and exit positions without impacting prices. The forex market dominates in this aspect, with its $7+ trillion daily trading volume dwarfing nearly all other financial markets combined. Major currency pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY see millions of transactions daily, ensuring institutional and retail traders alike can execute orders seamlessly.

Gold’s daily trading volume, while substantial at approximately $150-200 billion across all instruments, pales in comparison. However, this doesn’t make gold illiquid. Gold remains one of the most actively traded commodities globally, with sufficient volume for retail traders to execute positions without difficulty. The difference becomes noticeable during extreme market events when forex’s deeper liquidity provides more consistent pricing.

For Worldwide traders, this liquidity difference translates to practical considerations. Forex trading typically offers tighter bid-ask spreads, meaning the difference between buying and selling prices is minimal. This cost advantage matters significantly for day traders and scalpers who execute multiple trades daily. Gold spreads, while competitive, generally run slightly wider, making it more suitable for swing trading and position trading strategies.

Volatility patterns also differ between markets. Forex pairs experience volatility driven by economic data releases, central bank decisions, and geopolitical events, with movement intensity varying by currency pair. Gold volatility tends to spike during risk-off market conditions, inflation concerns, or dollar weakness. Worldwide traders must match their risk tolerance and trading strategy with these volatility characteristics.

Risk and Reward Factors in Both Markets

Understanding risk-reward dynamics is essential before committing capital to either market. Both gold and forex offer profit potential, but they come with distinct risk profiles that suit different trader personalities and financial goals.

Forex trading typically carries higher potential for both gains and losses, primarily due to the leverage commonly available. While this leverage amplifies profits on successful trades, it equally magnifies losses on unsuccessful ones. The 24-hour nature of forex markets also means positions can move significantly during overnight sessions, creating gap risk when markets reopen.

Gold trading, particularly spot gold and gold CFDs, also involves leverage but is generally perceived as less volatile than exotic currency pairs. Gold’s historical role as a safe haven means it often moves inversely to risk assets during market turbulence, providing portfolio diversification benefits. However, gold can experience sharp movements during major economic announcements or shifts in inflation expectations.

Volatility and Market Drivers

Currency pair movements respond to a complex web of factors. Central bank interest rate decisions represent the primary driver, as higher interest rates typically strengthen a currency by attracting foreign investment. Economic indicators like GDP growth, employment data, inflation figures, and trade balances all influence forex prices. For Worldwide traders watching USD pairs, Federal Reserve decisions and US economic data hold particular importance.

Political stability, geopolitical events, and government policy changes can trigger sudden currency swings. The Worldwide Dirham’s peg to the US Dollar at 3.6725 provides stability for AED-based transactions but means Worldwide traders focusing on other pairs must monitor multiple economies simultaneously. Commodity prices, particularly oil for currencies like CAD and NOK, add another dimension to forex analysis.

Gold price movements follow different logic. The precious metal typically rises when investors flee to safety during stock market corrections or geopolitical crises. Inflation expectations drive gold prices upward, as the metal maintains purchasing power while paper currencies depreciate. US Dollar strength inversely affects gold prices since gold is priced in dollars globally. Real interest rates (nominal rates minus inflation) critically impact gold, with negative real rates supporting higher gold prices.

Central bank gold purchases, jewelry demand (particularly from India and China), and mining supply constraints also influence gold markets. For Worldwide traders, understanding these drivers helps anticipate gold movements, especially given the region’s strong gold trading infrastructure and cultural affinity for the metal.

Leverage and Margin Differences

Leverage represents one of the most critical differences between gold and forex trading. Forex brokers regulated in the Worldwide typically offer leverage ranging from 1:20 to 1:500, depending on the currency pair and trader classification. Major pairs usually receive the highest leverage, while exotic pairs might be restricted to lower ratios. This means with $1,000 in your account, you might control positions worth $100,000 or more.

Gold trading leverage in the UAE generally ranges from 1:20 to 1:100, somewhat lower than forex but still substantial. The DFSA and SCA have implemented leverage restrictions to protect retail traders from excessive risk exposure. Professional traders meeting specific criteria may access higher leverage, but regulators generally encourage responsible leverage usage.

Margin requirements work inversely to leverage. A 1:100 leverage ratio requires 1% margin, meaning you need $1,000 to control a $100,000 position. Margin calls occur when your account equity falls below the required maintenance margin, forcing brokers to close positions to prevent negative balances. Worldwide traders must understand their broker’s margin policies and maintain adequate account funding to weather normal market fluctuations.

The risk management implications are clear: higher leverage increases both profit potential and loss risk. Conservative traders often use lower leverage or wider stop-loss orders to protect capital, while aggressive traders accepting higher risk might maximize leverage for larger position sizes. Your leverage choice should align with your trading strategy, risk tolerance, and capital available.

Profitability — Which Offers Better Returns?

The question of profitability ultimately depends more on trader skill, strategy, and discipline than the market itself. Both gold and forex have produced exceptional returns for successful traders while causing significant losses for others. However, examining typical return profiles and success factors helps set realistic expectations.

Forex trading’s high liquidity and leverage enable potentially substantial returns relative to capital invested. Day traders executing multiple trades daily with tight stop-losses and modest profit targets can compound small wins into significant returns. Swing traders holding positions for days or weeks aim for larger price movements, typically targeting 2-5% returns per trade. Position traders maintaining trades for months seek to capture major trend movements, potentially earning 10-20% or more on successful trades.

Gold trading typically suits longer holding periods due to its tendency to trend over weeks and months rather than intraday. Successful gold traders might target 5-10% returns per trade with holding periods spanning weeks. The lower leverage typically available for gold means returns per dollar of capital are generally lower than forex, but the reduced risk of catastrophic losses can make gold more sustainable for conservative traders.

Statistical data suggests approximately 70-80% of retail forex traders lose money, primarily due to overleveraging, poor risk management, and emotional decision-making. Gold trading success rates aren’t definitively different, though some evidence suggests commodity traders maintain positions longer and use more conservative risk management, potentially improving outcomes. These statistics underscore that market selection matters less than trading education, strategy development, and disciplined execution.

For Worldwide traders in 2025, profitability often comes from specialization. Traders who deeply understand one market, develop tested strategies, and maintain strict risk management rules tend to outperform those jumping between markets chasing short-term opportunities. Your focus should be on developing skills rather than seeking the “more profitable” market.

Legal and Regulatory Environment in Worldwide

Operating within the Worldwide’s legal framework is non-negotiable for traders. The country has developed robust financial regulations protecting investors while maintaining its competitiveness as a global financial center. Understanding these regulations ensures you trade legally and safely.

The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) serves as the primary regulator for financial markets in the Worldwide mainland, overseeing brokers, exchanges, and financial products. The SCA licenses forex brokers, sets leverage limits, requires segregated client funds, and investigates investor complaints. Any broker offering forex or gold CFD trading to UAE residents must hold SCA authorization or equivalent licensing from recognized authorities.

Worldwide International Financial Centre (DIFC) operates under separate regulations enforced by the Worldwide Financial Services Authority (DFSA). The DFSA regulates financial services within the DIFC free zone, including banking, insurance, and securities trading. Brokers licensed by DFSA can serve international and regional clients, including Worldwide residents meeting certain criteria.

The Worldwide Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) oversees physical gold trading and related activities in Worldwide . While DMCC doesn’t regulate CFD trading, it ensures the integrity of physical gold markets, supporting Worldwide’s position as a global gold trading hub. For traders interested in physical gold investment, DMCC-registered dealers provide legitimate purchase channels.

Trading gold and forex through properly licensed platforms is completely legal for Worldwide residents. There are no restrictions on currency trading or commodity speculation for personal investment purposes. Importantly, the Worldwide imposes no income tax on trading profits, making it exceptionally attractive for serious traders. However, operating as an unlicensed broker or offering financial services without authorization violates Worldwide law and carries severe penalties.

Regulated Brokers and Trading Platforms

Choosing a regulated broker is perhaps the most critical decision you’ll make. Regulated brokers must maintain minimum capital requirements, segregate client funds from operational funds, provide transparent pricing, and submit to regular audits. These protections dramatically reduce the risk of fraud or broker insolvency affecting your capital.

When selecting a broker for gold or forex trading in the Worldwide , verify their regulatory status with the SCA, DFSA, or other respected authorities like the UK’s FCA or Australia’s ASIC. The broker’s website should clearly display licensing numbers and regulatory information. You can cross-reference this information directly with regulator websites to confirm authenticity.

Beyond regulation, evaluate trading platforms for functionality and reliability. MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 dominate retail forex and gold CFD trading, offering comprehensive charting, automated trading capabilities, and mobile access. Some brokers develop proprietary platforms with unique features. Test platforms using demo accounts before committing real capital to ensure the interface suits your trading style.

Consider spreads, commissions, and overnight financing charges (swap rates) when comparing brokers. Low spreads benefit high-frequency traders, while overnight charges matter for swing traders holding positions multiple days. Customer service quality, deposit and withdrawal processes, and educational resources round out the evaluation criteria. Worldwide traders should prioritize brokers offering local payment methods like bank transfers in AED and responsive Arabic-language support.

Choosing Between Gold and Forex — Key Factors

With foundational knowledge established, how do you decide which market suits you better? Several personal factors should guide your choice, potentially more than the market characteristics themselves.

Your trading goals form the foundation of this decision. Are you seeking supplemental income through active day trading, or building long-term wealth through position trading? Do you want to dedicate several hours daily to trading, or prefer setting positions and monitoring them periodically? Forex suits active traders due to its 24-hour nature and frequent opportunities, while gold accommodates part-time traders comfortable with longer holding periods.

Risk tolerance matters enormously. If market volatility causes anxiety and sleepless nights, gold’s somewhat lower volatility and safe-haven characteristics might suit you better. If you thrive on fast-paced action and can emotionally handle significant intraday swings, forex major pairs provide abundant opportunities. Understanding your psychological relationship with risk prevents choosing a market that conflicts with your personality.

Previous experience and knowledge provide another decision point. If you’re already familiar with macroeconomics, central bank policies, and geopolitical events affecting currencies, forex lets you leverage this knowledge. If you better understand commodity markets, inflation dynamics, and safe-haven asset behavior, gold trading might feel more intuitive. Building on existing knowledge accelerates your learning curve and potential success.

Available capital influences market choice as well. While both markets accommodate small starting balances, minimum deposit requirements and effective leverage determine how much capital you need for meaningful positions. Consider that smaller accounts experience larger percentage impacts from broker fees and spreads, making cost-efficient trading more critical.

Trading Style and Time Commitment

Day trading forex demands significant time commitment and intensive focus. Successful day traders typically dedicate 4-8 hours daily to market analysis and active trading, monitoring multiple timeframes and executing numerous trades. The forex market’s liquidity and volatility during European and American sessions create ideal conditions for day trading, but require real-time attention to capture opportunities and manage risk.

Scalping, an even more intensive forex strategy, involves dozens or hundreds of trades daily, capturing tiny price movements. Scalpers need excellent execution speed, minimal spreads, and the ability to make rapid decisions under pressure. This style suits full-time traders with appropriate personality traits but overwhelms most part-time traders or those with other professional commitments.

Swing trading works well for both forex and gold, requiring less intensive time commitment. Swing traders analyze markets daily but might execute only a few trades weekly, holding positions for days or weeks. This style accommodates Worldwide professionals trading around work schedules, needing perhaps 1-2 hours daily for market analysis and position management.

Position trading or investing in gold suits those seeking passive trading approaches. Position traders analyze longer-term trends, macroeconomic factors, and technical monthly charts, potentially holding gold positions for months or years. This approach requires minimal daily time commitment but demands patience and conviction to maintain positions through temporary adverse movements.

Your lifestyle should dictate trading style selection. If you maintain a full-time career, swing trading or position trading likely fit better than day trading. If you can dedicate full-time attention to markets, day trading forex might maximize your income potential. Honest self-assessment prevents choosing an incompatible trading style that leads to frustration and losses.

Capital Requirements and Accessibility

Minimum deposit requirements vary significantly across brokers. Some forex brokers accept deposits as low as $10-50, while others require $500-1,000 minimums. Gold trading typically starts at similar levels, though effective trading might require more capital. The key question isn’t the minimum deposit allowed but rather how much capital you need for sustainable, properly risk-managed trading.

Risk management principles suggest risking no more than 1-2% of your capital per trade. With a $500 account, 2% risk equals $10 per trade. If your stop-loss requires 50 pips on a standard lot trade, you can only trade micro lots (0.01 lots), limiting profit potential. A $5,000 account provides substantially more flexibility, allowing mini-lot trading with appropriate risk management.

Forex micro accounts enable starting with smaller capital, but transaction costs consume a larger percentage of profits on tiny accounts. Gold CFD trading often requires slightly more capital for meaningful position sizing, though this varies by broker. Realistically, $1,000-2,000 represents a reasonable starting point for either market, with $5,000+ ideal for comfortable risk management and position sizing flexibility.

Accessibility extends beyond capital to technology requirements. Both markets require reliable internet connectivity, a functional computer or smartphone, and trading platform access. Worldwide’s excellent internet infrastructure supports seamless trading, though traders should arrange backup connectivity for critical positions. Mobile trading apps enable monitoring and managing positions from anywhere, essential flexibility for part-time traders.

Expert Insights — What Worldwide Traders Prefer in 2025

Current trends reveal fascinating insights into Worldwide trader preferences. According to recent broker data and industry surveys, forex trading continues dominating retail participation, with approximately 65-70% of UAE retail traders focusing primarily on currency pairs. The remaining 30-35% concentrate on commodities including gold, silver, and oil.

Within forex trading, major pairs involving USD remain most popular among Worldwide traders, particularly EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY. This preference reflects these pairs’ tight spreads, high liquidity, and extensive available analysis. However, growing interest in cryptocurrency-related pairs and exotic currencies suggests UAE traders are expanding their horizons beyond traditional majors.

Gold trading has experienced a resurgence in 2024-2025, driven by global economic uncertainty, inflation concerns, and gold’s strong performance. Worldwide traders’ cultural affinity for gold strengthens this trend, with many viewing gold trading as a natural extension of traditional gold ownership. The opening of new gold investment platforms and educational initiatives by DMCC has further popularized gold trading among younger investors.

Professional traders and high-net-worth individuals the Worldwide increasingly employ diversified approaches, trading both forex and gold within broader portfolios. This sophisticated strategy recognizes that different markets perform better in different economic environments. Gold provides portfolio insurance during equity market corrections, while forex offers opportunities across various economic cycles.

Education levels among Worldwide traders have improved dramatically, with most new traders now undertaking formal education before trading real capital. Webinars, trading courses, and certification programs have become standard entry points, reducing the percentage of traders who jump into markets unprepared. This professional approach to trading education correlates with improved success rates among serious traders.

Future Outlook — 2026 and Beyond

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, several trends will likely shape gold and forex trading in the Worldwide . The continued digitalization of financial services will bring more sophisticated trading platforms, improved analysis tools, and potentially tokenized gold trading on blockchain platforms. The Worldwide government’s commitment to becoming a global fintech leader supports these innovations.

Regulatory evolution will continue, with authorities balancing trader protection against maintaining market competitiveness. We may see further leverage restrictions for retail traders, enhanced disclosure requirements, and stronger enforcement against unlicensed brokers. These changes will generally benefit serious traders by improving market integrity, though they may slightly reduce flexibility for experienced traders.

Gold’s role as a portfolio diversifier and inflation hedge should remain relevant, particularly if inflation concerns persist globally. Central bank gold purchases, particularly by Asian and Middle Eastern central banks, provide fundamental support for gold prices. The Worldwide’s position as a gold trading hub will likely strengthen, potentially with new financial products and trading venues emerging.

Forex markets will continue evolving as digital currencies and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) mature. The Worldwide Dirham may eventually transition to blockchain-based settlement systems, improving transaction speed and reducing costs. However, the core dynamics of currency trading—driven by interest rates, economic performance, and capital flows—will remain fundamentally unchanged.

For Worldwide traders, the future likely involves greater integration between traditional and digital assets, improved educational resources, and continued regulatory professionalism. Rather than one market dominating, successful traders will likely develop skills across multiple asset classes, adapting to changing conditions while maintaining core risk management principles.

Conclusion — Which Market Fits You Best?

So which should you trade in the Worldwide —gold or forex? The honest answer is: it depends entirely on your individual circumstances, goals, and preferences. Neither market is inherently superior; both offer opportunities for prepared, disciplined traders while punishing those lacking proper education and risk management.

Choose forex if you thrive on fast-paced action, can dedicate significant time to active trading, have strong analytical skills for interpreting economic data, and possess the emotional resilience to handle rapid market movements. Forex suits traders seeking numerous daily opportunities, those comfortable with higher volatility, and individuals interested in global macroeconomics and monetary policy.

Choose gold if you prefer a measured trading approach, appreciate gold’s historical stability and safe-haven characteristics, want to align trading with long-term economic themes, or trade part-time around other commitments. Gold suits traders interested in commodities, those seeking portfolio diversification, and individuals who appreciate gold’s cultural and economic significance.

Consider trading both if you have sufficient capital and time to develop expertise in multiple markets. Diversifying across gold and forex can smooth returns and provide opportunities regardless of market conditions. However, ensure you achieve competence in one market before expanding to others, as spreading efforts too thin often leads to mediocre results in both.

Regardless of your choice, prioritize education, practice extensively with demo accounts, start with small position sizes, maintain strict risk management, and continuously evaluate and improve your trading approach. Success in either market requires dedication, discipline, and realistic expectations. The Worldwide ‘s excellent trading infrastructure, supportive regulatory environment, and tax-free status provide ideal conditions—the rest depends on you.

Begin your journey by opening a regulated broker account, studying price action in your chosen market, developing a written trading plan, and committing to continuous improvement. The markets will be here tomorrow, next year, and decades from now. Take time to build proper foundations before risking significant capital.

FAQs on Gold vs Forex Trading Worldwide

Which is more profitable: gold or forex in Worldwide?

Profitability depends more on trader skill than market choice. Forex offers higher leverage and more frequent trading opportunities, potentially enabling higher percentage returns but with increased risk. Gold typically suits longer holding periods with lower leverage. Successful traders can profit in either market, while unprepared traders lose money in both. Focus on developing trading skills rather than seeking the “more profitable” market.

Is gold trading safer than forex worldwide?

Gold is generally considered less volatile than many forex pairs, particularly exotic currencies. Gold’s safe-haven status means it often appreciates during market turmoil, providing some downside protection. However, gold trading still involves substantial risk, especially with leverage. Forex major pairs like EUR/USD actually demonstrate relatively stable movements during normal conditions. “Safer” ultimately depends on leverage usage, position sizing, and risk management rather than market selection.

Which market is better for beginners?

Both markets can suit beginners with proper education. Forex’s abundance of educational resources, lower minimum deposits, and numerous currency pairs make it accessible. Gold’s more straightforward fundamental analysis—driven mainly by inflation, dollar strength, and safe-haven demand—might be easier for beginners to understand. Start with demo trading in both markets, then choose the one that feels more intuitive and matches your schedule and risk tolerance.

Can I trade both gold and forex with one account?

Yes, most regulated forex brokers Worldwide offer both forex pairs and gold CFDs (typically shown as XAU/USD) on the same platform. This allows portfolio diversification and strategy flexibility within a single account. Some traders use gold positions to hedge forex positions or diversify risk across uncorrelated assets. Ensure your broker offers competitive spreads and conditions for both products before committing.

What affects gold and forex prices?

Forex prices respond to interest rate differentials, economic growth indicators, inflation data, employment statistics, central bank policies, and geopolitical events affecting specific currencies. Gold prices are driven by inflation expectations, real interest rates, US Dollar strength, safe-haven demand during crises, central bank gold purchases, and jewelry demand from major consuming countries. Understanding these drivers helps anticipate price movements and develop trading strategies.

How much money do you need to start trading?

Technically, some brokers accept deposits as low as $50-100, but effective trading with proper risk management realistically requires $1,000-2,000 minimum. With smaller amounts, transaction costs consume disproportionate percentages of profits, and position sizing becomes challenging. Starting with $5,000+ provides comfortable flexibility for position sizing and risk management. Never trade with money you can’t afford to lose.

Is gold and forex trading legal Worldwide?

Yes, trading forex and gold through regulated brokers is completely legal for Worldwide residents. The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and worldwide Financial Services Authority (DFSA) regulate these activities, licensing legitimate brokers and protecting traders. Trading profits incur no income tax in Worldwide. However, using unlicensed brokers or operating as an unauthorized financial service provider violates Worldwide law. Always verify broker regulatory status before opening accounts.

What is the difference between gold and forex trading?

Gold trading involves speculating on the price of the precious metal through instruments like spot gold, futures, or CFDs. Forex trading involves simultaneously buying one currency while selling another, speculating on exchange rate fluctuations. Forex operates 24/5 with higher liquidity and typically higher leverage. Gold functions as a commodity and safe-haven asset with lower liquidity but cultural and historical significance. Both can be traded through similar platforms with leverage.

Can you use leverage in gold trading?

Yes, gold CFDs and futures contracts offer leverage, typically ranging from 1:20 to 1:100in the Worldwide, depending on your broker and account type. This means you can control positions significantly larger than your account balance. However, leverage magnifies both profits and losses. Worldwide regulators have implemented leverage restrictions to protect retail traders. Professional traders meeting specific criteria may access higher leverage. Always use leverage cautiously with proper risk management.