Exness is a forex and CFD broker founded in 2008. It is known for low minimum deposits and very high leverage on its offshore accounts. In this review we focus on the most important question for any client: which Exness entity you would actually be dealing with, and what that means for your protection.
Risk warning: CFDs and leveraged forex are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This review is for information only and is not investment advice.
Exness at a glance
| Founded | 2008 |
| Retail clients mainly served by | Offshore entities (Seychelles, Mauritius, BVI, Curaçao) and FSCA South Africa |
| EU/UK entities | CySEC and FCA entities; reported to serve professional/institutional clients only |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade app |
| Leverage | Up to “unlimited” on some offshore accounts |
Regulation and safety
Exness operates through a number of entities. According to its regulation page and documents:
- Exness (Cy) Ltd: CySEC (licence 178/12).
- Exness (UK) Ltd: FCA (FRN 730729). Multiple reviews state that the EU and UK entities serve professional clients only, not retail.
- Exness (SC) Ltd: FSA Seychelles (offshore).
- Exness ZA (PTY) Ltd: FSCA South Africa.
- Exness (MU) Ltd, Exness (VG) Ltd and Exness B.V.: regulated in Mauritius, the British Virgin Islands and Curaçao (offshore).
Licence details above are as stated by Exness. Always check the firm and website on the regulator’s official register before you open an account, and confirm which entity your account will be held with. Regulation does not protect you against trading losses. See our guide: How to check if a broker is legitimate.
Products and platforms
- CFDs on forex, metals, crypto, energies, stocks and indices.
- Platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, the Exness web terminal and the Exness Trade app.
Accounts and fees
- Standard account: no commission, spreads from 0.2 pips according to Exness; minimum deposit from about $10 depending on region and payment method.
- Pro account: no commission, tighter spreads.
- Zero and Raw Spread accounts: very low spreads plus commission (Exness lists Raw Spread commission of up to $3.50 per side per lot).
- Professional-style accounts usually require a higher minimum deposit, which varies by region.
Fees, spreads and minimum deposits vary by region and account type and can change at any time. Check Exness’s current pricing pages for your country before trading.
Leverage
Exness advertises leverage of up to 1:2000, and “unlimited” leverage on some accounts, through its offshore entities. This is far above the 30:1 limit for retail clients in the EU, UK and Australia, and it can wipe out an account very quickly. Higher leverage increases both potential gains and losses. Read Can you lose more than you invest in forex?.
Things to be aware of
- Most retail clients worldwide are onboarded with offshore entities, which offer fewer protections than major regulators.
- In January 2026 the Philippines SEC issued an advisory naming an Exness entity for unlicensed activity.
- In May 2026 Argentina’s CNV issued a warning about Exness (SC) Ltd, listed on the IOSCO I-SCAN portal.
- Extremely high leverage greatly increases the risk of rapid losses.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Low minimum deposit on Standard accounts
- Several account types, including raw-spread options
- MT4 and MT5 available
Cons
- Retail clients mostly with offshore entities
- Regulatory warnings in some countries
- Extremely high leverage on offer
- EU/UK entities reported not to serve retail clients
Who might consider Exness?
Exness may appeal to experienced traders in regions where it is permitted, who understand offshore regulation and use leverage very conservatively. Beginners should be particularly careful with offshore accounts and high leverage.
Summary
Exness offers low costs and flexible accounts, but most retail clients are served by offshore entities, and some regulators have issued warnings. Check that Exness is permitted in your country and which entity you would join before opening an account.
Information in this review was checked against Exness’s published information and public regulatory records in November 2026. Details change, so always confirm the current terms on the broker’s own website and the regulator’s register.
Risk warning: CFDs and leveraged forex are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This review is for information only and is not investment advice.