OANDA Publishes Announcement Regarding New Rules for CFD Trading

OANDA Global Corporation, a global leader in online multi-asset trading services, currency data and analytics, has published an official announcement for its Australian clients regarding new rules for CFD trading.

As an ASIC-regulated entity, OANDA is committed to protecting clients and investors. It supports these newly announced ASIC regulations, which will bring Australian regulatory practice in line with other major financial markets.

The new ASIC regulations will be implemented seamlessly and immediately on all OANDA platforms on March 29, 2021. Until that date, this regulatory announcement will have no effect on trading.

​The broker stated that it will be quick to communicate any future updates or announcements that could potentially impact its clients.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has released its Product Intervention Order​ - Contracts For Difference Instrument 2020/986 which will affect retail clients that trade any CFD products. These changes will come into effect from 29th March 2021.

What are the new ASIC regulatory changes?

Leverage ratio limits for CFDs

• 30:1 on major currency pairs

• 20:1 on minor currency pairs, gold and major stock market indices

• 10:1 on commodities other than gold, and minor stock market indices

• 2:1 on crypto-assets

• 5:1 on shares or other assets (e.g. Treasuries)

Additional changes

Standardisation of margin close-out percentages for all CFD issuers. This helps ensure that brokers close out their clients' CFD positions before all or most of the investment is lost. [OANDA has always had the 50% margin auto close-out in place, so its clients will not be affected in any way.]

Negative balance protection. Prevents losses from exceeding the funds present in a client's account when a trade is closed. This ensures against negative account balances and the possibility of clients losing money they may not have.

Prohibition of promotional offers. This includes giving or offering retail clients any special offers such as volume rebates and rewards, incentives or gifts.