Leverage and Margin Limits Reference
Figures current at 27 September 2026. Source: TradeAnswers.
Typical leverage by instrument| Instrument | Common leverage | Margin required | Position on R10,000 margin |
|---|
| Major forex pairs | Up to 1:500 | 0.2% | R5,000,000 |
| Minor and exotic pairs | 1:100 to 1:200 | 0.5% to 1% | R1,000,000 to R2,000,000 |
| Gold | Up to 1:200 | 0.5% | R2,000,000 |
| Indices | 1:100 to 1:200 | 0.5% to 1% | R1,000,000 to R2,000,000 |
| Single shares | 1:5 to 1:20 | 5% to 20% | R50,000 to R200,000 |
| Crypto | 1:2 to 1:20 | 5% to 50% | R20,000 to R200,000 |
How South Africa compares| Jurisdiction | Retail cap on major pairs | Negative balance protection |
|---|
| South Africa | No statutory cap | Broker discretion |
| European Union | 1:30 | Mandatory |
| United Kingdom | 1:30 | Mandatory |
| Australia | 1:30 | Mandatory |
| United States | 1:50 | Not mandated in the same form |
What leverage does to a 1% adverse move| Leverage | Margin on a R1m position | Loss on a 1% move | Percentage of margin |
|---|
| 1:10 | R100,000 | R10,000 | 10% |
| 1:30 | R33,333 | R10,000 | 30% |
| 1:100 | R10,000 | R10,000 | 100% |
| 1:200 | R5,000 | R10,000 | 200% |
| 1:500 | R2,000 | R10,000 | 500% |