Platform & Products

Deposits and Withdrawals Explained

Deposits and Withdrawals Explained - MarketsAll Platform & Products cover

Money moves into a trading account through a payment method in your own name, such as a bank transfer or a card, and comes back out the same way. Brokers generally return withdrawals to the method used to deposit, up to the amount deposited, because anti-money-laundering rules require funds to go back to their source. Withdrawals are paid from free margin, and the account must be verified before the first one.

Key takeaways

  • Deposits and withdrawals must use payment methods in the account holder’s own name.
  • Withdrawals usually go back to the deposit method first, up to the amount deposited; profits above that normally go by bank transfer.
  • Only free margin can be withdrawn; money supporting open positions cannot.
  • Total time is the broker’s processing time plus the payment provider’s time.
  • An unverified account can usually deposit but not withdraw.
deposits and withdrawals at a glance
Methods at MarketsallBank transfer, cards and selected e-wallets
Minimum depositShown in the client area for each method
Deposit feeShown per method in the client area
Withdrawal processingWithin one business day, plus the provider’s time
Withdrawal ruleBack to the deposit method first, then by bank transfer
Before the first withdrawalAccount verification must be complete

How money moves in and out

Your bank or cardPayment methodTrading accountBalanceOpen positionsUses marginDepositTradeWithdrawal requestFrom free marginUsually back to the same method
Original illustration. Withdrawals come from free margin and usually return by the route the money arrived.
Common payment methods compared (typical industry characteristics)
MethodDeposit speedWithdrawal speedThings to check
Bank transfer1–3 business days; same day for some domestic schemes1–5 business daysCorrespondent bank fees on international transfers
Debit or credit cardUsually instant3–10 business days, as a refund to the cardCard must be in your name; some issuers treat deposits as cash advances
E-walletUsually instantOften within 24 hours once processedWallet must be in your name; wallet fees
Local payment schemesOften instantVariesAvailability by country

Methods and limits available to you depend on your country and are shown in the client area.

Why withdrawals go back to the same method

Anti-money-laundering rules require a broker to be able to show where money came from and where it went. The simplest way to do that is to send funds back along the route they arrived: if you deposited $500 by card, the first $500 you withdraw is returned to that card. Amounts above what you deposited, such as profits, are then usually paid by bank transfer to an account in your name. If you used several methods, withdrawals are typically split in proportion to what each method deposited.

A worked example
StepAmountWhere it goes
Deposited by card$500Into the trading account
Deposited by bank transfer$1,000Into the trading account
Balance after trading, all withdrawn$1,900Split as below
Withdrawal, part 1$500Back to the card, as a refund
Withdrawal, part 2$1,000Back to the bank account used
Withdrawal, part 3$400Profit, by bank transfer in your name

How long a withdrawal takes

  1. Request. Submitted from the client area, for an amount no larger than free margin.
  2. Checks. The broker confirms the account is verified, the method is in your name and nothing else is outstanding.
  3. Processing. The broker releases the payment. Usually within one business day.
  4. Provider time. Your bank, card issuer or wallet credits the money, which can add several business days.
What usually delays a withdrawal
CauseWhat to do
Account not fully verifiedComplete the documents in documents to verify a trading account
Amount larger than free marginClose or reduce positions first; see how to calculate margin on MT5
Name mismatch on the methodUse a method in the account holder’s own name
Card deposit refund window expiredThe balance is sent by bank transfer instead
Weekend or public holidayProcessing resumes on the next business day

Withdrawals and open positions

Only free margin can be withdrawn. If you have open positions, withdrawing reduces equity and raises the risk of a margin call. Check the margin level before and after in the Trade tab; the terms are explained in balance vs equity vs free margin and margin call vs stop out level. Fees that are not part of trading, such as conversion charges, are covered in inactivity fees and non-trading costs.

Common mistakes to avoid

Depositing with someone else’s card or account. Third-party payments are refused and can delay everything.

Withdrawing money that supports open trades. It can push the account towards stop-out.

Ignoring currency conversion. Depositing in a different currency from the account can cost twice, in and out.

Waiting to verify until you want to withdraw. Verify at the start.

Risk warning. Trading CFDs carries a high level of risk since leverage can work both to your advantage and disadvantage. As a result, the products offered on this website may not be suitable for all investors because of the risk of losing all of your invested capital. You should never invest money that you cannot afford to lose, and never trade with borrowed money.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I have to withdraw to the same card I deposited with?

Anti-money-laundering rules require funds to be returned to their source. Brokers therefore refund card deposits back to the same card, up to the amount deposited. Any profits above that are normally paid by bank transfer to an account in your name.

How long does a withdrawal from a trading account take?

It is the broker’s processing time plus the payment provider’s time. E-wallets are often fastest, bank transfers usually take one to five business days and card refunds can take several business days to appear.

Can I withdraw while I have open positions?

Yes, but only up to your free margin. Withdrawing reduces equity, which raises the margin level risk on the positions that remain open.

Why is my withdrawal pending?

The most common reasons are incomplete account verification, a payment method not in your name, an amount larger than free margin, or a weekend or holiday delay.

Keep a record of every deposit

Log each deposit's method, amount and currency as you make it, so a later withdrawal split is easy to check, and read the KYC and AML policies before your next deposit.

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