Complete details comparing Mini to Standard accounts is available on the FXCM website, but below are the key differences.

A Mini account lets you trade with a smaller balance and higher leverage (up to 400:1 except in the US where regulations limit leverage to 50:1) on 18 of the most popular currency pairs on DD execution. A Standard account offers you No Dealing Desk (NDD) forex execution with more currency pairs (40) but the starting minimum is higher (2K) and leverage is limited to 100:1.

Thanks - but the main problem that I see is switching to DD execution. Assume someone had not opted out and is running an automated system via MT4 or the FXConnect API. What would happen? Would his system then not react anymore or crash when the account is switched behind his back?

Hi Jcl,

First, it's important to understand that no FXCM account is being switched from Standard to Mini behind anyone's back. Clients with an account balance less than 2k have been given advance notice of this option to switch to Mini, so they can opt out if they prefer.

In this way, FXCM is offering existing clients the same options available to new accounts. Any trader who opens a new FXCM account has the choice of opening either a Standard account with at least 2k, or a Mini account with less than 2k.

For risk management purposes, the maximum leverage that FXCM offers on NDD is 200:1. However, FXCM continues to receive demand for higher leverage from traders with lower balances. The Mini account caters to this demand by allowing up to 400:1 leverage (except in the US where regulations limit leverage to 50:1).

But what about the restrictions of the new mini accounts concerning automated systems via API or MT4? I read only that there may be certain limitations but not definitly if and which. I guess that's the most important fact for the users of this forum, a leverage 400:1 is nice but useless to most people in here if only tradable manually.

You make a good point, Sphin

While the 400:1 leverage (outside the US) makes the Mini account an attractive choice for manual traders with smaller balances, if your goal is to automate trades using MT4 or API, then you should opt for a Standard account, since those options aren't available on Mini.

FXCM welcomes all trading styles on our Standard accounts which offer you No Dealing Desk (NDD) forex execution.

Okay. Then I have to close my 1000€ account running Z7 and change the broker.

Thanks for the info.

Hi Sundance, there seems to be some confusion.

If you have an existing Standard account with FXCM, then you can opt out of the switch to Mini, even if your balance is 1000€.

The 2000€ minimum only applies to traders who want to open a new Standard account and don't have one already.