The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is an independent EU Authority that contributes to safeguarding the stability of the European Union’s financial system by enhancing the protection of investors and promoting stable and orderly financial markets. On March 2018, ESMA has agreed on leverage restrictions for contracts for differences (CFDs) and prohibit marketing, distribution, plus the sale of binary options to retail investors in the European Union (EU). The impact on retail investors in the European Union (EU) is massive with CFDs on major FX pairs trading with 30:1, indices, non-major currency pairs and gold will be trading at 20:1, while other commodities and non-major indices will be trading with a 10:1 gearing. Brokers will be able to offer individual equities at a 5:1 leverage and cryptocurrencies at 2:1. Brokers will also need to provide negative balance protection and close out margin positions whenever the account reaches 50% of the minimum required margin. The online Broker ActivTrades offers two distinct solutions to all of its clients to overcome ESMA measures. The first solution is to open a professional account, however, the trader or investor has to meet three criteria’s to be eligible for the professional account that might not be suitable for most of the retail traders. Check it out here. The second solution is to open a trading account with ActivTrades in the Bahamas. Therefore, Activtrades Bahamas clients will keep the high leverage and margin conditions without having to open a Professional account. Check it out here.