thinkmarkets after the regulation changes 2026

[realtommy]

ASIC tightened leverage and margin rules for australian retail clients earlier this year. thinkmarkets being primarily ASIC, this hit them. they now offer a 'professional client' classification that lets you keep older leverage rules if you can prove income/assets thresholds.

for those on thinkmarkets - did the new rules affect your trading significantly? and is the 'professional client' app worth doing if you qualify, or does it lose you other protections?

[Dean]

applied for pro client in feb. process took 3 weeks, needed bank statements, employer confirmation, trading history showing experience. once approved leverage is back to 200:1 on majors. but you lose ASIC compensation scheme coverage. trade-off.

[Hunter]

is professional client the same thing as 'institutional'? and is losing the compensation scheme actually a big deal?

[Jake]

not the same. pro client = still retail individual but classified as 'sophisticated' so the broker can offer you institutional-style terms. the comp scheme matters mostly if the broker goes insolvent - you'd be unsecured creditor. on a reputable tier 1 broker the practical risk is low but not zero.

[ghostknight]

for what its worth thinkmarkets execution improved a bit in 2026 compared to late 2025. think they invested in infra to keep institutional clients post-regulation.

[frostbyte]

everyone scrambling for 'pro client' status to keep their 500:1 leverage. nobody learning the actual lesson - leverage is what wiped you out before.

[parkerlee]

the new asic rules forced me to learn position sizing properly tbh my P&L is more boring now but i havent had a margin call in 8 months which is a personal record

[Adam]

applied. approved. happy.