If you’re a trader in France, you might be wondering why MetaTrader 4 (MT4), one of the most popular trading platforms globally, is not available for your use, while it remains accessible to clients in other regions. This article explains the regulatory and technical reasons behind this.
Regulatory restrictions in France: Guaranteed Stop-Loss (GSL) requirement
The primary reason MT4 is unavailable for French residents stems from regulatory requirements enforced by the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), France’s financial regulator. Brokers offering Contracts for Difference (CFDs) must provide Guaranteed Stop-Losses (GSL) to their retail clients.
GSL is a protective measure designed to cap a trader’s losses by guaranteeing that a position will be closed at a specified price, even during times of extreme market volatility. This rule is intended to enhance investor protection by limiting potential losses and ensuring better risk management for traders in France.
MT4 does not support Guaranteed Stop-Losses
Unfortunately, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) does not natively support Guaranteed Stop-Loss orders. The platform was designed without this feature, which is now a regulatory requirement in France. Due to this limitation, we are unable to offer MT4 to French residents without violating local laws.
MT4 for other countries
Outside of France, regulatory bodies like CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission) do not mandate the use of Guaranteed Stop-Losses for all CFD trades. As a result, we are able to provide MT4 to clients residing in countries regulated by CySEC and other financial authorities with less restrictive requirements regarding stop-loss functionality.
Alternative platforms for French clients
While MT4 is not available to French residents, we offer a range of alternative platforms that fully comply with AMF regulations and include Guaranteed Stop-Loss functionality. Our main trading platform, available on both web and mobile, provides advanced trading tools with the required protection for your investments.
Additionally, we offer integration with TradingView, which gives traders access to powerful charting, analysis tools, and seamless trading experiences.
You can learn more about these platforms and explore our range of trading products here.
Conclusion
While we understand the popularity of MT4, regulatory compliance and client protection are our top priorities. For our clients in France, we are committed to offering secure, compliant, and robust trading platforms that meet the highest regulatory standards. If you have further questions or need assistance with our other platforms, our support team is always available to help.