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How to Change Leverage on eToro
Leverage is the most powerful — and potentially the most dangerous — weapon in a trader's arsenal. When used intelligently, it allows you to control larger positions with a smaller amount of capital, opening the door to greater profits. But when misunderstood or misapplied, leverage can lead to rapid and irreversible losses.
If you're trading on eToro, one of the world’s leading social and multi-asset investment platforms, understanding how to change leverage is more than just a technical skill — it’s an essential element of your survival and success in the markets.
In this no-nonsense, deep-dive guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about managing leverage on eToro, including how to change it, when to use it, what limits exist, and how top traders protect themselves while using this potent tool.
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🚀 What is Leverage in eToro and Why Does It Matter?
Leverage allows traders to amplify their exposure to an asset without investing the full amount of capital required for the trade. On eToro, this is available through Contracts for Difference (CFDs).
For example:
Investing $1,000 with 1:10 leverage means you’re controlling a $10,000 position.
A 1% market move results in a 10% change in your equity.
🔍 Why Leverage Matters on eToro:
Higher Potential Returns: Small price movements = larger profits.
Diversification Power: Allocate less capital per trade, manage more assets.
Risk Management Tool: When used strategically, it can balance out risk across multiple positions.
But — and this is critical — leverage also magnifies your losses. You can lose your entire position in a matter of minutes during volatile periods if you over-leverage or ignore risk controls.
⚠️ On eToro, leverage is a scalpel, not a sledgehammer. Use it with surgical precision.
📌 How eToro Handles Leverage: What You Need to Know
Before jumping into how to change leverage, it’s vital to understand how eToro’s system works.
eToro doesn’t allow leverage on real asset investments (such as buying stocks or crypto assets without CFD). Leverage is only available on CFD trades, which are derivative contracts that mirror the price of the asset without owning it.
✳️ Leverage on eToro is available for:
Forex
Commodities
Indices
Stocks (via CFD)
ETFs (via CFD)
Crypto (via CFD – limited by regulation)
Each asset class has a maximum allowable leverage, and that depends on your location, regulatory classification, and the asset’s risk profile.
📊 Leverage Limits on eToro (Retail Clients)
For retail traders, eToro follows strict regulatory frameworks such as ESMA (Europe), FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and CySEC (Cyprus). These agencies cap leverage based on asset type:
Major Forex pairs: Up to 1:30
Non-major Forex, Gold: Up to 1:20
Indices, Commodities: Up to 1:10
Stocks, ETFs (via CFDs): Up to 1:5
Cryptocurrencies: Up to 1:2
🔐 You cannot exceed these limits unless you qualify for a Professional Account, which removes some regulatory protections.
🔧 How to Change Leverage on eToro – Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s the precise process to adjust leverage when opening a trade on eToro. It’s simple in design, but the implications are significant.
🖥️ Step 1: Log in to Your eToro Account
Open the eToro platform on desktop or mobile and log into your verified account.
Make sure:
You’ve completed KYC (ID verification)
You’re not under restrictions due to your region
📈 Step 2: Select the Asset You Want to Trade
Navigate to your chosen instrument (e.g., EUR/USD, Gold, NASDAQ, BTC, etc.). Click “Trade”.
This will open the order window where you configure your trade parameters.
⚙️ Step 3: Choose "Trade" or "Order"
Decide if you're entering a market order (Trade) or pending order (Order). Both routes will allow you to set leverage if available.
🔁 Step 4: Toggle Leverage Settings
In the order window:
Enter your investment amount.
Click the leverage icon (⚙️) or the “X1” / “X2” label.
A list of available leverage options (e.g., X1, X2, X5, X10) will appear.
Select your desired leverage level.
If you choose X1, you are trading without leverage. Any number higher than X1 means you're using CFD trading with borrowed funds.
📌 If you don’t see leverage options, the asset is either only available as a real investment or the leverage is blocked due to your jurisdiction.
✅ Step 5: Set Stop Loss & Take Profit
Before placing the order, adjust:
Stop Loss (to limit potential loss)
Take Profit (to lock in gains)
These tools are non-negotiable when using leverage. They’re your safety net.
🧨 Step 6: Open the Trade
Click “Open Trade” (or “Set Order” if pending) to activate your position with the selected leverage.
The leverage is now locked for that specific trade. You cannot change it afterward without closing the position.
🛑 Can You Change Leverage on an Open Trade?
No, you cannot adjust leverage on an already open trade on eToro. If you want to use a different leverage ratio, you must:
Close the existing position
Reopen a new trade with your chosen leverage level
⚠️ Be cautious: If you close and reopen a trade during volatile conditions, you may face slippage, price gaps, or spread widening.
📱 How to Change Leverage on eToro Mobile App
eToro's mobile app offers full functionality for leverage trading.
📲 Follow These Steps:
Open the app and log in.
Tap the Search icon 🔍 and enter your asset.
Tap Trade.
Enter the amount you wish to invest.
Tap the leverage icon to adjust it.
Configure your SL/TP levels.
Tap Open Trade.
The mobile app also shows your leverage ratio within your portfolio once the trade is active.
🧠 Choosing the Right Leverage – Strategic Considerations
Changing leverage isn’t just a button press — it’s a calculated decision. Here’s how professionals approach leverage.
🔸 Conservative Traders
Leverage Range: X1 to X5
Focus on long-term equity preservation
Prefer large-cap stocks, ETFs, gold
🔸 Active Swing Traders
Leverage Range: X5 to X10
Trade momentum or news-driven moves
Use daily/weekly charts and SL zones
🔸 High-Frequency Traders / Scalpers
Leverage Range: X10 to X30
Enter and exit positions in minutes
Require tight spreads and high discipline
💡 There’s no “right” leverage. Only the leverage that fits your psychology, strategy, and account size.
🛡️ Risk Management Tips When Using Leverage on eToro
⚔️ 1. Never Use Maximum Leverage by Default
Just because you can use X30, doesn’t mean you should. Maximum leverage is best reserved for small, calculated trades, not your core portfolio.
⚔️ 2. Use Guaranteed Stop-Loss Logic
While eToro doesn't offer guaranteed stops, you can manually manage SL to reflect your risk tolerance in dollar terms, not just percentage terms.
⚔️ 3. Monitor Overnight Fees
All leveraged CFD positions are subject to overnight and weekend rollover fees. These can erode profits if the position is held too long.
⚔️ 4. Avoid Leveraging Illiquid Markets
Thinly traded instruments may experience wide spreads and slippage. Leverage in those markets adds unpredictability.
⚔️ 5. Diversify Across Asset Classes
Don’t concentrate leveraged exposure in a single market. Use leverage across different non-correlated assets to reduce systemic risk.
🧱 Why Can't I Change Leverage?
There are several reasons you may be unable to change leverage on eToro:
🔒 Asset Class Restrictions: Some assets only allow X1 (real investment).
🌍 Regulatory Limits: Based on your country or region (EU, UK, Australia, etc.).
🔐 Retail Account Classification: Pro clients can access more flexible leverage options.
⛔ Crypto Restrictions: eToro has limited crypto CFD offerings in some jurisdictions.
📝 Incomplete KYC: You need full verification for advanced trade functions.
If you're blocked, you may consider applying for a Professional Account — but be aware, this removes negative balance protection and margin closeout rules.
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🧭 Final Thoughts – Mastering Leverage on eToro
Leverage is neither good nor bad — it’s a force multiplier. On eToro, leverage is tightly regulated for good reason: too many traders have lost fortunes by misusing it.
But when used with:
🎯 Precision
🧠 Discipline
🛡️ Risk controls
📊 Market knowledge
…it becomes a tool for powerful market engagement and capital efficiency.
🔥 “Smart traders don’t chase leverage. They let their strategy dictate how much power they need.”
If you’re serious about elevating your trading on eToro, learning how and when to change leverage is not optional — it’s fundamental.
Trade wisely. Use leverage as a tool, not a temptation. And remember: the best traders don’t just manage profits — they master risk.
