Negative balance protection: the fine print worth checking
Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2026 10:46 pm
The promise that you can never owe the broker money sounds simple: you can't lose more than your deposit. But the details vary a lot depending on the broker and entity, and they matter if you trade gold or anything else that gaps.
Things to check in the terms:
I'd recommend asking support directly and getting a written confirmation for your account type. Has anyone actually had NBP applied after a big gap? How long did it take to get the balance reset?
Things to check in the terms:
- Who it applies to. Often only retail clients. If you opted into professional status, you may have lost it.
- Per account or per client. Some brokers offset a negative balance on one account against a positive balance on another.
- Exclusions. Some terms exclude cases of "abusive trading" or market manipulation, which can be very broadly defined.
- Timing. Is the balance reset automatically, or do you have to request it?
- Offshore entities. NBP is sometimes offered as a policy, not a legal requirement, and can be withdrawn.
I'd recommend asking support directly and getting a written confirmation for your account type. Has anyone actually had NBP applied after a big gap? How long did it take to get the balance reset?