Plus500
A London-listed financial technology group providing online trading, investing, futures, options, and prediction-market services.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Plus500 is a financial technology and online trading group founded in Israel in 2008 and headquartered in London. Its consumer-facing platforms provide access to contracts for difference (CFDs), share dealing, futures, options on futures, and, through more recent partnerships and acquisitions, additional non-over-the-counter trading products. The company serves retail customers through websites and mobile applications and operates through regulated subsidiaries in several jurisdictions. The business began as a software application for Windows developed by a group of Technion alumni. It expanded from desktop software into web and mobile trading, launching a browser-based platform in 2010 and mobile applications for iOS and Android in 2011 and 2012. Its technology-led model emphasized rapid digital onboarding, a broad instrument catalogue, multilingual interfaces, and relatively lean operations. By the early 2010s, Plus500 was active in dozens of countries and offered access to a large number of instruments. Plus500 became publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market in 2013 and later moved to the exchange's main market. It became a constituent of the FTSE 250 and STOXX Europe 600. The company has historically generated most of its income from retail CFD activity, in which customers speculate on the price movements of assets without owning the underlying instruments. CFDs are complex, leveraged products, and the company warns that a substantial majority of retail accounts lose money when trading them. Plus500's business model and risk management differ from those of traditional agency brokers because it may act as principal or retain exposure to customer positions, with hedging practices varying by product and market. Regulatory compliance has been a recurring feature of the company's history. In 2012, the UK Financial Conduct Authority fined Plus500UK for inaccurate transaction reporting. The FCA also reviewed customer onboarding and anti-money-laundering controls, and in 2015 ordered a freeze affecting UK accounts while compliance issues were addressed. The episode sharply reduced the company's market value and contributed to an unsuccessful proposed sale to Playtech. Plus500 later resumed UK customer onboarding after remedial work. Other regulatory and legal matters have included a Belgian financial-markets fine concerning CFD marketing and prospectus requirements, claims relating to trading restrictions and platform outages, and class-action proceedings in Israel and Australia. The company has progressively diversified beyond its original CFD platform. It obtained regulatory permissions in Israel and Singapore, entered the US futures market through the acquisition of Cunningham-related businesses, launched Plus500 Invest for share trading, introduced a US futures application called TradeSniper, and acquired Japan-based EZ Invest Securities. In 2025 it agreed to acquire Mehta Equities, an Indian financial-services business regulated by SEBI. It has also explored event-based prediction markets in the United States through a partnership with Kalshi. These initiatives are intended to reduce reliance on OTC CFD revenue and broaden Plus500's geographic and product footprint. Marketing has combined performance-oriented digital acquisition and affiliate referrals with high-profile sports sponsorships. Plus500 was the principal sponsor of Atlético de Madrid for seven years beginning in 2015 and later partnered with rugby and football clubs, the Chicago Bulls, and other sports properties. The brand's positioning is built around accessible digital execution, a wide range of instruments, multilingual service, and a mobile-first user experience, while its regulated status and prominent public listing support credibility. At the same time, the company operates in a high-risk category subject to advertising restrictions, leverage controls, suitability requirements, anti-money-laundering rules, and continuing scrutiny of retail-customer outcomes.
History
Plus500 was established in 2008 by six Technion alumni: Alon Gonen, Gal Haber, Elad Ben Yitzhak, Omer Elazari, Shlomi Weizman, and Shimon Sofer. The founders initially invested in a software-based trading product designed for Windows computers. A web platform followed in 2010, with iOS and Android applications introduced in 2011 and 2012. The shift to browser and mobile access became central to the company's proposition, allowing customers in multiple countries to trade through a standardized digital interface rather than through branch-based brokerage services. The group expanded rapidly during the early 2010s. By 2013 it operated across numerous countries and languages and offered a large selection of instruments. It listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM in 2013, giving the Israeli-founded business access to UK public markets. Its technology-oriented structure supported international distribution, but the relatively automated operating model also created challenges in compliance oversight and customer verification. In 2012, the FCA fined Plus500UK for inaccurate transaction reporting relating to activity between 2010 and 2011. The regulator identified significant weaknesses in systems, procedures, and staff training. The company then faced further scrutiny of its customer-onboarding and anti-money-laundering controls. In May 2015, the FCA ordered restrictions affecting UK accounts while it reviewed the company's processes. The resulting disruption caused a severe market-value decline and led management to agree to a proposed acquisition by Playtech. Playtech withdrew from the transaction later in 2015 after regulatory approval was not obtained. Plus500 subsequently completed remediation and resumed UK onboarding in 2016. After the crisis, Plus500 continued investing in international regulation, product development, and geographic diversification. Its Israeli subsidiary obtained a local trading licence in 2016, while its Singapore subsidiary received a capital-markets-services licence in 2017. The company launched an economic calendar in partnership with Dow Jones in 2018 and moved from AIM to the LSE main market, joining the FTSE 250. Its applications expanded to support many languages and a broad range of instruments. The company also faced continuing litigation and criticism. Belgian authorities fined its local operation in 2017 over CFD prospectus and advertising requirements. Former customers brought claims connected with alleged account-management failures and platform outages. In 2019, press reporting questioned the presentation of historical client-trading profit-and-loss information. In 2021, an Israeli court approved a class action alleging selective restrictions on options trading after the Brexit referendum. An Australian representative proceeding filed in 2023 alleged misleading and unconscionable conduct in relation to high-risk investment products. These matters illustrate the legal and reputational risks associated with leveraged retail trading. From 2021 onward, Plus500 pursued a broader financial-services strategy. It appointed Jacob A. Frenkel as chairman, acquired Cunningham-related companies to build a US futures business, opened a research-and-development centre in Tel Aviv, launched Plus500 Invest for share trading, and introduced TradeSniper for US retail futures customers. The acquisition of EZ Invest Securities in Japan added local securities and derivatives capabilities. In 2024 the company emphasized shareholder distributions and expansion in the US, UAE, and Japan. In 2025 it agreed to acquire India's Mehta Equities, continuing the move toward a multi-product, multi-jurisdictional trading group. The brand remains closely associated with CFD trading, but its stated strategic direction is to grow non-OTC businesses and reduce dependence on a single product category.
- 2025
Mehta Equities acquisition agreed
[1]Plus500 agreed to acquire Indian financial-services company Mehta Equities.
- 2022
Japanese acquisition and futures app
[1]Plus500 acquired EZ Invest Securities and launched TradeSniper for US retail futures customers.
- 2021
Expansion into US futures and share trading
[1]The company acquired Cunningham-related businesses and launched Plus500 Invest.
- 2018
Main-market listing and FTSE 250 inclusion
[1]Plus500 transferred its LSE listing to the main market and joined the FTSE 250.
- 2016
UK onboarding resumes
[1]Plus500UK resumed accepting new customers after compliance remediation.
- 2015
UK compliance crisis and proposed Playtech acquisition
[1]UK account restrictions caused major disruption; a proposed Playtech takeover was later abandoned.
- 2013
AIM flotation
[1]Plus500 became publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market.
- 2012
Android application introduced and FCA fine issued
[1]The company expanded mobile access while Plus500UK was fined over inaccurate transaction reporting.
- 2011
iOS application introduced
[1]Plus500 added a mobile application for Apple devices.
- 2010
Web platform launched
[1]The company expanded from Windows software into browser-based trading.
Products and positioning
A technology-led, globally regulated online trading group offering broad market access through simple web and mobile platforms.
Contracts for difference · 2008
Plus500 CFD platform
The core Plus500 platform enables retail customers to speculate on price movements across instruments such as shares, foreign exchange, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and other markets without taking ownership of the underlying assets. It is available through web and mobile interfaces and has historically been distributed in many languages. CFDs are leveraged derivatives with substantial customer-loss risk, and the platform is subject to product, advertising, onboarding, and leverage rules in different jurisdictions.
Share dealing · 2021
Plus500 Invest
Plus500 Invest is the group's share-trading offering, designed to complement the original OTC derivatives business. It gives customers access to stock-market instruments through a separate investing proposition and forms part of the company's effort to expand into non-CFD revenue streams. Availability, instruments, custody arrangements, and protections depend on the relevant Plus500 entity and local regulatory framework.
Futures and options on futures · 2021
Plus500 Futures
The futures business provides access to futures and related options, particularly for customers in the United States. Plus500 developed this capability through the acquisition of Cunningham Commodities and Cunningham Trading Systems and subsequent product development. It represents a strategic move toward exchange-traded derivatives and away from exclusive reliance on OTC CFD activity.
Futures trading application · 2022
TradeSniper
TradeSniper is a futures-focused application introduced for US retail customers. It extends the Plus500 group into a more specialized futures interface and supports the company's broader US expansion strategy. The service is distinct from the traditional Plus500 CFD experience and is governed by the rules applicable to futures intermediaries and the products available through the platform.
Trading research tool · 2018
Economic Calendar
The Economic Calendar provides scheduled macroeconomic events, indicators, and related market information. Introduced through a partnership with Dow Jones, it identifies instruments that may be affected by economic announcements and is intended to help users monitor market-moving events alongside the trading platform.
Controversies
2023
Australian representative proceeding
The proceeding alleged misleading and unconscionable conduct in the sale of high-risk investments that resulted in customer losses over the period from late 2017 to early 2021.
2021
Israeli class action over options trading restrictions
A court-approved class action alleged that Plus500 Israel restricted put-option trading for a period after the Brexit referendum while allowing selected call-option activity, allegedly limiting customer opportunities during volatile markets.
2019
Questions over historical client-trading disclosures
Press reporting questioned discrepancies between earlier annual-report descriptions and later disclosures concerning profit and loss arising from client trading activity.
2017
Belgian CFD compliance fine
Belgium's FSMA fined Plus500 over alleged failures involving a prospectus and advertising submissions for CFD products. The company denied wrongdoing but complied with the required website closure and customer-notification measures.
2015
UK account restrictions during anti-money-laundering review
The FCA ordered restrictions affecting UK accounts while it reviewed customer-verification and anti-money-laundering controls. The episode severely affected customers and the company's market value.
2012
Inaccurate transaction reporting
The FCA fined Plus500UK after identifying inaccurate reporting across a substantial number of transactions and deficiencies in compliance systems, procedures, and training.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022Chicago Bulls partnership
United States · International basketball audiences
Plus500 entered a multi-year partnership with the NBA's Chicago Bulls as part of its effort to raise awareness in the US market.
Outcome. The partnership supported the group's broader US expansion.
- 2022Kiefer Sutherland advertising campaign
United Kingdom · Italy · Netherlands · Germany · Australia
Plus500 used actor Kiefer Sutherland in a multi-market advertising campaign promoting its digital trading proposition.
Outcome. The campaign reinforced the consumer-facing positioning of the Plus500 platform.
- 2020European football club sponsorships
Switzerland · Poland · Europe
Plus500 entered sponsorship arrangements with several football clubs, including Young Boys and Legia Warsaw, extending its brand strategy beyond Atlético de Madrid.
Outcome. The campaign increased exposure but also operated within tightening European restrictions on CFD advertising.
- 2016ACT Brumbies partnership
Australia · International rugby audiences
The company expanded its sports-marketing program into rugby through a partnership with the ACT Brumbies of Super Rugby.
Outcome. The partnership broadened the brand's sports presence in Australia.
- 2015Atlético de Madrid principal sponsorship
Spain · International football audiences
Plus500 became Atlético de Madrid's main shirt sponsor, using one of Europe's most visible football properties to build international recognition for its online trading platform.
Outcome. The sponsorship continued for approximately seven years and ended in 2022.
Brand decisions
2025
Agree to acquire Mehta EquitiesM&ABackground
Plus500 continued expanding its regulated local capabilities outside its traditional markets.
Action taken
The company agreed to acquire the entire share capital of Indian financial-services firm Mehta Equities.
Aftermath
The transaction was intended to establish a stronger position in India's financial-services market.
2024
Increase shareholder returns and prioritize expansion marketsStrategyBackground
The company cited market volatility and continued growth opportunities while identifying the US, UAE, and Japan as priority markets.
Action taken
Plus500 announced a shareholder-return package combining dividends and a share buyback and reiterated its geographic-expansion strategy.
Aftermath
The decision balanced capital distribution with investment in non-OTC products and international growth.
2022
Acquire EZ Invest SecuritiesM&ABackground
Japan was identified as an important market for the group's international expansion.
Action taken
Plus500 acquired Japan-based EZ Invest Securities, which specialized in securities and derivatives.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened Plus500's local operating capability in Japan.
2021
Diversify into US futures and share dealingStrategyBackground
Plus500 sought to reduce dependence on OTC CFDs and establish a broader financial-services footprint.
Action taken
It acquired Cunningham-related businesses, opened a Tel Aviv research centre, and launched Plus500 Invest.
Aftermath
The group gained a platform for futures, exchange-traded products, and share dealing alongside its established CFD business.
2018
Move to the LSE main marketStrategyBackground
After several years as an AIM-listed company, Plus500 sought a main-market listing and greater integration with the UK's established public-equity market.
Action taken
The company transferred its listing to the London Stock Exchange main market and entered the FTSE 250.
Aftermath
The move increased the company's visibility among institutional investors and placed it among leading UK mid-cap companies.
2015
Agree to proposed Playtech acquisitionM&ABackground
Following the UK compliance crisis and a major fall in market value, Plus500 management agreed to a proposed acquisition by Playtech.
Action taken
The parties pursued the transaction, but Playtech later withdrew after regulatory approval was not obtained.
Aftermath
Plus500 remained independent and subsequently resumed UK onboarding after compliance remediation.
Recent events
Sources5 sources
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