Key Insights
- Plus500 has applied for a licence to operate in Chile, marking its first step into Latin America’s regulated CFD market.
- The broker has already expanded in Canada, UAE, Japan, and India in 2025, aligning with its global growth strategy.
LONDON (MarketsXplora) – London-listed broker Plus500 is moving ahead with plans to expand into Chile, applying for a local licence that would mark another step in its global expansion drive.
The Israel-based broker set up a dedicated entity in Chile last year and has enlisted Santiago law firm Carey Abogados to secure regulatory approval from the Comisión para el Mercado Financiero (CMF).
Directors of the local operation include Plus500 CEO David Zruia, Chief Financial Officer Elad Even-Chen, and Ofir Chudin, who heads Plus500’s Cyprus arm.
Plus500’s half-year results, released this Monday, reaffirm the company’s long-term strategy: pursuing new licences and potential acquisitions to push further into regions such as Latin America, which the company acknowledges remains a “regulatory blank spot” for its operations.
What Does Plus500’s Entry Mean for Chile’s CFD Landscape?
A licence from the CMF would position Plus500 alongside rivals XTB and Pepperstone, both already active in Chile following CMF approval. Unlike in the UK or EU, CFD brokers in Chile operate without stringent leverage limits or pervasive risk disclaimers—XTB, for instance, offers Chilean clients up to 500:1 leverage on select products.
Plus500’s efforts in Chile come on the heels of moves in other global markets. Earlier this year, the broker obtained a Canadian licence for over-the-counter (OTC) instruments and deepened its presence in the U.S. retail futures trading space. Expansion in Asia is also underway, with a licence granted by the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority in Dubai, as well as a commodities licence in Japan allowing OTC commodities trading.
Moreover, earlier in 2025, Plus500 acquired an Indian broker for $20 million, bolstering its footprint in options and futures trading there. The half-year financial report underscores the resource allocation to these growth initiatives: “strategic objectives include expanding into new markets… the Group will also continue to allocate substantial financial and operational resources to this business as it expands its operations beyond the U.S.”
Read also: Plus500 Secures Canadian Licence as Part of Broader North American Expansion
Despite the flurry of activity in Latin America, the financial returns from the region remain uncertain. While brokers such as XM and Exness have targeted Latin American markets aggressively, the actual profitability is not yet clear. XTB CEO Omar Arnaout has previously noted that its Chilean arm could emerge as one of its top five global branches.
Chile’s regulatory framework contrasts with that of its neighbors—many CFD providers have established a physical presence in countries like Brazil and Mexico without holding local licences, as these markets are still largely unregulated for such offerings.