Getting real: Opening your first Exness trading account

Switching from a demo account to a real trading account is a huge milestone. It's the moment your strategies, patience, and discipline come together—and where trading stops being theory and becomes reality.

Most traders begin their journey on demo accounts, which allow them to test strategies and explore market movements without incurring any financial risk. But at some point, you will be ready to take the next step. This is when you're confident enough to move on to a real Exness account, a verified live trading account that allows you to deposit, trade, and withdraw real money. A real Exness trading account gives you the full trading experience, real-time emotions, authentic market conditions, and genuine rewards.

With Exness, this transition is designed to be simple, secure, and empowering. Opening your first Exness trading account takes just a few minutes, but it unlocks a global trading ecosystem designed for flexibility, transparency, and control. From registration to your first trade, every part of the process is optimized for both beginners and seasoned traders.

In this article, we'll guide you through everything you can expect when opening your real Exness trading account: from registration and identity verification to funding, platform setup, and placing your first live trade.

Whether you're transitioning from demo trading or starting fresh, this comprehensive guide covers every step of the process—including common mistakes to avoid and tips to help you start trading with confidence.

Step 1: Registering your account

Before you can begin trading real funds with Exness, you'll need to create a trading account in your Exness Personal Area (PA). It's quick, intuitive, and accessible across both desktop and mobile devices.

Here's how it works:

1. Visit the Exness website or download the Exness Trade app.
2. Click Register, enter your details, and set up a secure password.
3. Tick the checkbox to confirm you are not a citizen/resident of the US.
4. Click Continue.
5. You will then be taken to your PA, where you manage everything—accounts, deposits, withdrawals, and support tickets.

Once logged in, you can choose from various trading account types: 

• Standard accounts include Standard Cent and Standard.
• Professional accounts include Pro, Raw Spread, and Zero. 

Each one is designed for different experience levels and trading preferences.

Tip: You can create multiple trading accounts in your PA. Each trading account has access to all trading instruments, but it can be helpful to separate instrument classes by trading account. For example, one for CFD on forex instrument trading and another for CFD on commodity instruments.

Step 2: Verifying your account (KYC)

Why verification matters

The verification process, also known as Know Your Customer (KYC), is a crucial part of opening your real Exness trading account. It’s not just a formality—it’s a regulatory requirement that ensures your account is secure and compliant with international financial standards.

At Exness, verification helps protect both you and the company. It prevents fraud, ensures that your funds are safe, and confirms that the person opening the account is genuinely you. Think of it as a digital version of showing your ID before entering a secure area, it builds trust and safeguards your trading experience.

The full verification process

1. Verify your email

• Enter your email address and click Send me a code.
• A 6-digit code will be sent to your inbox.
• Enter the code and click Continue.

2. Verify your phone number

• Enter your phone number.
• Choose how you’d like to receive your code—SMS or phone call—then click Continue.
• Enter the 6-digit code and click Continue.

3. Enter your personal information

Make sure the information you provide matches exactly what’s on your verification documents:

• First name
• Last name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Gender

Once done, click Continue.

4. Complete your economic profile

This step includes a few basic questions about your source of income, industry, and trading experience. Providing accurate information ensures you receive the right trading conditions and support. Click Continue once completed.

5. Verify your identity and address

• Select your country of issue and choose the document type for your Proof of Identity (POI).
• Upload the document according to the verification requirements, then click Confirm and Proceed.
• Next, upload your Proof of Address (POA), such as a bank statement or utility bill, by clicking 'Upload Proof of Address' and then “Next” to proceed.

Once submitted, Exness will review your documents. Most verifications are completed within a few hours, though in rare cases, it may take up to 24 hours.

Tip: Using clear, high-resolution photos and ensuring your details match exactly (name, date of birth, address) can help speed up approval.

Step 3: Funding your Exness account

With your account verified, it’s time to make your first deposit. Depositing funds into your Exness funded account is quick and seamless, giving you instant access to the global markets. Exness offers a wide range of payment methods, including local bank transfers, e-wallets, and credit/debit cards. Minimum deposits vary depending on the payment method and account type, and some trading accounts can be opened with as little as 10 USD.

Steps vary by payment method, but generally, the process for depositing money in your trading account is as follows:

1. Open the Deposit section of your PA.
2. Select a payment method from the available options.
3. Complete all required fields, including the deposit amount and trading account selection, and then select Continue.
4. Select Confirm if the summary of your deposit is correct.
5. Follow the rest of the on-screen instructions for your chosen payment method until the deposit is complete.

Please note that each payment method has its own conditions, which you can find listed in your PA.

Instant withdrawals

At Exness, 98% of withdrawals are processed automatically, so you can access your funds almost instantly, depending on the payment method. Deposits and withdrawals are fee-free (third-party fees that may apply will be displayed), giving you full transparency over your funds.

Tip: Start small with your first deposit to familiarize yourself with how transactions work on the platform.

Step 4: Setting up your platform

Once your trading account is funded, it’s time to connect to your preferred trading platform. We’ve covered what you might consider when choosing a trading platform in a previous article, but now is a good time to remind you that Exness offers multiple platform options to suit every trading style, from mobile convenience to desktop precision.

These are the available trading platforms we offer and how to log in to them:

Mobile trading

• Exness Trade app: Download the Exness Trade app and log in with your Exness account credentials.
• MetaTrader mobile platforms: Download and install MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5) on your phone, then log in with your trading account credentials.

Desktop trading

• Exness Terminal: Log in to your PA, click Trade on any active trading account, and select Exness Terminal.
• MetaTrader desktop platforms (MT4/MT5): Download and install on your desktop device, and log in with your trading account credentials.
• MT4 MultiTerminal: Download and install the MT4 MultiTerminal on your Windows desktop and log in with your trading account.

Browser-based trading

• WebTerminal: Sign in to the WebTerminal on our website with your trading account credentials.

Note: You can’t use an MT4 trading account on the MT5 trading platform, and vice versa. You also cannot change the trading account compatibility after it has been created.

Each platform is designed for seamless trading and offers full access to Exness’ pricing and execution speed. So, whether you trade on the go or from your desktop setup, you’ll always be connected.

Your first trade: What to expect?

Placing your first live trade feels exciting, and maybe a little nerve-wracking. That’s completely normal. The key is to start small, stay calm, and follow your trading plan.

Here’s how to open your first position:

1. Log in to your trading platform.
2. Select an instrument of your choice.
3. Set your trading volume and leverage.
4. You can add an optional stop loss and take profit, depending on your own risk management strategy.
5. Click Buy or Sell.

And just like that, you’ve made your first live trade!

Tip: Avoid overtrading. Start small to get used to the new environment. Aim to understand how real execution feels compared to your demo account.

Risk management reminder: Remember that high leverage can amplify not only your profits but also your losses. Always consider the risks responsibly. For new traders, it may be safer to not use leverage until you gain more experience and confidence in your strategies. The level of leverage you use can be adjusted in your trading account’s settings (accessible in your Personal Area). It’s always a good recommendation to trade within your personal comfort zone - it’s your choice.

Common mistakes to avoid

Even experienced traders make mistakes, but you can avoid the most common ones when starting:

• Skipping the plan: Always trade with a strategy—don’t rely on gut feeling.
• Ignoring stop loss: A stop loss protects your capital with every trade. Set it before you enter, not after.
• Overleveraging: Higher leverage may carry higher risk. Start small and scale up as you gain experience.
• Emotional trading: Stay calm, especially after gains or losses. Stick to your plan.
• Neglecting education: Keep learning—the Exness help center and Exness Insights articles are great places to start.

Remember: Successful trading is about consistency, not luck.

Final thoughts: Taking the leap with confidence

Opening your first real Exness trading account is more than just a transaction. It’s the beginning of your journey as a live trader. You’ve practiced, planned, and now it’s time to put your skills to the test in real market conditions.

With Exness, you’re never trading alone. You get access to reliable platforms, instant transactions, advanced tools, and around-the-clock support—everything you need to trade confidently.

Are you ready to take the next step?  Then log in, fund your account, and experience the markets the way they’re meant to be—live.