HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- JustMarkets, a multi-asset CFD broker, has published an analysis of how platform flexibility has moved from a point of differentiation to a baseline expectation in retail CFD trading, and where browser-based terminals sit alongside desktop and mobile access.
Ten years ago, retail trading was largely centered around installed desktop terminals. That model has been losing ground. Finance Magnates Intelligence estimated mobile as responsible for 64.6% of retail trading transactions in 2025. According to FCA's Financial Lives 2024 survey, there were 1.6 million UK adults who used a trading app, 47% of whom fell in the age group 18–34.
What Flexibility Means Now
Flexibility refers to how far the trading environment adapts to the user. This may include position flexibility, API integration, copy trading services, automated trading solutions, or the capacity to switch between desktop, mobile, and web platforms. While the feature list may vary by platform, the technology tends to adapt to the CFD trader's style of trading.
The broader online trading platform market has grown alongside this shift: Mordor Intelligence estimates its value at $12.57 billion in 2026, increasing to $18.18 billion in 2031, with cloud deployment being 63.42% of the market in 2025.
Where Browser Terminals Belong
Browser terminals sit between the installed desktop version and the mobile version. They skip the installation step and work on different operating systems, which may become significant when a work laptop and a home machine have different settings.
JustMarkets entered this niche with WebTerminal, which allows trading in MT5 accounts directly from the Personal Area without downloading anything. The terminal features charts with indicators and drawing tools, volume in lots and CFD asset units, instrument description, market sentiment, trading schedule changes, margin level, multiple positions, and pending orders management.
Convenience and Risk Are Two Distinct Features
Easier access does not reduce the risks involved. According to ASIC, 133,674 Australian retail clients incurred losses from CFD trading in FY2023/24, with total net losses exceeding A$458 million. By the end of the period, 68.42% of retail clients had lost money. Kalda et al., writing for NBER, also found that trading via smartphones was associated with greater risk-taking and stronger return-chasing behavior.
Regulators have responded with structural measures. The FCA restricts retail leverage between 30:1 and 2:1 depending on the underlying instrument; ESMA implements margin close-out and negative balance protection. These restrictions vary between jurisdictions and providers. Leverage increases market exposure, capital volatility, and the potential for losses, and CFDs remain leveraged instruments whose value may change in response to relatively small moves in the underlying market.
What It All Sums Up To
Flexibility has settled down to become one of the basic requirements. It has served as a differentiation factor for a couple of years, but now, for many traders, it sounds like a minimum expectation.
The new question to consider is this: less about where you can open a position, and more about what the platform still does well once the novelty wears off. In this context, the JustMarkets WebTerminal is one of the examples of how brokers respond to these shifting demands by making web browser accessibility a part of the trading process.
Risk Warning: Trading financial instruments involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Market conditions can change rapidly, and losses may exceed deposits. Ensure you understand the risks involved and trade responsibly.
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JustMarkets Examines the Rise of Flexible CFD Trading Platforms
