Tradable Credit Bonus Explained
Most large forex deposit bonuses aren’t cash — they’re “tradable credit.” It’s the single most misunderstood part of a bonus, and the reason a 100% offer isn’t the same as doubling your money. Here’s exactly how it works.
Last updated 28 July 2026 · Reviewed by Tim Morris
What is tradable credit?
Tradable credit is bonus money the broker adds to your account that you can trade with but cannot withdraw. It increases your usable margin — so you can open bigger positions — but it never belongs to you. Your account balance might read $2,000 after a 100% bonus on a $1,000 deposit, yet only your own $1,000 is really yours.
Tradable credit vs a cash bonus
A cash bonus lands in your withdrawable balance and behaves like your own funds. Tradable credit sits in a separate “credit” line, props up your margin, and is removed when you withdraw your deposit. Dollar for dollar, a cash bonus is worth more because it becomes yours sooner — which is why we flag which is which on every offer.
How credit supports your margin — and amplifies risk
Extra credit lets you hold larger or more positions than your own balance would allow. That cuts both ways: it can pad your margin against a drawdown, but it also tempts over-trading, and losses come out of your real funds first. Bonus credit can make a blow-up faster, not safer.
What happens to credit when you withdraw
This is the catch that surprises people: withdrawing your own money usually removes the credit — often in proportion to what you take out, sometimes all of it. So you can’t bank the bonus by cashing out, and pulling funds mid-trade can shrink the margin you were relying on. Read the broker’s exact withdrawal rule before you claim.
Can you ever cash it out?
Not the credit itself — but the profits you earn trading with it are withdrawable once you meet the turnover requirement. Whether that’s worth the effort is exactly the question our bonus value guide and calculator answer. Many brokers in our reviews — including FBS, InstaForex, FreshForex and XM — credit their deposit bonuses this way.
Frequently asked questions
› Can you withdraw a tradable credit bonus?
No — the credit itself can’t be withdrawn. You trade with it, and you can withdraw the profits you make once you’ve met the turnover requirement, but the credit is removed if you withdraw your own funds.
› What happens to the credit if I withdraw my own money?
It’s typically removed — often proportionally to the amount you withdraw, and sometimes entirely. That’s why withdrawing your deposit usually cancels the bonus. Always read the broker’s exact rule first.
› Is tradable credit the same as a cash bonus?
No. A cash bonus is added to your withdrawable balance and behaves like your own money. Tradable credit sits separately, supports your margin so you can open larger positions, and can’t be withdrawn. Most large forex deposit bonuses are credit, not cash.