Heat Map: Analysing Q1 2026 Results — Europe Extends The Lead

Europe increased its share of global FX/CFD traffic to 43.3% in Q1 2026, up from 40.1% the previous quarter. This growth occurred as other major regions saw slight declines, with APAC dropping to 24.1% and North America to 22.7%. The surge in European activity is linked to regional sensitivity toward gold and silver volatility and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The beginning of 2026 has seen Europe strengthen its position as the primary engine of the FX/CFD brokerage industry. While the region already held a strong lead at the end of last year with 40.1% of global traffic, that figure increased further to 43.3% in the first quarter of 2026. This growth suggests that the European market is not only recovering, but also expanding its appetite for retail trading products, widening the gap with other global regions.