Capital.com Reports $1.13 Trillion in Q2 2026 Trading Volume

Capital.com has reported $1.13 trillion in client trading volumes for the second quarter of 2026, covering April through June. The online derivatives platform executed 34.9 million trades during the period, a 23.2% decline from 45.4 million in Q1, while the average trade size rose 16.0% to $32,418.

Gold markets were the most traded instrument, representing 42.4% of total platform volume. The quarter unfolded in three distinct phases: April saw heightened activity in energy and precious metals after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz; in May, easing Middle East tensions and a broad equity rally shifted focus toward technology and index markets; and in June, a pullback in Gold prices toward $4,000 per ounce, combined with rising expectations of US interest rate hikes, drove increased equity market participation.

The US Tech 100 was the second most active instrument at 25.9% of Q2 volume, followed by WTI Crude Oil at 7.0%, the Dow Jones 30 at 4.8%, and the DAX 40 at 4.0%. Silver also gained share as precious metals markets remained active throughout the quarter.

Regionally, the Middle East accounted for 57.2% of platform volume, with Gold making up 49.9% of regional activity. Europe contributed 21.7%, where the most active markets were Germany (22.8% of European volume), Italy (5.5%), the Netherlands (4.1%), France (3.4%), and Poland (2.8%). UK client activity was equity-led, with the US Tech 100 representing 40.0% of UK volume, well above its platform-wide share. In Australia, Gold and the US Tech 100 were nearly balanced at 24.0% and 23.2%, respectively. Asia accounted for 5.4% of total Q2 volume.

Stop-loss adoption rose to 26.6% of positions in Q2, up from 22.4% in the previous quarter. Rates varied by market: Sweden recorded 32.0%, the Netherlands 31.2%, and Germany 29.3%, all above the platform average. In the UAE, adoption remained lower.

Kyle Rodda, Senior Market Analyst at Capital.com, noted that retail traders adjusted exposure as conditions changed, with the Strait of Hormuz disruption concentrating activity in energy and Gold in April before shifting toward equities in May and June. Tarik Chebib, CEO Middle East, highlighted the region's strong demand for commodity instruments and said the platform is focused on deepening risk management discipline. Christoforos Soutzis, CEO Europe, pointed to growing stop-loss adoption as evidence of more deliberate risk management among European clients.