Forex CPA deals explained

CPA stands for cost per acquisition. In a forex CPA deal, the broker pays you a fixed amount for each referred client who meets its qualification rules. It's popular with content creators and affiliates whose audiences are large but mostly new to trading.

What counts as a "qualified" client

Every broker defines it differently. Typical conditions include:

• A minimum first deposit, for example $100, $200 or more.
• A minimum trading volume, for example 1 to 5 standard lots.
• A time window, for example within 30, 60 or 90 days of sign-up.
• Completed verification (KYC) and sometimes a minimum number of trading days.
• Being a new client: existing or returning clients usually don't count.

How CPA rates are set

Brokers price CPA by the value they expect from a client, which depends heavily on the client's country, the deposit size and the traffic source. That's why CPA offers often differ by country (a "geo"), and why the same broker may offer different amounts to different partners.

Example: a deal pays $300 CPA for clients who deposit $200 and trade 2 lots within 30 days. You refer 50 people who open accounts; 20 deposit; 12 meet the lot requirement in time. You are paid for 12, which is $3,600, not 50 × $300.

Tiered and hybrid CPA

• Tiered CPA: the amount rises as you deliver more qualified clients per month.
• Deposit-based CPA: a higher amount for clients who deposit more.
• Hybrid: a smaller CPA plus an ongoing rebate or revenue share. This spreads risk if your clients turn out to trade actively.

Red flags in CPA deals

• "Up to" amounts with no table showing what you'd really get.
• Vague qualification such as "active client" with no numbers.
• Broad clawback rights, for example if a client withdraws within 90 days for any reason.
• Baseline caps that only pay CPA on a share of your clients.
• Unregulated brokers offering CPA far above the market. High CPA can be funded by bad client outcomes.

Questions to ask before you accept

1. What exactly qualifies a client, and in what time window?
2. Does the CPA differ by country? Which countries are excluded?
3. When is CPA paid, and when can it be clawed back?
4. Is there a monthly cap or a minimum number of clients?
5. Can I switch to hybrid or rebates later?

Compare CPA deals on IB2broker

On IB2broker, each CPA deal shows its amount, qualification rules and payout terms next to rebate and revenue share offers, so you can compare like with like. Free for IBs.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good forex CPA?

It depends on your clients' countries and deposit sizes. A lower CPA with easy qualification rules can pay more than a higher one that few clients meet.

Is CPA better than rebates?

CPA pays upfront and suits newer traders. Rebates pay over time and suit active traders. Many IBs use hybrid deals.