Leverage Trading Platforms Gain Ground Despite Regulatory Headwinds, Q2 Data Shows

U.S. traders are ramping up activity on international high-leverage crypto platforms, even as regulatory scrutiny tightens at home.

New data reveals a notable surge in demand for trading platforms offering extreme leverage options, with a 19% quarter-over-quarter rise in U.S. interest in international providers. Traders gravitated toward platforms supporting 100x leverage or more, reflecting a 23% uptick in engagement despite growing caution in the market.

“Platforms offering KYC-free onboarding and 100x+ leverage are quickly becoming magnets for mobile-first U.S. traders frustrated by domestic limits.”

The insights come from Leverage.Trading, whose latest quarterly analysis is based on internal traffic data on trader interest and crypto leverage platform engagement during Q2 2025.

High Leverage Still in High Demand

The data suggests that appetite for risk among traders remains strong, particularly among mobile-first users seeking quick access to advanced trading tools. Interest was notably concentrated around platforms that allow margin mode customization, such as switching between cross and isolated margin, during the onboarding process. Over 60% of users engaged with platforms offering this flexibility.

Even with macroeconomic uncertainty and rising regulatory pressure in the U.S., traders appear increasingly willing to explore offshore and international platforms. The motivation? Fast signup flows, fewer KYC roadblocks, and access to more aggressive leverage structures.

“What we’re seeing isn’t just a shift in where traders go—it’s a shift in what they now expect from trading platforms: instant access, adjustable risk, and institutional-grade execution at retail speed.”

Whether this surge continues into Q3 may depend heavily on both market volatility and evolving compliance frameworks.

Asia-Pacific Sees Surge in Leverage Traffic

Outside the U.S., the Asia-Pacific region posted the fastest year-over-year growth in leverage-focused trading traffic, up 28% in Q2. Analysts say the region’s tech-savvy population and growing access to mobile-first exchanges have made it a hotbed for derivatives trading.

“BTCC’s auto-switching margin tool at high leverage levels, and BYDFi’s FinCEN-registered no-KYC access, reflect a new breed of exchanges blending compliance optics with aggressive risk tools.”

Meanwhile, U.S.-based users continued to favor exchanges with simplified onboarding, echoing a broader trend: ease-of-access is increasingly seen as a differentiator in a crowded platform landscape.

In Q2 2025, interest among U.S. traders in international high-leverage crypto platforms climbed 19% despite increased regulatory scrutiny, while user engagement with 100x leverage offerings rose by 23%, data from Leverage.Trading shows.

As global markets brace for more policy shifts, traders seem to be hedging their strategies not just with stop-losses — but with their choice of platforms.