Your MT5 account operates under two types of margin requirements depending on the time of day: Standard Margin Requirements (SMR) and Higher Margin Requirements (HMR).
Margin Modes Overview
Standard Margin Requirements (SMR)
This is the default mode during normal trading hours. Margin is calculated based on the standard leverage applied to your account type.
Higher Margin Requirements (HMR)
Margin requirements are increased by 10× meaning that your leverage is reduced by 10 times.
Applies only to positions opened (or exposure increased) during a specific time window for certain instruments.
Affected instruments include:
Gold (XAU/USD)
Silver (XAG pairs)
Brent Oil (BRENT)
Crude Oil (CRUDE)
When Does HMR Apply?
HMR is activated daily around the market session break
Time window:
15 minutes before session close
During the session break
Up to 2 minutes after the market reopens
Note: This timeframe may change.
Positions opened before the HMR window → remain on standard margin (SMR)
Positions opened during HMR → subject to higher margin (10×)
How Margin Is Calculated during HMR
Required Margin during HMR = Required Standard Margin Rate x 10
The higher margin is applied temporarily via a system plugin
Your account leverage does not permanently change
After the HMR window ends, margin returns to normal
⚠️ Note: MT5 will still display standard margin values — the increase is applied in the background.
Example
If a trade normally requires $1,000 margin:
During SMR → you need $1,000
During HMR → you need $10,000
Once the HMR window ends, margin returns to normal.
Unlocking Positions During HMR
When you unlock (partially or fully close one side of a hedge) during the HMR window, the effect depends on whether your market exposure increases or decreases.
Case A: Unlocking Increases Exposure (Higher Risk)
Before unlocking:
Buy 1 lot + Sell 3 lots (Gold)
Locked amount: 1 lot
Net exposure: Sell 2 lots
Margin: Calculated normally on 2 lots
Action:
You close the Buy 1 lot position during the HMR window.
After unlocking:
Remaining position: Sell 3 lots
Net exposure: Sell 3 lots (increased by 1 lot)
New exposure created: 1 lot
What happens:
The additional 1 lot is treated as new exposure
HMR applies → 10× higher margin on that 1 lot only
Existing 2 lots remain on standard margin
If 1 lot normally requires $500 margin, the newly exposed 1 lot will require $5,000 during HMR.
Case B: Unlocking Decreases Exposure (Lower Risk)
Before unlocking:
Buy 1 lot + Sell 3 lots (Gold)
Net exposure: Sell 2 lots
Margin: Standard margin applied
Action:
You close 1 lot from the Sell position during the HMR window.
After unlocking:
Remaining position: Buy 1 lot + Sell 2 lots
Net exposure: Sell 1 lot (reduced from 2 lots)
What happens:
Your exposure is reduced
Margin is released proportionally
No HMR penalty applies
If margin for 2 lots is $1,000, closing 1 lot releases $500 back to your free margin.
HMR is designed as a risk management tool to protect both traders and the platform by reducing exposure during periods of increased uncertainty. Around market session breaks, prices can gap significantly, so temporarily increasing margin requirements helps limit the risks associated with highly leveraged positions. At the same time, it automatically reduces excessive leverage during volatile periods without requiring any manual intervention.
If you encounter any issues, please contact our support team for assistance.