How to trade platinum: platinum trading tips for beginners in 2025

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eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

This page explains how to trade platinum online in 2025. Learn about the different ways you can trade platinum, what moves its price, and why it might be a good addition to your portfolio. 

Can I trade platinum?

Yes, trading platinum is straightforward and available to anyone using an online trading platform. Platinum is a popular precious metal to trade and can be accessed through various derivatives. 

You can trade platinum through many different avenues, including spot platinum, futures contracts, platinum options, platinum ETFs (exchange traded funds), or CFDs. To decide on the best approach, you will need to consider your goals and time horizon before aligning your strategy with your specific objectives. 

Where can I trade platinum online?

Before you get started with platinum trading you’ll need to register with an online broker. Our experts have selected some of the top platinum trading platforms and you can click any of the links below to get started in just a few minutes.

4.6

eToro

Min. Deposit $100

Fees 1%

No. assets 50+

Demo account Yes

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eToro offers real assets only, no CFD products. eToro securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (‘the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Invezz.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the BD.

4.5

Plus500

Min. Deposit $100

Fees From 2%

No. assets 2800+

Demo account Yes

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Plus500 review

Buy or sell stock CFDs with Plus500. 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

BullionVault

Min. Deposit n/a

Fees -

No. assets n/a

Demo account -

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What is platinum trading?

Platinum trading means trading financial instruments that track the underlying price of platinum, rather than physically owning platinum bars or coins. This offers a more accessible and flexible approach to precious metals for investors and traders.

Platinum, alongside gold and silver, has always been recognised as a store of value.  Its rarity and use in jewellery and industry make it a fascinating commodity. Beyond its traditional uses, platinum has emerged as a viable financial trading instrument, allowing investors to participate in its price fluctuations.

Ways to trade platinum

There are several options available when it comes to trading platinum and the one you should pick depends on your budget, experience, and the timeframe for seeing returns. Here’s a look at the various ways you can trade platinum online.

• Trade platinum CFDs. Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are a popular way to speculate on platinum price movements without having to own the physical asset itself. This makes them ideal for commodity trading, where it’s not practical to own and store large quantities of platinum. With CFDs, you can profit from both rising and falling prices. CFDs also offer leverage, which can amplify your exposure to platinum markets. 
• Platinum spread betting. Spread betting is a trading method allowing you to speculate on the price movements of platinum without owning the physical commodity. With spread betting, traders can take positions on whether the price of platinum will rise or fall. You can use leverage when spread betting platinum. All profits are also tax-free. 
• Trade platinum futures. Futures contracts are the most common way to speculate on short term price changes. They are an agreement to make a trade at a future date for a pre-agreed price. Platinum futures contracts require a detailed understanding of what impacts short term prices, and are most suited to someone with experience in the market.
• Trade platinum options. Options let you buy or sell platinum contracts at a predetermined price on or before a specific future date. platinum options trading requires some expertise but allows traders to capitalise on price changes and manage risk, which makes it popular with people familiar with the platinum market.

Should I trade spot platinum or platinum futures?

Spot trading is simpler and easier to get your head around as a beginner. ‘Spot’ trading refers to the current market price of platinum, where you simply place a trade on it to go up or down.

Platinum futures are a more intricate tool that require more knowledge of the platinum market and more trading experience. Futures contracts allow you to lock in a deal to buy or sell a certain amount of platinum at a fixed price on a fixed date in the future.

Traders typically use futures contract to speculate on price movements, but it requires some level of industry knowledge, so that you understand how and why the price might move and the factors that impact that. You can use futures to hedge the risks of another trade or to capitalise on anticipated price trends.

How to trade platinum

Trading platinum is a simple process. Before you begin, you’ll need to register with a trusted online broker to access the platinum market. Follow the steps below to learn how to trade platinum.

What moves the platinum price?

Not all commodities move in the same way and platinum has a number of unique features that make it independent. Below are some of the key factors at play.

• Industrial demand & usage. Platinum is used in a number of industrial applications, from car manufacturing – where it’s a key component in making catalytic converters – to electronics. Continued demand from those sources is important in driving price appreciation.
• Mining supply. Platinum is an extremely rare resource that comes from mining operations around the world. Stability in those regions and continued mining production is a critical factor in producing supply to match the demand. Any supply scarcity would likely drive the price up.
• Geopolitical factors. Platinum is mined and produced in some unstable regions, primarily in Russia, where geopolitical events can have a serious impact on supply. South Africa and Colombia are two other major producers, while China is the largest consumer of platinum.
• Economic uncertainty. During times of financial instability, investors often seek safe-haven assets like precious metals, including platinum, boosting its price.
• US Dollar fluctuations. Since platinum is internationally traded in US dollars, a weaker dollar can make platinum relatively more expensive, driving up demand.

What to consider when you trade platinum

When you begin trading platinum, it’s important to approach it with a well thought out strategy. Considering a range of factors before trading can save you time and money in the long run. Use the helpful tips below to plan your platinum trading strategy. 

What are your trading goals?

Before you start, you should clearly define your trading objectives. Are you seeking quick gains, or will you be focused on a longer time frame using swing trading strategies? Knowing your goals before you start can help guide you in your strategy and also which platinum market to use. 

Does platinum suit your risk tolerance?

Make sure you’re comfortable with the potential for market fluctuations. If you’re a short term trader, then ensure you’ve checked the historical price chart for platinum to determine if it’s volatile enough for day trading. 

Will trading platinum add diversification to your portfolio?

Many traders focus on more than one market at a time and diversification is one of the core principles to follow. When you trade platinum, make sure it complements the other markets you trade. For example, if you already trade several similar commodities, you may be better off choosing another commodity market to spread your risk. 

Take the time to study the platinum market dynamics. 

Like many commodities, platinum has unique characteristics and supply and demand fundamentals. To trade platinum, studying the broader platinum market, especially historical price trends, is essential. Before trading platinum, you will need to understand the factors that influence its value. 

Choose the right trading method.

We’ve already discussed the options available to you to trade platinum. Each has its own advantages, so you should select the one most suited to your trading goals. For example, trading platinum is best done via futures, options, CFDs, and spot. You could also trade platinum exchange traded funds (ETFs). 

Is platinum a good market to trade?

Platinum offers some advantages, such as portfolio diversification, because its price patterns typically work in a different way to traditional assets like stocks or bonds. As it’s impacted by different economic climates and events, it helps to spread your risk.

Platinum prices can also experience significant swings, particularly because the supply chain can be fragile and variable. That volatility offers plenty of opportunities from traders with a higher risk tolerance.

On the other side, those rapid price changes can work against you, leading to substantial losses. Unforeseen events can disrupt supply chains or industrial demand, and trading CFDs or futures with leverage can exacerbate your losses just as they can magnify your gains.

What are the risks of trading platinum?

Trading platinum has the potential for significant rewards but also carries risks you need to be aware of. These risks are the same across the overall commodity market, but for platinum, several more specific ones apply. Below, we’ve explained the main risks of platinum trading.

• Volatility. The platinum market is known for its price volatility. Compared to other markets, the price of platinum can widely fluctuate daily. It can be costly if you’re unprepared for the volatile nature of the platinum market. 
• Macroeconomic factors. Platinum prices are affected by several macroeconomic factors, such as industrial demand, inflation, interest rates, dollar strength, and geopolitics. Before trading platinum, you should have a good understanding of these. 
• Regulatory risks. Government policies can play a role in the way platinum prices move. Export restrictions or changes in tax regulations could introduce unforeseen risks. 
• Leverage risk. Amplified trading through CFDs or certain futures strategies can exacerbate losses as well as gains.

Platinum trading strategies

There are diverse opportunities when trading platinum, and you can use various strategies to make the best decisions. Understanding these strategies is essential to navigate the platinum market effectively. Below are several general trading strategies that can be applied to platinum trading. 

• Trend trading. Trend trading is a basic strategy and involves identifying and following the prevailing price direction of platinum. Technical indicators like moving averages can help in identifying trends. You can also look for higher highs or lower lows in platinum price action. Traders look to profit by entering positions in the direction of the established trend, whether an uptrend (bullish) or downtrend (bearish). 
• Range trading. When the platinum market is not trending, it will consolidate or move within a defined range or channel. You can use a range trading strategy whereby you aim to buy at the lower end of the range and sell at the upper end. Understanding support and resistance levels within a range is essential to trade this strategy effectively. 
• Moving averages strategy. Moving averages are technical indicators that smooth out price data and help identify trends. One common strategy is to compare short-term moving averages (e.g. 10 days), with longer term moving averages (e.g. 50 days). You can then look for crossovers and divergences between these moving averages to find signals for buying to selling platinum. 
• Breakout trading. Breakout trading involves identifying key price levels, such as support and resistance, and entering positions when the price breaks through these levels. Traders expect the breakout to lead to a significant price movement in the direction of the breakout, allowing them to capture potential gains.
• Fundamental analysis. Fundamental analysis is a strategy used to evaluate the intrinsic value of platinum. This means rather than focusing on platinum ‘s price chart, you can analyse data like supply and demand, geopolitical events, and other variables that impact its price. You can then use your findings and technical analysis to place a trade. 

The above strategies are just a few of the many that you can use to trade the platinum market. Remembering that each strategy has its own rules and risk management techniques is important. Professional platinum traders often combine multiple systems and adapt their approach to market conditions. 

Bottom line

One of the key benefits of trading the platinum market is the various ways you can get involved. There is a trading vehicle for everyone, from platinum stocks and ETFs for long term speculators to spot platinum, futures, and CFDs for short term traders. A trusted and regulated trading platform is a must if you want to navigate the platinum industry successfully. 

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