Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. 18+ only.

How to check if a forex broker is regulated

Find the exact company and licence number in the broker's client agreement, then search that company on the regulator's own public register. Confirm the licence is active, covers the services you'll use and lists the same website. Then search the name and website on warning lists. "Not on a warning list" never proves "licensed".

This guide is the method we use ourselves (see our methodology). It's general information, not advice, and every register below links to the regulator's own site. Last checked 30 Oct 2026.

Brand name vs legal entity

Licences are held by companies, not brands. One trading brand often runs several companies in different countries, each with its own licence, and the one you sign with depends on where you live. A logo saying "regulated in the EU" means nothing if your contract is with a different company somewhere else. Your check starts with the name in your client agreement, not the name on the website banner.

The four-step check

  1. Find the entity. Note the full company name, the regulator and the licence number from the client agreement or the website's legal footer.
  2. Search the register yourself. Go to the regulator's website directly; don't use a register link sent by the broker. Search by licence number first, then by name.
  3. Check status, services and domain. The status should be active, the permissions should cover what you'll trade, and the website and contact details should match the ones you're using. A firm copying a real firm's name and number is a known trick, so the domain check matters (see our clone broker check).
  4. Search warning lists. Search the name and website on IOSCO's I-SCAN, which collects alerts from member regulators with the regulator and date, and on our AMF scam alerts search.

Where to check, by regulator

EU: ESMA and national registers

ESMA says firms can only provide investment services in the EU if an EU regulator has authorised them. On ESMA's registers, search the firm's name: look for entity type "Investment firm" and status "active" on the same line. ESMA also links to each country's own register for data not in its central list.

CySEC (Cyprus)

The Investment Firms (Cypriot) list shows each firm's licence number, licence date, company registration number, contact details and approved trade names. Read the notes beside the number: some entries say the firm is under examination for voluntary renunciation of its authorisation. Then check the List of Approved Domains: the website you're using should be listed against that firm.

ASIC (Australia)

ASIC's professional registers search by name, licence number, ACN or ABN. For free you'll see the licence status, start date, conditions and the AFS licensee's website addresses. ASIC notes one person or company can hold several registrations, so check the result is on the register you need. Then search ASIC's investor alert list on Moneysmart; ASIC says the list isn't exhaustive and that not finding a name doesn't mean you can trust it.

FSCA (South Africa)

Use the FSCA's FSP search: type the FSP number or part of the name. For a number written like 26/10/1234, enter only the last digits. The FSCA also runs a separate over-the-counter derivative providers search; if a firm says it issues the CFDs itself, look for it there too.

DFSA (Dubai DIFC)

The DFSA public register lists each firm with a reference number (format F000001) and a firm type such as "Authorised Firms". Check the firm type matches the activity you're told about.

Offshore licences (Seychelles and others)

The FSA Seychelles publishes its regulated entities by sector, including Capital Markets. An offshore licence is a real licence, but EU-style rules such as the ESMA leverage caps below don't automatically apply to it, so read what the licence covers. We'll cover offshore licences in a separate guide.

Nigeria

Start at the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria. Its site notes that the Investments and Securities Bill 2025, which repeals the Investments and Securities Act 2007, has been signed into law, so older articles about Nigerian rules may be out of date.

What "not found" and "on a warning list" mean

What regulation does and doesn't do

Rules differ by regulator. For retail clients in the EU, ESMA's 2018 CFD measures set leverage limits of 30:1 on major currency pairs and 20:1 on non-major pairs, gold and major indices, plus margin close-out at 50% of required margin, negative balance protection per account and a standard risk warning. ESMA adds that dealing with an unauthorised firm can cost you access to investor compensation funds and ombudsman complaints.

None of this protects you against trading losses. Compensation schemes deal with a firm failing, not with trades that go against you. Read our risk warning, and size each trade before you place it with the position size calculator or, for gold, the Gold Desk lot size calculator.

We're an affiliate of one broker; that never changes the register facts we publish. See how we make money.

FAQ

How do I check if a forex broker is regulated in South Africa?

Use the FSCA's FSP search: enter the FSP number or part of the firm's name (for 26/10/1234, enter only the last digits). Check the name and contact details match, and also search the FSCA's over-the-counter derivative providers list.

How do you check if a broker is regulated by the FSCA?

Take the FSP number from the broker's own documents and search it on the FSCA website. If it isn't found, or the name on the register differs from the company you're paying, treat the claim as unconfirmed.

How can I check a forex broker's licence online?

Find the legal entity and licence number in the client agreement, then search them on the regulator's own register (ESMA, CySEC, ASIC, FSCA, DFSA and so on). Check the status is active and the website matches.

Does regulation protect me from trading losses?

No. Regulation sets rules for how a firm treats clients and may give access to complaint or compensation schemes if the firm fails. It doesn't protect you against losses on your own trades. CFDs carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.

What is a regulated broker?

A firm authorised by a financial regulator and listed on that regulator's public register with an active status. Only the legal entity on the register is regulated, not every company using the same brand.