Financial Regulators
Who a broker is regulated by is one of the most important safety signals in trading. This directory explains each regulator we reference across FinPip, what protections it offers, and how to verify a broker with it.
Tier 1Top-tier regulator with strong client protections
- Financial Conduct AuthorityUnited KingdomThe UK's financial regulator, widely regarded as one of the strictest in the world for retail forex and CFD brokers.
- Australian Securities and Investments CommissionAustraliaAustralia's corporate and financial services regulator, known for robust oversight of forex and CFD brokers.
- Cyprus Securities and Exchange CommissionCyprusCyprus's financial regulator and a common EU gateway for forex brokers, operating under the EU-wide MiFID II framework.
- Federal Financial Supervisory AuthorityGermanyGermany's financial regulator, supervising banks, brokers and markets under the EU's MiFID II framework.
- Swiss Financial Market Supervisory AuthoritySwitzerlandSwitzerland's financial regulator, known for high capital and conduct standards for banks and brokers.
- Monetary Authority of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore's central bank and integrated financial regulator, with a strong reputation across Asia.
- National Futures AssociationUnited StatesThe self-regulatory body for the U.S. derivatives industry, enforcing strict capital and conduct rules on retail forex brokers.
- Commodity Futures Trading CommissionUnited StatesThe U.S. federal agency that regulates the derivatives markets, including retail forex, and oversees the NFA.
- Canadian Investment Regulatory OrganizationCanadaCanada's national self-regulatory body for investment dealers, formed by merging IIROC and the MFDA.
- Financial Services Agency (Japan)JapanJapan's government financial regulator, known for some of the strictest retail forex rules in the world.
Tier 2Credible regulator with solid oversight
- Dubai Financial Services AuthorityUnited Arab EmiratesThe independent regulator of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a well-regarded Middle East hub.
- Capital Markets Authority (Kenya)KenyaKenya's capital markets regulator, licensing online forex brokers under its Non-Dealing and Dealing frameworks.
- Financial Markets AuthorityNew ZealandNew Zealand's conduct regulator for financial markets and derivatives providers.
- Financial Sector Conduct AuthoritySouth AfricaSouth Africa's market-conduct regulator for financial services, including forex and CFD providers.
- Securities and Commodities AuthorityUnited Arab EmiratesThe United Arab Emirates federal regulator for securities, commodities and derivatives markets.
- Malta Financial Services AuthorityMaltaMalta's single financial regulator and an EU/MiFID authority for investment firms.
OffshoreLighter-touch offshore regime — fewer statutory protections
- Financial Services Authority (Seychelles)SeychellesThe Seychelles regulator — a common offshore licence offering higher leverage but lighter protections than tier-one regulators.
- Financial Services Commission (Belize)BelizeBelize's financial regulator — an offshore licence offering higher leverage and lighter oversight than tier-one regulators.
- Securities Commission of The BahamasThe BahamasThe Bahamas securities regulator — a mid-tier offshore licence used by several large global brokers.
- Vanuatu Financial Services CommissionVanuatuAn offshore regulator in Vanuatu commonly used by international forex brokers for lighter-touch licensing.
- Financial Services CommissionMauritiusMauritius's integrated regulator for non-bank financial services, widely used by international brokers.