The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) is New Zealand’s conduct regulator for financial markets, established in 2011. Brokers offering forex and CFDs to retail clients in New Zealand must hold a Derivatives Issuer licence from the FMA.
What FMA regulation means for traders
- Licensing: derivatives issuers are vetted before they can offer leveraged products to retail clients.
- Segregated client money: client funds must be held separately, often in trust accounts with audited reconciliation.
- Fair dealing: the FMA enforces rules against misleading conduct and requires clear risk disclosure.
- Ongoing supervision: licensed firms report regularly and can be audited.
How to verify an FMA broker
Check the Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR) and the FMA’s own licensed-provider lists on its website. Be aware that simple FSPR registration is not the same as holding a Derivatives Issuer licence — confirm the firm actually holds the licence for the product you are trading.
In short
FMA regulation offers solid conduct oversight and client-money protection, though New Zealand has no statutory compensation scheme comparable to the UK’s FSCS. It is a credible mid-tier regime. Compare regulated brokers in our broker reviews.