Regulators in the UK and Europe
Europe is one of the most mature regions for forex regulation. Licensed firms in EU member states can serve the whole European Economic Area with a MiFID II passport.
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): Overview and How to Search
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is one of the UK’s key financial services regulators. It began operating in April 2013. FCA guide and how to check a licence →
Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC): Overview and How to Search
CySEC is the public authority responsible for regulating securities markets and investment services within its remit in Cyprus. CySEC guide and how to check a licence →
Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA): Overview and How to Search
The MFSA is Malta’s single financial services regulator. MFSA guide and how to check a licence →
Central Bank of Ireland (CBI): Overview and How to Search
The Central Bank of Ireland performs central banking functions and regulates financial services providers authorised or supervised by it under Irish law. CBI guide and how to check a licence →
Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA): Overview and How to Search
FINMA is Switzerland’s independent financial markets regulator. It supervises banks, insurance companies, securities firms and other financial-market participants in accordance with the law. FINMA guide and how to check a licence →
Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF): Overview and How to Search
The KNF is Poland’s financial markets regulator. It supervises financial markets and institutions within its statutory remit, including banking, capital markets, insurance and pensions. KNF guide and how to check a licence →
Regulators in Asia-Pacific
Most Asia-Pacific regulators set clear licensing and leverage rules for retail forex trading.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC): Overview and How to Search
ASIC is Australia’s independent regulator of companies, markets and financial services. It regulates companies and the financial services industry under Australian law. ASIC guide and how to check a licence →
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS): Overview and How to Search
MAS is Singapore’s central bank and integrated financial regulator. It is responsible for monetary policy, financial stability and regulating financial institutions and markets within its remit. MAS guide and how to check a licence →
Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC): Overview and How to Search
The SFC is Hong Kong’s independent statutory regulator for securities and futures markets. SFC guide and how to check a licence →
Japan Financial Services Agency (FSA): Overview and How to Search
Japan’s Financial Services Agency is a key government body responsible for financial administration. FSA guide and how to check a licence →
Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA): Overview and How to Search
Labuan FSA is the regulator of the Labuan International Business and Financial Centre in Malaysia. It is responsible for licensing, supervising and developing Labuan’s financial services industry. Labuan FSA guide and how to check a licence →
Regulators in North America
The US and Canada regulate retail forex very strictly; US brokers answer to both federal agencies and a self-regulatory organisation.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC): Overview and How to Search
The CFTC is an independent US federal agency that regulates US derivatives markets, including futures, options and parts of the swaps market, and enforces relevant federal laws. CFTC guide and how to check a licence →
National Futures Association (NFA): Overview and How to Search
The NFA is a US derivatives-industry self-regulatory organisation. Within the CFTC regulatory framework, it administers rules and oversight for registered members of the futures industry. NFA guide and how to check a licence →
Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO): Overview and How to Search
CIRO is Canada’s national self-regulatory organization for investment dealers and trading activity. It is recognized by Canadian securities regulators and performs related regulatory functions. CIRO guide and how to check a licence →
Regulators in the Middle East and Africa
The Middle East's financial free zones use frameworks close to international standards, while some African licences are often used by brokers to serve emerging-market clients.
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA): Overview and How to Search
The DFSA is the independent financial services regulator of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). It regulates financial services conducted in the DIFC that fall within its statutory remit. DFSA guide and how to check a licence →
Abu Dhabi Global Market Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA): Overview and How to Search
The FSRA is the financial services regulator of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). It regulates financial services conducted within ADGM that fall under its statutory remit. FSRA guide and how to check a licence →
Financial Sector Conduct Authority of South Africa (FSCA): Overview and How to Search
The FSCA is South Africa’s financial-sector market-conduct regulator. FSCA guide and how to check a licence →
Capital Markets Authority of Kenya (CMA): Overview and How to Search
The Kenyan CMA is the statutory regulator of Kenya’s capital markets. It oversees capital-market products, market facilities and intermediaries regulated under its authority. CMA guide and how to check a licence →
Financial Services Commission, Mauritius (FSC): Overview and How to Search
The Mauritius FSC regulates non-bank financial services and the global business sector in Mauritius, licensing and supervising entities within its statutory remit. FSC guide and how to check a licence →
Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA): Overview and How to Search
The Seychelles FSA regulates the non-bank financial services sector in Seychelles and is responsible for licensing, regulation and supervision within its statutory remit. FSA guide and how to check a licence →
Jordan Securities Commission (JSC): Overview and How to Search
The Jordan Securities Commission is the regulator of Jordan’s securities market. It oversees securities issuance and trading, as well as market participants within its remit. JSC guide and how to check a licence →
Regulators in the Caribbean and Other Offshore Centres
These jurisdictions attract financial firms with easy registration and low taxes, but the strength of regulation and investor protection varies, so take extra care when choosing a broker.
British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVIFSC): Overview and How to Search
The BVIFSC is the independent regulator of the financial services industry in the British Virgin Islands. BVIFSC guide and how to check a licence →
Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA): Overview and How to Search
CIMA is the financial services regulator and monetary authority of the Cayman Islands. CIMA guide and how to check a licence →
Financial Services Commission of Belize (FSC): Overview and How to Search
The Belize FSC regulates non-bank financial services and related sectors within its statutory remit. FSC guide and how to check a licence →
Financial Services Authority of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (FSA): Overview and How to Search
The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines FSA oversees certain non-bank financial services and related entities in the country. FSA guide and how to check a licence →
Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB): Overview and How to Search
The SCB regulates capital markets and financial services within its statutory remit in The Bahamas, including licensing, supervision and enforcement. SCB guide and how to check a licence →
Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS): Overview and How to Search
The CBCS is the central bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. It is responsible for monetary affairs, financial stability and the supervision of financial institutions within its statutory remit. CBCS guide and how to check a licence →
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A regulatory licence does not mean zero risk: the strength of regulation and investor protection differ widely between regulators, and licensed brokers can still have service disputes. Always verify a broker's licence on the regulator's official website (see What Is a Broker). This page is educational and is not investment advice.