Is my broker regulated?
A licence number on a broker's website means little until you have checked it yourself, and the regulator behind it matters as much as the licence. Choose the regulator your broker claims, then answer a few questions about what you can verify and how the broker behaves, and this checker scores how safe your money is likely to be. It explains each warning sign it finds and tells you what to check next.
What lowered the score
Points lost on each check, out of 100. Fix the biggest gaps first, or treat them as reasons to choose another broker.
Regulators at a glance
How the checker rates each regulator, and the public register to search. Always reach the register from the regulator's own website.
| Regulator | Tier | Register to search | Compensation if the firm fails |
|---|
How the safety score works
The score starts at 100. Points come off for a weaker regulator, for anything you could not verify and for each warning sign. It is a structured checklist, not a database lookup, so it is only as good as the checks you do.
Rate the regulator
Top-tier regulators lose nothing, the middle tier loses 10 points, offshore registers 35 and weak or no regulation 55.
Verify the licence
Not finding the firm on the register costs 35 points, a mismatch in website or contact details 30, and a non-licensed account entity 25. Unchecked items cost half.
Client money
Money not held separately from the firm's own costs 10 points.
Warning signs
Bonuses or promised returns 10, pressure to deposit 15, withdrawal problems 30, a warning list entry 40, and retail binary options in the UK or EU 25.
Verdict
The score is kept between 0 and 100.
70 and above: low risk; 40 to 69: check further; below 40: high risk
Broker regulation questions
How do I check if a broker is regulated?
Go to the regulator's own website, not a link from the broker, and search its public register for the broker's exact company name or licence number. Then check that the website address and contact details listed on the register match the site you are using. Scam sites often copy the name and licence number of a real firm.
Which regulators are the strongest?
Regulators with strict capital rules, client money protection and active enforcement, such as the UK FCA, Australia's ASIC, the US CFTC and NFA, Germany's BaFin, Switzerland's FINMA, Singapore's MAS and Japan's FSA, are generally considered top tier. EU regulators such as CySEC follow EU rules and are a solid middle tier. Offshore registrations give little real protection.
Why does the specific entity matter?
Many brokers run several companies under one brand: one licensed by a strong regulator and one offshore. Clients outside certain countries are often signed up with the offshore entity, which may offer higher leverage but none of the protections. Check the company name on your account agreement.
Are deposit bonuses a red flag?
Often, yes. Regulators in the UK, EU and Australia restrict bonuses to retail clients, so a large bonus usually means an offshore or unregulated entity. Bonuses also tend to come with conditions that block withdrawals until you trade a large volume.
What protection does regulation actually give me?
It varies. Strong regulators require brokers to keep client money separate from company money and to meet capital requirements, and some countries have compensation schemes if a firm fails, such as the FSCS in the UK and the Investor Compensation Fund in Cyprus. Offshore registration usually offers none of this.
Does this checker look up brokers automatically?
No. It does not connect to any regulator's database. It guides you through the checks and scores what you find, so you can make an informed decision. Always confirm details on the regulator's own website.