FCA · United Kingdom
Financial Conduct Authority
One of the most demanding regimes in the world. Running an FCA-authorised broker means real people, real premises, real capital, and continuous reporting.
- Retail leverage
- Retail CFDs capped from 30:1 (major FX) down to 2:1, with a 50% margin close-out and negative balance protection.
- Compensation
- FSCS cover up to £85,000 per person, per firm for investment claims. (The £120,000 limit introduced in December 2025 applies to bank deposits, not broker accounts.)
- Capital
- £750,000 permanent minimum for firms dealing on their own account; £150,000 for firms holding client money.
- Supervision & substance
- UK head office required. Key people, including compliance oversight and the MLRO, need FCA approval. Strict client-money (CASS) rules with an annual client-assets audit.
- Stocks, futures & crypto
- Covers share dealing and exchange-traded futures and options too, and FSCS protects investment accounts. Crypto: firms register with the FCA for anti-money-laundering, crypto derivatives have been banned for retail clients since January 2021, and a full crypto authorisation regime is being introduced.
- Trade-off
- Retail leverage is tightly capped. Higher leverage requires professional client status, which gives up some protections.
What it means for you: The strongest protection available to a retail trader, but only if your account is actually with the UK entity.
Common questions about FCA
Is FCA a good regulator for forex brokers?
In our view, FCA is a top-tier regulator (Tier 1 · Top-tier onshore). One of the most demanding regimes in the world. Running an FCA-authorised broker means real people, real premises, real capital, and continuous reporting. The strongest protection available to a retail trader, but only if your account is actually with the UK entity.
What leverage can brokers regulated by FCA offer retail clients?
Retail CFDs capped from 30:1 (major FX) down to 2:1, with a 50% margin close-out and negative balance protection.
Is there a compensation scheme if a broker regulated by FCA fails?
FSCS cover up to £85,000 per person, per firm for investment claims. (The £120,000 limit introduced in December 2025 applies to bank deposits, not broker accounts.)
Does FCA regulate stocks, futures, or crypto?
Covers share dealing and exchange-traded futures and options too, and FSCS protects investment accounts. Crypto: firms register with the FCA for anti-money-laundering, crypto derivatives have been banned for retail clients since January 2021, and a full crypto authorisation regime is being introduced.
A licence only protects you if your account is with the entity that holds it. Many broker groups hold several licences and onboard clients through an offshore entity. Check your client agreement, and verify the licence on the regulator's own register.
See how all 31 regulators compareSimilar regulators
CFTC / NFA
United States
Tier 1 · Top-tier onshoreASIC
Australia
Tier 1 · Top-tier onshoreCIRO
Canada
Tier 1 · Top-tier onshoreWe have done the broker homework.
See which brokers made our shortlist, the entities and licences behind each one, and member pricing.
Tiers and ratings are M1 Strategic's own assessment, based on public sources listed in our regulator guide. Rules change: always verify with the regulator directly. Not financial advice.