FSA Seychelles · Seychelles
Financial Services Authority (Seychelles)
A legitimate regulator that has raised its standards in recent years, but remains a lighter-touch regime than the UK or Cayman.
- Retail leverage
- No regulatory leverage cap. Leverage of 1:1000 is offered by some licensees.
- Compensation
- No investor compensation scheme.
- Capital
- Reported minimum paid-up capital of US$100,000 (raised from US$50,000 in 2024).
- Supervision & substance
- Two directors, a compliance officer, and an MLRO are required, but compliance can be outsourced. Around 187 firms are licensed to offer CFDs.
- Stocks, futures & crypto
- The securities dealer licence covers equities CFDs and other securities. Crypto providers need a licence under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2024, and the FSA has taken enforcement action against unlicensed crypto operators.
- Trade-off
- Lighter supervision, no compensation, and a crowded field of licensees.
What it means for you: Fine as one entity within a broker group that also holds stronger licences. On its own, you are relying heavily on the broker's own integrity and reputation.
Common questions about FSA Seychelles
Is FSA Seychelles a good regulator for forex brokers?
In our view, FSA Seychelles is a mid-tier offshore regulator (Tier 3 · Mid-tier offshore). A legitimate regulator that has raised its standards in recent years, but remains a lighter-touch regime than the UK or Cayman. Fine as one entity within a broker group that also holds stronger licences. On its own, you are relying heavily on the broker's own integrity and reputation.
What leverage can brokers regulated by FSA Seychelles offer retail clients?
No regulatory leverage cap. Leverage of 1:1000 is offered by some licensees.
Is there a compensation scheme if a broker regulated by FSA Seychelles fails?
No investor compensation scheme.
Does FSA Seychelles regulate stocks, futures, or crypto?
The securities dealer licence covers equities CFDs and other securities. Crypto providers need a licence under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2024, and the FSA has taken enforcement action against unlicensed crypto operators.
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.
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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.