Begin with your contracting legal entity
Record the company name, licence or firm reference number, registered address, account jurisdiction and any trading name. Look at the actual account-opening documentation; marketing footers can describe several group companies at once. If the names disagree, do not fund the account until the discrepancy is explained.
How to verify an FCA-regulated firm
Use the FCA Firm Checker, which is intended to show whether a UK firm is authorised and has permission for the service it offers. Search the full legal name and review the status and activities, rather than stopping at a logo or reference number. The Financial Services Register provides additional regulatory history.
The FCA warns that fraudsters sometimes copy genuine companies’ names, addresses and licence numbers while changing contact details. Cross-check the official phone, website and email; never rely entirely on contact information supplied by an unsolicited caller. See the FCA’s clone firm guidance.
How to verify an ASIC licence in Australia
The ASIC Professional Registers Search contains Australian Financial Services licensees and authorised representatives. Search by company name or licence number, verify status, and investigate what services or conditions apply. An ABN, ACN or business-name registration alone does not establish an AFS licence.
ASIC stresses that licensing is not a guarantee of a firm’s ongoing service quality. Even with a current licence, inspect the product documents, applicable entity, fees and complaints arrangements. Authorised representatives must be distinguished from the licensee that is responsible for their authorised activities.
How to verify a CySEC investment firm
Open CySEC’s Cypriot investment firm register and search the entity that will open your account. Then check CySEC’s approved domains listing. A similar-looking domain or international affiliate does not prove that your own account will receive the same protections.
What to record in a verification check
Contracting company
Current authorisation
Offered activity
Official contact match
Account jurisdiction
Educational checklist, not a certification or rating of any broker.
| Check | Source | Question |
|---|---|---|
| Company identity | Account agreement | Which legal entity signs the contract? |
| Licence status | Regulator register | Is authorisation current? |
| Activity permissions | Regulator register | Are the offered services permitted? |
| Website and contacts | Official regulator/company record | Do the domain and phone match? |
| Client protection | Entity’s legal terms | Which country and client category apply? |
Why a regulation badge is not a safety guarantee
Authorisation is not an assurance against trading losses, operational problems or insolvency. Compensation and complaint rights depend on the exact firm, product, client classification and jurisdiction. Consider the gap between a brand’s international marketing and the documents you would actually sign.
For deeper context, read Forex Broker Regulation Explained and How to Choose a Forex Broker. The Compare Brokers tool helps organise research, but is not a replacement for the official registers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an FCA firm number enough to verify a forex broker?
No. It can be copied by a clone firm. Match permissions, legal entity, domain and contact details using the FCA’s official sources.
Does an ASIC-licensed company regulate every affiliate?
No. Check the entity named in your own client agreement, not only another member of a global group.
Can CySEC confirm a firm’s approved website?
CySEC publishes lists of approved domains, which should be compared with the firm’s legal entity entry.
Educational information, not legal or investment advice. Regulation and consumer protections vary by jurisdiction and can change. Forex and CFD trading involves significant loss risk.