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Best FCA Regulated Forex Brokers in 2025
In this guide
- 1. Best FCA Regulated Forex Brokers in 2025
- 2. Best FCA fx brokers overall for 2025
- 3. What are the best brokers regulated by FCA?
- 4. Top 10 FCA regulated brokers
- 5. What is an FCA regulated broker?
- 6. How do forex brokers regulated by FCA work?
- 7. How should I choose a broker regulated by FCA?
- 8. Should I use FCA regulated brokers?
- 9. Methodology: How did we choose the best FCA regulated brokers?
- 10. FAQs:
The United Kingdom’s FCA is among the most trusted financial regulators in the world and keeps an eye on brokerage firms operating within its jurisdiction.
Using an FCA regulated broker is key if you want a safe investing experience. This guide picks the best forex brokers regulated by the FCA and explains how you can start using one immediately.
Best FCA fx brokers overall for 2025
Copy link to sectionWhat are the best brokers regulated by FCA?
Copy link to sectionIf you’re ready to start investing, you can use any of the options below. Each one is an FCA regulated broker and has been selected by our investment experts. Click on any of the links to get started in just minutes, or read on to learn more about each.
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
Plus500
This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.
Top 10 FCA regulated brokers
Copy link to sectionWe found 4 forex brokers for users based in
1. eToro. Best for beginners, copy-trading & demo-account
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Overview
We love eToro because it’s a trading platform built with beginners and casual traders in mind. The platform combines an interactive, social trading experience with an easy-to-use interface, making it ideal for novice traders.
The far-reaching catalog of more than 5,500 stocks and ETFs includes big names like Apple and Tesla, as well as smaller companies with high growth potential. You can start trading with as little as $10 using fractional shares if you’re on a tight budget.
One feature we particularly appreciate is the ability to interact with eToro’s 35 million users on any asset, market, or portfolio page. If you find traders whose strategies match your risk tolerance, you can copy their portfolios automatically using eToro’s flagship copy trading functionality. This is a great way to learn and potentially benefit from the expertise of more experienced traders.
If you don’t feel comfortable investing your cash straight away, you can use a free demo account, credited with $100,000 virtual dollars. This offers plenty of opportunities to try out a trading strategy that works for you across stocks, crypto, and options trading markets.
Highlights
| No. of tradable assets | 3600+ |
| Min. Deposit | $100 |
| ID verification required | Yes |
| Free demo account | Yes |
| Supported assets | Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs, NFTs, Crypto |
| Mobile trading app | Yes |
| Web trading platform | Yes |
| Regulatory bodies | ASIC, FCA, CySEC, FinCEN |
Fees & Costs
| Trading fees | Yes, on certain assets |
| Inactivity fees | Yes |
| Rollover/overnight fees | Yes, on CFDs |
| Withdrawal fees | Yes |
| Spreads | Yes, on certain assets |
| Conversion fees | Yes, for non-USD currencies |
Pros & Cons
eToro offers real assets only, no CFD products. eToro securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (‘the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. Invezz.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the BD.
2. Plus500. Best for international trading*
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Overview
We love Plus500 because it is one of the industry’s most transparent and reliable brokers. Its fees are clear and you’ll know exactly what you will be paying before you make a trade. Its technology driven platform gives access to futures contracts for some of the biggest indices.
Plus500 has something for all types of traders, no matter what level of experience. Its low margin requirements (starting at $100) and different contracts make it a top choice for day traders. At the same time, its trading academy is packed with educational content, perfect for beginners just starting.
For accurate instrument availability, visit plus500.com.
The fees: Plus500 charges a commission of $0.49 per Micro contract and $0.89 per Standard contract (per side). There is an Auto-Liquidation fee of $10 per contract. Other exchange fees may be applicable and can be found on the CME group website.
*Based on a comparison of 60+ leading brokers and trading platforms.
Highlights
| No. of tradable assets | 2800+ |
| Min. Deposit | $100 |
| ID verification required | Yes |
| Free demo account | Yes |
| Supported assets | Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs |
| Mobile trading app | Yes |
| Web trading platform | Yes |
| Regulatory bodies | FSA, ASIC, FMA, FCA, CySEC |
Fees & Costs
| Trading fees | No |
| Inactivity fees | Yes |
| Rollover/overnight fees | Yes |
| Withdrawal fees | No |
| Spreads | Yes |
| Conversion fees | Yes |
Pros & Cons
This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.
What is an FCA regulated broker?
Copy link to sectionIt’s a brokerage firm regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA is the financial regulatory body in the United Kingdom and provides oversight to financial businesses. The FCA is independent and is known to be one of the most trustworthy regulators in the world.
The FCA has many roles, and maintaining fairness and stability among broker platforms is one of its main tasks. Making sure traders are protected from unscrupulous brokers and scams are also high on its list of priorities. There are lots of rules imposed by the FCA
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www.handbook.fca.org.uk
https://www.handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/COBS/22/5.html?date=2020-05-31
to help protect traders. Here is a brief rundown of the most important FCA rules for forex brokers in the UK:
- Negative balance protection. Brokers are required by law to provide Negative Balance Protection (NBP) to all of their clients. Retail traders can only lose what they initially deposited into their trading account. It’s a particularly important protection for traders that use high leverage forex brokers.
- Segregated client funds. The FCA requires all forex brokers regulated by it to hold clients’ funds in a separate bank account from that which is used for operational purposes. If the broker becomes insolvent, traders’ funds are secure.
- Regulations on marketing materials. To meet FCA regulations, brokers need to comply with strict rules surrounding marketing materials. Brokers cannot advertise things to entice traders unfairly.
- Instant processing of withdrawals. When a trader asks for a withdrawal, a broker must process it instantly. Previously, it was common practice for withdrawals to take days to process; however, the FCA has stopped this.
- Submit annual accounts. UK regulated brokers have to submit annual accounts to the FCA. Brokers need to hold a minimum of £1 million in operating cash which rises in line with their number of clients.
- Compensation scheme. The FCA has a compensation scheme called the financial services compensation scheme (FSCS). If a broker becomes insolvent, traders can claim up to £85,000 in compensation.
How do forex brokers regulated by FCA work?
Copy link to sectionBrokers regulated by FCA work almost identically to brokers regulated in other jurisdictions. However, there are some key differences between the FCA and other regulators.
Most notably, the FSCS has a compensation scheme that protects investors up to £85,000
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www.fscs.org.uk
https://www.fscs.org.uk/
should a broker go bust. Leverage with an FCA regulated forex broker is also capped at 30:1 (higher for professionals). Any type of bonus, such as welcome or deposit bonuses, is prohibited, although the FCA is one of the few regulators in the world that allows spread betting.
How should I choose a broker regulated by FCA?
Copy link to sectionYou need to consider a lot when choosing a FCA regulated broker. First and foremost, you’ll need to confirm it is legitimately regulated by visiting the FCA website and entering its licence number. Here’s a list of features you should consider before choosing UK regulated brokers.
Once you’ve confirmed a forex broker is FCA regulated, there are a few more features you should consider. Besides evaluating generics like fees and trading platforms, below is some tailored advice for choosing the best FCA forex broker.
1. Check the FCA register
Copy link to sectionAs mentioned in the introduction above, the first thing you should always do is verify the broker is genuinely regulated by the FCA. The brokers recommended at the top of this page are confirmed to be regulated so they are a good starting point.
If you’re looking for your own trading platform then beware of shady brokers who claim to be regulated, but aren’t. The FCA has a public register on its website. Just enter the broker’s name and confirm its regulatory status. You can also cross-check licence numbers.
I’ve personally experienced a broker claiming they are FCA regulated but after checking the register, I found out they were only operating under a ‘tied agent’ with barely any oversight. That’s a big red flag, so make sure the broker is directly regulated, not through a third party.
2. Look for financial compensation schemes
Copy link to sectionThe main benefit of trading with an FCA regulated forex broker in the UK is the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). This means you’re protected up to £85,000 if the broker goes bankrupt.
This is something I always check, especially as I’ve had close calls in the past. A few traders I know were hit hard in 2015 when the peg between the Swiss Franc and Euro was unexpectedly dropped. One broker in particular, Alpari UK had to shut down operations. Luckily, FSCS protection meant most traders eventually managed to claw back losses.
3. Make sure your funds are segregated from the brokers
Copy link to sectionAnother perk of using an FCA regulated FX broker is your funds are held in segregated accounts. This means your money is kept separate from the broker’s operating funds. All brokers operating under the licence of the FCA must comply, but some may not so make sure you check before opening an account.
4. Consider the broker’s leverage limits
Copy link to sectionThe FCA has limits on leverage. For retail clients, this means leverage is capped at 30:1 for major currency pairs. While this might seem restrictive, especially if you’re used to offshore brokers offering leverage in excess of 500:1, it’s there for your protection.
High leverage can be a double-edged sword. Market volatility and excessive leverage can see your account wiped out in seconds. The FCA’s rules encourage responsible trading, and I can tell you firsthand, that it’s better to survive with lower leverage than to take unnecessary risks.
Just remember, as your skills, expertise, and profits grow, you may meet the criteria to become an elected professional, where you’ll be able to access high leverage again.
5. Make sure fees are fair and transparent
Copy link to sectionThe FCA has strict rules on fees and spreads and enforces brokers to be transparent about what charges you’ll have to pay. An FCA regulated forex broker can’t lure you in with the promise of ‘zero commission’ and then sneak in hidden fees elsewhere.
Before opening a new brokerage account I always read the fine print. This takes a bit of time, but it’s well worth it.
Here’s a tip I’ve implemented recently; If you don’t want to read through hundreds of pages of T&Cs, ask AI platforms like ChatGPT to help. Just feed the software with whatever you want it to read and ask it to specifically focus on fees and charges. This can save you lots of time and often you’ll find terms you may well have missed.
6. Evaluate customer service
Copy link to sectionThe best FCA regulated brokers in the UK need to have strong customer support functions. The FCA demands fair treatment of clients so these brokers are required to up their game when it comes to customer support.
In the past, I’ve been trading during volatile periods and have had issues that needed resolving very quickly. When using a broker regulated by the FCA, issues are usually resolved through live chat. With non-FCA brokers, you could be waiting days for an answer.
7. Check the broker’s reputation
Copy link to sectionThe FCA has strict rules and not anyone can become regulated. That being said, companies with the right start up funds can quickly open a brokerage service and gain regulatory approval. But, you want a broker that’s been around for a while and has a solid track record.
When I was looking for a new broker in 2013, I went with IG because it has been in business since the 1970s and has built a strong reputation. Brokers with a track record have more to lose if they don’t comply with regulations, so they’re generally more reliable.
Should I use FCA regulated brokers?
Copy link to sectionYes, especially if you are located in the United Kingdom. The Financial Conduct Authority is globally renowned as one of the strongest regulators. Broker’s who are FCA regulated need to pass stringent tests and compliance procedures before being granted licences. Passing these checks is no easy feat and only the best brokers are given licences.
Safety of funds is one of the top benefits to using an FCA regulated broker; your money is protected up to £85,000. However, if you’re looking for high leverage, or a welcome bonus of some kind, then an FCA regulated broker will not be the best option.
What are the risks of using an FCA regulated broker?
Copy link to sectionThere are no real risks involved when using an FCA regulated broker, other than losing your money through trading or investing. The benefits far outweigh the risks and to help you decide if an FCA broker is right for you, we’ve provided a few pros and cons of using one.
Benefits
Copy link to section- Your money is protected up to £85,000 if a broker goes out of business
- You can start trading or investing with as little as £10
- Spread betting is available with FCA regulated brokers
- You can practice with a demo account
Risks
Copy link to sectionWhat are the fees for using a FCA regulated broker?
Copy link to sectionThe fees you pay will vary depending on the broker you’re using and the asset your trading. Generally, most FCA regulated forex brokers will charge spreads, commissions, or a combination of both.
Spreads will vary from broker to broker and what type of account you open. If you use an ECN or STP account, spreads will usually be very low, often as low as 0.3pips for major pairs like EUR/USD. For standard accounts, spreads are higher and start at around 0.8 pips for the same pair.
Commissions also are variable, but in general, for foreign exchange are around $3 – $6 RT. Below are a few of the fees you should expect to pay when using a top FCA regulated forex broker in the United Kingdom.
| Asset | eToro fees | Plus500 fees |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto | 1% | From 2% |
| Commodities | From 2 pips | From 0.04% |
| Forex | From 1 pip | – |
| Index prices | From 0.75 pts | From 0.7% |
| Stocks | 0% commission | From 0.08% |
| Stock CFDs | 0.15% | – |
| ETF CFDs | 0.15% | – |
| View more > | eToro > | Plus500 > |
Methodology: How did we choose the best FCA regulated brokers?
Copy link to sectionWe followed a strict process when evaluating each broker on this page. Every FCA regulated broker listed in this guide was tested by our experts. We considered a number of different factors during testing, which included: registering an account, depositing funds, making a trade, and withdrawing money. We also confirmed all FCA licence numbers using the FCA’s official website.
When comparing each broker, we used online research and reviews in addition to our own research. You can find an in depth review for each broker we have included in this comparison guide. Any broker does not influence our rankings and reviews however we may at times receive an affiliate commission if you click on a link and register an account.
To learn more about our rankings and reviews, you can visit our full review process.
