What is Regulation?
Updated October 21, 2026
Regulation means a broker is licensed and watched by a government financial authority.
Regulators like the FCA, ASIC or CySEC set rules that protect clients.
Things like separate client funds, leverage limits and negative balance protection often come from regulation.
An unregulated broker can vanish with your money. Always check the license number on the regulator's site.
Example
You look up a broker's license on the regulator's website before depositing.
Questions people ask
Which regulators are strongest?
The UK FCA and Australia ASIC are well respected.
Are offshore brokers bad?
Not always, but protection is usually weaker.
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