Six weighted categories with regulation carrying the highest weight.
Direct links to official registers used during verification.
Locally licensed, internationally regulated, or unverified.
High-interest pages are checked at least quarterly and after major events.
REGULATION FIRST
Major forex regulators and official registers
A regulator is relevant only when the exact entity serving the client appears on its register with suitable permissions. A group licence held by another company does not automatically protect every customer.
RegulatorJurisdictionWhat we verifyOfficial register
FCAFinancial Conduct Authority
United KingdomAuthorisation, permissions, trading names, warnings and contact details
CHECK REGISTER ↗ASICAustralian Securities & Investments Commission
AustraliaAustralian Financial Services licence and authorised activities
CHECK REGISTER ↗CFTC / NFACommodity Futures Trading Commission / National Futures Association
United StatesRegistration, forex-dealer status, membership and disciplinary history
CHECK REGISTER ↗CySECCyprus Securities and Exchange Commission
Cyprus / EEACIF licence, approved domains and current or former status
CHECK REGISTER ↗SCASecurities and Commodities Authority
United Arab EmiratesLicensed company name and permitted financial activity
CHECK REGISTER ↗DFSADubai Financial Services Authority
DIFC, DubaiFirm status, reference number, endorsements and regulatory actions
CHECK REGISTER ↗FSRAFinancial Services Regulatory Authority
ADGM, Abu DhabiFinancial-services permission and public-register status
CHECK REGISTER ↗FSCAFinancial Sector Conduct Authority
South AfricaFSP status, licence categories and approved products
CHECK REGISTER ↗MASMonetary Authority of Singapore
SingaporeLicence type, regulated activities and institution status
CHECK REGISTER ↗JFSAFinancial Services Agency
JapanRegistration and authorisation for financial instruments business
CHECK REGISTER ↗CONSISTENT SCORING
Our 100-point broker score
Scores structure comparisons; they are not a promise of safety, profitability or future service quality.
CategoryWeightWhat is assessed
Exact entity, active licence, permissions, client-money rules, warnings and enforcement history.
Typical spreads, commissions, swaps, conversion fees, inactivity fees and account-specific charges.
Methods, published processing times, fees, minimums and restrictions. Speed claims are not treated as guaranteed.
Available platforms, order types, stability, execution disclosures and essential risk controls.
Negative-balance policy, segregation disclosures, compensation arrangements where applicable and complaint route.
Contact channels, language coverage, response quality, legal documents and clarity of terms.
Locally licensed
The serving entity is found on the country's register with relevant permissions.
Internationally regulated
A regulated overseas entity may be available, but local protections may not apply.
Unverified / avoid claim
The claimed entity, domain or permission could not be matched.
REPEATABLE REVIEW
Eight-step verification process
Identify the entity
A brand can operate through several companies. We identify the exact company expected to serve a resident of each country.
Verify the licence
We search the regulator's own register, match the legal name and website, and check status and permissions.
Check warnings
We review warning lists, clones, sanctions and enforcement notices. A matching name alone is not enough.
Review documents
We read client agreements, pricing schedules, risk notices, promotion terms and withdrawal conditions.
Test the service
Where practical, we inspect platforms, support routes, funding information and the account-opening journey.
Score & disclose
We apply the same weighted framework and label affiliate relationships, limitations and material risks.
Country check
Availability and protection are checked by country because one brand may use different entities by region.
Monitor changes
Reviews are rechecked when licences, ownership, terms or major service conditions change.
DATA MAINTENANCE
When information is updated
High-interest broker and country pages target review at least every 90 days. Other pages are reviewed at least annually.
We recheck after licence changes, enforcement action, ownership changes, platform migrations or material term changes.
Prices, spreads and promotions can change quickly. A timestamp and source are required for time-sensitive data.
Readers and brokers may submit evidence. Corrections follow verification with an official or first-party source.
EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE
Commercial relationships do not buy a positive review
ForexBean may earn a commission from certain broker links. Payment can affect which partners are linked or displayed, but it does not guarantee a score, a “best” label, or removal of material risks.
- Sponsored or affiliate links are disclosed.
- Regulatory facts come from official registers.
- Broker claims are separated from verified findings.
- No broker can approve the final editorial conclusion.
- Inclusion is not an endorsement or investment advice.
- Country availability must be confirmed before signup.
Primary sources used
We prefer regulator registers, enforcement notices, official broker legal documents, pricing schedules and platform disclosures. Third-party rankings are not proof of a licence.
Methodology updated: 28 September 2026