Top Listed IFSC Forex Brokers

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Before you look for the best brokers regulated by the IFSC, it will help to learn about the organization. Here, our experts will walk you through what the IFSC is, and tell you what their responsibilities are. We’ll also pick out some of the very best IFSC regulated brokers. Belize may not be the first country which pops into your thoughts when considering trading, but it’s becoming a very popular country for brokers looking to set up a business. There are a number of reasons it has become a popular offshore location for brokerage firms.

It is quite simple to form a shell company in Belize, as there are no requirements for companies to be based in the country. And forex brokers who choose to set up operations in Belize can also enjoy certain tax benefits. For example, they will not have to pay any taxes on earnings made outside of the country. Belize also has some very strict secrecy laws, which make it nigh on impossible for governments and researchers to uncover the owners and shareholders of a company.

Here’s our list of the best IFSC regulated brokers:

  • XTB
  • FBS
  • XM

XTB

XTB is a reputable and accomplished broker, with licenses from several respected regulatory bodies, including the UK’s FCA. It boasts an excellent proprietary trading platform, xStation 5, which is available on mobile and desktop and supports MT 4 too. Open a Standard or Pro account with XTB today and you’ll have access to over 4,000 assets, including 48 currency pairs, 16 crypto pairs, and 1,500+ equity CFDs. Read review ›

FBS

Searching for a reputable forex broker that services over 13,000,000 clients worldwide, boasts an array of industry awards and has licenses from 2 top-tier authorities? Look no further than FBS. This experienced broker offers a great arrange of account types, with accessible minimum deposit limits, quality research tools and extensive educational materials. If you’re trading from outside the EU, you’ll also benefit from valuable bonuses and a reward bonus program. Read review ›

XM

XM is a broker with over a decade of experience in the industry and a global reach. Catering to clients worldwide, the broker boasts licenses from top-tier authorities such as the FCA, CySEC and ASIC. At XM, you can trade over 1,000 instruments, including a wide range of currency pairs, equity indices and stocks. With this broker, you’ll also benefit from competitive spreads on forex, low trading fees for CFDs and low non-trading fees. Registering for an XM account is simple and quick, and the broker offers accessible minimum deposit amounts for all traders. Read review ›

Best forex brokers regulated by IFSC

When looking for the best IFSC regulated brokers, safety should be the number one priority on your list. That means making sure their regulation is up to date – something you can find out more about below. If you’re looking for specific brokers who are excellent and have an IFSC license, we can recommend the following:

  • XTB
  • FBS
  • XM

Does a Belize regulated broker offer much protection for traders?

Belize has become a popular location for brokers who prefer a favorable jurisdiction. Its status as a tax haven and the relatively lax regulatory framework have made it easy for brokers to obtain a license and run a business from Belize.
While Belize is known for having a light touch with regards to financial market regulation, it is nevertheless better than a number of other offshore jurisdictions. We should, however, point out there are a number of other regulatory bodies which offer far more protection. So, remember to take this into account when considering a broker in Belize.

What is the IFSC?

Financial regulation in Belize is undertaken by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC). All market participants and exchanges are regulated by the IFSC, and it is also responsible for setting and enforcing financial market regulations.

What does the IFSC do?

The role of the IFSC is to keep investors like you safe when trading. To do this, they monitor brokers and make sure they’re abiding by certain laws and rules. As well as being responsible for brokers, the IFSC is in charge of:

  • Promoting, protecting and enhancing the country as an international financial services center
  • Regulating the provision of international financial services
  • Issuing operating licenses to brokerage firms, brokers, and other financial service providers
  • Supervising and controlling Licensed Investment Services Companies, mutual fund management companies, and investment consultants
  • Imposing disciplinary penalties and administrative sanctions on any financial providers who fail to follow the rules

What is a IFSC regulated broker?

Financial services provided in Belize are regulated by the International Financial Services Commission, or IFSC for short. A large number of companies have looked to Belize when setting up a brokerage business, because the cost of incorporating and becoming regulated is very reasonable when compared with other countries. It has also been said that regulation in Belize is a little on the soft side, with the requirements for IFSC regulated brokers being fairly limited.


Many experts are also commenting on the basic requirements of MiFID and casting a similar note of disappointment, with the requirements in Belize being cited as being much lower. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to choose a top regulated broker and having a broker with – at the very least – a recognizable license is better than choosing one that is completely unregulated.

How you’re protected by the IFSC

Regulated brokers in Belize do, however, offer investors a certain amount of protection and a certain level of accountability is expected. Here are some of the further requirements:

  • The need for a reasonable level of unimpaired capital. Originally, this was at least $100,000, but has since been increased by the IFSC to $500,000
  • Segregated accounts must be used for client funds
  • Monthly reports have to be submitted to the IFSC and they have to include details such as number and volume of trades and unimpaired capital
  • Clients of IFSC regulated brokers have to be given monthly statements
  • Must show itself capable of dealing with customer complaints

While the IFSC receives a lot of criticism for its soft approach to financial market regulation, it is in the process of changing its tactics and beefing up the regulations.

The IFSC and recent changes to forex regulations

As with many other regulatory bodies and the regulation of market trading firms, the IFSC regularly assesses the usefulness and effectiveness of its rules. In recent years, there have been a number of changes regarding fee requirements and capital requirements. These welcome changes are adding a little more protection for traders in Belize.


Compared with a number of other regulators, providers of financial services in Belize were able to enjoy low capital requirements and very slack licensing fees. A new agenda has recently been outlined by the IFSC and regulated entities now have to pay double the previous licensing fee. $1,000 must now accompany new applications, and this fee is non-refundable.


There has also been a significant increase in annual licensing fees from $5,000 to $25,000. IFSC regulated brokers and those offering commodity-based derivative instruments – and other securities – have now had a minimum capital requirement of $500,000 imposed.

Complaining to the IFSC

If you have a problem with the way your broker is operating, try to speak to them directly. When you’re able to resolve the issue one-on-one, it means a much quicker outcome compared to using the IFSC as a go-between. However, in some instances, you’ll need some extra help. When this is the case, head over to the IFSC website. From there, you’ll be able to fill out an online contact form. It’s a very straightforward form that includes your name, email, country, and a section where you can explain your issue.


If you prefer, you can also contact the IFSC by email, physical post or phone – all of which are provided on the contact page. However, it’s advisable to complain in written form so you can keep a track of all correspondence.

How to check if a broker is IFSC regulated

The IFSC regularly updates its list of licensed service providers and it is easily accessible for consumers on the IFSC website. The advice given by the IFSC is to not deal with any entity if its name does not appear on the list. You should also check the provider’s license covers the service you will be using them for, as a separate license is required in Belize for each kind of service or activity. Those of you looking for licensed and regulated brokers in Belize will mostly be interested in List J, which relates to licensed service providers for trading in foreign exchange services.


It is advisable to check any regulation information a broker may provide on their website. There are regular cases of brokers providing false or misleading information. It may state a broker is licensed by the IFSC but you would be advised to check this information is true. It is also possible to check a list of warning notices which have been issued by the IFSC.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is IFSC regulation?

IFSC stands for the International Finances Services Commission of Belize. It is a government agency responsible for regulating financial markets and services both within the country and offshore. When it comes to IFSC regulated forex brokers, IFSC regulation means the broker has met the requirements set out by the commission. This includes, but is not limited to, having $500,000 of operational capital, storing client funds in segregated accounts, and submitting transparent monthly reports.

Which are the best IFSC regulated brokers?

The best IFSC regulated brokers are those which have fair trading fees and licenses from other regulatory bodies, such as CySEC and FCA. Whilst IFSC regulation is a popular choice for brokers who offer offshore services, the best brokers will have multiple licenses from the most stringent authorities. To find the best IFSC regulated broker for you, we recommend reading in-depth and unbiased broker reviews.

Is IFSC regulation legit?

IFSC is deemed a second-tier regulatory body by our experts. This means that whilst IFSC regulation is legit, and there are top rated brokers licensed by IFSC, we would always recommend that you trade with a firm that has an additional license by a first-tier body such as CySEC, FCA or ASIC.

Does IFSC regulation mean a broker is safe?

IFSC regulation is a good sign that a broker is safe and trustworthy. As IFSC regulations dictate that the broker must have a customer complaints procedure to gain a license, this means there’s legal recourse should something go wrong.

How can I check if a broker has IFSC regulation?

To check whether a broker is regulated by the IFSC, you need to first check the broker’s website itself. Usually, you can find all of the broker’s regulatory information within the footer of the site. Once you have located the license number, you can enter this into the License Verification search engine on the official IFSC Belize website. This will show you whether the license is active and legit.

Other brokers by regulation authority

CBI forex BrokersIIROC forex brokersMAS forex brokersEFSA forex brokers
DFSA forex brokersHKSFC forex brokersHCMC forex brokersFCMC forex brokers
CNB forex brokersMTR forex brokersMNB forex brokersPFSA forex brokers

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