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Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) Brokers 2024

Written By

Paul Holmes

Written By

Paul Holmes

Paul has over 14 years experience in the trading industry, both as a full-time trader and working with leading brokers. He’s traded indices and forex, developed proprietary day trading techniques, and built his own MetaTrader algorithms. He excels at delivering simple-to-follow guides for beginners to experienced traders.  

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Edited By

James Barra

Edited By

James Barra

James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.

» James Barra Profile Page

Fact Checked By

Jemma Grist

Fact Checked By

Jemma Grist

Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.

» Jemma Grist Profile Page

Updated

Dec 2, 2024

The Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) oversees brokers and trading platforms in Switzerland.

Despite criticism that it didn’t do enough to prevent the 2023 collapse of Credit Suisse and no powers to issue fines, FINMA remains a ‘green-tier’ regulator in our Regulation & Trust Rating, with strong safeguards for traders.

Delve into DayTrading.com’s selection of the best brokers regulated by Swiss FINMA. We’ve verified that every platform is authorized on FINMA’s database of Banks and Securities Firms.

Top FINMA Brokers

After our latest hands-on tests in December 2024, these 2 FINMA-regulated trading platforms are superior:

Click a broker for details

1. 1

   
   Interactive Brokers
   Go To Interactive Brokers

   Interactive Brokers Review

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   Ratings

   Regulation & Trust 4.5 / 5

   Accounts & Banking 3.5 / 5

   Assets & Markets 4.6 / 5

   Fees & Costs 4.3 / 5

   Platforms & Tools 3.3 / 5

   Customer Support 3 / 5

   Research 4.4 / 5

   Education 4.3 / 5

   iOS App 4.3 / 5

   Android App 4.5 / 5

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   Minimum Deposit $0

   Minimum Trade $100

   Leverage 1:50

   Regulator FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM

   Instruments Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies

   Platforms Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral

   Payment Methods Cheque, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Automated Customer Account Transfer Service, TransferWise, Debit Card

   Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

   Go To Interactive Brokers
2. 2

   
   IG
   Go To IG

   IG Review

   Forex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.

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   Ratings

   Regulation & Trust 4.9 / 5

   Accounts & Banking 4 / 5

   Assets & Markets 4.5 / 5

   Fees & Costs 3.5 / 5

   Platforms & Tools 4.9 / 5

   Customer Support 4.5 / 5

   Research 4.9 / 5

   Education 5 / 5

   iOS App 4.6 / 5

   Android App 4 / 5

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   Minimum Deposit $0

   Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

   Leverage 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)

   Regulator FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM

   Instruments CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting

   Platforms Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

   Payment Methods PayPal, Wire Transfer, Mastercard, Credit Card, Visa, Debit Card

   Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

   Go To IG

This is why we think these brokers are the best in this category:

1. Interactive Brokers - Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage, providing access to 150 markets in 33 countries, along with a suite of comprehensive investment services. With over 40 years of experience, this Nasdaq-listed firm adheres to stringent regulations by the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC, amongst others, and is one of the most trusted brokers for trading around the globe.
2. IG - Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.

FINMA Brokers Comparison

FINMA Brokers Comparison

Broker	Regulated by FINMA	CHF Account	Minimum Deposit	Markets
	✔	✔	$0	Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies
	✔	✔	$0	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting

Interactive Brokers

"Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

Interactive Brokers Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies
Regulator	FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM
Platforms	Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, eSignal, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	$100
Leverage	1:50
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF

Pros

• While primarily geared towards experienced traders, IBKR has made moves to broaden its appeal in recent years, reducing its minimum deposit from $10,000 to $0.
• The TWS platform has clearly been built for intermediate and advanced traders and comes with over 100 order types and a reliable real-time market data feed that rarely goes offline.
• IBKR is one of the most respected and trusted brokerages and is regulated by top-tier authorities, so you can have confidence in the integrity and security of your trading account.

Cons

• IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.
• You can only have one active session per account, so you can’t have your desktop program and mobile app running simultaneously, making for a sometimes frustrating trading experience.
• TWS’s learning curve is steep, and beginners may find it challenging to navigate the platform and understand all the features. Plus500's web platform is much better suited to new traders.

Visit Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers Review

IG

"IG continues to provide a comprehensive package with an intuitive web platform, best-in-class education for beginners, advanced charting tools bolstered by its recent TradingView integration, real-time data, and fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."

Christian Harris, Reviewer

IG Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
Regulator	FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
Platforms	Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, ZAR, SEK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

• The IG app offers a superb mobile trading experience with a clean design that helped it secure Runner Up at our 'Best Trading App' award.
• The ProRealTime advanced charting platform is free as long as certain modest monthly trading activity requirements are met.
• As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust.

Cons

• Stock and CFD spreads still trail the cheapest brokers like CMC Markets based on tests.
• IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors.
• While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients.

Visit IG

IG Review

Methodology

To list the top brokers regulated in Switzerland, we:

How Can I Check If A Broker Is Regulated By FINMA?

Verifying if a broker is FINMA-regulated is an essential step to ensure your funds and trades are secure. Here’s a step-by-step guide to check a broker’s regulatory status with FINMA, using Swissquote as an example.

Swissquote Group Holding SA is a Swiss banking group that provides online financial and trading services. The Group’s shares have been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the SQN ticker since 29 May 2000.

It has all the hallmarks of an incredibly successful broker, with strict compliance and regulation in many jurisdictions worldwide. Its headquarters are located in Gland, Switzerland.

On its website, Swissquote Bank Ltd. states that it holds a banking licence issued by its supervisory authority, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), and is a member of the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA).

1. Visit The FINMA Website

Go to FINMA’s official website: www.finma.ch.

FINMA maintains a public database of all regulated financial institutions and intermediaries.

2. Access The Authorised Or Registered Institutes, Persons And Products Section

On the home page’s top navigation, navigate to the section dedicated to supervised institutions, titled Approval.

Hover over the approval button, and you will see a mega navigation with the section titled Authorised or Registered Institutes, Persons, and Products Section.

Look for the FINMA Public Register, which contains all entities licensed by FINMA.

3. Search For The Broker

Enter the broker’s name or company registration number in the search bar. For example, I typed Swissquote Bank Ltd.

Be precise with the spelling of the broker’s name to avoid missing results.

4. Verify Licensing Details

If the broker is FINMA-regulated, their details will appear in the search results.

For example, once I located Swissquote in the results, I confirmed the following:

• Name: Ensuring the broker’s full name matches its official website and communications.
• License Type: Checking the details for a banking or securities trading license, which is standard for Swissquote.
• Address: Verifying that the address aligns with Swissquote’s official office location in Switzerland.

5. Cross-Check On The Broker’s Website

Legitimate brokers often mention their FINMA license number or reference their regulation status on their official website, usually in the footer or “About Us” section.

For example, I visited Swissquote’s official website (www.swissquote.com) and located their regulatory disclosures. I then confirmed that their FINMA license details matched the information in the FINMA Public Register.

6. Watch For Red Flags

7. Contact FINMA For Confirmation

If you’re unsure, you can directly contact FINMA via their official contact channels. Provide the broker’s details and request verification of their regulatory status.

What Is FINMA’s Goal?

FINMA’s purpose extends beyond regulation; it serves as the cornerstone of Switzerland’s financial system, fostering trust and resilience across the industry.

Its primary purpose can be understood through five key dimensions:

1. Strengthening Trust in the Financial System – FINMA ensures that Switzerland remains a global leader in financial integrity. By enforcing compliance with national and international laws, it cultivates trust among investors, institutions, and the broader public, both domestically and internationally.
2. Protecting Market Participants – One of FINMA’s core missions is safeguarding the interests of individuals and businesses that interact with financial institutions. This includes:
   • Ensuring banks, insurance companies, and financial service providers operate responsibly and remain solvent.
   • Protecting consumers from fraudulent activities, excessive risks, or financial misconduct.
3. Promoting Financial Stability – As a regulator, FINMA mitigates risks that could threaten the entire financial ecosystem. This involves:
   • Supervising critical institutions, such as banks and insurers, to ensure they are well-capitalized and can withstand economic shocks.
   • Implementing recovery and resolution plans to address potential crises with minimal disruption.
4. Facilitating a Transparent and Competitive Market – FINMA fosters a fair playing field by preventing practices like insider trading, market manipulation, or money laundering. It ensures all participants adhere to the rules, promoting healthy competition and innovation without compromising integrity.
5. Adapting to Emerging Trends and Challenges – In today’s fast-evolving financial landscape, FINMA stays proactive by addressing challenges like digital assets, fintech innovations, and cybersecurity threats. Its purpose includes fostering sustainable growth while managing risks associated with new technologies and global market trends.

Who Is FINMA Answerable To?

FINMA operates as an independent authority, but it’s not entirely on its own – it’s answerable to the Swiss government and, ultimately, the Swiss public.

Here’s how it fits into the bigger picture:

• The Swiss Federal Government – While FINMA is independent in its day-to-day operations, it answers to the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) when it comes to overarching strategies and accountability. The FDF oversees FINMA’s adherence to its legal mandate, ensuring it aligns with Switzerland’s broader financial and economic policies.
• The Swiss Parliament – FINMA also reports to the Swiss Parliament. It provides detailed annual reports to demonstrate how it has fulfilled its responsibilities. This transparency ensures lawmakers – and, by extension, the public – can scrutinise its performance.
• Swiss Laws and Regulations – FINMA is bound by the laws outlined in the Swiss Financial Market Supervision Act (FINMASA) and related regulations. These laws clearly define its duties, powers, and limitations.
• Public Accountability – Although FINMA doesn’t answer directly to the public, its work is inherently tied to protecting the public’s interest. By maintaining financial stability, ensuring transparency, and enforcing fair practices, FINMA is indirectly answerable to every individual and business relying on a trustworthy Swiss financial system.

FINMA’s independence is critical to its effectiveness, allowing it to act without political interference.

However, its accountability to the government, parliament, and legal framework ensures its actions align with the nation’s goals and the public’s trust.

Paul Holmes

Author

What Rules Must FINMA-Regulated Brokers Follow?

Brokers regulated by FINMA must adhere to a range of rules to safeguard the Swiss financial sector and its participants, including active traders.

FINMA brokers also normally have to be registered as banks, requiring higher levels of financial transparency and capital requirements than alternative trading jurisdictions.

Brokers must:

• Prioritise clients’ best interests and avoid conflicts of interest. For example, market-making brokers cannot manipulate market conditions to benefit themselves at traders’ expense.
• Provide compensation through esisuisse, insuring traders against losses of up to CHF 100,000 should a broker face insolvency issues.
• Adhere to strict anti-money laundering (AML) rules, verifying their clients’ identities and monitoring transactions to detect suspicious activities.
• Evaluate the suitability of financial products before executing orders, ie taking into account day traders’ risk tolerance.
• Clearly communicate the risks of financial products, key for short-term traders where the risk of losses is high.
• Offer clients full access to their account details, ensuring traders always know their positions and balances.
• Not use client funds for operating purposes like most heavily regulated jurisdictions.
• Routinely submit financial statements, risk assessments and other info to FINMA.
• Demonstrate they have sufficient starting capital, at least CHF 1,500,000.
• Be based in Switzerland to secure a license from FINMA.
• Execute trades fairly and at the best available market prices.
• Have a robust system in place for handling client complaints.

What Powers Does FINMA Have?

The array of financial services laws empower FINMA to act against non-compliant financial services providers and online brokers with the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) laying out the respective process.

Chief tools at its disposal include its warning list, with FINMA regularly adding unauthorized trading platforms, for example, MarginsTrade and Pocket Measure.

It can also take precautionary measures, where it can appoint investigating agents to clarify facts, implement measures and even act in place of management.

Alternatively, FINMA can mandate internal processes be followed, restrict certain trading activities and require management changes. Additionally, FINMA can ban unauthorized firms from continuing to deal in financial securities.

Yet unlike prominent regulators such as the FCA and ASIC, FINMA cannot issue fines.

Enforcement Actions

FINMA has taken various enforcement actions against financial firms over the years, demonstrating its ability to effectively regulate and supervise the Swiss financial market.

Here are some notable examples:

Credit Suisse

• Background: FINMA had extensively supervised Credit Suisse over the years, particularly following multiple scandals and risk management failures. FINMA has imposed a series of measures to address deficiencies, such as reprimands, restrictions on business activities, and mandates for increased capital and liquidity buffers.
• Key Actions: In response to ongoing issues like poor governance and inadequate risk management, FINMA conducted 43 preliminary investigations and filed 16 criminal charges. In addition, the regulator forced the bank to adjust its strategy and governance structures multiple times. Despite these measures, Credit Suisse’s collapse in 2023 highlighted the limits of FINMA’s supervisory tools in such a large-scale crisis.​

Swiss Banks And Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Violations

• Background: FINMA has cracked down on several Swiss financial institutions for breaches of AML regulations. For instance, in 2019, FINMA imposed sanctions on Swiss banks for failing to take adequate steps to prevent money laundering activities.
• Key Actions: The regulator required several banks to improve their AML practices. In some cases, it issued public reprimands, and in more severe cases, imposed fines and even banned certain activities to ensure better compliance with international financial crime prevention standards​.

HSBC Breach Of Due Diligence 

• Background: FINMA took action against HSBC Private Bank Switzerland over a “serious breach” in PEP due diligence. The division is said to have engaged in two high-risk business relationships, for which it executed several high-risk transactions totalling over $300 million between 2002 and 2015.
• Key Actions: The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has taken action against the Swiss arm of HSBC’s private banking division after dealing with two politically exposed persons (PEPs) allegedly violating the country’s financial market law.

The Case Of Julius Baer (2018)

• Background: Swiss bank Julius Baer faced scrutiny from FINMA for its involvement in illicit practices, particularly about clients involved in corrupt activities and tax evasion.
• Key Actions: FINMA imposed regulatory measures on Julius Baer, including an order to strengthen its compliance systems, particularly in AML and client due diligence. The bank was also required to ensure more robust controls and reporting mechanisms.​

FINMA has also been ramping up its responses to concerned investors. In 2023, it replied to over 7,000 enquiries (up from 6,000 in 2022), with 1,600 complaints relating to “unauthorized financial market participants, who had frequently misled their investors about being located in Switzerland or about possessing a FINMA licence.”

It also maintains a warning list of over 1,575 unlicensed providers.

Bottom Line

If you’re a Swiss trader, signing up with a FINMA-regulated broker should provide peace of mind that the trading firm is held to a high level of financial transparency.

That said, very few brokers are regulated by FINMA (less than 5% we’ve evaluated), reducing your choice.

Also, Swiss-regulated brokers cannot protect against the risk that you could lose the money you deposit, especially with fast-paced strategies like day trading. So only risk what you can afford to lose.

To get started, check out DayTrading.com’s pick of the top FINMA brokers in Switzerland.