Best Regulated Brokers 2025

Written By

James Barra

Edited By

Jemma Grist

Fact Checked By

Michael MacKenzie

Updated

Nov 11, 2024

We strongly recommend that traders only use regulated trading platforms. Why? Authorization from a respected regulator is the best sign that you can trust a broker and that it operates a fair trading environment.

Choosing a well-regulated broker also reduces the risk of falling victim to trading scams, which have plagued the industry in recent years. In 2023, the FCA in the UK issued a record 2,285 scam warnings, while the FBI in the US reported investment scam losses of $4.57 billion, up from $3.31 billion the previous year.

Explore our pick of the best regulated brokers. We’ve verified the regulatory credentials of every platform listed.

Top 10 Regulated Brokers

Our tests show these 10 regulated brokers and trading platforms are in a league of their own:

Click a broker for details

1

FOREX.com

Regulated by: NFA, CFTC

Go To FOREX.com
FOREX.com Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Active Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.9 / 5

Accounts & Banking 4 / 5

Assets & Markets 4.3 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.6 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.6 / 5

Customer Support 4.3 / 5

Research 4.8 / 5

Education 4.5 / 5

iOS App 3.6 / 5

Android App 3.8 / 5

Minimum Deposit $100

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:50

Regulator NFA, CFTC

Instruments Forex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options

Platforms MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ACH Transfer

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Go To FOREX.com
2

NinjaTrader

Regulated by: NFA, CFTC

Go To NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 2.8 / 5

Assets & Markets 2.9 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.5 / 5

Customer Support 4 / 5

Research 4 / 5

Education 4 / 5

iOS App 3 / 5

Android App 3.2 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:50

Regulator NFA, CFTC

Instruments Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto

Platforms NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal

Payment Methods ACH Transfer, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Cheque

Account Currencies USD

Go To NinjaTrader
3

Interactive Brokers

Regulated by: FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM

Go To Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers Review

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

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, TradingView, 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
4

eToro USA

Regulated by: SEC, FINRA

Go To eToro USA
eToro USA Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Invest $100 and get $10

Securities trading offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (“the BD”), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk. https://www.daytrading.com/ is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and/or the BD.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.9 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.4 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4 / 5

Customer Support 3 / 5

Research 4.3 / 5

Education 4.5 / 5

iOS App 4.3 / 5

Android App 4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $100

Minimum Trade $10

Leverage

Regulator SEC, FINRA

Instruments Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto

Platforms eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader

Payment Methods ACH Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Wire Transfer

Account Currencies USD

Go To eToro USA
5

RedMars

Regulated by: CySEC, AFM

Go To RedMars
RedMars Review

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 3.3 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.5 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.8 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.8 / 5

Customer Support 4 / 5

Research 2.8 / 5

Education 3 / 5

iOS App 4.7 / 5

Android App 4.6 / 5

Minimum Deposit €250

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)

Regulator CySEC, AFM

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos

Platforms MT5

Payment Methods Credit Card, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Sticpay, FasaPay, Bitcoin Payments, Trustly, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Mastercard, Visa

Account Currencies USD, EUR

Go To RedMars
6

IQCent

Regulated by: IFMRRC

Go To IQCent
IQCent Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 20% to 200% Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.3 / 5

Assets & Markets 2.4 / 5

Fees & Costs 4.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.8 / 5

Customer Support 2.5 / 5

Research 3 / 5

Education 2 / 5

iOS App 4.3 / 5

Android App 4.1 / 5

Minimum Deposit $250

Minimum Trade $0.01

Leverage 1:500

Regulator IFMRRC

Instruments Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto

Platforms Online Platform, TradingView

Payment Methods Credit Card, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments, Visa, Mastercard

Account Currencies USD, EUR

Go To IQCent
7

OANDA US

Regulated by: NFA, CFTC

Go To OANDA US
OANDA US Review

CFDs are not available to residents in the United States.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.5 / 5

Assets & Markets 2.8 / 5

Fees & Costs 4 / 5

Platforms & Tools 4.5 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 4.3 / 5

Education 3.8 / 5

iOS App 4.7 / 5

Android App 3.7 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:50

Regulator NFA, CFTC

Instruments Forex, Crypto with Paxos (Cryptocurrencies are offered through Paxos. Paxos is a separate legal entity from OANDA)

Platforms OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Debit Card, ACH Transfer

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

Go To OANDA US
8

UnitedPips

Regulated by: IFSA

Go To UnitedPips
UnitedPips Review

New Customer Bonus Offer 40% Deposit Bonus

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 2 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.5 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.8 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.5 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 2.8 / 5

Education 2.5 / 5

iOS App 0 / 5

Android App 0 / 5

Minimum Deposit $10

Minimum Trade 0.01 Lots

Leverage 1:1000

Regulator IFSA

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Precious Metals, Crypto

Platforms UniTrader

Payment Methods PayPal, Credit Card, Debit Card, Perfect Money, Bitcoin Payments, Ethereum Payments

Account Currencies USD

Go To UnitedPips
9

Moomoo

Regulated by: SEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC

Go To Moomoo
Moomoo Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Get up to 15 free stocks worth up to $2000

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 4.7 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.3 / 5

Assets & Markets 3 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.8 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3 / 5

Customer Support 2.8 / 5

Research 3.8 / 5

Education 4.4 / 5

iOS App 4.6 / 5

Android App 3.3 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Minimum Trade $0

Leverage 1:2

Regulator SEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC

Instruments Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs

Platforms Desktop Platform, Mobile App

Payment Methods Wire Transfer, ACH Transfer

Account Currencies USD, HKD, SGD

Go To Moomoo
10

Plus500 US

Regulated by: CFTC, NFA

Go To Plus500 US
Plus500 US Review

New Customer Bonus Offer Welcome Deposit Bonus up to $200

Trading with leverage involves risk.

Ratings

Regulation & Trust 3.5 / 5

Accounts & Banking 3.7 / 5

Assets & Markets 3.5 / 5

Fees & Costs 3.3 / 5

Platforms & Tools 3.3 / 5

Customer Support 3.5 / 5

Research 2.8 / 5

Education 3.5 / 5

iOS App 4.1 / 5

Android App 4.3 / 5

Minimum Deposit $100

Minimum Trade 0.0 Lots

Leverage

Regulator CFTC, NFA

Instruments Futures on Forex, Commodities, Cryptos, Indices, Interest Rates

Platforms WebTrader, App

Payment Methods ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Mastercard, Visa

Account Currencies USD

Go To Plus500 US

Here is a summary of why we recommend these brokers:

FOREX.com - Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.
NinjaTrader - NinjaTrader is a US-headquartered and regulated brokerage that specializes in futures trading. There are three pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets, as well as ultra-low margins on popular contracts. The brand's award-winning charting software and trading platform also offers a high-degree of customization and superb technical analysis features.
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.
eToro USA - eToro is a social investing platform that offers short-term and long-term trading on stocks, ETFs, options and crypto. The broker is well-known for its user-friendly community-centred platform and competitive fees. With FINRA and SIPC oversight and millions of users across the world, eToro is still one of the most respected brands in the industry. eToro securities trading is offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc.
RedMars - Launched in 2020, Cyprus-based RedMars offers competitive spreads on more than 300 instruments and leverage up to 1:500. Three accounts are available - Standard, Pro and VIP - serving a range of budgets and experience levels, with a fast and fully digital account opening process.
IQCent - IQCent is an offshore binary options and CFD broker based in the Marshall Islands. The brand continues to offer a range of unique account types with bonuses and perks, including payout boosts, TradeBacks and free rollovers. With 100+ assets, around-the-clock trading and 98% payouts, the firm is popular with aspiring short-term traders.
OANDA US - OANDA is a popular brand offering exceptional execution, low deposit requirements and advanced charting and trading platform features. The top-rated brand has over 25 years of experience and is regulated by trusted agencies, including the NFA/CFTC. Around the clock support is available for short-term traders, alongside flexible contract sizes and automated trade executions.
UnitedPips - Operating since 2016 and based in Saint Lucia, UnitedPips is a non-dealing desk broker serving clients in over 137 countries. It specializes in CFD trading across around 80+ assets with high leverage up to 1:1000.
Moomoo - Moomoo is an SEC-regulated app-based investment platform that offers a straightforward and affordable way to invest in Chinese, Hong Kong, Singaporean, Australian and US stocks, ETFs and other assets. Margin trading is available and the brand offers a zero-deposit account as well as several bonuses.
Plus500 US - Plus500 is a well-established broker that entered the US market in 2021. Authorized by the CFTC and NFA, it provides futures trading on forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and interest rates. With a 10-minute sign-up, a manageable $100 minimum deposit, and a straightforward web platform, Plus500 continues to strengthen its offering for traders in the US.

Best Regulated Brokers 2025 Comparison

Best Regulated Brokers 2025 Comparison
Regulators	Instruments	Platforms	Minimum Deposit
NFA, CFTC	Forex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options	MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral	$100
NFA, CFTC	Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto	NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal	$0
FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM	Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies	Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral	$0
SEC, FINRA	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto	eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader	$100
CySEC, AFM	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos	MT5	€250
IFMRRC	Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto	Online Platform, TradingView	$250
NFA, CFTC	Forex, Crypto with Paxos (Cryptocurrencies are offered through Paxos. Paxos is a separate legal entity from OANDA)	OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist	$0
IFSA	CFDs, Forex, Precious Metals, Crypto	UniTrader	$10
SEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC	Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs	Desktop Platform, Mobile App	$0
CFTC, NFA	Futures on Forex, Commodities, Cryptos, Indices, Interest Rates	WebTrader, App	$100

FOREX.com

"FOREX.com remains a best-in-class brokerage for active forex traders of all experience levels, with over 80 currency pairs, tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions. The powerful charting platforms collectively offer over 100 technical indicators, as well as extensive research tools."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

FOREX.com Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Active Trader Program With A 15% Reduction In Costs
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Forex, Stocks, Futures, Futures Options
Regulator	NFA, CFTC
Platforms	MT4, MT5, TradingView, eSignal, AutoChartist, TradingCentral
Minimum Deposit	$100
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:50
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, PLN

Pros

Alongside a choice of leading platforms, FOREX.com offers a superb suite of supplementary tools including Trading Central research, SMART Signals pattern scanner, trading signals, and strategy builders.
There’s a wealth of educational resources including tutorials, webinars, and a stacked YouTube channel to help you get educated in the financial markets.
With over 20 years of experience, excellent regulatory oversight, and multiple accolades including runner-up in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com boasts a global reputation as a trusted brokerage.

Cons

FOREX.com's MT4 platform offers approximately 600 instruments, significantly fewer than the over 5,500 available on its non-MetaTrader platforms.
Despite increasing its range of instruments, FOREX.com's product portfolio is still limited to forex and CFDs, so there are no options to invest in real stocks, real ETFs or real cryptocurrencies.
Demo accounts are frustratingly time-limited to 90 days, which doesn’t give you enough time to test day trading strategies effectively.

Visit FOREX.com

FOREX.com Review

NinjaTrader

"NinjaTrader continues to meet the demands of active futures traders looking for low fees and premium analysis tools. The platform hosts top-rate charting features including hundreds of indicators and 10+ chart types."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

NinjaTrader Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, Futures, Crypto
Regulator	NFA, CFTC
Platforms	NinjaTrader Desktop, Web & Mobile, eSignal
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:50
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

Low fees are offered, with $50 day trading margins & commissions from $.09 per micro contract
Traders can get free platform access and trade simulation capabilities in the unlimited demo
You can get thousands of add-ons and applications from developers in 150+ countries

Cons

The premium platform tools come with an extra charge
Non forex and futures trading requires signing up with partner brokers
There is a withdrawal fee on some funding methods

Visit NinjaTrader

NinjaTrader Review

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, TradingView, 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

The new IBKR Desktop platform takes the best of TWS while adding bespoke tools like Option Lattice and Screeners with MultiSort to create a genuinely impressive trading experience for day traders at every level.
IBKR continues to deliver unmatched access to global stocks with tens of thousands of equities available from 100+ market centres in 24 countries, most recently the Saudi Stock Exchange.
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.

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.
Support can be slow and frustrating based on tests, so you might find it challenging to reach customer service representatives promptly or encounter delays in resolving issues.

Visit Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers Review

eToro USA

"eToro remains a top pick for traders looking for leading social investing and copy trading services. With a low deposit, zero commissions and an intuitive platform, the broker will meet the needs of newer day traders."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

eToro USA Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Invest $100 and get $10
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Stocks, Options, ETFs, Crypto
Regulator	SEC, FINRA
Platforms	eToro Trading Platform & CopyTrader
Minimum Deposit	$100
Minimum Trade	$10
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

eToro USA Securities is a trustworthy, SEC-regulated broker that is a member of FINRA and SIPC
The low minimum deposit and straightforward account opening process means beginners can get started quickly
Investors can access Smart Portfolios for a more hands-off approach, covering a range of sectors and markets such as renewable energy and artificial intelligence

Cons

The proprietary terminal doesn't support trading bots and there are no additional stock market analysis tools
Average fees may cut into the profit margins of day traders
There's no MetaTrader 4 platform integration for traders who are accustomed to using third-party charting tools

Visit eToro USA

eToro USA Review

RedMars

"RedMars is the best fit for experienced day traders familiar with the MetaTrader 5 platform and based in the EU, where the broker is authorized by the CySEC. However, the threadbare education and research tools make it unsuitable for beginners."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

RedMars Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos
Regulator	CySEC, AFM
Platforms	MT5
Minimum Deposit	€250
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
Account Currencies	USD, EUR

Pros

Getting started on RedMars is incredibly easy - you can be up and running in just a few minutes based on tests
Clients in the EU, in particular, can trade with peace of mind knowing RedMars is authorized by the CySEC with up to €20K compensation available through the ICF in the event of bankruptcy
The broker supports a range of flexible payment methods, including wire transfers, credit cards, e-wallets, and notably cryptocurrencies

Cons

The no-frills trading environment offers little beyond the basics, with no Islamic account, PAMM account or copy trading.
With just 300 instruments, RedMars offers a narrow trading environment, particularly compared to category leaders like BlackBull Markets which offers 26,000 assets
While RedMars' spreads are within industry averages, they don't offer a significant edge over the cheapest day trading brokers we've personally used, notably IC Markets

Visit RedMars

RedMars Review

IQCent

"IQCent will appeal to day traders looking for a straightforward binary options and CFD trading platform with low fees, a range of accounts, and copy trading. Getting started takes less than 1 minute and a $250 deposit. "
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

IQCent Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	20% to 200% Deposit Bonus
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Binary Options, CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
Regulator	IFMRRC
Platforms	Online Platform, TradingView
Minimum Deposit	$250
Minimum Trade	$0.01
Leverage	1:500
Account Currencies	USD, EUR

Pros

CFD trading fees are competitive based on tests, including 0.7 pips on major forex pairs such as EUR/USD
Keen traders can take part in trading contests with cash prizes
IQCent is one of the few binary options brokers that also offers a copy trading service for hands-off traders

Cons

The market analysis is very basic with limited technical summaries and insights from analysts
The broker is not overseen by a respected regulator, though this is common among binary options firms
IQCent charges a punitive $10 monthly inactivity fee if you fail to place at least 1 trade per month

Visit IQCent

IQCent Review

OANDA US

"OANDA remains an excellent broker for US day traders seeking a user-friendly platform with premium analysis tools and a straightforward joining process. OANDA is also heavily regulated with a very high trust score."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

OANDA US Quick Facts

Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Forex, Crypto with Paxos (Cryptocurrencies are offered through Paxos. Paxos is a separate legal entity from OANDA)
Regulator	NFA, CFTC
Platforms	OANDA Trade, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:50
Account Currencies	USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD

Pros

Beginners can get started easily with $0 minimum initial deposit
The proprietary OANDA web platform continues to deliver a highly competitive charting environment, including 65+ technical indicators powered by TradingView
Day traders can enjoy fast and reliable order execution

Cons

It's a shame that customer support is not available on weekends
The range of day trading markets is limited to forex and cryptos only
There's only a small range of payment methods available, with no e-wallets supported

Visit OANDA US

OANDA US Review

UnitedPips

"UnitedPips is ideal for traders seeking leveraged trading opportunities, the security of fixed spreads, and the flexibility to deposit, withdraw, and trade cryptocurrencies - all in one sleek TradingView-powered platform."
Christian Harris, Reviewer

UnitedPips Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	40% Deposit Bonus
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	CFDs, Forex, Precious Metals, Crypto
Regulator	IFSA
Platforms	UniTrader
Minimum Deposit	$10
Minimum Trade	0.01 Lots
Leverage	1:1000
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

UnitedPips’ platform performs well, with an intuitive design that will appeal to beginners, while the TradingView integration delivers powerful charting tools without overwhelming users, making it straightforward to execute trades efficiently.
Although being handed off mid-chat due to shift changes during testing was frustrating, customer support is generally good with quick, helpful responses, and 24/7 support via phone and email for regional teams is a definite advantage.
UnitedPips offers impressive leverage up to 1:1000 with zero swap fees or commissions, which can enhance potential returns for day traders and swing traders looking to control prominent positions with less capital.

Cons

UnitedPips lacks comprehensive research, while the educational content for beginner traders is woeful. Compared to brokers like eToro, which offers tutorials, webinars, and advanced courses, UnitedPips offers minimal resources to help new traders understand key concepts.
UnitedPips' selection of tradable instruments is still minimal, comprising a bare minimum selection of forex, metals and crypto. There are no equities, indices or ETFs, which may be a drawback for experienced traders looking for diverse opportunities.
Unlike brokers such as IG, UnitedPips is an offshore broker not regulated by any 'green tier' financial authorities, raising concerns for traders seeking assurance and protection under well-established regulatory frameworks.

Visit UnitedPips

UnitedPips Review

Moomoo

"Moomoo remains an excellent choice for new and intermediate stock traders who want to build a diverse investment portfolio. What really stands out is the broker's user-friendly app and the low trading fees."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer

Moomoo Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Get up to 15 free stocks worth up to $2000
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Stocks, Options, ETFs, ADRs, OTCs
Regulator	SEC, FINRA, MAS, ASIC, SFC
Platforms	Desktop Platform, Mobile App
Minimum Deposit	$0
Minimum Trade	$0
Leverage	1:2
Account Currencies	USD, HKD, SGD

Pros

There is no minimum deposit requirement making the broker accessible for beginners
There are reduced options contract fees from $0.65 to $0
It is reassuring that Moomoo holds licenses with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), among others

Cons

It's a shame that there is no 2 factor authentication (2FA), despite the other security features on offer
There is no negative balance protection, which is a common safety feature at top-tier-regulated brokers
There is no phone or live chat support - common options at most other brokers

Visit Moomoo

Moomoo Review

Plus500 US

"Plus500 US stands out as an excellent choice for beginners, offering a very user-friendly platform, low day trading margins, and access to the Futures Academy to enhance trading skills."
Michael MacKenzie, Reviewer

Plus500 US Quick Facts

Bonus Offer	Welcome Deposit Bonus up to $200
Demo Account	Yes
Instruments	Futures on Forex, Commodities, Cryptos, Indices, Interest Rates
Regulator	CFTC, NFA
Platforms	WebTrader, App
Minimum Deposit	$100
Minimum Trade	0.0 Lots
Account Currencies	USD

Pros

The straightforward account structure, pricing model and web platform offer an easier route into futures trading than rivals like NinjaTrader
The trading app provides a terrific user experience with a modern design, a clean layout and mobile-optimized charts
The Futures Academy is an excellent resource for new traders with engaging videos and easy-to-follow articles, while the unlimited demo account is great for testing strategies

Cons

Although support response times were fast during tests, there is no telephone assistance
Plus500 US does not offer social trading capabilities, a feature available at alternatives like eToro US which could strengthen its offering for aspiring traders
The proprietary platform is user-friendly but lacks advanced technical analysis tools found in third-party solutions like MetaTrader 4

Visit Plus500 US

Plus500 US Review

How Did We Choose The Best Regulated Brokers?

To find the best regulated trading brokers, we:

Took our database comprizing 216 online brokers and trading platforms;
Pinpointed those that are regulated after verifying their credentials on the respective regulator’s databases;
Sorted them by their rating which balances 100+ data entries with the personal observations of our testers.

All Regulators

Do I Need A Regulated Broker?

Yes. If you want to trade on a secure trading platform then selecting a regulated broker is a no-brainer.

Sometimes traders may opt for an unregulated broker to access trading promotions or high leverage that aren’t permitted in tightly regulated jurisdictions, but we do not recommend this, especially for newer traders.

There are three key reasons why you should choose a regulated broker:

Protection: Many regulators require authorized brokers to provide retail traders with access to compensation in the event the firm is unable to meet its financial obligations, negative balance protection to prevent traders losing more than their deposited funds, and to operate segregated accounts so client funds cannot be misused. For example, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) in the US provides up to $500,000 per person and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK provides up to £85,000.
Transparency: Regulators normally require brokers to be transparent about trading fees, order execution, and risks, all of which are critical considerations for day traders. For example, in the European Union (EU), regulated brokers are required to publish the percentage of losing traders on their website, especially when using complex products like contracts for difference (CFDs), which are popular with active traders.
Security: Regulated brokers are often required to implement systems to protect your data, notably encryption protocols and security audits. For example, the ASIC in Australia requires multi-factor authentication for digital transactions while the FCA in the UK requires brokers to adhere to strict rules under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

For these reasons, I only deposit funds with regulated brokers. As a UK-based investor, this means I hold my capital with FCA-regulated trading platforms.

James Barra

Author

Are All Brokers Created Equal?

Where things get slightly tricky is that simply choosing any ‘regulated broker’ isn’t enough.

This is because not all regulatory bodies offer the same levels of protection. There is a common misconception that financial agencies supervise brokers across numerous jurisdictions. However, often regulatory remit is limited to those brokers with a license issued within the regulator’s jurisdiction.

Therefore, bodies outside your financial jurisdiction may not provide such extensive legal recourse should there be an issue, be it access to investor compensation or formal dispute channels. For example, the JFSA in Japan offers up to ¥10,000,000 per investor through its Investor Protection Fund (IPF), however it’s primarily available to residents.

Equally, financial agencies enforce varying degrees of regulations. For instance, all FCA brokers must segregate trader’s funds. Whereas offshore bodies like the FSC of Mauritius may not enforce this regulation. Furthermore, FCA brokers must automate and process client withdrawals promptly, while offshore brokers have been known to delay withdrawals, which can be extremely frustrating.

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It isn’t necessarily that brokers are less interested in looking out for their traders. For instance, FCA licenses are relatively expensive so many small but still great brokers opt for CySEC authorization.

To help you understand which regulators are ‘good’ and crucially – which aren’t, we’ve drawn upon our collective decades working in the trading industry and personal experiences using various trading platforms to classify regulators based on the level of protection they provide:

Green Tier: These regulators provide the strongest investor safeguards and actively oversee authorized brokers. Notable examples include the SEC in the US, FCA in the UK and ASIC in Australia.
Yellow Tier: These regulators still provide strong investor safeguards and monitor authorized brokers but not always to the same degree as ‘green tier’ regulators. Notable examples include the FSCA in South Africa, the SEBI in India, and the DFSA in Dubai which is becoming increasingly popular as established brokers like Plus500 have been looking to expand their presence in the Middle East.
Orange Tier: These regulators provide limited investor safeguards and scrutiny of authorized brokers, requiring caution before signing up. Notable examples include the BMA in Bermuda, the BOB in Botswana and the BCE in Ecuador.
Red Tier: These regulators provide little to no investor safeguards and we consider them high-risk. Notable examples include the VFSC in Vanuatu, the FSA in Seychelles, and the SCB in the Bahamas.

I recommend extreme caution when dealing with brokers registered with ‘red tier’ regulators. They are sometimes used by scammers to strip traders of any legal protections they may be afforded in well-regulated regions.

In one high-profile case, the bad actors behind trading firm EverFX, convinced aspiring investors to move their funds to offshore entities where there was little to zero regulatory oversight.

The global scamming network is estimated to have made off with up to an eye-watering $1 billion.

James Barra

Author

How Can I Check If My Broker Is Regulated?

Checking whether a broker is regulated is incredibly straightforward, with an increasing number of financial bodies operating digital, publicly accessible databases where you can input a trading firm’s details.

You’ll normally need to follow a few simple steps:

Navigate to the respective regulator’s database (usually searchable on the agency’s website)
Enter the broker’s company name or license number (often found at the bottom of the broker’s website)
Read the search results to confirm they are authorized (check which investment services and where they are permitted to do business)

I have personally checked the regulatory details of hundreds of brokers on countless regulators’ databases, from the US and UK to Europe, Australia and beyond.

To show you how it’s done, below you can see the results of a search I ran on XTB, which claimed to be authorized by the CySEC.

James Barra

Author

XTB broker regulation details on CySEC register — XTB – CySEC License

Bottom Line

Choosing a regulated trading platform should be your first priority. It’s a win-win for both traders and brokers.

For traders, it’s the best indication a firm can be trusted to operate in a fair manner. For brokers, regulatory oversight helps build a solid reputation and reduces the need to constantly try and undercut competitors in areas like leverage limits.

Picking a regulated broker is also especially important given the increasing sophistication of trading scams we’ve been witnessing with alarm in recent years, capitalizing on the growing class of ‘finfluencers’ and interest in artificial intelligence (AI).

Use our list of top regulated day trading platforms to be sure a broker is regulated.

FAQ

What Is Trading Regulation?

Regulatory bodies and watchdogs supervise financial markets and online brokers. They enforce a range of rules and regulations to protect retail traders.

The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID), since replaced by MiFID II, is the closest the world has got to an overarching regulatory system. It was brought into the UK in 2007 and has been the bedrock of Europe’s financial regulatory systems since.

What Is A Regulated Broker?

Regulated brokers receive a license to operate within that jurisdiction, so long as they adhere to specific rules and regulations, often designed to protect retail traders and the functioning of financial markets.

What Is An Unregulated Broker?

Unregulated brokers operate without having to adhere to a set of guidelines. Arguably, therefore, they do not have the same interest in safeguarding your interests. This allows them to offer attractive features like high leverage and welcome bonuses, but the catch is limited legal protection for your funds.

Which Is The Best Regulated Broker?

Use our list of the top regulated brokers to find a trading platform that best suits your needs. Our experts have independently verified the regulatory credentials of every broker recommended.

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