The Best CySec Regulated Brokers

Justin Freeman

Cyprus Regulators

The island of Cyprus has a long history as a financial hub in the Mediterranean, but it had to reform its “tax haven” posture after applying for EU membership in 1990. Cyprus officially joined the EU in 2004. However, the tax reforms became more attractive for international businesses, and, as a result, the island increased its licensing practices to include a host of companies, including financial services companies. The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) was launched in 2001 to have regulatory oversight responsibilities for financial institutions on the island. To date, it has issued 40 licenses to individual forex brokerage firms.

In 2004 after Cyprus became a member of the EU, the private corporation immediately fell within the European MiFID regulations, thereby providing a portal for all Cypriot firms to gain access to all European markets.

The Best 7 CySEC Regulated Brokers

Many qualified brokers comply with CySEC regulations, but these seven brokers tend to float to the top of every list of the best CySEC regulated brokers.

Broker Features Min Deposit EURUSD Spread  
Number One Broker 73% of retail CFD accounts lose money. US Clients: No Regulated : Yes

– Ultra-fast execution from 0.2s
– Low spreads from 0.0 pups
– All trading strategies allowed
– No restrictions on profitability
– Top trading conditions

$100from 0.0 pips
Sign Up Your capital is at risk
plus500 logo81% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. US Clients: No Regulated : Yes

– FCA (FRN 509909), ASIC, FMA, and FSCA Regulated.
– Multi Asset Trading Platform.
– No Time Frame For Demo Accounts.
– the provider offers CFD trading only

100GBP/AUD/EUR/USDvariable
Sign Up 81% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Between 74-89 % of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs US Clients: No Regulated : Yes
  • FCA, CySEC, DFSA, BaFIN, SCB, CMA & ASIC Authorized and Regulated
  • 24 Hour Support
  • Negative Balance Protection
$200NDD 0.09 / Standard 0.69
Sign Up Between 74-89 % of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs
Forex Broker eToro Logo76% of CFD traders lose money US Clients: No Regulated : Yes
  • Social Trading Platform
  • FCA & CySEC Regulated
  • Minimum Deposit $50 (varying across region)
  • Demo Account
  • Copy Trading
  • 2000+ Instruments
$50 (varying by Country)from 1
Sign Up 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
XM LogoYour capital is at risk US Clients: No Regulated : Yes
  • CySEC, IFSC, ASIC Regulated
  • MT4, MT5, WebTrader platform
  • $50% and 20% deposit bonus up to $5,000(t&c apply) *Cleints registered under the EU regulated entity of the Group are not eligible for the bonus.
$5From 0.0 pips
IC Markets LogoYour capital is at risk US Clients: No Regulated : Yes
  • All trading strategies allowed
  • No restrictions on profitability
  • Top trading conditions
$200From 0.0 Pips

     

    General Information about CySEC and Cyprus

    Although successful, Cyprus has had a rocky road over the past two decades. A financial crisis overtook the island in 2012, stemming from Greek debt issues. The island’s second-largest bank was closed. Brokers that had not segregated client deposits offshore in Tier One banks ceased trading. Emergency loans and constraints followed, but Cyprus did survive.

    When binary option brokers sought the refuge of Cyprus and the less stringent regulation offered by CySEC, the regulatory body became the first regulator to recognize and regulate binary options as financial instruments. When news broke in March of 2016 of the binary options scandal and the billions in consumer losses, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) subsequently pressured CySEC to tighten its regulatory regime.

    CySEC soon made wide-sweeping reforms in its registration and regulatory areas of responsibility. New rules required the segregation of client deposits and the maintenance of adequate capital reserves to operate a brokerage. New transparency regulations required more reporting. This tougher stance resulted in many fines, suspensions, and, in some cases, the revocation of existing operating licenses.

    Although significant progress has been made, there are still complaints within the European community of regulatory agencies that CySEC is not doing enough to police its brokers. Despite its best efforts, the current leadership at CySEC has announced that it will need to take a tougher stance on its licensees.

    Forex brokers continue to flock to the island, but bad actors continually flaunt the rules and are known to seek new clients via unethical and illegal means. Aggressive marketing practices are a signal of bad practices. Consumers should be wary of unsolicited advances from unfamiliar CySEC brokers.

    Concluding Remarks

    Cyprus and CySEC have become a mecca for forex brokers, especially those specializing in CFDs. Although many of these brokers are legitimate and obey the rules laid down by CySEC, ESMA, and other local regulators in the EU, there remain a few bad apples in the group. It is wise to perform due diligence before selecting a Cypriot-based broker and to choose only from the list of best Cypriot brokers provided in the above table.