A forex and CFD brand of the London-based Stratos Group, with licensed companies in the UK, Cyprus and Australia and an unlicensed St Vincent company for international clients. In October 2026 the UK company applied to cancel its FCA authorisation, and FXCM's UK and EU sites now pass new accounts to other brokers.
Facts last checked 20 October 2026. Always confirm on the regulator’s register. How we review brokers
Get an email when FXCM's licence or key facts change.
Key facts
Founded
1999
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom (Stratos Group)
Minimum deposit
$50
Max. retail leverage
1:30 on major pairs (UK, EU, Australia); up to 1:1000 at the St Vincent company
✓FSCS up to £85,000 (UK company); ICF up to €20,000 (Cyprus company); none for the St Vincent companyWhat this means
Regulation and entities
Your protection depends on which company holds your account, and that depends on where you live. Each row is one licensed company. What regulation means
Before you deposit: search the licence number on the register, then check that the website and phone number listed there match the ones you are using. How to check a licence
Websites
Official websites
✓fxcm.com
✓tradu.com
Type the address yourself or use a bookmark. Check it matches the website listed for the firm on the regulator’s register.
Watch out for look-alike sites
These addresses have used FXCM’s name but are not run by it:
✗fxcmb.com(not official)
✗fxcmgermany.com(not official)
A clone firm copies a real broker’s name, licence number and branding to take deposits. The register shows the genuine firm, so the surest check is the contact details: if the website, email or phone number you were given is not the one on the register, treat it as a clone. Check a broker step by step
Accounts and costs
Account types and costs not yet checked.
Cost per lot = typical EUR/USD spread × $10 + round-turn commission, for one standard lot (100,000 units) in busy hours. Swap and other fees are extra. Trading costs explained
Leverage and margin
Leverage lets you open a position bigger than your deposit, so losses grow as fast as gains. The caps below are the most FXCM allows; you can always use less.
Margin level = equity ÷ used margin × 100. Without negative balance protection, a fast market can gap past the stop-out and leave you owing money. Work out your margin level
Long-running brand (since 1999) with companies licensed by the FCA, CySEC and ASIC
Its own Trading Station platform alongside MetaTrader 4, TradingView and API access
Low first deposit of 50 in the account currency on the international site
Watch out for
The UK company, Stratos Markets Limited, has applied to cancel its FCA authorisation (shown on the FCA register since 15 October 2026), and FXCM's UK site says new trading accounts are now provided through Trade Nation.
FXCM's EU site says new trading accounts are now provided through AvaTrade, a separate broker
International clients join Stratos Global LLC in St Vincent and the Grenadines, which holds no financial licence; leverage there goes up to 1:1000 and losses can exceed deposits
Says Stratos South Africa (Pty) Ltd is FSCA FSP 46534 and Stratos Light Limited is supervised by the Israel Securities Authority; we could not confirm either on the regulator's register on 2026-10-20 (the FSCA FSP register could not be reached).
Overview
FXCM started in 1999 and is now a brand of the Stratos Group, which is headquartered in London. It offers forex and CFDs on its own Trading Station platform, MetaTrader 4 and TradingView. In 2026 its set-up changed a lot: the UK and EU websites now say new trading accounts are provided through other brokers, Trade Nation in the UK and AvaTrade in the EU, and the UK company has applied to give up its FCA authorisation.
Regulation and safety
We checked these on the regulators’ registers on 20 October 2026. Stratos Europe Ltd holds CySEC licence 392/20, with FXCM, FXCM EU and Tradu as approved trade names. Stratos Trading Pty. Limited holds ASIC AFSL 309763. Stratos Markets Limited (FCA 217689) is still authorised, but the register shows “applied to cancel” since 15 October 2026. Existing UK clients should check with FXCM what this means for their account.
The international site is run by Stratos Global LLC, a St Vincent and the Grenadines company (registration 1776 LLC 2022). FXCM states that this company is not required to hold a financial services licence there. That is a company registration, not regulation. FXCM also names a South African company (FSCA FSP 46534) and an Israeli company supervised by the Israel Securities Authority; we could not confirm either.
In December 2025 ASIC placed an interim stop order on Stratos Trading over its target market determination for CFDs, and revoked it on 16 December 2025 once FXCM amended the document. The NFA register lists FXCM’s former US business (NFA ID 0308179) as permanently barred; FXCM does not serve US residents. In Canada the FXCM site promotes Friedberg Direct, which is a separate firm. The FCA also warns about clone firms using FXCM’s name, including fxcmb.com and fxcmgermany.com. Our regulation guide and scams guide explain why the company name matters.
Costs
FXCM’s standard pricing is spread-only, with commission pricing for Active Trader accounts and monthly rebates once you trade over $10 million notional. Its spread page shows live prices rather than published averages, so we have not listed typical spreads. Rollover (swap) is charged on positions held overnight. See the trading costs guide for how to compare brokers on your own volume.
Platforms and tools
Trading Station is FXCM’s own desktop, web and mobile platform. MetaTrader 4 and TradingView are also offered, and Active Traders get API access. Compare the MetaTrader versions in MT4 vs MT5.
Deposits and withdrawals
The international site accepts Visa and Mastercard, bank wire, Google Pay, Skrill, Neteller (both up to $20,000 a month) and crypto. Card withdrawals are limited to the amount you deposited by card. FXCM does not accept third-party payments.
Who it may suit
The St Vincent account fits traders who want FXCM’s own platform and accept an unlicensed company with high leverage. Anyone who wants a UK or EU licence should note that new accounts there now go to other brokers. Check the company on the register with our broker check before you deposit.
How to open an account
The steps as we checked them. Never deposit until you have confirmed the licence.
Check which company you will join
FXCM's UK and EU sites now refer new accounts to Trade Nation and AvaTrade. Australians join Stratos Trading Pty. Limited (ASIC). Most other international clients join Stratos Global LLC in St Vincent, which is not licensed. The company is named in your terms of business.
Fill in the application
Give your personal details and answer the questions about your trading experience. FXCM then sends a MyFXCM username and password.
Verify your identity
Upload ID and proof of address as asked in the MyFXCM portal.
Fund the account
The first deposit for an individual account is at least 50 in the account currency. FXCM does not accept payments from third parties.
Practise first
The free demo comes with virtual money. Try Trading Station or MT4 on demo before you trade live.
What changed on this profile
Profile published. Licences checked on the FCA, CySEC and ASIC (AFS licensee data) registers. FCA register shows Stratos Markets Limited as applied to cancel since 15 October 2026. FSCA register could not be reached.
FXCM: common questions
Is FXCM regulated?
Partly. Stratos Europe Ltd holds CySEC licence 392/20 and Stratos Trading Pty. Limited holds ASIC AFSL 309763. Stratos Markets Limited is FCA-authorised (217689) but has applied to cancel that authorisation. The St Vincent company that serves most international clients holds no financial licence. We checked each on 20 October 2026.
Which FXCM company will I join?
Australians join Stratos Trading Pty. Limited. FXCM's UK and EU sites now send new clients to Trade Nation and AvaTrade, which are separate brokers. Most other international clients join Stratos Global LLC in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Check the name in your terms of business.
What is the minimum deposit?
FXCM's help centre says the first deposit for an individual account is 50 in the account currency (for example $50). Corporate, trust and IRA accounts need 50,000.
Can I lose more than I deposit?
At the St Vincent company, yes: FXCM's own risk warning says you could lose more than your deposits. Retail clients of the UK, Cypriot and Australian companies have negative balance protection under local rules. Leverage magnifies losses in every case.
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This profile is factual information, not a recommendation or financial advice. Trading leveraged products such as forex and CFDs carries a high risk of losing money rapidly, and most retail accounts lose money. Read the full disclaimer.
