🇧🇪 Broker coverage in Belgium

Regulatory overview

Belgium financial regulator is the FSMA (Financial Services and Markets Authority). The retail distribution of OTC leveraged derivatives is banned. By the FSMA Regulation (approved by Royal Decree of 21 July 2016, in force 18 August 2016), the marketing, distribution and sale to Belgian consumers of CFDs, rolling spot forex contracts, binary options and derivatives with a maturity under one hour is prohibited - including products offered by brokers licensed elsewhere in the EU and MiFID-passported into Belgium. Aggressive distribution techniques are also banned. [S1][S2] A broker soliciting Belgian retail clients for leveraged forex/CFD trading is operating against Belgian law; per-broker FSMA status must be confirmed individually. [S3]

Considerations

Retail OTC leveraged forex/CFD and binary options are prohibited for Belgian consumers - including EU-passported brokers. [S1][S2] An offer of such products to a Belgian resident is itself a red flag, not an opportunity. [S2]

Frequently asked questions

Can I legally trade leveraged forex/CFDs as a retail client in Belgium?

No. The FSMA Regulation (in force 18 August 2016) bans their distribution to consumers, even by EU-passported brokers. [S1][S2]

Sources

1. [S1] FSMA - Regulation establishing a framework for the distribution of OTC derivatives (binary options, CFDs) — https://www.fsma.be/en/news/fsma-regulation-establishes-framework-distribution-otc-derivatives-binary-options-cfds
2. [S2] FSMA - FAQ on the regulation governing distribution of certain derivative financial instruments — https://www.fsma.be/en/faq/fsma-regulation-governing-distribution-certain-derivative-financial-instruments-binary-options
3. [S3] FSMA - list of regulated companies (per-broker check) — https://www.fsma.be/en/regulated-companies