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ActivTrades FCA Regulation checklist

Regulatory status is one of the first things to check when researching any broker, and it should never be taken on trust from a review, an advert or a forum post. This page explains how to verify ActivTrades' FCA regulation for yourself, what a regulator entry actually tells you, and which questions to answer before you fund an account. Treat this as a working checklist rather than a statement of the broker's current status, because permissions, entities and protections can change over time.

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How to verify FCA authorisation yourself

The Financial Conduct Authority maintains a public register of authorised firms in the UK. To verify ActivTrades' status, search the register using the exact legal entity name shown in the broker's own legal documents, not just the brand name. Confirm the firm reference number on the broker's website matches the number on the register, and read the list of permissions to see what activities the firm is actually authorised to carry out. A firm can be listed on a register while still being limited in what it may offer to retail clients.

Match the legal entity name and firm reference number between the broker's site and the regulator's register.
Check the register entry's status, permissions and any restrictions or requirements noted against the firm.
Confirm which entity would actually hold your account, since broker groups often run several entities under one brand.
Look at the register's contact details and compare them with the details the broker publishes.

What FCA regulation does and does not mean

Authorisation by a regulator sets conduct, capital and reporting requirements for a firm, and in the UK retail clients of authorised investment firms may have access to complaint and compensation arrangements subject to eligibility rules. It does not remove market risk, guarantee execution quality, or mean that every product a broker offers is suitable for you. Whether protections such as segregated client money handling or compensation scheme coverage apply to your account depends on which entity onboards you and the terms you agree to, so read the client agreement carefully.

Regulation governs firm conduct; it does not protect you from losses caused by market moves or leverage.
Compensation and complaints arrangements have eligibility conditions that you must confirm for your own situation.
Clients onboarded by non-UK entities within the same group may fall under different rules and protections.

Questions to answer before opening an account

Before funding an account, work through a short list of questions using the broker's current legal documents. Which entity is named in your client agreement? What jurisdiction and regulator govern that entity? How is client money described as being held? What is the complaints process and which body handles unresolved disputes? Once you have documented answers, keep copies of the pages and documents you relied on. You can return to the full Activtrades review at /reviews/activtrades, compare entities and features side by side at /tools/compare-brokers?brokers=activtrades, or browse other research at /reviews.

Identify the exact contracting entity in the account opening documents before you deposit.
Read the client money and safeguarding sections of the terms, not just the marketing summary.
Save dated copies of the legal documents and register entries you checked.
Recheck regulatory status periodically, since permissions can change.

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FAQ

How do I confirm whether ActivTrades is currently FCA regulated?

Search the FCA's public register for the legal entity named in ActivTrades' own legal documents and match the firm reference number shown on the broker's website. Confirm the entry's status and permissions directly rather than relying on third-party summaries, including this page.

Does FCA regulation mean my money is protected?

Not automatically. UK-authorised firms are subject to client money rules, and eligible clients may have access to compensation arrangements, but coverage depends on which entity holds your account, your client classification and the scheme's eligibility conditions. Verify these details in the client agreement before funding.

What if I am onboarded by a non-UK ActivTrades entity?

Broker groups often operate several entities in different jurisdictions. If your account is opened with a non-UK entity, UK rules and protections may not apply. Check which entity is named in your agreement and research that entity's regulator and protections separately.