Start with the legal entity and regulator records
The single most useful step in any legitimacy check is matching the exact legal entity named on the broker's website with an entry in an official regulator register. Brokers often operate multiple entities under different regulators, and the entity that would hold your account determines which rules and protections apply to you. Locate the company name and licence or registration number in the website footer or legal documents, then look it up directly on the relevant regulator's public register rather than relying on the broker's own claims.
- Find the full legal entity name and registration number in the site footer and client agreement.
- Search the named regulator's official register yourself and confirm the details match exactly.
- Check which entity would actually onboard clients from your country, as protections can differ by entity.
- Be cautious if the entity that serves your region is different from the one highlighted in marketing.

