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HYCM FCA Regulation checklist

Regulatory status is one of the most important things to verify about any broker, and it is also one of the easiest to get wrong by relying on outdated third-party pages. This checklist explains how to verify for yourself whether an HYCM entity is authorised by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, which entity would actually hold your account, and what protections apply. This page does not assert HYCM's current regulatory status; it shows you how to confirm it. For broader research, see the full HYCM review at /reviews/hycm.

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Check the FCA register yourself

The only authoritative source for FCA authorisation is the FCA's own Financial Services Register. Search it using the exact legal entity name and, ideally, the firm reference number published in the legal section or footer of the broker's website. Confirm that the entity's status is shown as authorised, review the permissions listed, and check for any warnings, restrictions or requirements attached to the firm. Watch for clone-firm alerts, since fraudsters sometimes impersonate legitimate regulated firms. Never rely solely on a regulator's logo displayed on a broker website.

Find the legal entity name and firm reference number in the broker's own legal disclosures.
Search the FCA register directly using that reference number, not just the brand name.
Review the firm's listed permissions and any restrictions or regulatory notices.
Check for clone-firm warnings and confirm the contact details on the register match the website you are using.

Identify which entity will hold your account

Many broker brands operate through multiple legal entities under different regulators, and the entity that onboards you usually depends on your country of residence. FCA protections apply only if your account agreement is with the FCA-authorised entity, not another entity within the same group. During sign-up, read the account agreement or terms of business carefully to identify the exact legal entity named as your counterparty, and confirm it matches the entity you verified on the FCA register. If it is unclear, ask the broker in writing before funding.

Read the account terms to find the legal entity named as your contractual counterparty.
Confirm that entity matches the one you verified on the FCA register.
Be aware that clients in some regions may be onboarded to a differently regulated group entity.
Get written confirmation from the broker if the entity assignment is not clear at sign-up.

Understand what FCA regulation does and does not cover

FCA authorisation brings conduct rules such as client money segregation requirements, negative balance protection for retail CFD clients, leverage limits on retail accounts, and potential access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and the Financial Ombudsman Service, subject to eligibility and the specific permissions the firm holds. Regulation does not protect you from trading losses, and eligibility for compensation schemes depends on your client classification and the nature of any claim. Verify how each protection applies to your specific account type in the broker's disclosures. To weigh regulatory factors alongside other criteria, use the comparison tool at /tools/compare-brokers?brokers=hycm.

Confirm how client money is held and segregated for your specific account entity.
Check whether retail negative balance protection and leverage limits apply to your account classification.
Review FSCS and ombudsman eligibility conditions in the broker's disclosures rather than assuming coverage.
Remember that no regulator protects you against losses from ordinary market movements.

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FAQ

How do I verify whether an HYCM entity is FCA authorised?

Take the legal entity name and firm reference number from the broker's own legal disclosures and search the FCA's Financial Services Register directly. Confirm the authorisation status, permissions and any warnings, and check that the register's contact details match the website you are using.

Does FCA regulation apply to all HYCM clients?

Not necessarily. Broker brands often operate multiple entities under different regulators, and your protections depend on which legal entity holds your account. Check your account agreement to identify your contractual counterparty and confirm it against the FCA register.

Does FCA regulation protect me from losing money when trading?

No. FCA rules cover conduct matters such as client money handling and, for retail CFD clients, negative balance protection and leverage limits. They do not protect against losses from market movements, and compensation scheme eligibility depends on your classification and the nature of a claim.