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Interactive Brokers FCA Regulation checklist

Regulation determines which rules protect you as a client, which complaints and compensation routes exist, and which legal entity actually holds your money. Large international brokers often operate through multiple entities under different regulators, so the protections that apply depend on which entity your account sits with. This page does not state Interactive Brokers' current regulatory status. Instead, it walks through how to verify FCA authorisation yourself and which entity-level details matter before you open or fund an account.

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How to check FCA authorisation properly

The UK Financial Conduct Authority maintains a public register of authorised firms. To verify a broker, search the register for the exact legal entity name shown in the broker's own account documents, not just the brand name. Check that the firm's status is listed as authorised, review the permissions it holds, and confirm that the trading name and contact details on the register match the firm you are dealing with. Clone firms sometimes impersonate genuine brokers, so matching the registered details against the documents you were given is an important step, not a formality.

Search the FCA register using the exact legal entity name from your account paperwork.
Confirm the firm's status, permissions and any restrictions listed on the register.
Match registered contact details against the ones you are actually using, to guard against clone firms.
Note the firm reference number and keep it with your account records.

Why the account-holding entity matters

International brokers commonly onboard clients through different legal entities depending on residence. Two clients using the same brand can hold accounts under different regulators, with different client money rules, compensation schemes and leverage restrictions. Before opening an account, identify which entity your agreement names and which regulator supervises it. If your account sits under an FCA-regulated entity, UK rules such as client asset protections and access to UK complaint and compensation arrangements may apply, subject to the specific terms and your eligibility. If your account is with a non-UK entity, different protections apply, and you should read that entity's regulatory disclosures instead.

Identify the exact legal entity named in your client agreement before funding.
Confirm which regulator supervises that entity and which rules apply to your account type.
Check the broker's disclosures on client money handling and asset segregation for your entity.
Confirm your eligibility for any compensation scheme rather than assuming coverage.

Questions to resolve before opening or funding an account

Once you have identified the relevant entity and checked the register, close the remaining gaps with direct questions. Ask the broker in writing which entity will hold your account, how client funds are held, which compensation scheme applies and how complaints are escalated. Keep the answers with your records. Reassess these points periodically, because brokers can restructure entities and clients can be migrated between them. For wider context on this broker, read the full Interactive Brokers review on InvestorTrip, and use the broker comparison tool or the reviews hub to research how other reviewed brokers structure their regulation.

Get written confirmation of your account-holding entity and its regulator.
Ask how client money is held and what happens in an insolvency scenario.
Confirm the complaints route and any applicable ombudsman or compensation scheme.
Re-verify entity and regulatory details periodically, especially after any migration notice.

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FAQ

How do I verify whether a broker is FCA regulated?

Search the FCA's public register for the exact legal entity named in the broker's account documents, confirm its authorisation status and permissions, and match the registered contact details against those you are using. Verifying the brand name alone is not sufficient, because brokers often operate multiple entities and clone firms sometimes impersonate genuine ones.

Does FCA regulation mean my money is fully protected?

No regulatory regime removes trading risk or guarantees funds in all circumstances. FCA authorisation brings specific rules on client money and conduct, and eligible clients may have access to UK complaint and compensation arrangements, but coverage depends on the entity holding your account, your client classification and the scheme's terms. Confirm the details for your own situation.

What if my account is held by a non-UK entity of the same broker brand?

Then FCA rules generally do not govern your account. The protections, leverage limits, client money rules and dispute routes will be those of the regulator supervising that entity. Read the disclosures for the specific entity in your client agreement and verify its status with the relevant regulator's register.