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Markets Com FCA Regulation checklist

If you are researching whether Markets Com is regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, the reliable approach is to verify the details yourself rather than rely on third-party summaries. Regulatory status can change, and brokers often operate several legal entities under different regulators, so the entity you open an account with matters. This page is a checklist of what to confirm directly from official sources and the broker's own legal documents before you deposit money.

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How to check a broker's FCA status yourself

The FCA maintains a public register of authorised firms. When researching Markets Com, search the register for the exact legal entity name shown in the broker's terms and conditions, not just the brand name. A brand can be used by multiple companies, and only the specific entity listed on the register carries FCA authorisation. Compare the reference number, registered address and permitted activities on the register with what the broker publishes on its own site.

Search the FCA register using the legal entity name from the broker's account terms, not the marketing brand.
Match the firm reference number shown on the broker's website against the register entry.
Check the register entry lists permissions that cover the activities you plan to use, such as dealing in investments.
Confirm there are no warnings or clone-firm notices associated with the name.

Why the account entity matters

Many multi-national brokers route clients to different legal entities depending on country of residence. Two clients of the same brand can hold accounts under different regulators with different protections. Before funding an account, confirm which entity your agreement is with, because that determines the rules on leverage limits, negative balance protection and access to compensation schemes. If your account sits under a non-UK entity, FCA rules may not apply to you even if the brand holds a UK licence elsewhere in its group.

Read the client agreement to identify the exact contracting entity for your account.
Check which regulator supervises that entity and what client protections apply in that jurisdiction.
Ask the broker's support team in writing which entity will hold your account if the documents are unclear.

Client protection questions to answer before funding

Regulation is only part of the picture. Once you have confirmed which entity would hold your account, review how client money is handled, whether negative balance protection applies to retail clients and whether any compensation scheme could cover you if the firm failed. These answers should come from the broker's current legal documents and the relevant regulator's own materials, not from forum posts or dated review pages. For broader context on Markets Com, see the full review at /reviews/markets-com or compare it with other reviewed brokers via /tools/compare-brokers?brokers=markets-com.

Confirm how client funds are segregated according to the current client money terms.
Check whether retail negative balance protection applies under your account entity.
Verify eligibility rules for any compensation scheme rather than assuming coverage.
Save copies of the documents you relied on, dated, in case terms change later.

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FAQ

How do I confirm whether Markets Com is FCA regulated?

Search the FCA's public register for the legal entity named in the broker's terms and conditions, then match the firm reference number and registered details against what the broker publishes. Do not rely on brand-name searches alone, and check for any clone-firm warnings.

Does FCA regulation apply to every Markets Com client?

Not necessarily. Brokers often serve clients through different legal entities depending on residence, and each entity has its own regulator. You need to confirm which entity your specific account agreement is with before assuming FCA rules apply.

Does regulation guarantee my money is protected?

No. Regulation sets conduct and client money standards, but it does not remove trading losses or guarantee compensation in all failure scenarios. Check the client money terms and the eligibility rules of any compensation scheme that applies to your account entity.