Start with legal entities and regulators
Legitimacy research begins with identifying exactly which legal entity you would be dealing with. Broker brands often cover multiple companies registered in different jurisdictions, each with its own regulator and rulebook. Find the entity names, registration numbers and regulator references in the website footer and client agreement, then confirm each one directly on the relevant regulator's official register. Be alert to clone operations that copy a real firm's name or number while using different contact details.
- Identify every legal entity named in the broker's legal documents, not just the brand name.
- Verify registration details on official regulator registers yourself.
- Confirm that contact details on the register match the ones the broker actually uses.
- Determine which entity would onboard clients in your country of residence.

