Forex licence guide & consultancy
Independent profiles of 16 forex and CFD licence jurisdictions, from Cyprus and Dubai to Mauritius, Seychelles and the Comoros. Compare them, shortlist them with our finder, then let us set up your licence, company and bank.
Forex License is an independent guide to forex and CFD brokerage licences in 16 jurisdictions, grouped by level of regulation, with a comparison table and a licence finder. We deliver licences and companies directly in Mauritius, the Bahamas, the Comoros (Mwali) and Saint Lucia, and in other jurisdictions on request through partners.
| What we are | An independent guide and consultancy for forex and CFD brokerage licences |
|---|---|
| Jurisdictions profiled | 16, grouped into tier-1 onshore, regulated offshore, offshore licences and no-licence routes |
| Delivered directly | Mauritius (FSC), the Bahamas (SCB), Comoros – Mwali (MISA), Saint Lucia (IBC) |
| On request | Seychelles, BVI, Cayman, Vanuatu, Labuan, Belize, Cyprus, UAE, South Africa, Anjouan, St Vincent, Marshall Islands |
| Tools | Comparison table and a four-question licence finder |
| Services | Licence strategy, company formation, licence application, officers and office, bank and PSP accounts |
| Platform | MT5 licence support through our sister site mt5license.net |
| Contact | info@forexlicense.net |
Four levels of regulation
The level you choose decides which clients you can serve, which banks and liquidity providers will work with you, how fast you launch and how much substance you need.
Onshore regulators such as CySEC, the DFSA or the FSCA. The strongest recognition and, in Cyprus, an EU passport. Months of work, real offices and teams.
Regulated offshoreEstablished offshore regulators such as Mauritius, the Bahamas, Seychelles, BVI or Labuan. Good recognition with banks and LPs, moderate substance.
Offshore licenceLight licences from the Comoros islands of Mwali and Anjouan. Very fast, minimal substance, limited and disputed recognition.
No FX licenceCompanies without an FX licence, such as a Saint Lucia IBC. Fastest route to MT5, but not a regulated brokerage.
Jurisdictions
Each profile covers the regulator, licence, legal basis, timeline, substance, tax, recognition, pros, cons and recent changes, with links to official sources.
Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC)
Cyprus Investment Firm (CIF)
View profileDFSA (DIFC), Capital Market Authority (federal, formerly SCA), FSRA (ADGM)
DFSA Category 3A (or 2); CMA dealing licence or Category 5 introducer; FSRA Category 3A
View profileFinancial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)
FSP Category I/II; ODP authorisation for principal CFD providers
View profileFinancial Services Commission (FSC)
Investment Dealer (Full Service Dealer excluding Underwriting)
View profileSecurities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB)
Securities firm registration (dealing) with CFD registration
View profileFinancial Services Authority (FSA)
Securities Dealer Licence
View profileFinancial Services Commission (FSC), British Virgin Islands
Investment Business Licence, Category 1 (Dealing in Investments)
View profileCayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA)
Securities Investment Business Licence (broker-dealer / market maker)
View profileVanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC)
Financial Dealers Licence (Principal), classes A–D
View profileLabuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA)
Money Broking Licence
View profileFinancial Services Commission (FSC), Belize
Trading in foreign exchange / derivative instruments; SIA 2021 registration
View profileMwali International Services Authority (MISA), island-level
International Brokerage and Clearing House licence
View profileAnjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA), island-level
Marketed as a forex / brokerage licence
View profileNone for forex (FSRA states forex business is not licensed)
None; International Business Company only
View profileFinancial Services Authority (FSA), SVG — does not license forex
None; a foreign licence must be filed since 2023
View profileNone for forex; companies registered via the Registrar of Corporations
None
View profileWhy work with us
We explain what each licence is and is not recognised for, including the uncomfortable parts.
Licensed local partners for company formation, licence applications, officers and office.
We check early whether banks and payment providers will onboard your structure.
From licence to MT5: our sister site MT5 License handles the MetaQuotes application.
Who we help
How it works
Business model, target markets, owners and timeline.
Two or three suitable jurisdictions, with trade-offs explained.
A fixed, itemised proposal for the chosen route.
KYC and fit-and-proper documents for owners and officers.
Incorporation, business plan, manuals and licence application.
Questions, interviews, officer approvals, bank and PSP accounts.
Licence granted, platform and payments live, compliance calendar in place.
Packages
Every project is quoted individually after a free consultation, with a fixed, itemised proposal.
For founders still choosing a jurisdiction.
Fast launch: Comoros (Mwali) licence or Saint Lucia IBC.
Mauritius, the Bahamas or another regulated jurisdiction on request.
Guides
Practical guides on choosing, applying for and keeping a forex licence.
A practical framework for choosing a forex licence: target clients, business model, recognition, speed, substance, banking and total cost of ownership, applied to 16 jurisdictions.
Read the guideThe steps to obtain a forex or CFD brokerage licence: choosing a jurisdiction, forming the company, preparing the business plan and manuals, fit-and-proper checks, regulator review, capital and launch.
Read the guideThe documents regulators usually ask for in a forex licence application: corporate documents, business plan, manuals, fit-and-proper files, source of funds, organisation chart and more.
Read the guideThe difference between a market-maker (dealing on own account) and an STP/agency forex licence: permissions, capital, risk management, conflicts of interest and how regulators classify them.
Read the guideHow offshore forex licences (Mauritius, Seychelles, BVI, Comoros) compare with onshore licences (Cyprus, UAE, South Africa) on market access, recognition, speed, substance and running costs.
Read the guideWhich forex licence routes still work without a local office or resident staff, what the trade-offs are, and why regulators keep tightening substance requirements.
Read the guideFAQ
An authorisation from a financial regulator that allows a company to offer forex and CFD trading services, usually as a broker, dealer or investment firm. See licence types.
There is no single best licence. Cyprus gives EU access, Dubai and South Africa strong regional recognition, Mauritius and Seychelles a balance of credibility and cost, and the Comoros speed. Try the licence finder.
The Comoros islands of Mwali and Anjouan issue licences in weeks, with limited recognition. A Saint Lucia IBC is faster still but is not a licence. See fastest licences.
A licence from an EU regulator, such as a Cyprus Investment Firm licence from CySEC, which can be passported across the EEA. Offshore licences do not allow EU marketing.
Not always. MetaQuotes requires a company established for trading activities; a legal opinion can cover this. Our sister site MT5 License explains the options.
Real local presence: an office, resident directors and officers such as a compliance officer and MLRO. Regulated jurisdictions increasingly require it.
Tell us your business model and target markets. We will shortlist jurisdictions and send a fixed, itemised proposal.