Thinkmarkets is a forex and CFD broker offering online trading services to traders and investors worldwide. The broker provides a diverse range of trading instruments, including Forex, Futures, Commodities, Indices, ETFs, Crypto, Stocks. It also supports multiple trading platforms and tools such as MT5, ThinkTrader, ThinkCopy.
Thinkmarkets is regulated by several authoritative bodies such as FSA- Seychelles, ASIC, CySEC, FCA, JFSA, FSA in Japan, FSCA, CIMA, FSC-Maritius, NZFMA, DFSA. However, Thinkmarkets is not regulated by the FINMA ( The Financial Market Supervisory Authority). In this article, we will explore Thinkmarkets’ regulations, and its features, and provide a list of alternative brokers that are regulated by FINMA.
Does Thinkmarkets Operate Under FINMA?
No, Thinkmarkets does not operate under FINMA (The Financial Market Supervisory Authority) regulation. However, the broker is regulated by several other reputable financial authorities including FSA- Seychelles, ASIC, CySEC, FCA, JFSA, FSA in Japan, FSCA, CIMA, FSC-Maritius, NZFMA, DFSA. These regulatory bodies ensure compliance with various standards for financial stability, transparency, and investor protection, though they do not provide the specific protections offered by the FINMA in Switzerland.
What Other Regulations Does Thinkmarkets Have?
FCA (Financial Conduct Authority)
ThinkMarkets is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK under license number 684312. The FCA, established in 2013, is responsible for regulating financial markets and firms in the United Kingdom.
The FCA requires ThinkMarkets to adhere to strict guidelines for financial conduct, including maintaining adequate capital, safeguarding client funds, and ensuring transparency in its operations. This includes keeping client money separate from company funds and providing regular financial reports. FCA regulation helps ensure that ThinkMarkets operates securely and fairly, offering a high level of protection and trust for clients in the UK and across Europe.
ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission):
ThinkMarkets is regulated by ASIC. Founded in July 1998, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) is Australia’s national corporate regulator, overseeing corporations, markets, and financial services in accordance with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001. Being based in Australia, ASIC regulation ensures that the broker complies with Australian laws on financial services, including responsible conduct, risk management, and financial reporting. Client money is kept in segregated accounts, and there is an emphasis on risk disclosure and trader protection.
FSA in Japan:
ThinkMarkets is regulated by the FSA in Japan. Established in 1997 the FSA Japan regulates and oversees the financial services industry including forex, overseeing banking, securities and exchange, and insurance sectors, and more. The FSA in Japan allows a maximum leverage of 1:400 for retail forex traders and investors. The FSA ensures that ThinkMarkets adheres to guidelines for maintaining adequate capital, protecting client assets, and ensuring transparent operations for clients in Japan and other regions.
FSA -S : / FSA in Seychelles
ThinkMarkets is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles. The FSA, established in 2013, oversees the financial services sector in Seychelles to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and to protect investors.
The FSA requires ThinkMarkets to adhere to guidelines for managing client funds, which include keeping client money separate from company funds and providing regular financial reports. This regulation helps ensure that ThinkMarkets operates securely and transparently, particularly for clients in Seychelles, and maintains a trustworthy trading environment.
FSB (FSCA):
ThinkMarkets is regulated by the Financial Services Board (FSB) of South Africa. The FSB, established in 1990, was the financial regulatory authority in South Africa responsible for overseeing non-banking financial institutions before being replaced by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in 2018.
Under FSB regulations, ThinkMarkets was required to maintain strict standards, including holding adequate capital, protecting client funds by segregating them from company assets, and ensuring transparency through regular financial reporting. This regulation helped ensure that ThinkMarkets operated securely and reliably, offering a safe trading environment for clients in South Africa.
CIMA:
ThinkMarkets is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA. CIMA, established in 1997, is the financial services regulator in the Cayman Islands, overseeing banks, insurance companies, and investment firms.
CIMA requires ThinkMarkets to adhere to strict regulations for financial stability and transparency. This includes maintaining adequate capital, protecting client funds by keeping them separate from the company’s assets, and providing regular financial reports. CIMA’s oversight ensures that ThinkMarkets operates securely and reliably, offering a trustworthy trading environment for clients in the Cayman Islands and beyond.
DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority):
ThinkMarkets is regulated by the DFSA. Established on 13 September 2004, DFSA is the regulatory body for financial services within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). It oversees a range of financial activities, including forex trading, and ensures compliance with its regulations through a framework of rules and guidelines. The DFSA provides a high standard of investor protection and requires firms to meet rigorous operational standards. For more details, you can visit the DFSA website.
FSC-Mauritius:
ThinkMarkets is regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius. The FSC, established in 2001, is the regulatory authority overseeing non-bank financial services in Mauritius.
The FSC requires ThinkMarkets to adhere to strict regulations, including maintaining adequate capital reserves, safeguarding client funds by keeping them separate from the company’s assets, and providing regular financial reports. These requirements help ensure that ThinkMarkets operates transparently and securely, offering a reliable trading environment for clients in Mauritius and beyond.
NZFMA
ThinkMarkets is regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) of New Zealand under license number FSP493926. The FMA, established in 2011, is responsible for overseeing financial markets and ensuring fair, transparent, and efficient operations in New Zealand.
The FMA requires ThinkMarkets to follow strict guidelines, including maintaining sufficient capital, protecting client funds by keeping them separate from company assets and providing regular financial reporting. This regulation ensures that ThinkMarkets operates securely and fairly, offering a reliable and transparent trading environment for clients in New Zealand.
Best FINMA Regulated Forex Brokers: Alternatives to Thinkmarkets
Thinkmarkets is one of the leading forex and CFD brokers. The broker is not regulated by FINMA. It is regulated by other top-tier regulators including FSA- Seychelles, ASIC, CySEC, FCA, JFSA, FSA in Japan, FSCA, CIMA, FSC-Maritius, NZFMA, DFSA. There are several FINMA regulated brokers that can serve as alternatives to Thinkmarkets. These brokers include:
Affiliate Table: 5 FINMA-Regulated Forex Brokers
These brokers operate under FINMA regulation. According to FINMA rules, they offer leverage up to 30:1 and provide negative balance protection for retail traders. To learn more about FINMA-regulated forex brokers, you can read our content on the best FINMA -regulated forex brokers.
How Can I Verify If My Broker is regulated by FINMA or Not?
How Can I Verify If My Broker is FINMA Regulated?
Here’s a detailed explanation of how to verify if your broker is regulated by FINMA, with expanded paragraphs under each subheading:
1. Find the Broker’s Name:
The first step in verifying your broker’s regulatory status is identifying their legal name. This information is typically available on the broker’s official website under sections like “About Us” or “Legal Information.” Make sure you’re using the broker’s full legal name, not just the brand name, as companies often operate under multiple names or subsidiaries. Having the exact name ensures an accurate search when you look up their registration with FINMA.
2. Visit the FINMA Website:
Once you have the broker’s legal name, visit the official website of FINMA. The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority maintains a public register where you can find all authorized institutions and individuals. This register is a reliable source for confirming the legitimacy of brokers and other financial institutions operating under FINMA’s supervision. You can access it through this link: FINMA Licensed Institutions and Persons Page.
3. Enter the Broker’s Name:
On the FINMA website, you will find a search bar designed for checking the authorization status of financial firms. Enter the broker’s full legal name in this search bar. Make sure you input the name exactly as it appears on the broker’s official website. A precise search is crucial to ensure you are checking the correct entity, as some brokers may have similar or overlapping names.
4. Select the Category:
To refine your search and get the most relevant results, choose the appropriate category from the drop-down menu. For forex brokers, you should select “Banks and Securities Firms” as the category. This narrows down the search to firms that are authorized to offer forex and other securities trading services under FINMA’s regulation. Selecting the right category helps avoid confusion with other types of financial service providers.
5. Check the Broker’s Information:
Once the results are displayed, examine the broker’s profile on the FINMA website. Compare the information provided by FINMA with what’s available on the broker’s website. Look for details like the broker’s full name, address, and license status. It’s important to confirm that the broker is authorized as a bank or securities firm by FINMA, as this is a key requirement for offering forex trading services in Switzerland. If the broker is not listed or does not hold the necessary license, you should be cautious, as they may not be legally allowed to provide forex services. In such cases, it’s advisable to avoid dealing with that broker
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs)
What is Thinkmarkets?
ThinkMarkets is an Australian forex and CFD broker founded in 2010. Today, it has offices in 10 locations and 10 licenses from different countries. On its MetaTrader and ThinkTrader platforms, clients can trade over 4,000 instruments. Real stock trading is available on the ThinkTrader app. Traders are supported with free VPS, Signal Centre, Dynamic leverage, Traders’ gym, etc.
Is Thinkmarkets Considered Safe?
Yes, Thinkmarkets is considered safe. Thinkmarkets is not regulated by FINMA. However, The broker is regulated by other reputed regulatory authorities including FSA- Seychelles, ASIC, CySEC, FCA, JFSA, FSA in Japan, FSCA, CIMA, FSC-Maritius, NZFMA, DFSA. These regulations ensure strict compliance with industry standards and provide protection for client funds.
