Tickmill FCA Regulation 2024: Supervision, Investor Protections, and More

Tickmill is a leading forex and CFD broker that provides online trading services to traders and investors worldwide. It offers an extensive range of trading instruments, including Forex, stock, indices, commodities, bonds, cryptocurrencies, Futures & options. The broker supports various trading platforms and tools such as MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4,MetaTrader WebTrader Platform,MetaTrader for Mac, and Tickmill Mobile App.

Tickmill is highly regarded for its regulation by multiple authoritative bodies, including the FCA, DFSA, FSCA, CySEC, FSA- Labuan,  FSA-S. This multi-regulatory oversight underscores its commitment to maintaining high standards of safety and transparency.

In this article, we will explore Tickmill’s FCA regulation, its importance, the investor protection scheme, and negative balance protection. Additionally, we will provide information on other brokers regulated by the FCA. 

Does Tickmill Operate Under FCA Regulation?

Yes, Tickmill operates under FCA regulation. The FCA reference number of this firm is 717270. This regulation ensures that the broker adheres to the high standards set by the FCA, providing a layer of security and trust for its clients. Being FCA-regulated means that Tickmill must follow strict guidelines to protect client funds, ensure transparency, and maintain the integrity of its operations.

What is FCA?

FCA stands for the Financial Conduct Authority. It is one of the top-tier regulators in the world, responsible for overseeing financial markets and firms in the United Kingdom. Established on April 1, 2013, the FCA took over from the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The FCA oversees approximately 42,000 businesses, including banks and investment firms. Its goal is to ensure that these firms, banks, and financial institutions operate fairly and transparently. The FCA enforces strict rules; for instance, it requires firms to keep client money in separate accounts. It also limits leverage to 30:1 for retail clients and provides negative balance protection.

Additionally, the FCA mandates a 50% margin close-out rule. It also offers dispute resolution through the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). Furthermore, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) provides compensation of up to GBP 85,000 if a firm fails. These measures help protect consumers and maintain trust in the financial system

How FCA Regulation Safeguards Retail Traders

Here are five key protections for retail traders under FCA regulation. As an FCA-regulated forex broker, Tickmill offers these protections

1. Safety of Client Funds:

The FCA’s primary function is to protect consumers from unfair practices. This includes requiring brokers to hold client funds in segregated accounts, separate from their operating funds. This safeguard helps protect your money from potential misuse. By ensuring these accounts are compliant with strict regulations, your funds remain secure even if the broker faces financial difficulties.

2. Negative Balance Protection:

 The FCA mandates negative balance protection for retail clients, meaning you cannot lose more money than you have deposited. Additionally, the 50% margin close-out rule automatically closes your positions when your account balance falls below a certain level. This rule is designed to prevent significant negative balances, offering peace of mind while trading.

3. Strict Leverage Limits:

To help manage risk, the FCA enforces strict leverage limits of 30:1 for retail clients. This measure is particularly crucial in volatile markets, where high leverage can lead to substantial financial losses. By capping leverage, the FCA aims to reduce risk exposure and protect investors from excessive losses.

4. Stringent Reporting Requirements:

FCA-regulated brokers must adhere to rigorous reporting standards, providing regular updates on their operations. This includes client asset reports, transaction reporting, and market data reporting. Such transparency ensures that brokers operate fairly and honestly, giving you confidence in their practices.

5. Dispute Resolution and Compensation:

 In case of disputes with your broker, the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) serves as an independent body to resolve issues fairly and impartially. If a firm fails, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) offers protection of up to £85,000 per eligible investor, ensuring you are not left out of pocket. This compensation provides an additional layer of security for your investments.

How Can I Verify If My Broker is FCA Regulated?

To verify if your broker, such as Tickmill, is regulated by the FCA, follow these steps:

1. Find the Broker’s Reference Number or Name: Obtain this information from the broker’s website.
2. Search the FCA Register: Visit the FCA Financial Services Register and enter the broker’s reference number or name.
3. Check the Broker’s Authorization: Ensure that the broker is authorized to provide “Rolling spot forex contract” services to retail customers in the UK.
4. Match Firm Details: Verify that the details on the FCA website, such as the broker’s website and email, match those provided by the broker. Any discrepancies might indicate an unauthorized broker, and you should avoid trading with them.

FCA-Regulated Forex Brokers: Who Else Is on the List?

Tickmill is one of the leading FCA-regulated forex brokers. However, there are other FCA-regulated forex and CFD brokers that can serve as alternatives to Tickmill. These alternatives include:

These brokers operate under FCA regulation. According to FCA rules, they offer leverage up to 30:1 and provide investor protection and negative balance protection for retail traders. To learn more about FCA-regulated forex brokers, you can read our content on the best FCA-regulated forex brokers.

What Other Regulations Does Tickmill Have?

CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission):

Tickmill is regulated by CySEC. Established in 2001, Cysec is Cyprus’s financial regulator. Since Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, CySEC’s regulations align with the MiFID directive, ensuring compliance with EU-wide financial standards and investor protection. This regulation allows the broker to offer services across the European Economic Area (EEA) under the MiFID II directive, ensuring investor protection and transparency. CySEC regulation requires brokers to follow strict guidelines for handling client funds, including segregation and periodic reporting.

segregated accounts, and there is an emphasis on risk disclosure and trader protection.

DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority):

Tickmill 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.

CMA (Capital Markets Authority – Kenya):

Tickmill is licensed and regulated by the CMA in Kenya. Founded in 1989, The CMA of Kenya regulates the Kenyan capital markets, including forex trading. The CMA allows a maximum leverage of 1:400 and ensures that financial institutions adhere to standards for transparency, fairness, and investor protection. It is operated by the Kenyan government. For more information, visit the CMA website.

SCB (Securities Commission of The Bahamas):

Tickmill is also regulated by SCB. Established in 1995, SCB  regulates and oversees the financial services industry. The SCB ensures that Tickmill follows guidelines for maintaining adequate capital, protecting client assets, and ensuring transparent operations for clients from various regions, particularly those outside Europe and Australia.

FSCA

Tickmill 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, Tickmill 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 Tickmill operated securely and reliably, offering a safe trading environment for clients in South Africa.

FSA-S

Tickmill is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles under. 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 Tickmill 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 Tickmill operates securely and transparently, particularly for clients in Seychelles, and maintains a trustworthy trading environment.

FSA- Labuan

Tickmill is regulated by the Labuan Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Malaysia, operating under the regulatory framework established for Labuan International Business and Financial Centre. Founded in 1995, the FSA is responsible for overseeing financial services in Labuan, aiming to promote and regulate a robust financial environment.

As a regulated entity under the FSA, Tickmill must comply with strict guidelines that include maintaining adequate capital reserves, safeguarding client funds, and ensuring transparency in its operations. The FSA allows a maximum leverage of 1:100, and it provides forex supervision, ensuring that trading practices adhere to industry standards. Client funds are kept in segregated accounts, separate from the company’s assets, reinforcing the security of client investments. By adhering to these standards, Tickmill offers clients confidence in its commitment to integrity and reliability, providing a trustworthy trading platform for clients in Malaysia and beyond. For more information, you can visit the FSA’s website at Labuan FSA.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tickmill?

Tickmill is a global broker that boasts 668,000 registered accounts from over 200 countries. Founded in 2014, the broker enables the trading of over 500 forex and CFD instruments on its MetaTrader platforms. Autochartist, Daily market outlook, signal center tools, advanced trading toolkit, etc are some of the tools provided for traders.

Is Tickmill Considered Safe?

Yes, Tickmill is considered safe. The broker is regulated by seven major regulatory authorities, including the FCA, DFSA, FSCA, CySEC, FSA- Labuan,  FSA-S. These regulations ensure strict compliance with industry standards and provide protection for client funds.

What is the Maximum Leverage for FCA in Tickmill?

The maximum leverage offered by Tickmill under FCA regulation is 30:1 for retail traders. However, leverage may vary based on the tradable assets.

Here are the Tickmill leverage limits under FCA regulation:

• 30:1 for major currency pairs (e.g., GBP/USD, EUR/USD,)
• 20:1 for non-major currency pairs, gold, and major indices (e.g, S&P 500, Nasdaq 100 (US)
• 10:1 for commodities other than gold and non-major equity indices
• 5:1 for individual equities and other reference values

What is the Minimum Deposit for Tickmill?

The minimum deposit for Tickmill is as low as $100. This low entry requirement makes it accessible for traders with low levels of capital.

Does Tickmill Offer Negative Balance Protection?

Yes, Tickmill offers negative balance protection. All FCA-regulated brokers must offer negative balance protection. Negative balance protection means that traders are protected from losing more money than they have in their trading accounts. If a trade results in losses that exceed the amount of funds in the account, negative balance protection ensures that the trader’s balance cannot go below zero. This prevents the trader from owing the broker any additional money.

Does Tickmill Offer an Investor Protection Scheme?

Yes, Tickmill offers an investor protection scheme in accordance with FCA regulations. All brokers regulated by the FCA must provide this protection. In the event of a bank’s liquidation, losses would be distributed among clients based on the proportion of their funds held with the failed bank.

Any loss of funds resulting from this may be compensated under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The FSCS provides compensation up to a strict limit of £85,000 per person, per institution, and this limit is subject to the total balances held with that institution.