Is Pepperstone Regulated by the Mas as of 2025

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Ryan Hardy sitting before his forex trading desk
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Pepperstone 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, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, shares, ETFs, and more. It also supports multiple trading platforms and tools such as MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView.

Pepperstone is regulated by several authoritative bodies such as FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, DFSA, CMA, and SCB. However, Pepperstone is not regulated by the MAS ( Monetary Authority of Singapore). In this article, we will explore Pepperstone’ regulations, and its features, and provide a list of alternative brokers that are regulated by MAS.

Does Pepperstone Operate Under MAS?

No, Pepperstone does not operate under MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) regulation. However, the broker is regulated by several other reputable financial authorities including FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, DFSA, CMA, and SCB. 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 MAS in Singapore.

What Other Regulations Does Pepperstone Have?

FCA:

Pepperstone is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. The FCA, established in 2013, is responsible for regulating financial markets and firms in the United Kingdom.

The FCA requires Pepperstone 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 Pepperstone 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):

Pepperstone 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.

BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority – Germany):

Pepperstone is authorized by BaFin to provide services in Germany. BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) was founded in 2001 and regulates the financial markets in Germany. It supervises forex trading with a maximum leverage of 1:30 and provides negative balance protection. Operated by the German government, BaFin ensures financial stability and investor protection. For more information, visit BaFin’s website

DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority):

Pepperstone 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):

Pepperstone 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):

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

Best MAS Regulated Forex Brokers: Alternatives to Pepperstone

Pepperstone is one of the leading forex and CFD brokers. The broker is not regulated by MAS. It is regulated by other top-tier regulators including FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, DFSA, CMA, and SCB There are several MAS  regulated brokers that can serve as alternatives to Pepperstone. These brokers include: 

Forex.COM

Forex.COM

  • Founded In:  2001
  • Minimum Deposit: $100
  • Maximum Leverage: 50:1
  • Regulations: CySEC, CFTC, NFA, CIMA, FCA, FSA, MAS, ASIC, CIRO
  • Trading Platforms : Mobile App, Web Trader, Meta Trader 5 
  • Trading Instruments: Forex, Indices, Stocks , Cryptocurrency, Commodities , Gold and Silver.
MultiBankFX

MultiBankFX

  • Founded In:  2005
  • Minimum Deposit: $50
  • Maximum Leverage: 1:500
  • Regulations: ASIC, Austrac, Bafin, CIMA, ESCA,  CySEC, FSC, FMA, MAS, TFG,  VFSC, FSCM, FSAS
  • Trading Platforms: MT4, MT5, Multibank-Plus
  • Trading Instruments: Forex, Metals, Shares,  indices, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies
IG

IG

  • Founded In:  1974
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Maximum Leverage: 1:200
  • Regulations: ASIC, FCA, JFSA, SFC (Hongkong), FSCA, MAS, FMA, GmbH, FINMA 
  • Trading Platforms: MT4, WebTrader, MobileTrader (MobileApp), ProRealTime
  • Trading Instruments: Forex, indices, Cryptocurrencies, Shares, Commodities
CMC Markets

CMC Markets

  • Founded In:  1989
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Maximum Leverage: 1:500
  • Regulations : FCA, ASIC, BaFin, IIROC, FMA, MAS
  • Trading Platforms : MT4 , Share trading platforms
  • Trading Instruments: Forex Major, Forex Crosses, Forex Minor, Metals, Oil , CFD, Stock indices
Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers

  • Founded In: 1978
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Maximum Leverage: 1:500
  • Regulations: SEC, CFTC, FCA, FSCS, FINRA, FCM, IIROC, MAS, FSA
  • Trading Platforms : WebTrader, FIX API, MobileTrader
  • Trading Instruments: Stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds

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


How Can I Verify If My Broker is regulated by MAS or Not?

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

Step 1: Obtain the Broker’s License Number or Name

The first step in verifying whether a broker is MAS-regulated is to gather the necessary details from the broker’s official website. Look for the broker’s licensed or reference number, which is typically listed in the footer, legal section, or “About Us” page. If the license number is not available, the broker’s name can also be used for verification. Having the correct license number or name ensures a more accurate search when checking the broker’s regulatory status.

Step 2: Search the MAS Financial Institutions Directory

Once you have the broker’s license number or name, visit the official MAS Financial Institutions Directory at https://eservices.mas.gov.sg/fid. Enter the license number or the broker’s name into the search bar and hit enter. This directory contains all MAS-regulated entities, and your search results should show the broker’s profile if they are indeed regulated. This step is critical for confirming that the broker you are considering operates legally under MAS oversight.

Step 3: Check License Type and Status

After locating the broker in the MAS directory, carefully review their profile. Look specifically for the license type and status to ensure that the broker is authorized to offer the services you need. If you are trading forex, verify that the broker is licensed to provide “Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts for Leveraged Forex Trading” under “Dealing in Capital Markets Products.” This step confirms that the broker has the necessary permissions to legally offer forex trading and other related financial products.

Step 4: Verify Broker Contact Details

Another essential step is to ensure that the contact details listed on the MAS website match those provided by the broker on their own site. Pay close attention to details such as the broker’s website URL, email address, and phone number. If the contact details differ, it could indicate that you are dealing with an unauthorized broker or a clone firm that is pretending to be MAS-regulated. Verifying these details helps protect you from potential scams or unauthorized firms.

Step 5: Stay Away from Unlisted Brokers

If you cannot find the broker in the MAS directory, this is a red flag. Brokers that are not listed are likely unauthorized, and trading with them can put your funds at serious risk. Unauthorized brokers often operate without regulatory oversight, meaning they may not adhere to client fund protection rules, leaving your investments exposed. Always stay away from brokers that are not listed in the MAS directory to ensure your money remains safe.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs)

What is Pepperstone?

Founded in 2010 by Owen Kerr and Joe Davenport,  Pepperstone is a renowned online forex trading platform that offers traders a seamless and user-friendly experience. With a strong reputation in the industry, Pepperstone has positioned itself as a reliable choice for both beginners and experienced traders. The platform is equipped with a range of features, including advanced trading tools, various account types, and access to multiple financial markets.

Is Pepperstone Considered Safe?

Yes, Pepperstone is considered safe. Though Pepperstone is not regulated by MAS, it is regulated by other reputed regulatory authorities including FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, DFSA, CMA, and SCB. These regulations ensure strict compliance with industry standards and provide protection for client funds.