Obtain an FCA UK Forex Broker License

Often referred to as the FX capital of Europe, London is the epicenter for the world’s leading forex brokers as well as the  headquarters of its local regulator, the UK FCA.
A forex broker license in the United Kingdom is one of the most prestigious in the world and can be viewed as a seal of approval that many new brokers aspire to one day attain. Any FX brokerage that wishes to compete with the top firms in the forex industry should strongly consider applying for an FCA forex license. Although not as quick to obtain as other regions in the world, ask any broker currently holding this license and they’ll agree that the prestige an FCA broker license offers is well worth the time and effort.

Applying for an FCA Forex Broker License in the UK – How Does It Work?

  • Before we formally start the application, our team will first evaluate your brokerage and business plans in order to determine if an FCA license makes the most sense from a financial and investment perspective.
  • We’ll require basic information about your brokerage plans, directors, corporate structure and prior history in order to properly evaluate your application. Note that we don’t rule out applications for completely new brokerages, however, existing regulation, even in an offshore jurisdiction, significantly helps in receiving FCA approval. 
  • After reviewing your business plans, we’ll then provide you with an overview of the process which includes the complete set of costs, milestones, and timelines.
  • Once our proposal has been reviewed and accepted, we’ll officially begin the application process which starts by forming a local business entity in the United Kingdom.
  • As we progress during the application process, we’ll be certain to keep you up to date on the latest communication with the FCA, their requests, and status.

Important Facts Related to an FCA Forex Broker License in UK 

  • A strong background in finance and investment is a minimum requirement for all directors of an FCA licensed brokerage
  • There are two types of paid up capital, which depend on the permissions granted by the FCA: 125k€ and 750k€
  • A physical office with a local directors in the United Kingdom is strict a requirement
  • Estimated time to receive FCA approval is 12 months
  • In some cases it may make more sense to acquire an existing FCA brokerage, a service also offered by Atomiq Consulting

Atomiq Consulting – Your Forex Broker Licensing Partner

Due to our years of industry experience, positive track record, and legal expertise, Atomiq Consulting is the ideal partner to assist your firm in establishing an FCA forex broker license in the UK.

In addition to our forex broker license services, we also able to assist your business with the acquistion of fully licensed forex brokerage via our Forex Marketplace. Depending on your specific needs and requirements, it may make more sense to acquire an existing business than to go through the entire license application process, a decision that our team of consultants can guide you in making.

To Learn More About Applying for an FCA Forex Broker License, Contact Atomiq Consulting Today!

To learn more about the fees to establish a broker license in the UK, discuss the process in further detail, and address any additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact our team of FX industry consultants.

    FCA UK Forex License FAQ

    Are there any FCA brokers for sale? Is it possible to an acquire an existing FCA broker license?

    In addition to license consultation, we can also assist you in acquiring an existing FCA licensed broker. Because our offers vary based on availability in the market, it is best to contact us directly to discuss our current offers.

    Can one obtain an FCA forex broker license without a physical presence in the UK?

    No, the FCA will need to see substantial proof that the applicant intends to not only to establish a physical presence in the United Kingdom but also conduct business in the United Kingdom and Europe. 

    How is forex & CFD trading regulated in the United Kingdom?

    The regulation of forex & CFD trading is overseen by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, also known as the FCA.

    Can Atomiq Consulting assist with an application for an Introducing Broker license in the UK?

    Yes, in addition to assisting our clients with license applications that permit the full range of brokerage activities such as the authorisation to hold client funds and dealing permissions, Atomiq Consulting can also assist your firm in receiving approval from the FCA to advise and bring about deals in investments, which are commonly known as Introducing Broker (IB) permissions.

    How much leverage are FCA regulated brokers allowed to offer?

    In 2018, the European Securities and Markets Authorities (ESMA) adopted two decisions which reflect leverage reductions in CFDs products and their distribution to retail clients. The FCA opted to follow these guidelines which are as follows: leverage ratios for CFDs were reduced to 1:20 and 1:30 for forex products.

    Are binary options allowed in the UK?

    No, as of July, 2 2018 it is no longer possible to legally offer binary options trading in the United Kingdom.

    How long does it take to receive a forex broker license from the FCA after the application has been submitted?

    It is difficult to provide a concrete estimate because each application is unique, however, a very general estimate is roughly 12 months from the time the application has been filed with the FCA. 

    Is Atomiq Consulting able to provide guidance on becoming an FCA Appointed Representative (AR) ?

    Yes, if you are interested in learning more about becoming an AR and finding a partner brokerage firm to work with, Atomiq Consulting is more than happy to assist you. 



    Blog Posts

    【亞洲Prop Trading熱潮】經紀商轉型新趨勢,你準備好了嗎?

    亞洲Prop Trading熱潮加速來襲 近年來,亞洲地區的零售交易市場正快速成長,交易者的行為與偏好也出現顯著轉變。**Prop Trading(自營交易)**模式從歐美市場迅速擴散至亞洲,尤其在台灣、香港、新加坡、馬來西亞與菲律賓等地,Prop Firm 的吸引力正在穩步上升。 作為長期觀察亞洲經紀商發展與合規策略的顧問,我強烈建議有志拓展零售市場的券商,儘早布局自有品牌的Prop計畫。這不僅能提升品牌差異化,更能深化用戶參與與留存。 關鍵趨勢:為何亞洲經紀商該認真考慮Prop業務? 1. 年輕交易者崛起,追求Gamified交易體驗 Z世代與千禧世代交易者不再滿足於傳統的下單平台。他們偏好有遊戲感、有挑戰性的交易環境,這讓Prop Firm中的「評估挑戰賽」、「晉級制度」與「分潤模式」高度吸引這群用戶,特別是在社群媒體與YouTube上透過KOL推廣,更是推波助瀾。 2. Prop Firm成為品牌與流量的雙引擎 傳統依賴Introducing Broker(IB)開戶導流的方式逐漸失去效力,反觀Prop模式能主動吸引有潛力的交易者報名參與比賽與培訓,大幅提高用戶質量與參與度。這些交易者一旦通過篩選,會自然成為長期交易用戶,也能成為品牌大使。 3. 合規與技術門檻下降,落地門檻更低 隨著第三方Prop技術提供商(如FTMO系統架構商)日趨成熟,以及經紀商能選擇設立於離岸持牌區域並與法律顧問合作設計合法契約架構,Prop的推動已經不再高不可攀。現在是進場的絕佳時機。 […]

    View More
    View all posts