Is FBS a Scam or Legit?
FBS holds a valid CySEC licence. The number is public and verifiable.
FBS is regulated under CySEC licence 331/17, issued to FBS Markets Inc. This licence appears in the CySEC public register. FBS has been operating since 2009 — 17 years. Scam operations do not maintain long-term regulated status.
The CySEC registration
| Regulator | CySEC |
| Licence number | 331/17 ✓ |
| Registered entity | FBS Markets Inc |
| Status | Authorised |
| Register | www.cysec.gov.cy |
| Years regulated | 17+ |
What CySEC regulation means for you
CySEC-regulated brokers must keep client funds segregated, provide negative balance protection under ESMA rules, and contribute to the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), which covers up to €20,000 per client.
All regulatory licences
FBS holds 2 regulatory licences across different jurisdictions. The entity that applies to your account depends on your country of residence.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity | Max leverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| CySEC | 331/17 | FBS Markets Inc | 1:30 max |
| IFSC | 000102/6 | FBS Inc | 1:3000 max |
How to verify FBS yourself
Go to www.cysec.gov.cy. Enter the licence number 331/17 or search by entity name FBS Markets Inc. The result should show the entity name, authorisation status, and the specific regulated activities it is permitted to conduct.
This takes under a minute. If a broker cannot be found on the relevant regulator's register, that is a serious warning sign. All legitimate regulated brokers appear there.
Common complaints and what they mean
Most complaints about FBS fall into standard categories: withdrawal processing times, spread widening during news events, and account verification requests. These are normal business practices, not indicators of fraud.
None of these patterns indicate fraud. They are the normal complaints of a commercial brokerage enforcing its terms. Real forex scams operate without any regulatory licence, refuse all withdrawals, and disappear with client funds. That is not the profile of FBS.
Red flags that would indicate a real scam
When researching any broker, watch for these genuine warning signs:
- No licence number listed, or a licence that cannot be found on the official register
- Pressure to deposit more money to unlock withdrawals
- Promises of guaranteed returns or "risk-free" trading
- Platform that only shows profits, never losses
- No physical address or contact information
- Licence from a regulator you have never heard of that has no official website
None of these apply to FBS. Its CySEC licence 331/17 is publicly verifiable, it has disclosed offices in Belize City, Belize, and it has operated continuously since 2009.
Frequently asked questions
Is FBS safe to deposit money with?
FBS is CySEC-regulated and client funds are held in segregated accounts. EU clients are covered by the ICF up to €20,000. This does not eliminate trading risk, but it protects funds from broker insolvency.
Why do people ask if FBS is a scam?
Most forex scam searches come from traders who lost money trading. CFD trading is high-risk — 76% of FBS retail clients lose money. Losing money on a legitimate platform does not make it a scam. Scams refuse all withdrawals and disappear. FBS has processed billions in withdrawals over 17 years of operation.
Is FBS regulated in my country?
FBS holds licences covering 66 countries across 2 regulatory jurisdictions. The entity serving your account depends on your country. Check the full licence table above to find which entity applies to your region.
What happens to my money if FBS goes bankrupt?
CySEC-regulated brokers must hold client funds in segregated bank accounts entirely separate from company operating funds. EU clients have ICF compensation up to €20,000.