Is FXTM a Scam or Legit?
FXTM holds a valid CySEC licence. The number is public and verifiable.
FXTM is regulated under CySEC licence 185/12, issued to Forextime Ltd. This licence appears in the CySEC public register. FXTM has been operating since 2011 — 15 years. Scam operations do not maintain long-term regulated status.
The CySEC registration
| Regulator | CySEC |
| Licence number | 185/12 ✓ |
| Registered entity | Forextime Ltd |
| Status | Authorised |
| Register | www.cysec.gov.cy |
| Years regulated | 15+ |
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
FXTM holds 5 regulatory licences across different jurisdictions. The entity that applies to your account depends on your country of residence.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity | Max leverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| CySEC | 185/12 | Forextime Ltd | 1:30 max |
| FCA | 777911 | Forextime UK Ltd | 1:30 max |
| FSCA | 46614 | Forextime South Africa | 1:400 max |
| CMA | 2610 | Forextime Kenya | 1:400 max |
| FSC | GB19425494 | Exinity Ltd | 1:2000 max |
How to verify FXTM yourself
Go to www.cysec.gov.cy. Enter the licence number 185/12 or search by entity name Forextime Ltd. 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
FXTM complaints typically involve the bonus withdrawal restrictions and leverage differences between the EU entity (1:30) and offshore entity (up to 1:1000). Traders who open accounts expecting high leverage and receive 1:30 under CySEC are sometimes surprised.
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 FXTM.
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 FXTM. Its CySEC licence 185/12 is publicly verifiable, it has disclosed offices in Limassol, Cyprus, and it has operated continuously since 2011.
Frequently asked questions
Is FXTM safe to deposit money with?
FXTM 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 FXTM is a scam?
Most forex scam searches come from traders who lost money trading. CFD trading is high-risk — 73% of FXTM retail clients lose money. Losing money on a legitimate platform does not make it a scam. Scams refuse all withdrawals and disappear. FXTM has processed billions in withdrawals over 15 years of operation.
Is FXTM regulated in my country?
FXTM holds licences covering 47 countries across 5 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 FXTM 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.