Is GO Markets a Scam or Legit?
GO Markets holds a valid ASIC licence. The number is public and verifiable.
GO Markets is regulated under ASIC licence 254963, issued to GO Markets Pty Ltd. This licence appears in the ASIC public register. GO Markets has been operating since 2006 — 20 years. Scam operations do not maintain long-term regulated status.
The ASIC registration
| Regulator | ASIC |
| Licence number | 254963 ✓ |
| Registered entity | GO Markets Pty Ltd |
| Status | Authorised |
| Register | asic.gov.au |
| Years regulated | 20+ |
What ASIC regulation means for you
ASIC-regulated brokers must maintain segregated client funds, meet strict capital requirements, and comply with Australian financial services law. Australia does not have a government-backed compensation scheme like the FSCS, but ASIC enforces high conduct standards.
All regulatory licences
GO Markets holds 3 regulatory licences across different jurisdictions. The entity that applies to your account depends on your country of residence.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity | Max leverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASIC | 254963 | GO Markets Pty Ltd | 1:30 max |
| CySEC | 322/17 | GO Markets Societe Anonyme | 1:30 max |
| FSA | SD043 | GO Markets International Ltd | 1:500 max |
How to verify GO Markets yourself
Go to asic.gov.au. Enter the licence number 254963 or search by entity name GO Markets Pty 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
Most complaints about GO Markets 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 GO Markets.
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 GO Markets. Its ASIC licence 254963 is publicly verifiable, it has disclosed offices in Melbourne, Australia, and it has operated continuously since 2006.
Frequently asked questions
Is GO Markets safe to deposit money with?
GO Markets is ASIC-regulated and client funds are held in segregated accounts. ASIC requires segregated client funds and strict capital requirements. This does not eliminate trading risk, but it protects funds from broker insolvency.
Why do people ask if GO Markets is a scam?
Most forex scam searches come from traders who lost money trading. CFD trading is high-risk — 69% of GO Markets retail clients lose money. Losing money on a legitimate platform does not make it a scam. Scams refuse all withdrawals and disappear. GO Markets has processed billions in withdrawals over 20 years of operation.
Is GO Markets regulated in my country?
GO Markets holds licences covering 63 countries across 3 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 GO Markets goes bankrupt?
ASIC-regulated brokers must hold client funds in segregated bank accounts entirely separate from company operating funds. This means your deposits cannot be used to pay the broker's business creditors if it becomes insolvent.