We found 11 online brokers that are appropriate for Trading Investment.
Imagine investing your hard-earned money, only to find out the firm or brokerage you trusted has failed. That's where investor compensation schemes come in; they're designed to step up and protect you when things go wrong. Think of them as a financial safety net for investors facing unexpected losses under specific circumstances.
If a regulated financial firm goes bankrupt or is involved in fraud, an investor compensation scheme may provide compensation to eligible investors. These schemes operate in countries with well-regulated financial markets, such as the UK, Europe, and Australia. For example, the UK’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects up to GBP 85,000 per account holder, while similar schemes in Europe are governed by EU directives and typically cover up to EUR 100,000. In Australia, the Financial Claims Scheme (FCS) offers protection for deposits up to AUD 250,000. When a regulated firm fails, the scheme steps in to cover eligible claims, which can be submitted by providing details of investments and losses. Claims are often processed within a few months, but complex cases might take longer. For example, the FSCS aims to handle most claims within six months. Acting quickly is essential as some schemes have strict deadlines for submissions, and understanding the specific rules and limits in your region is crucial for successful claims.
In a notable case, Dot Russell from West Lothian was misled into transferring her defined benefit pension into a cash lump sum by an unqualified financial adviser. This resulted in a significant financial loss of £277,000 from her retirement savings. Fortunately, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) intervened and awarded her £85,000 in compensation, the maximum amount available under the scheme for such cases. This example underscores the importance of seeking qualified financial advice and highlights the role of the FSCS in providing a safety net for investors affected by financial misconduct. Heres the original article: I've lost £277k for my retirement after being tricked into huge pension mistake.
Compensation schemes are designed to protect investors who have placed their money with financial firms properly regulated by relevant financial authorities. To be eligible, the firm must comply with strict regulatory standards set by governing bodies in your country or region.
If you invest with an unregulated firm, or one not licensed to operate in the market, your investment may not be covered. Always check the regulatory status of any firm before investing to ensure you're protected.
Most compensation schemes cover a range of common financial products, including:
However, note that high-risk or non-traditional investments, such as certain derivatives or cryptocurrencies, may not qualify for compensation.
If a firm fails, you can submit a claim to the relevant compensation scheme. They’ll assess your claim to determine eligibility and the amount you’re entitled to receive. Be prepared to provide documentation proving your investments.
If eligible, the scheme will reimburse a portion of your losses. Coverage caps include:
These schemes don't cover losses from normal market fluctuations or poor investment decisions. They are designed to protect you from losses caused by the firm’s insolvency or fraud, not market risks.
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects consumers in the UK if a financial services firm fails. The FSCS covers a wide range of financial products, including savings, investments, and insurance, and compensates up to GBP85,000 per person, per firm.
The European Union has established investor protection through the Investor Compensation Schemes Directive (ICSD). Each EU member state has its own compensation scheme, with most covering up to EUR20,000 per investor if a firm fails. For example, in Germany, the Entschädigungseinrichtung der Wertpapierhandelsunternehmen (EdW) offers compensation for investors.
For more details on EU investor protection, visit the official ESMA website.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) runs the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in Australia, which protects investors when financial services firms fail. Investors can claim compensation for up to $1 million, depending on the type of financial service and the amount invested.
In Asia, compensation schemes vary by country. For example, Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) offers compensation to investors if a licensed firm fails. Similarly, Hong Kong's Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) protects investors up to HK$500,000 for losses incurred due to a licensed firm's insolvency.
Eligibility Criteria: Each scheme has clear rules about what investments and investors are covered. For example, in the UK, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) may protect deposits up to GBP85,000 per account holder, while in Europe, the coverage under similar schemes is typically EUR100,000. High-risk products like certain derivatives might not be eligible.
Compensation Limits: Compensation is often capped, and the limit varies depending on the country or scheme. The FCS Australian Financial Claims Scheme has protection to AUD 250,000 per account holder, whereas the FSCS in the UK has a limit of GBP85,000. These caps might not fully cover your losses, so it’s important to understand the specifics of your scheme.
Funding: These schemes are typically funded by contributions from financial firms. For example, the FSCS is financed through levies on financial services providers. In some cases, there may be additional funding sources, such as government backstops, to cover large claims.
Time Limits: Most schemes have deadlines for submitting claims. For instance, under the FSCS, claims generally need to be submitted within six years of the date of the financial loss. Missing the deadline could forfeit your chance for compensation.
Subrogation: After paying compensation, the scheme may try to recover funds by pursuing the failed firm's remaining assets. This ensures that the scheme can recover part of the payout, minimizing the burden on other contributors.
While investor compensation schemes aim to protect investors, they have limitations that can reduce their effectiveness:
In economic downturns, funding collected from financial firms might not suffice to cover large-scale claims. For example, during financial crises, schemes like the FSCS or European equivalents may face delays in processing payments due to insufficient reserves.
With rapidly evolving financial regulations, schemes often struggle to keep up. For example, cross-border investments in Europe require coordination among member states, which can lead to inefficiencies in managing claims under EU directives.
Fraudulent activities such as Ponzi schemes or investment scams have become more sophisticated. In the UK, cases like the London Capital & Finance collapse overwhelmed the FSCS with claims, causing delays and frustration among investors.
Complex claim procedures and limited staffing can result in slow payouts. In Australia, investors in failed financial firms have reported long wait times for compensation under the FCS due to administrative bottlenecks.
Not all investment products are covered. For instance, CFDs (Contracts for Difference) and certain cryptocurrencies might fall outside the scope of many compensation schemes, leaving investors exposed. It’s crucial to verify what is and isn’t covered before investing.
Schemes must balance safeguarding investors with maintaining industry stability. Overly generous compensation might encourage reckless behavior by firms, knowing they are backed by the scheme.
Here’s how investors in the UK, Europe, and Australia can leverage compensation schemes effectively:
Research the Firm:
Verify the firm's regulatory status. For example, check the FCA register in the UK, ASIC's Financial Services Register in Australia, or your country’s equivalent. Ensure the firm complies with financial standards and has a stable financial outlook.
Diversify Your Portfolio:
Reduce risk by investing across different asset classes. For instance, a portfolio with GBP10,000 might include GBP4,000 in FTSE 100 stocks, EUR3,000 in European ETFs, and AUD 3,000 in Australian government bonds.
Seek Expert Advice:
Engage a licensed financial advisor. For example, an advisor might recommend splitting an investment of GBP50,000 between equities, fixed income, and property funds based on your risk tolerance and goals.
Monitor Regularly:
Review your portfolio at least quarterly. If your GBP20,000 investment in European real estate ETFs underperforms, consider reallocating to higher-growth sectors like technology or renewable energy.
Avoid 'Too Good to Be True Offers':
Be cautious of opportunities promising returns like 20% per month. Instead, opt for realistic investments such as UK dividend stocks offering 4-5% annual yields.
Keep Records:
Maintain organized records of transactions. For example, keep PDFs of your monthly investment statements and receipts of your GBP5,000 ETF purchase for easy access in case of disputes or claims.
Investor compensation schemes are a fantastic backup, but they're not a substitute for smart investing. By staying informed, taking calculated risks, and consulting professionals, you can build a more secure financial future. Use these schemes as an extra layer of protection, not your main plan, and you'll be in a better position to weather any financial storm.
We have conducted extensive research and analysis on over multiple data points on Investor Compensation Schemes to present you with a comprehensive guide that can help you find the most suitable Investor Compensation Schemes. Below we shortlist what we think are the best Investment after careful consideration and evaluation. We hope this list will assist you in making an informed decision when researching Investor Compensation Schemes.
Selecting a reliable and reputable online Investment trading brokerage involves assessing their track record, regulatory status, customer support, processing times, international presence, and language capabilities. Considering these factors, you can make an informed decision and trade Investment more confidently.
Selecting the right online Investment trading brokerage requires careful consideration of several critical factors. Here are some essential points to keep in mind:
Our team have listed brokers that match your criteria for you below. All brokerage data has been summarised into a comparison table. Scroll down.
When choosing a broker for Investment trading, it's essential to compare the different options available to you. Our Investment brokerage comparison table below allows you to compare several important features side by side, making it easier to make an informed choice.
By comparing these essential features, you can choose a Investment broker that best suits your needs and preferences for Investment. Our Investment broker comparison table simplifies the process, allowing you to make a more informed decision.
Here are the top Investment.
Compare Investment brokers for min deposits, funding, used by, benefits, account types, platforms, and support levels. When searching for a Investment broker, it's crucial to compare several factors to choose the right one for your Investment needs. Our comparison tool allows you to compare the essential features side by side.
All brokers below are Investment. Learn more about what they offer below.
You can scroll left and right on the comparison table below to see more Investment that accept Investment clients.
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IC Markets
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Roboforex
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eToro
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XTB
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XM
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Pepperstone
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AvaTrade
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FP Markets
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EasyMarkets
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SpreadEx
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FXPro
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Regulation | Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) (SD018) | RoboForex Lid is regulated by Belize FSC, License No. 000138/7, reg. number 000001272. RoboForex Ltd, which is an (A category) member of The Financial Commission, also is a participant of its Compensation Fund | FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) eToro (UK) Ltd (FCA reference 583263), eToro (Europe) Ltd CySEC (Cyprus Securities Exchange Commission), ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) eToro AUS Capital Limited ASIC license 491139, CySec (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission under the license 109/10), FSAS (Financial Services Authority Seychelles) eToro (Seychelles) Ltd license SD076 | FCA (Financial Conduct Authority reference 522157), CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission reference 169/12), FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority), XTB AFRICA (PTY) LTD licensed to operate in South Africa, KPWiG (Polish Securities and Exchange Commission), DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority), DIFC (Dubai International Financial Center), CNMV (Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores), KNF (Komisja Nadzoru Finansowego), IFSC (Belize International Financial Services Commission license number IFSC/60/413/TS/19) | Financial Services Commission (FSC) (000261/4) XM ZA (Pty) Ltd, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) (license 120/10) Trading Point of Financial Instruments Ltd, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) (number 443670) Trading Point of Financial Instruments Pty Ltd | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Capital Markets Authority of Kenya (CMA), Pepperstone Markets Limited is incorporated in The Bahamas (number 177174 B), Licensed by the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB) number SIA-F217 | Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Ava Capital Markets Australia Pty Ltd (406684), South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) Ava Capital Markets Pty Ltd (45984), Financial Services Agency (Japan FSA) Ava Trade Japan K.K. (1662), Financial Futures Association of Japan (FFAJ),, FFAJ, Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM)(190018) Ava Trade Middle East Ltd (190018), Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) AVA Trade EU Ltd, Central Bank of Ireland (C53877) AVA Trade EU Ltd, British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVI) BVI (SIBA/L/13/1049), Israel Securities Association (ISA) (514666577) ATrade Ltd, Financial Regulatory Services Authority (FRSA) | CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission) (371/18), ASIC AFS (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) (286354), FSP (Financial Sector Conduct Authority in South Africa) (50926), Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) (130) | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) (079/07) Easy Forex Trading Ltd, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) (Easy Markets Pty Ltd 246566), British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVI) EF Worldwide Ltd (SIBA/L/20/1135), Financial Sector Conduct Authority South Africa (FSA) EF Worldwide (PTY) Ltd (54018), FSC (Financial Services Commission) (SIBA/L/20/1135), FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority) (54018) | FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) (190941), Gambling Commission (Great Britain) (8835) | FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) (509956), CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission) (078/07), FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority) (45052), SCB (Securities Commission of The Bahamas) (SIA-F184), FSA (Financial Services Authority of Seychelles) (SD120) |
Min Deposit | 200 | 10 | 50 | No minimum deposit | 5 | No minimum deposit | 100 | 100 | 25 | No minimum deposit | 100 |
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Used By | 200,000+ | 730,000+ | 35,000,000+ | 1,000,000+ | 10,000,000+ | 400,000+ | 400,000+ | 200,000+ | 250,000+ | 60,000+ | 7,800,000+ |
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Platforms | MT5, MT4, MetaTrader WebTrader, Mobile Apps, iOS (App Store), Android (Google Play), MetaTrader iPhone/iPad, MetaTrader Android Google Play, MetaTrader Mac, cTrader, cTrader Web, cTrader iPhone/iPad, cTrader iMac, cTrader Android Google Play, cTrader Automate, cTrader Copy Trading, TradingView, Virtual Private Server, Trading Servers, MT4 Advanced Trading Tools, IC Insights, Trading Central | MT4, MT5, R Mobile Trader, R StocksTrader, WebTrader, Mobile Apps, iOS (App Store), Android (Google Play), Windows | eToro Trading App, Mobile Apps, iOS (App Store), Android (Google Play), CopyTrading, Web | MT4, Mirror Trader, Web Trader, Tablet, Mobile Apps, iOS (App Store), Android (Google Play) | MT5, MT5 WebTrader, XM Apple App for iPhone, XM App for Android Google Play, Tablet: MT5 for iPad, MT5 for Android Google Play, XM App for iPad, XM App for iOS (App Store), Android (Google Play), Mobile Apps | MT4, MT5, cTrader,WebTrader, TradingView, Windows, Mobile Apps, iOS (App Store), Android (Google Play) | MT4, MT5, Web Trading, AvaTrade App, AvaOptions, Mac Trading, AvaSocial, Mobile Apps, iOS (App Store), Android (Google Play) | MT4, MT5, TradingView, cTrader, WebTrader, Mobile Trader, Mobile Apps, iOS (App Store), Android (Google Play) | easyMarkets App, Mobile Apps, iOS (App Store), Android (Google Play), Web Platform, TradingView, MT4, MT5 | Web, Mobile Apps, iOS (App Store), Android (Google Play), iPad App, iPhone App, TradingView | MT4, MT5, cTrader, FxPro WebTrader, FxPro Mobile Apps, iOS (App Store), Android (Google Play) |
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Risk Warning | Losses can exceed deposits | Losses can exceed deposits | 51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. | 69% - 83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. | CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74.12% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. | 75-95 % of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs | 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider | Losses can exceed deposits | Your capital is at risk | Losses can exceed deposits | 75.78% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs and Spread Betting with this provider |
Demo |
IC Markets Demo |
Roboforex Demo |
eToro Demo |
XTB Demo |
XM Demo |
Pepperstone Demo |
AvaTrade Demo |
FP Markets Demo |
easyMarkets Demo |
SpreadEx Demo |
FxPro Demo |
Excluded Countries | US, IR, CA, NZ, JP | AU, BE, BQ, BR, CA, CW, CZ, DE, ES, EE, EU, FM, FR, FI, GW, ID, IR, JP, LR, MP, NL, PF, PL, RU, SE, SJ, SS, SL, SI, TL, TR, DO, US, IT, AT, PT, BG, HR, CY, DK, FL, GR, IE, LV, LT, MT, RO, SK, CH | ZA, ID, IR, KP, BE, CA, JP, SY, TR, IL, BY, AL, MD, MK, RS, GN, CD, SD, SA, ZW, ET, GH, TZ, LY, UG, ZM, BW, RW, TN, SO, NA, TG, SL, LR, GM, DJ, CI, PK, BN, TW, WS, NP, SG, VI, TM, TJ, UZ, LK, TT, HT, MM, BT, MH, MV, MG, MK, KZ, GD, FJ, PT, BB, BM, BS, AG, AI, AW, AX, LB, SV, PY, HN, GT, PR, NI, VG, AN, CN, BZ, DZ, MY, KH, PH, VN, EG, MN, MO, UA, JO, KR, AO, BR, HR, GL, IS, IM, JM, FM, MC, NG, SI, | US, IN, PK, BD, NG , ID, BE, AU | US, CA, IL, IR | AF, AS, AQ, AM, AZ, BY, BE, BZ, BT, BA, BI, CM, CA, CF, TD, CG, CI, ER, GF, PF, GP, GU, GN, GW, GY, HT, VA, IR, IQ, JP, KZ, LB, LR, LY, ML, MQ, YT, MZ, MM, NZ, NI, KP, PS, PR, RE, KN, LC, VC, WS, SO, GS, KR, SS, SD, SR, SY, TJ, TN, TM, TC, US, VU, VG, EH, ES, YE, ZW, ET | BE, BR, KP, NZ, TR, US, CA, SG | US, JP, NZ | US, IL, BC, MB, QC, ON, AF, BY, BI, KH, KY, TD, KM, CG, CU, CD, GQ, ER, FJ, GN, GW, HT, IR, IQ, LA, LY, MZ, MM, NI, KP, PW, PA, RU, SO, SS, SD, SY, TT, TM, VU, VE, YE | US, TR | US, CA, IR |
You can compare Investment ratings, min deposits what the the broker offers, funding methods, platforms, spread types, customer support options, regulation and account types side by side.
We also have an indepth Top Investment for 2025 article further below. You can see it now by clicking here
We have listed top Investment below.
eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.
Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
This communication is intended for information and educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or investment recommendation. Past performance is not an indication of future results.
Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
Copy trading is a portfolio management service, provided by eToro (Europe) Ltd., which is authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.
Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in some EU countries. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.
Don't invest unless you're prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.
eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared by our partner utilizing publicly available non-entity specific information about eToro.