FBS List of Supported & Banned Countries

FBS is a globally recognised forex and CFD broker that has been serving millions of traders since its founding in 2009. The broker has built a strong reputation for its diverse product offerings, competitive trading conditions, and multi-jurisdictional regulation. With a presence in over 150 countries and more than 27 million clients, FBS stands as a significant player in the online trading industry. However, due to various regulatory obligations and internal policies, FBS does not serve clients in all regions.

In this article, we will explore a list of supported and banned countries by FBS. We will also look at some alternatives for traders in restricted regions.

FBS List of Supported Countries

FBS operates under several regulatory licenses, allowing it to legally serve clients in various regions. Below is a breakdown of FBS’s regulatory jurisdictions and the types of countries where it accepts clients:

Not sure if FBS accepts traders from your country? Try opening an account. If this works, they welcome traders from your country

73.7% of retail CFD accounts lose money

ASIC

Australia -  Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) under license number 426359. This allows FBS to offer services to Australian clients. 

FSC

Belize - FBS Markets Inc. is regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Belize under license number 000102/31. This license allows FBS to accept clients from many countries globally, excluding those in restricted jurisdictions.

FSCA

South Africa - FBS (Trade Stone SA) also holds a license from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa, license number 50885. This expands its reach into the African market.

FBS List of Banned or Restricted Countries

Despite its broad international reach, FBS does not offer services to residents of certain countries. This can be due to regulatory limitations, international sanctions, or internal policy decisions. As of now, FBS does not accept clients from certain jurisdictions, including but not limited to:

• Afghanistan
• Cuba
• Eritrea
• European Economic Area (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Guadeloupe (France), French Guiana (France), Martinique (France), Réunion(France), Madeira (Portugal), Azores (Portugal), Islas Canarias (Spain), Aruba (Netherlands), Curaçao (Netherlands), Saint Barthélemy (France), Greenland (Denmark), Mayotte, New Caledonia, Faroe islands, Greenland)
• Honduras
• Iran
• Iraq
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Libya
• Liechtenstein
• Myanmar
• North Korea
• Palestine
• Russian Federation
• Serbia
• South Korea
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Syrian Arab Republic
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

The list has been sourced from the official Terms and Conditions page on FBS.com, operated by FBS Markets Inc. This list can be subject to change as regulations and internal policies evolve. Therefore, the most reliable way to ascertain if FBS accepts clients from a specific country is to visit their official website. 

Note for EEA traders: Although traders from most EEA countries are restricted from using FBS.com (operated by FBS Markets Inc.), it’s important to note that FBS also runs fbs.eu, a separate entity regulated by the CySEC and operated by Tradestone Ltd, which is specifically designed for clients within the European Economic Area. This version of the broker operates under different regulatory conditions and offers a distinct set of trading terms.

What FBS Offers

FBS offers its traders a diverse collection of trading instruments, including over 550 different assets. Clients can trade CFDs on forex, metals, indices, energies, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. This allows investors to diversify their portfolios as they see fit. To access these markets, FBS provides clients with a selection of industry-leading trading platforms. These include MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its own FBS App.

Regarding spreads, FBS offers two main account types tailored to different trading needs. Both the Standard and the Cent account offer spreads from as low as 0.7 pips with no commission charged. However, note that the availability of the Cent account may vary depending on the region of a trader.

As detailed above, FBS operates under the regulation of several financial authorities. These include the ASIC in Australia, the FSCA in South Africa, and the FSC in Belize. This multi-regulatory structure is part of the reason why FBS has grown into one of the largest brokers in the world.

67.71% of retail CFD accounts lose money

Top-Tier Alternatives to FBS

For traders in countries not supported by FBS, or for those looking for alternatives, there are several brokers offering comparable trading conditions and services. Notable options include:

HFM (For Traders in Eligible Markets Worldwide)

HFM is a reliable broker for traders across eligible markets, offering access to over 1,200 tradable instruments, including CFDs on forex, indices, metals, energies, bonds, stocks, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and ETFs. Traders can execute their strategies on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, or HFM’s proprietary platform, all designed for smooth and efficient trading.

HFM provides a range of account types to suit different trading approaches. Standard accounts: Premium, Cent, and Top-Up Bonus, offer spreads from 1.0–1.4 pips with no commissions. Pro and Pro-Plus accounts deliver tighter spreads from 0.5 and 0.2 pips, also commission-free. For those who prefer raw spreads, the Zero Spread account starts at 0.0 pips and charges a $3 commission per lot per side.

The broker is fully regulated, holding licenses from reputable authorities such as the FSCA in South Africa, DFSA in Dubai, and CMA in Kenya. HFM also hosts regular trading webinars, supports copy trading, and allows clients to choose their preferred account base currency for added flexibility.

Trading Forex and CFDs involves significant risk and may result in the loss of your capital.

Pepperstone (Alternative for UK, EU, AU and International Traders)

Similar to FBS, Pepperstone offers a deep collection of market products, including over 1,400 products. These include CFDs on forex, indices, sector indices, equities, commodities, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. There are five different trading platforms traders can use, providing great flexibility to clients. These include MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, cTrader, and the Pepperstone Trading Platform. 

Pepperstone provides competitive pricing with two primary account types available. The Standard account features spreads from as low as 1.0 pips with no commission charged. In contrast, the Razor account offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips plus a commission depending on the trading platform a person uses.

For clients using MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5, the commission is $3.5, €2.6, £2.25, or CHF 3.3 per side per lot, based on the account currency. Clients trading on TradingView or the Pepperstone Trading Platform pay a commission of $3.5 per side per lot. For those using cTrader, the commission is slightly lower at $3.00 per side per lot. For non-USD accounts on TradingView, cTrader, or the Pepperstone Trading Platform, commissions are automatically converted to the account’s currency using the current spot exchange rate.

Pepperstone is a well-established broker with a presence in 174 countries, known for its strong regulatory framework. It holds licenses from several respected financial authorities, ensuring transparency and compliance, including the FCA in the UK, the ASIC in Australia, the CySEC in Cyprus, the BaFin in Germany, and the CMA in Kenya, among others. Its competitive pricing and strong regulatory oversight make it an appealing option for traders of all experience levels.

73.7% of retail CFD accounts lose money

Exness (For Traders in Eligible Markets Worldwide)

Exness is a globally recognized broker with a strong presence in African, Asian, and Latin American markets, serving traders from over 130 countries. This broker is under the regulation of multiple reputable financial authorities, including the FSCA in South Africa, FCA in the UK, CySEC in Cyprus, CMA in Kenya, and FSC in Mauritius, among others.

Exness offers access to over 250 different trading instruments via CFDs. These include forex, energies, cryptocurrencies, stocks, metals, and indices. You can trade these instruments on various platforms including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, the Exness Trader platform, and Exness Trade App.

Further, traders can select from five account types: two standard and three professional. The Standard account has spreads starting at 0.2 pips, while the Standard Cent account begins at 0.3 pips, both with no commissions. For even tighter pricing, the Pro account offers spreads as low as 0.1 pips and is also commission-free.

The Raw Spread account delivers ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips, with a commission of up to $3.50 per side per lot. Finally, the Zero account also features spreads from 0.0 pips on the top 30 instruments, with commissions starting from just $0.05 per side per lot.

Your capital is at risk. Leveraged products may not be suitable for everyone.

Closing Remarks

FBS stands as a globally respected broker, offering a wide array of trading instruments, competitive account types, and access to advanced platforms. It offers these features all under the watchful eye of multiple regulatory bodies. With services available in over 150 countries, FBS has become a trusted name among millions of traders worldwide. However, due to regulatory obligations and internal compliance policies, FBS does not offer its services to some countries.

For traders located in these restricted regions, alternatives like Pepperstone, Forex.com, and Exness provide excellent options. Each of these brokers has unique strengths in regulation, pricing, and platform diversity. Needless to say, there are many other reputable brokers operating in many regions that we have not mentioned here. Always ensure that your broker is regulated, transparent, and offers the services you need for successful trading.