The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a warning against Global Crest Markets, an entity operating via the website www.goldcrestmarkets.com and described as being based in London, United Kingdom.
According to the FCA, Global Crest Markets is not authorised by the regulator and may be providing or promoting financial services or products in the UK without the required permission. The FCA also states that the firm may be targeting people in the UK, raising concerns about potential risks to consumers who engage with it.
Unauthorised status and regulatory concerns
The FCA emphasises that Global Crest Markets does not have its authorisation to conduct regulated financial activities. As a result, any financial services or products the firm offers or promotes may be operating outside the UK regulatory framework. The warning highlights that consumers who choose to deal with firms that lack FCA authorisation may face significant risks if problems arise.
The regulator underlines that dealing with an unauthorised firm means there is no oversight by the FCA of the firm’s conduct or financial soundness. This can leave customers exposed if the firm fails to meet its obligations, engages in misconduct, or ceases trading.
Consumer protections not available
The FCA notes that consumers who have dealings with Global Crest Markets will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service should they wish to make a complaint. In addition, they will not be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if things go wrong, including if the firm goes out of business.
Without access to these safeguards, it is unlikely that affected consumers would be able to recover their money if the firm fails or is unable to meet its liabilities. The absence of these protections is presented by the FCA as a key risk associated with engaging with unauthorised firms.
FCA guidance to consumers
In its notice, the FCA advises consumers to deal only with financial firms that are authorised by the regulator. It encourages individuals to use the FCA Firm Checker to verify the authorisation status of any firm before entering into financial transactions or relationships.
The warning regarding Global Crest Markets and its website was first published by the FCA on 02/07/2026.
