Godo has become a new regulated participant in the European trading landscape after securing authorisation from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). The broker's move to establish a regulated presence in Cyprus contrasts with the prevailing trend among retail brokerages of shifting operations offshore.
The company was co-founded by Mohamed Ahmed and Ebieraja Alex, who previously held senior roles at AvaTrade's Dubai operations, serving as Chief Executive Officer and Head of Business Development, respectively. They left AvaTrade to launch Godo in 2021 under a licence from Mauritius, operating the business from a regional hub in Dubai.
Shift from offshore trend
Godo's decision to obtain CySEC regulation runs counter to a broader industry shift in which several retail brokerage operators have surrendered their EU or UK licences to focus solely on offshore jurisdictions. This movement has been driven in large part by increasingly strict oversight from European and UK regulators, including the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The offshore migration has involved brand entities such as Orbex, BDSwiss-linked units, HTFX, and FXDD. FXDD, for example, relinquished its regulatory licence in Malta in August in order to operate offshore. These developments illustrate the extent to which tighter regulatory regimes have influenced strategic decisions within the sector.
Continued demand for onshore regulation
Despite the broader outflow of brokers from European regulatory frameworks, a smaller but steady stream of firms continues to pursue onshore licences. For these brokers, authorisation in jurisdictions such as Cyprus is used to build credibility with regional clients and to operate under established regulatory standards.
Godo's entry as a CySEC-regulated broker underscores this countervailing trend, indicating that onshore European regulation remains an important component of the business model for certain retail brokers. The development highlights the ongoing divergence in strategic approaches within the sector, between those prioritising lighter offshore regimes and those seeking the perceived benefits of stricter, onshore supervision.
The information on Godo's regulatory status and the broader market context was published on 28/08/2026.
