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  1. Regulators
  2. /
  3. MFSA
Malta Financial Services Authority official logo
Onshore

MFSAMalta Financial Services Authority

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) is the financial services regulator in Malta, licensing banks, financial institutions, insurers, insurance intermediaries, investment services providers, trustees and pension providers. A firm can be checked on the MFSA financial services register before you open an account, and complaints about a licensed firm are heard by the Office of the Arbiter for Financial Services, which can award up to 250,000 EUR per complainant. The clock matters: the complaint must be put in writing to the provider within two years of the day you first had knowledge of the matter, and the provider has 15 working days to send a final reply. The route reaches MFSA-licensed providers only, including firms whose licence was later suspended or withdrawn.

  • AboutReading now
  • Overview metrics
  • Advanced metrics
  • Performance
  • About & how to use
    • How to verify a licence
    • How to complain
    • Jurisdiction & scope
    • What is protected
    • Using this regulator
    • Good to know
  • Key insights & tips
    • Search by the registered name written in full
    • Licensed firms must publish an internal complaints procedure
    • Two years to write to the firm, 15 working days for its reply
    • Banking, insurance, investment services, trusts and pensions
    • MFSA authorisation is the boundary of the complaint route
    • Malta's designated ADR entity for financial services
    • A micro-enterprise means fewer than 10 staff and 2,000,000 EUR
    • Chapter 555 has been in force since 18 April 2016
  • Documents examined
  • Licensed brokers
Report progress
Total sections8
Read1
AboutOverview metricsAdvanced metricsPerformanceAbout & how to use

About this information

The details on this page about Malta Financial Services Authority were compiled from the regulator’s own official documents, its website and other public sources, and are presented as neutral, factual guidance.

If you believe something here is inaccurate, or you spot a critical problem, please let us know via Contact us.

Country
Malta
Jurisdiction
Government Reg.
Established in
2002
License search is not available for this regulator
Forex Regulation

Performance Metrics

Regulator Performance Overview

84
Overall Rating
158
Licensed Brokers
High
Transparency Index
Tier 2
Global Tier
IOSCO Member
FATF Member

Overview

Key Performance Indicators

Total Rating

500

Total cumulative score across all categories
Average Rating

84

Average score across all performance metrics
Years Active

24

Years of regulatory operation
Active Licenses

158

Currently active licenses
Regulated Instruments

5

Types of financial instruments
Geographical Coverage

1

Countries under jurisdiction

Client Protection Details

Client Fund Insurance

Insurance coverage protecting client deposits and funds

✓
Status:Up to €20000 (ICF)
Coverage: Up to €20000 (ICF)

Account Managed Separately

Requirement for client funds to be held separately from company funds

✗
Status:

Operational Metrics

compliance
Transparency Level

High

market
Market Position

Tier 2

Compliance Status

IOSCO Membership
Member of International Organization of Securities Commissions
✓ Compliant
FATF Membership
Financial Action Task Force compliance
✓ Compliant

Advanced Metrics

Licensing Information

License Types
Types of licenses available from this regulator

Investment Services Licence (Cat 2/3)

Cost to Obtain
Estimated costs for obtaining a license

€50000-100000

Regulatory Performance Scores

Detailed assessment of regulatory capabilities and effectiveness

Good
83SCORE
Overall Rating
1
Excellent
17
Excellence Rate
100
Highest Score

Regulatory Support Features

Negative Balance Protection
Supported
Investment Professional
Not Supported
Account Managed Separately
Not Supported

Core Performance Metrics

Detailed breakdown of the 6 key regulatory performance indicators

License Value

Value and prestige of licenses issued by this regulator

80
out of 100
Good
Regulatory

Effectiveness of regulatory framework and enforcement

80
out of 100
Good

Performance Summary

This regulator shows good performance with an overall score of 84.

Strongest performance in Client Fund Insurance Rating

Transparency Level: high

Global Tier: tier2

IOSCO Member
FATF Member
84
Overall

About and how to use Malta Financial Services Authority

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) is the financial services regulator in Malta, licensing banks, financial institutions, insurers, insurance intermediaries, investment services providers, trustees and pension providers. A firm can be checked on the MFSA financial services register before you open an account, and complaints about a licensed firm are heard by the Office of the Arbiter for Financial Services, which can award up to 250,000 EUR per complainant. The clock matters: the complaint must be put in writing to the provider within two years of the day you first had knowledge of the matter, and the provider has 15 working days to send a final reply. The route reaches MFSA-licensed providers only, including firms whose licence was later suspended or withdrawn.

How to verify a licence

Open the MFSA financial services register at https://www.mfsa.mt/financial-services-register/ and search for the firm before you deposit anything. Search the full legal name exactly as it appears on your contract or account statement, not a trading abbreviation or a brand name: Malta's official complaint guidance states the provider's name should be written correctly, in full and not abbreviated. If the name does not come up, compare it against your product or service documentation, because a firm that cannot be found on the register may be authorised somewhere other than Malta, or may be recorded under a different registered name. A firm that was licensed at the time of the conduct but whose licence has since been suspended or withdrawn still appears within reach of the complaints route, so a lapsed permission does not by itself close your options.

How to complain

Complain in writing to the provider first. The provider must give a final response in writing within 15 working days of receiving the complaint, and in exceptional circumstances outside its control that reply cannot go beyond 35 working days. If the reply does not satisfy you, or nothing arrives once the 15 working days have passed, you take the complaint to the Office of the Arbiter for Financial Services, N/S in Regional Road, Msida MSD 1920, Malta, either online or on the printed complaint form. There is no charge. The whole route is time-limited: the Arbiter accepts a complaint only if it was registered in writing with the provider no later than two years from the day you first had knowledge of the matter. Once registered, the provider gets 20 calendar days to reply to the Office, both sides are invited to mediation, and if that fails the Arbiter holds at least one hearing and issues a written decision. Decisions bind both parties, with an appeal to the Court of Appeal (Inferior Jurisdiction) within 20 days of notification.

Jurisdiction and scope

The route covers providers licensed or authorised by the MFSA, which includes banks, financial institutions such as e-money institutions, insurance companies, insurance intermediaries, investment services providers such as financial advisers and stockbrokers, trustees and pension providers. It also reaches providers whose MFSA licence has since been suspended or withdrawn, so long as they were licensed during the period of the conduct complained of. It stops at the border of Maltese authorisation: a provider authorised in another EU or EEA Member State falls outside, and the Office refers such cases through FIN-NET rather than deciding them. Eligible complainants are natural persons, micro-enterprises, consumer associations under the Consumer Affairs Act (Cap. 378) and voluntary organisations under the Voluntary Organisations Act (Cap. 492).

What is protected

Two layers apply. Every MFSA-licensed provider is required by the regulator to run its own internal complaints handling procedure and make it available to customers, with complaints investigated by an employee of sufficient competence who was not directly involved in the matter. Above that, the Arbiter can direct a provider to pay compensation for loss of capital or income, up to 250,000 EUR per complainant for claims arising from the same conduct, together with interest and costs. Where fair compensation would require more, the Arbiter can recommend the provider pay the balance, and that recommendation does not bind the provider.

Using this regulator

Check the register before funding an account, and keep the exact registered name of the firm from the register with your records, because that is the name the complaint route works from. Keep every contract note, application form, fact-find, terms of business document and valuation statement: these are the documents asked for when an investment or pension complaint is filed. Act early. The two-year window runs from the day you first had knowledge of the matter, not from the day you gave up on the firm, so send a dated written complaint to the provider as soon as something looks wrong, by registered mail or to the email address named in the provider's complaints procedure, and keep the acknowledgement. Do not start a court case on the same subject matter first: a complaint that has already been before a court, tribunal or another dispute resolution body may be rejected. Complaints must be written in Maltese or English.

Good to know

This dossier covers licence verification, the complaints route, decision and award limits, and who is eligible to use it.

Key insights and tips

Check the firm on the MFSA financial services register first

Key

A broker's claim to be MFSA regulated is checkable in about a minute, and the same register decides whether any Maltese complaint route will be open to you later.

Malta's official complaint guidance tells a customer to check whether the provider is, or was, licensed by the regulator in Malta on the MFSA financial services register before taking any dispute further, and states that a name which cannot be found may belong to a provider that is not authorised in Malta.

Before you submit your complaint to us, please check whether the financial services provider you are complaining about is (or was) licensed by the regulator in Malta, click here to access the MFSA’s financial services register (external link).
Quoted in Step 2: Taking your complaint furtherRead the source
If you are unable to locate the name of your provider on the MFSA's online register, check your product or service documentation. You might be searching for a provider who is not authorised by the Maltese financial regulator (in which case, we would not be able to accept your complaint) or you may be writing it wrongly.
Quoted in Step 2: Taking your complaint furtherRead the source

Official documents examined

  • Complaints procedureOAFS EN Complaint Form 2024 fillable
    Fetched Sep 5, 2026View source
  • Official documentJFSA Call for Papers
    Fetched Sep 5, 2026View source
  • Licensing requirementsLicence Holder Portal (LH Portal)
    Fetched Sep 5, 2026View source
  • Annual reportAnnual Reports
    Fetched Sep 5, 2026View source
  • public register
  • license verification
  • scope of authorisation

Awards reach 250,000 EUR per complainant, plus interest and costs

Key

EUR 250000Investigation & Adjudication, Adjudication section

It sets the practical ceiling on what a Maltese complaint can recover for you, which matters if the amount at stake in your trading account is larger than that.

The Arbiter can make awards up to 250,000 EUR to each complainant for claims arising from the same conduct, together with any additional sum for interest due and other costs. Above that figure, the Arbiter can only recommend that the provider pay the balance, and the recommendation does not bind the provider.

The Arbiter is empowered to adjudicate and resolve disputes and, where appropriate, make awards up to €250,000, together with any additional sum for interest due and other costs, to each complainant for claims arising from the same conduct.
Quoted in Investigation & AdjudicationRead the source
The Arbiter may, if he considers that fair compensation requires payment of a larger amount than such award, recommend that the financial services provider pay the complainant the balance, but such recommendation shall not be binding on the service provider.
Quoted in Investigation & AdjudicationRead the source
  • retail clients
  • compensation
  • award limit

Two years to put the complaint in writing to the provider

Key

The clock starts when you first knew something was wrong, not when the firm stopped answering, so a dated written complaint sent early is what keeps the route open.

A complaint reaches the Arbiter only if it was registered in writing with the provider no later than two years from the day the customer first had knowledge of the matters complained of.

The Arbiter will accept a complaint if it is registered in writing with your provider by not later than two (2) years from the day on which you first had knowledge of the matters complained of.
Quoted in Step 1: Complain with your providerRead the source
  • retail clients
  • complaint deadline
  • time limit

Only MFSA-licensed providers fall inside the complaint route

Key

A firm that advertises a Malta address but holds no MFSA authorisation leaves you outside this route entirely, which is the difference between a binding decision and none at all.

Complaints are accepted only against providers licensed or authorised by the Malta Financial Services Authority, and the Office states plainly that it cannot take complaints against providers who are not authorised in Malta.

We can only accept complaints against providers who are licensed or authorised by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), the financial regulator in Malta.
Quoted in Step 2: Taking your complaint furtherRead the source
We cannot take complaints against providers who are not authorised in Malta.
QuotedRead the source
  • license verification
  • scope of authorisation
  • jurisdiction

Providers must give a final written reply in 15 working days

Key

15 working daysComplaint handling procedures, provider response section

Once 15 working days pass with no reply, you can go straight to the Arbiter without waiting for the firm any longer.

A provider must give the customer a final response in writing within 15 working days of receiving the complaint, and where exceptional circumstances outside its control cause a delay, the final reply must still arrive within 35 working days.

A provider is required to give the customer a final response in writing within 15 working days (around three weeks) from receipt of the complaint.
QuotedRead the source
However, the final reply from the provider must always be forthcoming within 35 working days (around seven weeks) from receipt of the complaint.
QuotedRead the source
  • complaint deadline
  • provider obligations

Using the registerSearch by the registered name written in full

The provider's name has to be written correctly, in full and not abbreviated. Trading brands rarely match the registered entity, so take the legal name from your contract or statement and search that. If nothing comes back, compare the name against your product documentation before concluding anything.

Search the register by the full name, not an abbreviation

Useful

Trading brands and abbreviations often differ from the registered entity name, and searching the brand instead of the legal name is the usual reason a licensed firm appears to be absent.

Official guidance on filing a complaint states that the provider must be licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority and that its name should be written correctly, in full and not abbreviated.

is against a financial services provider that is licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority (check the Authority's financial services register, available here). The provider's name in your complaint form should be written correctly, in full and not abbreviated.
Quoted in Step 3: Complain with usRead the source
  • public register
  • license verification

Firm-level dutiesLicensed firms must publish an internal complaints procedure

Every MFSA-licensed provider has to maintain its own internal complaints handling procedure and make it available to customers, with a senior member of staff responsible for it and the complaint reviewed by someone not involved in the matter. Firms are also expected to follow any rules, directives or guidelines the MFSA issues.

Every licensed firm must run an internal complaints procedure

Useful

You are entitled to a written procedure and a named senior contact at the firm itself, which is the first step you must complete before the Arbiter will look at anything.

Providers are required by the financial regulator to maintain their own internal complaints handling procedures and make them available to customers, and they are expected to follow any rules, directives or guidelines the Malta Financial Services Authority issues.

Providers are required by the financial regulator to have their own internal complaints handling procedures, and to make this available to their customers.
QuotedRead the source
Providers are also expected to adhere fully to any rules, directives, or guidelines which the Malta Financial Services Authority may issue from time to time.
QuotedRead the source
  • provider obligations
  • complaints handling
  • conduct rules

ComplainingTwo years to write to the firm, 15 working days for its reply

Two years from the day you first had knowledge of the matter is the outer limit for registering a written complaint with the provider. The firm then has 15 working days to give a final written response, and 35 working days at the very most. After that the complaint goes to the Office of the Arbiter for Financial Services at no charge, the firm gets 20 calendar days to answer, and the resulting decision binds both sides with 20 days to appeal.

Filing a complaint with the Arbiter carries no charge

Useful

Cost is not a reason to leave a dispute unresolved, and a complaint carries the same weight whether or not a lawyer files it for you.

There is no charge for submitting a complaint with the Office of the Arbiter for Financial Services, and legal representation is optional, though a complainant who appoints an adviser pays that adviser's fees.

There is no charge for submitting a complaint with us and our services are completely free.
Quoted in Step 3: Complain with usRead the source
  • retail clients
  • complaint route
  • fees

Decisions bind both sides, with 20 days to appeal

Useful

20 daysInvestigation & Adjudication, Decisions of the Arbiter

A decision in your favour is enforceable rather than advisory, and if the firm appeals you have a fixed and short window in which to respond.

A decision of the Arbiter binds both parties, subject only to appeal to the Court of Appeal (Inferior Jurisdiction), and an appeal must be lodged within 20 days of the date the decision is notified to the parties.

Decisions are binding on both parties, subject only to appeal to the Court of Appeal (Inferior Jurisdiction) [see below].
Quoted in Investigation & AdjudicationRead the source
Appeals are lodged with the Court of Appeal (Inferior Jurisdiction) within 20 days from the date when the decision is notified to the parties or, in the event that a request for clarification or correction of a decision, from the date when such interpretation or clarification or correction made by the Arbiter is notified to the parties;
Quoted in Investigation & AdjudicationRead the source
  • appeal deadline
  • binding decision

The firm gets 20 calendar days to answer a registered complaint

Useful

20 daysStep 4: How we handle your complaint, after registration

It gives you a realistic sense of pace after filing, and a firm that misses the deadline risks having a late submission ruled inadmissible.

Once a complaint is registered, it is sent to the provider, which has 20 calendar days from receiving it to submit a reply, after which both parties are invited to mediation.

Your complaint form and documentation will then be sent to your provider, who has 20 calendar days from receiving it to submit a reply.
Quoted in Step 4: How we handle your complaintRead the source
The provider has 20 calendar days from date of delivery of a complaint to submit its response to the OAFS.
QuotedRead the source
  • complaint route
  • provider obligations
  • timeline

A parallel court case can close the complaint route

Useful

It means the order matters: starting a court action or filing with another dispute body first can cost you the Maltese route on the same claim.

A complaint may be rejected where the same subject matter has been the subject of a law suit before a court or tribunal, or of a complaint lodged with another alternative dispute resolution entity in any other jurisdiction, initiated by the same complainant.

has not been the subject of a law suit before a court or tribunal, or a complaint lodged with another alternative dispute resolution entity (such as an Ombudsman) in any other jurisdiction, initiated by the complainant (or complainants) on the same subject matter.
Quoted in Step 3: Complain with usRead the source
  • complaint route
  • eligibility
  • court proceedings

What the licence coversBanking, insurance, investment services, trusts and pensions

Seven provider categories make up the Maltese regime: banks, financial institutions such as e-money institutions, insurance companies, insurance intermediaries, investment services providers such as financial advisers and stockbrokers, trustees and pension providers. Match the permission a firm claims against the category it should hold.

Investment advisers and stockbrokers sit under MFSA authorisation

Useful

It tells you which activity a Maltese licence is actually granted for, so you can match the permission a firm claims against the category it should hold.

The financial service providers within the Maltese regime are listed as banks, financial institutions such as e-money institutions, insurance companies, insurance intermediaries, investment services providers such as financial advisers and stockbrokers, trustees and pension providers.

Investment services providers (such as financial advisers and stockbrokers);
Quoted in Step 2: Taking your complaint furtherRead the source
  • scope of authorisation
  • licence categories
  • investment services

Where it stopsMFSA authorisation is the boundary of the complaint route

Only providers licensed or authorised by the MFSA fall inside, including firms whose licence was later suspended or withdrawn if they were licensed when the conduct occurred. A provider authorised in another EU or EEA Member State falls outside, and those cases are referred to the equivalent body in that country through FIN-NET.

Suspended and withdrawn licences remain within reach

Useful

If a broker loses its authorisation after the events you are disputing, your right to bring the complaint survives the loss of the licence.

The Arbiter can investigate complaints against providers whose MFSA licence has been suspended or withdrawn, provided the firm was licensed during the period of the conduct being complained of.

The Arbiter has the power to investigate complaints against providers whose licence has been suspended or withdrawn by the MFSA, but which were licensed during the period in relation to the provider’s conduct being complained of.
Quoted in Step 2: Taking your complaint furtherRead the source
  • public register
  • jurisdiction
  • licence withdrawal

Firms authorised elsewhere in the EU or EEA fall outside

Useful

A group that markets from Malta but books your account with an entity licensed in another Member State sends your complaint to that country's body, not to Malta.

A complaint against a provider authorised in another EU or EEA Member State cannot be taken by the Maltese Office, which instead helps identify the equivalent complaints body in the country where the provider is authorised.

If your complaint is against a provider who is authorised in another Member State of the EU and EEA, we would be unable to take your complaint.
QuotedRead the source
  • jurisdiction
  • cross border
  • fin net

Standing in the EUMalta's designated ADR entity for financial services

Legal Notice 137 of 2017 designated the Office of the Arbiter for Financial Services as Malta's ADR entity under Directive 2013/11/EU, and the Office belongs to FIN-NET. That places Maltese financial disputes inside the recognised EU out-of-court framework and gives a route to the equivalent body in other Member States.

Designated EU ADR entity and member of FIN-NET

Context

It means a dispute with a Maltese firm is handled inside the recognised EU out-of-court framework, and a dispute with a firm authorised elsewhere in the EU or EEA can be pointed to the equivalent body there.

Legal Notice 137 of 2017 appointed the Office of the Arbiter for Financial Services as Malta's ADR entity for financial services for the purposes of Directive 2013/11/EU, and the Office is a member of FIN-NET, the network of national bodies settling financial services complaints out of court.

By virtue of Legal Notice 137 of 2017 (Arbiter for Financial Services (Designation of ADR Entity) Regulations, 2017), the Minister for Finance, as the competent authority for the purposes of the ADR Directive, appointed the Office of the Arbiter for Financial Services as the ADR entity for financial services in Malta.
Quoted in Legal BasisRead the source
We are members of FIN-NET, the Europe-wide network of national organisations responsible for settling consumers’ financial services complaints out of court.
QuotedRead the source
  • cross border
  • adr
  • fin net

Who is eligibleA micro-enterprise means fewer than 10 staff and 2,000,000 EUR

2,000,000 EUR in turnover or balance sheet total, and fewer than 10 employees, is the line for a company complainant. Natural persons, consumer associations under Cap. 378 and voluntary organisations under Cap. 492 are also eligible. If you trade through a larger company, this route is not open to you.

A micro-enterprise means under 10 staff and 2,000,000 EUR

Useful

EUR 2000000Step 2: Taking your complaint further, who can lodge a complaint

If you trade through a company rather than in your own name, this definition decides whether the Maltese complaint route is available to you at all.

Eligible complainants include natural persons, consumer associations, voluntary organisations and micro-enterprises, and a micro-enterprise is defined as a firm employing fewer than 10 persons whose turnover or balance sheet totals do not exceed 2,000,000 EUR.

a micro-enterprise. A micro-enterprise is a firm which employs fewer than 10 persons and its turnover/balance sheet totals do not exceed €2,000,000;
Quoted in Step 2: Taking your complaint furtherRead the source
  • retail clients
  • eligibility
  • micro enterprise

Legal foundationChapter 555 has been in force since 18 April 2016

The Arbiter for Financial Services Act, Chapter 555 of the Laws of Malta, came into force on 18 April 2016 through Act XVI of 2016. It sets the jurisdiction, powers and accountability of the Office, which is why the decisions it produces are binding rather than advisory.

Complaints framework rests on Chapter 555 since April 2016

Context

The powers a trader relies on, including binding decisions and compensation orders, come from statute rather than from a voluntary code, which is what makes them enforceable.

The Arbiter for Financial Services Act, Chapter 555 of the Laws of Malta, came into force on 18 April 2016 by virtue of Act XVI of 2016, and sets the administrative, operational and jurisdictional framework for the Office and the powers of the Arbiter.

The Arbiter of the Financial Services Act (Chapter 555 of the Laws of Malta) was set in force on 18 April 2016 by virtue of Act XVI of 2016.
Quoted in Legal BasisRead the source
The Office of the Arbiter For Financial Services is a free, autonomous and independent body with the power to mediate, investigate, and adjudicate complaints filed by eligible customers against financial services providers licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), the financial services regulator in Malta.
QuotedRead the source
  • legal basis
  • statute
  • Public registerRegister an Account on the OAFS Website
    Fetched Sep 5, 2026View source
  • Complaints procedureStep 1: Complain with your provider
    Version Updated 07/01/2026Fetched Sep 5, 2026View source
  • Complaints procedureStep 2: Taking your complaint further
    Version Updated 07/01/2026Fetched Sep 5, 2026View source
  • Complaints procedureStep 3: Complain with us
    Version Updated 31/12/2024Fetched Sep 5, 2026View source
  • Complaints procedureStep 4: How we handle your complaint
    Version Updated 13/03/2025Fetched Sep 5, 2026View source
  • Complaints procedureInvestigation & Adjudication
    Version Updated 02/01/2025Fetched Sep 5, 2026View source
  • GuidanceLegal Basis
    Version Updated 30/04/2024Fetched Sep 5, 2026View source
  • Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026

    Wikilix
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    Not Supported

    Negative Balance Protection

    Protection against negative account balances in trading

    ✓
    Status:Supported

    Investment Professional Support

    Access to qualified investment professionals and advisory services

    ✗
    Status:Not Available
    regulatory
    Regulatory Approach

    Government-regulated

    Coverage
    Prohibited Countries

    USA - North Korea - Iran - other sanctioned countries

    Fund Insurance
    Client fund protection schemes available
    ✓ Compliant
    Account Managed Separately
    Mandatory client account segregation
    ✗ Not Available

    Geographic Coverage

    Primary Jurisdiction
    Main regulatory jurisdiction and headquarters

    Malta

    Coverage Area
    Geographic areas where this regulator has jurisdiction

    Malta - EU - global (with exceptions)

    Prohibited Countries
    Countries where regulatory activities are prohibited

    USA - North Korea - Iran - other sanctioned countries

    Regulatory Features

    Business Models Permitted
    Types of business models allowed under this regulator

    Retail Agency (STP); Market Maker (Principal); Provide Liquidity (PoP)

    Public License Lookup
    Availability of public license verification system

    Online portal available

    Complaint Mechanism
    Process for filing complaints against regulated entities

    MFSA Complaints Office

    Trading Information

    Highest Leverage
    Maximum leverage ratio permitted by this regulator

    1:30

    Regulated Financial Instruments
    Financial instruments authorized for trading under this regulatory framework

    5 instruments

    Available Instruments:
    forexbondStocksDerivatives+1 more
    Trading Limits
    Restrictions and limits imposed on trading activities

    Contact regulator for details

    International Memberships

    IOSCO Membership

    International Organization of Securities Commissions

    Member

    Member of the global body that brings together the world's securities regulators

    Benefits:

    Access to international regulatory standards, cooperation frameworks, and best practices

    FATF Membership

    Financial Action Task Force

    Member

    Member of the inter-governmental body that sets standards for combating money laundering

    Benefits:

    Commitment to international standards for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing

    6
    Above Average
    Institutional

    Institutional strength and organizational capability

    80
    out of 100
    Good
    Risk Management

    Risk assessment and management protocols

    80
    out of 100
    Good
    Investment Protection

    Investor protection measures and safeguards

    80
    out of 100
    Good
    Client Fund Insurance Rating

    Client fund protection and insurance coverage

    100
    out of 100
    Excellent
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    About Malta Financial Services Authority

    The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) is the single regulator for all financial services in Malta.The MFSA was established on July 23, 2002, when it was established as a statutory body by way of a Parliament Act under Chapter 330 of the Laws of Malta.

    Since then, the MFSA has been vested with overall responsibility for regulating and supervising the entire Maltese financial system, safeguarding market integrity, consumer protection, and economic stability.

    The Authority regulates a variety of sectors, including banking, financial institutions, payment services, insurance companies and insurance intermediaries, investment firms, collective investment schemes, the securities market, recognized investment exchanges, trust management companies, company service providers, and pension schemes.

    In addition to its supervisory role, the MFSA advises the Maltese government on issues related to financial services policy and ensures that national strategies are consistent with international best practices.

    Official Description

    Contact Information

    website icon

    Main Site

    https://www.mfsa.mt/
    live chat icon

    Live chat

    https://financialarbiter.org.mt/oafs/com...
    phone icon

    Phone

    356 2144 1155
    website icon

    Website

    https://www.financialarbiter.org.mt/

    Instruments and Trading Limits

    Regulated financial instruments

    forex, bond, Stocks, Derivatives, Loa

    Licensed Brokers

    Brokers authorized and regulated by this authority

    20 Licensed Brokers
    View All Licensed Brokers
    Swissquote logo

    Swissquote

    Swissquote Ltd

    71
    Regulated
    United Kingdom
    Est. 2011
    SFC
    Performance Metrics (3 factors)
    Regulation
    85
    License
    77
    FXDD logo

    FXDD

    FXDD GLOBAL

    67.4
    Suspicious Clone
    Malta
    Est. 2002
    MFSA
    Performance Metrics (3 factors)
    Regulation
    71
    License
    80
    NSBroker logo

    NSBroker

    67
    Scam
    Malta
    Est. 2011
    MFSA
    Performance Metrics (2 factors)
    Regulation
    84
    Software
    50
    Alchemy Markets logo

    Alchemy Markets

    Alchemy International Ltd

    66.2
    Offshore
    Seychelles
    Est. 2017
    MFSA
    Performance Metrics (3 factors)
    Regulation
    72
    License
    76
    FXTIME logo

    FXTIME

    65
    Regulated
    Cyprus
    Est. 2011
    FSCA
    Performance Metrics (4 factors)
    Regulation
    92
    License
    72
    NSFX logo

    NSFX

    60.7
    Regulated
    Malta
    Est. 2012
    MFSA
    Performance Metrics (3 factors)
    Regulation
    71
    License
    83
    J.P. Morgan logo

    J.P. Morgan

    JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    59.1
    Regulated
    Hong Kong
    Est. 1799
    SFC
    Performance Metrics (3 factors)
    Regulation
    92
    License
    76
    ALB logo

    ALB

    ALB LIMITED

    53.5
    Suspicious Clone
    Malta
    Est. 2017
    MFSA
    Performance Metrics (4 factors)
    Regulation
    71
    License
    83
    Trive logo

    Trive

    Trive International Ltd

    52.1
    Regulated
    British Virgin Islands
    ASIC
    Performance Metrics (4 factors)
    Regulation
    55
    License
    77
    NSBroker logo

    NSBroker

    Alchemy Markets Ltd.

    51.9
    Regulated
    Malta
    Est. 2011
    MFSA
    Performance Metrics (4 factors)
    Regulation
    68
    License
    79
    PRIMEX logo

    PRIMEX

    50.9
    Regulated
    Mauritius
    Est. 2021
    MFSA
    Performance Metrics (3 factors)
    Regulation
    32
    License
    71
    Deriv logo

    Deriv

    Deriv (FX) Ltd

    50.2
    Suspicious Clone
    Malta
    Est. 2017
    MFSA
    Performance Metrics (4 factors)
    Regulation
    35
    License
    62
    Software
    51
    Spread
    N/A
    1:100
    2 Platforms
    Regulated in:
    Hong Kong flagHong KongUnited Kingdom flagUnited KingdomSwitzerland flagSwitzerland+2 more licenses
    View Details
    Software
    51
    Spread
    N/A
    1:500
    2 Platforms
    Regulated in:
    Malta flagMaltaUnited States flagUnited States
    View Details
    License
    N/A
    Spread
    N/A
    1:500
    1 Platform
    Regulated in:
    Malta flagMaltaGermany flagGermanyFrance flagFrance+1 more licenses
    View Details
    Software
    51
    Spread
    N/A
    1:30
    2 Platforms
    Regulated in:
    Malta flagMaltaSeychelles flagSeychellesUnited Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom
    View Details
    Software
    51
    Account Type
    45
    1:500
    2 Platforms
    Regulated in:
    South Africa flagSouth AfricaCyprus flagCyprusUnited Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom+6 more licenses
    View Details
    Account Type
    28
    Software
    N/A
    1:30
    Platforms: N/A
    Regulated in:
    Malta flagMaltaUnited Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom
    View Details
    Account Type
    9
    Software
    N/A
    1:1000
    Platforms: N/A
    Regulated in:
    Hong Kong flagHong KongHong Kong flagHong KongMalaysia flagMalaysia+8 more licenses
    View Details
    Software
    50
    Account Type
    10
    1:30
    1 Platform
    Regulated in:
    Malta flagMaltaUnited Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom
    View Details
    Software
    52
    Account Type
    24
    1:30
    3 Platforms
    Regulated in:
    Australia flagAustraliaMalta flagMaltaBritish Virgin Islands flagBritish Virgin Islands+2 more licenses
    View Details
    Software
    50
    Account Type
    10
    Maximum Leverage: N/A
    1 Platform
    Regulated in:
    Malta flagMaltaFrance flagFrance
    View Details
    Software
    50
    Spread
    N/A
    1:500
    1 Platform
    Mauritius flagMauritius
    View Details
    Software
    50
    Account Type
    54
    1:30
    1 Platform
    Regulated in:
    Malta flagMaltaVanuatu flagVanuatuBritish Virgin Islands flagBritish Virgin Islands+1 more licenses
    View Details