This FBS review examines the broker’s global regulatory structure, trading infrastructure, account variety, and instrument coverage. FBS is a well-known international forex broker that provides high leverage, multilingual support, and a wide range of accounts tailored to both beginners and professionals.

Regulation and Safety

FBS operates under two main regulatory entities:

• FBS Markets Inc – regulated by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) of Belize, license number IFSC/000102/198
• Tradestone Ltd – regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), license number 331/17

The CySEC-regulated entity provides EU investor protections including fund segregation, negative balance protection, and eligibility for the ICF (compensation up to €20,000). The IFSC-regulated entity offers higher leverage but fewer protections. All client data is secured using SSL encryption, and two-factor authentication is available.

Execution Model and Trading Platforms

FBS uses a hybrid model including STP and ECN execution depending on the account type. Most accounts benefit from no dealing desk execution with fast order processing. FBS supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary FBS Trader app, all available via desktop, mobile, and web. VPS hosting is available to qualified users, but FIX API is not standard.

Markets and Instruments

FBS offers trading in over 250 instruments across six asset classes:

• Forex (major, minor, exotic pairs)
• Metals (gold, silver)
• Indices (US, EU, Asian benchmarks)
• Stocks (CFDs on US and EU equities)
• Energy (WTI, Brent)
• Cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC, and others)

Accounts, Spreads and Leverage

FBS provides multiple account types tailored to different trader profiles:

• Cent Account: For beginners, spreads from 1 pip, $1 deposit
• Standard Account: Spreads from 0.5 pips, $100 minimum
• Zero Spread Account: Fixed 0.0 pip spreads + $20/lot commission
• ECN Account: Spreads from -1 pip, $6/lot commission, $1,000 deposit
• Crypto Account: Wide spreads, 1:5 leverage, BTC-based
• Islamic Account: Swap-free option available across most accounts

Leverage goes up to 1:3000 offshore (Belize) and 1:30 in the EU. Stop-out levels vary between 20% and 40% depending on the account.

Funding and Base Currencies

FBS supports the following deposit and withdrawal methods:

• Bank transfers
• Visa/Mastercard
• Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money
• Crypto (BTC, ETH, USDT)

Base currencies include USD, EUR, and local currencies in selected countries. Deposits are instant for most methods, while withdrawals are processed within 1–2 business days. Zero-fee withdrawals are offered during promotional periods.

Client Protections and Features

FBS provides various safety mechanisms, especially for EU clients:

• Investor Compensation Fund (CySEC entity)
• Negative balance protection
• Segregated client funds
• SSL encryption and 2FA
• Free VPS for qualifying clients

Institutional and Retail Offering

FBS focuses on retail trading but does offer some institutional features:

• ECN account with raw pricing
• High leverage options for aggressive strategies
• VPS hosting for algo traders

However, FIX API access, white-label solutions, and prime brokerage are not part of the offering. Retail clients benefit from cashback programs, bonuses, and educational resources in 20+ languages.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Multiple regulation options (EU and offshore)
• High leverage up to 1:3000 (offshore)
• Wide range of account types
• Supports MT4, MT5, and proprietary app
• Low minimum deposits and Cent account for beginners

Cons

• Offshore entity lacks investor compensation
• ECN account requires high minimum deposit
• FIX API and institutional tools not available

Frequently Asked Questions

Is FBS regulated?

Yes, FBS is regulated by IFSC (Belize) and CySEC (Cyprus). The level of protection depends on which entity the client registers with.

What platforms does FBS support?

FBS offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary FBS Trader platform across all devices.

What is the minimum deposit at FBS?

The minimum deposit is $1 for Cent accounts, $100 for Standard, and $1,000 for ECN accounts.

Can I use crypto to fund my FBS account?

Yes, FBS accepts crypto deposits including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT for eligible jurisdictions.

Are Islamic accounts available at FBS?

Yes, FBS offers swap-free Islamic accounts on request for most account types.