Profile
This FBS Europe review evaluates the broker’s EU-regulated trading conditions, platform offerings, and protections for retail clients. Operated by Tradestone Ltd, FBS Europe caters to traders in the European Economic Area (EEA) under a strict CySEC regulatory framework, ensuring compliance with MiFID II and ESMA standards.
Regulation and Safety
FBS Europe is a trading name of Tradestone Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number 331/17. The broker complies with the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II), ensuring client fund segregation, negative balance protection, and participation in the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) with coverage up to €20,000 per client. FBS Europe also maintains regular audit reports and strict capital adequacy ratios.
Execution Model and Trading Platforms
FBS Europe operates a Straight Through Processing (STP) model with no dealing desk interference. Orders are routed directly to liquidity providers for best execution. Supported platforms include MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 on desktop, web, and mobile devices. The proprietary FBS Trader platform is not available in the EU. FIX API and VPS hosting are not advertised under the EU entity.
Markets and Instruments
FBS Europe offers over 100 instruments, including:
- Forex (major and minor currency pairs)
- Metals (gold, silver)
- Indices (S&P 500, DAX, FTSE, NASDAQ)
- Stocks (CFDs on US and EU equities)
- Energy (Brent, WTI)
Cryptocurrencies are not currently available under the EU entity due to ESMA restrictions.
Accounts, Spreads and Leverage
FBS Europe offers two main account types:
- Standard Account: Spreads from 0.5 pips, no commission
- Cent Account: For micro-lot trading, spreads from 1 pip, no commission
Maximum leverage is capped at 1:30 for retail clients (as per ESMA rules). The minimum deposit is €100 for the Standard account and €10 for the Cent account. Stop-out level is set at 50%. Professional clients may apply for higher leverage up to 1:500, subject to qualification.
Funding and Base Currencies
FBS Europe supports secure payment options with the following methods:
- Bank transfers (SEPA)
- Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard)
- Skrill and Neteller
Accepted base currencies: EUR and USD. Most deposits are instant, and withdrawals are processed within 1–2 business days. No crypto funding is available under the CySEC-regulated entity.
Client Protections and Features
FBS Europe provides robust retail protections, including:
- CySEC oversight and MiFID II compliance
- ICF coverage up to €20,000
- Negative balance protection
- Segregated client funds
- Two-factor authentication and SSL encryption
Institutional and Retail Offering
FBS Europe is tailored for retail and professional traders within the EU:
- Retail: MT4/MT5, low minimum deposits, strict risk protections
- Professional: Higher leverage, custom margin terms, no negative balance protection
FIX API, white-label solutions, and institutional liquidity are not promoted under the EU structure.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Fully regulated by CySEC under MiFID II
- Investor Compensation Fund protection up to €20,000
- STP execution with no dealing desk
- Supports both MT4 and MT5 platforms
- Low deposit options via Cent account
Cons
- Limited leverage due to ESMA caps (1:30 for retail)
- No cryptocurrency trading under EU regulation
- No FIX API or VPS hosting for advanced traders
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FBS Europe regulated?
Yes, FBS Europe is operated by Tradestone Ltd and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number 331/17.
What platforms are available at FBS Europe?
FBS Europe offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 for desktop, web, and mobile. The proprietary FBS Trader app is not available in the EU.
What is the maximum leverage at FBS Europe?
Retail clients are limited to 1:30 leverage under ESMA regulations. Professional clients may apply for higher leverage up to 1:500.
Does FBS Europe offer cryptocurrency trading?
No, cryptocurrency CFDs are not offered under the CySEC-regulated entity due to European regulatory restrictions.
Is my money protected at FBS Europe?
Yes, client funds are held in segregated accounts and are covered by the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) up to €20,000 in the event of broker insolvency.