Markets.com Review 2026
The full Markets.com write-up for South Africa traders: the kitchen inspection, the ingredient costs, the bill, and our straight verdict.
Regulation in South Africa
| Regulator | FSB, FSB |
| Licence Number | 43906 |
| Regulated Entity | Finalto (IOM) Ltd |
| Max Leverage (Forex) | 1:400 |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| EUR/USD Spread | From 0.6 pips |
| Instruments | 2,200+ |
| Platforms | Markets.com Platform, MT4, MT5 |
| Copy Trading | ✗ |
| Real Stocks | ✗ |
| Inactivity fee | Inactivity fee: USD10/month after 3 months |
Verdict
Cooks under FSB (licence 43906). Cover charge $100. In South Africa, forex leverage is capped at 1:400.
About Markets.com
Markets.com opened its doors in 2008 out of a kitchen in Limassol, Cyprus. Its menu runs to 2,200 tradeable instruments, forex pairs alongside CFDs on stocks, indices and commodities. It holds licences across several jurisdictions, with the head licence carried by Finalto (IOM) Ltd under FSB.
In South Africa, Markets.com serves as Finalto (IOM) Ltd, cleared by FSB under licence number 43906. Under FSB house rules, South Africa traders are poured no more than 1:400 leverage on forex pairs.
Trading Platforms
Pros
- FSB regulated, licence 43906
- 2,200+ instruments to trade
- Negative balance protection in South Africa
- Platforms: Markets.com Platform, MT4, MT5
- Founded in 2008 (18 years operating)
Cons
- Inactivity fee: USD10/month after 3 months
- 76% of retail clients burn their fingers
- CFDs only, you trade the price, you never own the dish
- No real stock ownership
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Markets.com regulated?
Yes. Markets.com is authorised by FSB, issued to the entity Finalto (IOM) Ltd, an authorisation you can look up for yourself on the official FSB public register.
What is the minimum deposit for Markets.com in South Africa?
The cover charge is $100, the smallest amount South Africa traders need to open a live account with Markets.com under FSB rules.
What leverage does Markets.com offer in South Africa?
In South Africa, FSB rules cap Markets.com at 1:400 on forex pairs. A larger pour is sometimes available through offshore-regulated entities, with thinner protection to match.
Is Markets.com safe to trade with?
The kitchen passes inspection: Markets.com cooks under FSB. A tier-1 regulator insists on segregated client money, negative balance protection and independent audits, while lighter offshore regimes offer weaker cover and often no compensation scheme. That does not make trading risk-free, so check which entity holds your account and what protections actually apply before you deposit.
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