FBS Review

High-leverage forex and CFD traders

CySEC ASIC FSCA FSC

Founded 2009 · Belize

Why investors choose this broker

Minimum deposit from USD 1 on Cent account
Six account types including commission-free and raw-spread options
Regulated by CySEC and ASIC alongside offshore FSC entity
Free demo account available

Review summary

FBS is a forex and CFD broker founded in 2009, offering six account types, MetaTrader 4 and 5, and a minimum deposit from USD 1.

Pros

Minimum deposit from USD 1 on Cent account
Six account types including commission-free and raw-spread options
Regulated by CySEC and ASIC alongside offshore FSC entity
Free demo account available
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
200+ payment methods accepted for deposits
Multilingual customer support available 24/7

Cons

Not available to residents of the US, UK, EU member states, Canada, Japan, Iran, or Myanmar
Stock CFD commission on Standard account is relatively high at 0.7%
Very high maximum leverage (1:3000) raises risk of rapid loss
Offshore Belize entity (FSC) provides limited regulatory protection
Limited cryptocurrency selection (around 5 assets)

Company background

FBS is a forex and CFD broker that began operations in 2009. By 2022 the broker reported having onboarded its 27-millionth registered user across more than 150 countries. FBS underwent a major rebranding in 2024 and celebrated its 15th anniversary the same year. It operates through several legal entities: Tradestone Ltd. is regulated by CySEC in Cyprus (licence 331/17); Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd. is regulated by ASIC in Australia; Trade Stone SA (Pty) Ltd holds an FSCA licence in South Africa; and FBS Markets Inc. is the Belize entity regulated by FSC.

Fees and pricing

FBS prices trading through the account type. Cent and Standard accounts are commission-free; spreads start from around 1 pip on EUR/USD. The Zero Spread account offers 0.0-pip spreads and charges USD 20 per standard lot. The ECN account provides raw spreads and charges USD 6 per standard lot. Stock CFDs on the Standard account carry a 0.7% commission. FBS does not charge a deposit or inactivity fee, though third-party processors may apply their own withdrawal charges. Minimum withdrawal amounts vary by payment method. Overnight swap fees apply to leveraged positions held past the daily rollover.

Regulation and safety

FBS holds licences with CySEC, ASIC, FSCA, and FSC Belize. CySEC-regulated clients are covered by the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) up to EUR 20,000 per eligible client. The ASIC entity enforces negative balance protection. The FSC Belize entity operates under a less stringent framework with limited client protections. All entities state that client funds are held in segregated accounts at reputable financial institutions.

Platform experience

FBS supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 on desktop, web, and mobile. The proprietary FBS Trader app for iOS and Android includes charting, market analysis, and copy trading functionality. MetaTrader 4 supports algorithmic trading via Expert Advisors; MetaTrader 5 adds more order types and an integrated economic calendar. A free demo account is available on all three platforms.

Pros and cons

FBS main advantages are its USD 1 minimum deposit on the Cent account, six account types, MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 support, a free demo account, and regulation by CySEC and ASIC. More than 200 payment methods are accepted. Key drawbacks include geographic restrictions excluding the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Japan; very high maximum leverage of 1:3000 on the offshore entity; limited regulatory protection on the Belize entity; a 0.7% stock CFD commission; and a limited cryptocurrency offering of around five assets available only as CFDs.

Ready to open an account at FBS?

Open an account directly with the broker. Confirm current fees and account eligibility on the broker's website before depositing.

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Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.

Trading fees & commissions

Cent and Standard accounts are commission-free with spreads from 1 pip on EUR/USD; the Zero Spread account charges USD 20 per standard lot and the ECN account charges USD 6 per standard lot. FBS does not charge deposit or inactivity fees; third-party payment processor withdrawal fees may apply depending on the payment method.

Fees

Item	Fee
Cfds	Stock CFDs: 0.7% commission on Standard account; overnight swap fees apply to leveraged positions held overnight
Crypto	Crypto CFDs traded on Standard account; spreads and overnight fees apply
Margin	Leverage up to 1:3000 available on IFSC entity; overnight swap fees apply to leveraged positions
Account	No account opening or management fee
Deposit	No deposit fee charged by FBS; third-party payment processor fees may apply
Inactivity	No inactivity fee
Withdrawal	No fee charged by FBS; third-party processor charges may apply; minimum withdrawal varies by method

Trading platform & features

Platforms

MetaTrader 4
MetaTrader 5
FBS Trader
Web app
iOS app
Android app

Regulation and investor protection

FBS operates through entities regulated by CySEC in Cyprus, ASIC in Australia, FSCA in South Africa, and FSC in Belize. CySEC-regulated clients benefit from the ICF investor compensation scheme up to EUR 20,000, while the Belize entity provides the least regulatory protection.

Broker FAQs

Is FBS safe?

FBS operates through entities regulated by CySEC, ASIC, FSCA, and FSC Belize. CySEC and ASIC are considered top-tier regulators. Client funds are held in segregated accounts. The level of protection varies depending on which entity a client is registered with.

Is FBS a scam?

No. FBS is a licensed broker that has been operating since 2009. It holds regulatory licences from CySEC in Cyprus and ASIC in Australia, which are both recognised tier-1 regulators.

Is FBS regulated and by whom?

Yes. FBS entities are regulated by CySEC (Cyprus, licence 331/17), ASIC (Australia), FSCA (South Africa, licence 50885), and FSC Belize (licence 000102/460). The entity a client interacts with depends on their country of residence.

Does FBS keep client funds in segregated accounts?

FBS states that client funds are held in segregated accounts at reputable financial institutions, separate from the company's own operating funds.

What happens to my money if FBS goes bankrupt?

Clients registered with the CySEC entity are eligible for the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), which covers up to EUR 20,000 per eligible client. Clients registered with the offshore FSC Belize entity have no equivalent compensation scheme.

What products does FBS offer?

FBS offers forex pairs, commodity CFDs (metals and energies), index CFDs, stock CFDs, and cryptocurrency CFDs. The exact instrument count varies by account type and entity. FBS does not offer real shares or ETFs.

Does FBS offer forex trading?

Yes. FBS offers forex trading across major, minor, and exotic currency pairs, with the total number of pairs varying by account type.

Does FBS offer CFDs on stocks?

Yes. FBS offers CFDs on individual stocks. On the Standard account a commission of 0.7% applies. FBS does not offer real stock ownership.

Does FBS offer crypto trading?

Yes. FBS offers a limited number of cryptocurrency CFDs, reported to include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Ripple. Cryptocurrency is not offered as real asset ownership.

What does FBS charge for forex trading?

On the Cent and Standard accounts, forex trading is commission-free and costs are embedded in the spread, which starts from around 1 pip on EUR/USD. The ECN account charges USD 6 per standard lot with raw spreads. The Zero Spread account charges USD 20 per standard lot.

What does FBS charge for stock CFD trades?

Stock CFDs on the FBS Standard account carry a 0.7% commission. Overnight swap fees also apply to leveraged positions held past the daily rollover.

Is there a withdrawal fee at FBS?

FBS does not charge a withdrawal fee itself. However, some third-party payment processors apply their own charges. The minimum withdrawal amount varies by payment method.

Does FBS charge an inactivity fee?

No. FBS does not charge an inactivity fee on dormant accounts.

Does FBS have a demo account?

Yes. FBS offers a free demo account that lets users practise trading with virtual funds before depositing real money. The demo is available on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the FBS Trader app.

Does FBS have a mobile app?

Yes. FBS offers a proprietary app called FBS Trader for iOS and Android. MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 mobile apps are also available.

Is FBS good for beginners?

FBS offers a low minimum deposit from USD 1, a free demo account, an educational section with webinars, and the FBS Trader app with a simplified interface. These features make it accessible for beginners, though the availability of very high leverage requires caution.

Is FBS good for long-term investing?

FBS is primarily structured for short-term forex and CFD trading rather than long-term investing. It does not offer real shares, ETFs, or investment products suitable for buy-and-hold strategies.

Bottom line

FBS suits users who want low-barrier access to forex and CFD trading with multiple account types, high leverage options, and a choice between MetaTrader and a proprietary mobile app. It may not suit users who require the investor protections of a major-jurisdiction broker, wish to trade real shares or ETFs, are based in the US, UK, or EU, or prioritise trading a wider range of asset classes.

FBS

High-leverage forex and CFD traders

Open Account

Your capital is at risk. Other fees apply.