“Regulated broker” is not a binary yes/no — who regulates, where, and what products are covered all matter.
Stronger vs lighter oversight
Stronger (examples): CySEC (EU historical binaries), CFTC-regulated US exchanges, FINMA-backed banks offering limited binary products.
Lighter / offshore: SVG, Comoros IBC, self-regulatory badges, private dispute forums without statutory powers.
Offshore is not automatically a scam — many brands operate transparently — but recourse is thinner if funds are delayed.
Questions to ask before KYC
- Which company name appears on your contract?
- Where are client funds held and are they segregated?
- Is there a compensation scheme or ombudsman route?
- Are bonuses optional and clearly documented?
US and EU retail binaries
- US: retail OTC binaries from unregistered firms have drawn regulator warnings; exchange-traded models differ.
- EU/UK: retail binary options bans mean many apps geoblock or offer CFDs instead.
Always read the geo-block message during signup — it is more reliable than marketing landing pages.
How we reflect this in reviews
Our broker pages list a short regulation summary and expand in Company Details. Use compare when two brands look similar on payouts but differ on oversight.
If something goes wrong
Document tickets, screenshots of payout promises, and bank timelines. Regulator complaints only work if the entity actually falls under that regulator.