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Regulation check
Is eToro regulated? Licences and safety in 2026
Which regulators license eToro, which company you would actually join, and what protection that gives you.
Short answer: Yes. eToro's companies are regulated by the FCA, CySEC and ASIC, and it also runs a company licensed by the FSA in Seychelles.
eToro regulators and what they mean for you
| Regulator | Country | What it means for retail clients |
|---|---|---|
| FCA | UK | Top tier. Retail leverage capped at 30:1 on majors, negative balance protection, client money segregated, FSCS cover up to £85,000 if the firm fails. |
| CySEC | EU (Cyprus) | EU MiFID rules. Retail leverage capped at 30:1 on majors, negative balance protection, investor compensation fund up to €20,000. |
| ASIC | Australia | Top tier. Retail leverage capped at 30:1 on majors, negative balance protection, client money held in trust. |
| FSA | Seychelles | Offshore. Higher leverage allowed and fewer protections; no compensation scheme comparable to the UK or EU. |
Protections apply only if your account is with the company that regulator licenses. Leverage caps and compensation limits are the general rules for each regulator, not a statement about eToro's specific terms.
Which eToro company would hold your account?
Brokers like eToro run several companies under one brand. Where you live decides which one opens your account, and only that company's regulator protects you. Before you deposit:
- Find the company name in the client agreement or account-opening terms.
- Look it up on that regulator's own register, not a link from the broker's site.
- Check the website address and contact details on the register match the site you are using, to avoid clone firms.
Our legal entity guide walks through it step by step.
eToro at a glance
| Minimum deposit | $10 to $10,000 depending on country |
| EUR/USD pricing | Spread-only, no separate commission |
| Platforms | eToro web and app platform with copy trading |
| US retail forex clients | No (for the CFD business we review) |
FAQ
Is eToro safe?
eToro is regulated, but safety depends on the company that holds your account. A company licensed by the FCA, ASIC or an EU regulator must segregate client money and offer negative balance protection to retail clients; an offshore company usually offers fewer protections.
Which eToro company will I join?
It depends on where you live. The company is named in the account-opening documents and client agreement, not on the homepage. Check that name on the regulator's own register.
Does eToro accept US clients?
Not for the forex and CFD business we review.
What is the minimum deposit at eToro?
$10 to $10,000 depending on country.
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Forex and CFDs are leveraged products and most retail accounts lose money. Forex Awards may earn commissions from some links; see our affiliate disclosure. General information, not financial advice.