Introduction

eToro is a multi-regulated broker under the stringent guidelines of several top-tier and high-end financial authorities. Under the eToro group, it supports clients from over 140 countries via several licensed eToro companies.

Each entity that has a license from a financial authority is required to comply with specific regulatory guidelines and these rules may vary from one regulator to another.

And because every company of eToro needs to conform with the applicable local regulatory framework, there could be differences in the available services and products that they offer for their clients based on their country of jurisdiction and the regulated entity that operates the platform.

Interested to trade with eToro? Open an account today!

77% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Is eToro Regulated?

Yes. eToro is operated by several companies on different jurisdictions which have licenses from financial authorities.

Cyprus Liense

eToro (Europe) Ltd. is a Cypriot Investment Firm (CIF) with a company registration number of HE20058 and is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number 109/10.[1]

eToro CySEC license
eToro CySEC license

eToro (Europe) Ltd. also holds a cross border license to provide services for clients who are residents of the European Economic Area member states and those outside of it.

eToro cross border license from CySEC
eToro cross border license from CySEC

UK Regulation

In the UK, operations are under eToro (UK) Ltd., which has a company registration number of 7973792, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the license FRN 583263.[2]

eToro FCA license
eToro FCA license

eToro (UK) Ltd. also has a cross border license to provide services for traders who are residents of the European Economic Area member states.

License from ASIC

For clients in Australia, the services are operated by eToro AUS Capital Pty Ltd., which arranges for its clients to be provided services by eToro Europe.[3]

eToro ASIC license
eToro ASIC license

It has an Australian Business Number (ABN) of 66 612 791 803 and holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) 491139 that has been issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and regulated under the Corporations Act (Commonwealth).

The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive

Both eToro Europe and eToro UK are operating and in compliance with the MiFID which aims to provide harmonious regulations for states that are participating with this directive.

In case you don't know:
The MiFID or Markets in Financial Instruments Directive is a law that was passed for increasing transparency across financial markets in the European Union and improve consumer protection. It has been in implemented since 2007 but in 2018, it was replaced by the updated MiFID II directive.

eToro USA

eToro USA LLC operates the platform for US residents and is registered with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as a Money Services Business with registration number of 31000176049756.[4]

eToro MSB registration status from FinCEN
eToro MSB registration status from FinCEN

State-Level Regulations in the US

eToro also has existing licenses with state-level regulators.[5] Please refer to the table below for more information.

State Granted License Financial Authority
Alabama Money Transmission License (754) Alabama Securities Commission
Alaska Money Transmitter License (AK-MT-011361) State of Alaska, Division of Banking & Securities
Arkansas Money Transmitter License (116264) Arkansas Securities Department
Connecticut Money Transmission License (MT-1769299) Connecticut Department of Banking, Consumer Credit Division
Florida Money Transmitter License (FT230000255) Florida Office of Financial Regulation
Georgia Seller of Payment Instruments License (64040) Georgia Department of Banking and Finance
Idaho Money Transmitters License (MTL-237) Idaho Department of Finance
Illinois Money Transmitter License (MT.0000380) Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Iowa Money Services License (2018-0141) Iowa Division of Banking
Louisiana Money Transmission License Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions
Mississippi Money Transmitter License Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance
Nebraska Money Transmitter License Nebraska Department of Banking & Finance
New Mexico Money Transmitter License New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department, Financial Institutions Division
North Carolina Money Transmitter License (182621) North Carolina Commissioner of Banks
North Dakota Money Transmitter License (MT103394) North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions
Ohio Money Transmitter License (OHMT153) Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions
Oregon Money Transmitter License (30223) Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Division of Finance and Corporate Securities
South Dakota Money Transmitter License (MT.2159) South Dakota Department of Labor Regulation, Division of Banking
Texas Money Transmitter License (3181) Texas Department of Banking
Vermont Money Transmitter License (100-126) Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, Banking Division
Washington Money Transmitter License (550-MT-115893) Washington Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Consumer Services
Licenses granted to eToro by each US state regulator

Determining the Regulation That Covers Your Account

During the registration process, you will be required to read the Terms and Conditions, which you need to be in agreement with in order to open an account.

You will be able to see on this particular Terms and Conditions the specific entity or operating company including the regulation that applies to you.

You can also find this information by going to your profile settings.

eToro account regulation details in profile settings
eToro account regulation details in profile settings

Verification of Trading Account

In compliance with financial service regulations, eToro is required to verify all trading accounts by requesting certain documents and actions from their clients. In most cases, they will require the following:

  1. An ID issued by the government
  2. Proof of address
  3. Verification by phone

Note: Additional identification documents might be requested by eToro aside from the ones listed above.

Verification must be done to lift account restrictions that may be applied to trading, closing an account and withdrawals.

Anti-Money Laundering Policy

With eToro Europe and eToro UK both being regulated companies, they need to apply appropriate measures against money laundering as they are mandated to comply with the strict requirements of financial authorities. This is the reason why companies like eToro need to carry out account verification and other preventive measures.

eToro Fact

AML 101 - Did You Know?

To prevent money laundering other illegitimate financial activities, countries including the UK and Cyprus have passed legislations and are following the international standards and treaties specifically from the European Union Directives.

Meeting the Minimum Capital Adequacy Ratios

Under the existing framework of the European Capital Requirements Regulation, eToro Europe and eToro UK are both required to have separate funds and must constantly meet a minimum capital ratio. As an investment firm, they are mandated to apply strategies and processes to have adequate internal capital and these are regularly rechecked internally.

Segregation of Client Accounts

All client funds (margin not included) and assets are kept separate from the company’s own assets to protect the funds of their traders and these are internally and externally supervised. This policy is also applied to differentiate between client investments and eToro’s working capital.

Ready to trade with this licensed broker?

eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.

Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 77% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Trading history presented is less than 5 complete years and may not suffice as basis for investment decision.

Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in some EU countries. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.

eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared by our partner utilizing publicly available non-entity specific information about eToro.

References


  1. ^ Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission | Etoro (Europe) Ltd CySEC
  2. ^ eToro (UK) Ltd FCA
  3. ^ Search Company and Other Registers ASIC
  4. ^ MSB Registrant Search FinCEN.gov
  5. ^ Licenses & Disclosures eToro


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77% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.