Interactive Brokers licence record
Is Interactive Brokers regulated by the SFC?
Yes, according to our records. Interactive Brokers is matched to a licence from the Securities and Futures Commission (Hong Kong). Confirm it on the register before relying on it.
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What the SFC licence means
According to our records, Interactive Brokers holds a licence from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), the financial regulator for Hong Kong. We classify the SFC as tier 1 — top-tier regulation. Strict capital, client-money and conduct rules with active enforcement; usually leverage caps and often compensation schemes.
For Interactive Brokers clients whose account is held by its SFC-regulated entity, the key protections are: compensation — Investor Compensation Fund does not cover leveraged OTC FX; retail leverage — 20:1 on FX for retail; negative balance protection — not a regulatory requirement (may be offered contractually); client money — Client money held in segregated accounts. Disputes can be taken to Financial Dispute Resolution Centre (FDRC).
Interactive Brokers is also matched to licences from ASIC, CBI, CFTC / NFA, CIRO, FCA, JFSA and MAS.
Protection at a glance
- Regulator tier
- Tier 1 — Top-tier regulation
- Compensation scheme
- Investor Compensation Fund does not cover leveraged OTC FX
- Retail leverage
- 20:1 on FX for retail
- Negative balance protection
- Not a regulatory requirement
- Client money
- Client money held in segregated accounts
- Complaints
- Financial Dispute Resolution Centre (FDRC)
How to verify this licence
- Open Interactive Brokers's client agreement or website footer and note the exact company name and SFC licence number.
- Search that name or number on the official SFC register. Check the status is current, not cancelled or suspended.
- Confirm the website domain you're using (interactivebrokers.com) is the one listed on the register — clone firms copy genuine licence numbers.
- Search the SFC warnings page and IOSCO I-SCAN for the brand name.
Interactive Brokers's other licences
Frequently asked questions
Is Interactive Brokers regulated by the SFC?
Our database records Interactive Brokers as holding a licence from the Securities and Futures Commission. Confirm the current status on the SFC register: https://apps.sfc.hk/publicregWeb/searchByName
Does the SFC licence protect all Interactive Brokers clients?
No. It protects clients whose account is with the specific Interactive Brokers company licensed by the SFC. Clients onboarded to a different group entity are covered by that entity's regulator instead.
Is there a compensation scheme for Interactive Brokers clients under the SFC?
Investor Compensation Fund does not cover leveraged OTC FX
What leverage can Interactive Brokers offer under the SFC?
20:1 on FX for retail