Saxo licence record
Is Saxo regulated by the AFM?
Yes, according to our records. Saxo is matched to a licence from the Autoriteit Financiële Markten (Netherlands). Confirm it on the register before relying on it.
What the AFM licence means
According to our records, Saxo holds a licence from the Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM), the financial regulator for Netherlands. We classify the AFM as tier 2 — strong regulation. Credible regulators with real rulebooks, but fewer safeguards than tier 1 (e.g. no compensation scheme or looser leverage rules).
For Saxo clients whose account is held by its AFM-regulated entity, the key protections are: compensation — Investor Compensation Scheme — up to €20,000; retail leverage — 30:1 on major FX pairs (ESMA rules); negative balance protection — mandatory for retail clients; client money — Client assets held via a separate custody entity. Disputes can be taken to Kifid (Financial Services Complaints Tribunal).
Saxo is also matched to licences from ASIC, FCA, FINMA, JFSA, MAS, SFC and Finanstilsynet (DK). ASIC, FCA, FINMA, JFSA, MAS and SFC are rated higher than the AFM in our methodology, so if you are eligible for those entities you may get stronger protection.
Protection at a glance
- Regulator tier
- Tier 2 — Strong regulation
- Compensation scheme
- Investor Compensation Scheme — up to €20,000
- Retail leverage
- 30:1 on major FX pairs (ESMA rules)
- Negative balance protection
- Required for retail clients
- Client money
- Client assets held via a separate custody entity
- Complaints
- Kifid (Financial Services Complaints Tribunal)
How to verify this licence
- Open Saxo's client agreement or website footer and note the exact company name and AFM licence number.
- Search that name or number on the official AFM register. Check the status is current, not cancelled or suspended.
- Confirm the website domain you're using (home.saxo) is the one listed on the register — clone firms copy genuine licence numbers.
- Search the AFM warnings page and IOSCO I-SCAN for the brand name.
Saxo's other licences
Frequently asked questions
Is Saxo regulated by the AFM?
Our database records Saxo as holding a licence from the Autoriteit Financiële Markten. Confirm the current status on the AFM register: https://www.afm.nl/en/sector/registers
Does the AFM licence protect all Saxo clients?
No. It protects clients whose account is with the specific Saxo company licensed by the AFM. Clients onboarded to a different group entity are covered by that entity's regulator instead.
Is there a compensation scheme for Saxo clients under the AFM?
Investor Compensation Scheme — up to €20,000
What leverage can Saxo offer under the AFM?
30:1 on major FX pairs (ESMA rules)