Brokers With Segregated Accounts
Brokers with segregated accounts keep client funds separate from company money. This is an important safety measure which helps protects trader capital in the event a brokerage goes bankrupt. This article explains how to check if a forex broker uses segregated accounts and UK regulations. Our experts have also listed the best brokers with segregated accounts:
UK Brokers With Segregated Accounts
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Founded in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a highly regarded broker specialising in forex and CFDs. Serving more than 400,000 clients globally, it provides access to over 1,300 financial instruments through popular platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Its fee structure is both low and transparent. With regulation by reputable bodies such as the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, Pepperstone guarantees a safe trading environment for traders at every level.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto (only Pro clients), Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) -
Established in Poland in 2002, XTB caters to over a million clients worldwide. This forex and CFD broker offers a robust regulatory framework, a diverse range of assets, and prioritises trader satisfaction. It provides an intuitive proprietary platform equipped with excellent tools to support aspiring traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, Bappebti xStation Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 -
FXCC, a well-established brokerage since 2010, offers cost-effective online trading. Registered in Nevis and regulated by CySEC, it is distinguished by its ECN conditions and absence of a minimum deposit requirement. The account opening process is efficient, taking under five minutes.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto CySEC MT4, MT5 Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:500 -
IC Markets is an internationally acclaimed forex and CFD broker, admired for its competitive pricing, diverse trading instruments, and superior technology. Established in 2007 and based in Australia, the firm is under the regulation of ASIC, CySEC, and FSA. It has successfully drawn over 180,000 clients from more than 200 nations.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $200 0.01 Lots 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) -
Founded in 2006, FxPro has built a reputation as a reliable non-dealing desk (NDD) broker, providing trading access across more than 2,100 markets to over 2 million clients globally. It has received over 100 industry awards, reflecting its favourable conditions for active traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Spread Betting FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSA FxPro Edge, MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $100 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) -
Founded in 1974, IG is a part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly listed brokerage (LSE: IGG). The company provides spread betting, CFD, and forex trading, offering access to over 17,000 markets. Its platforms and investing apps are notably user-friendly. Over the past 50 years, IG has consistently been an industry leader, excelling in all essential areas for traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) -
IC Trading belongs to the reputable IC Markets group. Designed for dedicated traders, it offers highly competitive spreads, dependable order execution, and sophisticated trading tools. However, it operates from Mauritius, an offshore financial centre, allowing high leverage but within a less regulated environment.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Cryptos, Futures FSC MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $200 0.01 Lots 1:500
Pepperstone
XTB
FXCC
IC Markets
FXPro
IG Index
IC TradingSafety Comparison
Compare how safe the Brokers With Segregated Accounts are and what features they offer to protect traders.
| Broker | Trust Rating | FCA Regulated | Negative Balance Protection | Guaranteed Stop Loss | Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| FXCC | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| IC Markets | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| FXPro | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| IG Index | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| IC Trading | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
Payments Comparison
Compare which popular payment methods the Brokers With Segregated Accounts support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).
| Broker | GBP Account | Debit Card | Credit Card | Neteller | Skrill | Apple Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| XTB | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FXCC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IC Markets | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FXPro | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IG Index | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| IC Trading | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
Mobile Trading Comparison
How good are the Brokers With Segregated Accounts at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.
| Broker | Mobile Apps | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| XTB | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| FXCC | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| IC Markets | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| FXPro | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| IG Index | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| IC Trading | iOS & Android | ✘ |
Beginners Comparison
Are the Brokers With Segregated Accounts good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?
| Broker | Demo Account | Minimum Deposit | Minimum Trade | Support Rating | Education Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| XTB | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| FXCC | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IC Markets | ✔ | $200 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| FXPro | ✔ | $100 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IG Index | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IC Trading | ✔ | $200 | 0.01 Lots |
Advanced Trading Comparison
Do the Brokers With Segregated Accounts offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?
| Broker | Automated Trading | Pro Account | Leverage | VPS | AI | Low Latency | Extended Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| XTB | Open API | ✔ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FXCC | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:500 | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IC Markets | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader, Myfxbook AutoTrade | ✘ | 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FXPro | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IG Index | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| IC Trading | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader | ✘ | 1:500 | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
Detailed Rating Comparison
Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Brokers With Segregated Accounts.
| Broker | Trust | Platforms | Mobile | Assets | Fees | Accounts | Support | Research | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | |||||||||
| XTB | |||||||||
| FXCC | |||||||||
| IC Markets | |||||||||
| FXPro | |||||||||
| IG Index | |||||||||
| IC Trading |
Our Take On Pepperstone
"Pepperstone is a premier trading platform, providing tight spreads, swift execution, and sophisticated charting tools for seasoned traders. Beginners benefit from no minimum deposit, comprehensive learning materials, and outstanding 24/7 support."
Tobias Robinson
Reviewer
Pros
- The award-winning customer support can be accessed through phone, email, or live chat. During tests, response times have consistently been under 5 minutes.
- Pepperstone now offers spread betting via TradingView, delivering a streamlined and tax-efficient trading experience with sophisticated analytical tools.
- In recent years, Pepperstone has significantly enhanced the deposit and withdrawal process. By 2025, clients can use Apple Pay and Google Pay, while 2024 saw the introduction of PIX and SPEI for customers in Brazil and Mexico.
Cons
- Pepperstone's demo accounts expire after 30 days, which may not provide sufficient time to explore various platforms and evaluate trading strategies.
- Pepperstone doesn't offer cTrader Copy, a favoured feature for copying trades found in the cTrader platform, which is available on other platforms such as IC Markets. However, Pepperstone has launched its own user-friendly copy trading app.
- Although its market range has improved, its crypto offerings remain limited compared to brokers specialising in this sector, lacking real coin investment options.
Our Take On XTB
"XTB emerges as an ideal option for novice traders, offering the impressive xStation platform, zero commission pricing, no required minimum deposit, and outstanding educational resources, many of which are conveniently integrated into the platform."
Pros
- XTB offers a diverse range of over 7,000 instruments, including CFDs on shares, indices, ETFs, commodities, forex, and cryptocurrencies. The platform also provides real shares, real ETFs, share dealing, and the latest addition, Investment Plans, serving both traders seeking short-term gains and investors focused on long-term growth.
- The xStation platform stands out with its user-friendly design and intuitive tools, such as adaptable news feeds, sentiment heatmaps, and a trader calculator. These features streamline the learning process for new traders.
- XTB ensures swift access to funds, providing fast withdrawals with same-day payments for requests made before 1 pm.
Cons
- XTB has stopped supporting MT4, restricting traders to its own platform, xStation. This decision may discourage experienced traders accustomed to using the MetaTrader suite.
- The demo account lasts only four weeks, posing a challenge for traders wanting to fully explore the xStation platform and refine short-term strategies before investing actual money.
- It is frustrating that XTB products do not allow traders to modify the default leverage level. Manually adjusting leverage can greatly reduce risk in forex and CFD trading.
Our Take On FXCC
"FXCC remains a top choice for forex traders, offering over 70 currency pairs, very tight spreads from 0.0 pips in tests, and high leverage up to 1:500 with the ECN XL account."
Pros
- There are no deposit fees other than standard cryptocurrency mining charges, which benefits active traders.
- FXCC offers competitive and transparent ECN spreads starting from 0.0 pips, with no commissions. This makes it one of the most cost-effective forex brokers available.
- There are no limitations on short-term trading techniques such as trading and scalping.
Cons
- The range of research tools, such as Trading Central and Autochartist, is quite limited. Leading platforms in this category, like IG, offer more advanced features.
- FXCC's exclusive MetaTrader platform is a limitation, especially when compared to more versatile options like AvaTrade, which offers five different platforms to cater to various trader needs.
- The variety of currency pairs surpasses most options, but the choice of other assets is limited. Notably, stocks are absent.
Our Take On IC Markets
"IC Markets provides excellent pricing, swift execution, and easy deposits. With cutting-edge charting tools like TradingView and the Raw Trader Plus account, it continues to be a preferred option for intermediate and advanced traders."
Pros
- IC Markets provides some of the industry's narrowest spreads, offering 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs. This makes it an extremely cost-effective choice for traders.
- Access over 2,250 CFDs across diverse markets like forex, commodities, indices, shares, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. This variety enables traders to employ diversified strategies.
- In 2025, IC Markets earned DayTrading.com's accolade for 'Best MT4/MT5 Broker' due to its top-tier MetaTrader integration. This achievement highlights the broker's continuous refinement over the years to enhance the platform experience.
Cons
- Interest is not paid on idle cash, a feature gaining popularity with alternatives such as Interactive Brokers.
- The tutorials, webinars, and educational resources require enhancement, lagging behind competitors such as CMC Markets, which diminishes their appeal to novice traders.
- IC Markets provides metals and cryptocurrencies for trading through CFDs, though the selection is narrower compared to brokers such as eToro. This limits opportunities for traders focused on these asset classes.
Our Take On FXPro
"FxPro is an excellent choice for traders, offering swift execution speeds under 12ms, reduced fees since 2022, and outstanding charting platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and FxPro Edge."
Pros
- FxPro provides four dependable charting platforms, including the user-friendly FxPro Edge. It features more than 50 indicators, 7 types of charts, and 15 different timeframes.
- FxPro's Wallet is a notable feature enabling traders to securely manage their funds. It ensures additional protection and ease by separating unused funds from active trading accounts.
- FxPro uses a 'No Dealing Desk' (NDD) model for swift and transparent order execution, usually within 12 milliseconds, making it well-suited for short-term trading strategies.
Cons
- FxPro offers customer support five days a week around the clock, accessible via various platforms, and the service quality is reliable based on tests. However, the absence of weekend support can be a drawback for traders requiring help beyond standard market times.
- There are no passive investment options such as copy trading or interest on cash. While traders might not find these essential, competitors like eToro, which accommodate both active and passive investors, offer more extensive services.
- FxPro, with its $10M funded demo account and expanding Knowledge Hub, mainly caters to experienced traders. Beginners might find its account and fee structure challenging to understand.
Our Take On IG Index
"IG offers a complete package with an intuitive online platform, top-tier beginner education, advanced charting tools through its TradingView integration, real-time data, and swift execution for seasoned traders."
Pros
- The ProRealTime advanced charting platform remains free, provided traders meet modest monthly activity requirements.
- IG provides a wide range of professional and engaging educational materials, such as webinars, articles, and analyses, tailored for traders.
- IG stands out with its extensive range of instruments, offering stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Additionally, it has recently introduced US-listed futures and options, along with an AI Index. These options enhance opportunities for diversification in trading.
Cons
- IG has ended its swap-free account, diminishing its attractiveness to Islamic traders.
- Beginners may find IG's fees complicated, as they vary depending on the trades or services. This could cause confusion and unexpected costs.
- Based on tests, stock and CFD spreads remain less competitive than the lowest-cost brokers, such as CMC Markets.
Our Take On IC Trading
"IC Trading offers an ideal environment, featuring top-tier execution speeds of around 40 milliseconds, extensive liquidity, and advanced charting tools, perfect for scalpers, traders, and algorithmic traders."
Christian Harris
Reviewer
Pros
- IC Trading offers top-tier spreads, with some major currency pairs like EUR/USD featuring spreads as low as 0.0 pips, making it an excellent choice for traders.
- Trading Central and Autochartist provide valuable technical analysis and actionable ideas. These tools are readily available within the account area or on the cTrader platform.
- IC Trading provides exceptional flexibility, allowing traders to open as many as 10 live accounts and 20 demo accounts. This enables the management of distinct profiles for various activities, including manual and algorithmic trading.
Cons
- The educational materials require significant enhancement unless accessed via the IC Markets website. This limitation is particularly disadvantageous for beginners seeking a thorough learning experience, especially when compared to industry leaders such as eToro.
- Although IC Trading operates under the reputable IC Markets group, it is licensed by the FSC in Mauritius, a regulator known for its limited financial transparency and lack of robust safeguards.
- Unlike IC Markets, IC Trading lacks support for social trading via the IC Social app or the ZuluTrade platform.
What Are Brokers With Segregated Accounts?
Brokers with segregated accounts hold the firm’s working capital separate from their client’s investment money.
By holding customer funds in segregated bank accounts, the firm is not able to use client money to settle asset and liability transactions in the case of business failure. They essentially provide an additional layer of security so that the firm will not misuse client funds.
Often money is held with a custodian, such as a bank or financial institution. These funds can be easily controlled, managed, and identified if a broker goes into bankruptcy or financial takeover.
UK Regulations
The segregated account has been added as a stipulation by many financial watchdogs worldwide. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) specifies a separate rule under its Client Assets Sourcebook. This identifies the segregation methodology for brokers to follow, plus an acknowledgement of trust and reconciliation requirements.
The FCA states that “a firm, on receiving any client money, must promptly place this money into one or more accounts opened with any of the following profiles; a central bank, a CRD credit institution, a bank authorised in a third country or a qualifying money market fund.”
AFX Markets went into administration in 2019 under the FCA’s Special Administration Regime (SAR). This was created by the UK government in 2011 to deal with issues of the failure to comply with FCA regulatory rules of customer fund holding. Clients were entitled to claim with the FSCS if they were registered customers of AFX Markets Ltd. This included access to compensation up to £85,000 per person.
Unregistered Brokers
Forex brokers with non-segregated cash accounts may not provide adequate financial safeguarding to traders. Unregulated brokers or those registered with more lenient offshore watchdogs, may not separate customer money from their own.
This is particularly common with binary options brokers, operating with limited government or third-party oversight. Some firms have terms dictating that they own their investors’ money once it had been deposited, meaning these funds could be used for day-to-day business operations.
Benefits Of Brokers With Segregated Accounts
- Peace of mind knowing that the broker-dealer or registered custodian is unable to complete fraudulent or risky operations with trader funds
- Segregated bank accounts are legally separated from the firm’s assets, meaning the forex broker cannot use the stored funds to conduct business operations
- Brokers with segregated accounts must maintain a record of all transactions performed through the account
- Online brokers are required to allow clients, the beneficiary, constant access to their money as and when required
How Do I Know If My Broker Uses Segregated Accounts?
Typically, a broker-dealer will publish this information on their regulation and safety web pages. For example, CMC Markets has details of its segregated account under its ‘Regulations’ page.
The firm states that it holds client funds in segregated bank accounts with UK institutions, such as NatWest, Barclays, and Lloyds. Their client money controls and processes are also audited annually by PricewaterhouseCoopers, with results reported to the FCA.
Tip: you can check that a broker’s FCA license is legitimate by searching for the company name or registration number on the watchdog’s official website.
Segregated Accounts Vs Separate Accounts
A separate account is an investment profile, typically opened through an online broker but managed by a financial advisor. Often there are minimum investment requirements to register for a separate account, sometimes in the region of £50,000+, plus annual management fees averaging 1-5% of the portfolio value.
A segregated account is used to store and operate client money separately from the working capital of the trading broker. They are a safety measure employed by the best UK brokers.
How To Compare Brokers That Offer Segregated Accounts
It is not uncommon to find UK brokers with segregated accounts, particularly given the rules of the FCA. The increased choice means you can be more selective when choosing a brokerage. Consider the following when comparing brokers with segregated accounts:
- Fees – Does the broker have a transparent fee structure? Are the commission charges and spreads competitive? Brokers with low fees should be favoured, though this should not come at the detriment of access to appropriate trading tools and additional features. City Index, for example, offers zero commission forex and CFD trading except for equity CFDs. UK equities will incur a 0.08% fee with a minimum commission of £10.
- Customer Support – Access to a responsive and reliable customer support team is helpful, especially when it comes to financial safeguarding. The best brokers with segregated accounts offer 24/5 or 24/7 customer support through various methods. It is important to be able to speak to a human advisor for money-holding concerns, as well as for trading queries and platform guidance.
- Regulation – Regulatory status is typically a good indicator of financial safeguarding. Brokers with oversight from top-tier authorisations such as the FCA must comply with relevant stipulations. In addition to segregated funds, access to compensation schemes and negative balance protection are important measures.
- Assets – Another consideration when comparing brokers with individual segregated accounts is the range of investment products and margin trading available. This may include stocks, forex, commodities, or cryptocurrency. Interactive Brokers, for example, provides thousands of tradeable products on more than 150 exchanges.
- Deposit & Withdrawal Methods – The best online brokers with segregated accounts accept several payment methods to deposit and withdraw from an account. This may include credit/debit cards, bank wire transfers, and e-wallet providers such as PayPal and Neteller. Also look at minimum deposits (under £200 is good) and payment timelines (the top providers process deposits instantly and withdrawals within five working days).
Bottom Line On Brokers With Segregated Accounts
Using a forex broker with a segregated asset account for client money is sensible. The peace of mind and assurance that your funds are held apart from business money in the case of failure or insolvency is important. It is a promising sign that the brokerage is legitimate and trustworthy.
Use our ranking of the best brokers with segregated accounts to start trading.
FAQ
Are Segregated Brokerage Accounts Safe?
Brokers with segregated accounts are normally safer than non-segregated accounts. Money held separately cannot be used to settle business shortcomings and funds can be controlled by a third party if a broker goes into bankruptcy.
What Is A Segregated Bank Account For Trading?
Segregated trading accounts are profiles in which customer money is held separately from the funds of a broker-dealer. The single account is created by the brokerage to accommodate all of its traders’ funds collectively. Importantly, the segregated money is out of the broker’s reach should they go under.
Are Segregated Brokerage Accounts Insured?
The best forex and CFD brokers with segregated accounts also provide monetary insurance. FCA-regulated financial institutions, for example, must hold their client funds with a registered bank or financial firm. These should provide suitable custodian insurance as an additional protection measure.
Which UK Brokers Offer Segregated Trading Accounts?
Among the top UK brokers with segregated accounts are CMC Markets, FXCC, and Eightcap. Alternatively, see our full list of the largest brokerage firms with segregated accounts.