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Japanese Watchdog Warns Against Three Binary Options Brands Unlicensed to Operate in Japan

Wednesday, 10/02/2016 | 12:23 GMT by Damian Chmiel
  • The financial market regulator has updated its warning list, adding three entities connected with binary options trading.
Japanese Watchdog Warns Against Three Binary Options Brands Unlicensed to Operate in Japan
(Photo: Bloomberg)

The Japanese binary options market is one of the largest and the most active in the world. It is also one of the most strongly regulated by local financial institutions. Kanto Local Finance Bureau regularly informs investors about potentially dangerous brokers and other companies that offer their services without proper licenses. Today, the regulator published information about three more firms associated with the binary options market.

Among the brands whose legality has been questioned were BizOption Management Office (BizOption), WorldOptionner Management Office (World Option) and LFG Investment Limited (OptionRally). The Japanese regulator claims that they broke the rules of the 'Guidelines for Supervision of the Financial Instruments Business'.

BizOption's site is currently not functioning. World Option's site is fully functional – in English and Japanese – but does not contain any information regarding the Regulation or authorization necessary for operating on the local market.

OptionRally is the only one of the three companies that is regulated. However, the license has been issued by CySEC and concerns only the Cypriot financial market. What is more, the local watchdog says that it issued the first official warning about OptionRally's services in Japan as early as September 2015.

All of the above mentioned firms presumably offered trading services or support to Japanese clients. Finally, Kanto Local Finance Bureau took a closer look at them. According to Japanese law, financial companies must have proper licenses to offer services related to binary options – regardless of whether or not they have authorizations in other parts of the world.

The Japanese binary options market is one of the largest and the most active in the world. It is also one of the most strongly regulated by local financial institutions. Kanto Local Finance Bureau regularly informs investors about potentially dangerous brokers and other companies that offer their services without proper licenses. Today, the regulator published information about three more firms associated with the binary options market.

Among the brands whose legality has been questioned were BizOption Management Office (BizOption), WorldOptionner Management Office (World Option) and LFG Investment Limited (OptionRally). The Japanese regulator claims that they broke the rules of the 'Guidelines for Supervision of the Financial Instruments Business'.

BizOption's site is currently not functioning. World Option's site is fully functional – in English and Japanese – but does not contain any information regarding the Regulation or authorization necessary for operating on the local market.

OptionRally is the only one of the three companies that is regulated. However, the license has been issued by CySEC and concerns only the Cypriot financial market. What is more, the local watchdog says that it issued the first official warning about OptionRally's services in Japan as early as September 2015.

All of the above mentioned firms presumably offered trading services or support to Japanese clients. Finally, Kanto Local Finance Bureau took a closer look at them. According to Japanese law, financial companies must have proper licenses to offer services related to binary options – regardless of whether or not they have authorizations in other parts of the world.

About the Author: Damian Chmiel
Damian Chmiel
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Damian Chmiel is a Senior Analyst & Editor at Finance Magnates with more than 15 years of experience in the CFD and online trading industry. Active as both a trader and journalist since 2010, he focuses on broker coverage, fintech innovation, and regulatory developments across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. His work includes interviews with C-level leaders at major brokerages and fintech platforms, as well as co-authoring Finance Magnates’ quarterly industry benchmarking reports. Damian’s reporting is data-driven, market-aware, and grounded in direct industry engagement. His analysis and commentary have also been cited by external media outlets, including Investing.com, Binance, The Asset, Stockhead, and Dispatch. Education: MA in Finance and Accounting, Cracow University of Economics

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