Global Binary Options Regulations Overview - the Full Breakdown
- Finance Magnates Intelligence provides you with the latest regulatory developments affecting binary options.

Luckily for brokers looking to expand to new markets internationally, Finance Magnates Intelligence analysts have already done all the hard work for you and compiled an exhaustive list of binary options regulations in all the countries of the world. To further help our readers process this treasure-trove of information we visualised it all in the form of regional maps.
Forex Trading Regulations Around the World – the Full Breakdown
It's important to remember that the legal situation around binary options is still fluid and prone to changes from time to time. The following maps offer a snapshot of the market as it is in March, 2017. Keep following Finance Magnates to stay up to date with the latest developments.

In the major market of North America the situation is pretty straightforward. Unlike what some people believe, retail binary options are legal for trading in the US - the only restriction being that they must be traded on one of two authorised exchanges = NADEX and Cantor Exchange Exchange An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectively relevant with real-time pricing.Depending upon where you reside, an exchange may be referred to as a bourse or a share exchange while, as a whole, exchanges are present within the majority of countries. Who is Listed on an Exchange?As trading continues to transition more to electronic exchanges, transactions become more dispersed through varying exchanges. This in turn has caused a surge in the implementation of trading algorithms and high-frequency trading applications. In order for a company to be listed on a stock exchange for example, a company must divulge information such as minimum capital requirements, audited earnings reports, and financial reports.Not all exchanges are created equally, with some outperforming other exchanges significantly. The most high-profile exchanges to date include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), the London Stock Exchange (LSE), and the Nasdaq. Outside of trading, a stock exchange may be used by companies aiming to raise capital, this is most commonly seen in the form of initial public offerings (IPOs).Exchanges can now handle other asset classes, given the rise of cryptocurrencies as a more popularized form of trading. An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectively relevant with real-time pricing.Depending upon where you reside, an exchange may be referred to as a bourse or a share exchange while, as a whole, exchanges are present within the majority of countries. Who is Listed on an Exchange?As trading continues to transition more to electronic exchanges, transactions become more dispersed through varying exchanges. This in turn has caused a surge in the implementation of trading algorithms and high-frequency trading applications. In order for a company to be listed on a stock exchange for example, a company must divulge information such as minimum capital requirements, audited earnings reports, and financial reports.Not all exchanges are created equally, with some outperforming other exchanges significantly. The most high-profile exchanges to date include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), the London Stock Exchange (LSE), and the Nasdaq. Outside of trading, a stock exchange may be used by companies aiming to raise capital, this is most commonly seen in the form of initial public offerings (IPOs).Exchanges can now handle other asset classes, given the rise of cryptocurrencies as a more popularized form of trading. Read this Term. In Canada, any firm offering financial instruments must be authorised by the provincial regulators but none of those issue licenses for binary options.
Want to get more valuable data for decision-making? Go to the Finance Magnates Intelligence page

In South America no country specifically bans binary options trading. In fact, trading is known to be flourishing right now in some markets, such as Chile.

In the European Union, firms that are regulated in one country can use license passporting (established under MIFID) to facilitate operations in all other countries. However, some national regulators placed restrictions on the trade, such as France that banned advertising and Belgium that outlawed it completely.

In the Middle East, Cyprus offers a regulatory framework for binary options that made it into the leading hub in the region and the prefered EU jurisdiction. In sharp contrast, Israel banned binary options completely for locals and is working on even making the operation of international call centers illegal.

Africa offers some of the fastest growing binary options markets but South Africa is the only country where it is explicitly allowed for trading.


Throughout the Asia Pacific region, binary options face no regulatory hurdles for growth. However, the regulators of Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and above all Japan have specific frameworks by which firms must abide to receive a license.
Where does your jurisdiction stand regarding forex regulations? Which watchdogs allow CFDs training?
Luckily for brokers looking to expand to new markets internationally, Finance Magnates Intelligence analysts have already done all the hard work for you and compiled an exhaustive list of binary options regulations in all the countries of the world. To further help our readers process this treasure-trove of information we visualised it all in the form of regional maps.
Forex Trading Regulations Around the World – the Full Breakdown
It's important to remember that the legal situation around binary options is still fluid and prone to changes from time to time. The following maps offer a snapshot of the market as it is in March, 2017. Keep following Finance Magnates to stay up to date with the latest developments.

In the major market of North America the situation is pretty straightforward. Unlike what some people believe, retail binary options are legal for trading in the US - the only restriction being that they must be traded on one of two authorised exchanges = NADEX and Cantor Exchange Exchange An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectively relevant with real-time pricing.Depending upon where you reside, an exchange may be referred to as a bourse or a share exchange while, as a whole, exchanges are present within the majority of countries. Who is Listed on an Exchange?As trading continues to transition more to electronic exchanges, transactions become more dispersed through varying exchanges. This in turn has caused a surge in the implementation of trading algorithms and high-frequency trading applications. In order for a company to be listed on a stock exchange for example, a company must divulge information such as minimum capital requirements, audited earnings reports, and financial reports.Not all exchanges are created equally, with some outperforming other exchanges significantly. The most high-profile exchanges to date include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), the London Stock Exchange (LSE), and the Nasdaq. Outside of trading, a stock exchange may be used by companies aiming to raise capital, this is most commonly seen in the form of initial public offerings (IPOs).Exchanges can now handle other asset classes, given the rise of cryptocurrencies as a more popularized form of trading. An exchange is known as a marketplace that supports the trading of derivatives, commodities, securities, and other financial instruments.Generally, an exchange is accessible through a digital platform or sometimes at a tangible address where investors organize to perform trading. Among the chief responsibilities of an exchange would be to uphold honest and fair-trading practices. These are instrumental in making sure that the distribution of supported security rates on that exchange are effectively relevant with real-time pricing.Depending upon where you reside, an exchange may be referred to as a bourse or a share exchange while, as a whole, exchanges are present within the majority of countries. Who is Listed on an Exchange?As trading continues to transition more to electronic exchanges, transactions become more dispersed through varying exchanges. This in turn has caused a surge in the implementation of trading algorithms and high-frequency trading applications. In order for a company to be listed on a stock exchange for example, a company must divulge information such as minimum capital requirements, audited earnings reports, and financial reports.Not all exchanges are created equally, with some outperforming other exchanges significantly. The most high-profile exchanges to date include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), the London Stock Exchange (LSE), and the Nasdaq. Outside of trading, a stock exchange may be used by companies aiming to raise capital, this is most commonly seen in the form of initial public offerings (IPOs).Exchanges can now handle other asset classes, given the rise of cryptocurrencies as a more popularized form of trading. Read this Term. In Canada, any firm offering financial instruments must be authorised by the provincial regulators but none of those issue licenses for binary options.
Want to get more valuable data for decision-making? Go to the Finance Magnates Intelligence page

In South America no country specifically bans binary options trading. In fact, trading is known to be flourishing right now in some markets, such as Chile.

In the European Union, firms that are regulated in one country can use license passporting (established under MIFID) to facilitate operations in all other countries. However, some national regulators placed restrictions on the trade, such as France that banned advertising and Belgium that outlawed it completely.

In the Middle East, Cyprus offers a regulatory framework for binary options that made it into the leading hub in the region and the prefered EU jurisdiction. In sharp contrast, Israel banned binary options completely for locals and is working on even making the operation of international call centers illegal.

Africa offers some of the fastest growing binary options markets but South Africa is the only country where it is explicitly allowed for trading.


Throughout the Asia Pacific region, binary options face no regulatory hurdles for growth. However, the regulators of Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and above all Japan have specific frameworks by which firms must abide to receive a license.
Where does your jurisdiction stand regarding forex regulations? Which watchdogs allow CFDs training?