Following an opinion on the matter from ESMA in 2012, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a letter to brokers providing their opinion on copy trading. Part one look of what is coming.
According to the FCA letter, the regulator's opinion was that the definition provided above “does constitute managing investments” and this would require firms providing such copy trading services to require licenses for such activity. In addition to licensing, becoming an asset manager provider also entails providing the FCA a report and an audit tail of copy trading.
Beyond copy trading, the FCA also addressed whether social like features where users are sent trade signals but enter orders themselves is considered ‘advice’. Regarding this, the FCA’s opinion was much more ambiguous, as they didn’t provide a concrete answer as to whether social or signal messages fell under existing rules governing advice.
What Is a Discretionary Account?
Following the opinion, the next step for firms in their interaction with the regulator is determining what programs do fall under the FCA’s definitions of ‘managing investments’. In conversations Forex Magnates had with UK brokers, which at this point it was forbidden for them to provide comments about the letter or even answer whether they had received it. However, in overall discussion, consensus of opinion is that EU regulators, including the FCA, are going in the direction to apply the above-mentioned ESMA opinion.
PAMMS and Trade Leaders
Among specific questions that are up in the air are: 1) The status of technology providers offering copy trading services for brokers 2) PAMM account managers as users control who they follow and 3) social trade leaders. In regards to asset managers using MAMM technology where the manager controls the size of orders for each account, this activity has been determined to require a licensed manager. Because of this, there has been less questioning of MAMM requirements, with EU brokers as early as four years ago stating to members of Forex Magnates that they were restricting MAMM traders to be regulated.
The future of social, signal and PAMM trading though is less clear. While not speaking specifically about the FCA letter, in private discussions with members of brokers, reaction to potential restrictions and requirements of licensing was positive and negative, and ambivalent. Overall, consensus is that in regards to the new technology or financial products, the reality is that regulators will always approach them with a conservative view.
Offshore and Licensed Managers
While questions abound, one of the few certainties is that more EU brokers will be creating offshore entities to onboard clients from less regulated jurisdictions. The goal of such initiatives will be to put a trusted brand name behind a broker, where a firm will be able to continue to offer to at least a segment of the clientele, copy trading services in a less strict environment. Due to rules on how affiliates are able to be compensated, brokers have also been creating offshore entities as a solution to handle partner requests. In addition to offshore entities, another trend that is expected to take place will be the entrance of asset managers partnering with brokers to become PAMM and social trading leaders.
This is part one of a two-part look into copy trading regulation. Following this intro, Forex Magnates is planning on a more in-depth post that will focus on specifc products such as social trading, PAMMs and technology providers, and where they fit in with the question of what is discretionary trading.
According to the FCA letter, the regulator's opinion was that the definition provided above “does constitute managing investments” and this would require firms providing such copy trading services to require licenses for such activity. In addition to licensing, becoming an asset manager provider also entails providing the FCA a report and an audit tail of copy trading.
Beyond copy trading, the FCA also addressed whether social like features where users are sent trade signals but enter orders themselves is considered ‘advice’. Regarding this, the FCA’s opinion was much more ambiguous, as they didn’t provide a concrete answer as to whether social or signal messages fell under existing rules governing advice.
What Is a Discretionary Account?
Following the opinion, the next step for firms in their interaction with the regulator is determining what programs do fall under the FCA’s definitions of ‘managing investments’. In conversations Forex Magnates had with UK brokers, which at this point it was forbidden for them to provide comments about the letter or even answer whether they had received it. However, in overall discussion, consensus of opinion is that EU regulators, including the FCA, are going in the direction to apply the above-mentioned ESMA opinion.
PAMMS and Trade Leaders
Among specific questions that are up in the air are: 1) The status of technology providers offering copy trading services for brokers 2) PAMM account managers as users control who they follow and 3) social trade leaders. In regards to asset managers using MAMM technology where the manager controls the size of orders for each account, this activity has been determined to require a licensed manager. Because of this, there has been less questioning of MAMM requirements, with EU brokers as early as four years ago stating to members of Forex Magnates that they were restricting MAMM traders to be regulated.
The future of social, signal and PAMM trading though is less clear. While not speaking specifically about the FCA letter, in private discussions with members of brokers, reaction to potential restrictions and requirements of licensing was positive and negative, and ambivalent. Overall, consensus is that in regards to the new technology or financial products, the reality is that regulators will always approach them with a conservative view.
Offshore and Licensed Managers
While questions abound, one of the few certainties is that more EU brokers will be creating offshore entities to onboard clients from less regulated jurisdictions. The goal of such initiatives will be to put a trusted brand name behind a broker, where a firm will be able to continue to offer to at least a segment of the clientele, copy trading services in a less strict environment. Due to rules on how affiliates are able to be compensated, brokers have also been creating offshore entities as a solution to handle partner requests. In addition to offshore entities, another trend that is expected to take place will be the entrance of asset managers partnering with brokers to become PAMM and social trading leaders.
This is part one of a two-part look into copy trading regulation. Following this intro, Forex Magnates is planning on a more in-depth post that will focus on specifc products such as social trading, PAMMs and technology providers, and where they fit in with the question of what is discretionary trading.
FXBO Adds IDWise KYC And AML Tools To Broker CRM Stack
Featured Videos
Trading Tales: Stories from The Floor
Trading Tales: Stories from The Floor
Trading Tales: Stories from The Floor
Trading Tales: Stories from The Floor
Join seasoned financial markets professionals as they reflect on life spent in front of tickets, phones, and later screens, and the stories they’ve accumulated on sales and trading floors.
You can count on an unorthodox blend of candid perspectives and off-the-record tales that novices won’t get, and compliance won’t approve.
Attend at your own risk.
What to expect:
A deeper grasp of the evolution that Singapore's FX market has gone through
Practical wisdom on regional market peculiarities and FX careers
Unforgettable anecdotes that bring the Lion City's trading culture to life
Join seasoned financial markets professionals as they reflect on life spent in front of tickets, phones, and later screens, and the stories they’ve accumulated on sales and trading floors.
You can count on an unorthodox blend of candid perspectives and off-the-record tales that novices won’t get, and compliance won’t approve.
Attend at your own risk.
What to expect:
A deeper grasp of the evolution that Singapore's FX market has gone through
Practical wisdom on regional market peculiarities and FX careers
Unforgettable anecdotes that bring the Lion City's trading culture to life
Join seasoned financial markets professionals as they reflect on life spent in front of tickets, phones, and later screens, and the stories they’ve accumulated on sales and trading floors.
You can count on an unorthodox blend of candid perspectives and off-the-record tales that novices won’t get, and compliance won’t approve.
Attend at your own risk.
What to expect:
A deeper grasp of the evolution that Singapore's FX market has gone through
Practical wisdom on regional market peculiarities and FX careers
Unforgettable anecdotes that bring the Lion City's trading culture to life
Join seasoned financial markets professionals as they reflect on life spent in front of tickets, phones, and later screens, and the stories they’ve accumulated on sales and trading floors.
You can count on an unorthodox blend of candid perspectives and off-the-record tales that novices won’t get, and compliance won’t approve.
Attend at your own risk.
What to expect:
A deeper grasp of the evolution that Singapore's FX market has gone through
Practical wisdom on regional market peculiarities and FX careers
Unforgettable anecdotes that bring the Lion City's trading culture to life
Tokenized assets are all the rage across retail and institutional trading, but adoption might hit unique roadblocks for each.
This session gathers builders and architects practitioners to break down questions of infrastructure, ownership, and settlement that will define the next wave of asset tokenization.
Attendees will walk away with:
Institutional perspective on tokenized assets and what they unlock from bonds to debt
Understanding which paths are available for retail brokers and their compliance and product implications
Insight into where APAC regulators stand on tokenized securities
Tokenized assets are all the rage across retail and institutional trading, but adoption might hit unique roadblocks for each.
This session gathers builders and architects practitioners to break down questions of infrastructure, ownership, and settlement that will define the next wave of asset tokenization.
Attendees will walk away with:
Institutional perspective on tokenized assets and what they unlock from bonds to debt
Understanding which paths are available for retail brokers and their compliance and product implications
Insight into where APAC regulators stand on tokenized securities
Tokenized assets are all the rage across retail and institutional trading, but adoption might hit unique roadblocks for each.
This session gathers builders and architects practitioners to break down questions of infrastructure, ownership, and settlement that will define the next wave of asset tokenization.
Attendees will walk away with:
Institutional perspective on tokenized assets and what they unlock from bonds to debt
Understanding which paths are available for retail brokers and their compliance and product implications
Insight into where APAC regulators stand on tokenized securities
Tokenized assets are all the rage across retail and institutional trading, but adoption might hit unique roadblocks for each.
This session gathers builders and architects practitioners to break down questions of infrastructure, ownership, and settlement that will define the next wave of asset tokenization.
Attendees will walk away with:
Institutional perspective on tokenized assets and what they unlock from bonds to debt
Understanding which paths are available for retail brokers and their compliance and product implications
Insight into where APAC regulators stand on tokenized securities
Tokenized assets are all the rage across retail and institutional trading, but adoption might hit unique roadblocks for each.
This session gathers builders and architects practitioners to break down questions of infrastructure, ownership, and settlement that will define the next wave of asset tokenization.
Attendees will walk away with:
Institutional perspective on tokenized assets and what they unlock from bonds to debt
Understanding which paths are available for retail brokers and their compliance and product implications
Insight into where APAC regulators stand on tokenized securities
Tokenized assets are all the rage across retail and institutional trading, but adoption might hit unique roadblocks for each.
This session gathers builders and architects practitioners to break down questions of infrastructure, ownership, and settlement that will define the next wave of asset tokenization.
Attendees will walk away with:
Institutional perspective on tokenized assets and what they unlock from bonds to debt
Understanding which paths are available for retail brokers and their compliance and product implications
Insight into where APAC regulators stand on tokenized securities
As event contracts are set for ‘super-cycle’ growth in volumes and recognition, retail brokers simply can’t stay behind. But can regulated entities integrate a product that is awfully similar to betting?
Join builders across the ecosystemto gain insight into the industry's current and future stance on prediction markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
Better understanding of how the CME, Plus500, and prediction platforms collaborate
Assessment of 2026’s expected volumes and new ‘event’ areas ripe for contracts
Cross-industry understanding of different strategies by brokers (co-opt, partner, buy)
As event contracts are set for ‘super-cycle’ growth in volumes and recognition, retail brokers simply can’t stay behind. But can regulated entities integrate a product that is awfully similar to betting?
Join builders across the ecosystemto gain insight into the industry's current and future stance on prediction markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
Better understanding of how the CME, Plus500, and prediction platforms collaborate
Assessment of 2026’s expected volumes and new ‘event’ areas ripe for contracts
Cross-industry understanding of different strategies by brokers (co-opt, partner, buy)
As event contracts are set for ‘super-cycle’ growth in volumes and recognition, retail brokers simply can’t stay behind. But can regulated entities integrate a product that is awfully similar to betting?
Join builders across the ecosystemto gain insight into the industry's current and future stance on prediction markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
Better understanding of how the CME, Plus500, and prediction platforms collaborate
Assessment of 2026’s expected volumes and new ‘event’ areas ripe for contracts
Cross-industry understanding of different strategies by brokers (co-opt, partner, buy)
As event contracts are set for ‘super-cycle’ growth in volumes and recognition, retail brokers simply can’t stay behind. But can regulated entities integrate a product that is awfully similar to betting?
Join builders across the ecosystemto gain insight into the industry's current and future stance on prediction markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
Better understanding of how the CME, Plus500, and prediction platforms collaborate
Assessment of 2026’s expected volumes and new ‘event’ areas ripe for contracts
Cross-industry understanding of different strategies by brokers (co-opt, partner, buy)
As event contracts are set for ‘super-cycle’ growth in volumes and recognition, retail brokers simply can’t stay behind. But can regulated entities integrate a product that is awfully similar to betting?
Join builders across the ecosystemto gain insight into the industry's current and future stance on prediction markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
Better understanding of how the CME, Plus500, and prediction platforms collaborate
Assessment of 2026’s expected volumes and new ‘event’ areas ripe for contracts
Cross-industry understanding of different strategies by brokers (co-opt, partner, buy)
As event contracts are set for ‘super-cycle’ growth in volumes and recognition, retail brokers simply can’t stay behind. But can regulated entities integrate a product that is awfully similar to betting?
Join builders across the ecosystemto gain insight into the industry's current and future stance on prediction markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
Better understanding of how the CME, Plus500, and prediction platforms collaborate
Assessment of 2026’s expected volumes and new ‘event’ areas ripe for contracts
Cross-industry understanding of different strategies by brokers (co-opt, partner, buy)
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
