6 minute read
Is JustMarkets Regulated in South Africa? Here’s You Need to Know
from JustMarkets
by Exness_India
If you're asking “Is JustMarkets regulated in South Africa?” — the short and direct answer is: No, JustMarkets is not regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), which is the primary financial regulator in South Africa. Now that we’ve addressed the core question, let’s explore what this means for South African traders, the implications of trading with an unregulated broker in your jurisdiction, and whether JustMarkets is still a safe and viable option.
✅ Trade with JustMarkets now: Open An Account or Visit Brokers 👈
What Is JustMarkets?
JustMarkets is a well-known international online forex and CFD broker offering trading services in a wide range of financial instruments — including forex pairs, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and stocks. Established in 2012, JustMarkets has gained popularity due to its user-friendly platform, competitive spreads, and diverse account types catering to both beginners and advanced traders.
The company serves clients from many parts of the world and offers access to the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms — two of the most respected and widely used platforms in the retail trading industry.
Is JustMarkets Regulated Globally?
Yes, JustMarkets is regulated internationally, but not in South Africa. Currently, JustMarkets operates under the following regulatory entity:
· Financial Services Authority (FSA) of SeychellesJustMarkets operates under Just Global Markets Ltd, which is licensed by the FSA Seychelles under license number SD088.
While the FSA Seychelles is a recognized regulator, it is considered an offshore financial authority. Offshore regulators typically have lighter compliance requirements compared to tier-1 regulatory bodies like the FSCA (South Africa), FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), or CySEC (Cyprus).
What Does It Mean That JustMarkets Is Not Regulated in South Africa?
Since JustMarkets does not hold a license from the FSCA, it is not officially authorized to offer financial services to South African residents under South African law.
This has a few key implications:
1. Limited Investor Protection
FSCA-regulated brokers are subject to strict rules around client fund segregation, transparency, and dispute resolution. South African clients who choose to trade with JustMarkets do not benefit from the same level of legal protection and recourse as they would with a locally regulated broker.
2. No Local Oversight
In case of a dispute or malpractice, South African authorities may have limited ability to assist you. Your relationship is governed by the laws of Seychelles, not South Africa.
3. Risk of Ban or Restriction
South African financial regulators have been cracking down on offshore brokers operating without local licenses. In the future, access to the JustMarkets platform might be restricted in South Africa if the FSCA takes action.
✅ Trade with JustMarkets now: Open An Account or Visit Brokers 👈
Why Do Some South Africans Still Use JustMarkets?
Despite the regulatory gap, many South African traders still use JustMarkets — and there are several reasons for this:
1. High Leverage Options
Offshore brokers like JustMarkets often offer higher leverage than FSCA-regulated brokers. For example, JustMarkets offers leverage of up to 1:3000, depending on the account type — a level not available from most regulated entities.
2. Attractive Bonuses and Promotions
FSCA-regulated brokers are generally not allowed to offer promotional bonuses or trading incentives. JustMarkets, being offshore, provides a variety of deposit bonuses, no-deposit bonuses, and loyalty programs, which can be attractive to traders looking to maximize capital.
3. Wide Range of Trading Instruments
JustMarkets offers access to over 170 instruments, including cryptocurrencies, which may not be available or accessible via FSCA-regulated brokers.
4. Fast and Easy Account Registration
With fewer compliance barriers, offshore brokers usually provide quicker onboarding. JustMarkets’ KYC process is relatively fast and user-friendly, even for South African residents.
Is It Legal to Trade with JustMarkets in South Africa?
Yes — but with important caveats.
While JustMarkets is not licensed in South Africa, there are currently no laws explicitly prohibiting South African residents from trading with offshore brokers. This means South Africans can legally open an account and trade with JustMarkets, but they do so at their own risk.
However, it’s important to note that:
· You won’t be protected by South African law in case of a dispute.
· The FSCA may eventually restrict or blacklist brokers operating without a license.
· Any complaints about misconduct may need to be directed to foreign regulators — which can be complicated and often ineffective for retail traders.
Is JustMarkets Safe to Use?
While not regulated by the FSCA, JustMarkets has been operating since 2012 and has built a relatively good reputation in the forex community. Here are some points that may indicate a level of reliability:
· Segregated client funds: JustMarkets states that client funds are held separately from operational funds.
· SSL encryption: The website uses standard encryption for secure data transmission.
· Negative balance protection: Clients are protected from going into a negative balance.
· Long operational history: Over 10 years in business with international clients.
However, the lack of tier-1 regulation is a serious limitation. Even if a broker has a clean track record, regulation exists to protect you when things go wrong — and you don’t want to rely solely on reputation.
How to Check if a Broker is FSCA Regulated
To verify if a broker is regulated in South Africa:
1. Visit the official FSCA website: fsca.co.za
2. Click on “Financial Service Providers”
3. Use the search tool to look up the broker by name or FSP number.
As of this writing, JustMarkets does not appear in the FSCA registry, meaning they do not have a license to operate in South Africa.
Should You Trade with JustMarkets as a South African?
Here’s a balanced perspective:
You might consider JustMarkets if:
· You are an experienced trader who understands the risks of offshore trading.
· You want access to higher leverage or more instruments than local brokers offer.
· You are seeking promotional offers and flexible conditions.
You should avoid JustMarkets if:
· You are a beginner looking for maximum legal protection.
· You rely on the safety net of local dispute resolution processes.
· You want peace of mind knowing your broker is answerable to local laws.
Alternatives to JustMarkets That Are FSCA-Regulated
If regulatory protection is a priority, consider one of the following brokers with FSCA licenses:
· IG Markets South Africa
· CM Trading
· FXTM South Africa
· Axi South Africa
· Khwezi Trade
These brokers offer lower leverage but greater oversight, protection, and local customer support. They also meet the FSCA’s capital and compliance requirements.
Final Thoughts
To summarize: JustMarkets is not regulated in South Africa, which means it operates without local oversight from the FSCA. While this doesn’t make it illegal for South Africans to trade with them, it does carry additional risks that traders should weigh carefully.
If you prioritize high leverage, promotional offers, and international flexibility — and you fully understand the risks — JustMarkets might be worth exploring. But if you prefer strong legal protection, local accountability, and FSCA safeguards, it’s advisable to stick with brokers licensed in South Africa.
Ultimately, your choice of broker should align with your risk tolerance, trading goals, and legal awareness. Always do your own due diligence before depositing funds with any financial institution. If you found this article helpful, follow for more insights on broker reviews, trading regulations, and smart investing strategies. Stay safe and trade wisely.
✅ Trade with JustMarkets now: Open An Account or Visit Brokers 👈
Read more:
