Foreign exchange trading is a highly competitive sector, where business owners have to compete with other brokers all over the world. It is common for new brokers to locate their businesses in America or the UK, but some prefer to create Forex brokerage businesses in less congested markets.
There are different regulations for Forex business in different countries. The US and the UK, for example, require brokers to register with their national regulatory bodies. Brokers are also required to report their financial information to these organizations. Also, regulatory authorities regularly do background checks on companies that produce suspicious results. As a consequence of strict regulations, it can sometimes be difficult for new businesses to establish themselves successfully in these jurisdictions.
Businesses that operate in countries where Forex brokers are less strictly regulated can benefit from a number of advantages. If you are trying to create your own Forex broker, you might want to look at the advantages of setting up one in a country with fewer regulations:
- Easier to set up Forex brokerage: Regulatory registration is not complicated, and there is no limit on the number of clients.
- No limitations on clients’ trading volumes: Brokers may be required to limit clients’ trading amounts in some countries.
- Having more control over business operations: Entrepreneurs who start Forex brokerage in these jurisdictions have a greater degree of control over their business models and operational styles.
- A firm can target a wider range of clients: Brokers in countries with stricter regulations may be forced to be more selective about their traders. Less regulated markets offer brokers more opportunities for gaining clients and growing their profits.
- Less competition: The smaller the market, the fewer the established Forex brokers fighting for market share, so new businesses have a better chance of succeeding.
- Regulations are less burdensome, resulting in lower costs: Companies can reduce overhead costs since they are not subject to costly regulatory compliance. Because of this, they will be able to achieve greater financial returns, which, in turn, will allow them to expand fast and succeed faster than their competitors in strongly regulated jurisdictions.
- A higher chance of success for new brokerages: Less competition makes it easier for new brokers to succeed. It is a relatively low barrier to entry, and there is a healthy demand for services.
Brokers are increasingly expanding into less regulated markets for a variety of reasons, including lower costs, better margins, and higher profits. The good news is that these benefits can be enjoyed without compromising the quality of trading standards. It is crucial to remember that keeping your client happy by providing high-quality customer service is the key to success in a Forex trading business.
There are, however, some disadvantages to opening Forex brokerage in a country with a softer regulatory environment.
Trading with unregulated brokers can be a risky proposition for some clients. This can be attributed in large part to potential customers being unaware of the fact that brokers who trade outside the framework of national regulatory bodies have high compliance standards that adhere to the regulations of the industry. It is common for clients to worry about the risks. As an alternative, they may choose to trade with brokers who operate within the framework of a national regulatory system (even though these companies are also required to register with and be monitored by their respective federal governments).
How to overcome clients’ reluctance:
Even if clients trade from countries that are not regulated, brokers should communicate with them early in the registration process.
It is important to inform prospective customers of the standards of the industry and how they compare with typical national regulatory requirements. As an example, when it comes to less regulated countries, the minimum capital requirements may only be $25,000, whereas if it comes to highly regulated jurisdictions, then the minimum requirement will probably be closer to $100,000. It is imperative that brokers promote themselves through online platforms so that potential clients will have a clear understanding that these companies are available to them, regardless of where they live or how much money they wish to invest.
Regardless of whether a broker is regulated or not, the service and products they offer must still be of the highest quality. A number of regulatory bodies have been established in the Forex industry, including the NFA (National Futures Association) and the CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission), in order to ensure that traders are protected, and that broker’s trading practices are fair for all participants.
Companies that are not regulated by national governments must establish themselves as professional, trustworthy businesses. An unregulated company offers an increased number of leverage possibilities and faster withdrawals to its customers, so it is important that potential customers know what benefits are available to them. Additionally, they must know what they risk, including a lower level of protection for their funds (although that is becoming less of an issue as more unregulated companies employ KYC/AML procedures).
It is important to be upfront about your location, as many unregulated brokers are registered in offshore jurisdictions, which is not immediately apparent to new clients. When clients select a broker, they should be informed of this so that they can make an informed decision. You can ease some of the clients’ concerns by having a physical presence in the country where you are regulated.
Unregulated brokers need to demonstrate the benefits of their services to clients who are hesitant to work with them. Informing new customers about the advantages of going with a broker that is not bound by national regulations is essential. Among these advantages are increased leverage and faster withdrawals. The more transparent brokers are regarding their registration and their services, the more confident clients will be in their decision when opening an account. Also, being upfront about your brokerage’s location will increase the likelihood that potential clients will use your services.
