Emmanuel Ifeanyi
Emmanuel Ifeanyi is a Financial Research and Platform Testing Analyst at BestBrokers.com, specialising in forex, stock and cryptocurrency trading. He is responsible for most of the site’s broker reviews, contributing detailed research and hands-on testing of trading conditions, fees, account types, available assets, usability and suitability for different types of traders.
| Expert Editor 
Eugene Lee, CFA
Eugene Lee, CFA, is the Head of Research at BestBrokers.com, where he draws on more than two decades of experience in global markets, portfolio management, derivatives, and fintech to evaluate online brokers. His background in institutional investing and quantitative research helps ensure that broker reviews are based on data, risk assessment, and real-world trading conditions. 
| Updated: Founded in 2009, FBS is a multi-regulated forex and CFD broker operating regionally through several entities, including Tradestone Limited in Europe and FBS Markets Inc. for global traders. Designed with an accessible minimum deposit, the broker features straightforward, commission-free Standard and Cent accounts alongside support for MetaTrader 5. MetaTrader 4 is available in select jurisdictions. The product offering includes forex, metals, stocks, energies, and indices, all tradable via Contracts for Difference (CFDs).
| FBS Overall Summary | |
|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 (FBS brand); 2017 (Tradestone Limited) |
| Minimum Deposit | €10 (Cent account); €100 (Standard account) |
| Tradable Instruments | Forex and CFDs on shares, indices, metals, and energy products |
The summary points to a broker built around accessible CFD trading rather than a comprehensive investment service. The Cent account reduces the monetary value of each contract and may help inexperienced clients practise position sizing, while the Standard account is more appropriate for conventional lot-based trading.
Key Pros and Cons
FBS combines a familiar trading environment and accessible account structure with a focus on mainstream leveraged products. Below, we provide a quick summary of FBS’s main strengths and weaknesses so traders can weigh the broker’s pros and cons at a glance before opening an account.
Key Pros
- Tradestone Limited is authorized by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, and eligible retail clients receive Negative Balance Protection and access to the Cyprus Investor Compensation Fund.
- The brand operates regionally through entities licensed by the FSCA in South Africa and ASIC in Australia, while serving global clients through its Belizean licence.
- Flexible leverage of up to 1:3,000 is available under the Belize FSC-regulated entity.
- The Cent account has a starting deposit of €10 and permits trading in smaller monetary units.
- MetaTrader 4, where available, and MetaTrader 5 provide established charting, automation, and mobile-trading tools.
- The main retail accounts do not charge a separate commission.
- A demo environment is available for testing the platforms without risking capital.
- Educational articles, market analysis, and practical trading tools are available through the broker’s website.
Key Cons
- The asset selection is limited. Clients cannot buy and hold physical shares, ETFs, or bonds.
- No raw-spread, commission-based retail account is offered alongside the Cent and Standard accounts across most of the broker’s entities, although the Ultra Account under the ASIC-regulated entity is an exception.
- Base-currency options are limited.
- International clients onboarded under the Belize FSC-regulated entity have access to higher leverage but do not receive the same regulatory safeguards or investor-compensation protections.
Company Information
Founded in 2009, FBS has grown into an international retail brokerage brand with a broad global presence. The broker operates in more than 150 countries and serves over 27 million clients. FBS has received multiple industry accolades from international organizations over the years.
In 2017, the brand expanded into the European market through Tradestone Limited, a Cyprus Investment Firm (CIF) based in Limassol. Operating under CySEC licence number 331/17, Tradestone Limited provides European clients with regulated access to margin FX and CFD trading. Meanwhile, international traders outside the EU are served through separate regional subsidiaries, primarily FBS Markets Inc., which is regulated by the Financial Services Commission of Belize. Across its entities, FBS focuses on accessible account models, Negative Balance Protection, MetaTrader software support, and responsive client service.
Below, we list FBS’s legal entities along with their registered addresses:
- Tradestone Ltd, regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), with a registered business address at Arch. Makariou III & Vyronos, P. Lordos Center, Block B, 2nd Floor, Office 203, 3105 Limassol, Cyprus.
- FBS Markets Inc., regulated by the Financial Services Commission of Belize (FSC), with an office address at The Bentley, #16 Cor A Street & Princess Margaret Drive, Belize City, Belize.
- Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd, trading as FBS Oceania, authorized and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), with its principal place of business at SE 509, L 20/99 Walker St, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia.
- Trade Stone SA (Pty) Ltd is a licensed South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority representative operating FBS services in South Africa through the main global portal, fbs.com.
The distinction between the broker’s separate legal entities matters because leverage, compensation arrangements, promotions, product availability, and complaint procedures can differ among group websites.
Why Trade with FBS?
A trader might shortlist FBS for its multi-jurisdictional regulation, familiar software, and uncomplicated pricing structure. Rather than separating clients among numerous spread and commission plans, the broker concentrates on Cent and Standard accounts with floating spreads.
| Aspect | What We Like |
|---|---|
| Regulation | The brand’s entities hold licences from CySEC, the FSC, ASIC, and the FSCA. |
| Trading Conditions | The initial deposit for the Cent account starts at €10. The minimum deposit requirement for the Standard account is €100 or its equivalent in U.S. dollars. |
| Pricing | The main accounts offer floating spreads from 0.7 pips without a separate dealing commission. |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 is supported across all company entities. |
| Risk Controls | CySEC-regulated entity: retail leverage limit of 1:30, margin call at 80%, stop-out at 50%, and Negative Balance Protection. FSC-regulated entity: international leverage limit of 1:3,000, margin call at 40%, stop-out at 20%, and Negative Balance Protection. |
| Practice | Demo accounts allow clients to explore platform functions before funding a live account. |
| Learning Resources | The website combines Market Analytics, including forex news and daily market analysis; Trader Tools, including an Economic Calendar, Forex Calculator, and Currency Converter; and Forex Education, including a Forex Guidebook, Trading Ideas, Webinars, and Glossary. |
Regulation
FBS.eu is operated by Tradestone Limited, which is authorized by CySEC under Cyprus Investment Firm licence 331/17. CySEC supervision requires the firm to meet capital, conduct-of-business, reporting, and organizational standards derived from European financial-services legislation. The authorization is meaningful, but it does not eliminate market, counterparty, or operational risk.
Retail clients are subject to European leverage restrictions. The maximum is 1:30 for major currency pairs, falling to 1:20 for non-major currencies, gold, and major equity indices; 1:10 for other commodities and non-major indices; and 1:5 for individual equity CFDs.
Tradestone Limited states that retail client money is held separately from the company’s own operational funds. Segregation reduces the risk that client balances are used for ordinary corporate expenses, but it is not the same as a deposit guarantee and does not protect a trader against losses caused by market movements.
Eligible retail clients may have access to the Cyprus Investor Compensation Fund. The scheme can compensate qualifying claims up to the statutory ceiling of €20,000 when a member firm cannot return covered money or financial instruments.
Retail clients also receive Negative Balance Protection, which prevents them from owing the broker more than the funds allocated to their CFD account following the normal application of this protection. Elective professional clients can obtain different margin terms but give up important retail safeguards, including compensation-fund eligibility and mandatory leverage protections. Complaints should first be submitted to Tradestone Limited, while unresolved eligible disputes may then be taken to the Financial Ombudsman of Cyprus.
FBS Markets Inc. operates fbs.com under licence number 4077102, issued by the Financial Services Commission of Belize. The broker’s international entity offers deposits from $5, spreads from 0.7 pips, and leverage up to 1:3,000. The margin call is set at 40%, and the stop-out level is 20%. FBS extends Negative Balance Protection across all accounts opened under its international entity, helping prevent account balances from falling below zero.
The broker’s Australian domain, fbsaustralia.com, serves Australian clients through Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd, trading as FBS Oceania and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. As ASIC mandates strict retail investor protection standards, the trading conditions on fbsaustralia.com align with Australian regulatory requirements, including leverage limits of up to 1:30, Negative Balance Protection, segregation of client funds, and a 50% stop-out level.
The official FBS website for traders in South Africa is hosted on its primary international domain, fbs.com. Trade Stone SA (Pty) Ltd is the official local operating entity and a licensed Financial Services Provider (FSP No. 50885), managing FBS services in South Africa under the regulation of the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).
Below is a breakdown of FBS licences:
| Region | Entity | Authority | Licence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU | Tradestone Limited | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) | CySEC Licence No. 331/17 | |
| Belize | FBS Markets Inc. | Financial Services Commission (FSC) | 4077102 | |
| Australia | Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd | Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) | 426359 | |
| South Africa | Trade Stone SA (Pty) Ltd | Financial Sector Conduct Authority of South Africa (FSCA) | 50885 | |
KYC Procedure for Account Creation and Depositing
Below, we have outlined the account-opening process for the broker’s CySEC-regulated entity. To begin, select the orange ‘Open Account’ button in the upper-right corner of the fbs.eu website.
The FBS website offers email-based registration, requiring applicants to provide their name and email address. Applicants then create a Personal Area and choose between demo and live accounts. Full access to standard live trading accounts is available after customers complete Identity Verification (KYC) and the Appropriateness Assessment. Traders can proceed to the Personal Area for their demo accounts or provide the required details to access live trading and transactions.
As a regulated investment firm, Tradestone must establish the applicant’s identity and assess whether leveraged products are appropriate. The process normally includes questions about personal information, tax residency, employment, income, wealth, and trading experience. FBS requests proof of identity and may request proof of residential address or additional source-of-funds information when required by its checks.
Applicants then select the account type, platform, and available base currency. A live account may remain restricted until verification is complete. FBS does not publish a guaranteed approval time because the duration depends on document quality and whether additional compliance checks are needed. Demo accounts can be created separately and use virtual funds, although their results do not reproduce every live-market condition.
- Create the Personal Area: Register with an email address and establish secure login credentials.
- Complete the Profile: Supply the personal, residency, tax, and financial information requested by the application.
- Take the Appropriateness Assessment: Answer questions about your knowledge of and experience with leveraged products.
- Verify Identity: Upload the requested identity documents and, where required, address or source-of-funds evidence.
- Select the Trading Setup: Choose an available account, MetaTrader platform, and base currency.
- Fund the Account: Deposit from a payment source in the account holder’s own name after approval.
Account Types
FBS concentrates on two principal retail account formats. Both use floating spreads, but their contract denominations and initial deposit requirements differ.
- Cent Account: A small-contract account with balances and trading values expressed in cents, designed for lower monetary exposure.
- Standard Account: A conventional lot-based account intended for regular retail forex and CFD trading.
Cent Account
The Cent account uses floating spreads from 0.7 pips and does not have a separate dealing commission. Its defining feature is contract denomination: the minimum volume is 0.01 cent lot, equal to 0.0001 standard lots or 10 units. The maximum volume is 500 cent lots, equal to 5 standard lots or 500,000 units. This allows beginner traders to test live execution and risk controls with lower nominal trade values.
The disclosed starting deposit is €10 (or equivalent in $), with retail leverage limited to 1:30 according to European rules. Platform, base-currency, and instrument options should be confirmed in the account-creation screen because the available combinations may differ from those on the Standard account.
This account may suit beginners progressing from a demo or traders testing an automated strategy with limited capital. Its main drawback is that cent-account sizing and displayed balances can be confusing unless the trader understands the conversion between cents, cent lots, and conventional units.
Standard Account
The Standard account uses conventional lot sizes (from 0.01 to 500 lots) and floating spreads from 0.7 pips. FBS does not charge a separate transaction commission for this account, so the spread is the principal immediate trading cost. Actual spreads can widen with liquidity, volatility, and the instrument traded.
The published starting deposit is €100 (or equivalent in $). Available base currencies include EUR and USD, while leverage for retail clients reaches 1:30 on qualifying major currency pairs. MetaTrader 5 access is provided, with the exact platform-account combination selected when the account is opened.
The account is the more natural choice for established MetaTrader users and strategies designed around standard contract specifications. Compared with the Cent account, it provides familiar lot sizing but creates greater monetary exposure for the same numerical trade volume.
FBS offers several additional account types, although their availability may vary according to the client’s jurisdiction.
Ultra Account
This account is available under the ASIC-regulated entity and is designed for traders seeking tight pricing. The Ultra Account features raw floating spreads starting from 0 pips, paired with a competitive round-turn commission of $6, €5, or AU$8.12 per lot. The account requires an initial deposit of 50 units in the selected base currency and provides market execution starting from 0.3 seconds. Trading flexibility is further supported by order sizes ranging from 0.1 to 500 lots, with a 0.1-lot step, a maximum of 400 open positions and pending orders, and leverage capped at 1:30 in line with retail regulatory limits.
Islamic Account
FBS supports an Islamic account option under its FSC-regulated entity. The swap-free trading option is designed to comply with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest charges. It is available for both Standard and Cent account types, allowing positions to remain open past the daily rollover without incurring positive or negative swap fees. Traders can change the account status through their Personal Area account settings.
All supported instruments are available for swap-free trading. However, when trading exotic currency pairs, a commission is charged once a week instead of a swap. Additionally, for positions that remain open for more than two days, FBS may charge a fixed administrative fee, calculated as the value of one point of the transaction in U.S. dollars multiplied by the currency pair’s swap points.
Demo Account
FBS provides demo accounts across both its Cent and Standard tiers, allowing traders to practise strategies in a simulated environment without risking capital. These practice accounts reflect real-time market quotes and platform mechanics on MetaTrader 5, enabling users to test Expert Advisors (EAs), refine risk management, and evaluate platform execution without committing capital.
Account Features Missing at FBS
- Based on the updated official Tradestone Ltd (FBS EU) Client Classification Policy, the broker does not accept new requests from retail clients to be reclassified as professional clients.
- As stated in FBS’s ‘Trading Accounts’ section, the broker does not currently provide portfolio management or investment advice services.
Trading Fees and Other Costs
FBS’s retail pricing primarily uses floating spreads. The Cent and Standard account pages offer spreads from 0.7 pips with no separate dealing commission. As with other forex and CFD brokers, FBS customers will encounter two main types of costs:
- Trading Fees: Spreads, commissions, and overnight financing charges
- Non-Trading Costs: Account fees, funding fees, currency conversion charges, and inactivity fees
Let us examine these costs more closely to evaluate how FBS compares with its industry peers.
| Costs/Fees | What Is This? | With FBS |
|---|---|---|
| TRADING FEES | ||
| Spreads | The cost incorporated into the price of an instrument. A wider bid/ask spread means higher costs. | Spreads are competitive at FBS. Standard Account: Floating spreads start from 0.7 pips, and order volume ranges from 0.01 to 500 lots. Cent Account: Floating spreads start from 0.7 pips, and order volume ranges from 0.0001 to 5 lots. |
| Commission | A flat fee paid per position, often used as an alternative to charging through the spread. | No commissions are charged on FBS’s Standard and Cent accounts. |
| Financing Charges | The cost of holding a position open overnight. | FBS notes that its rollover formula incorporates a broker markup. On long positions, this markup lowers the positive yield, while on short positions, it increases the negative fee. |
| NON-TRADING FEES | ||
| Deposit Fees | Fees charged by the broker for funding an account. | None at FBS. (See more in Deposit Methods below.) |
| Withdrawal Fees | Fees charged by the broker for withdrawing money from an account. | None at FBS. (See Withdrawal Methods below.) |
| Inactivity Fees | Fees charged on dormant trading accounts. | The broker’s global entity states that there is no inactivity fee and uses an account-archiving policy instead. The CySEC-regulated entity reserves the right to charge a €30 maintenance fee on dormant accounts with no activity during the previous 180 calendar days. |
Spreads
FBS uses a spread-based pricing model for both of its main account types:
- Standard Account: All charges are built into the spreads, which start from 0.7 pips.
- Cent Account: All charges are built into the spreads, which start from 0.7 pips.
The broker offers the following average spreads for major forex pairs:
| Instrument | Standard Account | Cent Account |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 1.1 pips | 1.1 pips |
| GBP/USD | 1.4 pips | 1.4 pips |
| USD/JPY | 1.2 pips | 1.2 pips |
| USD/CHF | 1.4 pips | 1.4 pips |
| AUD/USD | 1.3 pips | 1.3 pips |
| USD/CAD | 1.3 pips | 1.3 pips |
| NZD/USD | 1.4 pips | 1.4 pips |
There is no difference in the pricing structure or spreads between the Standard and Cent accounts. Under both the CySEC- and FSC-regulated entities, FBS applies the same spread model to both tiers: floating spreads starting from 0.7 pips with no commissions. Rather than spread costs, the distinction between the two accounts lies in risk scale, lot sizing, and initial deposit requirements.
An illustrative calculation shows how the spread and account order-volume specifications affect a trade. It assumes that the EUR/USD pair is available at the advertised 0.7-pip spread, the position is closed without a price movement, one standard lot has a pip value of US$10, and one Cent lot has a pip value of US$0.10. The calculations for both account types are as follows:
- Standard Account
- Spread: 0.7 pips
- Position size: One standard lot of EUR/USD, or €100,000 notional.
- Spread cost: 0.7 pips × US$10 per pip = US$7.
- Total cost: US$7 for the complete transaction, assuming no price movement or additional charges.
- Cent Account
- Spread: 0.7 pips
- Position size: One Cent lot of EUR/USD, or €1,000 notional.
- Spread cost: 0.7 pips × US$0.10 per pip = US$0.07.
- Total cost: US$0.07 for the complete transaction, assuming no price movement or additional charges.
Below are the average spreads for major forex pairs traded through an FBS Standard account compared with spreads offered by industry peers.
| Instrument | FBS | FP Markets | Fusion Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 1.10 | 1.17 | 1.01 | 1.10 |
| GBP/USD | 1.40 | 1.43 | 1.14 | 1.20 |
| USD/JPY | 1.20 | 1.64 | 1.17 | 1.20 |
| USD/CHF | 1.40 | 1.67 | 1.14 | 1.30 |
| AUD/USD | 1.30 | 1.40 | 1.02 | 1.10 |
| USD/CAD | 1.30 | 1.65 | 1.12 | 1.40 |
| NZD/USD | 1.40 | 1.44 | 1.13 | 1.30 |
The FBS Standard account remains competitive with brokers such as FP Markets and is comparable to Pepperstone across major pairs such as EUR/USD, at 1.10 pips, and USD/JPY, at 1.20 pips. However, its spreads generally trail those of lower-cost brokers such as Fusion Markets.
Commissions
The Cent and Standard accounts are commission-free, meaning that FBS normally earns its transaction revenue through the spread rather than a fixed amount per lot. Clients should nevertheless review the specifications for the exact CFD being traded because financing, corporate-action adjustments, and other product-specific costs are separate from dealing commissions.
For traders who prefer raw pricing structures to built-in spread markups, FBS provides a dedicated alternative. The ASIC-regulated branch of FBS offers a commission-based account known as the Ultra Account, designed for traders seeking competitive spreads. In addition to floating spreads from 0.0 pips, the broker charges a commission of AU$8.12, US$6, or €5 per lot.
Financing Charges
Positions kept open beyond the platform’s daily rollover are subject to long or short swap adjustments. Rates vary by instrument and direction and may be multiplied around the relevant weekly settlement day. Triple swap rates are charged on currency pairs on Wednesdays to account for the weekend rollover. Swap rates for long and short positions are available on the broker’s trading-specifications page and in MetaTrader’s contract specifications. As rates can change, an outdated swap figure should not be used to estimate the cost of a future position.
Deposit Fees
FBS does not advertise a general fee for making a deposit, although the client’s bank, card issuer, or payment provider may impose its own costs. For more details, see Deposit Methods.
Withdrawal Fees
The broker does not charge withdrawal fees. However, for wire transfers, clients are advised to check the bank’s website for the applicable commission. Currency conversion can add an indirect cost when the payment currency differs from the account currency. For more details, see Withdrawal Methods.
Inactivity Fees
Inactivity policies vary depending on the operating entity. While the global branch charges no inactivity fees and simply archives dormant profiles, the CySEC-regulated entity reserves the right to impose a €30 maintenance fee if an account remains inactive for 180 consecutive calendar days.
Overall on Fees
FBS features a transparent, straightforward cost structure, with transaction fees incorporated directly into the spread. The absence of a separate commission may appeal to occasional users, whereas high-frequency traders are likely to require live-spread testing and comparisons with raw-spread alternatives. Inactivity policies vary by jurisdiction, so clients should review the Terms and Conditions of their specific operating entity. Additionally, FBS charges no internal deposit fees.
Desktop Trading Platforms
FBS supports the MetaTrader platform family rather than a proprietary desktop terminal. MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are available in downloadable and browser-based forms, with the precise account and server selected during setup. Their availability varies among entities. The CySEC- and ASIC-regulated entities support MetaTrader 5 only. The FSC-regulated branch also offers MetaTrader 4 and the proprietary FBS App, which is available for Android and iOS mobile devices.
MetaTrader 4
MT4 remains relevant to forex traders who use established Expert Advisors and indicators written in MQL4. FBS provides access to the standard MetaTrader 4 environment under its FSC-regulated entity.
- Access: Desktop applications for Windows and macOS, browser versions through WebTrader, and mobile apps for Android and iOS allow the same FBS account to be accessed from different devices.
- Charting: The platform includes multiple chart types, nine standard timeframes, 31 technical indicators, drawing objects, and One-Click Trading functionality for rapid market execution.
- Orders: Market, limit, stop, stop-loss, and take-profit instructions are supported, supplemented by integrated market news and customizable price alerts in the News tab.
- Automation: Expert Advisors and custom indicators can be developed, tested, or installed through the MQL4 environment.
MetaTrader 5
MT5 provides an expanded analytical and algorithmic trading environment, making it a suitable multi-asset terminal for complex strategies. The platform features 21 timeframes, 38 built-in technical indicators, 44 graphical objects, six pending order types, and the MQL5 programming language.
- Access: Similar to MT4, MT5 is available for desktop on Windows and macOS, through browser versions such as WebTrader, and as mobile apps for Android and iOS.
- Market Analysis: Expanded timeframes with 21 options, 38 technical indicators, and 44 graphical objects support comprehensive multi-period technical analysis across more than 550 CFD instruments.
- Depth of Market and Execution: The terminal can display available depth information where supplied for an instrument and supports six pending order types, including Buy Stop Limit and Sell Stop Limit orders, alongside One-Click Trading.
- Economic Calendar: A built-in economic calendar allows traders to monitor real-time macroeconomic events and news directly within the platform interface.
- Strategy Testing and Automation: The multithreaded MQL5 Strategy Tester supports more advanced Expert Advisor optimization than MT4.
MT5 is generally the stronger choice for new automated strategies and traders using a wider CFD selection. MQL4 programs do not run natively in MT5, so switching platforms may require code redevelopment.
WebTrader
MT WebTrader provides instant, browser-based access to financial markets without requiring software installation. Compatible with all major operating systems, it allows traders to access their FBS accounts securely from a web browser.
- Accessibility: Offers seamless browser access across desktop and mobile devices without software downloads or installation, supported by encrypted data transmission.
- Chart Analysis: Provides web-based technical analysis capabilities with access to multiple chart timeframes, drawing tools, and technical indicators across supported asset classes.
- Execution and Orders: Supports trading operations including market orders, pending orders, Stop Loss, and Take Profit settings, alongside One-Click Trading functionality.
- Account Integration: Provides direct integration with the FBS Personal Area and Help Center, allowing quick account management, live and demo account switching, and account maintenance within the web portal.
Forex VPS
Under its FSC-regulated entity, FBS offers a complimentary Forex VPS hosting service, provided that traders make a one-time minimum deposit of $450 or €450 and maintain a monthly trading volume of at least three standard lots. The VPS is free during the first month, but if the three-lot monthly volume requirement is not met in subsequent months, a $33 monthly maintenance fee is charged.
- Initial Deposit: A minimum single deposit of $450 or €450.
- Activation: Requested directly through the Promotions tab in the FBS Trader Area.
- Volume Requirement: A minimum monthly trading volume of at least three standard lots.
Mobile Trading Platforms
FBS accounts can be accessed through the official MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 mobile applications for Android and iOS. The apps support watchlists, interactive charts, market and pending orders, position monitoring, and account-history reviews. Push notifications can be configured through MetaTrader when the relevant terminal or trading tool generates an alert.
The mobile interface is effective for monitoring and basic order management but does not reproduce the full desktop environment. Expert Advisors cannot be developed or run directly within the mobile apps, and detailed multi-chart analysis is less practical on a small screen.
Trading on the go is also possible through FBS’s proprietary mobile software, which is available to traders registered under the broker’s international entity.
| FBS Mobile Trading Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| Android | iOS | |
| Minimum System Requirements | Android 7.0 and later | iOS 15.0 or later |
| User Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| User Reviews | 116,000 | 1 |
| Supported Languages | English, Indonesian, and Thai | English, Indonesian, and Thai |
| Forex Pairs | 43 | 43 |
| Other Tradable Assets | CFDs on metals, indices, energies, stocks, and cryptocurrencies | CFDs on metals, indices, energies, stocks, and cryptocurrencies |
| Features | More than 550 instruments, portfolio management, more than 90 chart indicators, real-time trading statistics, deposits and withdrawals through more than 200 payment methods, push notifications, and 24/7 support | More than 550 instruments, portfolio management, more than 90 chart indicators, real-time trading statistics, deposits and withdrawals through more than 200 payment methods, push notifications, and 24/7 support |
| Biometric Authentication | Yes | Yes |
| Two-Factor Authentication | Yes | Yes |
Trading Instruments
FBS.eu provides leveraged trading in forex and CFDs on metals, stocks, energies, and indices. The broker’s Australian and global entities also support digital currencies, so the availability of specific instruments depends on the jurisdiction. Leverage is also jurisdiction-specific. The European and Australian branches of FBS cap leverage at 1:30 for major currency pairs. The international entity offers adjustable leverage of up to 1:3,000 for forex pairs and fixed leverage for other asset classes.
| Asset Class | Number of Tradable Instruments Available | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FBS | Fusion Markets | FP Markets | ||
| Number | Selection | Number | Number | |
| Forex | 43 | Fair | 90+ | 70 |
| Metals | 8 | Good | 12 | 8 |
| Stocks | 68 | Fair | 110 | 10,000+ |
| Energies | 3 | Good | 3 | 5 |
| Indices | 11 | Good | 15 | 14 |
| Crypto | 5 | Fair | 13 | 12 |
Forex
Currency trading is central to the FBS product offering, with 28 major and minor pairs available with leverage up to 1:30 and 1:20, respectively, as determined by European product-intervention rules. Forex is traded over the counter rather than through a central exchange, and positions held through rollover may incur financing adjustments. Traders can review complete contract specifications, including minimum and typical spreads and swap rates for long and short positions held past the daily market close, on the broker’s website or through the MetaTrader platform.
FBS categorizes exotic forex pairs separately from major and minor pairs in its platform structure because of differences in trading conditions, risk profiles, and execution mechanisms. Within this section, traders can access 15 exotic instruments, including CNH/JPY, EUR/PLN, GBP/SEK, and USD/CZK.
Leverage limits under the ASIC-regulated branch match those enforced by the CySEC entity. Conversely, the international branch offers dynamic leverage of up to 1:3,000, which clients can adjust directly within the FBS Trader Area based on their total account equity.
Metals
The CySEC-regulated entity of FBS, Tradestone Limited, offers eight metal CFDs, including palladium, platinum, XAG/EUR, XAG/USD, XAU/AUD, XAU/EUR, XAU/GBP, and XAU/USD. Leverage is capped at 1:10 for the first four instruments and 1:20 for the rest. The broker’s global entity offers the same number of metal CFDs but caps leverage at 1:500. The ASIC-regulated branch offers two metal CFD instruments: XAG/USD, with maximum leverage of 1:10, and XAU/USD, with maximum leverage of 1:20.
Stock CFDs
Tradestone Limited, the EU entity of FBS, offers CFDs referencing 68 individual company shares at the time of review. These products provide long or short price exposure but do not make the client a shareholder. The trader receives no voting rights, and dividend events are reflected through cash adjustments rather than direct dividend ownership. Within this section, traders will find CFDs on blue-chip global equities such as Amazon, Apple, and Coca-Cola. Leverage for clients under CySEC and ASIC regulations is capped at 1:5, whereas traders registered with the broker’s international entity can use leverage up to 1:100.
Energies
The range of energy contracts provided by the CySEC-regulated entity of FBS includes XBRUSD (Brent Crude Oil), XTIUSD (West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil), and XNGUSD (Natural Gas). The three energy contracts are available with maximum leverage of 1:10. The same product offering and leverage limits apply to the ASIC-regulated branch of FBS. Under the international entity, clients can use maximum leverage of 1:200 for energies.
Indices
FBS offers trading on 11 cash-based equity indices covering major global markets across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. The asset lineup includes leading benchmarks such as the US100 (Nasdaq 100), US500 (S&P 500), US30 (Dow Jones), DE30 (DAX), and UK100 (FTSE 100).
Because these contracts are cash-based rather than futures-based, they have no fixed expiration dates and carry no trade-execution commissions. Maximum leverage for retail clients trading indices under European (CySEC) and Australian (ASIC) regulations is capped at 1:20, while clients registered under the international branch can access higher leverage levels. Major indices such as US30, US100, and US500 can be traded with leverage up to 1:500, whereas leverage for other index instruments is capped at 1:200.
Cryptocurrencies
Under its ASIC-regulated entity, FBS offers five cryptocurrency CFDs. Australian traders have access to Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Ripple, all paired against the U.S. dollar. Due to the high volatility of digital assets, maximum leverage for retail accounts is capped at 1:2.
The international branch of FBS offers additional digital-asset CFD combinations, including Tron, Dogecoin, Solana, a crypto-to-crypto pair involving Bitcoin and Ethereum, and a crypto-to-commodity pair involving Bitcoin and Tether Gold.
What You Cannot Trade
FBS does not provide conventional share dealing, ETFs, mutual funds, government or corporate bonds, listed options, or direct exchange-traded futures. This makes the broker better suited to short- and medium-term CFD strategies than to portfolio construction or long-term income investing.
Trade Execution
FBS uses a non-dealing-desk (NDD) execution model, routing orders to liquidity providers to reduce potential conflicts of interest. All account types use market execution without requotes, with approximately 95% of orders executed in under 0.4 seconds.
Traders can use market, limit, and stop orders. Depending on the account type, position sizes range from 0.01 to 500 lots on Standard accounts and from 0.0001 to 5 lots on Cent accounts, with a maximum of 400 open orders at any given time.
For automated or high-frequency strategies, clients under the FSC-regulated entity can access a free Forex VPS hosting service by meeting specific requirements: a minimum single deposit of $450 or €450, activation requested directly through the Promotions tab in the FBS Trader Area, and minimum monthly trading activity of at least three standard lots. If the three-lot monthly trading-volume target is not met in subsequent months, a $33 monthly maintenance fee applies.
Deposits
FBS supports funding in EUR and USD account currencies. Customers registered under the ASIC-regulated entity can choose AUD as their base account currency. The main publicly identified methods include bank cards and bank transfers, while additional electronic options may appear according to the client’s country and Personal Area. Depositing in a different currency may result in conversion by FBS or the payment provider.
Payments must normally originate from an account or card in the trading-account holder’s name. This restriction supports anti-money-laundering controls and may lead to the rejection or return of third-party deposits. FBS does not advertise a general deposit charge, although correspondent banks, card issuers, and payment services may impose their own fees.
| Method | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Credit and Debit Cards from Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro | Instant processing |
| Wire Transfer | 3 to 4 business days |
| Skrill | Instant processing |
| Rapid by Skrill | Instant processing |
| Neteller | Instant processing |
| Internal Bank Transfers (ASIC-regulated entity) | 15 to 20 minutes (maximum 48 hours) |
Withdrawal Methods
Withdrawals are requested through the Personal Area after identity verification. Anti-money-laundering controls generally require deposited money to be returned to its original source before profits are sent through another approved method. FBS may request updated documents or source-of-funds evidence before releasing a payment.
Internal approval and payment-network delivery are separate stages. A request can be approved by FBS but still take additional time to appear at the receiving bank or card issuer.
| Method | Internal Processing | Estimated Delivery | Broker Fee | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cards (Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro) | 15 to 20 minutes (maximum 2 days) | 5 to 7 days | No internal fees | €2 |
| Wire Transfer | 48 hours | 5 to 7 days | No internal fees | €1 |
| Skrill | 15 to 20 minutes (maximum 48 hours) | Instant | No internal fees | €10 |
| Rapid by Skrill | 15 to 20 minutes (maximum 48 hours) | Instant | No internal fees | €10 |
| Neteller | 15 to 20 minutes (maximum 48 hours) | Instant | No internal fees | €5 |
Customer Support Contacts
FBS provides customer service through live chat, email, a web contact form, phone, and an online help centre. Live chat is the most direct option for routine platform, verification, and payment questions. Account-specific requests may still need to be handled after the client logs in or confirms identifying information.
The broker serves an international audience, but the exact languages available at a given time depend on staffing.
| Support Contact | Available | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | 24/7 | Under a minute |
| Phone | CySEC-regulated entity: Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 00:00 (UTC+2) | As soon as possible during working hours |
| 24/7 | Usually within one business day | |
| Callback Service | Available 24/7 through the website | Usually within one business day |
| FAQ | Self-service access at any time | Immediate access to published guidance |
- Live Chat: Accessed from the FBS website and Personal Area, it is intended for real-time assistance with general account, platform, and transaction questions. Complex compliance cases may be referred to another department.
- Email: FBS provides general support addresses for questions that require documents or a written record:
- Customer Support EU: info@fbs.eu
- Customer Support Australia: support@fbsaustralia.com
- Customer Support Global: support@fbs.com
- Phone:
EU: +357 25 313540 / +357 25 313541
Australia: 1300 735 125
International: +612 9190 7577 - Contact Form: The online form allows users to submit a request without starting a live-chat session.
- FAQs: The help centre covers registration, verification, deposits, withdrawals, account settings, and common MetaTrader issues. It is useful for routine processes but does not replace case-specific compliance support.
Research and Educational Materials
FBS combines introductory educational material with recurring market commentary and practical analysis tools.
Research
The broker publishes market news and technical and fundamental commentary focused on currencies, commodities, indices, and prominent shares. An economic calendar helps users track scheduled macroeconomic announcements.
- Trading Calculators and Currency Converter: Practical tools assist with margin, pip-value, and position calculations based on the selected inputs.
- Market Analysis: Forex news and daily market analysis cover current price action and economic themes across supported markets.
- Economic Calendar: A schedule of macroeconomic releases helps traders identify events that may affect volatility.
Education
Education: Learning material covers forex terminology, order types, risk management, technical analysis, and platform use. Articles and tutorials accommodate beginners, while strategy-focused material provides some value to intermediate traders.
- Forex Guidebook: Includes Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, and Experienced sections.
- Educational Articles: Written guides introduce trading concepts, analysis methods, and risk-management principles.
- Forex Webinars: All webinars are free and require only registration to participate.
- Glossary of Main Forex Terms: Users can enter a question or term to find a relevant explanation.
Security and Money Guarantees
Tradestone Ltd provides retail clients with specific regulatory safeguards. Retail money must be segregated from the firm’s operating funds, helping ensure that client capital is not used to pay company expenses, settle debts, or address liquidity issues. Eligible clients may use the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) if the firm cannot return covered assets. Compensation is subject to eligibility rules and the €20,000 statutory ceiling. Negative Balance Protection limits CFD account liabilities under the applicable retail rules.
These safeguards address custody and counterparty issues, not trading performance. They do not compensate a client for an unsuccessful strategy, ordinary market losses, slippage, or a decline in the value of an open position.
FBS uses account-verification and payment-source controls to reduce unauthorized transfers and financial crime. MetaTrader applications can use device-level passcodes or biometrics where supported by the operating system. The platform undergoes quarterly external vulnerability scans through Approved Scanning Vendors (ASVs) and maintains PCI DSS compliance for financial transactions. Clients should use unique credentials, secure their email accounts, and verify withdrawal details carefully.
Similarly, FBS Markets Inc., the broker’s global branch, provides segregated accounts, Negative Balance Protection, KYC verification, and data encryption.
Conclusion and Overall Rating
FBS is most relevant to retail forex and CFD traders who want familiar MetaTrader software, straightforward spread-based accounts, and a low monetary entry point. The Cent account is useful for practising live position management with smaller contract values, while the Standard account suits conventional MetaTrader strategies. CySEC supervision, segregated client money, Negative Balance Protection, and potential compensation-fund eligibility provide a credible European regulatory framework.
The broker is less compelling for investors seeking physical securities, a large exchange-traded product range, raw-spread pricing, or detailed execution statistics. FBS should therefore be assessed through live-spread observation, contract specifications, and the legal terms attached to the applicant’s account.
Overall, the European service offers a practical but limited trading setup. It is competitive in accessibility, MetaTrader support, and basic investor protections, while its product range remains modest compared with multi-asset brokers offering broader stock, commodity, and cryptocurrency catalogues. This review provides general information, not investment advice or a personal recommendation.
- FBS.eu is operated by CySEC-regulated Tradestone Ltd under CIF licence 331/17. The global website, fbs.com, is operated by FBS Markets Inc., registered by the FSC under licence number 4077102.
- Eligible EU retail clients receive fund segregation, Negative Balance Protection, and compensation-fund safeguards.
- European retail leverage reaches 1:30 on major currency pairs and is lower for other CFDs. Global clients can use adjustable leverage up to 1:3,000, depending on equity.
- The Cent account starts from €10 and uses smaller contract denominations.
- The Standard account starts from €100 and uses conventional lot sizes.
- Both principal accounts offer floating spreads from 0.7 pips without a separate dealing commission.
- MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 support desktop, browser, and mobile trading. The FBS App is available to clients of the global entity.
- The product range covers forex and CFDs on shares, indices, metals, and energies.
- Physical shares, ETFs, bonds, and listed options or futures are not available.
About the Editorial Team