Regulation · last checked July 2, 2026
Siba Regulation: How Seychelles Broker Licensing Works Today
The Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) took over from SIBA in 2014. If a broker claims Seychelles regulation or SIBA oversight, check that the licence details and legal entity align with the current official register.
- Official regulator sources
- License-check guidance
- Risk-focused editorial approach
The current status of SIBA regulation
The Seychelles International Business Authority (SIBA) was replaced by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) on 1 March 2014, under the Financial Services Authority Act, 2013. When checking brokers now, rely on the FSA and its public register rather than the outdated SIBA label. Brokers might still use old terminology, but the critical point is whether the entity is presently licensed by the FSA and for what activities.
Broker examples with Seychelles/FSA references found in primary sources
| Broker | Legal entity shown in source | Regulatory reference | What the source supports |
|---|---|---|---|
 Exness | Exness (SC) Ltd | FSA Seychelles licence SD025 | The broker states that this entity is a Seychelles Securities Dealer authorised by the FSA. |
 eToro | eToro Seychelles Ltd | Securities Act 2007 licence #SD076 | The broker’s group regulation page identifies a Seychelles entity and licence number. |
| RTRAW Trading Ltd | RAW TRADING LTD | FSA Seychelles authorisation referenced in public risk disclosure notice | The FSA publishes a risk disclosure notice referencing the entity and its Seychelles authorisation. |
| BLBBG Limited | BBG LIMITED | FSA Seychelles documentation reference | The FSA-hosted client services agreement shows Seychelles venue/context and brokerage-related CFDs/Forex wording. |
Examples are included only where source material directly supports a Seychelles regulatory reference. This is not a complete market list and should not be read as an endorsement.
Which brokers typically hold Seychelles licences
International Forex and CFD providers often use Seychelles-licensed entities within offshore structures. While these brokers are regulated, the oversight here tends to be less stringent than in top-tier jurisdictions. Before funding your account, verify the legal entity, licence number, and company registration carefully.
Steps to verify a Seychelles broker licence
Begin by checking the broker’s legal entity name against the FSA register of authorised licensees. Confirm the licence number and permitted activities. Make sure the broker’s website, footer, and account paperwork all refer to the same entity. If the names differ, or the licence class is not as claimed, treat the marketing statement with caution.
Protections offered by Seychelles regulation
Holding a Seychelles licence means the entity is publicly registered and subject to some supervision. The FSA issues investor warnings and public notices, which can help identify unauthorised operators. Still, a licence is just one factor in your due diligence process.
Limits of Seychelles regulation
Regulation in Seychelles does not remove risks like market volatility, leverage exposure, platform failures, counterparty issues, or delays in withdrawals and dispute resolution. It also does not guarantee a broker’s business ethics, service quality, or financial health. If a broker is only licensed offshore, do not equate this with protection from more robust compensation-backed regimes.
Interpreting a broker’s Seychelles regulatory disclosure
The clearest disclosures specify the legal entity, company number, licence number, regulator name, and match the official register exactly. Vague claims such as “regulated in Seychelles” without further detail are less reliable, since different companies within a group can be regulated in various jurisdictions.
Common questions
Is SIBA the same as the Seychelles FSA?
No. SIBA was the Seychelles International Business Authority, which the Financial Services Authority (FSA) replaced in 2014.
Can I trust a broker just because it says Seychelles regulated?
No. A Seychelles licence confirms regulatory oversight but does not guarantee safety or smooth withdrawals. Always verify the exact legal entity and licence number on the official register.
What should I check first on a broker licence page?
Look for the legal entity name, licence number, regulator, and authorised activities. These details should be consistent across the broker’s website, account documents, and the FSA register.
Does Seychelles regulation include compensation protection?
Available information does not suggest Seychelles offers compensation schemes comparable to major onshore jurisdictions. Do not assume you have compensation unless explicitly stated.
Why do some brokers still mention SIBA?
Older marketing materials or archived content may still reference SIBA. The real verification is the current FSA register, not the outdated label.
What should I do if the broker name does not match the register?
Consider this a warning. Request the exact legal entity and licence number from the broker, then verify again on the FSA register before depositing funds.
Check the details yourself
These are the pages we relied on. Read them before you open an account or send money anywhere.