The Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles regulates non-bank financial services in the island nation. It is a widely used offshore licence: many global brokers operate a Seychelles entity to serve clients outside strict jurisdictions like the UK or EU.
What an FSA (Seychelles) licence means for traders
- Higher leverage is typically available, since offshore rules don’t impose EU/ASIC-style caps.
- Lighter requirements on capital, reporting and client-money handling than tier-one regulators.
- No major compensation scheme comparable to the UK’s FSCS or the EU’s ICF.
This is not to say a Seychelles-regulated broker is unsafe — many reputable groups hold a Seychelles licence alongside stronger ones — but the offshore entity itself offers fewer statutory protections.
How to verify an FSA broker
The FSA publishes a register of licensees on its official website. Crucially, check which entity you are onboarded with: a broker may be FCA-regulated for UK clients but book international clients under its Seychelles arm, where protections differ.
In short
An FSA (Seychelles) licence offers flexibility and higher leverage but weaker statutory safeguards. Weigh that trade-off, and prefer brokers that also hold a tier-one licence. Compare brokers in our broker reviews.