FSCA: Financial Sector Conduct Authority

South Africa’s market conduct regulator for financial institutions. Financial services providers are generally licensed under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services framework, and OTC derivative providers face additional requirements.

Jurisdiction: South Africa. The register is the primary place to confirm an entity’s current status and permissions; this guide does not certify a broker or account.

Financial Services Provider (FSP) licence

Categories and product subcategories define what the provider may do. A licence for advice is not the same as a licence to act as a market maker.

OTC derivative provider authorisation

A separate authorisation relevant to firms dealing in over-the-counter derivatives as principal.

General description only. It does not imply that any particular broker holds any of these authorisations.

1. 1Obtain the FSP number and legal entity name from the provider’s documents.
2. 2Search the FSCA’s official regulated entities search for that FSP.
3. 3Check categories, product subcategories and whether the licence status is active.
4. 4Check FSCA press releases and warnings for unregistered entities using similar names.

• Exact legal entity name and licence or registration number.
• Current licence or registration status and authorised activities.
• Retail or wholesale permissions where the register distinguishes them.
• Registered website, contact details and any authorised-representative relationship.

A licence belonging to one group entity does not automatically apply to every client, country, website or product offered under the same brand. Confirm the contracting entity and whether the listed permissions cover your client type and activity.

For a practical search sequence, read how to check if a broker is regulated and how to read a register entry.