Financial services company, Ultima Markets, obtains FCA authorization to bolster its UK operations.
Ultima Markets, a global CFD broker known for its fast execution, deep liquidity, and diverse trading tools, has made a significant move by securing a regulatory license from the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as of July 21, 2025. This marks the broker's first foray into the UK market, one of the world's leading financial hubs.
The FCA licence allows Ultima Markets to operate as a regulated CFD broker in the UK, with plans to onboard UK clients from 2026. This long-term commitment to UK regulatory standards is reflected in the company's localised offering, which includes a dedicated UK website, enhanced compliance systems, and platform features tailored to FCA requirements.
Ultima Markets' UK offering will provide access to a full range of CFD instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and shares, tradable on platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4). Additionally, the company will offer educational resources through its Trading Academy, aiming to help UK traders develop practical skills and financial literacy.
UK clients will also benefit from protections like the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), subject to eligibility. This added layer of security underscores Ultima Markets' commitment to transparency, integrity, and client experience, central pillars of its UK expansion strategy.
Gareth Derbyshire, spokesperson for Ultima Markets, commented, "Becoming FCA-regulated reflects our long-term commitment to the UK and its regulatory standards. We are excited to bring our fast execution, deep liquidity, and diverse trading tools to UK traders."
Ultima Markets' entry into the UK market comes at a time when the market is highly competitive, with some brokers withdrawing. However, this expansion solidifies Ultima Markets’ commitment to regulatory compliance and consumer protection within one of the world’s leading financial hubs.
The company's commitment to responsible business practices is evident through the Ultima Impact Foundation, which embeds sustainability education into its operations. Ultima Markets was also the first CFD broker to join the United Nations Global Compact.
The UK market, with an estimated 19 million active traders in 2024, presents a significant opportunity for Ultima Markets. The acquisition of Tiger Brokers' UK operations, although details on infrastructure and client book acquisition remain unclear, is a notable expansion move for the broker.
In summary, Ultima Markets' entry into the UK market signifies a commitment to regulatory compliance, consumer protection, and the provision of quality trading services to UK traders. The company's localised offering, including its Trading Academy and platform features, is tailored to meet the needs of UK traders, while its regulatory compliance ensures a secure trading environment.
- Gareth Derbyshire, the spokesperson for Ultima Markets, explained that their acquisition of Tiger Brokers' UK operations is part of their strategic expansion, aiming to cater to the growing number of active traders in the UK, which was estimated to be 19 million in 2024.
- Ultima Markets' localised offering in the UK, including their Trading Academy and platform features like MetaTrader 4 (MT4), has been tailored to meet the requirements of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), allowing UK clients access to a wide range of CFD instruments, while ensuring a secure trading environment under FCA regulations.
