Regulator profile · HK
SFC — Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong
Tracked byBrokerlist Editorial · Independent review teamUpdated
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) is Hong Kong's independent statutory regulator for the securities and futures industry. Retail forex trading requires a Type 3 (Leveraged Foreign Exchange Trading) licence under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO). Hong Kong is a regional financial hub with a smaller retail FX market than Japan.
Brokers in Hong Kong accepting residents under SFC- Jurisdiction
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
- Founded
- 1989
- Mandate
- Established under the Securities and Futures Commission Ordinance (later subsumed into the Securities and Futures Ordinance, in force 2003). SFC supervises licensed corporations, registered institutions and individuals, and enforces conduct and capital rules across 10 regulated activity types (Type 1 securities dealing through Type 10 credit rating).
- Consumer protection
- The Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) covers up to HKD 500,000 per investor in case of default by an SFO licensee. Banks providing securities services under HKMA supervision are covered separately by the Deposit Protection Scheme. Negative balance protection is not statutorily mandatory but most Type 3 licensees offer it.
- Retail leverage caps
- No statutory retail leverage cap. Type 3 licensees set leverage subject to suitability and risk-disclosure obligations under SFC's Code of Conduct. Typical retail leverage is 1:20 to 1:100; some firms apply MiFID-aligned caps voluntarily for cross-border consistency.
- Public register
- The SFC Public Register lists all licensed corporations, registered institutions and licensed/registered individuals. Search by name, CE number or licence type to verify authorisation, conditions and any disciplinary record. Open register ↗
- Dispute resolution
- Unresolved complaints can go to the Financial Dispute Resolution Centre (FDRC), an independent body co-established by the SFC and HKMA. FDRC awards are binding on the firm up to HKD 500,000 if the consumer accepts.
- Editor notes
- Hong Kong is a regional financial centre with a moderate retail FX scene. Major SFC Type 3 licensees include Saxo Capital Markets HK, Interactive Brokers HK and IG Asia. Cross-border solicitation by offshore brokers triggers SFC investor warnings; mainland China residents accessing offshore brokers via Hong Kong is a separate compliance area.
Brokers we track with a SFC licence
No brokersNo tracked broker currently holds a SFC licence in our database.