- Regulation check – is the broker really licensed?
This is the most important step. If this fails, nothing else matters.
Steps
Open these official registers and search for the legal company name (not just the brand):
FCA (UK):
https://register.fca.org.uk�
SEC (USA):
https://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch�
FINRA BrokerCheck (USA):
https://brokercheck.finra.org�
BaFin (Germany):
https://portal.mvp.bafin.de/database/InstInfo�
MAS (Singapore):
https://eservices.mas.gov.sg/fid�
ASIC (Australia):
https://connectonline.asic.gov.au�
What you want to see
– The company appears in the official register
– The license is active
– The legal name matches the broker.
If you cannot find it → red flag. - Company age – how long has the broker existed?
Many weak or risky platforms disappear after a few years.
Steps
Search in Google:
broker name + founded
broker name + history.
If needed, check:
Wikipedia
LinkedIn.
Minimum
10–15 years is a strong sign of stability. - Public financial transparency – is the company financially stable?
You want a broker that is transparent.
Steps
Check:
Yahoo Finance:
https://finance.yahoo.com�
Google Finance:
https://www.google.com/finance�
Search for the broker.
If you find it → publicly listed. Good sign.
If not, search:
broker name + annual report
broker name + financial statements.
What to check
– Revenue
– Profit
– Long-term growth.
If there is no financial information → higher risk. - Client asset protection – is your money separated from the company?
This is one of the most important and least understood safety factors.
When you send money to a broker, the key question is:
Are your assets separated from the broker’s own money?
Serious brokers use segregated accounts. This means:
– Your money is held separately
– The company cannot use it for operations
– In case of bankruptcy, protection is higher.
Many strong brokers also use a third-party custodian (a large bank holding client assets).
Steps
Go to the broker’s official website.
Use the search bar and type:
client asset protection
segregated accounts
custodian.
Alternatively, search in Google:
broker name + segregated accounts
broker name + custodian.
What you want to see
Statements like:
– “Client funds are held in segregated accounts.”
– “Client assets are separated from company assets.”
– “We do not use client funds for our own operations.”
– “Assets are held with third-party custodian banks.”
Red flags
– No clear explanation
– Only marketing language
– No custodian mentioned. - Global availability – can you keep your account after moving abroad?
Many investors assume they can just update their address. This is often not true.
Steps
Go to the broker website.
Search:
supported countries
international clients.
If there is no country list → red flag.
Contact support and ask:
“I plan to move abroad in the future. Will I be able to keep my account if my tax residency changes?”
What to look for
Good sign:
– Clear, detailed answer
– Explained process.
Bad sign:
– Generic reply
– No clarity. - Tax residency and account structure – what happens when you move?
This is one of the biggest surprises for expats.
Your tax residency often determines the account structure.
You may need:
– A new account
– Internal migration
– Compliance review.
Steps
Ask support:
– Will I need to close my account if I move?
– Do you support internal migration?
– What happens to my assets?
If the answers are unclear → risk. - Multi-currency and money transfers – where hidden costs come from
Many investors lose more money on currency conversion than on trading fees.
If you earn in one currency and invest in another, conversion costs add up.
What to check
Can you hold multiple currencies?
Good:
– Separate EUR, USD, etc.
– You decide when to convert.
Bad:
– Automatic conversion.
Search in Google:
broker name + FX fees.
Go to the official pricing page.
What you want
– Low or transparent FX fees
– Clear pricing.
Check funding:
– Bank transfer
– SEPA
– International transfers.
Limited options → not global. - Test the platform before sending large amounts
Most problems appear when withdrawing money, not when depositing.
Steps
Open an account.
Deposit a small amount (for example 100–200 EUR).
Wait a few days.
Withdraw the money back to your bank.
What to check
– How fast is the withdrawal?
– Any extra verification?
– Unexpected delays?
If problems appear with small amounts, they will be worse later. - Backup broker strategy – never keep everything in one place
The biggest risk is not the market, but losing access.
Simple strategy
Start with:
– One global broker
– One simple regional broker.
Diversify over time.
Final note
The goal is not to find the perfect broker. The goal is flexibility, long-term access, and risk management.
Most investors think about this only when it is too late. If you prepare early, you avoid stress and costly mistakes.
In the next guides, I will show: – How to open an international brokerage account step-by-step
– Which brokers accept expats from high-risk countries
– How to avoid tax and residency mistakes
– How to protect your investments when moving abroad.