Is Pepperstone regulated by the FCA?
Verdict
- Yes. Pepperstone Limited, company number 08965105 in England and Wales, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference 684312.
- UK clients of Pepperstone get segregated client money, FSCS cover of up to £85,000 for eligible clients, and negative balance protection on retail accounts.
- Pepperstone's registered office is 4th Floor, 27 Old Jewry, London EC2R 8DQ, and the UK site isn't intended for residents of Belgium or the United States.
- Safe doesn't mean low-risk: Pepperstone Limited says 73.6% of retail accounts lose money on its spread bets and CFDs.
Pepperstone's UK business is run by a UK company with full FCA authorisation, not by an overseas affiliate. Below is how to confirm that yourself, what the FCA status means for your money, and where the protections stop.
Yes: Pepperstone Limited, FCA reference 684312
UK spread-betting and CFD accounts are provided by Pepperstone Limited. The company is registered in England and Wales (08965105) and authorised and regulated by the FCA under firm reference 684312. That is the company named in the UK client terms, and the FCA rules on retail leverage, client money and negative balance protection apply to it.
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How to check it on the FCA register yourself
- Go to the FCA's Financial Services Register and search for reference 684312 or the name 'Pepperstone Limited'.
- Check that the status shows as authorised and that the address matches 27 Old Jewry, London EC2R 8DQ.
- Compare the website addresses and phone numbers on the register with where you're signing up. Pepperstone's UK site is pepperstone.com/en-gb, and its UK phone number is 0800 046 5473.
- Make sure your client agreement names Pepperstone Limited and not another company in the group.
Is Pepperstone safe to use in the UK?
In the regulatory sense, yes: a UK company under FCA supervision holds your money, with the protections below. In the trading sense, any leveraged product can lose you money, and the protections don't change that.
| Protection | What Pepperstone says | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Segregated client money | Held separately at top-tier banks | Protects against the firm's failure, not trading losses |
| FSCS | Eligible clients covered up to £85,000 | Eligibility depends on the claim |
| Negative balance protection | Retail balances returned to zero | Not for Professional clients |
| Leverage caps | 1:30 major FX, 1:20 indices and gold, 1:5 shares | Pro clients can go much higher |
The rest of the Pepperstone group
Pepperstone is regulated in several countries through separate companies: ASIC in Australia (AFSL 414530), CySEC in Cyprus (388/20), BaFin for Pepperstone GmbH in Germany, the DFSA in Dubai (F004356), the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SIA-F217) and the CMA in Kenya (128). Only Pepperstone Limited carries FCA protections. The Bahamas company's terms say its products aren't intended for UK residents, so a UK client should always be with the London company.
Sources
Does Pepperstone's FCA regulation cover spread betting?
Yes. Pepperstone Limited offers both spread betting and CFDs to UK residents under its FCA authorisation (684312).
What happens to my money if Pepperstone fails?
Pepperstone says client money is held separately from its own, and eligible clients can claim from the FSCS up to £85,000. Trading losses are not covered.
Do Professional clients keep the same protections?
Not all of them. Pepperstone's UK Pro page says negative balance protection won't apply to you, and leverage limits are much higher.
FCA regulation doesn't protect you from trading losses. Spread bets and CFDs are leveraged, and 73.6% of retail investor accounts lose money with Pepperstone Limited. Consider whether you understand these products and can afford the risk. This page is not investment advice.