Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Germany)

BaFin is Germany’s integrated financial supervisor. Investment firms it authorises can serve clients across the European Economic Area under EU passporting rules.

What it means for a retail trader

EU-wide rules apply: leverage capped at 30:1 on major currency pairs, negative balance protection, a standardised risk warning and a ban on trading bonuses for retail clients. German investor compensation covers 90% of an eligible claim up to €20,000.

How to check a firm

Search the firm’s legal name or licence number on the official register linked above. Confirm that the name, the number and the website on the register match the firm you are dealing with, and that its permissions cover the product you want to trade. Clone firms often borrow a real firm’s name and number but use a different web address.