Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) Brokers 2025
The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) plays a crucial role in Ireland’s financial landscape, particularly in regulating brokers. This regulation is of significant importance to Irish traders, as it ensures a secure trading environment.
Brokers operating in Ireland must adhere to a comprehensive regulatory framework established by the CBI, with the agency earning ‘green tier’ status in our Regulation & Trust Rating. This framework incorporates the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) set by the European Union (EU), ensuring firms comply with stringent standards for investor protection.
The CBI is an active regulator, taking action against breaches and maintaining a growing warning list of over 880 investment firms that are unauthorized in Ireland.
We’ve identified the best brokers regulated by the CBI after personally verifying their credentials on the regulator’s Register of Authorized Firms.
Best CBI Brokers
Following testing, these 3 CBI-regulated trading platforms emerged as the best:
Here is a short overview of each broker's pros and cons
- Interactive Brokers - Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage, providing access to 150 markets in 33 countries, along with a suite of comprehensive investment services. With over 40 years of experience, this Nasdaq-listed firm adheres to stringent regulations by the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC, amongst others, and is one of the most trusted brokers for trading around the globe.
- Crypto.com - Crypto.com is one of the biggest names in cryptocurrency trading, developed with the aim to expedite the world's transition to DeFi technologies. The crypto exchange offers token lending, pre-paid cards, NFTs and more. The firm was established in Germany in 2016 and its quality is proven by its 150 million users.
- AvaTrade - Established in 2006, AvaTrade is a leading forex and CFD broker trusted by over 400,000 traders. Operating under regulation in 9 jurisdictions, AvaTrade processes an impressive 2+ million trades each month. Through like MT4, MT5, and its proprietary WebTrader, the broker provides a growing selection of 1,250+ instruments. Whether it’s CFDs, AvaOptions, or the more recent AvaFutures, short-term traders at all levels will find opportunities. With terrific education and 24/5 multilingual customer support, AvaTrade delivers the complete trading experience.
CBI Brokers Comparison
| Broker | Minimum Deposit | Markets | Platforms | Leverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | $0 | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower | 1:50 |
| Crypto.com | $0 | Crypto, Stocks, ETFs | Own | - |
| AvaTrade | $100 | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures | WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) |
Interactive Brokers
"Interactive Brokers is one of the best brokers for advanced day traders, providing powerful charting platforms, real-time data, and customizable layouts, notably through the new IBKR Desktop application. Its superb pricing and advanced order options also make it highly attractive for day traders, while its diverse range of equities is still among the best in the industry."
Interactive Brokers Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies |
| Regulator | FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | $100 |
| Leverage | 1:50 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF |
Pros
- IBKR continues to deliver unmatched access to global stocks with tens of thousands of equities available from 100+ market centres in 24 countries, most recently the Saudi Stock Exchange.
- With low commissions, tight spreads and a transparent fee structure, IBKR delivers a cost-effective environment for short-term traders.
- There's a vast library of free or paid third-party research subscriptions catering to all types of traders, plus you can enjoy commission reimbursements from IBKR if you subscribe to Toggle AI.
Cons
- You can only have one active session per account, so you can’t have your desktop program and mobile app running simultaneously, making for a sometimes frustrating trading experience.
- TWS’s learning curve is steep, and beginners may find it challenging to navigate the platform and understand all the features. Plus500's web platform is much better suited to new traders.
- IBKR provides a wide range of research tools, but their distribution across trading platforms and the web-based 'Account Management' page lacks consistency, leading to a confusing user experience.
Crypto.com
"Crypto.com is a snug fit for aspiring crypto traders who want to buy, sell and trade over 400 digital tokens. The interest paid on idle funds and intuitive staking opportunities also provide passive investing opportunities."
Crypto.com Quick Facts
| Demo Account | No |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Crypto, Stocks, ETFs |
| Regulator | SEC, FCA, MAS, AMF, CySEC, CBI, ASIC, FINTRAC, CIMA, VARA, OAM, HCMC, CFTC, OSC, KoFIU |
| Platforms | Own |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | $1 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, PLN, CZK, AED, SAR, HUF, BRL, KES |
Pros
- The Crypto.com Exchange platform offers sophisticated bots, including Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA), Time-Weighted Average Price (TWAP), and Grid Trading bots. These tools allow traders to automate strategies, including leveraged perpetual trades, minimizing manual effort and slippage.
- Crypto.com uses a cold wallet solution that integrates multi-signature technology and geographic distribution to enhance security. This approach ensures robust protection of user assets with highly secure offline storage.
- Crypto.com has expanded beyond crypto in some regions, offering over 5000 stocks and ETFs for traders looking to build diverse portfolios and opportunities in different sectors.
Cons
- The app's high bid-ask spreads on many coins can be costly for traders placing market orders. Wide spreads mean the price you pay when buying is noticeably higher than the price you receive when selling, cutting into profits, especially on lower-volume trades.
- Customer support primarily relies on chatbots and email, with limited reliable phone support from our testing. This can lead to delays in resolving urgent issues, such as account access or transaction problems, which can be frustrating for crypto day traders who need quick assistance.
- Withdrawal fees apply to crypto transfers and fiat withdrawals, and these can be significant for active traders making smaller transfers. The minimum withdrawal limits are also relatively high, which restricts flexibility for managing smaller portfolios or quick liquidity needs.
AvaTrade
"AvaTrade offers active traders everything they need: an intuitive WebTrader, powerful AvaProtect risk management, a smooth 5-minute sign-up process, and dependable support you can rely on in fast-moving markets."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
AvaTrade Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures |
| Regulator | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, JFSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM |
| Platforms | WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD |
Pros
- The WebTrader excelled in our hands-on tests, sporting a user-friendly interface for beginners, complete with robust charting tools like 6 chart layouts and 60+ technical indicators.
- Years on, AvaTrade remains one of the few brokers offering a bespoke risk management tool, AvaProtect, that insures losses up to $1M for a fee and is easy to activate on the platform.
- AvaTrade launched AvaFutures to offer low-margin access to global markets, then expanded in 2025 as one of the first brokers to add CME’s Micro Grain Futures, and then later in the year went further by integrating with TradingView.
Cons
- AvaTrade’s WebTrader has improved, but work is still needed in terms of customizability – frustratingly widgets like market watch and watchlists can’t be hidden, moved, or resized.
- Although the deposit process itself is smooth, AvaTrade still doesn’t facilitate crypto payments, a feature increasingly offered by brokers like TopFX, which caters to crypto-focused traders.
- The AvaSocial app is good but not great – the look and feel, plus the navigation between finding strategy providers and account management needs upgrading to rival category leaders like eToro.
Methodology
To identify the top brokers regulated in Ireland, we:
- Scanned our database of 232 brokers to identify those who claim to be regulated by the CBI
- Ran their company credentials through the CBI’s public register to verify they were authorized
- Ordered them by their rating, combining 100+ data points with the findings of our testers
How Can I Check A Broker Is Regulated By The CBI?
Checking a broker is regulated by the CBI is straightforward:
- Navigate to the CBI’s Register of Authorized Firms
- Enter the broker’s name in the search box and click the ‘Search’ button
- Click on the search result to check broker details, such as full trading name, entity type, and description
Below is the result of a search I ran on AvaTrade (which supports the excellent DupliTrade copy trading platform), showing that the broker is authorized .
It took me less than two minutes to check they were indeed regulated in Ireland, so it’s an easy check for any day trader to run.
What Rules Must CBI-Regulated Brokers Follow?
The CBI imposes comprehensive rules and regulations on brokers operating under its jurisdiction. These rules are designed to ensure that trading platforms operate with integrity, maintain financial stability, and protect the interests of their clients.
Here are the fundamental rules and requirements that CBI-regulated brokers must follow:
- Brokers must maintain sufficient capital to cover their operational risks. The minimum capital requirements depend on the size and nature of the business.
- Effective risk management systems must be in place to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with their operations, for example, through stress testing.
- Brokers are required to execute client orders on the most favorable terms available and publish details of how they will do that, which is beneficial for day traders who require high-quality order execution.
- Client funds must be kept separate from the broker’s funds through segregated accounts to protect clients in case of broker insolvency.
- Brokers must provide traders with clear, accurate, and comprehensive information about their services, including risks, costs, and potential conflicts of interest.
- Brokers must ensure that their financial products suit their clients, considering their knowledge, experience, financial situation, and investment objectives.
- Advertising and promotional materials must be truthful, not misleading, and provide a fair representation of the products and services offered.
- Transactions must be monitored continuously for suspicious activity, and any transactions must be reported to the relevant authorities.
- Brokers must submit regular reports to the CBI, including financial statements, risk assessments, and compliance reports.
- Brokers must disclose significant information publicly, including financial performance and any material changes to their operations or management.
- Brokers must have robust procedures to handle client complaints efficiently and effectively.
The CBI maintains compliance by imposing substantial monetary fines, public reprimands, and operational restrictions on brokers who fail to meet regulations. These penalties are a strong deterrent against regulatory breaches, safeguarding active traders and upholding market integrity.
What Powers Does The CBI Have?
The CBI is not just a passive regulator but an active enforcer. It monitors compliance and takes swift enforcement actions against brokers who breach regulations. These actions can include fines, sanctions, and even license revoking, ensuring a secure trading environment for Irish traders.
For example, on 27 February 2024, the CBI fined Goodbody Stockbrokers Unlimited Company (Goodbody) €1,225,000 for “failing to put in place an effective trade surveillance framework to monitor, detect and report suspicious orders and transactions about market abuse in the period July 2016 to January 2022, some five and a half years.” Goodbody admitted to the breach.
When failures occur, the CBI expects firms to be accountable for regulatory breaches.
The CBI also often issues public statements highlighting enforcement actions, deterring other market participants. These statements detail the nature of the breach and the penalties imposed.
Bottom Line
For Irish traders seeking a secure trading environment, prioritizing brokers regulated by the CBI is a wise choice. The CBI enforces strict financial transparency standards, offering robust security and protection for your investments.
However, the number of CBI-regulated forex brokers is very limited compared to other parts of Europe, including the UK and Cyprus, potentially restricting your choice.
It’s also important to remember that even CBI regulation doesn’t eliminate inherent trading risks. Fast-paced strategies like day trading can still lead to losses. Always adhere to the golden trading rule: only risk what you can afford to lose.
Article Sources
- Central Bank of Ireland (CBI)
- Register of Authorized Firms - CBI
- Enforcement Actions - CBI
- Regulation Guidelines - CBI
- Goodbody Stockbrokers fined €1,225,000 - CBI
- Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID)
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