FXCM / Stratos Group International: who it is and what it owns

US-founded FX broker rescued by Jefferies in 2015 (Swiss franc shock), fully owned by Jefferies from 2023 and renamed Stratos. Banned from the US by the CFTC in 2017. In Oct 2026 its UK client book went to Trade Nation and AvaTrade agreed to buy most of the FXCM business and brand.

Ownershipsubsidiary of Jefferies Financial Group (via Stratos); majority sale to AvaTrade agreed Oct 2026, pending
HeadquartersUnited States
Brokers2 brokers · 2 websites in total
Operating companies7
Regulator fines2
Last checked14 Oct 2026

Brokers of FXCM / Stratos Group International

NameWebsiteLicensesOwner proof
FXCM soldfxcm.comFCAreported
Tradu soldtradu.comreported

Operating companies and licenses

CompanyWhereLicenses
Stratos Markets LimitedUnited KingdomFCA 217689
Forex Capital Markets LLCUnited StatesNFA
NFA 0308179
Stratos Europe LimitedCyprusCySEC 392/20
Stratos Trading Pty. LimitedAustraliaASIC AFSL 309763
Stratos South Africa (Pty) LtdSouth AfricaFSCA FSP 46534
Stratos Light LimitedIsraelOther: Israel Securities Authority
Stratos Global LLCSt Vincent and the GrenadinesSVG FSA registration only (no licence held) offshore

Regulator fines

DateRegulator / courtAmountReason
2017-02-06CFTCUSD 7,000,000CFTC found FXCM hid its link to its main market maker and misdescribed its 'No Dealing Desk' model; also false statements to NFA. FXCM agreed to withdraw from CFTC registration (exit from US). source
2014-02-26FCAGBP 4,000,000Kept about £6m of price-improvement profits that belonged to UK clients and did not tell the FCA about a parallel US probe; ~£6m restitution paid on top. source

Sources