Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Belize, FBS has grown into a global forex broker serving over 27 million clients worldwide. For Costa Rica traders, FBS offers a rare combination of ultra-low minimum deposit ($1), high leverage up to 1:3000, and support for local payment methods like Skrill, USDT, and Bank Transfer. The broker is particularly attractive to retail traders in Costa Rica who want to start small or experiment with high-risk strategies. However, its regulatory framework is mostly offshore (Belize IFSC), meaning Costa Rica traders do not enjoy the same level of investor protection as with a broker regulated by a local authority. FBS provides the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are well-suited for the country's internet infrastructure. While the broker offers competitive spreads and a wide range of instruments, traders in Costa Rica should carefully consider the regulatory risk before depositing larger amounts.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Belize |
| Regulated by | CySEC,IFSC,FSCA |
| Min Deposit | $1 |
| Max Leverage | 3000 |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
| Islamic Account | ✓ Available |
| Copy Trading | ✗ Not available |
| Demo Account | ✓ Available |
| Instrument | Typical Spread | Commission/Lot | All-In Cost | Standard Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.80 pips | $0 | 0.80 pips | 0.80 pips |
| XAU/USD | 0.40 pips | $0 | 0.40 pips | 0.40 pips |
| Feature | Available |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | ✓ Yes |
| ECN/Raw Account | ✗ No |
| Islamic (Swap-free) | ✓ Yes |
| Scalping Allowed | ✓ Yes |
| Hedging Allowed | ✓ Yes |
| Expert Advisors (EA) | ✓ Yes |
| Copy Trading | ✗ No |
FBS offers a genuine Islamic (swap-free) account for Muslim traders in Costa Rica who wish to trade without earning or paying interest (riba). This account type is available for all account types (Standard, Cent, Zero Spread, ECN) upon request. To apply, simply contact FBS customer support or submit a request through the Client Cabinet. The account is truly swap-free, meaning no overnight interest is charged or credited. However, please note that after holding a position for more than 10 days, an administrative fee may be applied. There are no hidden charges, and the account functions exactly like a regular account in all other aspects.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Islamic Account Available | ✓ Yes |
| Swap Fees | ✓ No swap fees |
| Hidden Admin Fees | Verify with broker before trading |
| How to Apply | Contact support after opening standard account |
| Approval Time | Usually same business day |
| Asset Class | Examples | Available | Typical Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Major Pairs | EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY | ✓ All available | 0.80 pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | Spot Gold | ✓ Available | 0.40 pips |
| Silver (XAG/USD) | Spot Silver | ✓ Available | Check broker |
| Oil CFDs | WTI Crude, Brent Crude | ✓ Available | $0.03–$0.05 |
| Stock Indices | S&P500, NASDAQ, DAX, FTSE | ✓ Available | 0.40 pts |
| Crypto CFDs | BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL | ✓ Available | Check broker |
| Shares CFDs | Apple, Tesla, Amazon | ✓ Available | 0.02% |
| ETF CFDs | SPY, QQQ | ✓ Available | 0.02% |
| Feature | Available | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Economic Calendar | ✓ Yes | Built into platform, real-time |
| Daily Market Analysis | ✓ Yes | Written + video reports |
| Video Tutorials | ✓ Yes | Beginner to advanced |
| Live Webinars | ✓ Yes | Weekly sessions, recorded |
| Demo Account | ✓ Yes | Unlimited, no expiry |
| Copy Trading | ✗ No | Not available |
| Free VPS | ✓ Yes (active traders) | For EA/automated trading |
| Local Language Support | ✗ No | English only |
| Support Channel | Available | Hours | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | ✓ Yes | 24/5 (Mon-Fri) | ★★★★★ Excellent |
| Email Support | ✓ Yes | 24/5 | ★★★★☆ Very Good |
| Phone Support | ✓ Yes | Business hours | ★★★★☆ Good |
| ✗ No | — | Not available | |
| Local Language | ✗ No | — | English only |
| Broker | Min Deposit | EUR/USD | Islamic | TradingView | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FBS ★ | $1 | 0.80 pips | ✓ | ✗ | 3.7 |
| Pepperstone | $0 | 0.09 pips | ✓ | ✓ | 4.9 |
| IC Markets | $200 | 0.02 pips | ✓ | ✗ | 4.8 |
| Exness | $10 | 0.10 pips | ✓ | ✗ | 4.8 |
Understanding how FBS protects your funds is critical before depositing. Here's a complete breakdown of the security measures in place for Costa Rica traders:
| Security Feature | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Segregated Client Funds | ✓ Yes | Client money held in separate bank accounts |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✓ Yes | Losses capped at account balance |
| Top-tier Regulation | ✗ No | FCA/ASIC/CySEC licensed |
| Investor Compensation | ✗ No | Up to £85,000 (FCA) or €20,000 (CySEC) |
| 2FA Security | ✓ Yes | Two-factor authentication available |
| SSL Encryption | ✓ Yes | All data encrypted in transit |
| Audit & Reporting | ✓ Yes | Regular financial audits required by regulators |
Stay updated with the latest developments from FBS relevant to Costa Rica traders:
FBS is a viable option for Costa Rica traders who are looking for a low-cost entry into forex trading with high leverage and popular local payment methods like Skrill and USDT. The broker's ultra-low minimum deposit of $1 makes it accessible to almost anyone. However, the lack of local regulation from a Costa Rica authority is a significant drawback. Traders must be aware that their funds are not protected by a local compensation scheme. FBS is best suited for experienced retail traders who understand the risks and can manage their positions carefully. Beginners should start with a demo account and small deposits. If you prioritize safety and regulation, you may want to consider a broker regulated by a major authority like the FCA or ASIC. Overall, FBS offers a decent trading experience but comes with higher regulatory risk for Costa Rica traders.