Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Belize, FBS has grown into a global forex broker serving over 27 million clients worldwide. For Malta traders, FBS offers a low-barrier entry with a $1 minimum deposit and leverage up to 1:3000, appealing to those starting with small capital. The broker provides access to the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are well-suited for retail forex trading. However, FBS is not regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), which is a key consideration for local traders who prioritize strict local oversight. Despite this, FBS’s long track record and multiple international licenses (CySEC, FSCA) offer some reassurance. The broker supports local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, and USDT, making deposits and withdrawals convenient for Maltese users. Overall, FBS is a viable option for Malta beginners or those trading small amounts, but experienced traders may prefer a broker with MFSA regulation.
| 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 an Islamic (swap-free) account for Muslim traders in Malta who require Sharia-compliant trading. This account type eliminates all swap/interest charges on overnight positions, aligning with Islamic finance principles. It is available on both Standard and Cent accounts. However, there are conditions: the account may incur an administrative fee if positions are held for more than a specific number of days (e.g., 10 days), and the swap-free feature may not apply to all instruments (e.g., some crypto CFDs). To apply, Malta traders can request the Islamic account during registration or via customer support. It’s important to read the terms carefully to avoid unexpected charges. Overall, it’s a genuine swap-free option, but not entirely free if positions are held long-term.
| 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 Malta 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 Malta traders:
FBS is a mixed proposition for Malta traders. On the positive side, its $1 minimum deposit, high leverage, and support for local payment methods like Skrill and Bank Transfer make it highly accessible for beginners and those with small capital. The availability of MT4 and MT5 is also a plus. However, the lack of MFSA regulation is a significant drawback — Malta traders lose the protection of the local Investor Compensation Scheme and must rely on CySEC or offshore oversight. For serious, long-term traders or those depositing large sums, a locally regulated broker is safer. FBS is best suited for Malta beginners testing the waters, or for traders who want to trade small amounts with high leverage. If you prioritize safety above all, consider an MFSA-regulated broker instead.