XGLOBAL Markets
Licensed by tier-2 regulators. No tier-1 licence found on the registers checked.
One entity on file: ABF Trade EU Limited (formerly X Global Markets Ltd).
Caution means: The firm is licensed somewhere we can verify, but part of the business sits under weaker supervision — an offshore entity, leverage far above Tier-1 retail caps, or a register entry that does not cover everything the firm advertises.
Regulator record
Licence and registration references as recorded on each authority's own register.
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | Reference no. | Tier | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CySEC | Cyprus | 171/12 | T2 | Active |
Scroll sideways — the regulator column stays pinned.
Reference numbers are reproduced as published so you can paste them straight into the regulator's search. If a number on a broker's website does not return that broker on the regulator's own register, treat the site as unverified.
Regulatory timeline
Published notices and alert-list entries recorded against this entity.
No published notices on record
At our last check on 2026-09-06 we found no published warning notice or alert-list entry naming this entity on the registers we monitor. That is a statement about what we found on a given date, not a guarantee about the future — re-check before you deposit.
Register office checks
6 checks anyone can repeat against public sources.
| Result | Check | Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Pass | CySEC Licence (ABF Trade EU Limited) | ABF Trade EU Limited (formerly X Global Markets Ltd) is authorised and regulated by CySEC under CIF Licence No. 171/12, company registration HE 291958. |
| Warn | CySEC Licence Number Independent Verification | The CySEC licence number 171/12 was sourced from the firm's own terms. CySEC's entity page for ABF Trade EU Limited (ex X Global Markets Ltd) is bot-blocked, preventing independent confirmation of the number on the regulator's site. |
| Warn | VFSC Licence (XGLOBAL FX Ltd) | Finance Magnates reported XGLOBAL FX Ltd as VFSC-regulated. The VFSC licence number was not re-verified, and Vanuatu entities under this name were not located on the broker's current EU site. |
| Pass | Corporate Name Transition | CySEC's official listing titles the entity 'ABF Trade EU Limited (ex X Global Markets Ltd)', confirming the name change from X Global Markets Ltd. |
| Warn | Past Regulatory Fines | Finance Magnates reported that CySEC fined X Global Markets Ltd EUR 5,000. |
| Pass | Active Website Domain | The brand's former xglobalmarkets.com domains no longer serve content; the business now operates via abftrade.com under the ABF Trade name. |
Understanding CySEC Regulation for ABF Trade EU Limited
ABF Trade EU Limited, operating under the brand ABF Trade and formerly known as X Global Markets Ltd, is authorised and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) with CIF Licence No. 171/12. This regulation places the firm under the oversight of a European Union financial authority. Clients onboarded through the CySEC-regulated entity benefit from protections such as participation in the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), which can provide compensation up to EUR 20,000 in the event of the company's insolvency, subject to fund rules. CySEC imposes strict requirements on capital adequacy, client money segregation, and transparent business practices, aiming to ensure investor protection and market integrity. The firm's operational base is in Limassol, Cyprus, at its registered address: 162 Fragklinou Rousvelt, 1st & 2nd Floors, 3045. Clients should always verify which specific legal entity they are contracting with to understand their regulatory protections.
Verifying ABF Trade's CySEC Licence
To independently confirm the regulatory status of ABF Trade EU Limited, consumers should visit the official CySEC website and locate their 'Entities under Supervision' or 'Investment Firms' directory. Search for "ABF Trade EU Limited" or its former name, "X Global Markets Ltd," using the CIF Licence No. 171/12 or company registration number HE 291958. While the company's Terms of Use state this licence number, and CySEC's own listing confirms the name change, direct automated verification of the licence number on CySEC's specific entity page was not possible due to bot-blocking measures. This means manual verification by a human visitor to the CySEC site is necessary to confirm all details directly from the regulator's own records. Always ensure the details on the regulator's site match those provided by the broker.
Differentiating Onshore and Offshore Entities
It is crucial for clients to understand the distinction between entities operating under different regulatory frameworks. ABF Trade EU Limited is the CySEC-regulated entity, offering protections consistent with European Union financial regulations. Historically, reports from Finance Magnates mentioned a Vanuatu arm, XGLOBAL FX Ltd, regulated by the VFSC (Vanuatu Financial Services Commission). However, the VFSC licence number for XGLOBAL FX Ltd was not re-verified in our checks, and no Vanuatu entities were located on the current EU site. Offshore regulations, like those from the VFSC, typically offer fewer investor protections compared to tier-1 regulators like CySEC. These often include lower capital requirements, less stringent reporting, and no investor compensation schemes. Clients should always confirm which legal entity they are dealing with and understand the specific regulatory oversight and protections that apply to their account based on their onboarding entity.
What Regulation Does Not Protect Against
While regulation by authorities like CySEC provides a framework for fair trading practices and financial stability, it does not eliminate all risks associated with forex and CFD trading. Regulation primarily aims to ensure brokers operate transparently, segregate client funds, and adhere to specific financial conduct rules. However, it cannot protect against market volatility, adverse price movements, or the inherent risks of leveraged trading, which can lead to significant losses. Investor compensation funds are designed for broker insolvency, not for trading losses. Consumers must understand that even with a regulated broker, market speculation carries substantial risk. It is essential for traders to educate themselves, manage their risk effectively, and only invest capital they can afford to lose, regardless of the broker's regulatory status.
A Calm Bottom Line on ABF Trade (formerly XGLOBAL Markets)
ABF Trade EU Limited, previously known as X Global Markets Ltd, is a CySEC-regulated investment firm. This provides a level of regulatory oversight and client protection under EU directives, including access to the Investor Compensation Fund for eligible clients. While the CySEC licence number was sourced from the firm's own terms and not independently confirmed on CySEC's bot-blocked page, and past reports mention a VFSC-regulated entity that was not re-verified, the primary operational entity for EU clients falls under a recognized financial authority. The reported CySEC fine for X Global Markets Ltd indicates past regulatory attention. Consumers should always perform their due diligence, verify current regulatory status directly on the regulator's website, and be fully aware of the risks involved in trading, especially when dealing with different legal entities.
User reports
Moderated accounts submitted by readers. Not regulatory evidence.
Reports are published only after a person reads them. A report marked verified means the reporter supplied supporting documentation we were able to check. An unverified report is one person's account and does not change this entity's status.
Submit a reportNo moderated reports have been published against this record yet. If you have dealt with this firm, tell the register office.
Sources
Every source below was retrieved from the publisher's own site.
- CySECCompany/legal page — ABF Trade EU Limited (formerly X Global Markets Ltd)https://abftrade.com/eu/en/terms-of-useRETRIEVED 2026-09-06
Frequently asked
Is XGLOBAL Markets still active?
XGLOBAL Markets now operates under the ABF Trade brand via abftrade.com. Its former xglobalmarkets.com domains are no longer active.
Which entity of ABF Trade is regulated by CySEC?
ABF Trade EU Limited, formerly X Global Markets Ltd, is regulated by CySEC under CIF Licence No. 171/12. Its registered address is in Limassol, Cyprus.
What does CySEC regulation mean for clients?
CySEC regulation ensures that ABF Trade EU Limited adheres to EU financial standards, including client fund segregation and participation in the Investor Compensation Fund, which offers compensation up to EUR 20,000 in case of the firm's insolvency, subject to fund rules.
Was XGLOBAL Markets ever fined by a regulator?
Yes, Finance Magnates reported that CySEC fined X Global Markets Ltd EUR 5,000 in the past.