FBS Review 2026: Fees, Trading Products, Regulation and Cashback

FBS review 2026: the short answer

FBS currently uses spread-based pricing on its main international offering, with floating spreads advertised from 0.7 pips, no separate trading commission under the headline conditions, an initial deposit from $5, and forex leverage up to 1:3000. These are international-site conditions rather than universal FBS terms. Pricing, leverage, account availability and client protections depend on the legal entity, region, account and instrument.

The current FBS legal documents identify FBS Markets Inc. as a Belize company with registration number 000001317 and Financial Services Commission licence 4077102. Separately, the CySEC register confirms Tradestone Ltd under licence 331/17 and lists fbs.eu as an approved domain. The international and EU operations should therefore be treated as separate legal relationships.

HFR cashback is also separate from FBS pricing. The current HFR FBS cashback page lists 27% of spread for eligible Standard-account trades, paid weekly to the HFR account. The rebate does not change the broker's spread, leverage, execution, or trade result.

FBS at a glance

FBS traces its brokerage operations to 2009. Its current trading conditions are not identical across all clients because the relevant legal entity and website determine the regulatory framework and much of the account structure.

These figures should not be applied automatically to an EU account or to every FBS product. Clients should check the entity named in their Client Agreement, the exact instrument specification and the current HFR rebate page before relying on a headline figure.

Which FBS legal entity and regulator may apply?

FBS does not operate through one universal legal entity. The company that holds the account can affect maximum leverage, available products, client-money arrangements, complaints procedures and compensation-framework eligibility.

FBS Markets Inc. — international website

The fbs.com website is operated by FBS Markets Inc., registration number 000001317, in Belize. FBS's current legal documents state that the company is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission of Belize under licence 4077102 and the Securities Industry Act 2021.

Older FBS help-centre pages can still display previous licence references. For current publication, the latest legal documents are the stronger FBS source and use licence 4077102. The live regulator record should still be rechecked during future article updates because regulatory details can change.

The international site also states that FBS Markets Inc. does not provide financial services to residents of certain jurisdictions, including the USA, EU, UK, Israel, India, Iran and Myanmar. This is not a complete global acceptance list, so country eligibility should be checked during registration and against the latest legal terms.

Tradestone Ltd — EU website

The separate fbs.eu website is operated by Tradestone Ltd. The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission register confirms Tradestone Ltd as a Cyprus Investment Firm under licence 331/17, granted on 7 August 2017, and lists www.fbs.eu as an approved domain.

The EU operation has different account conditions. Current fbs.eu pages list MetaTrader 5, retail leverage up to 1:30, a Standard-account initial deposit of €100 or equivalent in US dollars, and a Cent-account initial deposit of €10 or equivalent in US dollars. Product availability also differs from the international offering.

Why the legal entity matters

The legal entity determines the regulator and account rules that apply. It can change leverage limits, product access, negative balance protection, client-money treatment, complaint routes and compensation eligibility. Before funding an account, check the company named in the Client Agreement and match it to the regulator's official register. HFR's guide to checking whether a forex broker is regulated explains the verification process.

Regulation provides oversight and legal requirements, but it does not guarantee against trading losses, execution problems, or broker failure.

FBS trading fees and spreads in 2026

Under the current international conditions, FBS advertises floating spreads from 0.7 pips and no separate trading commission under its headline pricing. The 0.7-pip figure is a published minimum, not a typical or guaranteed spread. Actual spreads vary by instrument and can widen with liquidity and volatility.

FBS's instrument pages show minimum, typical and current spreads alongside contract size and swap information. Those specifications are more useful for estimating a trade's cost than the headline minimum alone.

• Spread: floating rather than fixed at 0.7 pips. The live spread can be wider than the published minimum.
• Trading commission: the international trading-conditions page currently states “No commission” under the headline account conditions, but the exact instrument specification should still be checked.
• Overnight financing / swaps: positions held through rollover can receive or pay swaps according to the contract specification and trade direction.
• Swap-free conditions: FBS offers a swap-free option, but certain long-held Forex Exotic positions can incur a fixed weekly commission. The current FBS Markets Inc. Trading Conditions state that this charge starts from the second Sunday if the order remains open.

The practical comparison is total trading cost. A wider live spread, overnight financing or a swap-free administration charge can materially change the cost of a position even when the headline commission is zero. For a broader cost checklist, see HFR's guide to reducing forex trading fees.

FBS account types and minimum deposit

The current international structure centres on the Standard account. A Cent account is also documented for eligible clients who open it through an Introducing Broker Partner referral link. Older FBS account names such as Micro, Zero Spread and ECN should not be treated as current international account options unless FBS reintroduces them.

Standard account

The Standard account is the main international real-account structure. FBS currently publishes an initial deposit from $5, although the practical funding minimum can depend on the selected payment method. MT4 and MT5 are both available on the international offering.

Cent account where available

The Cent account records balances, profits and losses in cents and uses smaller effective contract sizing. Current FBS Markets Inc. Trading Conditions list an initial deposit from $1 and state that 1 Cent lot equals 0.01 Standard lot. This can reduce the monetary exposure represented by a nominal lot size compared with a Standard account, but it does not remove trading or leverage risk.

FBS's current Trading Conditions state that a Cent account can only be opened through a Partner referral link. HFR currently provides a Cent-account opening route on its FBS page, but the published rebate-rate table assigns 27% of spread only to Standard. Until HFR publishes a Cent rebate rate, the Cent account should not be presented as eligible for the 27% cashback.

EU Standard and Cent accounts

Tradestone Ltd currently lists a Standard account with a €100 initial deposit and a Cent account with a €10 initial deposit. Both use MT5 and retail leverage up to 1:30. This is a good example of why the international $5 headline minimum should not be treated as a universal FBS minimum deposit.

Readers comparing account structures across brokers can also use HFR's forex account types comparison.

What can you trade with FBS?

The international FBS site currently advertises more than 550 CFD instruments. The exact number available to a client can depend on the platform, legal entity, and region.

• Forex CFDs: the international specifications page advertises more than 70 forex CFD instruments, including major, minor and exotic pairs.
• Metals: CFDs on precious metals, including gold and silver, with instrument-specific spreads, contract sizes and leverage.
• Indices: CFDs linked to major stock-market indices. Trading hours, leverage and swaps vary by contract.
• Energies: CFDs including Brent crude, WTI crude and natural gas.
• Stocks: The international site currently advertises more than 470 stock CFD instruments. These are derivative contracts rather than ownership of the underlying shares.
• Cryptocurrencies: crypto CFDs including assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Availability and trading conditions vary by jurisdiction and platform.

Contract size, leverage, spread, swaps and trading hours are not identical across these categories. The 550+ figure should therefore be read as an international-site product-range claim, not a guarantee that every FBS client can access every instrument.

FBS leverage, margin call and stop out

Under the current FBS Markets Inc. Trading Conditions, forex leverage can reach 1:3000 on the Standard account. The maximum falls as account equity rises, and other asset classes use separate fixed or product-specific leverage limits.

Higher leverage reduces the margin required to open a given position, but it does not reduce the market exposure. A smaller adverse price movement can therefore consume a larger share of account equity when leverage is high.

For the international account structure, FBS currently publishes a 40% margin-call level and a 20% stop-out level. Its Trading Conditions state that a margin call occurs below the 40% margin level and that mandatory position closing can begin at or below the 20% threshold.

These levels should not be assumed for every FBS entity. Tradestone Ltd applies an EU retail framework with leverage up to 1:30 and lower maximum leverage for some asset classes. HFR's Margin Call vs Stop Out guide explains how these thresholds work and why liquidation can occur at available market prices rather than a guaranteed displayed level.

FBS trading platforms and account access

The international FBS offering supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, browser-based WebTrader and the FBS mobile app. Platform access still depends on entity, account and region. The EU site currently centres on MetaTrader 5 rather than both MetaTrader versions.

Automated trading through Expert Advisors is supported on compatible desktop versions of MT4 and MT5. One service that should not be presented as current is FBS CopyTrade: FBS states that the CopyTrade app stopped operating on 22 September 2022.

Platform availability does not establish execution quality or regulatory protection. Those need to be assessed separately for the legal entity that holds the account.

FBS deposits, withdrawals and account verification

FBS requires profile verification for full account use and withdrawals. On the international site, clients register, complete the required verification, and then select from the payment methods available in the Trader Area or FBS app.

FBS advertises more than 200 global and local payment methods and an initial deposit from $5 under its international conditions. Depending on country, available methods can include bank transfers, debit or credit cards, e-wallets and local payment options.

FBS states that it does not charge a commission on deposits under its general international conditions. Withdrawal costs are different: the Help Centre states that withdrawal commission depends on the selected payment system, and banks, card issuers, or other payment providers can apply their own charges.

Withdrawal routing is subject to payment-method rules. FBS states that deposited funds generally need to be withdrawn through payment methods previously used for the deposit. Under the current Help Centre rules, card deposits have first priority up to the amount deposited by card. Other deposit methods can then be used in any order within the amount deposited through each method, while profits, bonuses and other credit can be withdrawn through available non-card methods. Card withdrawals may require additional verification, and processing time depends on the payment system and any required compliance checks.

Before funding an account, check the live payment screen for the methods, currencies, limits, charges and verification requirements available for the exact FBS entity and region.

FBS client protections and security controls

FBS uses several protection and security measures, but their legal scope depends on the entity that holds the account. Marketing language should not be treated as equivalent to a legal guarantee.

The ICF protection belongs to the Tradestone Ltd relationship and does not automatically apply to clients of FBS Markets Inc. Before relying on any protection, confirm the legal entity named in the account agreement and verify it through the regulator.

FBS cashback through HighFxRebates

Eligible FBS Standard accounts linked to HighFxRebates currently receive cashback equal to 27% of the spread on eligible trades. Rebates are paid weekly to the client's HFR account after eligible activity is reported and confirmed.

How the FBS rebate is calculated

The HFR FBS rate is percentage-based rather than a fixed amount per lot. For example, if the eligible spread cost attributed to a trade were $10, a 27% rebate would equal $2.70. This is only an illustration; the actual rebate depends on the spread cost, trade details, eligibility rules and activity reported by FBS.

Cashback is calculated separately from the trade. It does not change the FBS spread, leverage, execution or market result. HFR's What Are Forex Rebates? guide explains the mechanism in more detail.

Which accounts and instruments qualify?

HFR's current FBS rebate table lists the Standard account at 27% of spread for eligible forex, metals, oil/energies, shares/equities, and index trades. No rebate rate is currently shown for cryptocurrencies. The page also offers a Cent-account opening route but does not publish a Cent rebate rate, so Cent should not be described as receiving the 27% Standard rate without separate confirmation.

HFR also states an important trade-level rule: trades with an open-close difference below 5.9 (59) pips/points do not generate partner commission and therefore do not qualify for rebates. This condition should be considered when estimating expected cashback.

How and when FBS cashback is paid

For a new account, the client should open FBS through the HFR tracked link, add the trading account to the HFR dashboard and wait for confirmation. Rebate tracking starts after the account is confirmed according to HFR's current process.

Eligible confirmed rebates are credited weekly to the HFR account. For the general reporting and payout process, see How Forex Rebate Payments Work.

FBS existing clients and HFR cashback

Existing FBS clients may be able to link an eligible account to HighFxRebates, but the account must first be correctly attributed to HFR by FBS. Existing-account cashback should not be treated as automatic or retroactive.

The current HFR process is:

1. Request an FBS partner change or attachment using the details published by HFR: Partner ID 39159 and Partner Name piprebate. HFR currently instructs existing clients to contact FBS with their full name and trading account number.
2. Wait for FBS confirmation. FBS applies its own attachment rules. Its Help Centre states that direct self-attachment through account settings requires no previous trading orders on the account and that the IB account must have existed before the trading account. Other attachment routes may be subject to different checks, so the client should rely on FBS confirmation for the specific account.
3. After FBS confirms the account is under the HFR partner relationship, add the trading account to the HFR dashboard for rebate review and tracking.

Trades completed before the account is correctly attributed and confirmed should not be assumed to qualify. The HFR FBS cashback page contains the current partner details and rebate rules.

FBS advantages and limitations

The points below summarise practical features and checks rather than giving an overall recommendation. Conditions should be matched to the legal entity and account actually available to the client.

Readers comparing these conditions with other brokers can use HFR's Forex Brokers Comparison.

Who may want to compare FBS, and who may need alternatives?

FBS may be relevant to compare with other brokers for clients looking for MT4 or MT5 on the international offering, a small published starting deposit, spread-based Standard pricing or access to a broad CFD range. The legal entity available to the client remains the deciding factor for the actual terms.

A different broker structure may need to be compared if FBS does not accept the client's jurisdiction, if a different regulatory framework is required, if the available FBS entity does not provide the needed platform or instrument, or if the intended account and product do not qualify for HFR cashback.

Clients who prefer raw-spread pricing with a separately stated commission may also want to compare brokers that publish that pricing model, because FBS's current international Standard structure is primarily spread-based.

FBS review 2026: practical takeaway

FBS currently presents a relatively simple international offering built around floating spreads, MT4 and MT5, more than 550 CFDs and maximum forex leverage up to 1:3000. Those conditions do not apply uniformly across the group. The EU operation under Tradestone Ltd uses different account minimums, MT5-focused access and retail leverage up to 1:30.

The first practical check is therefore the legal entity that will hold the account. After that, compare the exact account, instrument specification, payment method and client-protection terms rather than relying on the international headline figures alone.

HFR cashback is a separate arrangement. Eligible Standard-account activity can receive 27% of spread back through HFR, paid weekly, but account attribution, supported instruments and trade-level eligibility must be confirmed before estimating the rebate.

FAQ

Is FBS regulated?

Yes, but the regulator depends on the legal entity. The international fbs.com site is operated by FBS Markets Inc., whose current legal documents state Financial Services Commission of Belize licence 4077102. The fbs.eu website is operated by Tradestone Ltd, which the CySEC register lists under licence 331/17. Clients should confirm the company named in their own account agreement.

What is the minimum deposit at FBS?

FBS.com currently advertises an initial deposit from $5 for its main international offering. The current FBS Markets Inc. Trading Conditions separately list the Cent account from $1 where it is available through a Partner referral link. These figures are not universal. Tradestone Ltd currently lists €100 or equivalent in US dollars for its Standard account and €10 or equivalent in US dollars for its Cent account. Payment-method minimums can also affect the practical amount required.

Does FBS offer MT4 and MT5?

The international FBS offering supports both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, including web and mobile access. The current fbs.eu offering centres on MetaTrader 5. Clients who specifically require MT4 should therefore confirm the entity and account available in their region.

What is the maximum leverage at FBS?

FBS Markets Inc. currently allows forex leverage up to 1:3000 on the Standard account, subject to equity tiers, instrument limits and local rules. The Cent account has a lower maximum of up to 1:1000. Tradestone Ltd lists retail leverage up to 1:30, with lower limits for some products.

Does FBS charge a trading commission?

The current international trading-conditions page states no separate trading commission under its headline pricing, with costs primarily reflected in floating spreads and any applicable swaps or other charges. Spreads are advertised from 0.7 pips but can vary by instrument and market conditions.

What instruments can I trade with FBS?

The international offering includes CFDs on forex, metals, indices, energies, shares and cryptocurrencies. FBS advertises more than 550 CFD instruments overall, including more than 70 forex CFDs and more than 470 stock CFDs. The exact selection varies by platform, entity and jurisdiction.

Does FBS provide negative balance protection?

FBS Markets Inc. states that negative balance protection applies to its accounts, subject to an exceptional-case provision in its Trading Conditions where the company considers client actions intentional. Tradestone Ltd provides negative balance protection to retail clients under its EU framework. Negative balance protection does not prevent a client from losing the funds in the trading account.

How much FBS cashback does HighFxRebates pay?

HFR currently lists cashback equal to 27% of spread on eligible FBS Standard-account trades. The published rate applies to eligible forex, metals, oil/energies, shares/equities and index activity. Crypto currently has no published rebate rate in the HFR table, and Cent should not be assumed to receive the Standard rate without confirmation.

How often is FBS cashback paid through HFR?

Eligible FBS cashback is currently credited weekly to the client's HFR account after qualifying activity has been reported and confirmed. The rebate is separate from FBS's own trading conditions.

Can existing FBS clients receive HFR cashback?

Existing FBS clients may be able to request that an eligible account is placed under HFR's partner relationship. HFR currently lists Partner ID 39159 and Partner Name piprebate. FBS must confirm the account attribution before HFR tracking begins, and older trades should not be assumed to qualify.

Disclosure, risk warning and disclaimer

Disclosure: HighFxRebates may receive remuneration from FBS in connection with eligible clients referred or linked through HFR. Part of the partner commission received may be returned to eligible clients as cashback under HFR rebate terms. This commercial relationship does not change FBS's trading conditions, spreads, leverage, or execution.

Risk warning: Trading forex and CFDs involves a high level of risk. Leverage can increase both gains and losses, and you may lose some or all of the money deposited for trading. Cashback returns part of an eligible trading cost or partner commission; it does not reduce market risk or guarantee a profit.

Disclaimer: This review is provided for general information only and does not constitute investment, financial or trading advice. Broker services, protections and product availability may vary by legal entity, country, account and client classification.

Sources and review methodology

This FBS review is based on desk research and was last fact-checked on 2 October 2026. HFR did not open or fund a new FBS account, place live trades, test execution, make withdrawals or independently test customer support as part of this review.

Primary sources were prioritised. International trading conditions, account features, platforms, costs, legal terms and operational policies were checked against current FBS pages and legal documents. Tradestone Ltd regulatory details were cross-checked against the CySEC register. Where a claim comes from FBS itself, such as a product count or operational feature, it should be read as broker-supplied information unless independently confirmed.

HFR cashback conditions were checked separately from FBS trading conditions. The rebate rate, eligible account information, payment frequency, partner details and trade-level eligibility rule were reviewed against the current HFR FBS page. HFR rebate terms can change independently of FBS account conditions.

• FBS legal documents — FBS Markets Inc.
• FBS international trading conditions
• FBS Markets Inc. Trading Conditions (PDF)
• FBS international instruments — forex
• FBS international instruments — stocks
• FBS deposits and withdrawals
• FBS Help Centre — withdrawals
• FBS Help Centre — partner attachment
• FBS CopyTrade closure notice
• FBS EU legal documents — Tradestone Ltd
• FBS EU trading/account comparison
• FBS EU Standard account
• FBS EU Cent account
• CySEC register — Tradestone Ltd, licence 331/17
• Tradestone Ltd Investor Compensation Fund Policy