The Financial Markets Authority (AMF) and the Prudential Control and Resolution Authority (ACPR) in France are taking proactive steps to protect investors. The French regulator has remained vigilant, adding 22 fraudulent websites to the blacklist in Q3.

They are periodically updating lists of unauthorized websites that offer Forex investments and crypto-linked derivative products without proper authorization. This action aims to ensure investor safety and prevent engagement with unregulated financial platforms.

Monitoring Unauthorized Websites: A Quarterly Report

During the third quarter of this year, the AMF and ACPR identified the following unauthorized actor sites operating in the Forex market:

• acapitalgroup.co
• acy.com
• algo-management.co
• amoslimited.co
• edgefinance.ltd
• elvivainvest.com/en
• fr.greendax.org
• fusiontrade.co
• greendax.com
• introtrade.pro
• ipgate.trade
• logiccryptofx.net
• microngroup.ltd/en
• omersfinance.ltd
• www. cityinv260.com
• www.cryptotradetech.net
• www.erzinex.com
• www.expochains.com
• www.fortuna-invest.com
• www.fxalta.com
• www.rn-investing.com

Derivatives on Crypto-assets

In the same period, a new unauthorized site offering derivatives on crypto-assets was also identified: www.futurbtc.com.

Since the beginning of 2023, the AMF and the ACPR have added a total of 43 unauthorized sites in the Forex category and one site in the crypto-asset derivatives category to their watchlists.

Accessing Unauthorized Website Lists for Public Awareness

These lists of unauthorized sites are made available to the public on the Assurance Banque Épargne Info Service (ABE IS) website, under the "Your procedures – Protect yourself against scams – Blacklists of unauthorized websites and entities" section.

They can also be accessed on the AMF website, specifically in the "Savers area – Protect your savings – Blacklists and warnings" section, and through the AMF's Protect Epargne application. It is important to note that these lists are regularly updated but may not encompass all unauthorized actors, as new ones emerge continually.

To ensure that any financial intermediary offering products or services is authorized to operate in France, concerned individuals are encouraged to consult the list of authorized investment service providers available at www.regafi.fr or the list of intermediaries authorized as financial investment advisors or participatory investment advisors at www.orias.fr/search.

Investors are strongly advised not to engage with individuals or entities not appearing on these authorized lists, as they may be in violation of applicable regulations, potentially compromising investor protection, transparency, and the resolution of complaints.