Regulators on High Alert: FCA, SFC, and FSC Issue New Warnings

Wednesday, 20/12/2023 | 11:23 GMT by Damian Chmiel
  • New entities flagged for lacking investment service licenses.
  • Regulators like FCA, SFC, and FSC stay active, updating warning lists daily.
alert, warning

Although the holiday and New Year's break is just around the corner, financial market regulators remain exceptionally active. This can be seen in the number of warnings published by popular watchdogs.

During today's (Wednesday) session, the warning list was updated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Hong Kong Securities and Financial Commission (SFC) and the Mauritius Financial Services Commission (FSC), among others.

Long List of Warnings from FCA

On 20 December, as many as five entities were added to the FCA warning list, including Ventures-Funds, Cryptolinkx, Universal Forex Trading, Premium Easy Loan, and Safe Forex Trading . None of them have the appropriate licenses to provide investment services in the UK.

However, analyzing the FCA register, we see that the regulator made a major update to its list two days earlier, on 18-19 December, adding about 50 new entities. These are mostly companies that offer either cryptocurrency services or FX/CFD trading.

Five new entities were added to the warning list on Wednesday. Source: FCA
Five new entities were added to the warning list on Wednesday. Source: FCA

FCA remains extremely active in issuing warnings, publishing over 1,700 last year.

Mauritius FSC Warns against FX Future

The warning list of the Mauritius FSC includes the FX Future entity, which falsely claims to be authorized, impersonating the license of another entity, Benor Capital Ltd.

"The FSC wishes to inform the public that Benor Capital Ltd has no association in any manner with FX Future and further highlights that FX Future and/or any other individuals or representatives or promoter groups operating under such name are not and have not, at any point in time, been licensed and/or regulated by the FSC," the regulator commented in an official statement.

At the same time, it recommends particular caution when dealing with FX Future.

Some time ago, the regulator warned against Match CFD, which falsely claimed to have a full broker-dealer license.

Two New Entities on SFC's Warning List

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's SFC added LonShiX and Bitbank (Global) Financial Holding Group to its warning list. The first encourages people to open investment accounts through social platforms and instant messaging. The second uses a name deceptively similar to the popular cryptocurrency exchange , although it is not related to it in any way.

"The SFC also suspects that Bitbank (Global) Financial Holding Group may have disseminated false and misleading information about itself and its business through online channels, including its website and social media platforms, claiming that it has obtained SFC licences and begun to apply for a virtual asset service provider's licence," the SFC informed and at the same time warned that it has not issued a license to this entity.

Yesterday (Tuesday), the Cypriot CySEC updated its warning list, adding 12 unlicensed investment websites.

Although the holiday and New Year's break is just around the corner, financial market regulators remain exceptionally active. This can be seen in the number of warnings published by popular watchdogs.

During today's (Wednesday) session, the warning list was updated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Hong Kong Securities and Financial Commission (SFC) and the Mauritius Financial Services Commission (FSC), among others.

Long List of Warnings from FCA

On 20 December, as many as five entities were added to the FCA warning list, including Ventures-Funds, Cryptolinkx, Universal Forex Trading, Premium Easy Loan, and Safe Forex Trading . None of them have the appropriate licenses to provide investment services in the UK.

However, analyzing the FCA register, we see that the regulator made a major update to its list two days earlier, on 18-19 December, adding about 50 new entities. These are mostly companies that offer either cryptocurrency services or FX/CFD trading.

Five new entities were added to the warning list on Wednesday. Source: FCA
Five new entities were added to the warning list on Wednesday. Source: FCA

FCA remains extremely active in issuing warnings, publishing over 1,700 last year.

Mauritius FSC Warns against FX Future

The warning list of the Mauritius FSC includes the FX Future entity, which falsely claims to be authorized, impersonating the license of another entity, Benor Capital Ltd.

"The FSC wishes to inform the public that Benor Capital Ltd has no association in any manner with FX Future and further highlights that FX Future and/or any other individuals or representatives or promoter groups operating under such name are not and have not, at any point in time, been licensed and/or regulated by the FSC," the regulator commented in an official statement.

At the same time, it recommends particular caution when dealing with FX Future.

Some time ago, the regulator warned against Match CFD, which falsely claimed to have a full broker-dealer license.

Two New Entities on SFC's Warning List

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's SFC added LonShiX and Bitbank (Global) Financial Holding Group to its warning list. The first encourages people to open investment accounts through social platforms and instant messaging. The second uses a name deceptively similar to the popular cryptocurrency exchange , although it is not related to it in any way.

"The SFC also suspects that Bitbank (Global) Financial Holding Group may have disseminated false and misleading information about itself and its business through online channels, including its website and social media platforms, claiming that it has obtained SFC licences and begun to apply for a virtual asset service provider's licence," the SFC informed and at the same time warned that it has not issued a license to this entity.

Yesterday (Tuesday), the Cypriot CySEC updated its warning list, adding 12 unlicensed investment websites.

About the Author: Damian Chmiel
Damian Chmiel
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Damian's adventure with financial markets began at the Cracow University of Economics, where he obtained his MA in finance and accounting. Starting from the retail trader perspective, he collaborated with brokerage houses and financial portals in Poland as an independent editor and content manager. His adventure with Finance Magnates began in 2016, where he is working as a business intelligence analyst.

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