Financial Markets Authority
(NZ FMA)Regulatory Snapshot
The Financial Markets Authority is New Zealand's conduct regulator for capital markets, financial services, and financial reporting. Established in 2011, the FMA enforces securities, financial reporting, and company law as they apply to financial services and securities markets. It has significantly strengthened oversight of derivatives issuers since introducing the new licensing regime in 2021.
- Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR) mandatory registration
- Mandatory client money segregation in trust accounts
- Strict derivatives issuer licensing requirements since 2021
- Fair dealing obligations and conduct of business standards
Restricted Countries
FMA does not prescribe specific leverage limits but requires derivatives issuers to manage risk appropriately.
Body: Financial Services Complaints Limited (FSCL) / Financial Dispute Resolution Service (FDRS)
Visit Dispute ResolutionRelated Regulators
ASIC
AAATier 1Australian Securities and Investments Commission
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission is Australia's integrated corporate, markets, financial services, and consumer credit regulator. Founded in 1998, ASIC enforces and regulates company and financial services laws to protect Australian consumers, investors, and creditors. It is widely regarded as one of the world's most effective and transparent financial regulators.
FMA
ATier 2Financial Markets Authority
The Financial Markets Authority is New Zealand's financial markets conduct regulator. Established in 2011, the FMA is responsible for enforcing securities, financial reporting, and company law as they apply to financial services and securities markets. It oversees the licensing and conduct of financial service providers and derivatives issuers.
VFSC
BOffshoreVanuatu Financial Services Commission
The Vanuatu Financial Services Commission is the financial regulatory authority of the Republic of Vanuatu, formally established in 1993. The VFSC has become a popular licensing destination for forex brokers due to its relatively low capital requirements, fast licensing process (typically 2-3 months), and favourable tax environment with no income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax.
Cook Islands FSC
COffshoreFinancial Supervisory Commission
The Financial Supervisory Commission of the Cook Islands is the regulatory authority responsible for the supervision and regulation of financial services in the Cook Islands. Established in 2003, the FSC oversees banking, insurance, trustee companies, and international companies operating within the territory. The jurisdiction is a small Pacific Island nation with a limited regulatory infrastructure.
IRI
COffshoreMarshall Islands Registry
The International Registries Inc. (IRI) administers the Marshall Islands maritime and corporate registry. While primarily known as the world's third-largest ship registry, the Marshall Islands is also used by some financial service companies for corporate registration. The registry does not function as a financial regulator and does not provide oversight of trading activities or investor protection.
Nauru ISA
COffshoreNauru International Services Authority
The Nauru International Services Authority was the body responsible for registering and administering offshore entities in the Republic of Nauru, a small island state in the Pacific. Nauru has historically been associated with minimal financial oversight, and its offshore financial services sector has been subject to international scrutiny. The jurisdiction provides no meaningful investor protection for financial services.