Best Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) Regulated Brokers 2025
We’ve personally tested and ranked the top brokers regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI), ensuring high standards of trust and reliability for Irish traders.
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1Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a top brokerage firm offering access to 150 markets in 33 countries and a range of investment services. With 40 years in the field, this company listed on Nasdaq strictly follows the rules set by authorities such as the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC. It's recognized as one of the most reliable brokers for global trading.
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2Founded in 2006, AvaTrade is a top forex and CFD broker trusted by over 400,000 traders. Regulated in 9 regions, it handles more than 2 million trades monthly. AvaTrade offers platforms like MT4, MT5, and WebTrader, with over 1,250 instruments. Traders of all levels can explore CFDs, AvaOptions, and AvaFutures for short-term trading. AvaTrade provides excellent education and 24/5 multilingual customer support for a complete trading experience.
Compare the Best CBI-Regulated Brokers
| Broker |  |
USD Account |
Demo Account |
Minimum Deposit |
Minimum Trade |
Leverage |
Copy Trading |
Regulator |
Instruments |
Platforms |
Account Currencies |
Automated Trading |
AI |
Guaranteed Stop Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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✓ | ✓ | $0 | $100 | 1:50 | ✗ | FCA, SEC, FINRA, CFTC, CBI, CIRO, SFC, MAS, MNB, FINMA, AFM | Stocks, Options, Futures, Forex, Funds, Bonds, ETFs, Mutual Funds, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Desktop, GlobalTrader, Mobile, Client Portal, AlgoTrader, OmniTrader, TradingView, eSignal, TradingCentral, ProRealTime, Quantower | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, INR, JPY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, AED, HUF | Capitalise.ai & TWS API | ✓ | ✗ | |
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✓ | ✓ | $100 | 0.01 Lots | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) | ✓ | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, ISA, CBI, JFSA, FSRA, BVI, ADGM, CIRO, AFM | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Crypto, Spread Betting, Futures | WebTrader, AvaTradeGO, AvaOptions, AvaFutures, MT4, MT5, AlgoTrader, TradingCentral, DupliTrade | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✓ | ✗ | |
| Broker | |
USD Account |
Demo Account |
Minimum Deposit |
Minimum Trade |
Leverage |
Copy Trading |
Regulator |
Instruments |
Platforms |
Account Currencies |
Automated Trading |
AI |
Guaranteed Stop Loss |
Safety Comparison
Compare how safe the Best Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) Regulated Brokers 2025 are.
| Broker | Trust Rating |
Guaranteed Stop Loss |
Negative Balance Protection |
Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
✗ | ✓ | ✓ | |
|
✗ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Broker | Trust Rating |
Guaranteed Stop Loss |
Negative Balance Protection |
Segregated Accounts |
Mobile Trading Comparison
Compare the mobile trading features of the Best Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) Regulated Brokers 2025.
| Broker | Mobile Apps |
iOS Rating |
Android Rating |
Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
iOS & Android | ✓ | ||
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iOS & Android | ✗ | ||
| Broker | Mobile Apps |
iOS Rating |
Android Rating |
Smart Watch App |
Comparison for Beginners
Compare how suitable the Best Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) Regulated Brokers 2025 are for beginners.
| Broker | Demo Account |
Minimum Deposit |
Minimum Trade |
Education Rating |
Support Rating |
Fractional Shares |
Demo Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
✓ | $0 | $100 | ✓ | ✗ | ||
|
✓ | $100 | 0.01 Lots | ✗ | ✗ | ||
| Broker | Demo Account |
Minimum Deposit |
Minimum Trade |
Education Rating |
Support Rating |
Fractional Shares |
Demo Competitions |
Comparison for Advanced Traders
Compare how suitable the Best Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) Regulated Brokers 2025 are for advanced or professional traders.
| Broker | Automated Trading |
VPS |
API |
AI |
Pro Account |
Leverage |
Low Latency |
Extended Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Capitalise.ai & TWS API | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | 1:50 | ✓ | ✓ |
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Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 1:30 (Retail) 1:400 (Pro) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Broker | Automated Trading |
VPS |
API |
AI |
Pro Account |
Leverage |
Low Latency |
Extended Hours |
Accounts Comparison
Compare the trading accounts offered by Best Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) Regulated Brokers 2025.
| Broker | Demo Account |
Interest on Cash |
Islamic Account |
Joint Account |
Managed Account |
PAMM |
MAM |
LAMM |
Pro Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
✓ | USD: 4.8%, GBP: 4.7% | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
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✓ | USD: 2.7% | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Broker | Demo Account |
Interest on Cash |
Islamic Account |
Joint Account |
Managed Account |
PAMM |
MAM |
LAMM |
Pro Account |
Detailed Rating Comparison
Compare how we rated the Best Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) Regulated Brokers 2025 in key areas.
| Broker | Trust |
Platforms |
Assets |
Mobile |
Fees |
Accounts |
Research |
Education |
Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Broker | Trust |
Platforms |
Assets |
Mobile |
Fees |
Accounts |
Research |
Education |
Support |
Fee and Cost Comparison
Compare the cost of trading with the Best Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) Regulated Brokers 2025.
| Broker | Cost Rating |
Fixed Spreads |
Inactivity Fee |
CFD Stocks Spread |
EUR/USD Spread |
Crypto Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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✗ | $0 | 0.003 | 0.08-0.20 bps x trade value | 0.12%-0.18% | |
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✓ | $50 | 0.13 | 0.9 | BTC <1%, ETH 2% | |
| Broker | Cost Rating |
Fixed Spreads |
Inactivity Fee |
CFD Stocks Spread |
EUR/USD Spread |
Crypto Spread |
Broker Popularity
See how popular the Best Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) Regulated Brokers 2025 are in terms of number of clients.
| Broker | Popularity |
|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers |
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| AvaTrade |
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Why Trade With Interactive Brokers?
Interactive Brokers is ideal for seasoned traders due to its robust charting platforms, updated data, and adaptability, especially with the IBKR Desktop application. Its exceptional pricing and advanced order features appeal to traders, and its variety of stocks remains unmatched in the market.
Pros
- The TWS platform is designed for intermediate to advanced traders. It includes over 100 order types and a dependable real-time market data feed that rarely experiences downtime.
- The new IBKR Desktop platform combines the advantages of TWS and adds unique tools like Option Lattice and Screeners with MultiSort to make trading accessible and impressive for traders of all levels.
- IBKR offers exceptional access to global stocks, with thousands of equities available from over 100 market centers in 24 countries, including the recent addition of the Saudi Stock Exchange.
Cons
- Customer service may take time to respond, and there may be delays in fixing problems based on tests. It could be difficult to reach the customer service promptly.
- TWS's platform may be difficult for beginners to grasp because of its complexity. Plus500's web platform, on the other hand, is more appropriate for those new to trading.
- Only one active session per account is allowed, which means you can't run the desktop version and mobile app at the same time. This can sometimes lead to a frustrating trading experience.
Why Trade With AvaTrade?
AvaTrade provides traders with essential tools: an intuitive WebTrader, strong AvaProtect risk management, a quick 5-minute sign-up, and reliable support for fast-paced markets.
Pros
- AvaTrade's support team did well in tests, responding within 3 minutes and providing local support in major regions like the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
- Years later, AvaTrade is still among the few brokers with a custom risk management tool, AvaProtect, which insures losses up to $1M for a fee and is simple to use on the platform.
- The WebTrader performed well in our tests, featuring an easy-to-use interface for beginners and strong charting tools, including 6 chart layouts and over 60 technical indicators.
Cons
- AvaTrade’s WebTrader has improved, but it needs more customization as widgets like market watch and watchlists can't be hidden, moved, or resized.
- Signing up is easy, but AvaTrade doesn't offer an ECN account like Pepperstone or IC Markets, which provides raw spreads and fast execution that many traders want.
- While the deposit process is smooth, AvaTrade doesn't support crypto payments, unlike TopFX, which caters to crypto-focused traders.
Filters
How BrokerListings.com Selected the Top CBI Brokers
To uncover the top brokers authorized by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI), we used a rigorous, research-backed process:
- We began by confirming each broker’s regulatory status directly with the Central Bank of Ireland’s official register, ensuring valid authorization under MiFID II.
- Next, we applied our proprietary rating system, using 200+ data points and real-world platform testing to filter for brokers that combine trust, performance, and value – all while maintaining full CBI oversight.
What Is The CBI?
With interest rates set by the European Central Bank (ECB), the Central Bank of Ireland’s (CBI) primary role is to supervise and regulate the Emerald Isle’s financial markets and to ensure that only reputable brokers can conduct business there.
Established in 1943, the CBI took on an enhanced role in the wake of the Great Financial Crisis. Taking over from the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority (IFSRA), it assumed and built upon the responsibilities of the former regulator under the Central Bank Reform Act 2010.
Today the CBI is one of the world’s most highly respected regulatory bodies. This is reflected in its status as a Category A institution under BrokerListings’ broker regulator classification system.
According to its website, the CBI’s regulatory goal “is to ensure financial stability, consumer protection and market integrity.” It does this through licensing financial services providers, supervising the market and carrying out enforcement action when necessary.
What Powers Does The CBI Have?
The CBI claims that “we have a range of regulatory powers in the areas of authorization, supervision and enforcement” to ensure the integrity of Ireland’s financial markets.
Some of the tools it uses to penalize online brokers that fail to meet its standards of behavior include:
- Administrative sanctions.
- Cancellation and refusal of registrations.
- Fitness and probity investigations.
- Refusal and withdrawal of certain authorizations.
- Imposition of conditions.
- Issuance of directions.
- Reporting to other agencies and government bodies.
- Summary criminal prosecution.
Examples of regulatory action taken by the CBI include:
- In February 2025, the CBI slapped Cantor Fitzgerald with a €452,790 fine under market abuse regulations. It said the investment services group failed to report a series of suspicious transactions, and didn’t establish effective governance arrangements or properly document analysis for questionable trades.
- In February 2024, the regulator also imposed a €1.225 million fine on Goodbody Stockbrokers for not following market abuse rules. It said the business failed to create and maintain effective “arrangements, systems and procedures to detect and report suspicious orders and transactions”.
Pro tip: The CBI maintains an up-to-date list of all enforcement actions on its website.
What Rules Must A CBI Broker Follow?
As a member of the European Union (EU), the CBI’s regulatory framework operates in accordance with the bloc’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II). This was established by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) – the body responsible for setting EU-wide regulations – in 2018.
MiFID II rules apply to a wide range of financial services providers including top regulated brokers and investment firms. Some of the regulations these entities must abide by include:
- Establishing procedures and systems that allow client orders to be executed in a prompt and fair manner.
- Seeking the best possible result for customers based on a range of criteria (including asset price, transaction costs and speed, and likelihood of trade execution and settlement).
- Ensuring that all marketing communication “shall be fair, clear and not misleading,” and can be easily identified as serving a promotional purpose.
- Taking appropriate steps to identify, manage or prevent conflicts of interest affecting themselves, their employees, any other parties they control and their clients.
- Asking clients questions to ensure the product or service discussed is appropriate.
- Keeping records of all services, activities and transactions undertaken on behalf of their customers.
- Maintaining sufficient capital to cover any operational threats they may face.
- Segregating clients’ assets from those of the firm to safeguard customers in the event of insolvency.
- Implementing strict rules to deal with customer complaints quickly and effectively.
How Can I Check If A Brokerage Is CBI Regulated?
Individuals can contact the central bank by telephone (on 0818 681 681 or +353 (0)1 224 5800) if they wish to check a broker’s regulatory status.
A quicker and simpler option could be to check the CBI’s dedicated ‘Registers’ website. Visitors can use a manual search system, or they can sift through individual registers according to a company’s activities.
The CBI offers two ways for users to search for authorized brokers. Source: CBI
Let’s say I wish to check the regulatory status of Interactive Brokers. To make things simple, I can click on the box on the left that’s shown in the image above, type the broker’s name into the search box and hit ‘Search.’
Searching for Interactive Brokers using the CBI’s search facility. Source: CBI
The entire process takes me less than a minute to complete. It confirms that Interactive Brokers is indeed licensed to trade by the CBI, and provides the company’s registration number along with the type of business it’s categorized as.
Interactive Brokers’ profile on the CBI register. Source: CBI
I can find out more information about the broker by clicking on the ‘Investment Firm – MiFID’ link. Here I can discover Interactive Brokers’ registered address, the date on which it received CBI authorization, the types of business functions it’s allowed to carry out, and the range of financial instruments it can offer.
Pro tip: The CBI website also includes a list of unauthorized financial services providers on which warning notices have been issued.
Furthermore, individuals who believe they’ve fallen victim to fraud or wish to report an unauthorized company/companies can complete a contact form on the regulator’s website.
Bottom Line
As with other major European Union countries, traders in Ireland can expect robust levels of protection from their local regulator if they choose a CBI-regulated brokerage.
The CBI ensures that the country’s financial markets are well supervised and is prepared to carry out robust enforcement action as it deems necessary.
Article Sources
Central Bank Reform Act 2010 – Government of Ireland
Introduction to Enforcement – CBI
Enforcement Actions (Administrative Sanctions Procedure) – CBI