Focus Markets review breaks down the ASIC-licensed AU entity (AFSL 514425) versus the SVG arm, our Silver Standard verdict, MT5 setup, support depth, and 1–2 day withdrawal review. Get practical guidance on which entity to choose and whether it fits your goals—see how.
Focus Markets is a Melbourne-based forex/CFD broker that serves clients globally through several brand names. Its Australian arm, Focus Markets Pty Ltd (ABN 96 167 517 544), holds AFSL 514425 from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The group also operates an offshore entity in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Focus Markets LLC, reg. no. 356 LLC 2020) for non-Australian clients. On balance, we place Focus Markets in our Silver Standard band. The AFSL provides a solid regulatory anchor. Yet the parallel offshore route and mixed client feedback keep it shy of Gold.
This review explains why. We verify the licenses, break down protections, and weigh reputation and execution. You’ll also see a clear strengths-and-weaknesses summary and our scoring math at the end.
Regulation & Safety
Who regulates Focus Markets?
- Australia (Tier 1): Focus Markets Pty Ltd holds AFSL 514425 under ASIC. The broker discloses this on its Australian site. Government ABN records confirm the corporate entity and status. ASIC’s framework imposes leverage caps, margin-closeout, and negative balance protection for retail CFD traders.
- St. Vincent & the Grenadines (Tier 3): Focus Markets LLC is incorporated as 356 LLC 2020. SVG is a company registry, not a prudential securities regulator for CFDs. Oversight is limited, and protections mirror firm policy more than statute.
Why does tiering matter?
Tier 1 regulators like ASIC set and enforce rules that retail traders feel day to day:
- Leverage limits (e.g., 30:1 on major FX) reduce blow-ups after small moves.
- Margin close-out triggers before an account is wiped out.
- Negative balance protection stops balances from going below zero.
- Inducement bans rein in “bonuses” that push risky trading.
ASIC also sets client-money rules. Retail derivative funds must sit in designated trust accounts, separate from a firm’s own capital, with reporting obligations. Segregation reduces—but does not remove—loss risk in insolvency.
What we verified
- AFSL 514425 for Focus Markets Pty Ltd appears on the broker’s AU site; the ABN 96 167 517 544 record is active and tied to the same company. ASIC’s public materials confirm the national rules that would bind an AFSL holder (leverage caps, margin close-out, NBP, inducement limits).
- SVG incorporation is disclosed on Focus Markets pages and affiliated brand disclosures (also trading as DNA Markets in offshore marketing). SVG registration does not equate to on-shore brokerage supervision.
Bottom line on safety
If you open an account under ASIC (Australia), you benefit from statutory retail protections. If you’re routed to the SVG entity, you trade largely on contractual terms, not on-shore rules. Always check which entity holds your account before funding.
Trader Reputation & Market Presence
What clients say
Public review sites show mixed sentiment. Trustpilot has only a handful of dated reviews, with an average around mid-table. Reviews.io features recent “recovery-agent” complaint posts—which we treat cautiously but flag as a reputational signal. Complaints about withdrawal delays also appear in forum-style sources and aggregator reviews.
What the broker discloses
Focus Markets states that withdrawals undergo a 1–2 business day internal review before processing. That policy is clear, though speed also depends on the chosen payment rail.
Independent tests and commentary
Recent third-party reviews view Focus Markets as average on support (email/live chat heavy, slower responses, limited phone access). They also note fewer “value-add” features than top peers. These are not primary sources, but they point to consistent themes: usable platforms, acceptable spreads in some products, and room to improve service depth and transparency.
Regulatory actions
We did not find a current ASIC enforcement action naming Focus Markets Pty Ltd. That said, ASIC’s retail CFD oversight remains strict, and the regulator publishes ongoing enforcement priorities for market intermediaries. A clean docket helps, but it’s not a guarantee of future conduct.
Market footprint
Focus’s Australian entity anchors credibility. The offshore arm expands reach but blurs the perimeter of on-shore protections. The company and related trade names (e.g., DNA Markets) appear across disclosures and industry write-ups, underscoring a networked brand strategy rather than a single, uniform license perimeter.
Takeaway on reputation
User feedback is patchy and light in volume. Support quality and withdrawals are the main friction points reported. The regulation split (ASIC vs. SVG) is the main trust hinge. If you stick to the ASIC entity and accept a lean service layer, the risk profile improves.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Tier-1 license (ASIC, AFSL 514425) for the Australian entity, with retail protections on leverage, margin close-out, and negative balances.
- Clear withdrawal policy (internal review window disclosed).
- Straightforward platform lineup (industry-standard MT5-centric) without steep learning curves.
- Clean enforcement backdrop at time of review; no current ASIC actions naming the AFSL holder found in the public newsroom.
Weaknesses / Watch-outs
- Offshore routing via SVG (356 LLC 2020) for some non-AU clients, which lacks ASIC-style safeguards.
- Execution transparency is limited. Unlike EU brokers, ASIC firms don’t publish RTS-style execution reports; EU is also stepping away from RTS 27/28, narrowing cross-broker data. Objective, audited latency/slippage stats are scarce.
- Customer support depth trails top-tier brokers, according to recent independent tests, with slower response times and limited phone access.
- Light review volume and mixed sentiments on withdrawals from open forums; signals merit monitoring.
Overall Verdict
We rate Focus Markets Silver Standard under our methodology. The ASIC license is a strong foundation, and the Australian entity must follow retail CFD safeguards that matter in real life: tighter leverage, margin close-out, and negative balance protection. However, the offshore SVG path, modest support, and limited public execution metrics cap upside.
Who is it best for?
- Cost-aware beginners who still want a Tier-1 perimeter should open under the ASIC entity and confirm the exact contracting party before funding.
- Intermediate traders who use standard MT5 tools and don’t need deep research or phone-first service may find it adequate.
- If you want rich education, 24/7 phone support, or audited execution data, heavier hitters in the Gold band may suit you better.
Peer context:
Silver brokers typically combine sound regulation with average execution disclosure and workmanlike service. Focus Markets fits that profile.
Band: Silver Standard (explanation and scoring below, per our Regulation-Execution-Feedback-Staff Insight framework).
Expert Review Notes (Staff Insight)
- Entity clarity is everything. The AU AFSL is the safety anchor. The SVG entity offers higher leverage in marketing but trades off statutory protection. Always check which entity holds your account.
- Support feels process-driven, not high-touch. Live chat and email are the main routes. Expect responses within a business day based on recent tests by third parties. Phone support appears limited.
- Execution disclosure is thin. Without RTS-style reports or audited latency/slippage stats, judging fills across volatile sessions is hard. EU’s rollback of RTS reports makes cross-broker benchmarking tougher, too. Ask for a trade-slippage log from your own account and track it.
- Withdrawals: Policy states 1–2 business days for internal review before processing. Plan cash flow accordingly, especially around month-end or holidays.
Final Word
If you want the highest baseline protections, insist on onboarding with Focus Markets Pty Ltd (ASIC) and confirm this in your account agreement. If you are routed to SVG, weigh the freedom of higher leverage against weaker legal safeguards. That choice—more than any spread table—will shape your risk.
