Is Seacrest Markets a Fully Regulated and Reliable Broker?

Seacrest Markets is a South African broker listed under the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) with license number 53315. However, despite appearing to hold an FSCA license, WikiFX classifies the broker's status as “Exceeded,” indicating it is operating beyond its authorized business scope. This means Seacrest Markets is not under valid regulation, as only brokers marked as “Regulated” or “Offshore Regulated” are considered legitimately licensed.

Although the broker offers MetaTrader 5 and seemingly competitive trading conditions, the lack of valid regulatory oversight presents a medium potential risk. Traders should exercise caution and assess their risk tolerance carefully before engaging with Seacrest Markets.

What Is Seacrest Markets and What Trading Services Does It Provide?

Seacrest Markets operates as “Seacrest Markets (PTY) Ltd,” based in Umhlanga, Durban, South Africa. It offers over 100 tradable instruments including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Its platform of choice is MetaTrader 5 (MT5), known for advanced charting, fast execution, and algorithmic trading capabilities. The broker provides dynamic leverage adjusted per market conditions and competitive commission fees like $7 per lot on ECN accounts. Its services target retail and professional traders seeking diverse market access within South African regulatory oversight.

How Is Seacrest Markets Regulated and What Does WikiFX Say?

Seacrest Markets holds an FSCA license (No. 53315), confirming authorization under South Africas finance laws to offer financial services. This FSCA regulation enforces investor protections like client fund segregation and compliance with fair trading laws. WikiFX flags the broker with an influence grade B, noting its claimed regulatory status while warning that it exceeds the official FSCA business scope. This “exceeded” classification indicates that Seacrest Markets may be engaging in activities beyond those authorized under its license, which raises a medium potential risk for traders.

Which Trading Platforms and Account Options Does Seacrest Markets Support?

The broker exclusively uses MetaTrader 5, the industry-standard multi-asset platform praised for its customizable interface, expert advisors, and comprehensive analytics. Account types support various trading strategies, with access to tight spreads starting at 0.0 pips and high fill rates. Seacrest Markets enables smooth account opening, multiple deposit/withdrawal methods, and 24/7 customer support to accommodate different trader needs.

Why Does Exceeding the Business Scope Matter to Traders?

When a broker operates beyond its licensed scope, it risks non-compliance with regulatory conditions, potentially exposing clients to unregulated products or services. While FSCA oversees South African brokers stringently, exceeding licensed parameters can signal operational risks, inconsistent oversight, or legal uncertainties. WikiFXs risk alert advises traders to remain cautious and monitor such brokers closely, especially regarding promises that may not align with official license permissions.

How Does Seacrest Markets Compare to Other FSCA-Regulated Brokers?

Seacrest Markets stands as a competitive FSCA-regulated broker with advanced platform offerings, but traders should weigh the implications of its exceeded business scope against fully compliant peers.

Where Can Traders Verify the Regulatory Status of Seacrest Markets?

Investors should verify Seacrest Markets‘ license on both the official FSCA website and through platforms like WikiFX. The FSCA maintains an up-to-date register of licensed financial service providers, where one can validate license numbers and restrictions. WikiFX complements this by providing a broker’s risk index, influence grade, and real-time updates on licensing and jurisdictional scope adherence.

Does Seacrest Markets Offer Transparent Customer Support and Legal Documentation?

Seacrest Markets publishes comprehensive legal documents online including Risk Disclosure, Treat Customers Fairly policy, Order Execution Policy, and Anti-Money Laundering compliance. The broker provides direct live chat for client inquiries. These measures align well with FSCA regulatory requirements to enhance transparency and client protection.

Forex Expert Views

“Seacrest Markets shows a firm commitment to regulated forex trading within South Africa‘s jurisdiction, making it a credible choice for traders familiar with FSCA protections. The flagged business scope ’exceeded alert on WikiFX, however, reminds investors to remain vigilant and seek clarity on service limits. Investors should always cross-reference broker information via FSCA and WikiFX to ensure regulatory compliance and mitigate risks.” – Forex Expert

Conclusion: What Should Traders Keep in Mind About Seacrest Markets?

Seacrest Markets holds a bona fide FSCA license providing regulatory oversight and investor safeguards. Its MetaTrader 5-based offering with deep liquidity and competitive pricing is attractive for diverse trading strategies. However, WikiFXs warning about the broker exceeding its FSCA business scope signals medium risk, urging traders to thoroughly understand all service offerings and assess their regulatory alignment.

Verifying license status periodically on the FSCA portal and consulting WikiFX risk indexes supports safer, smarter trading decisions. This layered check helps minimize exposure to unauthorized activities even within regulated markets.

FAQs

Q1: Is Seacrest Markets regulated by the FSCA?

Yes. It holds a valid FSCA license No. 53315 but has been flagged by WikiFX for exceeding its business scope.

Q2: What instruments does Seacrest Markets offer?

Your choice of assets: trade Forex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Metals, Crypto, and Currencies via MetaTrader 5.

Q3: How can I verify Seacrest Markets regulatory status?

Check the official FSCA website and consult WikiFX broker profiles for real-time ratings.

Q4: What does exceeding business scope mean?

It indicates the broker may offer services beyond what its license permits, increasing risk.

Q5: Does Seacrest Markets provide customer support?

Yes, customer support is available via live chat during business hours.