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Central Bank of Ireland (CBI)

Ireland
Ireland
Regulated by Government of Ireland, European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)
Introduction

The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) is the integrated financial regulator for Ireland, overseeing banks, investment firms, insurance companies, and retail forex brokers. It ensures that entities offering forex and CFD trading in Ireland comply with MiFID II, EU directives, and national risk-based supervisory frameworks. The CBI is also part of the European System of Financial Supervision (ESFS).

 

The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) enforces strict MiFID II-based forex regulation, offering strong protections for retail investors and setting high standards for authorized brokers. Irish residents should verify broker licenses through the CBI register and ensure that firms comply with ESMA leverage rules and client fund safety measures.

Leverage limits
  • 30:1 for major forex pairs
  • 20:1 for non-major pairs, gold
  • 10:1 for commodities other than gold, indices
  • 5:1 for equities, 2:1 for cryptocurrencies
  • Leverage caps mirror ESMA standards applicable across the EU
Responsibilities & role in forex trading
  • Licenses and supervises investment firms offering forex and CFD trading
  • Enforces MiFID II conduct, reporting, and transparency requirements
  • Implements ESMA’s temporary and permanent product intervention measures (e.g., leverage caps)
  • Oversees advertising standards, client suitability assessments, and investor disclosures
How to verify regulation?
  1. Visit the CBI Register of Regulated Firms
  2. Search by company name or license type
  3. Confirm MiFID license status, passporting rights, and regulatory scope
Frequently asked questions
Details

Country

Ireland

Established

1943

Customer support

Contact

+353 1 224 5800

Complaint channels

Complaint bodies

Central Bank of Ireland (CBI), Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO)

Hotline

+353 1 224 5800

Financial instruments regulated
  • Commodities
  • Forex
  • Derivatives
  • Last updated on: March 28, 2025