AFX Capital Markets
afxgroup.com
🚨 Extreme RiskCeased Operations
Risk Summary
AFX Capital Markets was a licensed broker for over seven years before it collapsed in 2019 with a material deficit in client funds. CySEC suspended its licence on July 19, 2019 and the FCA followed on July 31, ordering an asset freeze. Italian Consob added the firm to its warning list. Client funds were not properly segregated; victims received only partial FSCS compensation.
Regulatory status: CySEC licence suspended July 2019; FCA permissions revoked July 2019. Firm in special administration. Ceased operations.
Last verified: 10 January 2025 by BrokerDir Editorial Team
Official Regulatory Warnings
CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission)2019-07-19
CySEC Decision No. 84119, published 19 July 2019: CySEC suspended the investment services licence of AFX Capital Markets Ltd (CIF licence) following identified regulatory breaches, including serious concerns about client fund segregation.
FCA (Financial Conduct Authority)2019-08-27
The FCA published a dedicated information page for customers of AFX Markets Limited on 27 August 2019. The firm had its UK permissions suspended and an asset freeze ordered on 31 July 2019. AFX Markets Limited was subsequently placed into special administration following a material shortfall in client funds.
CONSOB (Italian Companies and Exchange Commission)2019-07-22
Italian CONSOB issued a communication on 22 July 2019 alerting retail investors that AFX Capital Markets Ltd's investment services authorisation had been suspended by CySEC, and that the firm should be treated with extreme caution.
Also Known As
AFX MarketsAFX GroupSTO Super Trading OnlineStofs
Red Flags
- CySEC licence suspended July 19, 2019 due to regulatory breaches
- FCA suspension and asset freeze ordered July 31, 2019
- Material deficit in client funds discovered upon administration
- Client money was not properly segregated from firm assets
- Placed into special administration - clients received only partial FSCS payouts
- Italian Consob added to national warning list
- Also operated as STO Super Trading Online and Stofs, obscuring group structure
What to Do If You've Been Affected
If you have outstanding claims related to AFX Capital Markets, contact the FSCS at fscs.org.uk to check eligibility for compensation (UK clients only). Non-UK clients should seek legal advice regarding claims through the special administration process. Keep all account statements and correspondence as evidence. Do not deal with any firm that claims to be a successor or related entity to AFX Capital Markets without independently verifying their regulatory status.
Safer Alternatives
These regulated brokers are reviewed by our editorial team and available as safer alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. AFX Capital Markets held a CySEC licence and an FCA authorisation for more than seven years. Its collapse demonstrates that even licensed brokers can fail and that client fund segregation requirements are critical safeguards that some firms do not properly observe.
Some UK clients received partial compensation from the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) up to the £85,000 limit. However, because client funds were not properly segregated, those with balances below this limit may not have been made fully whole. Non-UK clients had no equivalent protection.
The firm also traded as STO Super Trading Online and Stofs. All known entities associated with AFX Capital Markets are now ceased. If you are approached by a firm claiming a connection to AFX Capital, verify carefully on the FCA Register.