The number of traders massively increases every day in the Forex market. Some make millions in the market which serves as an inspiration to others to try to achieve the same.
Many brokerage companies arose with the growth of the market, and it is almost impossible to hold count of all of them.
As we know, anywhere where money is quick, danger is not far away. The fast market gave space to many companies to engage in illegal activities and frauds. Many people were scammed in the currency game.
Since the conditions are sometimes really difficult and certain companies grow out of control, serious undertakings hire companies who are subject to national authorities, to regulate their business in order to prove fairness, ensure trust, and to protect their clients from frauds and scams.
The United States, in contrast to some other countries, has mostly independent agencies running the conduct of businesses.
One of those bodies is the CFTC- Commodity Futures Trading Commission. CFTC registered companies offer a fair deal to their clients, partly due to CFTC regulation. It is always good when companies recognize the need for supervision to genuinely ensure a working and healthy business environment. The effort usually pays back handsomely.
First, let us discuss the CFTC and its role in the broker companies.
Establishing the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
Congress established the CFTC in the 1970s. From then on, this Commission is responsible for futures trading and investments. Under the same legislation, the establishment of certified futures associations was granted, which enabled the founding of the NFA as an independent association to oversee Forex trading and to direct brokers to register with CFTC and become members of the NFA (See NFA registered brokers here).
The CFTC and the NFA go hand in hand and are connected on many levels. They share the same aims and cooperate very closely.
During the years, amendments to acts were passed that granted more authority and power to these organizations. They have the authority to enforce regulations related to financial services.
Scope of Activity
The CFTC is an independent government body that is in charge of regulating futures. Their main goal is to protect market participants from scams, fraudulent activities, and malpractices that are connected to selling commodities and financial futures.
They try to maintain a healthy financial market by promoting competition and transparency in the broker business. Transparency helps a great deal in protecting clients’ funds and keeping the business fair.
One of their tasks is also to lower risks in the futures and swap markets by monitoring swap execution facilities, swap dealers and futures commission dealers, as well as other intermediaries.
The CFTC has been entrusted to regulate and reform the swaps market after the 2008 crisis. The swaps market is worth $400 trillion and represents an ambitious undertaking.
They want to bring back trust and confidence to the market by imposing strict market rules, standards, and policies.
The CFTC Structure
The Commission consists of five members elected by the President for a five-year term. The members have to be approved by the Senate. One out of the five is elected as the Chairman.
The CFTC consists of four divisions:
a.) Clearing and Risk: monitors market participants (swap dealers, large traders, commission merchants, etc.) and DCOs in the clearing. It also makes risk assessment analyses.
b.) Enforcement: investigates violations of the law, prosecuting on the grounds of manipulation and abuse regarding commodity derivatives and swaps that harm the integrity of the market.
c.) Market Oversight: aims to strengthen the derivatives markets, monitoring trade execution facilities, reviewing if current exchanges comply with essential principles, etc.
d.) Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight: monitors registration of the intermediaries and futures self-regulatory organizations, and their compliance with the law, including, among many, the NFA.
Transparency Policy
As in every organizational or government body that needs to ensure integrity, transparency plays one of the key factors in the CFTC.
One of the best ways to prove transparency is by keeping the public informed. The CFTC publishes information during the meetings of the Commission and the Chairman, providing topics of the meeting, briefings, and the list of attendees.
They regularly body issues weekly, monthly, and annual reports which are publicly accessible. The CFTC regulated brokers are subject to these reports and you can find all the information concerning their broker companies. They rate their work and inform the public of their activities.
All information regarding the CFTC is available at the Background Affiliation Status Information Center (BASIC) website. There, you can find all CFTC registered Forex brokers.
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Information for Customers
The CFTC website gives clear instruction to market participants on many aspects. For example, they educate the customers on the U.S. futures market with an emphasis on different frauds that are to be found in the market. They provide updates on disciplinary actions taken against some of the companies they regulate.
They also instruct the market participants how to file a claim in case they notice suspicious activity. By keeping a check list of all companies that committed some illegal actions they inform customers and the wider public on companies that should be avoided.
Basically, they give you an insight into what the companies did wrong and how they treated their clients. Many other warning lists are issued as well, for example warning people of unregistered firms that are suspected to be illegal.
Also, educational materials are available for beginners to familiarize themselves with the futures market, the risks involved, and the way the market operates. The materials can be useful to experienced traders as well.
Conclusion
The CFTC is committed to its task to keep the integrity of the futures and financial market intact. They supervise, monitor, enforce, and issue detailed reports on their companies’ activities and their own actions. Someone who makes such a great effort to inform you on their every move builds up a great reputation among their clients.
As a trader always looks for CFTC registered brokers to engage in business. They offer you a safe environment given that they are under the supervision of one of the most trustworthy organizations.
All you need to know can be found on their website with detailed explanation on every aspect of the market, their conduct, and of course, most importantly, the lists of reliable broker companies.
The interesting thing is that they do not only provide reports on companies registered with CFTC, but also track the activities of fraudulent businesses and warn against them.