Octa, known until 2023 as OctaFX, is a forex and CFD broker founded in 2011. Its corporate structure changed significantly in 2026, and it has been the subject of several regulatory and enforcement actions. This review focuses on what clients need to know.
Risk warning: CFDs and leveraged forex are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This review is for information only and is not investment advice.
Octa at a glance
| Founded | 2011; rebranded from OctaFX to Octa in 2023 |
| EU entity | Octa Markets Cyprus Ltd, CySEC (licence 372/18) |
| Offshore entities | In February 2026 the Mauritius and Comoros entities left the Octa brand and relaunched as “Elev8” |
| Platforms | OctaTrader, MT4, MT5 |
| Pricing | Commission-free forex (spread-based) |
Regulation and safety
Octa’s structure has changed several times. As of the latest public information:
- Octa Markets Cyprus Ltd: authorised by CySEC (licence 372/18) for EU/EEA clients.
- Offshore entities in Comoros (MISA) and Mauritius (FSC) previously served international clients. In February 2026 these entities left the Octa brand and relaunched as a separate brand, Elev8.
- A South African entity holds an FSCA intermediary authorisation.
- Check carefully which company your account would be with, as the structure has recently changed.
Licence details above are as stated by Octa. Always check the firm and website on the regulator’s official register before you open an account, and confirm which entity your account will be held with. Regulation does not protect you against trading losses. See our guide: How to check if a broker is legitimate.
Products and platforms
- CFDs on forex, metals, indices, energies, crypto and stocks.
- Platforms: OctaTrader (proprietary), MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 (availability depends on the entity).
Accounts and fees
- Commission-free forex trading, with costs built into the spread.
- Independent reviews report low minimum deposits and average EUR/USD spreads of around 1 pip; check current terms for your entity.
Fees, spreads and minimum deposits vary by region and account type and can change at any time. Check Octa’s current pricing pages for your country before trading.
Leverage
EU retail clients are limited to 30:1 on major pairs. Offshore entities have offered leverage of up to 1:1000. Higher leverage increases both potential gains and losses. Read Can you lose more than you invest in forex?.
Things to be aware of
- India: the Enforcement Directorate filed prosecution complaints against OctaFX and others and, in July 2025, attached assets in Spain linked to an individual it alleges is connected to the business. Octa denies any affiliation with this individual and says it does not serve India.
- Cyprus: in September 2025 CySEC suspended the voting rights of the controlling shareholder of Octa Markets Cyprus Ltd and barred him from management.
- Singapore: in June 2025 the Monetary Authority of Singapore and police blocked access to Octa for offering leveraged trading without a licence.
- The international business was split into a separate brand (Elev8) in February 2026.
- Octa publishes the percentage of EU retail CFD accounts that lose money on its EU website; check the current figure.
Pros and cons
Pros
- CySEC-regulated EU entity
- Commission-free forex
- Own platform plus MetaTrader
Cons
- Several enforcement and regulatory actions
- Complex and recently changed corporate structure
- International clients historically served offshore
Who might consider Octa?
Given its regulatory history and recent restructuring, we would suggest traders carefully check the entity and its status before considering Octa. EU residents should only use the CySEC-authorised entity.
Summary
Octa has an EU-regulated entity, but enforcement actions in several countries and a major 2026 restructuring are significant concerns. Verify everything on the regulator’s register before opening an account.
Information in this review was checked against Octa’s published information and public regulatory records in November 2026. Details change, so always confirm the current terms on the broker’s own website and the regulator’s register.
Risk warning: CFDs and leveraged forex are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This review is for information only and is not investment advice.