Responsible Trading Council
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Trading platform screens and an operational checklist being reviewed

For the online trading industry

Online Trading
Standards & Criteria

Responsible Trading Council's evidence-based framework for forex, stock and crypto brokers, and prop firms. Clear expectations. Verifiable practices. More informed traders.

Explore the standards

A public, evidence-led standard

Trader protection.
Beyond a promise.

The five RTC scoring pillars turn published expectations into checks that can be verified. The criteria below explain what is assessed and the evidence used to assess it.

Additional operating practices offer guidance for a more responsible trading environment. They are not extra scored pillars or new conditions for certification.

Five scored pillars

Each pillar is scored out of 100. Published weights produce a single overall rating.

Evidence, not claims

Regulatory records, terms, financial documents and live checks support the assessment.

A rating is not a guarantee

Certification is not a regulatory licence, investment recommendation or protection against trading losses.

Assessed criteria & verification methods

A firm's legal identity, regulatory standing and safeguards for client money should be verifiable, not just asserted in marketing.

Criteria & evidencePoints / 100

  • Tier-1 licence (FCA, ASIC, SEC, FINRA, BaFin…)

    Verification: Verified on regulator register

    40

  • Segregated client funds

    Verification: Bank or auditor letter

    25

  • Negative balance protection

    Verification: Client agreement clause

    15

  • Annual audited financials

    Verification: Independent auditor report

    20

Beyond the scoring framework

Responsible operating practices

A responsible trading environment also depends on the people, policies and platform behind it. These practice areas offer a starting point for internal review.

Guidance only — these practices do not add points or change RTC certification eligibility.

Put the standard into practice

Get Certified by Responsible Trading Council

Register your firm, submit an application and follow its review in your portal. Certification decisions are based on verified evidence, not on completing this guide.

Start a firm application The certification process

Trading involves risk of loss. Read our safer-trading guidance.