- Regulator
- Capital Markets Authority (CMA)
- Local company
- Not yet verified
- Licence number
- —
- M-Pesa
- Not confirmed
Broker review · Checked
ThinkMarkets review 2026: is ThinkMarkets legit in Kenya and South Africa?
ThinkMarkets' South African company, TF Global Markets (South Africa), is an approved OTC derivative provider on the FSCA list. It lists M-Pesa for Kenyan shilling deposits, offers MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader and TradingView, and accounts start from about $50.
- Founded2010
- 🇰🇪 CMANot licensed
- 🇿🇦 FSCAApproved ODP
- Minimum deposit$10–50
- M-PesaNot confirmed
Is ThinkMarkets regulated? Licence by country
- Regulator
- Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)
- Local company
- TF Global Markets (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd
- Licence number
- Approved ODP
TF Global Markets South Africa (Pty) Ltd, ThinkMarkets' South African company, is an approved OTC derivative provider on the FSCA list, checked 29 Oct 2026. Its FSP number is still to be confirmed.
A licence means someone supervises the broker. It does not make trading safe: most retail CFD accounts lose money.
About ThinkMarkets
ThinkMarkets is regulated by the FCA, CySEC and ASIC, with international clients served by its Seychelles company. Its FSCA licence took effect in April 2019.
Who ThinkMarkets suits, and who should look elsewhere
Good fit if you
- want ThinkTrader or TradingView
- are in Kenya and want M-Pesa (offshore account)
Look elsewhere if you
- are in Kenya and want a CMA-licensed company
ThinkMarkets account types and minimum deposit
| Account | Minimum deposit | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| ThinkTrader | $10–50 | From 0.4 pips, no commission |
| Standard | $50–250 | From 0.4 pips, no commission |
| ThinkZero | $100–500 | From 0.0 pips plus $3.50 per side |
ThinkMarkets publishes two sets of minimums; budget for the higher one.
ThinkMarkets fees: spreads, commission and other charges
| Inactivity fee | Up to $10 a year after 12 months |
| Minimum withdrawal | $100 |
Work out the cost of a trade before you place it with our pip value and profit and loss calculators.
ThinkMarkets deposits and withdrawals in Kenya and South Africa
🇰🇪 Kenya
- No CMA licence.
- M-Pesa (KES) is listed as a deposit method.
🇿🇦 South Africa
- TF Global Markets (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd: approved OTC derivative provider (FSCA list, 29 Oct 2026).
- FSP number not confirmed.
M-Pesa limits, rand EFT, cards, e-wallets and the payment scams to avoid: read our deposits and withdrawals guide.
ThinkMarkets trading platforms
- MetaTrader 4
- MetaTrader 5
- ThinkTrader
- TradingView
Is your money safe with ThinkMarkets?
- Approved OTC derivative provider in South Africa; FCA, CySEC and ASIC elsewhere.
- Negative balance protection for retail clients.
ThinkMarkets pros and cons
Pros
- Approved ODP in South Africa
- M-Pesa listed
- Four platforms
- Low ThinkTrader minimum
Cons
- Not licensed in Kenya
- FSP number not confirmed
- $100 minimum withdrawal
Our real-money test of ThinkMarkets
Coming
We will open a ThinkMarkets account, deposit, place a trade and withdraw, then publish the screenshots, the time each step took and every fee we paid.
ThinkMarkets withdrawal time: reports from traders
How long do ThinkMarkets withdrawals really take?
Loading reports…
Median of reports from traders. Not checked by us; our own tests are marked separately.
Withdrawal stuck or refused at ThinkMarkets? Get a ready complaint letter and the right regulator contact with our complaint desk →
ThinkMarkets: questions people ask
Is ThinkMarkets regulated in Kenya?
No. ThinkMarkets is not licensed by the CMA. It may still accept clients from Kenya through an offshore company, but you would have no CMA protection or local complaints route.
Is ThinkMarkets regulated by the FSCA in South Africa?
Yes. In South Africa, ThinkMarkets operates through TF Global Markets (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, which holds FSCA licence Approved ODP. Check that this company is named on your client agreement, not an offshore company of the same brand. TF Global Markets South Africa (Pty) Ltd, ThinkMarkets' South African company, is an approved OTC derivative provider on the FSCA list, checked 29 Oct 2026. Its FSP number is still to be confirmed.
Does ThinkMarkets accept M-Pesa?
Yes, M-Pesa (KES) is listed among deposit methods, through its international company.
Sources for this review (checked 29 Oct 2026)
Fees, minimums and payment methods change and can differ by the company you sign with. Confirm them on the broker's site before you deposit. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.