Important update (October 2026): Earlier versions of this article named Coinbase, Binance, Robinhood, TD Ameritrade, and E*TRADE as platform examples. That was not a current country-specific eligibility review, and it mixed stockbrokers with crypto trading services that can have very different regulation and safeguards. The list is replaced with the due-diligence questions below rather than treating those brands as recommendations. In particular, Charles Schwab completed the transfer of the final TD Ameritrade client group in May 2024; see the company’s 2024 annual report.

Seven things to verify before choosing a platform

1. Exactly which legal entity would serve you? A brand can operate through different entities in different countries. Find the legal name and regulator, not only an app logo or marketing page.
2. What is actually offered? Distinguish direct ownership of stocks, funds, derivatives, leveraged contracts, and crypto assets. Similar-looking “buy” buttons may expose you to very different risks and legal rights.
3. What will a complete transaction cost? Compare commission, spreads, currency conversion, funding, withdrawal, custody, inactivity, and transfer fees. A zero-commission headline does not imply zero total cost.
4. Where are assets held? Understand brokerage custody, nominee arrangements, crypto private keys, the role of third-party custodians, and what could happen if a provider becomes insolvent.
5. Which protections apply? Check the relevant local regulator and any compensation or investor-protection rules for that legal entity and product type. Bank-deposit protection does not automatically apply to speculative investments or crypto assets.
6. Can you transfer or withdraw what you own? Check account eligibility, withdrawal methods, settlement times, minimum balances, restrictions, and how a transfer to another provider works.
7. What happens if something goes wrong? Find a real support channel, complaint procedure, official risk disclosures and a way to retrieve statements for your records and any tax obligations.

A practical comparison worksheet

Before opening an account, use the same questions for each candidate provider. Fill the table with information from the provider’s current official documentation and the regulator, not reviews or referral promotions alone.

Norway-specific check: Finanstilsynet explains its register of licensed and supervised entities. Check the current register and warnings for the precise firm and service. Registration does not eliminate investment risk, and authorization for one service does not automatically cover every marketed product.

Crypto-specific check: Finanstilsynet also warns about substantial risk and potentially limited protection for crypto assets. Read its consumer warning on crypto assets, as well as Investor.gov’s custody guide for general principles.

Questions readers often ask

Does “regulated” mean I cannot lose money?

No. Market prices can fall, and the exact protections depend on the legal entity, product and jurisdiction. Regulatory permission and low investment risk are different questions.

Is the cheapest advertised broker always the best?

No. Total cost includes factors such as spreads, conversion costs and withdrawals. Service reliability, access to assets, available products and complaint handling also matter.

Should I pick the provider with the biggest referral bonus?

A referral or signup bonus is marketing, not evidence of suitability. Do not allow a limited-time promotion to replace verifying the product and your ability to bear its risks.