October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
The Finance Base
The Money Desk · Blog
Re:

FINMA Issues a Warning Against XMarkets

FINMA listed XMarkets on 31 January 2019, identifying www.xmarkets.com and stating that the provider was not entered in the commercial register. The warning concerned possible unauthorised activity; it was not itself a final finding of fraud. Separate regulators issued related warnings and BaFin said XMarkets was unrelated to Deutsche Bank’s x-markets brand.
From TheFinanceBase Team6 min to read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Switzerland’s Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) listed XMarkets on its public warning list on 31 January 2019. The entry concerns the website www.xmarkets.com and says the provider was not entered in the commercial register.

That wording matters. FINMA’s entry warned about a provider associated with possible unauthorised financial-market activity; it did not itself declare XMarkets a scam, publish a fraud conviction, or identify a corporate operator by name.

What FINMA’s XMarkets warning says

FINMA’s official warning-list entry contains only limited identifying information:

Field Information in the FINMA entry
Name XMarkets
Date 31 January 2019
Website www.xmarkets.com
Domicile Not provided
Address Not provided
Commercial register Not entered in the commercial register
Remarks None listed

The entry does not name Celestial Trading Ltd., SG Innovation Ltd, or any other company. It identifies the provider by the XMarkets brand and website only.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
TANGEM Crypto Wallet Pack of 2 – Trusted Cold Storage Hardware Wallet
  • Proven security at scale: Over 9 years and millions of cards issued with no known remote hacks, while military‑grade EAL6+ security keeps your private keys locked inside the chip. Your cryptocurrencies stay strongly protected from online attackers.
  • Tap once to manage your entire crypto wallet across 90 blockchains - no USB cables or Bluetooth, no batteries, no setup. Access 14,100+ coins & tokens, DeFi, NFTs, and staking instantly from your phone
  • Smart backup: Use your second Tangem Wallet as your Backup keys with end‑to‑end encryption; no more papers, pictures. If one card is lost, the remaining can still restore full access, with an optional seed phrase available for advanced users.
  • Engineered to last up to 25 years: Waterproof (IP69K), shockproof and tested for extreme temperatures from −25°C to 50°C. A durable cold wallet with long‑term protection and independently audited security.
  • Trusted by 6 million users worldwide - buy, sell, swap, stake, and spend cryptocurrency directly. The secure offline storage wallet designed for how people actually use crypto wallets

FINMA’s warning list covers companies and individuals suspected of carrying out financial-market activities without the required authorisation and who are not supervised by FINMA. The regulator also explains that inclusion on the list does not automatically prove that a provider’s activities are illegal. A warning-list entry is not the same as a final enforcement ruling under Article 34 of the Swiss Financial Market Supervision Act.

What the warning means for a potential customer

For a consumer, the practical message is straightforward: do not assume that XMarkets was authorised to provide investment or trading services in Switzerland. A provider appearing on FINMA’s warning list warrants additional caution before you send money, upload identity documents, or grant access to a bank account or payment card.

The entry also leaves important questions unanswered. FINMA did not state on that page:

  • which legal entity operated the website;
  • where the operator was based;
  • how much money customers deposited;
  • whether customers were defrauded;
  • or whether a court had made a finding of fraud.

Those omissions do not turn the warning into a clean bill of health. They mean that the warning should be described accurately: FINMA associated XMarkets with possible unauthorised financial-market activity, rather than issuing a final finding that the brand was a scam.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #2
Sale
TANGEM Crypto Wallet Pack of 3 – Trusted Cold Storage Hardware Wallet
  • Proven security at scale: Over 9 years and millions of cards issued with no known remote hacks, while military‑grade EAL6+ security keeps your private keys locked inside the chip. Your cryptocurrencies stay strongly protected from online attackers.
  • Tap once to manage your entire crypto wallet across 90 blockchains - no USB cables or Bluetooth, no batteries, no setup. Access 14,100+ coins & tokens, DeFi, NFTs, and staking instantly from your phone
  • Smart backup: Use your second Tangem Wallet as your Backup keys with end‑to‑end encryption; no more papers, pictures. If one card is lost, the remaining can still restore full access, with an optional seed phrase available for advanced users.
  • Engineered to last up to 25 years: Waterproof (IP69K), shockproof and tested for extreme temperatures from −25°C to 50°C. A durable cold wallet with long‑term protection and independently audited security.
  • Trusted by 6 million users worldwide (4.9 App Store, 4.8 Google Play) - buy, sell, swap, stake, and spend cryptocurrency directly. The secure offline storage wallet designed for how people actually use crypto wallets

Separate warnings from other regulators

Other regulators published records concerning the XMarkets website or entities associated with it. These records are relevant, but they are separate from FINMA’s entry and should not be presented as information that FINMA itself published.

Regulator Date What the record said
UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) 15 February 2018 Warned about XMarkets.com, stating that the firm was not authorised by the FCA and appeared to be targeting people in the UK.
Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) 6 April 2018 Named SG Innovation Ltd (XMarkets.com), with an address in Majuro, Marshall Islands, and said it was not entitled to provide certain investment or banking services in Austria requiring a licence.
Germany’s BaFin July 2018 BaFin Journal Reported that Celestial Trading Ltd. operated the XMarkets platform and offered forex trading accounts through www.xmarkets.com without the required authorisation under section 32 of the German Banking Act.

These regulatory records help explain why the website attracted attention in several countries. They do not, however, establish that the FINMA page identified Celestial Trading Ltd. as XMarkets’ operator. That attribution comes from BaFin’s material, while the Austrian warning referred to SG Innovation Ltd.

XMarkets was not Deutsche Bank’s x-markets

The XMarkets website was unrelated to Deutsche Bank’s “x-markets” brand. BaFin specifically distinguished the unauthorised XMarkets platform from Deutsche Bank AG’s separate service.

The similar names could cause confusion, particularly in search results or marketing material. A reference to x-markets in connection with Deutsche Bank should not be treated as evidence that Deutsche Bank operated or endorsed XMarkets.com.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Trezor Safe 3 Crypto Hardware Wallet with Secure Element
  • Unparalleled Security: Protect your assets NDA-free EAL 6+ Secure Element, offering robust defense and complete transparency
  • Simple & Secure Interface: Manage your digital assets easily with a clear OLED screen for secure on-device confirmations
  • Supports 1000s of Coins & Tokens: Securely handle thousands of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more, all in one wallet
  • Effortless Asset Management: Monitor and transact seamlessly with Trezor Suite, our intuitive desktop and mobile app
  • Enhanced Backup Solution: Rest assured with Multi-share Backup, eliminating single points of failure for secure cold wallet recovery

Is the warning recent?

No. The FINMA entry is dated 31 January 2019. A warning page remaining available on FINMA’s website does not make it a new warning issued in 2026 or another later year.

News reports and review pages should therefore avoid describing this as a “recent” FINMA action unless they clearly explain that they are referring to an older entry. The date is particularly important for anyone assessing the historical record of the website or trying to determine what happened to a past investment.

What to do if you paid XMarkets

If you deposited money with XMarkets or provided personal information to someone claiming to represent it, take practical steps rather than relying on the warning page alone:

  1. Stop sending money. Do not pay a supposed withdrawal fee, tax, verification charge, or account-unlocking fee without independently verifying the recipient and legal basis.
  2. Contact your bank or card issuer. Ask whether a card payment can be disputed or whether a transfer recall, fraud report, or payment freeze is possible. Speed matters, especially for card and bank-transfer disputes.
  3. Secure your accounts. Change passwords that were shared with the platform or reused elsewhere. Turn on multi-factor authentication and check for new payees, unfamiliar devices, and unauthorised transactions.
  4. Preserve evidence. Save account statements, payment confirmations, emails, chat logs, phone numbers, wallet addresses, website screenshots, contracts, and withdrawal requests. Keep the original files where possible.
  5. Report the matter locally. Contact your national financial regulator and police or cybercrime reporting service. A regulator’s warning does not replace an individual complaint or guarantee recovery of funds.
  6. Be wary of recovery scams. Fraudsters sometimes contact previous victims while claiming to be lawyers, regulators, investigators, or asset-recovery firms. Never pay an upfront fee merely because someone promises to recover the money.

How to check a financial provider

Before opening an account with an online broker, forex platform, or investment service, check the regulator for the country where the provider claims to operate. Search both the warning list and the regulator’s register of authorised firms.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #4
Trezor Safe 3 Crypto Hardware Wallet with Secure Element
  • Unparalleled Security: Protect your assets with EAL 6+ Secure Element, offering robust defense and complete transparency
  • Simple & Secure Interface: Manage your digital assets easily with a clear OLED screen for secure on-device confirmations
  • Supports 1000s of Coins & Tokens: Securely handle thousands of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more, all in one wallet
  • Effortless Asset Management: Monitor and transact seamlessly with Trezor Suite, our intuitive desktop and mobile app
  • Enhanced Backup Solution: Multi-share Backup eliminates single points of failure for secure cold wallet recovery

Do not treat the absence of a warning as proof of authorisation. FINMA says its warning list is not exhaustive and is not updated daily. The more relevant question is whether the exact legal entity, trading name, domain, and contact details appear in the regulator’s register with permission for the specific service being offered.

Be particularly cautious when a website:

  • does not clearly identify its legal entity and physical address;
  • promises unusually high or guaranteed returns;
  • pressures you to deposit immediately;
  • requests payment to a personal account or unrelated company;
  • makes withdrawals conditional on extra deposits;
  • uses a brand name similar to a well-known financial institution; or
  • claims that regulation in one country automatically permits it to serve customers everywhere.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Bottom line

FINMA placed XMarkets on its warning list on 31 January 2019. The entry named the brand and www.xmarkets.com, provided no domicile or address, and stated that the provider was not entered in the commercial register.

The accurate conclusion is that FINMA warned about possible unauthorised financial-market activity. Its entry was not, by itself, a final ruling that XMarkets committed fraud or was legally established to be a scam. Separate warnings from the FCA, Austria’s FMA, and Germany’s BaFin associated the website with entities including SG Innovation Ltd and Celestial Trading Ltd. BaFin also made clear that the platform had no connection with Deutsche Bank’s separate x-markets brand.

FAQ

Did FINMA declare XMarkets a scam?

No. FINMA listed XMarkets as a provider associated with possible unauthorised financial-market activity. The entry did not itself make a final finding of fraud or call the provider a scam.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Sale
Ledger Nano X - Classic Crypto Wallet with Bluetooth
  • Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
  • Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
  • Enjoy Bluetooth connectivity, iOS access, and hours of battery use with this mobile-first, secure backup signer. Freedom you can depend on.
  • Genuine Check: confirm your signer is authentic during setup with the Ledger Wallet app.
  • Protect your signer: keep it in mint condition at all times with a bespoke Pod or Case to avoid scratches and everyday wear and tear.

When did FINMA warn about XMarkets?

The official FINMA warning-list entry is dated 31 January 2019. Its continued availability does not make it a newly issued warning.

Did FINMA identify Celestial Trading Ltd. as XMarkets’ operator?

No. The FINMA entry names only XMarkets and www.xmarkets.com. BaFin’s separate material identified Celestial Trading Ltd. as the operator of the platform.

Was XMarkets connected to Deutsche Bank?

No. BaFin expressly stated that the XMarkets platform was unrelated to Deutsche Bank AG’s separate “x-markets” brand.

Does being absent from FINMA’s warning list prove that a broker is authorised?

No. FINMA says its warning list is not exhaustive and is not updated daily. Check the regulator’s separate register of supervised or authorised institutions.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

What should I do if I lost money with XMarkets?

Stop sending funds, contact your bank or card issuer promptly about possible recovery or disputes, secure reused passwords, preserve all evidence, and report the matter to the relevant regulator and law-enforcement agency. Be cautious of people offering recovery services for an upfront fee.

The Bottom Line

Bottom line: FINMA’s 31 January 2019 listing is a serious authorisation warning, not a published fraud conviction. XMarkets was not identified as Deutsche Bank’s x-markets service, and the FINMA entry itself did not name Celestial Trading Ltd. as the operator.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 5
Ledger Nano X - Classic Crypto Wallet with Bluetooth
Ledger Nano X - Classic Crypto Wallet with Bluetooth
Genuine Check: confirm your signer is authentic during setup with the Ledger Wallet app.
$79.00

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More post from the Money Desk

  1. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 267 minMortgage Escrow FAQs: Taxes, Insurance, Shortages, and Refunds
  2. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow Mortgage Escrow Accounts Work and What Homeowners Pay For
  3. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow to Read a Stock Chart, Volume and Market-Cap Data
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.