FCA Warns of CMC Markets Assets Targeting UK Investors
Why Has the FCA Issued This Warning?
The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority has issued a formal warning against a website operating under the name CMCMarket-assets.com, stating that the entity is not authorised to provide financial services in the United Kingdom and may be targeting UK consumers.
The alert, published on 11 February 2026, lists the firm under the name “CMCMarket-assets.com” and provides contact details including 133 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7BX, the email address clientmanagement@cmcmarket-assets.com, and the website www.cmcmarket-assets.com. The regulator cautioned that some unauthorised firms use inaccurate or cloned contact details to appear legitimate.
The website has been added to the FCA’s Warning List, placing it among a growing number of so-called clone firms — entities that impersonate authorised financial institutions in order to solicit funds from retail investors.
Investor Takeaway
How Does the Website Impersonate a Legitimate Broker?
The name used by the unauthorised website closely resembles CMC Markets, the London-listed trading provider founded in 1989 by Peter Cruddas. CMC Markets is authorised by the FCA under reference number 173730 and is listed on the , offering spread betting and CFD trading services.
Clone operations commonly adopt domain names that differ only slightly from a regulated firm’s official website. Additions such as “assets,” “group,” or “management” are often used to create the impression of a related investment arm or specialist division.
The FCA did not indicate whether the genuine CMC Markets brand has reported client confusion in this case. However, similar impersonation tactics have been observed across UK retail brokerage and wealth management firms for more than a decade.
Why Is the London Address Relevant?
The unauthorised firm lists 133 Houndsditch in the City of London as its address — a genuine commercial office location near Aldgate. Clone operators frequently use real London addresses to enhance credibility, even where they have no physical presence at the premises.
Regulators have repeatedly warned that a London address does not imply FCA authorisation. Fraud operations often compile information from corporate registries and public filings to construct profiles that appear credible to retail investors.
How Widespread Is the Clone Firm difficulty?
The FCA has issued hundreds of clone firm warnings since 2020, particularly during and later than the surge in linked to pandemic-era market volatility and increased interest in cryptocurrencies and CFDs.
Typical clone schemes follow a recognisable pattern: registering a recently created domain name similar to that of an authorised firm, using privacy-shielded registration details, promoting high-yield or managed account services, and requesting funds via bank transfer or cryptocurrency payments.
The regulator noted that consumers who deal with unauthorised firms are not and cannot refer disputes to the Financial Ombudsman Service. If funds are misappropriated, recovery through regulatory channels is unlikely.
Investor Takeaway
What About Payment Reimbursement Protections?
The FCA warning also references reimbursement protections introduced by the in October 2024 for certain authorised push payment fraud cases. Under those rules, some scam victims may be eligible for reimbursement from their bank, subject to reporting timelines and conditions.
Eligibility depends in part on how rapidly the fraud is reported and whether the bank determines that the customer took reasonable steps to verify the transaction.
What Happens Next?
The FCA warning does not identify the individuals behind the website or state whether criminal investigations are underway. Enforcement actions against clone operators typically involve coordination with domain registrars, hosting providers, banks, and law enforcement agencies.
Consumers who believe they have engaged with CMCMarket-assets.com are advised to contact their bank immediately and report the matter to Action Fraud. The FCA continues to update its Warning List as new unauthorised entities are identified.
