Since 2012, we\u2019ve reviewed more than 70 binary options brokers, however many are no longer in operation. Below is our directory of closed firms, which details when each broker shut down and why.<\/p>\n
See our top-rated active binary options brokers<\/a><\/span> to avoid defunct brands.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
List of Closed Binary Options Platforms<\/h2>\n
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- 24Option<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: May 2021. Cause: Regulatory crackdown; license withdrawal after prior renunciation. Evidence: CySEC \u2014 license withdrawal (2021)<\/a>; CySEC \u2014 renunciation timeline (2020)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- 24Winner<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: Jan 2016. Cause: Regulatory crackdown; operator fined and brand discontinued. Evidence: CySEC \u2014 fine (2015)<\/a>; CSA \u2014 warning list (2015)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- 777Binary<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2016. Cause: Regulatory crackdown; unauthorized operations flagged. Evidence: AMF (Qu\u00e9bec) \u2014 unauthorized sites list<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- 365Trading<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2017. Cause: Regulatory failures; unlicensed status; later license renounced. Evidence: CySEC \u2014 fine (2015)<\/a>; CySEC \u2014 license renunciation (2019)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Anyoption<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: Sep 2018. Cause: Regulatory crackdown; CIF license withdrawn after exit from binaries. Evidence: CySEC \u2014 license withdrawal (2018)<\/a>; CySEC \u2014 fine on operator (2016)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Banc De Binary<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: Jan 2017. Cause: Multi-jurisdiction enforcement; US settlement and exit. Evidence: SEC \u2014 settlement order (2016)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Bank Of Trade<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2016. Cause: Regulatory crackdown; unauthorized activity and loss of client trust.<\/li>\n
- BeeOptions<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2020. Cause: Regulatory actions and client complaints; brand went inactive. Evidence: CFTC \u2014 RED List entry (2016)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- BinaryInternational.com<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2016. Cause: Regulatory crackdown; unregistered solicitation. Evidence: CFTC \u2014 RED List entry (2016)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- BinaryTilt<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: Mar 2018. Cause: Regulatory crackdown; multiple warnings against unregistered operator. Evidence: BCSC \u2014 caution (2017)<\/a>; FMA (NZ) \u2014 warning<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Boss Capital<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2016. Cause: Regulatory crackdown; blacklisted as unlicensed. Evidence: AMF (France) \u2014 blacklist (2016)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- BrokerageCapital.com<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2015. Cause: CySEC warning and subsequent license withdrawal.<\/li>\n
- Cedar Finance<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: Jun 2014. Cause: License suspended then terminated during crackdown. Evidence: CySEC \u2014 CIF termination<\/a>; Report \u2014 prior suspension (2013)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Daweda<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: Jun 2020. Cause: License withdrawn amid sector-wide restrictions. Evidence: CySEC \u2014 license withdrawal (2020)<\/a>; MFSA \u2014 notice<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- EasyXP<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2015. Cause: Regulatory crackdown; unauthorized services blacklisted. Evidence: AMF (France) \u2014 blacklist (2013)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- EmpireOption<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2019. Cause: Regulatory crackdown; blacklisted and ceased operations. Evidence: AMF (France) \u2014 blacklist<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- EZTrader<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2017. Cause: US enforcement; penalties led to shutdown. Evidence: SEC \u2014 enforcement action (2016)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Finopex<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2016. Cause: Unauthorized site flagged early; ESMA measures squeezed the sector. Evidence: AMF (France) \u2014 blacklist (2012)<\/a>; ESMA \u2014 product intervention (2018)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- GFT \u2014 <\/strong>Closed 2013. Cause: GFT exited the retail market in late 2012 and was fully acquired by GAIN Capital in September 2013. Evidence: PR Newswire <\/a>\u2014<\/a> acquisition confirmation<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Global Trader 365<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: Jul 2016. Cause: US enforcement over off-exchange binaries. Evidence: CFTC \u2014 enforcement order (2016)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- GOptions<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2017. Cause: Regulatory crackdown; unauthorized activity and multiple warnings. Evidence: CFTC \u2014 RED List entry<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- IkkoTrader<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2015. Cause: Flagged as unauthorized for years before disappearing. Evidence: CNMV (Spain) \u2014 warning (2011)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- iOption<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: Nov 2013. Cause: Short-lived; license renounced as crackdown intensified. Evidence: Report \u2014 license renunciation<\/a>; CNMV (Spain) \u2014 annual report reference (2014)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- LBinary<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2014. Cause: Regulatory warnings for unauthorized brokerage; brand disappeared. Evidence: CySEC \u2014 warning (2014)<\/a>; CNMV \u2014 report (2014)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Lionive<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2018. Cause: Regulatory investigations and broad warnings; brand discontinued. Evidence: SEC \u2014 investor alert on binary options<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Magnum Options<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: Oct 2017. Cause: UK winding-up orders following investigation. Evidence: Reuters \u2014 UK High Court winding-up (2017)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- MarketsKing<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2017. Cause: EU\/UK crackdown and major-market warnings; brand ceased. Evidence: SEC \u2014 investor alert<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- MarketsWorld (Markets The World Ltd)<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2018. Cause: Multiple regulator warnings; brand shut down. Evidence: OSC \u2014 warning<\/a>; CFTC \u2014 RED List entry<\/a>; Missouri SOS \u2014 order<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- NYStockOptions<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2016. Cause: Investigations found misleading claims; site went offline.<\/li>\n
- OneTwoTrade<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2017. Cause: Unlicensed entity; multiple international warnings; ceased. Evidence: SFC (Hong Kong) \u2014 alert (2016)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Opteck<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2018. Cause: Sanctions\/suspensions; brand discontinued post-crackdown. Evidence: CySEC \u2014 suspension (2019)<\/a>; CySEC \u2014 recall of suspension<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- OptionBit<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2017. Cause: Operator fined for compliance breaches; brand wound down. Evidence: CySEC \u2014 fine (2015)<\/a>; AMF (France) \u2014 \u20ac175k sanction (2016)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Option Ground<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2015. Cause: Migration to RegalOptions; related license later revoked. Evidence: Report \u2014 license revoked (2015)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- OptioNow<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2016. Cause: Unlicensed operations; widespread warnings\/complaints; brand vanished. Evidence: Investor.gov \u2014 binary options fraud<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- OptionRally<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: May 2020. Cause: License withdrawn after renunciation amid crackdown. Evidence: CySEC \u2014 license withdrawal (2020)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- OptionTime<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2015. Cause: Operated by Safecap; tightening enforcement made model unviable. Evidence: Overview \u2014 Cyprus prohibition (2019)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Options Area<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2015. Cause: Regulator action; brand ceased. Evidence: OSC \u2014 warning<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- OptionsClick<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2017. Cause: Operator (Leadtrade) renounced license after suspensions; brand ended. Evidence: CySEC \u2014 former CIFs (Leadtrade)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- OptionsXO<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2017. Cause: Discontinued after operator (Leadtrade) renounced license; prior warnings. Evidence: CySEC \u2014 former CIFs (Leadtrade)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- OptionTrade<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2016. Cause: Brand wound down by HF Markets (HotForex) to focus on FX. Evidence: Report \u2014 brand closure<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- OptionFair<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: Mar 2018. Cause: Operator shut brand and returned funds; license later withdrawn. Evidence: CySEC \u2014 license withdrawal<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Power Option<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2014. Cause: Brand shut by operator (AvaTrade) amid crackdown. Evidence: Report \u2014 closure notice (2014)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Redwood Options<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2017. Cause: Regulator actions; unregistered in Canada; brand ceased. Evidence: BCSC \u2014 caution (2017)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Royal De Bank<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2016. Cause: Unauthorized brokerage services; blacklisted; shut down. Evidence: FINMA \u2014 warning list<\/a>; CSSF (Lux) \u2014 warning (2014)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Safe24option<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2016. Cause: Widespread withdrawal-failure complaints; no authorization.<\/li>\n
- StartOptions<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2018. Cause: SEC charges against promoters for deception; platform shuttered. Evidence: SEC \u2014 complaint (2021)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Stockpair<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: Nov 2017. Cause: Downsizing under regulatory pressure; then full cessation. Evidence: Report \u2014 downsizing (2017)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- TopOption<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2017. Cause: Leadtrade fines\/suspensions; voluntary license renunciation; brand ended. Evidence: CySEC \u2014 former CIFs (Leadtrade)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Tradorax<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2017. Cause: Media investigations; blacklisted as unauthorized; shut down. Evidence: AMF (Qu\u00e9bec) \u2014 warning list<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- TradeRush<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2016. Cause: Repeated regulator actions and blacklists; site discontinued. Evidence: AMF (France) \u2014 blacklist<\/a>; BCSC \u2014 caution (TR Binary Options)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- TraderXP<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2014. Cause: Early blacklisting for unauthorized binaries; later disappeared. Evidence: AMF (France) \u2014 blacklist (2011)<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- uBinary<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2017. Cause: EU crackdown; blacklisted; brand ceased. Evidence: AMF (France) \u2014 blacklist<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Vault Options<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2016. Cause: Unauthorized activity; blacklisted; shut down. Evidence: AMF (Qu\u00e9bec) \u2014 warning list<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- ZoomTrader<\/strong> \u2014 Closed: 2018. Cause: FCA warning; withdrew from regulated markets; later ceased. Evidence: FCA \u2014 warning (Capital Force Ltd \/ Zoomtrader)<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Note:<\/em> Many closures came during the regulatory crackdown on retail binary options in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Regulators issued warnings\/blacklists, suspended or withdrew licenses, and many brands were discontinued soon after as a result.<\/p>\n
<\/section>\n Exceptions – Not Quite “Closed”<\/h2>\n
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- Binary.com \u2014<\/strong>\u00a0Rebranded to Deriv<\/a> in 2020 and continues to provide binary options products.<\/li>\n
- Alpari \u2014<\/strong>\u00a0UK entity closed in 2015<\/a>, however Alpari as a brand still exists offshore offering trading products like forex and CFDs.<\/li>\n
- Core Liquidity Markets \u2014 <\/strong>Stopped providing binaries after regulators, notably ASIC, prohibited binary options for retail investors and suspended the license of its operator<\/a>, FX Trading Pty Ltd.<\/li>\n
- BDSwiss \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>Stopped offering binaries through its CySEC entity in 2018 following the ESMA ban that curtailed EU binary providers, but still exists today focused on forex and CFDs, as confirmed in its company materials<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Nadex<\/strong> \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>Stopped accepting new clients in December 2025 and shuttered its platform as it transitioned to Crypto.com<\/a>, where users can still trade event-based contracts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Why So Many Binary Options Brands Have Shut Down<\/h2>\n
Between 2016 and 2021, many regulators worldwide tightened rules or outright banned brokers from offering binary options.<\/p>\n
In the EU, ESMA introduced a prohibition effective 2 July 2018 (renewed thereafter), which most national regulators then made permanent (ESMA product intervention<\/a>, EU-wide ban overview<\/a>).<\/p>\n
Canada followed with a national prohibition in September 2017 (CSA announcement<\/a>), while Australia banned sales to retail clients in 2021 (ASIC media release<\/a>).<\/p>\n
Consumer warnings were also issued by the FBI, SEC, and CFTC regarding fraud patterns and unregistered platforms (FBI: Binary Options Fraud<\/a>, CFTC\/SEC investor alert<\/a>, Investor.gov guidance<\/a>).<\/p>\n
Many Cyprus-regulated brands (a core hub for EU binaries) renounced or lost their CIF licences with the CySEC, and numerous offshore sites were blacklisted by regulators, prompting mass closures or pivots to CFDs\/Forex.<\/p>\n
Since the wave of closures we saw in the 2010s and early 2020s, the number of new binary brands emerging and firms closing has slowed down.<\/p>\n