Below is a comprehensive analysis of BUX Financial Services Limited, operating under the brand BUX Markets, based on the requested criteria. The official website is https://www.buxmarkets.eu/, and the analysis incorporates available information, including regulatory details, website content, and potential risks.

1. Overview of BUX Financial Services Limited ¶

• Company Details: BUX Financial Services Limited (now renamed APM Capital Markets Limited in some regions) is a UK-based investment firm regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under license number 184333. It operates as BUX Markets for non-EU residents and BUX Europe Limited for EU residents, regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number 374/19.
• Services: Offers trading in Contracts for Difference (CFDs) and spread betting (UK), with a focus on indices, currencies, shares, ETFs, commodities, and more. The minimum deposit is $100, and maximum leverage is 1:30 for most instruments.
• Strategic Shift: BUX Markets is no longer available to EU residents, with accounts migrated to AvaTrade EU Ltd or closed. The company is pivoting toward mid- and long-term investment products via the BUX app, focusing on stocks and ETFs.

2. Online Complaint Information ¶

• User Reviews and Complaints:
• Positive Feedback: Some users report satisfaction with BUX Markets, citing timely order execution, promised leverage, and no hidden fees for withdrawals. One user noted the app’s clarity and ease of use.
• Negative Feedback: A user reported unexpected deductions of multiple monthly service fees (four fees deducted from a 100 EUR deposit), leading to distrust and account closure. This suggests potential transparency issues with fee structures.
• Complaint Process: BUX Markets provides a formal complaint process, accessible via their Legal Documents page. Complaints about personal data processing can be directed to [email protected].
• Analysis: The limited number of complaints suggests no widespread issues, but the fee deduction case highlights a need for clearer communication about charges. The formal complaint process aligns with regulatory requirements.

3. Risk Level Assessment ¶

• Inherent Risks:
• CFDs and spread betting are high-risk instruments, with 62.4% (UK) and 67.65% (EU) of retail investor accounts losing money due to leverage.
• The company explicitly warns users to understand these risks, indicating transparency about potential losses.
• Operational Risks:
• The closure of BUX Markets for EU residents and the acquisition of BUX Financial Services Limited by Asseta Holding Limited (now APM Capital Markets Limited) introduce uncertainty about future operations.
• Accounts have been closed, and users must retrieve trade and transaction histories manually, which could pose logistical challenges.
• Risk Mitigation:
• Offers Negative Balance Protection for retail clients (and voluntarily for professional clients in the UK), reducing the risk of losses exceeding deposits.
• Client funds are segregated in reputable banks, and daily reconciliations ensure solvency.
• Assessment: High financial risk due to the nature of CFDs, moderate operational risk due to recent changes, but mitigated by regulatory protections and transparency.

4. Website Security Tools ¶

• Security Measures:
• BUX Markets uses “the highest levels of financial services security” on its software to protect against attacks and fraud, with regular reviews based on industry best practices.
• Communications (email, phone, etc.) are monitored and recorded for regulatory and quality assurance purposes, enhancing accountability.
• Privacy Protections:
• Compliant with GDPR and CySEC regulations, retaining personal data for a minimum of five years. Clients can opt out of further contact or request data deletion (subject to regulatory requirements).
• Cookies collect standard internet log information and visitor behavior patterns, with a clear privacy notice.
• Analysis: Robust security measures are in place, consistent with FCA and CySEC standards. No specific vulnerabilities (e.g., SSL issues) are reported, but users should verify HTTPS and certificate validity when accessing the site.

5. WHOIS Lookup ¶

• Domain: https://www.buxmarkets.eu/
• WHOIS Data (based on typical analysis, as specific lookup not performed):
• Likely registered by BUX Europe Limited or a related entity, given the official branding.
• Registration details may be privacy-protected (common for regulated firms), but the domain should align with the company’s Cyprus address: Lima Carna Building, Office 101, 67 Franklin Roosevelt Ave, Limassol 3011, Cyprus.
• Red Flags: No evidence of domain spoofing or recent registration that would suggest illegitimacy. However, users should confirm the exact URL (buxmarkets.eu) to avoid clone sites (see Brand Confusion below).
• Analysis: The domain appears legitimate, but users should exercise caution with similar-looking URLs.

6. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

• Hosting:
• The website is likely hosted on a reputable cloud service (e.g., AWS, Azure) or a dedicated financial services provider, given the company’s emphasis on security.
• No specific IP or hosting issues (e.g., shared hosting with suspicious sites) are reported.
• Geolocation:
• Servers may be located in Cyprus (for EU operations) or the UK (for non-EU operations), aligning with the company’s regulatory bases.
• Analysis: Hosting appears professional, with no red flags. Users should ensure they access the site via secure connections (e.g., VPNs in high-risk regions).

7. Social Media Presence ¶

• Official Channels:
• BUX Markets is part of the BUX Group, which has a presence on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter/X, focusing on fintech and investment updates.
• No specific BUX Markets social media accounts are detailed in the provided data, but the BUX Group engages actively with over 1 million European users.
• Red Flags:
• Lack of distinct BUX Markets social media accounts could limit direct engagement. Users should verify any social media profiles claiming affiliation.
• No reports of fake accounts or scams via social media, but vigilance is advised.
• Analysis: Moderate social media presence through the BUX Group, but users should rely on official website contact channels ([email protected]) for inquiries.

8. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

• Operational Changes:
• The acquisition by Asseta Holding Limited and rebranding to APM Capital Markets Limited (UK) introduce uncertainty about service continuity.
• EU residents can no longer trade with BUX Markets, and account closures may cause inconvenience.
• Fee Transparency:
• The reported case of unexpected service fees suggests potential issues with fee disclosure.
• Clone Firm Warning:
• In 2023, the FCA issued a warning about a clone firm, Trader BUX Markets (trader.bux-markets.com), impersonating BUX Financial Services Limited. This clone used a fake email ([email protected]) and address.
• Regulatory Compliance:
• No major violations reported, but the strategic pivot away from CFDs may reflect regulatory pressures or market challenges.
• Analysis: The clone firm is a significant red flag, requiring users to verify the official website and email. Operational changes and fee issues are moderate risks but not indicative of systemic problems.

9. Website Content Analysis ¶

• Transparency:
• Clearly discloses risks of CFDs and spread betting, with loss statistics (62.4%–67.65% of retail accounts lose money).
• Provides detailed FAQs, terms and conditions, and contact information ([email protected], +44 (0)20 3326 2131).
• User Support:
• Offers trade and transaction history retrieval and tax statements for 2024, addressing user needs post-account closure.
• Client services are available Monday to Friday, 9:00–18:00 (CY time for EU, UK time for non-EU).
• Regulatory Information:
• Clearly states FCA and CySEC regulation, including license numbers and company addresses.
• Analysis: The website is transparent, user-focused, and compliant with regulatory standards, though the EU service discontinuation is prominently noted.

10. Regulatory Status ¶

• UK (BUX Financial Services Limited / APM Capital Markets Limited):
• Authorised and regulated by the FCA (license number 184333).
• Complies with FCA requirements for client money segregation, negative balance protection, and Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) coverage up to £85,000 per person in case of insolvency.
• EU (BUX Europe Limited):
• Regulated by CySEC (license number 374/19), adhering to GDPR and the 2017 Investment Services Law.
• Accounts migrated to AvaTrade EU Ltd, a CySEC-regulated broker, ensuring continuity for EU clients.
• Analysis: Strong regulatory oversight in both jurisdictions, with no reported sanctions or fines. The FCA and CySEC licenses enhance credibility.

11. User Precautions ¶

• Verify Website and Contact:
• Always access https://www.buxmarkets.eu/ or https://www.buxmarkets.com/ (for non-EU). Avoid similar URLs like trader.bux-markets.com.
• Use official emails: [email protected] (EU), [email protected] (UK).
• Understand Risks:
• CFDs and spread betting are high-risk; only invest what you can afford to lose. Review risk warnings on the website.
• Check Fees:
• Clarify fee structures with customer support to avoid unexpected charges.
• Secure Access:
• Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication (if available). Verify HTTPS and certificate details.
• Monitor Account Closure:
• EU residents should promptly retrieve trade histories and balances. Contact support if issues arise.
• Analysis: Basic precautions can mitigate most risks, particularly around clone firms and fee transparency.

12. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

• Clone Firm:
• The FCA’s 2023 warning about Trader BUX Markets highlights a significant risk of brand confusion. The clone used a near-identical name and website (trader.bux-markets.com), misleading users.
• Similar Brands:
• The BUX Group operates multiple platforms (e.g., BUX Zero, Stryk), which may confuse users. The rebranding to APM Markets further complicates brand recognition.
• Unrelated Domains:
• Domains like bux.fun (unrelated to BUX Markets) have been flagged for potential scams, emphasizing the need to verify official URLs.
• Analysis: High risk of brand confusion due to clone firms and multiple BUX-related brands. Users must double-check URLs and contact details.

13. Overall Assessment ¶

• Strengths:
• Regulated by FCA and CySEC, ensuring robust oversight and client protections (e.g., FSCS, segregated funds).
• Transparent about CFD risks and operational changes.
• Strong security measures and GDPR compliance.
• Positive user feedback on platform usability and withdrawals.
• Weaknesses:
• EU service discontinuation and account closures create inconvenience.
• Unexpected fees reported by at least one user suggest transparency issues.
• Clone firm activity poses a significant risk of fraud.
• Acquisition and rebranding introduce uncertainty.
• Risk Level: Moderate.
• Financial risk is high due to CFDs, but regulatory protections mitigate operational risks. Clone firms and fee issues elevate the risk slightly.
• Recommendation:
• Suitable for experienced traders aware of CFD risks and regulatory protections.
• Exercise caution with website access and verify all communications to avoid clones.
• EU residents should explore alternatives (e.g., AvaTrade) due to service discontinuation.

14. Additional Notes ¶

• Sources: This analysis draws from the provided web results, focusing on official BUX Markets pages, regulatory warnings, and user reviews.
• Limitations: Specific WHOIS, IP, or hosting data was not directly accessed, so assumptions are based on typical practices for regulated firms. Social media analysis is limited due to lack of specific account details.
• Further Research: Users can conduct a WHOIS lookup via tools like who.is and verify hosting via services like VirusTotal. Contact BUX Markets directly for clarification on fees or account status.

If you need further details or specific analyses (e.g., WHOIS lookup, social media deep dive), please let me know!