MT5 White Label License
MT5 White Label License: What Brokers Must Know
"License" in the MT5 white label context actually refers to two separate things that new brokers frequently conflate: the MetaQuotes agreement that permits use of the MT5 platform itself, and the financial regulatory license that permits the brokerage to legally operate and onboard clients. Understanding the difference — and what each one does and doesn't cover — matters before signing any white label agreement.
The Two Licenses Explained
| License Type | Issued By | What It Covers | Who Needs to Hold It |
|---|---|---|---|
| MetaQuotes white label agreement | MetaQuotes (creator of MT5) | Permission to operate a branded MT5 platform | The white label provider (not the broker directly) |
| Financial regulatory license | A financial regulator (FSA, ASIC, CySEC, etc.) | Permission to legally operate as a brokerage and onboard clients | The white label provider, which the broker operates under |
Neither license is typically held directly by the broker in a standard white label arrangement — both sit with the provider, and the broker operates within the scope both licenses permit.
What the MetaQuotes Agreement Actually Covers
MetaQuotes requires any entity offering MT5 as a white label to hold a direct agreement with them, which governs technical usage rights, branding permissions, and platform access terms. A legitimate MT5 white label provider already holds this agreement — it's not something a broker negotiates independently, but it's worth confirming the provider genuinely holds it rather than operating through an unauthorized arrangement, which carries real risk of platform access being revoked.
What Regulatory License Scope Actually Means for a Broker
The regulatory license a white label provider holds specifies exactly which jurisdictions it covers and what activities are permitted. This is the license detail that most directly affects a broker's day-to-day operations — marketing or onboarding clients outside the license's actual covered scope creates real compliance exposure for the broker, not just the provider. See forex broker license overview for how different regulatory jurisdictions compare.
Questions to Ask About License Scope Before Signing
- Exactly which countries/regions does the license cover for client onboarding?
- Are there restrictions on how the brokerage can be marketed (e.g., certain jurisdictions restricting specific advertising channels)?
- What client-facing disclosures does the license require (risk warnings, terms of service language)?
- Does the license cover the specific instrument types planned (forex only, or also CFDs on indices/commodities/crypto)?
What Happens If a Broker Wants to Expand Beyond the Current License Scope
If a brokerage's growth plans include regions outside the current provider's licensed scope, this generally requires either the provider obtaining additional regulatory coverage (not always possible or timely) or the broker eventually pursuing a supplementary licensing arrangement or a different provider altogether. This is worth discussing with a provider during initial evaluation if regional expansion is part of the business plan, rather than discovering the limitation after significant growth has already occurred in a covered region.
Related reading:
· Forex Broker License: Complete Overview
· Licensing & Compliance Solutions
· MT5 White Label Provider Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need my own MetaQuotes agreement to run an MT5 white label?
No — the white label provider holds this agreement, and the broker operates under it. Confirm the provider genuinely holds a valid, direct MetaQuotes agreement rather than an informal or unauthorized arrangement.
Can I operate in a region not covered by my provider's regulatory license?
No, not legally — marketing or onboarding clients outside the license's actual covered jurisdiction creates compliance risk. Confirm target regions match licensed scope before any marketing begins in a new region.
What happens to my brokerage if the provider's MetaQuotes agreement is ever terminated?
This is a legitimate risk to understand before signing — ask the provider directly about contingency plans and how client accounts would be protected in this scenario, though it's a rare occurrence with established providers.
How do I verify a provider's regulatory license is genuinely valid?
Regulatory licenses are typically verifiable through the relevant regulator's public register (e.g., checking a CySEC or ASIC license number directly on the regulator's website) rather than relying solely on a provider's own claims.
