Methodology
Two separate axes
Every entry can carry two different kinds of label, and they answer different questions:
- Verification status — what I know. The evidence level, from lived experience down to desk research. Every entry has one.
- Editorial stance — what I think you should do. A judgement I only attach when I have a clear view. Most brokers carry no stance.
They're independent: how well I know a broker is separate from whether it carries a warning. A well-evidenced broker can still be one to avoid — that's exactly the case for Freedom24 / Freedom Finance Kazakhstan, which is Reader-reported (a trusted reader's first-hand account) yet flagged Warning (avoid).
Verification status (the evidence)
| Badge | What it means |
|---|---|
| Verified | I personally opened and used the account, with a date. |
| Reader-reported | A reader I trust provided verified first-hand experience. |
| Researched | Investigated thoroughly via broker websites, email correspondence, and primary sources, but I have not opened an account. |
| Listed | Named on a country page — usually a local broker — but not researched or profiled yet. Existence noted; nothing vetted. These appear as plain lines in the broker index and link to the country page where they're mentioned. |
| Problematic | I personally encountered serious issues. |
Editorial stance (my judgement — optional)
Shown only on the few brokers where I hold a clear view. Absence of a stance is not a negative — it just means I'm letting the evidence speak.
| Badge | What it means |
|---|---|
| Recommended | A broker I'd actively point readers to. |
| Use with caution | Usable, but with a real caveat — read the entry before committing. |
| Warning | An active reader-protection flag — I'd steer clear until things change. |
What counts as evidence
Primary-source evidence means direct broker correspondence, account-opening documents, screenshots of account permissions, or a completed transaction — not a broker's marketing copy. Researched entries rely on broker websites, regulatory documents, and named correspondence; they are clearly marked as not-yet-opened.
How warnings are issued
A warning stance is attached when there are credible reports of a broker failing in a material way — most commonly an inability to withdraw or repatriate funds. Warnings name specifics and cite sources. Reader reports are credited and, where possible, corroborated against public evidence. A warning is a judgement based on evidence — it is never an evidence level in itself.
A living document — and why reader reports matter
Broker access is a constantly moving target: markets open and close, onboarding rules change, brokers get acquired or quietly stop serving foreigners. This directory will never be perfect or fully complete — the aim is to be as accurate and current as possible, and to be upfront (via the verification status) about how much each entry rests on first-hand experience.
Reader reports are a core part of that machinery. A trusted first-hand account is how a Researched entry gets upgraded to Reader-reported or Verified, and a correction is often the only way a stale entry gets caught. Every country and broker page has a “report an update” link, or you can submit one here — what's changed, what you found, or a broker I should add. Reports are credited and, where possible, corroborated against public evidence.
US persons
American readers face constraints the rest of the audience doesn't — brokers that refuse US clients under FATCA, the PFIC tax treatment of foreign-listed funds, and OFAC sanctions on a few covered markets. Those are collected once on the US investors page; broker pages carry a "US persons" line in their facts table where the policy is known.
What this directory does not provide
Nothing here is investment advice, suitability advice, tax advice, or legal advice. Broker access, custody arrangements, foreign jurisdictions, and capital controls carry real risk. Do your own due diligence and consider professional advice before committing capital.