Axi has obtained a Category SEC-2.1B Investment Dealer licence from the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius, authorizing the firm to provide full-service dealing excluding underwriting activities. The approval, granted to Axi Markets (Mauritius) Limited in mid-May 2026, adds another jurisdiction to the broker’s existing regulatory framework spanning the UK, Dubai, Cyprus, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The expansion reflects growing broker interest in Mauritius as an offshore operational hub. Industry participants cite reduced banking and payment obstacles alongside a comparatively accommodating regulatory environment as key drivers. Deriv recently reinforced its commitment to the jurisdiction by opening a physical office, two years after securing FSC authorization, while integrating artificial intelligence into its operational model. However, the trend is not universal—AETOS recently shuttered its Mauritius-based CFD operations and stopped accepting new clients as part of a strategic realignment.
For brokers and fintech firms, Mauritius offers a middle-ground licensing option that may facilitate client onboarding and cross-border payments without the compliance burden of major Tier 1 jurisdictions. The SEC-2.1B dealer classification provides operational flexibility while maintaining oversight under an FSC framework designed to support international financial services. Firms evaluating multi-jurisdictional strategies should weigh offshore efficiency gains against evolving onshore regulatory expectations and reputational considerations in core markets.
FXnCO Insight
Mauritius continues to attract brokers seeking operational agility and payment efficiency, but firms must ensure offshore licensing complements rather than undermines credibility in primary revenue jurisdictions.
Source: Finance Magnates