CurveBlock
To check an investment firm regulatory status start at the FCA register by searching the firm name or firm reference number then confirm permissions and warnings and cross check contact details against Companies House and independent sources before you trust any offer.
What the FCA register is and what it is for
The Financial Conduct Authority register lists firms and individuals that the regulator knows about and monitors for conduct and prudential permissions where those permissions apply. It shows whether a firm is authorised or registered what activities the firm may carry out and any restrictions or public warnings the FCA has issued. The register aims to help consumers make an informed first assessment about a firm they are considering dealing with rather than to act as a safety guarantee.
The FCA register is a first stage resource for verification not a safety certificate.
What a listing on the register does prove
If a firm appears on the register that proves the FCA has it on record and has considered whether it needs specific permissions to carry out regulated activities. The entry will show an official firm reference number or FRN contact details for the firm any named persons who are approved to perform certain roles and details of the permissions granted such as advising on investments or arranging deals. A listing can also include public alerts or restrictions imposed by the FCA showing the regulator has taken action or has concerns.
A register entry proves the regulator knows about the firm and what it is allowed to do under its permissions.
What a listing on the register does not prove
Being on the register does not mean the firm is safe solvent trustworthy or free from misconduct. It does not guarantee that every offer the firm makes is regulated or that any particular investment is covered by compensation schemes. Scammers can create convincing fake websites impersonate legitimate firms or use details copied from the register to mislead investors. The register also will not show up to the minute changes such as a firm s internal state of health or a rapidly evolving dispute with customers.
The register is not an endorsement or guarantee of good conduct or investment safety.
How to use the FCA register step by step
Start by entering the firm name or FRN in the register search. Note the FRN and the exact legal name of the entity. Check the list of permissions to see whether the activity you have been offered is within those permissions. Look for any restrictions warnings or enforcement actions. Cross check the postal address and telephone number with Companies House records to ensure the firm is trading under the same legal identity. If people claim to be approved individuals look them up by name on the register too. Keep a record of screenshots and dates.
Use the register as a verification tool and pair it with independent checks such as Companies House and direct contact details.
Extra checks that help spot scams
Ask whether the product is regulated in the way you expect and whether it is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. If you are told a service is covered check the exact terms and exceptions. Verify payment instructions by calling an independently verified number do not use contact details supplied in a message that might be fraudulent and be suspicious if you are pressured to move quickly. Look up the firm s name online with words such as complaint or scam and review independent forums and news reports. If an individual provides documents ask for certified copies or proof of identity and cross check those against official registers.
Scammers rely on pressure and secrecy so independent verification and time to reflect are your allies.
Common tricks scammers use involving the register
Impersonation is common where fraudsters copy an actual entry from the FCA register and create a fake website or email address that looks genuine. Mirror websites will use slight variations of a legitimate domain to catch the unwary. Some false firms will claim a link to a legitimate firm or claim that the product is offered through a regulated vehicle when in fact it is not. Others will show an FRN that belongs to a different part of a corporate group and assert that coverage extends to an unrelated product. Always trace the FRN to the legal entity named on Companies House.
Fraudsters will misuse genuine regulator information to create a veneer of legitimacy.
What to do if the register entry does not match the offer
If details differ pause dealings and contact the firm using details you find independently for example on Companies House or an established directory. Ask the firm to explain the discrepancy and to provide documentary proof of their permissions. Contact the FCA consumer helpline to report suspicious activity and seek advice. If you believe you have been targeted by a scam preserve all communications and payment records and if money has been lost contact your bank straight away to report possible fraud.
When in doubt contact the firm by independently verified channels and consult the regulator for guidance.
Why some legitimate offers are not on the register in the way you expect
Not every investment or platform will be listed in the same way because regulation depends on the activity and the legal structure. For example a platform that offers access to pooled UK real estate and renewables through digital shares might have a different set of permissions and reporting obligations from a firm that offers advice or trading services. CurveBlock for example is a UK platform approved for Gate 1 of the Bank of England and FCA Digital Securities Sandbox and that approval is not full FCA authorisation. Each regulatory approval covers specific activities and does not automatically cover everything a platform may do so always check exactly which permissions apply to the product you are considering.
Different approvals cover different activities so read the permissions and do not assume one approval covers everything.
How the register fits with other investor protections
The FCA register is one element in a wider framework that can include Companies House corporate filing records the Financial Services Compensation Scheme dispute resolution services and legal protections under consumer law. Technical or operational things such as liquidity the time it takes to sell an investment can affect outcomes even for legitimate products so understanding product specific matters such as reporting schedules exit rights and governance is important. Helpful deeper reading on related topics includes guidance on selling and liquidity and how upgrades to assets are funded and communicated to shareholders.
See also Liquidity explained why selling an investment is not always immediate and How retrofits and energy upgrades are funded approved and communicated to digital shareholders for more context on practical investor issues.
The register works together with other records and protections to form a fuller picture of risk.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a firm on the FCA register?
Search by firm name or firm reference number on the FCA register and review the firm entry for permissions and contact details.
Does being on the register mean an investment is safe?
No being on the register means the firm is known to the FCA and has specified permissions but it does not guarantee safety or eliminate risk.
What should I do if a website claims to be on the FCA register but I cannot find it?
Do not proceed contact the firm using independently verified details check Companies House and report the site to the FCA.
Is Sandbox approval the same as full FCA authorisation?
No Sandbox approval such as being approved for Gate 1 of the Bank of England and FCA Digital Securities Sandbox is not full FCA authorisation and covers specific activities only.
General information about the CurveBlock platform. Not financial, legal or tax advice. Capital is at risk. The value of digital shares can fall as well as rise. Past performance is not a guide to future returns.
