Verdict up front: Open World Markets (openworldmarkets.com) is an Arabic-language broker site that claims “+250,000” traders, 2,500 instruments and a founding date of 6 September 2013. Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission has put it on its list of suspicious websites. SFC (Hong Kong) warned about it (published on IOSCO I-SCAN on 5 October 2026). The domain was registered on 18 May 2026 — about 5 months ago.
| Website | openworldmarkets.com |
|---|---|
| Name used | Open World Markets |
| Language | Arabic (English switch) |
| Claims | 250,000+ traders; founded 6 September 2013 |
| Minimum deposit | $250 |
| Warning | SFC (Hong Kong), I-SCAN 5 October 2026 |
| Listed | SFC (Hong Kong) warning, published on IOSCO I-SCAN 5 October 2026 |
| Domain registered | 18 May 2026 — about 5 months old |
Founded in 2013, online since May
The site says the firm was founded on 6 September 2013. Its web address was registered on 18 May 2026. A broker with thirteen years of clients would have an older domain, a licence number and a regulator that lists it. Open World Markets shows none of these.
Contacted by someone from Open World Markets?
✎ FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT OPEN WORLD MARKETS
Or write to support@ettran.com — Include the website, what you paid and any screenshots. Never send passwords or seed phrases.
A quarter of a million traders
The headline counter claims more than 250,000 traders worldwide. No regulator’s register lists the firm, and the site gives no company number or address you can check. Big numbers on a young site are there to make you feel late, not safe.
Aimed at Arabic speakers
The default language is Arabic and the site offers an “Islamic account” option. Many unlicensed brokers target Gulf and North African investors this way, then move conversations to WhatsApp, where an “account manager” pushes for larger deposits.
What the SFC warning means
The SFC lists sites it suspects of offering investments without a licence. It is a warning, not a court ruling — but a licensed firm would simply show its SFC licence number. This one cannot.
⚠ Verified evidence
- SFC (Hong Kong) warning, I-SCAN 5 October 2026.
- Claims founding in 2013; domain registered May 2026.
- Claims 250,000+ traders with no licence shown.
- Domain registered 18 May 2026.
How to check
Search the firm’s exact name and web address on the register of the regulator in your own country, and on IOSCO’s I-SCAN list. A real broker shows a licence number you can look up in under a minute — and the regulator’s own register links back to the broker’s real website.
What to do if you paid Open World Markets
- Stop sending money — no “tax”, “release fee” or “upgrade” will unlock a withdrawal.
- Keep every record: receipts, wallet addresses, emails and chat screenshots.
- Call your bank or card issuer today and ask about a chargeback or recall.
- Report it to the regulator that issued the warning and to your local police.
- Ignore anyone who offers to recover the money for an upfront fee.
The verdict: Open World Markets tells a 13-year story from a 5-month-old website, and Hong Kong’s regulator has flagged it. Do not deposit.
Tell us what happened with Open World Markets
✎ FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT OPEN WORLD MARKETS
Or write to support@ettran.com — Include the website, what you paid and any screenshots. Never send passwords or seed phrases.
Sources, checked 5 October 2026: SFC (Hong Kong) warning via IOSCO I-SCAN (5 October 2026) · RDAP registration record for openworldmarkets.com · the live page at openworldmarkets.com, read in full. A regulator warning is not a court ruling. Educational content — not financial advice.