Regulatory Compliance
The activity of a trustworthy broker should always be governed by an official regulator designed to protect and promote the integrity of brokerage operations. All types of abusive practices linked to the sale of futures and options should be out of the question, as traders should be protected against fraud as well as manipulation. A US broker must be registered with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as a merchant and retail Forex dealer. It also must be a member of the NFA (National Futures Association). These credentials are usually listed in the About Us section of the broker's website. Equivalents of these trade associations and regulatory bodies are present in nearly every country in the world. Depending on where their broker is based, traders should always research and look for these credentials. In this respect, it's also worth researching the year when the broker obtained its license as this might carry some significance as well, in regards to the overall reputation and operational history of the broker.
Safety of Funds
Regulated brokers must comply with a set of rules that are meant to safeguard investor assets. This is the primary reason why regulation is so important. Every regulated broker is subject to a "Net Capital Rule" which prescribes a minimum amount of capital to be kept in liquid form. This way investors are protected with a 'safety net' in the event that a broker is forced to close. In addition to the requirement of maintaining minimum capital requirements, regulated brokers in most jurisdictions are required to keep all client funds separated in segregated accounts so that client funds won't accidentally (or purposely) be used for any reasons other than to execute the client's trades. Some nations, such as the United Kingdom, even offer government-backed deposit insurance for its regulated brokers so that clients can recover part or all of their funds even if the broker manages to misappropriate them.