What you actually own when you buy through XTB
A price comparison stops at the commission. This page starts after it: whether the trade leaves you holding a security or a contract, whose name that security is registered in, and what the document XTB Limited (UK, FCA FRN 522157) publishes says becomes of it if the firm fails.
Which entity and which product this covers
Applies to XTB Limited, the UK entity authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 522157, company number 07227848), under its Terms of Business version 14.07.2026. That document keeps two products apart: real shares and ETFs are 'Organised Market Instruments' held under the client-asset rules, while stock CFDs are over-the-counter derivatives in which XTB Limited itself is the counterparty. Fractional shares are a further case — the terms state the whole instrument is not registered to the account, only the right to the fraction. Which XTB entity holds the contract for readers in the EU or the CIS was not established in this check.
Do you own real shares when you buy through XTB?
A real security — but not one registered in your name. XTB Limited (UK, FCA FRN 522157) holds client investments through a nominee or custodian, pooled in an omnibus account together with other clients. You are the beneficial owner: the shares are yours rather than the firm's, but they are not separately identifiable as yours in the register.
“In accordance with the FCA Rules, custody assets are held with approved eligible custodians or relevant parties in accounts specifically designated as our client asset accounts. This means that you remain at all times the 'beneficial owner' of those investments, even though a company independent of us or a nominee company may be registered as the 'legal owner'.”
What happens to your holdings if XTB fails?
Here is what XTB Limited (UK, FCA FRN 522157) says in its own document, in its own words — including the part that qualifies it.
“In the event of XTB Limited insolvency You may make a compensation claim to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).”
The counterweight in the same document
“As your custody assets are pooled in an omnibus account with those of our other clients, you may be required to share proportionally in any shortfall.”
Does XTB sell CFDs on shares, and what changes if it does?
Alongside real shares, XTB also sells contracts for difference on equities. That is a different product with a different answer: no underlying instrument changes hands on either side, and the position is an agreement with XTB Limited (UK, FCA FRN 522157) rather than something you hold.
“We act as principal for Over the Counter Derivatives – XTB Limited deals with You on a matched principal basis.”
Can a loss at XTB follow you past your balance?
Not as a retail client of XTB Limited (UK, FCA FRN522157) — negative balance protection caps your loss at the account balance. That protection is tied to retail classification: if you ask to be reclassified as a professional client, it goes away.
Verified 2026-09-08 · Source document
Frequently asked questions
Do you own real shares when you buy through XTB?
What happens to your holdings if XTB fails?
Does XTB sell CFDs on shares, and what changes if it does?
Can a loss at XTB follow you past your balance?
How we verified this review
Every fact below is verified against primary sources. We refresh on a schedule and on reader feedback.