Turin-based pioneer of Italian online trading, founded in 1995.
- Headquarters
Italy- Founded
- 1995
- Type
- Share & ETF brokers
- Licences on record
- 2 (2 European)
- EU client entity
- Directa SIM S.p.A. (CONSOB / Banca d'Italia)
- Platforms
- Own platform
- Products
- Stocks, ETFs, Futures, Options, Bonds
- Website
- directa.it
Strengths
- Italy's first online broker, founded in 1995
- Direct access to Italian and international markets, futures and options
- Italian tax handling
Watch-outs
- Mainly for Italian residents
Overview
Directa SIM, based in Turin, launched online trading in Italy in 1995. It is an Italian investment firm supervised by CONSOB and the Banca d'Italia.
Our view
A solid domestic choice for Italian active traders who prefer an Italian firm and tax agent.
Licences on record
Brands often operate several companies. The one that onboards you depends on where you live, and that company's regulator decides your protection. Confirm the entity on the official register before you deposit.
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | Type | Check it |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONSOB Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa | Italy |
EU/EEA – passportable | Regulator website |
| Banca d'Italia Banca d'Italia | Italy |
EU/EEA – passportable | Regulator website |
What protection would you get?
If you are a retail client of Directa SIM's European entity, these safeguards apply by law. Which one applies to you depends on the entity you sign with.
- Investor compensation: Up to €20,000 per investor – Fondo Nazionale di Garanzia (FNG)
- Leverage for retail clients: capped at 30:1 on major currency pairs, down to 2:1 on crypto. Details
- Negative balance protection: you cannot lose more than the money in your account.
- Margin close-out: positions are closed when equity falls to 50% of required margin.
- Complaints: Arbitro per le Controversie Finanziarie (ACF)
- Best forex brokers in Italy
Verify Directa SIM yourself
- Find the exact company name in the footer of the website and in the client agreement you are asked to sign.
- Search that name on the register of the regulator listed for your country (links above). Make sure the register shows the same website domain.
- Check warning lists for look-alike names: IOSCO I-SCAN covers alerts from regulators worldwide.
- Never download remote-access software or move money because someone "from the broker" phoned you. How clone-firm scams work.
Protection Score breakdown
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Holds at least one European licence (EU/EEA, UK or Swiss) | +40 |
| ESMA/FCA retail protections available (leverage caps, negative balance protection, compensation scheme) | +15 |
| Operating for 31 years | +7 |
| Total | 62/100 |
The score measures structural protection from licences and corporate facts, not costs, service or platform quality. A high score does not mean a firm is right for you. Methodology.
Trader experiences
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About this data
Profile type: reviewed profile. Licence data is from our research and has not yet been re-checked against every register; confirm it on the official register before relying on it. Last updated 30 September 2026.