Estonian investing app founded by ex-Wise staff, with multi-currency accounts and money-market funds.
- Headquarters
Estonia- Founded
- 2020
- Type
- Share & ETF brokers
- Licences on record
- 2 (2 European)
- Platforms
- Own platform
- Products
- Stocks, ETFs, Cash / savings
- Website
- lightyear.com
Strengths
- Estonian-licensed with an FCA-authorised UK entity
- Multi-currency accounts in EUR, USD and GBP to reduce conversion costs
- Money-market funds for cash
Watch-outs
- Smaller product range than full brokers
- Relatively young company
Overview
Lightyear was founded in Tallinn in 2020 by former Wise employees. It is supervised by Estonia's Finantsinspektsioon for EU clients and the FCA in the UK.
Our view
A well-designed app for investors who hold assets in several currencies. Check fee schedules for your market.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finantsinspektsioon Finantsinspektsioon (Estonian Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority) | Estonia |
EU/EEA – passportable | Regulator website |
| FCA Financial Conduct Authority |  United Kingdom |
UK | Official register |
What protection would you get?
If you are a retail client of Lightyear's European entity, these safeguards apply by law. Which one applies to you depends on the entity you sign with.
- Investor compensation: At least €20,000 per investor (EU minimum under the Investor Compensation Schemes Directive 97/9/EC; schemes may cover 90% of the claim). – Tagatisfond (Guarantee Fund) (confirm with the scheme)
- 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: Consumer Disputes Committee (TTJA)
- Best forex brokers in Estonia
- Investor compensation: Up to £85,000 per person per firm for investments – Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
- 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: Financial Ombudsman Service
- Best forex brokers in United Kingdom
Verify Lightyear 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 |
| Supervised in 2 strong jurisdictions | +4 |
| Operating for 6 years | +4 |
| Total | 63/100 |
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.
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