tastytrade

TVSM-BR v1.0.1 · custodial-safety model
81/100
Excellentof scored brokerages
Scored Entity · US entity (not available to Canadians)
Entitytastytrade, Inc.JurisdictionUnited States — does not accept Canadian residentsRegulatorSEC / FINRASchemeSIPC USD $500K (USD $250K cash)
Dimension breakdown
Regulatory StandingPrimary driver9.4/1025%
Investor Protection8.7/1020%
Asset Segregation & CustodyLargest drag7.0/1020%

Asset-segregation composite governed by the weaker axis — (segregation × ) = 7.3, (custody tier) = 7.0. Dimension score = 7.0.

Financial Strength & Stability8.1/1014%
Withdrawal & Account Integrity7.0/1013%

Capped at 7.0/10 no negative-balance protection (jurisdiction not mandating it).

Transparency & Conduct7.3/108%
Withdrawal Integrity — dimension ceiling

No (jurisdiction not mandating it). Withdrawal Integrity is capped at 7.0/10 regardless of other withdrawal performance (it would otherwise be 8.2). Approximate composite impact: 1.5 points.

Verdict

tastytrade scores 81/100 (Excellent) under TVSM-BR v1.0.1 for the US FINRA entity (tastytrade Inc., CRD 277027). SIPC membership confirmed ($500K / ~CAD $680K), IG Group PLC parent (LSE-listed, audited consolidated financials). Two FINRA AWCs in trailing 18 months: $30K (Nov 2024, outside-account supervision, Rules 3110 + 2010) and $200K (May 2026, Rules 4530(d) + 3110, 71 unreported customer complaints Jan 2020–Dec 2023). Both are supervisory and administrative findings — FINRA checked No on fraudulent and deceptive conduct in both; no client-asset loss in either matter. D3 custody drag: Apex Clearing holds a 2025 FINRA FPLP AWC ($3.2M; ~$18M adverse tax remediation to retail investors via incorrect program enrollment) — indirect client financial harm; custody tier reduced to 7. NBP ceiling fires at D5 = 7.0 (US jurisdiction, non-mandating). tastytrade Canada Inc. exited CIRO 18 Jun 2025 — no Canadian onboarding path exists; this score reflects the US entity only.

Best for

Experienced self-directed US equity and options traders who want $0 stock commissions and $1/contract options fees, accept PFOF routing to wholesalers (Citadel Securities, Virtu Financial), and value tastytrade's purpose-built options-centric interface, streaming market data, and active-trader community content.

Skip if

Canadian residents (tastytrade Canada Inc. resigned CIRO 18 Jun 2025 — no Canadian onboarding entity exists and no re-registration has been announced); traders who require PFOF-free best-execution routing or an agency/DMA execution model; traders who need a clean FINRA enforcement record within the last 24 months (two active AWCs, the larger $200K matter resolved May 2026).

TraderVerdict brokerage scores assess custodial safety from a Canadian investor perspective. Scores do not constitute investment advice. Verify all details directly with the broker before opening an account.

Evidence & Sources

Scores are on a 1–10 scale. = one step on the scoring ladder. Source links open primary evidence.

d3 rehypothecation6/10Source ↗

Apex Clearing may lend securities held in margin accounts in accordance with applicable regulations, including SEC Rule 15c3-3. Fully paid and excess margin securities are protected under the reserve computation requirements.

d1 entity tier9/10Source ↗

tastytrade, inc. — CRD# 277027 — Registered with SEC and FINRA; Registration Status: Approved. Firm Type: Broker-Dealer.

d1 license status10/10Source ↗

Registration Status: Approved. This firm is registered with the SEC and FINRA. No disclosure events noted on the BrokerCheck registration status page.

d1 supervision scope10/10Source ↗

Broker-dealers are subject to ... financial responsibility rules, including Rule 15c3-1 (Net Capital Rule) and Rule 15c3-3 (Customer Protection Rule) governing protection of customer funds and securities.

d2 scheme membership10/10Source ↗

tastytrade, inc. — Member, Securities Investor Protection Corporation.

d2 coverage limit8/10Source ↗

The limit of SIPC protection is $500,000, which includes a $250,000 limit for cash.

d2 excess insurance6/10Source ↗

tastytrade account protection page references SIPC membership only. No excess-of-SIPC insurance programme identified.

d4 regulatory capital7/10Source ↗

IG Group Holdings plc Annual Report 2024: tastytrade contributed to group revenue and operates under FINRA Net Capital Rule requirements.

d4 client scale6/10Source ↗

IG Group Holdings plc Annual Report 2024: tastytrade segment approximately 300,000+ funded accounts.

d4 parent backing10/10Source ↗

IG Group Holdings plc (LSE: IGG): London Stock Exchange listed. Acquired tastytrade for approximately USD $1 billion in 2021. Audited consolidated annual report published.

d6 ownership transparency8/10Source ↗

IG Group Holdings plc (LSE: IGG) is the ultimate parent of tastytrade, Inc. Tom Sosnoff is named President and co-CEO of tastytrade.

d3 segregation model8/10Source ↗

A broker or dealer shall maintain ... a Special Reserve Bank Account for the Exclusive Benefit of Customers ... and shall promptly obtain and thereafter maintain physical possession or control of all fully paid securities.

d3 custody tier7/10Source ↗

Apex Clearing Corporation (CRD# 13287): FINRA AWC, February 2025, $3.2M fine. Apex enrolled customers in Fully Paid Lending Program without appropriate grounds; approximately $18M adverse tax consequences remediated to retail investors.

d4 operational history9/10Source ↗

tastytrade, inc. — CRD# 277027. Operations beginning approximately 2017 (verify exact registration date on BrokerCheck on publish day).

d5 withdrawal reliability8/10Source ↗

tastytrade ACH withdrawals typically process within 1-3 business days. Wire transfers submitted before cut-off times process same or next business day.

d5 withdrawal friction8/10Source ↗

Standard identity verification and account status checks apply. No reports of systematic discretionary holds used to discourage withdrawals.

d5 extractive fees6/10Source ↗

Wire transfers (domestic outgoing): $25. ACH transfers: $0.

d5 account erosion10/10Source ↗

tastytrade charges no account maintenance fees, no inactivity fees, and no monthly fees.

d6 enforcement history6/10Source ↗

FINRA BrokerCheck: AWC Case 2023077032101 (11/06/2024, $30K, Rules 3110+2010, outside-account supervision). AWC Case 2020068991101 (05/29/2026, $200K, Rules 4530(d)+3110, 71 unreported customer complaints Jan 2020-Dec 2023). FINRA checked No on fraudulent/manipulative/deceptive conduct in both.

d6 execution conflict8/10Source ↗

tastytrade Rule 606 Disclosure: tastytrade routes equity and options orders to market makers including Citadel Securities and Virtu Financial. tastytrade receives payment for order flow (PFOF).

Primary sources

Every tastytrade variable score traces to a public, primary source. The full verbatim extract and verification date for each is in the Evidence tab above; the underlying documents are listed here.