AIMS has moved into Prime Brokerage after acquiring a new ASIC Market Maker licence in Australia, and the change affects how the group positions its services across international markets. AIMS operates as a global financial broker under the AIMS Group, so this update is a meaningful step in the company’s licensing history.
Below, we explain what changed, what the new licence means in practice, which other licences AIMS still holds, and how you can check the details yourself before you trade. If you are comparing brokers, the verification steps in this guide apply to any provider, not just AIMS.
What Changed With the AIMS ASIC Licence
According to the announcement, AIMS completed its move into Prime Brokerage after several months of preparation. The central milestone was the acquisition of a Market Maker (MM) licence from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The announcement dates this licence to 19 September 2027, and the new licence is numbered 526125.
The company presents the milestone as evidence of its commitment to transparency, robust governance and fair market practices. AIMS says the licence will help it broaden its business scope, strengthen compliance standards and improve operational efficiency.
Why a Market Maker Licence Matters
A Market Maker licence generally applies to a firm that quotes both buy and sell prices and stands ready to trade with clients or counterparties. Holding one means the firm must operate within a defined regulatory framework. For traders, that framework is the strongest reason to look at the licence itself rather than the marketing around it.
The announcement also says the licence gives AIMS a stronger base for strategic global partnerships and for offering more comprehensive, diversified solutions to clients worldwide. Those are company claims, so the regulator’s records are the place to confirm what the licence actually permits.
How the AIMS Licence Upgrade Happened
A licence upgrade is more than adding a new certificate. It usually involves a sequence of regulatory and internal steps. Based on what AIMS has published, the process unfolded in four stages:
- Preparation: AIMS spent several months getting ready for the move into Prime Brokerage.
- New licence acquired: The company obtained ASIC Market Maker Licence No. 526125 on 19 September 2027.
- Previous licence cancelled: The earlier ASIC licence, No. 430091, was officially cancelled on 11 August 2027 as part of the upgrade.
- Ongoing compliance: AIMS states that it continues to hold its other international licences.
The cancellation date for the old licence falls before the grant date of the new one. Regulatory timelines can look like this during a transition, so do not assume a continuous, gap-free handover. Check the official licence records for the exact sequence.
Other Licences AIMS Still Holds
The announcement confirms that AIMS keeps two other licences alongside its new ASIC authorisation:
- Money Broker Licence from the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA), Malaysia
- Derivative Broker Licence from the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC)
Holding licences from several regulators can widen the range of markets a broker serves. It also means each licence comes with its own rules, so your protections can differ depending on which AIMS entity holds your account.
Old and New ASIC Licence at a Glance
The table below summarises the licence changes described in the announcement. It is a simple reference, not a full legal comparison.
| Item | Previous ASIC Licence | New ASIC Licence |
|---|---|---|
| Licence number | No. 430091 | No. 526125 |
| Licence type | Not specified in the announcement | Market Maker (MM) Licence |
| Key date | Cancelled on 11 August 2027 | Acquired on 19 September 2027 |
| Status | Officially cancelled | Held following the Prime Brokerage transition |
What the AIMS Change Means for Traders
The key question for most traders is whether the change affects their account or the protections they rely on. The announcement focuses on compliance, governance and client protection. It does not describe changes to individual accounts, so the answer depends on your situation.
If You Already Have an AIMS Account
Start with the legal entity named in your client agreement. That entity, not the group name in the marketing, determines which regulator oversees your funds. If the documents are unclear or you have questions about your account, contact AIMS directly and ask for written confirmation.
If You Are Considering AIMS
Treat the licence as one input among several. Confirm the licence on the regulator’s register, read the risk disclosures, and check the costs and platform before you deposit. A recent licence change is a reason to look more closely, not a reason to skip the checks.
Steps to Verify an AIMS Licence
Before you deposit funds with any broker, confirm its licence yourself. This takes only a few minutes:
- Search the ASIC public register for licence number 526125 and check that the entity name matches the company you are dealing with.
- Open the official AIMS licence page and compare its details with the regulator’s records.
- Confirm that the legal entity named in your account agreement is the one holding the licence.
- Read the client agreement and risk disclosures, noting the regulator named in each document.
- Keep a dated copy of the licence details you checked.
The dates in the announcement, including 19 September 2027 and 11 August 2027, are later than today’s date of 3 November 2026. Treat them as claims to confirm rather than facts to accept on trust. Compare them with the regulator’s own records before you rely on them.
Tips for Choosing Any Broker After a Licence Change
A licence update is a good moment to review your broker, but it should not be the only factor. Consider these points:
- Regulation: Know which regulator oversees your account and what protections it provides.
- Costs: Compare spreads, commissions and fees. Our guide to the best forex brokers with the lowest spreads can help you benchmark costs.
- Platform and tools: Test the platform on a demo account before committing real money. Our forex broker review section explains how to pick the right platform.
- Risk management: No licence removes market risk. Use position sizing and stop-losses, and never trade money you cannot afford to lose. Our guide to forex risk management covers these tools in more detail.
Who Should Pay Attention to the AIMS Update
Existing AIMS clients, traders comparing brokers in Australia and partners considering a business relationship with the group should all find this update relevant. The company says it operates in many regions, including Australia, Dubai, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, India, Japan, Korea, the UK, Spain, Colombia and Brazil.
Because the announcement covers several regulators, your next step depends on where you live and which AIMS entity you use. Start with the licence number and regulator shown in your own account documents.
Conclusion
The AIMS move into Prime Brokerage rests on a new ASIC Market Maker licence, No. 526125, which replaced the earlier ASIC licence No. 430091. The company also keeps its Labuan and Cambodian licences. The most useful step for any trader is to verify these details independently and read the agreements that apply to their own account. To learn more about how Australian licensing works, see the ASIC website.
FAQ
What changed for AIMS with the new ASIC licence?
AIMS acquired an ASIC Market Maker licence, numbered 526125, which the announcement dates to 19 September 2027. This allowed the company to transition into Prime Brokerage.
What happened to the previous AIMS ASIC licence?
The previous ASIC licence, No. 430091, was officially cancelled on 11 August 2027 as part of the licence upgrade.
Which other licences does AIMS hold?
According to the announcement, AIMS holds a Money Broker Licence from the Labuan Financial Services Authority in Malaysia and a Derivative Broker Licence from the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia.
How can I verify an AIMS licence?
Search the ASIC public register using the licence number and confirm that the entity name matches your account provider. You can also compare the details with the official AIMS licence page.
Does the licence change affect existing AIMS clients?
The announcement focuses on compliance and client protection and does not describe account-level changes. Contact AIMS directly for details about your specific account.