Bank of Lithuania

Basic Information

The Bank of Lithuania (Lietuvos bankas) is the central bank of the Republic of Lithuania and a member of the Eurosystem. Established in 1922, it regained its independence in 1990 following Lithuania’s restoration of sovereignty. As the national competent authority for financial supervision, the Bank of Lithuania oversees banking, payment institutions, electronic money institutions, and other financial market participants, including Forex brokers operating in Lithuania.

Historical Background

The Bank of Lithuania was initially founded in 1922 but ceased operations during Soviet occupation. It was re-established in 1990 after Lithuania declared independence. In 2015, Lithuania adopted the euro, integrating the Bank of Lithuania into the Eurosystem under the European Central Bank (ECB). Since then, it has played a key role in implementing monetary policy, ensuring financial stability, and regulating Forex activities within Lithuania.

Legal Authority & Regulatory Framework

The Bank of Lithuania operates under the Law on the Bank of Lithuania (1994) and EU financial regulations, including MiFID II and the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive. It supervises Forex brokers under the Law on Markets in Financial Instruments and ensures compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) laws. The bank also enforces the ECB’s monetary policies and contributes to the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) for Eurozone banks.

Key Responsibilities & Regulatory Scope

The Bank of Lithuania’s primary duties include:

• Supervising financial institutions, including Forex brokers, to ensure fair and transparent trading conditions.
• Licensing and monitoring payment institutions, electronic money issuers, and investment firms.
• Maintaining financial stability by monitoring systemic risks and enforcing prudential requirements.
• Preventing market abuse, fraud, and financial crimes in Forex trading.
• Providing consumer protection by investigating complaints against regulated entities.

Contact Information

Headquarters: Gedimino pr. 6, LT-01103 Vilnius, Lithuania

Mailing Address: Totorių g. 4, LT-01121 Vilnius, Lithuania

Phone: +370 5 268 0000

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://lb.lt

How to Verify a Forex Broker’s Regulation

To confirm whether a Forex broker is regulated by the Bank of Lithuania:

1. Visit the Bank of Lithuania’s official website (https://lb.lt).
2. Navigate to the Financial Market Participants section.
3. Search for the broker’s name or license number in the public register.
4. Verify the broker’s authorization status, permitted activities, and any past regulatory sanctions.