Forex IB vs affiliate

People often use "IB" and "affiliate" as if they mean the same thing. They overlap, but they are not identical. The difference matters because it changes how you are paid, what the broker expects from you and, in some countries, which rules apply to you.

The short answer

• An affiliate is a marketer. They send website or social media traffic to a broker through a tracking link and are usually paid a one-off CPA when a referred person deposits and trades.
• An Introducing Broker (IB) is a relationship partner. They introduce clients they often know personally or support directly (a community, a signal group, students, local clients) and are usually paid on an ongoing basis through per-lot rebates, revenue share or a hybrid.

Side by side

How each one is paid

Affiliates are mostly paid by CPA (cost per acquisition): a fixed amount for each referred person who meets the broker's qualification rules, such as a minimum deposit and a minimum number of lots traded within a set number of days. Once that payment is made, the affiliate normally earns nothing more from that client.

IBs are mostly paid on trading activity. A rebate pays a fixed amount per lot, and revenue share pays a percentage of what the broker earns from the IB's clients. Because the payment continues for as long as the clients trade, the broker cares more about client quality and retention than raw sign-ups. Our guide to CPA vs revenue share vs rebates explains each model with examples.

The client relationship is the real difference

An affiliate's job usually ends when the visitor signs up. An IB's clients often see the IB as their first point of contact: they ask how to open the account, which platform to use or where to find the broker's support team. That is why brokers often give IBs a partner manager, sub-accounts, client reports and marketing material, and why IB terms are more often negotiated individually.

It also brings responsibility. If you are the person a client trusts, you need to be careful about what you promise. Never guarantee profits, never give personal investment advice unless you are authorised to, and always make the risks of leveraged trading clear.

Regulation: check where you and your clients are

Depending on the country, simply passing on a link may be treated very differently from arranging accounts for clients. A few examples:

• United States: "Introducing Broker" is a formal registration category with the CFTC, and IBs must be members of the National Futures Association (NFA) to solicit forex or futures business.
• United Kingdom: arranging deals in investments is a regulated activity, and promotions for CFDs and forex must follow the FCA's financial promotion rules.
• European Union: people who introduce clients for an investment firm may need to act as a tied agent or meet national rules, and CFD marketing must follow ESMA-based restrictions.

This is a general overview, not legal advice. Rules change and differ by country, so check with your local regulator or a lawyer before you start. Our guide on forex IB marketing rules covers promotion rules in more detail.

Which one should you be?

• You run a website, comparison site or paid ads, and you never speak to the people you refer: an affiliate program, usually CPA, is often the natural fit.
• You have a community that trades actively, such as a Telegram or Discord group, students or local clients: an IB program with rebates or revenue share usually fits better.
• You have both: many brokers offer hybrid deals, such as a smaller CPA plus a rebate.

Many people start as affiliates and move to IB terms once they have an engaged audience and can show a partner manager the quality of their clients.

Frequently asked questions

Is an IB the same as an affiliate?

Not exactly. Both refer clients to a broker, but affiliates usually earn a one-off CPA through online marketing, while IBs usually earn ongoing rebates or revenue share and keep a relationship with their clients.

Can I be both an IB and an affiliate?

Yes. Some brokers run one partner program with both options, and hybrid deals combine CPA with rebates. Read the terms carefully so the same client is not counted twice or excluded.

Do affiliates need a licence?

It depends on the country and on what you actually do. Pure advertising is often treated differently from arranging accounts or giving advice. Check with your regulator or a lawyer.