Lokoman, safety of funds is understandably one of the first concerns new traders have before opening an account.
I had thought Refco partnered with FXCM after Refco wanted to open an fx service and avoid all the startup troubles, they 'leased' the rights to FXCM's services:
" In January 2003, FXCM entered into a strategic partnership with Refco Group, who is now a minority shareholder. Refco is the world's largest non-bank FCM and is an acknowledged leader in execution and clearing services for global, exchange-traded derivatives. Refco Group is a diversified financial services organization with over $20 billion in assets, 2,400 employees and operations in 14 countries."
http://www.fxcm.com/about-fxcm.jsp
Refco has 'white label' brokers such as ACM:
http://www.ac-markets.com/
Here in Canada and the US, individual bank accounts are guaranteed against loss — bank failure to a maximum of C$60,000/US$100,000 (?), no such guarantees are provided for 'investments'.
In the UK where FXCM have an office, there's the 'Financial Services Compensation Scheme' which protects:
" deposits, insurance policies, insurance broking (for business on or after 14 January 2005), investment business and mortgage advice and arranging (for business on or after 31 October 2004)."
" The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) is the UK's statutory fund of last resort for customers of authorised financial services firms."
http://www.fscs.org.uk/
" Investments: £48,000 per person. 100% of the first £30,000 and 90% of the next £20,000."
The above also applies to 'spread betting' companies.
The FSCS as an organization of 'last resort' means after the individual has attempted to recover 'lost' funds through 'normal' methods including legal action.
While FXCM are the only (?) international retail online fx company, HO in New York USA, offices in Hong Kong, Tokyo and London, and perhaps provide the best customer service — toll free phones, realtime chat,
http://www.alpari-idc.com/en/company/about-forex-broker.php for instance are a broker for traders all over the world — not just Russian clients and also highly regarded according to members on other forums who use Alpari as their broker.
FXCM UK accept International Clients:
http://www.fxcm.co.uk/open-an-account.htm
There may be other countries that have a provision similar to the FSCS, Switzerland ?? and one would think the EU would have — perhaps you can find out and report back, however it's down to where the broker is located.