Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) Brokers 2026
This guide lists the best brokers regulated by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC). We also cover the agency’s history, responsibilities and criticisms. Find out if VFSC brokers are safe and trustworthy.
Best VFSC Brokers
VFSC-registered brokers are supervised to check that they are treating traders fairly. These are the top 6 brokers authorized by the VFSC:
This is why we think these brokers are the best in this category in 2026:
- Fusion Markets - Fusion Markets is an online broker established in 2017 and regulated by the ASIC, VFSC and FSA. It is best known for its low-cost forex and CFD trading, although its multiple account types and copy trading solutions cater to a range of traders. New clients can sign up and start trading in 3 easy steps.
- Vantage - Founded in 2009, Vantage offers trading on 1000+ short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. You can trade Forex CFDs from 0.0 pips on the RAW account through TradingView, MT4 or MT5. Vantage is ASIC-regulated and client funds are segregated. Copy traders will also appreciate the range of social trading tools.
- TMGM - TMGM is an ASIC-regulated forex and CFD broker with a vast range of tradeable assets covering forex, stock, index, crypto and commodity markets. The account types on offer provide a flexible choice between no commission or zero spreads, with competitive pricing all-round.
- AdroFx - AdroFx is an offshore ECN/STP broker that has offered CFD trading since 2018. The firm supports 100+ tradable assets on the popular MetaTrader 4 platform as well as a web trader, Allpips. Eight live accounts are available with no restrictions on day trading strategies.
- MultiBank FX - MultiBank FX is an established broker offering forex and CFD products since 2005. With 20,000+ instruments, plenty of local payment methods and 24/7 multilingual customer support, the broker is a popular choice among traders globally. New clients can also access a variety of bonus offers and access the hugely popular MT4 and MT5 trading platforms.
- Global Prime - Global Prime is a multi-regulated trading broker offering 150+ markets. Traders can get started with a $200 minimum deposit and trade with leverage up to 1:100. The firm also has a high trust score and a good reputation with a license from the ASIC.
Fusion Markets
"Fusion Markets is a standout option for forex traders looking for excellent pricing with spreads near zero, industry-low commissions and recently TradingView integration. It’s a particularly good broker for Australian traders where the company is headquartered and regulated by the ASIC."
Jemma Grist, Reviewer
Fusion Markets Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
| Regulator | ASIC, VFSC, FSA |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, DupliTrade |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- The range of charting platforms and social trading features is excellent, with MT4, MT5, cTrader and more recently TradingView, catering to a wide range of trader preferences.
- Fusion Markets is set up to support algo traders with a sponsored VPS solution and a 25% discount if you opt for the NYC Servers VPS for MT4 or cTrader.
- Fusion Markets offers best-in-class support with very fast, friendly and helpful responses during tests and no frustrating automated chatbot to navigate.
Cons
- There is no proprietary trading platform or app built with beginners in mind, a notable drawback compared to AvaTrade.
- Traders outside of Australia must sign up with weakly regulated global entities with limited safeguards and no negative balance protection.
- The demo account expires after 30 days, limiting its potential as a useful trading tool alongside a real-money account.
Vantage
"Vantage remains an excellent option for CFD traders seeking a tightly-regulated broker with access to the reliable MetaTrader platforms. The fast sign-up process and $50 minimum deposit make it very straightforward to start day trading quickly."
Vantage Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds |
| Regulator | FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC |
| Platforms | ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade |
| Minimum Deposit | $50 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, HKD, SGD, PLN |
Pros
- The broker has recently made efforts to expand its suite of CFDs providing further trading opportunities
- Vantage maintains its high trust score thanks to its strong reputation and top-tier regulation from the FCA and ASIC
- It’s quick and easy to open a live account – taking less than 5 minutes
Cons
- A steep $10,000 deposit is needed for the best trading conditions, which include the $1.50 commission per side
- Unfortunately, cryptos are only available for Australian clients
- It's a shame that some clients will need to register with the offshore entity, which offers less regulatory protection
TMGM
"TMGM is a great all-round choice thanks to its huge range of assets, diverse account types and platform choices, plus competitive pricing."
TMGM Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Stocks, Energies, Indices, Metals, Cryptos, Forex |
| Regulator | ASIC, FMA, VFSC |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradingCentral |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD |
Pros
- Good range of rewards and bonuses offered through a points-based loyalty system
- Excellent platform support with MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and IRESS
- Free VPS for automated trading
Cons
- Shares are only available on the IRESS account, and not tradeable via MT4 and MT5
- $30 fee levied monthly on accounts which are inactive for 6 months or have a balance below $500
AdroFx
"AdroFx will appeal to traders who want a quick and affordable way to speculate on currencies with high leverage via two reliable platforms, including MetaTrader 4. However, testing shows it trails the best day trading brokers in several areas, notably regulation and its investment offering."
Michael MacKenzie, Reviewer
AdroFx Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Forex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Metals, Cryptos |
| Regulator | VFSC, FSA, BSSLA |
| Platforms | Allpips, MT4 |
| Minimum Deposit | $25 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.0001 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP |
Pros
- AdroFx is day trader-friendly with no limitations, meaning you can use scalping and other fast-paced strategies
- Strong automated trading support with VPS access on MT4 offered free for Pro account holders and affordable access from $10 for other accounts
- MetaTrader 4 is available, catering to advanced day traders with its extensive charting package
Cons
- Low trust score with weak regulatory oversight and short track record compared to established day trading brokers like IG
- Only 100+ instruments are available, with a particularly weak stock and crypto offering, leaving little scope for diversification and reducing the broker's suitability for experienced traders
- Expensive withdrawals for most payment methods, including a 1.9% charge on cards, which can be avoided at most top day trading brokers
MultiBank FX
"MultiBank FX is a great option for active forex traders with 55 currency pairs, spreads from 0.0 pips and high leverage up to 1:500."
MultiBank FX Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Forex, CFDs, indices, shares, metals, commodities, cryptocurrencies |
| Regulator | SCA, MAS, CySEC, ASIC, AUSTRAC, BaFin, FMA, FSC, CIMA, TFG, VFSC |
| Platforms | MultiBank-Plus, MT4, MT5, cTrader |
| Minimum Deposit | $50 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.1 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
Pros
- There's MAM, PAMM and FIX API access for high-volume or pro traders, plus EAs and VPS hosting for algorithmic trading, making it a solid broker for serious traders
- MultiBank is expanding its presence in the Middle East with an Abu Dhabi office and stock CFDs from the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX)
- MultiBank revamped its web and mobile platform in 2024, now offering a slick design that matches the website and a powerful TradingView charting package
Cons
- The education and market research from MultiBank still needs work, trailing the best brokers in this category like IG and XTB
- The $5,000 minimum deposit required to access the tightest ECN spreads makes for a high entry barrier for many retail traders
- MultiBank charges a $60 monthly inactivity fee, which is significantly higher than the industry average from our broker tests
Global Prime
"Global Prime is suitable for both beginners and seasoned traders with excellent market access, low fees and a range of tools including copy trading."
Global Prime Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, shares, bonds |
| Regulator | ASIC, VFSC, FSA |
| Platforms | MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist |
| Minimum Deposit | A$200 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:200 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, SGD |
Pros
- Low latency with execution speeds from 10ms
- $0 minimum deposit
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Narrow range of account options
- No MetaTrader 5 integration
- Clients from US and Canada are not accepted
What Is The Vanuatu Financial Services Commission?
Located in the south-western Pacific Ocean, the province of Vanuatu is home to around 300,000 residents across several islands. The Vanuatu Financial Services Commission is the primary regulatory agency in the province.
Responsible for the regulation and supervision of financial businesses based in Vanuatu, the VFSC is cheap to register with and is known to run far less stringent checks on registrants than the likes of the CySEC, ASIC or FCA.
History
After Vanuatu gained independence in the late 20th century, the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission was formed in 1993 to regulate financial services in the region. As a breakaway organisation from the country’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, the VFSC was given the power to address financial misconduct in all forms.
However, the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission quickly gained a reputation for loose regulation and lax enforcement across registered firms. Paired with the state of Vanuatu’s advantageous taxation policies, in which both domestic and offshore individuals and companies pay zero income tax, Vanuatu has become a popular base for international trading brokers, some of which are less than trustworthy.
The VFSC was forced to tighten its legislation in 2015 when the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering reported Vanuatu for serious anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing regulation deficiencies. As a result of subsequent reforms, the nation was removed from the international greylist in 2018.
2019 saw a Vanuatu Financial Services Commission review prohibit registered firms from trading in cryptocurrency, though this restriction was lifted in 2021 subject to brokers qualifying for a specific crypto licence.
Responsibilities & Duties
The Vanuatu Financial Services Commission has several key responsibilities:
- Registration – One of the VFSC’s main duties is ensuring that firms are registered to provide financial services. It’s worth noting that the sign-up requirements are relaxed compared to those imposed by regulators in more developed countries.
- Complaints – The VFSC responds to customer complaints relating to companies and brokers registered with the regulator. The agency also has the power to impose fines and award compensation to traders.
- Regulations – Introducing regulations is a key responsibility of the VFSC. Yet whilst regulations have tightened in recent years, the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission still requires far less documentation and assurances than major European and US regulators.
- Enforcement – Enforcing financial regulations falls under the remit of the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission, which can reprimand firms and individuals that engage in illicit activity.
Powers
The VFSC has a number of tools to ensure regulatory compliance. The agency can publish notices of fraud, warning potential investors and traders of malpractice. The VFSC can also address regulatory breaches by issuing fines of up to 125 million VUV (approximately $1.125 million) and revoking the licences of firms that fail to comply with their investigations or sanctions. A less extreme measure is to place restrictions on a brokers’ trading licence, limiting their activities or total trading volume.
Criticism
With an international reputation for lacklustre safeguards and enforcement, the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission is one of the most criticised regulators in the retail trading space. Here are a few examples of historical and present failings:
Background Checks
One of the criticisms levelled most often is the lack of financial background checks for brokers. Indeed, the regulator’s level of due diligence was so far below the world standards for financial compliance that, in 2016, the Financial Action Task Force was forced to grey-list Vanuatu and limit its international remit.
To secure regulatory approval in the past, brokers merely had to submit an online registration, prove a low minimum capital requirement of around $2,000 and pay a small registration fee.
In the wake of tighter scrutiny from investors and international overseers alike, the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission now runs more stringent background checks. However, many still argue that more could be done.
Lack Of Fund Protection
While it is possible to submit complaints to the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission, the regulator frequently fails to deliver on client safeguarding. A notable absence in investor protection is a fund protection scheme such as those operated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK or the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. Measures such as these proactively protect client deposits should a company engage in fraud or go bust.
Superficial Monitoring
The VFSC has worryingly low reporting requirements to maintain membership. The regulator only requires a singular annual report from registered brokers detailing income, expenses and general trading activity. This lack of monitoring limits the capabilities of the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission to reactive rather than proactive action.
Response
The VFSC has taken steps to address some of these criticisms and has pledged to strengthen its oversight in the short-to-medium term. By increasing its regulatory standards to compare with other major agencies, the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission hopes to improve the public perception and trust in its regulatory status.
Final Thoughts On The VFSC
Investors and traders may be wary of firms regulated by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission due to their comparably relaxed regulations. With that said, some legitimate international brokers that offer trading in forex, CFDs and cryptocurrencies are registered in Vanuatu due to their taxation policies. Ultimately, regulatory oversight is just one factor when choosing an online broker. It’s also worth reading customer reviews and ratings before opening a trading account.
FAQs
How Can I Contact The Vanuatu Financial Services Commission?
The Vanuatu Financial Services Commission has two offices based within Vanuatu with their head office in Port Vila and another facility in Santo. Their team can be contacted by telephone (+678 22247) and email (info@vfsc.vu).
What Protection Does The VFSC Offer?
Unfortunately, the VFSC offers limited protection to traders registered with its regulated brokers. The agency does perform some initial checks on new registrants within their jurisdiction, but it does not enforce a deposit protection policy to cover fraud or bankruptcy.
When Was The Vanuatu Financial Services Commission Created?
The VFSC was formed in 1993 as the financial regulatory authority in the region, splitting off from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management.
Why Is Regulation By The VFSC Appealing To Brokers?
Many international brokers favour Vanuatu for its taxation policies. The VFSC’s low registration and renewal fees are also a tempting prospect for smaller financial services providers. As a result, the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission attracts some untrustworthy brokers operating scams.
Should I Trust Firms Regulated By The VFSC?
To place complete confidence in a broker, whether for investment services in forex and cryptocurrency or day trading in stocks, it could be worth searching for companies regulated by major agencies such as the CySEC.