Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) Brokers 2024

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 5 brokers authorized by the VFSC:

#1 - Deriv.com

Why We Chose Deriv.com

Deriv.com is a low cost, multi-asset broker with over 2.5 million global clients. With just a $5 minimum deposit, the firm offers CFDs and multipliers, alongside proprietary synthetic products which can't be found elsewhere. Deriv provides both its own in-house charting software and the hugely popular MetaTrader 5.

"Deriv.com will suit day traders looking to make fast-paced trades using CFDs and multipliers with high leverage up to 1:1000. The broker is also the industry leader in synthetic indices, which simulate real market movements and are available around the clock. "

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: CFDs, Multipliers, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities
  • Regulator: MFSA, LFSA, VFSC, BFSC
  • Platforms: Deriv Trader, MT5
  • Minimum Deposit: $5
  • Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:1000

Pros

  • Deriv continues to offer fast and reliable 24/7 support and the WhatsApp service is particularly convenient
  • There's a good range of fast deposit and withdrawal methods with zero payment fees and low minimum deposits
  • The low $5 minimum initial deposit suits those on a lower budget

Cons

  • The range of 100+ assets trails some competitors such as Quotex which offers 400+
  • There's no loyalty program or rebate scheme for high volume traders
  • There are limited copy trading tools and analysis features compared to alternatives like IQ Cent

#2 - Fusion Markets

Why We Chose 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.

"Fusion Markets is a standout option for forex traders looking for excellent pricing with spreads near zero and industry-low commissions. It’s a particularly good broker for Australian traders where the company is headquartered and regulated by the ASIC."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto
  • Regulator: ASIC, VFSC, FSA
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, DupliTrade
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:500

Pros

  • 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.
  • The market analysis features, Market Buzz and Analyst Views, are great tools for discovering opportunities and conveniently integrated into the client dashboard.
  • Fusion Markets continues to impress with its pricing that provides tight spreads with below-average commissions that will appeal to active day traders.

Cons

  • While the selection of currency pairs trumps most rivals, the broker's alternative investment offering is average with no stock CFDs beyond the US.
  • There is no proprietary trading platform or app built with beginners in mind, a notable drawback compared to AvaTrade.
  • The demo account expires after 30 days, limiting its potential as a useful trading tool alongside a real-money account.

#3 - Vantage

Why We Chose 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.

"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."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • 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

Pros

  • The ECN accounts are very competitive with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $1.50 commission per side
  • Vantage caters to hands-off investors with beginner-friendly social trading via ZuluTrade & Myfxbook
  • It’s quick and easy to open a live account – taking less than 2 minutes

Cons

  • The average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower than alternatives based on tests
  • It's a shame that some clients will need to register with the offshore entity, which offers less regulatory protection
  • Unfortunately, cryptos are only available for Australian clients

#4 - FXGT

Why We Chose FXGT

FXGT is an offshore broker offering leveraged CFD trading on the MT4 and MT5 charting platforms. The broker is regulated by the FSCA and the VFSC and offers segregated accounts and negative balance protection for global clients.

"FXGT is a good choice for clients looking to execute short-term strategies including scalping, hedging, netting and automated trading. The $5 minimum deposit makes it easy to get started and there's a range of account types for beginners and pro traders."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: CFDs on Forex, Stocks, Indices, Metals, Energies
  • Regulator: FSCA, VFSC, FSA
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5
  • Minimum Deposit: $5
  • Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:1000

Pros

  • The MT4 and MT5 will serve day traders looking for reliable charting software
  • The broker offers free deposits and withdrawals, with fast processing
  • Beginners will appreciate the low $5 minimum deposit across all account types

Cons

  • There are very limited educational resources available
  • The broker holds weak offshore regulatory licensing compared to alternatives
  • The broker doesn't offer any proprietary software or additional market research tools

#5 - ForexChief

Why We Chose ForexChief

ForexChief is a foreign exchange and CFD broker, established in 2014. The company is based offshore and registered with the VFSC and FMA. Users can choose between a wide selection of accounts and base currencies, making ForexChief accessible to global traders. The brand also stands out for its no deposit bonus and fee rebates for high-volume traders.

"ForexChief continues to prove popular with investors looking to trade highly leveraged CFDs on the popular MetaTrader platforms. The broker's rebate scheme and investment accounts will particularly appeal to seasoned traders. However, the lack of top-tier regulatory oversight is a major drawback."

- DayTrading Review Team
  • Instruments: CFDs, Forex, Metals, Commodities, Stocks, Indices
  • Regulator: VFSC
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5
  • Minimum Deposit: $10
  • Minimum Trade: 0.01 Lots
  • Leverage: 1:1000

Pros

  • The broker offers several account types to suit different traders, including a Cent account for beginners and pro-level hedging/netting accounts
  • The broker offers a turnover rebate scheme geared towards active investors, as well as trading credits and several other occasional bonuses
  • Traders can access a copy trading solution via the MetaQuotes Signals service

Cons

  • ForexChief is an offshore broker with weak regulatory oversight from the VFSC, so traders will receive limited safeguards
  • The total range of 150+ assets is much lower than most competitors who typically offer hundreds
  • Fees and minimums are imposed on most withdrawal methods, including a €60 minimum for SWIFT bank transfers

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.

VFSC logo

Responsibilities & Duties

The Vanuatu Financial Services Commission has several key responsibilities:

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.