VFSC Regulated Brokers – Are They Any Good?

What Does VFSC Do?

VFSC as already mentioned is a regulatory body in Vanuatu and is famous for its lax regulation system. It is supported by a Deputy Commissioner, and four divisions, including Corporate Services, Insolvency, Legal Enforcement, Compliance, and Registration. These authorities split their functions and responsibilities to satisfy customer needs and interests.

What’s more, they are trying to make financial transactions and the environment more transparent and sophisticated for investors in order to attract them more effectively. Brokers that operate in Vanuatu are under the control of this regulator which is why they are called VFSC-regulated brokers.

The Securities License in Vanuatu allows brokers to provide exchange services by buying, selling, and trading securities such as stocks, shares, currencies, and so on, along with managing a range of investments with and on behalf of its customers.

Why do Brokerages Register With VFSC?

The VFSC licenses have recently become popular, especially for FX/CFD brokers whose status (both financially and in terms of brand image) is not actually too bad.

So the main question is, why do such operators want to register with a regulatory body which is located on a tiny island?

The answer is quite simple: it’s cheap and it’s easy.

The main idea for the brokers that are registered with VFSC is that there is no capital gain tax, as well as, income tax and inheritance tax in Vanuatu. Moreover, launching a business is relatively fast and far less expensive than anywhere else. So, VFSC-registered brokers have a lot more benefits than other more strictly regulated companies and can provide additional features to their traders.

In terms of financial transaction legislation, a Forex license covering each brokerage’s digital operations is granted in 2-3 months, which is quite fast. Furthermore, authorization only includes a $2,000 capital requirement, which is dirt cheap by license standards.

VFSC-registered brokers also have combined organization licenses with EU-based regulators, including CySEC. The VFSC’s primary role is to maintain a reliable Registry. What’s more, it is in charge of regulating the non-deposit-taking banking industry on the islands. This is where its link to the online trading industry comes into play.

Should You Trade With a VFSC-licensed Broker?

One benefit you will definitely receive when trading with a VFSC-licensed broker is a much larger bonus. Some companies may also hike their leverage ratios to the max without any restrictions from the regulator while also keeping spreads to a minimum.

Overall, VFSC-regulated brokers have the luxury of allowing you to take on more risk than any other broker would dare to. Therefore, if you’re an experienced trader with years of experience under your belt, then a VFSC-listed broker may be the perfect fit for you.

However, if you’re just getting started with FX trading, then so much risk is not within your interests. We suggest you take it slow as you’re just beginning to trade. Get to know the market a bit better in a safer environment provided by an FCA-regulated broker for example and only then subject yourself to so much risk, but equal amounts of reward.

How to Know a VFSC-regulated Broker is Legit

The best way to figure out if a broker is indeed regulated by the VFSC is to check their license number on the regulator’s official website. Every broker that has a legit license is assigned a license number. It is usually 8 digits. All you have to do is copy that number (which you can find at the bottom of the broker’s website) and search it on the VFSC website. If you can’t find it, then it’s best to call the regulator and ask them to manually identify the company. If even the operator can’t find it, then it’s like getting two birds with one stone. You get to avoid an obvious scam, and the regulator gets to warn everybody else about th