Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) Brokers 2025
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:
Here is a short overview of each broker's pros and cons
- BinaryCent - BinaryCent is an unregulated binary options broker that offers 24/7 trading on forex, cryptos and stocks with payouts up to 95%. Despite its lack of regulation, this broker takes client security seriously and stores client funds in European banks. The broker also offers CFDs with very high leverage up to 1:500.
- Deriv - Established in 1999, Deriv is an innovative broker now serving over 2.5 million global clients. The firm offers CFDs, multipliers and more recently accumulators, alongside its proprietary derived products which can't be found elsewhere, providing flexible short-term trading opportunities.
- 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.
- Olymp Trade - Olymptrade was established in 2014 and now boasts over 89 million traders. With a presence in over 130 countries and support in 13 languages, the brand offers a stable platform and attractive rewards for new traders. Olymp Trade also offers fixed time trades (FTT) over a diverse range of markets. The brand is licensed offshore by the VFSC.
- JustMarkets - JustMarkets is a multi-asset broker with both CySEC-regulated and offshore branches. Offering ultra-low spreads, copy-trading services, 170+ tradeable instruments and MetaTrader support, JustMarkets has a lot to offer both beginner and experienced traders.
BinaryCent
"Traders who want a reliable binary options broker with a streamlined platform and high payouts should try out BinaryCent."
BinaryCent Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | 20% - 200% deposit bonus |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Cryptos, Options, Commodities |
| Regulator | VFSC |
| Platforms | Own |
| Minimum Deposit | $250 |
| Minimum Trade | $0.01 |
| Leverage | 1:500 |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- Trade binary contracts from $0.10 allowing trading opportunities for all budgets
- Simple and straightforward proprietary platform for binary options trading
- Payouts up to 95% are higher than most competitors and increases profit potential
Cons
- The $250 minimum deposit is higher than most binary options brokers
- Not overseen by any reputable regulator, raising risks and reducing customer protections
- Not available to traders based in the US
Deriv
"Deriv is ideal for active traders seeking alternative and unique ways to speculate on global financial markets, from multipliers and accumulator options to its bespoke synthetic indices, which mimic real market movements and are available 24/7, allowing for continuous trading opportunities regardless of market hours."
Christian Harris, Reviewer
Deriv Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | CFDs, Multipliers, Accumulators, Synthetic Indices, Forex, Stocks, Options, Commodities, ETFs |
| Regulator | MFSA, LFSA, BVIFSC, VFSC, FSC, SVGFSA |
| Platforms | Deriv Trader, Deriv X, Deriv Go, MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
| Minimum Deposit | $5 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:1000 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP |
Pros
- Deriv revamped its app in 2025, now sporting a slicker interface alongside improved position management and streamlined contract details for smarter mobile trading.
- After integrating TradingView and adding MT5 web trader, Deriv now offers a first-class selection of charting tools across desktop, web and mobile devices.
- Although response times trail alternatives in our personal experience, Deriv offers 24/7 support and is one of the few brokers to offer WhatsApp assistance.
Cons
- While the Academy launched in 2021 is a step in the right direction, there is limited education on advanced trading topics for seasoned traders and no live webinars to upskill new traders.
- Apart from the MFSA in the EU, Deriv lacks top-tier regulatory credentials, reducing the level of safeguards like access to investor compensation.
- Leverage up to 1:1000 will appeal to traders with a large risk appetite but frustratingly there is no ability to flex the leverage in the account area.
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
- Fusion Markets continues to impress with its pricing that provides tight spreads with below-average commissions that will appeal to active day traders.
- The market analysis features, Market Buzz and Analyst Views, are great tools for discovering opportunities and conveniently integrated into the client dashboard.
- Fusion Markets offers best-in-class support with very fast, friendly and helpful responses during tests and no frustrating automated chatbot to navigate.
Cons
- The demo account expires after 30 days, limiting its potential as a useful trading tool alongside a real-money account.
- Traders outside of Australia must sign up with weakly regulated global entities with limited safeguards and no negative balance protection.
- Fusion Market trails alternatives, notably eToro and IG, in the education department with limited guides and live video sessions to upskill new traders.
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
| Bonus Offer | 50% Welcome Deposit Bonus, earn redeemable rewards in the Vantage Rewards scheme |
|---|---|
| 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
- 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 5 minutes
- The broker has recently made efforts to expand its suite of CFDs providing further trading opportunities
Cons
- 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
- A steep $10,000 deposit is needed for the best trading conditions, which include the $1.50 commission per side
Olymp Trade
"Olymptrade remains a good choice for beginners looking for a user-friendly bespoke platform and mobile app, plus 24/7 customer support. The $10 minimum deposit makes it easy to get started, however, the range of additional day trading tools trails competitors."
Olymp Trade Quick Facts
| Demo Account | Yes |
|---|---|
| Instruments | Forex, CFD, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, ETFs, OTC, Fixed Time Trades |
| Regulator | VFSC |
| Platforms | Olymptrade Platform |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Minimum Trade | $1 |
| Account Currencies | USD |
Pros
- 24/7 customer support via the broker's hotline, email or live chat
- Over 10 flexible payment methods available including bank cards and Bitcoin deposits
- Fixed time trades (FTT) on popular markets with payouts up to 93%
Cons
- Commissions charged on all assets - up to 15% on standard trades and up to 10% on FTT
- Weak regulatory oversight and offshore registration means traders will receive limited safeguards compared to top alternatives
- Very limited range of charting tools and indicators on the platform
JustMarkets
"With some of the most affordable pricing in the game and access to the powerful MT4 and MT5 platforms, JustMarkets is a good choice for any investor."
JustMarkets Quick Facts
| Bonus Offer | $30 No Deposit Bonus |
|---|---|
| Demo Account | Yes |
| Instruments | Forex, CFDs, indices, shares, commodities, cryptocurrencies, futures |
| Regulator | CySEC, FSA, VFSC |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 |
| Minimum Trade | 0.01 Lots |
| Leverage | 1:3000 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, ZAR, MYR, IDR, AED, NGN, THB, VND, KWD, CNY |
Pros
- Welcome bonus for new traders
- 170+ trading instruments
- Tight spreads from 0 pips
Cons
- Non-forex asset list is light with just 65 stocks plus a handful of indices and commodities
- Limited availability with clients not accepted from the US, UK, Japan, Germany and other countries
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.