RECOMMENDED FOREX BROKERS
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Open trading accounts with at least two brokers.
We are reviewing VT Markets, a regulated broker that doesn’t really act as it should. They offer MetaTrader4, MetaTrader5, standard CFD instruments, high leverage levels, commissioned and commission-free trading. It’s a part of a larger financial group, but there are some problems we need to discuss, so make sure to read the full VT Markets review first.
VT Markets REGULATION AND SAFETY OF FUNDS
Suspiciously, VT Markets presents itself as CIMA and ASIC regulated broker. First of all, the ASIC license is associated with another legal entity and a domain- vtmarkets.com.au, so the broker shouldn’t speculate with the Australian regulation at all. Moreover, ASIC prohibited 1:500 leverage this year, which indeed shows how misleading VT Markets is. Nevertheless, the broker is regulated in the Cayman Islands, so your funds should be safe if you deposit.
However, as you can see, the CIMA license is not so trustworthy, and the broker is not as reliable. The only significant customer protection measure in the Cayman Islands is the capital adequacy requirement of 100 000 KYD (around $120 000), which doesn’t make the brokers secure enough. Still, last year the jurisdiction was removed from the EU blacklist, so it is no longer seen as a shady tax haven but as cooperative and transparent enough.
VT Markets is licensed, but you’d be better off with the high-rated EU brokers and British brokers, which are adequately regulated, trustworthy, and most importantly, covered by deposit insurance funds. For example, if you trade with a CySEC broker, you can claim up to 20 000 EUR in compensation, while the British protections are of even up to 85 000 GBP per person. Make sure to stay away from unregulated companies, and it’s worth considering money protection when choosing a broker to trade with.
VT Markets TRADING SOFTWARE
VT Markets offers various platforms, including MetaTrader4, MetaTrader5, Webtrader and mobile trading apps. It also provides access to social services like ZuluTrade and other analytical and educational materials. However, we didn’t test their trading software due to ID verification, but it doesn’t mean that we couldn’t do so in general. In fact, VT Markets was ready to accept EU clients like ourselves, which is a red flag we need to note. Well, the company is part of a group operating brokers in Europe, as well, so we should have been redirected if VT Markets was acting accordingly.
Moreover, it’s possible to open Demo accounts only after a deposit, which is indeed another red flag. In contrast, the properly regulated brokers are bound by law to provide training accounts for their prospective customers with no demands for deposits or ID verification. So, due to the registration and trading software issues, we can quickly dismiss VT Markets as unreliable.
You’d better avoid it and consider the high-rated MetaTrader4 brokers and MetaTrader5 brokers, which are delivering the best Forex software. The MT platforms feature advanced tools such as Expert Advisors, complex indicators, and first-class charting tools. MetaTrader also comes with a Marketplace where traders can find more than 10 000 apps and third-party developed solutions.
As a result, we can’t talk through real-time spreads, but the broker claims to offer EUR/USD spread starting from 1.3 pips on MT4 and o.o pips on MT5. We need to clarify that the MT5 accounts are not commission-free, and traders will have to pay extra for the brokers’ services- $6 per opened and closed position. Well, the VT Markets’ services are affordable enough, but you can find superior brokers by following the links provided throughout the review.
The leverage is up to 1:500, a ratio carrying high risks for traders. Actually, it is so dangerous that many authorities even regulate it to restrict its usage. As a result, EU, British and Australian brokers have to limit clients to 1:30 for FX majors, while Canadian brokers and US brokers to 1:50. Overall, most high-leverage FX companies are poorly or not regulated at all, so you need to be careful.
VT Markets DEPOSIT/WITHDRAW METHODS AND FEES
The minimum deposit with VT Markets is $200, which is generally in line with the rest of the industry. Still, too many legit brokers offer micro accounts starting from 5 to 10 dollars, so there are much better opportunities available. The funding methods are Credit/Debit cards, Wire Transfers, Skrill, Neteller and Bitcoin, out of which the first one is seen as the safest option because it allows clients to dispute transactions and get a refund for up to 540 days.
Nevertheless, check some Skrill brokers, Neteller brokers, FasaPay brokers, Sofort brokers, and Bitcoin brokers if you have trusted payment systems. The companies topping the lists are adequately regulated, and you won’t face scammers if you choose among the high-rated ones.
VT Markets doesn’t impose withdrawal restrictions, so clients should be able to take any amount out. The broker doesn’t specify withdrawal or inactivity fees either, and the request processing time is also unknown.
The broker offers various trading incentives at the time, including a 50% Welcome Bonus, 20% Deposit Bonus and referral bonuses. However, information about additional provisions is not available on the website, so it’s probably only accessible after ID verification and a deposit. That’s unfair.
Overall, VT Markets is regulated and a part of a larger group, but it’s unreliable despite its license.
Below, you can see the VT Markets offer:
The registration process:
HOW DOES THE SCAM WORK
Today, the Internet is plagued by scammers and their deceitful deals. It all starts when you click on an appealing fraudulent offer and provide your e-mail and contact numbers. Scammers, as seasoned manipulators, would ring you at once, insisting that you should start investing as soon as possible. During the phone call, you’d be presented with bonuses, promotions, risk-free offers, Bitcoin opportunities, and anything else you could possibly imagine. Scammers would claim to work with reputable firms, banks, governments, and so on, trying to make their business appear legit. Those thieves lie big time and would promise you anything to gain your confidence and get a deposit from you.
However, the first deposit is just the beginning. Day by day, scammers would carry on asking for funds. If you lost, they’d persuade you to put more money and recover the losses. If you are profitable, you’d be asked to put more money and increase the gains. The headaches start as soon as you ask to take your money back. The scammers would do whatever it takes to discourage you and would even urge you to deposit again if you want to withdraw. The scammers’ mantra is “give me your money”, they’d push you to transfer more money over and over again for no obvious reason. Urgency is a treacherous sign, so if someone forces you to invest ASAP, that’s a scam.
WHAT TO DO WHEN SCAMMED
Unfortunately, no one is safe from scams. If you get defrauded, the first thing you need to do is to protect yourself from further risk. Deactivate your card immediately, contact your bank and ask for advice.
Report what happened to you, file a complaint, contact the financial regulator, contact other government institutions related to trading and investing, call the police if you feel necessary. Seek help actively!
Remember, it’s crucial not to rush blindly trying to recover your funds because fraudulent fund recovery agencies are trying to double scam the victims. They ask for upfront payment, take the money but won’t do anything to help you!
Last but not least, share online your experience; it’s important to inform the public about scams. Be responsible!
