Note: Vault Markets official site - https://www.vault-markets.com/ is currently not functional. Therefore, we could only gather relevant information from the Internet to present a rough picture of this broker.

What is Vault Markets？

Vault Markets is an unregulated multi-asset broker founded in 2021 and registered in South Africa that claims to provide its clients with various tradable financial instruments with leverage up to 1:500 and floating spreads from 1 pip on the MT4 trading platform via 6 different live account types.

Pros & Cons

Vault Markets' advantages include its competitive spreads, low minimum deposit requirement, multiple account types, and user-friendly trading platform. However, its disadvantages include the lack of regulatory licenses and unavailable website.

Vault Markets Alternative Brokers

There are many alternative brokers to Vault Markets in the market that offer similar services, such as IC Markets, Pepperstone, XM, and Tickmill.

• IC Markets: IC Markets is a well-established broker with a strong reputation, offering a wide range of trading instruments, competitive pricing, and advanced trading platforms.

• XM: XM is a reputable broker with a wide range of trading instruments, low minimum deposit, competitive pricing, and a user-friendly platform.

• Tickmill: Tickmill is a reliable broker offering competitive pricing, a wide range of trading instruments, and a user-friendly platform, with a focus on transparency and security.

It is important to conduct thorough research on any broker you are considering to ensure that they are reputable and suitable for your trading needs. Factors to consider may include regulations, fees, trading platforms, customer service, and trading instruments offered.

Is Vault Markets Safe or Scam？

Vault Markets does not seem to be a regulated broker by any major financial authority. The lack of regulation raises concerns about the safety of client funds and the overall legitimacy of the company. It is important for traders to do their own research and due diligence before deciding to trade with an unregulated broker.

Market Instruments

Vault Markets offers a range of tradable financial instruments that include Forex, Shares, Indices, and Cryptocurrencies. Forex traders can enjoy competitive spreads and leverage, while share traders can access a wide range of global markets. Additionally, the platform offers various indices, such as NASDAQ and S&P500, for those looking to trade a diversified portfolio. Lastly, Vault Markets has recently expanded its trading offerings to include cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum, providing traders with a new asset class to diversify their portfolios.

Accounts

Vault Markets offers 6 trading accounts in total, namely Vault100, Vault200, Swap Free, Vault Zero, Vault No Bonus, and Vault Cent. The minimum opening balance for Vault100, Vault200, Vault No Bonus, and Vault Cent accounts is as low as $5, while $100 for Swap Free and Vault Zero accounts. Although this requirement sounds encouraging, traders are not advised to register real trading accounts here given the fact that Vault Markets is unregulated.

Leverage

The maximum trading leverage offered by Vault Markets is as high as 1:500. Leverage can amplify gains as well as losses, traders are not advised to use too high leverage.

Spreads & Commissions

The spreads on major currency pairs start from 1 pip, which could be considered a competitive pricing model compared to other brokers in the market. Unfortunately, there is no available information about Vault Markets' commission fees. Traders may need to contact the broker's customer support team for further details on pricing and fees.

Below is a comparison table about spreads and commissions charged by different brokers:

Note: Spreads can vary depending on market conditions and volatility.

Trading Platforms

The only platform provided for trading is the popular MetaTrader4 (MT4) trading platform developed by the Russian software company MetaQuotes. Vault Markets provides the MT4 platform as a downloadable windows desktop application and also as Mobile APPs. MAC OSX users are advised to contact the support team for assistance on how to install MT4 on their systems. Other brokers provide MT4 for MAC.

See the trading platform comparison table below:

Note: Some brokers may offer additional platforms or have different versions of the above platforms with varying features.

Deposits & Withdrawals

Payment Options:

• Bank Card (minimum deposit of $3),

• Bitcoin (minimum deposit of $10),

• Internet Banking (minimum deposit of $10),

• Internal Transfer (minimum deposit of $1),

• Neteller (minimum deposit of $10),

• Perfect Money (minimum deposit of $50),

• Skrill (minimum deposit of $10).

Vault Markets minimum deposit vs other brokers

Customer Service

Vault Markets offers multiple contact channels, including phone (27(0) 10 449 6045), email (info@vaultmarkets.trade), Skype, WhatsApp and social networks like Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Company Address:

• 2nd floor, Nelson Mandela Square, Maude Street, Sandton;

• 9th Floor, SKYCITY MALL, University Road Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salam, Tanzania;

• Unit 3b, South Port, Hosea Kutako Drive, Windhoek, Namibia.

Overall,Vault Markets' customer service is considered reliable and responsive, with various options available for traders to seek assistance.

Note: These pros and cons are subjective and may vary depending on the individual's experience with Vault Markets' customer service.

Conclusion

Overall, Vault Markets seems to be a relatively new forex broker that offers competitive trading conditions such as tight spreads, high leverage, and a variety of trading instruments. It also provides multiple contact channels for customer support. However, it is important to note that Vault Markets does not appear to be regulated, which may raise concerns for some traders about the safety and security of their funds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Overview of Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers, founded in the United States, offers a wide array of trading assets including stocks, ETFs, forex, bonds, options, and futures, providing traders with various opportunities across global markets.

However, risks have been raised about its legitimacy, with reports of the platform being identified as a suspicious clone. Traders are directly impacted by the platform's regulatory status, influencing oversight, transparency, and legal protections. Adherence to regulatory standards instills confidence among traders regarding the platform's reliability and security, while any suspicion or regulatory ambiguity may undermine trust and deter participation, emphasizing the importance of due diligence.

Is Interactive Brokers legit or a scam？

Interactive Brokers is identified as Suspicious Clone under various regulatory bodies such as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI), and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

However, the presence of “Suspicious Clone” designations in some regions suggests potential regulatory risks. Traders on the platform are directly impacted by the regulatory status, as it influences the level of oversight, transparency, and legal protections afforded to their investments.

Adherence to regulatory standards instills confidence among traders regarding the platform's reliability and security, while any suspicion or regulatory ambiguity may undermine trust and deter participation. Thus, traders are likely to favor jurisdictions where Interactive Brokers maintains clear and reputable regulatory standing, ensuring a safer trading environment.

What are Clone Brokers？

The prevalence of clone brokers is increasingly alarming, as deceptive entities exploit the names of reputable firms to lure unsuspecting clients into believing they are trading with regulated forex firms.

These fraudulent companies go to great lengths, even utilizing the license numbers of legitimate brokers, to deceive traders into opening accounts with them. Remaining vigilant is paramount to avoid falling prey to such scams. Additionally, these unscrupulous entities resort to aggressive tactics, akin to boiler room operations, pressuring clients into opening accounts or increasing their deposits.

It's crucial to heed the adage: if something sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Traders must exercise caution and conduct thorough research before engaging with any brokerage firm to safeguard their investments and financial security.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Wide range of tradable assets: Interactive Brokers offers an extensive selection of tradable assets, including stocks, ETFs, forex, bonds, options, and futures. This diversity provides traders with ample opportunities to diversify their portfolios and explore various investment strategies, catering to different risk appetites and objectives.

• Access to global markets: The platform grants users access to a broad range of global markets, enabling them to trade securities and currencies from around the world. This global reach allows traders to capitalize on international market trends, economic developments, and geopolitical events, enhancing their trading flexibility and potential for profit.

Cons:

• Identified as Suspicious Clone: Some users have reported instances where Interactive Brokers was identified as a suspicious clone, potentially raising risks about the platform's legitimacy and trustworthiness. Such allegations can undermine user confidence and deter participation in trading activities.

• Limited customer support options: Interactive Brokers may offer limited options for customer support, which can lead to delays in addressing user inquiries, resolving issues, or providing assistance when needed. This lack of robust support channels may frustrate users and hinder their overall trading experience.

• Potential for technical glitches: Like any online platform, Interactive Brokers is susceptible to technical glitches or system failures, which can disrupt trading activities, cause delays in order execution, or lead to inaccuracies in account information. These technical issues may impede users' ability to trade effectively and impact their overall experience on the platform.

• Risk of exposure to scams: Users may face the risk of exposure to scams or fraudulent activities associated with Interactive Brokers, such as clone brokers attempting to deceive traders. Falling victim to such schemes can result in financial losses and damage to one's reputation, highlighting the importance of vigilance and due diligence when engaging with the platform.

Market Instruments

Interactive Brokers offers a wide range of tradable financial instruments on its platform.

Traders can access a variety of assets including Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Funds, Bonds, Options, Futures, CFDs, Cryptocurrencies, Warrants, and Structured Products.

This extensive selection provides traders with opportunities to diversify their investment portfolios and pursue different trading strategies across global markets.

With access to such a broad array of instruments, traders have the flexibility to capitalize on market opportunities and manage risk effectively.

Deposit & Withdrawal

Interactive Brokers offers a variety of payment methods to fund your account:

• Bank wire transfer: This is the most common and preferred method. It's free for most currencies.

• ACH transfer: This is another electronic transfer option available for US accounts. It's also free.

• Check: You can mail a check to Interactive Brokers. However, there may be processing fees and delays associated with this method.

• Wire transfer from another brokerage: You can transfer funds from another brokerage account to your Interactive Brokers account. This may be subject to fees from both brokers.

• Bill pay: This option is available for US accounts only. It allows you to pay your Interactive Brokers account from your bank's online bill pay service.

• Third-party deposits: Interactive Brokers generally discourages and rejects third-party deposits due to potential fraud and money laundering risks.

There is no minimum deposit required to open an Interactive Brokers account. This makes it a good option for beginners who want to start with a small amount of money.

Customer Support

Interactive Brokers provides the following contact information for customer support:

1. Twitter: @IBKR

2. Facebook: Interactive Brokers

3. Instagram: Interactive Brokers

4. YouTube: Interactive Brokers

5. LinkedIn: Interactive Brokers

These social media platforms serve as channels for reaching out to Interactive Brokers for support and assistance. However, Interactive Brokers' customer support lacks efficiency and responsiveness. Traders often encounter significant delays in receiving assistance, with support tickets remaining unresolved for extended periods. Communication channels such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn are available, but their effectiveness in addressing customer risks is questionable.

Exposure

Users have reported a single instance of exposure related to a pyramid scheme complaint, which unveiled a potential scam on the Interactive Brokers platform.

The complaint alleges that the platform induced clients to participate in activities, promising withdrawal options upon event completion. However, upon attempting to withdraw profits, users encountered obstacles, including unexpected tax requirements not deducted from the platform. The inability to access funds and unresponsive customer service exacerbates the situation for affected users. Such exposure to fraudulent activities undermines trust and confidence in the platform, potentially dissuading traders from engaging in further transactions.

Conclusion

This instance of Interactive Brokers is suspected to be a clone operated by a company known as Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. Notably, this particular iteration of Interactive Brokers lacks regulation, posing potential risks for traders. Therefore, it is advisable for traders to refrain from engaging with this broker.