Discover if Vantage is reliable in this comprehensive Vantage Markets review. Explore the trading instruments it offers, including its regulations, pros, and cons.
Vantage Markets is a well-known trading platform that offers a diverse range of assets, account options, and features.
However, it’s essential to understand how Vantage Markets distinguishes itself from other trading platforms in the same market.
This Vantage Markets review explores various aspects of the broker, including regulatory measures, trading tools, spreads, commissions, user-friendliness, and more.
Vantage Markets Overview
Vantage Markets, established in 2009, operates as a MetaTrader broker and is regulated by ASIC (Australia), FCA (UK), and CIMA (Cayman Islands).
Each entity offers unique features, with the Cayman Island branch providing approximately 50 more trading instruments than its Australian counterpart. Notably, social copy-trading is unavailable with the Australian entity. Traders should verify the latest details before opening an account.
The Vantage Markets MetaTrader suite incorporates Smart Trader add-ons from FX Blue LLP, and economic news are sourced from Reuters. In addition, Pro Trader Tools, powered by Trading Central, require a deposit of $1,000 or more.
Accounts with a balance exceeding $10,000 qualify for Active Trader Rebates, while those with $20,000 or more can benefit from the Pro ECN account offer.
For copy-trading, Vantage Markets supports platforms such as ZuluTrade, DupliTrade, MyFXBook AutoTrade, and MetaTrader. Traders can choose from a wide range of options depending on their preferences.
Regulation and Trust
Choosing a broker authorized by a reputable regulatory body should be your top priority. This protects you against scams and provides access to strong safeguards such as negative balance protection and limitations on leverage based on jurisdiction.
Established in 2009, the broker’s lengthy track record indicates a well-established business with solid credentials. The company’s impressive reputation is further supported by its prestigious awards.
In terms of licensing, it’s encouraging to note that many clients are registered under tier-one-regulated entities. For instance, Vantage Global Prime Pty Ltd is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and Vantage Global Prime LLP is authorized by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
This assures the presence of necessary security and fund protection measures, including negative balance protection and access to compensation schemes if the brokerage faces insolvency issues.
What Assets Does Vantage Markets Support?
Here are the assets that you can trade on Vantage Markets:
Forex
Vantage Markets supports more than 40 currency pairs, comprising major, minor, and exotic currencies such as the South Korean won, Mexican peso, Indian rupee, and Indonesian rupiah.
Trading hours for most forex pairs are during standard market hours from Monday to Friday. Fees and spreads vary based on the account type, with minimum spreads on EUR/USD starting at 0.0 pips on certain accounts. Commissions for forex trading depend on the account type, ranging from $1.50 to $0.
Vantage Markets ensures competitive spreads throughout the day due to access to deep liquidity pools. The platform also offers high leverage of up to 1:1000 for eligible clients.
Stocks
Vantage Markets is suitable for those interested in speculating on stocks, all of which are traded as Contracts for Difference (CFDs). The platform supports a wide range of stocks from NYSE, NASDAQ, UK, European, and Australian markets.
While there are no commissions for trading US-listed stocks, commissions for UK and European stocks start at €10 per trade, which may be considered relatively high compared to other platforms.
Clients can trade supported stocks with leverage of up to 1:20, except for regions like the UK, Australia, and the European Union, where leverage is capped at 1:5.
Bonds
Vantage Markets supports bond trading through CFDs with leverage up to 1:100. Bonds from the US and European markets are available, and there are no commissions for bond trading, with a minimum trade size of one contract.
ETFs
The platform lists different Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) that track stocks, commodities, and index funds. Leverage for most ETFs goes up to 1:33, with no commissions and a minimum trade size of one ETF share.
Indices
Vantage Markets allows speculation on 15 indices, including Dow Jones, S&P 500, FTSE 100, and more. Leverage of up to 1:1000 is offered on indices in certain markets.
Cryptocurrencies
Vantage Markets supports dozens of cryptocurrency markets, including crypto-to-fiat and crypto-cross pairs. Leverage on cryptocurrencies is limited to 1:2, with no trading commissions but varying spreads.
It’s crucial to note that trading cryptocurrencies on Vantage Markets does not grant ownership, and the cryptocurrencies cannot be withdrawn.
Commodities
The platform supports a range of commodities, categorized into precious metals, soft commodities, and energies.
Precious metals have leverage up to 1:1000, while soft commodities are capped at 1:40. Energies, such as natural gas and crude oil, can be traded with leverage up to 1:1000. All commodity trading on Vantage Markets operates on a spread-only basis.
Commissions and Fees
Vantage’s trading fees are influenced by the type of account you choose and the specific Vantage entity that manages your account.
There are three account options: the Standard STP account with spread-only pricing, and the commission-based RAW ECN and PRO ECN accounts. While Vantage’s pricing is generally in line with industry standards, it may not match up with the more competitively priced options from Saxo Bank, IG, and CMC Markets.
Standard and raw accounts
The spread-only Standard account at Vantage typically has spreads of 1.22 pips on the EUR/USD (as of August 2021).
On the other hand, the Raw account has average spreads of 0.15 pips with an additional commission of $3 per side ($6 per round turn), totaling 0.75 pips during the same period.
PRO account
Vantage’s PRO account offers competitive pricing, with a per-side commission of just $2 (or $4 per round turn). The requirements for opening a PRO ECN account vary depending on the regulating entity.
For the Australian entity, you need to qualify as a wholesale client. If you choose Vantage’s Cayman Islands entity, a minimum funding of $10,000 is required. For those meeting the account requirements, the PRO ECN account is Vantage’s most cost-effective option, comparable to similar accounts from FP Markets and Tickmill.
For active traders, Vantage offers an active trader program with rebates ranging from $2 to $8 per standard lot, depending on your balance and monthly volume.
The program has different tiers, starting at $10,000 and going up to at least $300,000 in equity. It’s important to note that the active trader program is only available on the Standard account, which has the highest spreads among all the available account options.
Bonuses Paid by Vantage Markets
Vantage Markets provides two main types of bonuses for its clients:
Initial deposit bonus
Clients are entitled to a bonus equivalent to 50% of their initial deposit, capped at a maximum of $20,000. This bonus is credited in the form of trade credits, which can be used for various purposes such as conducting transactions and increasing margins.
Fee bonus
Vantage Markets actively encourages its traders by offering a fee bonus, returning a portion of the commissions as cashback or rebate.
Clients who deposit and maintain a balance of 10,000 USD can earn commissions of up to 8 USD per lot traded. Additionally, these clients may also receive gifts from the broker, including items like a gift card or iPhone.
By taking advantage of these bonuses, clients of Vantage Markets can enjoy additional benefits and incentives for their collaboration with the company.
Vantage Markets Pros and Cons
Pros
- Vantage has a strong trust score due to its reputable standing and top-notch regulation from the FCA and ASIC.
- The ECN accounts stand out with competitive features, offering spreads from 0.0 pips and a $1.50 commission per side.
- The day trading software is impressive, featuring renowned platforms like MT4 and MT5, recognized for their excellence.
- For users, there’s an extensive suite of day trading software, including the renowned MT4 and MT5 platforms.
- Vantage accommodates hands-off investors with user-friendly social trading options through ZuluTrade and Myfxbook.
- New traders benefit from a low minimum deposit of $50 and no funding fees, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
- Hedging and scalping are permitted without short-term strategy restrictions.
- The live account opening process is quick and straightforward, taking less than 2 minutes.
Cons
- Unfortunately, some clients may need to register with an offshore entity, which offers less regulatory protection.
- A substantial $10,000 deposit is required for optimal trading conditions, including the $1.50 commission per side.
- The average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are relatively slower compared to alternative platforms based on tests.
- Cryptocurrency trading is limited to Australian clients, which may be a drawback for some users.
Conclusion: Is Vantage Markets Reliable?
Regulation plays a vital role in overseeing the activities of forex brokers, ensuring transparency and fairness. Regulated brokers must adhere to strict standards, covering aspects such as financial stability, qualified personnel, and transparent operations.
Moreover, regulation serves as a safeguard against fraudulent practices, allowing regulatory bodies to investigate and take action against non-compliant brokers.
When choosing a forex broker, one of the key considerations is whether they are regulated. As shown in this Vantage Markets review, the broker is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), a top-tier regulatory authority dedicated to ensuring fair and transparent operations in the financial sector.
Furthermore, Vantage Markets holds a license from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), providing an additional layer of regulatory oversight. These regulations offer traders assurance that the broker operates in a secure and reliable environment.
However, prospective clients are advised to conduct due diligence and make an informed decision when planning to use any forex broker.
If you have any information about Vantage Markets, its administrators, or facilitators, please reach out to us.