VT Markets is an Australian brokerage scheme that enables retail client onboarding in EEA jurisdictions via offshore entities. The broker provides a maximum leverage of 1:500. Until mid-2022, VT Markets was part of the Vantage Group and continues to operate with an identical infrastructure under different branding. The scheme relies on Payabl and BridgerPay as its primary payment facilitators and has already been subject to regulatory warnings.
VT Markets Update
According to Similarweb statistics, VT Markets’ website received approximately 213,000 visitors in the 28 days leading up to February 12, 2023. Nearly 40% of these visitors came from EEA regions, while over half of the traffic originated from the United States.
On Trustpilot, VT Markets holds a 3.1-star rating, categorized as “Average” based on approximately 300 reviews.
Payment Facilitators
VT Markets’ offshore brokerage operations are supported by Payabl, a payment institution founded by former Wirecard executives Ruediger Trautmann and Dietmar Knoechelmann, along with BridgerPay. Until at least 2022, Vigglobal Holding Cy Ltd served as a payment agent. These payment facilitators are based in Cyprus.
Deposits require completion of the KYC process, ensuring regulatory compliance. Available payment methods include bank transfers, credit and debit cards, fasapay, Neteller, Perfect Money, and direct cryptocurrency deposits.
We also identified that unlimited pre-KYC deposits were possible using cryptocurrency transactions via TrustWorthy Pay.
VT Markets Scheme and Legal Entities
VT Markets’ payment infrastructure mirrors that of VantageMarkets, indicating a continued connection or shared control between the two entities.
Regulatory Violations
VT Markets was a part of the Australian Vantage Group until Q2 2022, when it was separated (see report here). The multi-asset and CFD broker provides leverage of up to 1:500, violating regulatory limits in EEA jurisdictions. Despite lacking EEA authorization, EEA residents can still register without restrictions.
We found that unlimited pre-KYC deposits were theoretically possible on VT Markets (VTmarkets.co) before completing identity and address verification. Payments could be made via bank transfers through Token (Token.io) or SWIFT to VT Markets’ bank accounts.
VT Markets Key Data
- Brands: VT Markets
- Domains:
- www.vtmarkets.com
- www.vtmarkets.co
- www.vtmarkets.com.au
- www.vtmindo.com
- Legal Entities:
- VT Global Pty Ltd, Australia
- VT Markets Pty Ltd, Australia
- VT Global South Africa (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
- VT Markets LLC, St. Vincent & The Grenadines
- Vigglobal Holding Cy Ltd, Cyprus
- Jurisdictions: UK, Australia, Vanuatu, Cayman Islands, St. Vincent & The Grenadines
- Authorizations:
- ASIC for VT Global Pty Ltd (Australia)
- FSCA for VT Global South Africa (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)
- Trading Platform: PandaTS (recently replaced), Leverate
- Leverage: Up to 1:500
- Payment Options: Bank wire, credit/debit card, cryptocurrency, wallets
- Payment Processors:
- National Australia Bank
- Token, BridgerPay, Payabl
- Fasapay, Neteller, Perfect Money, TrustWorthy Pay
- Related Individuals: Pedzai Mvere (LinkedIn)
- Regulatory Warnings: CNMV
Further Information
If you have any insights regarding VT Markets, Payabl, or associated individuals and partners, please submit them through our whistleblower system, Whistle42.