Is EssenceFX a scam or legit broker?

No, it is not safe to trade with EssenceFX, because it is an offshore broker. The Company is wholly owned by Essence Markets Limited under registration number 40309, regulated by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission, and incorporated in the Republic of Vanuatu.

EssenceFX is a global broker providing online currency trading services. The company provides access to a large choice and range of financial markets to trade, including Forex markets, Indices, and Commodities, all on the MT4 platform.

Vanuatu is the easiest jurisdiction to open a brokerage, as the opening requires the company to submit a register online, prove initial establish capital which is $2,000 only, to pay a fee, and within a 2-3 month, the firm is crisp and registered. Therefore, it became an offshore zone for shady forex brokers such as RCM FX, RickGlobal and more.

As to the brokers VFSC license, from our source, it costs €24,000 per year to become a member. However, and there is no handbook or guidelines for brokers to run their business. Therefore, there is zero protection for traders. We have a detailed article explaining the risk of trading with brokers from Vanuatu.

The broker provides Hong Kong contact phone number, however, it is not located or authorized by its local Securities & Futures Commission of Hong Kong. This usually means the broker has been targeting locals, illegally offering them financial services.

Conclusion

We advise all investors and traders to avoid EssenceFX and other brokers from Vanuatu. Traders should trade with well-regulated brokers such as UK brokers or brokers in Australia and reliable brokers such as AvaTrade and FXTM.