Gerchik & Co Broker Review

Gerchik & Co, established in 2015 by the prominent trader Alexander Gerchik, operates as an international Forex and CFD broker primarily targeting the CIS and Eastern European markets. The company leverages its founder’s reputation and offers a wide array of trading tools and educational resources, positioning itself as an STP (Straight-Through Processing) provider.

While the broker is a functional and operational entity, a detailed analysis reveals significant underlying risks stemming from its offshore regulatory status and a persistent stream of critical client complaints regarding the handling of funds and trade execution.

Comprehensive Trading Services

Gerchik & Co structures its offerings through a tiered account system that scales conditions based on the minimum deposit.

Account Structure and Costs

The broker provides six distinct account types. The entry-level Zero account starts at approximately $100 and includes features like micro lot trading, spreads from ≈1 pip, and a commission of $10 per lot. As clients progress to higher tiers, such as Simple ($1,000 deposit) and Platinum ($100,000 deposit), they benefit from progressively tighter spreads (from 0 pips) and reduced commissions (down to $7 per lot), along with exclusive services like custom trading robot development and personal consultations with Alexander Gerchik. Beyond standard self-trading accounts, Gerchik & Co also offers TIMA (Trust Management) accounts and swap-free (Islamic) options.

Technology and Instruments

Gerchik & Co operates on the universally adopted MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms. Orders are executed using a Market Execution model, supporting automated strategies (EAs) and scalping. The broker has invested in proprietary tools, including the “Risk Manager” service for setting explicit loss limits and the Real Market Volume (RMV) indicator for enhanced market analysis. The product range is extensive, featuring approximately 400 assets, including 71 Forex currency pairs, and CFDs on global stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Maximum leverage is capped at 1:500 but is dynamically reduced for larger balances (e.g., restricted to ≈1:100 above $100k).

Regulation, Licensing, and Safety Profile

The company’s regulatory status is the most significant area of concern, as it lacks oversight from any top-tier financial authority.

Offshore Licensing: Gerchik & Co operates primarily under licenses from offshore regulators. The main entity, Gerchik & Co Ltd, is regulated by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), and a secondary license is held by Gerchik & Co. MU Limited from the FSC Mauritius. While these documents grant formal legal status, both jurisdictions are known for weak regulatory oversight and minimal capital requirements. Consequently, clients are afforded little to no state-backed investor protection, making the safety of funds reliant almost entirely on the broker’s integrity.

Self-Regulatory Membership: To supplement its weak official regulation, the broker became a Category A Member of the Financial Commission (FinaCom) in 2017. This independent body offers clients a path for external dispute resolution and provides compensation of up to $20,000 per claim from its Compensation Fund.

Regulatory Warnings and Blacklisting: Gerchik & Co has faced formal warnings from major national regulators for operating without local authorization:

• The Bank of Russia (CBR) blacklisted the company in 2023, citing signs of illegal activity and resulting in the blocking of its websites in Russia.
• The National Securities and Stock Market Commission of Ukraine (NSSMC) issued a public warning, adding related projects to its list of “dubious (unreliable) investment projects.”

These actions underscore the broker’s illegal operating status in key target countries, exposing traders in those regions to significant legal risk with no national financial protection.

Client Reviews, Complaints, and Allegations

Client feedback is highly conflicted, demonstrating a clear split between satisfied users and those reporting critical financial issues.

Positive Aspects: Many clients who have traded with Gerchik & Co for years confirm reliable and timely profit payouts. They also praise the broker’s fast execution, tight spreads, and the quality of its educational resources and unique risk management tools.

Major Negative Complaints (Red Flags): The most serious and recurring complaints center on the security of funds and fairness of trading:

• Withdrawal Issues: Persistent reports of slow or significantly delayed fund withdrawals are common, creating anxiety and suspicion among clients.
• Execution Disputes: Many traders, especially those who are highly profitable, accuse the broker of unfair execution, citing excessive and frequent slippage and “bad quotes.” This type of interference is often associated with a “dealing desk” or “kitchen” model, where the broker profits when the client loses.
• Aggressive Sales Tactics: Numerous reviews detail aggressive pressure from personal managers who urge clients to make larger deposits or purchase expensive services. This behavior highlights a potential conflict of interest, where the broker’s focus may be on maximizing fee collection rather than ensuring the client’s trading success.
• Allegations of Account Interference: Isolated, unconfirmed reports accuse the broker of technical issues or mysterious balance drops when accounts start generating substantial profits, which is a major red flag for integrity.

Reputation Summary: Gerchik & Co maintains a moderately controversial reputation. The presence of positive aspects (technology, education, and some reliable payouts) is countered by a significant number of severe complaints regarding payment difficulties and execution fairness, a combination that indicates an elevated level of operational risk.

Final Verdict and Recommendation

Gerchik & Co is not an outright scam but operates as a high-risk, offshore broker. The company is established, functional, and utilizes professional branding, but its structural and operational deficiencies cannot be overlooked.

The most critical risk factors are:

1. Weak Regulation: Reliance on low-tier, offshore regulators (VFSC, FSC Mauritius) means there is no robust safety net for client capital.
2. Regulatory Conflict: The broker is officially warned against by major national regulators (CBR, NSSMC) in its key markets.
3. Alleged Manipulation: The volume of complaints regarding delayed payouts and alleged intentional slippage against profitable trades suggests the broker may engage in practices characteristic of a “dealing desk” operation.

Recommendation: Trading with Gerchik & Co requires maximum caution. Traders who value the broker’s unique tools or brand recognition may consider opening a small account, but it is strongly advised not to invest large sums that you cannot afford to lose. Due to the complete absence of Tier-1 regulatory protection, traders are highly vulnerable in the event of a dispute or financial failure. Prioritize capital safety by choosing a broker with a transparent history and a robust license from a major jurisdiction (e.g., UK, Australia) if security is your primary concern.