Gerchik & Co is a forex and CFD brokerage that has steadily gained attention since its founding in 2015. Built on the experience of professional traders, the firm markets itself as a next-generation broker focused on transparency, education, and technology. This guide provides a comprehensive look at Gerchik & Co—its origins, key features, cost structure, regulatory standing, and the risks that traders should carefully evaluate. Drawing on authoritative sources including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the National Futures Association (NFA), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), we offer an educational, cautious overview. This is not financial advice; always verify current rules, fees, spreads, and regulatory status with the relevant authorities.
Gerchik & Co is an international brokerage company founded in 2015 by professional traders[reference:0][reference:1]. The driving force behind the firm is Alexander Gerchik, a well-known figure in the trading world who, together with his like-minded partner Ivan Kroshnyi, established the company with a clear mission: to provide traders with the brokerage services of the highest quality[reference:2][reference:3].
Alexander Gerchik's personal story is integral to the company's identity. Originally from Odesa, Ukraine, he moved to New York at the age of 22 with no financial education, working initially as a cab driver[reference:4]. In 1996, he took a brokerage training course and passed one of the toughest exams in America to obtain a brokerage license[reference:5]. He went on to trade at proprietary firms including Worldco and Hold Brothers, and later joined Finam Investment Holding to launch a hedge fund[reference:6]. Notably, Gerchik has been described as "one of the safest day traders," having not recorded a single losing trading month since 1999[reference:7]. This emphasis on risk management and consistency became a core principle of his own company[reference:8].
Gerchik & Co was built on the belief that a broker should understand the real challenges traders face. The company's co-owners are professional traders with extensive experience in forex and stock markets, and they designed the firm's services to address the practical needs of active traders[reference:9]. This "by traders, for traders" ethos is a central part of the brand's identity.
The company's early growth was recognised with industry awards. In November 2015, it was named the Fastest Growing FX Broker at the 15th MENA Forex Expo in Dubai, and in December 2015 it won the Breakthrough of the Year award according to traders' independent voting[reference:10]. More recently, in June 2021, the company was ranked in the Top 3 of the Ultimate Fintech's rating for best order execution[reference:11]. As of 2026, Gerchik & Co reports a community of over 100,000 customers[reference:12].
Gerchik & Co positions itself as a technology-driven broker with a focus on execution speed, asset variety, and trader support. Below are the core features that define its offering.
The broker emphasises trade execution at 1 millisecond, supported by servers located in the Equinix LD4 data center, one of the world's premier financial data hubs[reference:13]. This infrastructure is designed to provide 99.99% availability and protection against slippage[reference:14]. Order execution quality is independently verified by FinaCom, and traders can audit execution using the VerifyMyTrade plugin on MT4 or MT5[reference:15].
Gerchik & Co supports the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms[reference:16]. These are available for desktop, web, and mobile devices. The broker also offers proprietary tools including Risk Manager and Algorithm Developer, which allow traders to automate strategies and manage risk more effectively[reference:17].
The broker provides access to over 870 trading instruments, including[reference:18][reference:19]:
This breadth of assets makes Gerchik & Co suitable for traders looking to diversify across multiple markets.
Gerchik & Co operates as an STP (Straight Through Processing) broker, meaning that client orders are passed directly to liquidity providers without dealer intervention[reference:23]. The company collaborates with 15 liquidity providers to ensure competitive pricing and deep liquidity[reference:24]. This model is intended to provide traders with access to real market prices and immediate order execution.
Gerchik & Co's use of the Equinix LD4 data center and its partnership with FinaCom for independent execution audits reflect a commitment to transparency and technological reliability. However, as with any broker, traders should verify performance claims through their own testing and due diligence.
Gerchik & Co has simplified its cost structure, offering two main account types with different pricing models[reference:25]. Understanding these costs is essential for evaluating the broker's suitability for your trading style.
The Zero Account is designed for beginners and traders with smaller capital[reference:26]. Key features include:
The Premium Account is geared toward experienced traders and investors who prioritise lower trading costs and faster execution[reference:30]. Key features include:
Gerchik & Co also offers proprietary trading challenges, allowing traders to access firm capital. Participation fees start from $39, with access to capital up to $200,000[reference:34]. Successful traders keep 80% of profits[reference:35]. The Prop Trader Challenge commission is also $8 per lot[reference:36].
Gerchik & Co states that it does not charge fees for deposits or withdrawals[reference:37]. However, third-party payment providers may apply their own fees. Supported methods include bank transfer, Volet, Mastercard, and Perfect Money[reference:38].
While Gerchik & Co advertises transparent pricing, traders should always calculate the total cost of a trade, including spreads and commissions, based on their specific account type and trading volume. Spreads can widen during periods of low liquidity or high volatility, affecting actual trading costs.
Regulatory oversight is a critical factor when evaluating any forex broker. Gerchik & Co operates under multiple regulatory frameworks, though it is important to understand the nature and limitations of each.
Gerchik & Co is owned and operated by Gerchik & Co Limited, a company authorised and regulated by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) with company registration number 40512[reference:39][reference:40]. The VFSC is a popular offshore regulator among forex brokers[reference:41].
The broker also holds regulation from the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius (FSC Mauritius)[reference:42][reference:43]. Mauritius is another offshore jurisdiction that provides a regulatory framework for financial services.
Gerchik & Co is a member of the International Financial Commission (FinaCom), an independent external dispute resolution body[reference:44][reference:45]. Client compensation is guaranteed by a compensation fund of up to €20,000 per claim[reference:46][reference:47]. The broker also states that client funds are segregated from company funds[reference:48].
It is important to recognise that offshore regulation (VFSC, FSC Mauritius) is generally considered less stringent than tier-1 regulation from authorities such as the UK's FCA, Australia's ASIC, or the US's CFTC/NFA[reference:49]. Key limitations include:
The CFTC and NFA, which regulate US forex brokers, emphasise the importance of checking registration and disciplinary history through tools like NFA BASIC. For offshore-regulated brokers, independent verification can be more challenging.
The CFTC advises the public to thoroughly research any forex dealer before depositing funds. While Gerchik & Co holds VFSC and FSC Mauritius licenses, these are offshore regulators with less robust investor protection. Some independent sources have raised concerns about the broker's regulatory status[reference:52][reference:53]. Traders should verify current regulatory information directly with the relevant authorities and exercise caution.
The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of Gerchik & Co's two main account types, helping you decide which best suits your trading profile.
| Feature | Zero Account | Premium Account |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10 / €10[reference:54] | $3,000[reference:55] |
| Commission (FX) | $0 (included in spread)[reference:56] | $8 per lot[reference:57] |
| Spread Model | Floating spreads (EUR/USD ~1 pip)[reference:58] | Tight market spreads |
| Target Trader | Beginners, smaller capital[reference:59] | Experienced, larger volume[reference:60] |
| Minimum Lot Size | 0.01 lot (microlots)[reference:61] | 0.01 lot (microlots)[reference:62] |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:500[reference:63] | 1:500[reference:64] |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5[reference:65] | MT4, MT5[reference:66] |
| Best For | Cost-conscious, simpler pricing | Lower per-trade cost for high volume |
All figures are subject to change. Verify current rates and terms directly with Gerchik & Co before making any decisions.
Before opening an account with Gerchik & Co or any forex broker, work through this checklist to ensure you have conducted adequate due diligence.
The CFTC and NFA both provide investor education resources. The NFA's BASIC tool is particularly useful for checking the registration and disciplinary history of US-regulated firms, though it does not cover offshore brokers like Gerchik & Co.
Scenario: A New Trader Starts with Gerchik & Co
Maria is a new trader who wants to start forex trading with a small budget. She has read about Gerchik & Co and decides to open a Zero Account with a minimum deposit of $10.
Maria completes the online registration, verifies her identity, and funds her account using a bank card. She chooses the Zero Account because it offers commission-free trading on forex pairs, with all costs included in the spread[reference:70]. She plans to trade EUR/USD, where the spread is currently around 1 pip[reference:71].
Using the MT5 platform, Maria places her first trade with a 0.01 lot size (microlot), which allows her to manage risk precisely[reference:72]. She sets a stop-loss and take-profit on each trade. Over the first month, she makes several small trades, gaining experience while keeping her costs low.
Key takeaway: Gerchik & Co's Zero Account provides an accessible entry point for new traders with limited capital. However, Maria remains aware of the risks, including the potential for losses, and she only trades with funds she can afford to lose.
This is not accurate. Offshore regulators like VFSC and FSC Mauritius generally have lower capital requirements, less rigorous oversight, and fewer investor protections compared to tier-1 regulators such as the FCA, ASIC, or CFTC/NFA[reference:73]. Traders should not assume the same level of safety.
The Zero Account has no separate commission, but the cost is built into the spread. While the spread is competitive, it can widen during volatile market conditions, increasing the effective cost of trading.
Leverage of up to 1:500 magnifies both gains and losses. A small adverse price movement can lead to a margin call or wipe out your entire account. The CFTC warns that retail forex trading is extremely risky, and high leverage is a key factor[reference:74].
While Gerchik & Co states that client funds are segregated and offers FinaCom compensation up to €20,000, this is not equivalent to the deposit protection schemes offered in jurisdictions like the UK or EU. Offshore protection is more limited.
Industry awards can be indicative of a broker's reputation, but they should not be the sole basis for a decision. Awards are often based on subjective criteria and may not reflect the current quality of service. Always conduct your own due diligence.
The CFTC's Foreign Currency (Forex) Trading Fraud Advisory highlights common warning signs, including promises of high returns with low risk, unsolicited offers, and pressure to act quickly. These warnings apply to all brokers, including offshore ones.
Forex and CFD trading carries substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. The CFTC and NASAA warn that off-exchange forex trading is extremely risky. Losses can accrue rapidly, potentially exceeding your initial investment. This applies regardless of the broker you choose, including Gerchik & Co.
Gerchik & Co is regulated by offshore authorities (VFSC and FSC Mauritius), which offer limited investor protection compared to tier-1 regulators[reference:75]. In the event of a dispute or broker insolvency, recourse may be more difficult. Independent sources have raised questions about the broker's regulatory status[reference:76][reference:77].
With maximum leverage of 1:500, traders are exposed to significant risk[reference:78]. A 0.2% adverse move can result in a 100% loss of margin. Margin call and stop-out levels are reported at 100% and 50% respectively[reference:79].
While Gerchik & Co promotes fast execution, slippage can occur during volatile markets or periods of low liquidity[reference:80]. This can result in trades being filled at less favourable prices than expected.
As an STP broker, Gerchik & Co passes orders to liquidity providers. However, the broker is still a counterparty to your trades. In the event of financial difficulty, there is a risk that client funds could be affected, despite segregation policies.
The forex industry has a history of fraudulent operators. Some sources have flagged Gerchik & Co as a potential "black platform" with withdrawal issues[reference:81]. While these claims are disputed, they underscore the importance of thorough due diligence.
For up-to-date information on forex risks and fraud prevention, consult:
Always verify current rules, fees, spreads, rates, broker availability, and platform terms with the relevant authority or provider. This article does not provide personalised financial, legal, or tax advice.