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Icmarkets Review

Sydney-headquartered Tier 1 broker with 0.0-pip Raw Spread accounts and 24/7 support.
Founded 2007 ·HQ Sydney, Australia
B IC composite score
· out of 5
Spot fee
maker / taker
Futures fee
maker / taker
Min deposit
$200
deposit
Coins listed
spot + perps
24h volume
all markets
US clients
availability
Affiliate link pending Jump to fees Read full review Affiliate link · IC may earn a commission · see disclosure
EDITORIAL VERDICT

The IC verdict

Established in 2007 and headquartered in Sydney, IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (#335692), CySEC (#362/18), Seychelles FSA (SD018) and SCB Bahamas. It supports MT4, MT5 and cTrader, runs an NDD execution model, and offers Standard, Raw Spread and Islamic accounts at a $200 minimum. Spreads start from 0.0 pips on Raw Spread with a $3.50 per-lot commission.

iC Reviewed by Joanna Newman · Published · Updated
FULL REVIEW

The complete analysis

Published 2024-07-14

IC Markets Review

IC Markets, established in 2007, is a prominent online forex and CFD broker known for its competitive trading conditions, wide range of instruments, and advanced trading platforms. This article provides a detailed overview of IC Markets, including its pros and cons, account types, trading platforms, and regulatory status.

General Risk Warning

Trading forex and CFDs involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. It is important to understand the risks involved, including the potential for loss of your entire investment. Ensure you fully understand the risks before trading and consider seeking independent financial advice if necessary.

IC Markets Full Review

IC Markets offers a variety of trading instruments, including forex, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and bonds. The broker provides access to multiple trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader. IC Markets is known for its low spreads, fast execution, and excellent customer support.

General Information & First Impressions

IC Markets is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, and has a global presence with clients from over 160 countries. The broker is regulated by multiple reputable financial authorities, ensuring a high level of trust and security. The first impression of IC Markets is positive, with a user-friendly website and a wide range of trading resources available.

IC Markets Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Competitive spreads starting from 0.0 pips
  • Fast execution speeds
  • Multiple advanced trading platforms
  • Strong regulatory framework
  • Wide range of tradable instruments

Cons:

  • Minimum deposit of $200 may be higher than some other brokers
  • Limited educational resources for beginner traders

Who Is IC Markets For?

IC Markets is ideal for both beginner and experienced traders. Beginners can benefit from the user-friendly platforms and low minimum deposit, while experienced traders will appreciate the competitive spreads, fast execution, and advanced trading tools. The broker's wide range of instruments makes it suitable for various trading strategies.

Account Types and Benefits

IC Markets offers three main types of accounts to cater to different trading needs:

Account Type Minimum Deposit Instruments Available Special Features
Standard Account $200 Forex, Crypto, Commodities No commission, competitive spreads
Raw Spread Account $200 Forex, Crypto, Commodities Spreads from 0.0 pips, $3.5 commission per lot
Islamic Account $200 Forex, Crypto, Commodities Swap-free, compliant with Sharia law

IC Markets Trading Platforms

IC Markets provides access to several advanced trading platforms:

  • MetaTrader 4 (MT4): Known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive charting tools.
  • MetaTrader 5 (MT5): Offers additional features and improved performance over MT4.
  • cTrader: Suitable for advanced traders looking for more sophisticated trading capabilities.

IC Markets Mobile Trading

IC Markets’ mobile trading apps for iOS and Android offer full functionality, allowing traders to manage their accounts, execute trades, and monitor the markets on the go. The mobile apps include all the essential features of the desktop versions, ensuring a seamless trading experience.

IC Markets Trading Features

IC Markets offers several innovative trading features:

  • Social Trading: Allows users to follow and copy trades of successful traders.
  • Automated Trading: Supports Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 4 and 5.
  • API Trading: For advanced traders who require custom trading solutions.

IC Markets Research & Education

IC Markets provides some educational resources, including market analysis, economic calendars, and trading signals. However, compared to other brokers, the educational offerings are limited, which may require traders to seek additional learning resources elsewhere.

IC Markets Regulations & Licensing

IC Markets operates under multiple regulatory frameworks:

  • Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)

    • Entity: International Capital Markets Pty Ltd
    • License Number: 335692
    • Regulatory Tier: Tier 1
    • Region: Australia
  • Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC)

    • Entity: IC Markets (EU) Ltd
    • License Number: 362/18
    • Regulatory Tier: Tier 1
    • Region: European Economic Area (EEA)
  • Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA)

    • Entity: Raw Trading Ltd
    • License Number: SD018
    • Regulatory Tier: Tier 3
    • Region: Global (excluding certain countries)
  • Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB)

    • Entity: IC Markets Ltd
    • Regulatory Tier: Not explicitly tiered in the available data
    • Region: Global (excluding certain countries)

IC Markets Pricing

IC Markets offers competitive pricing with spreads starting from 0.0 pips on Raw Spread accounts. The broker charges a commission of $3.5 per lot per side on Raw Spread accounts, while Standard accounts are commission-free with slightly higher spreads.

IC Markets Deposits & Withdrawals

IC Markets supports various deposit and withdrawal methods, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, UnionPay, BPAY, FasaPay, and Poli. Deposits are generally processed quickly, especially through electronic methods, which typically appear instantly in your trading account. Wire transfers may take a few days to process depending on the origin of the transfer.

Method Fees Processing Time
Bank Transfer Free 2-5 business days
Credit/Debit Card Free Instant
PayPal Free Instant
Skrill Free Instant
Neteller Free Instant
UnionPay Free Instant
BPAY Free 1-2 business days
FasaPay Free Instant
Poli Free Instant

Customer Support

IC Markets provides customer support 24/7 via live chat, email, and phone. The support team is known for being responsive and helpful, providing assistance with technical issues, account management, and trading inquiries.

IC Markets Trading Experience

Overall, IC Markets offers a positive trading experience with its robust platforms, competitive pricing, and innovative features. The broker’s low spreads, fast execution speeds, and wide range of instruments make it a popular choice among traders.

IC Markets Spreads

Instrument Spread (Standard) Spread (Raw Spread)
EUR/USD From 1.0 pips From 0.0 pips
GBP/USD From 1.3 pips From 0.3 pips
AUD/USD From 1.0 pips From 0.0 pips
Gold From 0.3 pips From 0.1 pips

IC Markets Swap Fees

Instrument Swap Long Swap Short
EUR/USD -0.45 0.25
GBP/USD -0.55 0.35
AUD/USD -0.35 0.15
Gold -0.15 0.05

Available Languages

IC Markets’ website and customer support are available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, Chinese, and more, catering to a global clientele.

Charts Available

IC Markets provides various types of charts, including line charts, bar charts, and candlestick charts, all accessible through MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader.

Order Types

IC Markets supports multiple order types:

  • Market Order
  • Stop Loss
  • Trailing Stop
  • Limit Order

Order Execution Model

IC Markets uses a No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution model, ensuring fast and reliable order execution with minimal intervention.

MetaTrader 4 and 5

IC Markets offers both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, providing advanced trading tools, automated trading capabilities, and comprehensive charting options.

Islamic Account

IC Markets offers Islamic accounts that comply with Sharia law, ensuring no swap fees on overnight positions.

Maximum Leverage by Asset Class

Asset Class Maximum Leverage
Forex 1:500
Commodities 1:200
Indices 1:200
Stocks 1:20

What Can You Trade with IC Markets?

IC Markets offers a wide range of tradable instruments, including:

  • Forex
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Commodities
  • Indices
  • Stocks
  • Bonds

Tradable Instruments

Instrument Type Examples
Forex EUR/USD, GBP/USD
Cryptocurrencies Bitcoin, Ethereum
Commodities Gold, Silver
Indices S&P 500, FTSE 100
Stocks Apple, Google
Bonds US Treasury, German Bund

Is IC Markets a Scam Broker?

IC Markets is a well-regulated and established broker with a solid track record. It operates under the regulations of ASIC, CySEC, FSA, and SCB, ensuring a high level of security and transparency. These regulatory bodies enforce strict standards for financial transparency, client fund segregation, and overall business conduct, making IC Markets a reliable and secure broker for global traders. The broker’s long-standing presence in the industry and positive user reviews further attest to its credibility.

Broker Details

IC Markets, established in 2007, has grown to become one of the largest forex and CFD brokers globally. It offers a wide range of trading instruments, including forex, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and bonds. The broker is known for its competitive pricing, fast execution speeds, and advanced trading platforms.

Contact Info

For any inquiries or support, you can contact IC Markets via:

IC Markets vs. eToro

When comparing IC Markets to eToro, several key differences stand out:

  • Platform: eToro offers a unique social trading platform, while IC Markets uses MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader.
  • Minimum Deposit: IC Markets has a lower minimum deposit requirement of $200, compared to eToro's $200.
  • Spreads: IC Markets offers competitive spreads starting from 0.0 pips on Raw Spread accounts, while eToro’s spreads can be higher.

IC Markets in 2024: What’s New?

In 2024, IC Markets continues to enhance its trading platform with new features and tools. The broker has expanded its range of tradable instruments and introduced new educational resources to help traders improve their skills. Additionally, IC Markets has improved its mobile trading app, offering a seamless experience for traders on the go.

RATING · 6 factors

The composite breakdown

Score: 4.3 · Grade: B
Fees ×1.2 Spot + futures + funding spreads
4.5
Regulation ×1.0 Licenses + jurisdictional standing
4.5
Asset coverage ×1.0 Coins, fiats, derivative pairs
4.0
Security ×1.2 Cold storage, audits, history
4.5
Withdrawal ×1.0 Speed, fees, transparency
4.0
UX ×1.0 Mobile, web, support quality
4.0
FEES

What it actually costs

Item Cost
Minimum deposit (all accounts) $200
Raw Spread commission $3.50 per lot per side
Standard EUR/USD spread From 1.0 pips
Raw Spread EUR/USD spread From 0.0 pips
Gold spread (Raw) From 0.1 pips
VERDICT · pros & cons

What's good, what isn't

Pros

  • Competitive spreads starting from 0.0 pips on Raw Spread
  • Fast NDD execution
  • Multiple advanced platforms — MT4, MT5 and cTrader
  • Strong regulatory framework (ASIC, CySEC, FSA, SCB)
  • Wide instrument range — forex, crypto, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Long track record (active since 2007)

Cons

  • $200 minimum deposit is higher than some competitors
  • Limited educational resources for beginner traders
  • No NFT trading
REGULATION · licenses

Where Icmarkets is regulated

Australian Securities and Investments Commission
Australia · License No. 335692
Active
Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission
Cyprus · License No. 362/18
Active
Seychelles Financial Services Authority
Seychelles · License No. SD018
Active
Securities Commission of The Bahamas
Bahamas
Active
ASSETS · supported

What you can trade

BTCETHLTC
FAQ

Common questions

5 Q&As
Is IC Markets a safe broker?
Yes — IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (335692), CySEC (362/18), Seychelles FSA (SD018) and SCB Bahamas, enforcing strict client-fund segregation and transparency standards.
What is the minimum deposit?
$200 USD on all three account types — Standard, Raw Spread and Islamic.
What platforms does IC Markets offer?
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and cTrader, all available on desktop, web and mobile.
How does Raw Spread pricing work?
Spreads start at 0.0 pips with a $3.50 per-lot, per-side commission, versus a commission-free Standard account with slightly wider spreads.
Does IC Markets accept cryptocurrencies?
Yes — Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and others are available as CFDs.