IC Markets

About IC Markets

IC Markets is a globally recognized online Forex and CFD broker, established in 2007. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, the company has grown to become one of the world's largest true ECN brokers, offering trading services to clients across various regions. Known for its commitment to providing a superior trading environment, IC Markets focuses on low spreads, fast execution, and a wide selection of trading instruments. It caters to both retail and institutional traders, emphasizing transparency and advanced technology.

Regulation and Safety

IC Markets operates under the oversight of several reputable financial authorities, ensuring a secure and transparent trading environment for its clients. The broker holds licenses from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles, and the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB). These regulations mandate strict operational standards, client fund segregation, and regular audits, providing a high level of confidence in the broker's reliability and integrity.

Trading Platforms

IC Markets offers a comprehensive suite of industry-leading trading platforms, catering to diverse trading styles and preferences. Traders can choose from MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and cTrader.

• MetaTrader 4 (MT4): Renowned for its user-friendly interface, advanced charting tools, and extensive customization options, MT4 is ideal for Forex traders utilizing expert advisors (EAs).
• MetaTrader 5 (MT5): An upgraded version of MT4, MT5 offers additional features including more timeframes, an economic calendar, and the ability to trade a broader range of CFDs.
• cTrader: Favored by ECN traders, cTrader provides an intuitive interface, advanced order types, and superior execution speeds, making it suitable for scalping and high-frequency trading. All platforms are available across desktop, web, and mobile devices, ensuring seamless access to markets anytime, anywhere.

Markets and Instruments

IC Markets provides access to a diverse range of financial instruments, allowing traders to diversify their portfolios. The available markets include:

• Forex: Over 60 currency pairs, including majors, minors, and exotics, with highly competitive spreads.
• Indices: CFDs on major global stock indices from Europe, Asia, and North America.
• Commodities: A selection of popular commodities such as crude oil, natural gas, and precious metals like gold and silver.
• Cryptocurrencies: CFDs on leading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin, available 24/7.
• Bonds: Government bonds from various countries.
• Stocks: CFDs on a wide array of global stocks. This extensive selection ensures that traders can find opportunities across different asset classes.

Account Types

IC Markets offers two primary account types designed to meet the needs of different traders:

• Standard Account: This account features no commission and spreads starting from 0.6 pips. It's suitable for traders who prefer an all-inclusive spread without separate commission charges.
• Raw Spread Account: Designed for scalpers and high-volume traders, this account offers raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips, with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. It provides direct access to interbank pricing. Both account types offer flexible leverage and access to all available trading platforms. Islamic (swap-free) accounts are also available upon request.

Spreads, Fees and Commissions

IC Markets is highly regarded for its competitive pricing structure. On the Raw Spread account, traders can access spreads as low as 0.0 pips on major currency pairs, with a commission of $3.50 per standard lot per side. The Standard account offers commission-free trading with spreads starting from 0.6 pips. There are generally no deposit or withdrawal fees charged by IC Markets, though third-party payment processors may apply their own charges. The broker aims for transparency in its fee structure, making it a cost-effective choice for active traders.

Deposits and Withdrawals

IC Markets supports a wide array of convenient and secure deposit and withdrawal methods. These include:

• Bank Wire Transfer: Available for both deposits and withdrawals, though processing times can be longer.
• Credit/Debit Cards: Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted for instant deposits.
• E-wallets: Popular options like Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, FasaPay, and UnionPay are available for fast transactions.
• Broker to Broker Transfer: For transferring funds directly from another broker. Deposits are generally processed instantly or within a few hours, while withdrawals typically take 1-2 business days to process after approval, depending on the method used. IC Markets does not charge internal fees for these transactions.

Leverage

IC Markets offers flexible leverage options, which vary depending on the client's residency and the specific regulatory entity they are under. For clients trading under the global entities (FSA Seychelles, SCB Bahamas), leverage can go up to 1:500. For clients under ASIC or CySEC, regulatory restrictions apply, typically limiting leverage to 1:30 for major currency pairs. This allows traders to choose a leverage level that aligns with their risk tolerance and trading strategy, while adhering to regulatory guidelines.

Customer Support

IC Markets provides robust customer support services to assist traders with their queries and technical issues. Support is available 24/7 through various channels:

• Live Chat: For immediate assistance, accessible directly from the website.
• Email: For detailed inquiries, with prompt response times.
• Phone Support: Available for direct communication with a support representative. The support team is knowledgeable and multilingual, ensuring that clients from different regions can receive effective assistance. An extensive FAQ section and educational resources are also available on their website.

Final Verdict

IC Markets stands out as a strong choice for Forex and CFD traders seeking competitive pricing, advanced trading platforms, and a wide range of instruments. Its commitment to low spreads, fast execution, and multiple regulatory licenses solidifies its reputation as a reliable broker. While the $200 minimum deposit might be a consideration for some new traders, the overall offering, including the choice of MT4, MT5, and cTrader, along with diverse account types, makes it highly attractive for both novice and experienced traders looking for an ECN environment. The broker's transparency and robust infrastructure contribute to a positive trading experience.