IC Markets Review 2026
IC Markets is an ASIC, CySEC and FSA-regulated broker founded in Sydney in 2007, regarded as one of the world’s top ECN brokers. Spreads start from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD with a transparent $3.50/lot/side commission. Average MT4 execution under 35ms via Equinix NY4 servers makes IC Markets the default pick for scalpers, EAs and high-frequency strategies.
- ASIC + CySEC + FSA licences
- Spreads from 0.0 pips (Raw Spread)
- <35ms average execution
- $1T+ monthly client volume
- Equinix NY4 co-located servers
- cTrader, MT4, MT5 supported
| Regulators | ASIC, CySEC, FSA |
|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | From $200 |
| Spreads | From 0.0 pips |
| Max leverage | 1:1000 |
| Instruments | Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Commodities |
| Our rating | 4.8 / 5 |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia |
Risk Disclaimer: Forex and CFD trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. This content is for information only—not financial advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Broker profile at a glance
The panels below summarise what IC Markets is: how it scores on each of the five dimensions we weight, the company facts behind it, and which regulator licenses the entity that would actually hold your money.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia |
| Founded | 2007 (19 years) |
| Maximum leverage | 1:1000 |
| Instruments | Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Commodities |
| Commission per lot | $3.5 |
| Demo account | Yes |
| Swap-free (Islamic) account | Yes |
| Copy trading | Yes |
| Trustpilot | 4.8 / 5 from 53,000 reviews |
Where IC Markets is licensed
A broker is not simply "regulated" or not. Each licence covers one legal entity in one jurisdiction, and the entity that opens your account depends on where you live. Every number below links to the regulator’s own register so you can check it yourself.
| Country | Licence | Tier | Legal entity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | ASIC AFSL 335692 | Tier 1 | International Capital Markets Pty Ltd |
| Cyprus | CySEC 362/18 | Tier 1 | IC Markets (EU) Ltd |
| Seychelles | FSA SD018 (no public register) | Tier 3 | Raw Trading Ltd |
A licence covers only the entity named beside it. The entity that opens your account depends on your country of residence, so check which one your account agreement names before you deposit.
Licence details verified against the regulator’s own public register.
Regulation & Licenses
Is IC Markets regulated and safe?
IC Markets operates through three regulated entities. ASIC and CySEC are Tier-1; the FSA (Seychelles) entity supports clients in regions where local rules require offshore licensing. The Australian parent has been continuously licensed since 2009 and has been audited annually with no major sanctions on record.
| Entity | Regulator | License | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Capital Markets Pty Ltd | ASIC (Australia) | AFSL 335692 | Tier 1 |
| IC Markets (EU) Ltd | CySEC (Cyprus) | 362/18 | Tier 1 |
| Raw Trading Ltd | FSA (Seychelles) | SD018 | Tier 3 |
Verify these licences yourself: ASIC register · CySEC register · FSA register.
Trading Costs & Account Types
What does it cost to trade with IC Markets?
IC Markets is built around the Raw Spread account model — direct market access spreads with a transparent commission per lot. The Standard account exists for traders who prefer a single all-in cost. cTrader Raw Spread accounts charge a slightly lower $3.00 commission per side.
| Account | Spread From | Commission | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 1.0 pips | None | $200 |
| Raw Spread MT4 | 0.0 pips | $3.50 / lot | $200 |
| Raw Spread MT5 | 0.0 pips | $3.50 / lot | $200 |
| Raw Spread cTrader | 0.0 pips | $3.00 / lot | $200 |
Platforms & Tools
IC Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and cTrader across desktop, web and mobile. cTrader is the standout — true ECN routing, Level II order book and a native algorithmic environment (cAlgo) make it a favourite of professional EA developers. The MT4/MT5 stack adds Smart Trader Tools, the popular Power-Pack of 28 expert advisors and indicators.
Deposits, Withdrawals & Support
Deposits are accepted via bank wire, credit/debit card, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal and select local crypto rails. Card and e-wallet deposits process instantly; bank wire takes 1–3 business days. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours on business days. Live chat support is 24/7 in major trading languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese and Russian.
Pros & Cons
- Tier-1 ASIC and CySEC regulation
- True ECN execution with 25+ Tier-1 liquidity providers
- Sub-35ms average MT4 execution via Equinix NY4
- Native cTrader with Level II depth-of-market
- No restrictions on scalping, hedging or EAs
- Free VPS for eligible high-volume clients
- $200 minimum deposit higher than peer brokers
- No proprietary mobile app — relies on third-party MT4/MT5/cTrader apps
- FSA (Seychelles) entity offers less consumer protection
- Limited educational content vs XM or HFM
- Crypto CFD instrument list smaller than some competitors
Verdict
For serious traders, EA operators and scalpers, IC Markets is among the strongest end-to-end execution offerings in retail forex. Spreads, depth, latency and Tier-1 regulation are all best-in-class. The higher minimum deposit and thinner educational content make IC Markets a poor fit for complete beginners — they should start at XM or HFM and migrate to IC Markets once scaling matters.
Open a IC Markets accountFrequently Asked Questions
Is IC Markets regulated?
What is the minimum deposit at IC Markets?
What is the spread on the Raw Spread account?
Is IC Markets good for scalping and EAs?
Does IC Markets offer cTrader?
Are US clients accepted?
Ready to trade with IC Markets?
Open an account on the official site and claim any current welcome offer. You will pass through a brief redirect page on the way.
Visit IC Markets official site Or compare IC Markets with another broker · see the full broker rankings.fxreviewlab publishes independent broker research. This page may contain affiliate links; commissions never influence ratings or editorial conclusions. Trading derivatives carries a high risk of capital loss. Always verify a broker’s licence with the relevant regulator before depositing funds.