IC Markets Review 2026
Established in 2007
•
Australia
• ASIC Regulated
IC Markets is one of our top-rated forex brokers, scoring 4.8/5 in our comprehensive testing. Regulated by ASIC (highest protection tier), this broker offers spreads from 0.1 pips on EUR/USD with a minimum deposit of $200. Trade 2250+ instruments including forex, CFDs, and more.
📊 IC Markets Overview
IC Markets (International Capital Markets Pty Ltd) is a well-established broker founded in 2007 headquartered in Sydney, Australia. The broker operates under the supervision of ASIC , one of the world's most respected financial regulators known for strict oversight and investor protection .
With access to 2250+ tradable instruments including 61 forex pairs , 23 cryptocurrencies , 1600 stocks , and various indices, IC Markets caters to diverse trading strategies. The broker uses ECN/STP execution with average speeds of 36ms.
| Legal Name | International Capital Markets Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters |
Sydney, Australia
|
| Primary Regulation | ASIC (Tier 1 - Highest Protection) |
| Instruments | 2250+ assets |
| Min Deposit | $200 |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 |
📖 IC Markets — In-Depth Introduction
With over 19 years of industry experience, IC Markets has established itself as a leading force in the forex and CFD trading space. The ASIC license held by IC Markets represents the gold standard in forex regulation. Traders can operate with confidence knowing their funds are protected by one of the world's most respected financial authorities. IC Markets positions itself as a premium choice for cost-conscious traders, with EUR/USD spreads averaging just 0.1 pips—significantly below the industry average of 1.0 pip.
Company Background
IC Markets (legally International Capital Markets Pty Ltd) has been operating in the financial services industry for 19 years. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, the company has weathered multiple market cycles including the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic volatility, demonstrating operational resilience.
The broker provides access to 2250+ tradable instruments.
💸 IC Markets Fees — Complete Cost Analysis
Trading costs at IC Markets are exceptionally competitive, placing this broker among the most cost-effective options available. With EUR/USD spreads averaging 0.1 pips, active traders can significantly reduce their transaction costs compared to the industry average. On ECN/Raw accounts, IC Markets charges $3.5 per lot round turn in addition to raw spreads. This transparent pricing model is preferred by many professional traders. Consider this cost analysis: with 0.1 pip spreads, each standard lot trade on EUR/USD costs $1 in spread. An average retail trader making 50 trades monthly would spend approximately $50 on spreads.
Trading Costs Breakdown
💡 Cost Calculator: IC Markets
Non-Trading Fees
| Fee Type | IC Markets | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free - $25 |
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | $0 - $50 |
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month after 12 months | $10-50/month |
Want to compare fees with other brokers?
⚖️ Compare🛡️ Is IC Markets Safe? — Complete Security Analysis
IC Markets's 95/100 Trust Score places it among the safest brokers in our database. This score is calculated using 15+ safety factors including regulation, fund segregation, and company transparency. Client funds at IC Markets are held in segregated accounts at top-tier banks, completely separate from the company's operational funds. This means even in the unlikely event of broker insolvency, your money remains protected and inaccessible to creditors.
Regulatory Framework
IC Markets is regulated by ASIC.
Security Features Checklist
Understanding the Trust Score
Our 95/100 Trust Score is calculated using 15+ safety factors including regulation, company history, financial transparency, and client fund protection.
📋 Methodology👤 Who Should Use IC Markets?
✅ Best For
- Scalpers and high-frequency traders should consider IC Markets for its 0.1 pip spreads and rapid execution. Every fraction of a pip saved adds up when executing dozens of trades daily.
- Muslim traders can benefit from IC Markets's swap-free Islamic accounts, which comply with Sharia principles. No interest is charged on overnight positions.
- IC Markets's copy trading functionality makes it ideal for passive investors who want market exposure without active management. Follow successful traders and replicate their strategies automatically.
- Professional traders will appreciate IC Markets's institutional-grade features: tight spreads, advanced platforms, API access, and high leverage options (where permitted).
❌ May Not Suit
- Those seeking the absolute lowest trading costs.
Looking for alternatives?
📝 The Bottom Line on IC Markets
IC Markets earns our strong recommendation as a top-tier broker with a 4.8/5 rating.
📈 IC Markets Detailed Scores
Our expert team evaluates brokers across 8 key categories. Here's how IC Markets performed in our rigorous testing:
IC Markets is among the best brokers we've reviewed, excelling in multiple categories.
💰 IC Markets Fees & Spreads
Understanding trading costs is crucial for profitability. IC Markets uses a Raw/ECN spread model with commissions of $3.5 per lot round turn. The average EUR/USD spread is 0.1 pips — one of the lowest in the industry.
📊 Typical Spreads
| Pair | Min | Average |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.1 | 0.1 pips |
| EURUSD | 0.1 | 0.1 pips |
| GBPUSD | 0.3 | 0.3 pips |
| USDJPY | 0.2 | 0.2 pips |
💳 Other Fees
| Commission (ECN) | $3.5/lot |
| Deposit Fee | Free |
| Withdrawal Fee | Free |
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month after 12 months |
| Swap-Free (Islamic) | ✓ Available |
💡 Trading Cost Example
Trading 1 standard lot (100,000 units) of EUR/USD with IC Markets:
- Spread Cost: 0.1 pips × $10/pip = $1.0
- Commission: $3.5 round turn
- Total Cost: $4.5 per lot
🛡️ IC Markets Regulation & Safety
IC Markets is regulated by ASIC, a Tier 1 - Highest Protection regulatory authority. This means the broker must adhere to the strictest financial regulations, including capital requirements, regular audits, and mandatory investor protection schemes.
📜 Regulatory Licenses
- ASIC 335692
- CySEC 362/18
- FSA SD018
🔒 Safety Features
- ✓ Segregated Client Funds
- ✓ Negative Balance Protection
- ✓ Investor Compensation (up to €20,000)
- — Publicly Traded
🎯 Trust Score: 95/100
High Trust: IC Markets has demonstrated excellent regulatory compliance and safety standards.
🖥️ IC Markets Trading Platforms
IC Markets offers 4 trading platforms, giving traders flexibility in how they access the markets. Mobile apps are also available for iOS and Android.
MetaTrader 4
The world's most popular forex platform. Ideal for beginners and algo traders with Expert Advisor support.
- ✓ Expert Advisors (EAs)
- ✓ Custom Indicators
- ✓ One-Click Trading
- ✓ Mobile & Desktop
MetaTrader 5
Advanced multi-asset platform with more timeframes, order types, and improved backtesting.
- ✓ 21 Timeframes
- ✓ Depth of Market
- ✓ Economic Calendar
- ✓ Multi-Asset Support
cTrader
Premium platform preferred by scalpers for its speed and advanced charting capabilities.
- ✓ Level II Pricing
- ✓ cAlgo for Automation
- ✓ Advanced Charting
- ✓ Copy Trading
📋 Platform Comparison
| Feature | MT4 | MT5 | cTrader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Available | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy Trading | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Algo Trading | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| VPS Available | ✓ Free VPS | ||
| API Access | ✓ Available | ||
🌐 IC Markets Tradable Instruments
IC Markets offers access to 2250+ tradable instruments across multiple asset classes. This includes 61 forex pairs , 23 cryptocurrencies , and 1600 global stocks.
👤 IC Markets Account Types
IC Markets offers various account types to suit different trading needs and experience levels. Demo accounts are available for practice. Swap-free Islamic accounts are also available for Muslim traders.
Practice with virtual funds
Compliant with Sharia law
Not available
Managed account service
Replicate successful traders
💳 IC Markets Deposits & Withdrawals
IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200 . Withdrawals are typically processed within 1-3 business days. The broker supports 7 base currencies.
📥 Deposit Methods
- 💳 Credit Card
- 🏦 Bank Wire
- 💵 PayPal
- 📱 Skrill
- 📱 Neteller
- ₿ Crypto
📤 Withdrawal Methods
- 🏦 Bank Wire
- 💳 Credit Card
- 💵 PayPal
- 💵 Skrill
💱 Supported Base Currencies
⚖️ IC Markets Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Ultra-tight spreads from 0.0 pips
- Fast execution under 40ms
- Deep liquidity
- Low commission $3.50/lot
- MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
❌ Cons
- Limited education
- Inactivity fee after 12 months
📚 IC Markets Education & Research
IC Markets provides educational resources to help traders improve their skills.
Available
Available
Daily analysis provided
Available on trading platforms
🎧 IC Markets Customer Support
IC Markets offers customer support during 24/7. Support is available in 5 languages.
🌍 Supported Languages
⭐ IC Markets User Reviews
📝 User reviews will be displayed here. Share your experience with IC Markets!
Write a Review🏆 IC Markets — Our Verdict
IC Markets is among the best forex brokers we've tested. With ASIC regulation, 0.1 pips EUR/USD spreads, and a $200 minimum deposit, this broker is well-suited for both beginners and experienced traders .
Best for: Scalpers and high-frequency traders , Safety-focused traders , Passive investors
⚠️ Risk Warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. Consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money.
❓ IC Markets — Frequently Asked Questions
Is IC Markets a safe and regulated broker?
Yes, IC Markets is regulated by ASIC, which is a Tier 1 - Highest Protection regulatory authority. The broker also holds licenses from 2 additional regulators. Client funds are kept in segregated accounts with negative balance protection. Investor compensation up to €20,000 is available.
What is the minimum deposit at IC Markets?
The minimum deposit at IC Markets is $200. Minimum deposits may vary depending on the payment method used.
What trading platforms does IC Markets offer?
IC Markets offers the following trading platforms:
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4) — The most popular forex trading platform
- MetaTrader 5 (MT5) — Advanced multi-asset platform
- cTrader — Premium platform for professional traders
- Web Platform — Trade directly from your browser
- Mobile Apps — Available for iOS and Android
What are IC Markets's spreads on EUR/USD?
IC Markets offers EUR/USD spreads with an average of 0.1 pips. The broker uses Raw/ECN spreads. On ECN accounts, there's a commission of $3.5 per lot round turn.
How long do withdrawals take at IC Markets?
Withdrawals at IC Markets are typically processed within 1-3 business days.
Does IC Markets offer a demo account?
Yes, IC Markets offers free demo accounts with virtual funds so you can practice trading without risking real money. This is an excellent way to test the platform and develop your trading strategy.
What is IC Markets's maximum leverage?
IC Markets offers maximum leverage of 1:500. However, note that leverage limits vary by region due to regulatory requirements:
- EU/UK/Australia: Up to 1:30 for major forex pairs (retail)
- Professional traders: Higher leverage may be available upon qualification
- Other jurisdictions: Leverage up to 1:500 may be available
Higher leverage increases both potential profits and potential losses.
Can I use IC Markets in ?
IC Markets accepts traders from . The broker operates under ASIC regulation. Always verify current availability and applicable regulations on the broker's website.
Does IC Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts?
Yes, IC Markets offers Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law. These accounts do not incur swap charges for positions held overnight. Contact IC Markets's support to request an Islamic account.
What instruments can I trade with IC Markets?
IC Markets offers access to 2250+ tradable instruments:
- 61 Forex currency pairs
- 23 Cryptocurrencies
- 1600 Stock CFDs
- 25 Index CFDs
- 22 Commodities
