1. Overview
IC Markets was founded in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, and has grown into one of the world's largest and most trusted forex and CFD brokers. Serving over 180,000 traders across 200+ countries, the broker handles an average daily trading volume exceeding $29 billion. IC Markets is built on an ECN/STP execution model that routes client orders directly to top-tier liquidity providers, offering transparent pricing with no dealing desk intervention.
2. Regulation & Safety
IC Markets operates through multiple regulated entities across the globe, giving traders a strong layer of security and oversight:
- ASIC (Australia) – AFSL 335692
- CySEC (Cyprus) – License 362/18
- FSA (Seychelles) – SD018
- FSCA (South Africa)
- SCB (Bahamas)
Client funds are held in segregated accounts with Tier-1 banks such as Barclays and Commonwealth Bank of Australia, fully separate from the broker's operational capital. Negative balance protection is provided for retail clients.
3. Account Types
| Account | Min Deposit | Spreads | Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $200 | From 1.0 pips | $0 |
| Raw Spread | $200 | From 0.0 pips | $3.50 per lot per side |
| cTrader Raw | $200 | From 0.0 pips | $3.00 per lot per side |
4. Spreads & Fees
IC Markets is famous for its tight raw spreads, especially on the Raw Spread and cTrader accounts. EUR/USD averages 0.1 pips on Raw, with USD/JPY around 0.2 pips. Commission is competitive at $3.00–$3.50 per side. No deposit or withdrawal fees are charged by the broker.
5. Trading Platforms
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4) – Industry standard with Expert Advisors support
- MetaTrader 5 (MT5) – Advanced multi-asset platform
- cTrader – ECN-focused platform with depth of market
- WebTrader & Mobile Apps – iOS and Android
6. Execution Speed
Servers are hosted at Equinix NY4 (New York) and LD5 (London), delivering ultra-low latency under 40 milliseconds. Over 60% of IC Markets' daily trading volume comes from automated systems (Expert Advisors and trading robots), a testament to its infrastructure quality.
7. Deposit & Withdrawal
IC Markets supports bank wire, credit/debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and other regional methods. Deposits are free and mostly instant. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours, with no broker-side fees.
8. Educational Resources
The broker offers a robust education section including trading guides, webinars, video tutorials, an economic calendar, and market analysis. Materials cover both beginner and advanced topics.
9. Customer Support
24/7 multilingual support is available through live chat, email, and phone. Response times are typically fast, with support staff trained on both technical and account-related issues.
10. Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- Regulated by ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSCA, SCB
- Raw spreads from 0.0 pips
- Ultra-fast execution (under 40ms)
- MT4, MT5, and cTrader supported
- Segregated client funds with Tier-1 banks
- Negative balance protection
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Excellent for scalpers and algo traders
✗ Cons
- Standard account spreads are wider
- No proprietary platform
- Higher minimum deposit ($200)
- Not available in the US
11. Final Verdict
IC Markets earns a strong 4.8/5 rating in our 2026 assessment. Its combination of tight raw spreads, ultra-fast execution, multiple Tier-1 regulators, and support for MT4/MT5/cTrader makes it one of the best choices for active traders, scalpers, and algorithmic systems worldwide.