IC Markets Review
- Top regulations, including ASIC and CySEC.
- Great platform choice (MT4, MT5, cTrader & TradingView).
- Account conditions verified through live testing.
As a globally recognised broker, IC Markets is a popular choice for many traders. This 2025 review provides a clear look at their services, focusing on their pricing structure, the user feedback available, and the strong regulatory framework that underpins their global operations, all explained in simple terms.
Live Spreads: Raw Account Offers Competitive Trading Costs
A primary expense when trading is the spread, which is simply the difference between the immediate buy and sell price of an asset. IC Markets offers different account structures that affect this cost. Their Standard account typically includes all charges within the spread itself, making it commission free. For those seeking tighter spreads, the Raw Spread account offers pricing closer to the core market rates but adds a separate, fixed commission for each trade.
The live data presented in the table above suggests that IC Markets provides very competitive pricing, especially on their Raw Spread account, which is often highlighted for its low costs on major currency pairs and gold. To see how IC Markets compares with other specific brokers or for different instruments, you can use the orange 'Edit' button to customise the display.
IC Markets Overall rating
Rating | Weight | |
User Rating |
4.8 (852 reviews)
|
3 |
Popularity |
5.0
|
3 |
Regulation |
5.0
|
2 |
Pricing rating |
5.0
|
1 |
Features |
5.0
|
1 |
Customer Support |
5.0
|
1 |
On RebateKingFX, IC Markets holds a strong overall rating, which is significantly supported by positive user feedback and a top-tier score for regulation. Having been in operation since 2007, they are a well-established and popular choice for traders globally. Their high rating for pricing also aligns with user comments about competitive costs and the good value offered through their various trading accounts.
Regulation: Top Tier Oversight from ASIC, CySEC & More
Company | Licenses & Regulations | Segregated Client Money | Deposit Compensation Scheme | Negative Balance Protection | Rebates | Max. Leverage Retail Clients |
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International Capital Markets Pty Ltd |
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30 : 1 | |
IC Markets (EU) Ltd |
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30 : 1 | |
Raw Trading Ltd |
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1000 : 1 |
IC Markets is well regarded for its robust regulatory foundation, holding authorisations from several financial authorities across the globe. This includes respected top-tier regulators like the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). They also hold a licence from the FSA in Seychelles.
This multi-entity structure means that clients are placed under different regulatory environments based on their location. Clients registered under ASIC or CySEC benefit from stringent oversight, including retail leverage limits on major forex pairs and access to investor protection schemes like the ICF in Cyprus (covering up to €20,000). In contrast, clients under the FSA in Seychelles can often access higher leverage but operate outside these specific compensation frameworks.
Available Assets: Over 2,500 Instruments Including Shares & Crypto
Traders at IC Markets have access to an exceptionally wide array of financial markets. Their offering includes a vast selection of forex pairs, CFDs on global stock indices, energy products like oil, precious metals such as gold and silver, bonds, a variety of cryptocurrencies, and an extensive portfolio of over 2,000 international company shares.
You can use the live symbol search tool above to explore the complete, up-to-date list of instruments. It's important to remember that these are predominantly traded as CFDs (Contracts for Difference). This method of speculating on price movements uses leverage, which can amplify gains but also significantly increases the risk of loss.
Live Swap Rates: Competitive Overnight Charges
Holding trading positions open from one day to the next typically involves swap rates. These are daily financing adjustments, which can be either a charge or a credit to your account, based on the instrument, your trade direction, and prevailing interest rates. IC Markets' swap rates are known to be generally competitive.
As is standard industry practice, a triple swap adjustment is usually applied mid-week (often on a Wednesday) to account for holding a position over the weekend. The data shown in the table above is sourced from live accounts. To compare the swap rates for IC Markets against other brokers or for different symbols, you can use the orange 'Edit' button.
Trading Platforms: Great Selection including TradingView
Platform | Main Benefits | Points to Note |
---|---|---|
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) |
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MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
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cTrader |
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TradingView |
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IC Markets stands out with its excellent range of platform choices. Clients can use the globally popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, the intuitive cTrader platform, and also connect their account to the powerful charting tools of TradingView. This selection caters to nearly every type of trader, from beginners to experienced professionals.
Deposits/Withdrawals: Broad Options with No Fees
Payment Method | Typical Deposit Time | Fee Stated by IC Markets | Common Base Currencies |
---|---|---|---|
Bank Wire | 2-5 business days | None* | AUD, USD, JPY, EUR, NZD, SGD, GBP, CAD, CHF |
Credit/Debit Cards | Instant | None | AUD, USD, JPY, EUR, NZD, SGD, GBP, CAD |
PayPal | Instant | None | AUD, USD, JPY, EUR, NZD, SGD, GBP, CAD, HKD, CHF |
Skrill / Neteller | Instant | None | USD, AUD, GBP, EUR, CAD, SGD, JPY |
Regional Methods (BPAY, POLi etc.) | Varies (Often Instant) | None | Regional currencies (e.g., AUD) |
IC Markets provides a diverse selection of methods for funding your account and withdrawing profits. These include traditional bank transfers, major credit and debit cards, popular e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill and Neteller, and a variety of local payment solutions.
IC Markets typically does not charge its own fees for deposits or withdrawals. It's important to be aware, though, that third-party payment services or intermediary banks (*) may apply their own charges. For the most up-to-date information on methods and any fees, always check the official IC Markets website.
Leverage: Up to 1:1000 via Offshore Entities
The maximum leverage available with IC Markets is directly tied to the regulatory authority overseeing your account. Clients registered under stricter regulators like ASIC (Australia) or CySEC (Cyprus) will typically have leverage capped at 1:30 for major forex pairs, in line with retail client protection standards.
Accounts held with the entity regulated by the FSA in Seychelles can often access much higher leverage, potentially up to 1:1000. While this can increase trading power from a smaller capital base, it equally amplifies the risk of loss, requiring careful risk management.
IC Markets Profile
Company Name | International Capital Markets Pty Ltd |
Categories | Forex Brokers, Cryptocurrency Brokers, Forex Rebates, Cryptocurrency Rebates |
Primary Category | Forex Brokers |
Year Founded | 2007 |
Headquarters | Australia |
Office Locations | Australia, China |
Account Currency | AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, JPY, NZD, SGD, USD, HKD |
Client funds bank | National Australian Bank (NAB), Westpac Banking Corporation |
Support Languages | Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese, English, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Malay, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Czech, Croatian |
Funding Methods | Bank Wire, BPAY, Broker to Broker, China Union Pay, Credit Card, FasaPay, Neteller, PayPal, POLi, Skrill, Klarna, RapidPay |
Financial Instruments | Futures, Forex, Shares, Indices, Bonds, Oil/Energies, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Soft Commodities (coffee, sugar...) |
Prohibited Countries | Afghanistan, Angola, American Samoa, Australia, Belarus, Central African Republic, Congo, Ivory Coast, Cook Islands, Cuba, Gambia, Guinea, Guam, Guinea Bissau, Israel, Iraq, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Northern Mariana Islands, Martinique, New Caledonia, Niue, New Zealand, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Russia, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Somalia, Syria, Tokelau, United States, Virgin Islands, U.s., Wallis and Futuna, Yemen, Mayotte, Zimbabwe, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Republic Of The Congo, Saint Barthelemy, Sint Maarten, South Sudan |
The IC Markets profile on RebateKingFX offers a comprehensive summary of the broker's key details. It outlines the available account base currencies, lists the many deposit and withdrawal methods, and highlights the languages supported. You can also find vital information regarding client fund safety and a list of restricted countries.
IC Markets Promotions
IC Markets' promotional focus is generally on providing valuable tools for traders rather than large welcome bonuses. Their main ongoing offer is usually Free VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting for eligible clients who meet certain trading volume criteria. This is particularly useful for traders running automated strategies 24/7. For the latest details on the VPS requirements or any other special offers, it's always best to check the official IC Markets website directly.