Is IC Markets a Scam or Legit?
IC Markets holds a valid ASIC licence. The number is public and verifiable.
IC Markets is regulated under ASIC licence 335692, issued to International Capital Markets Pty Ltd. This licence appears in the ASIC public register. IC Markets has been operating since 2007 — 19 years. Scam operations do not maintain long-term regulated status.
The ASIC registration
| Regulator | ASIC |
| Licence number | 335692 ✓ |
| Registered entity | International Capital Markets Pty Ltd |
| Status | Authorised |
| Register | asic.gov.au/online-services/search-asic-s-registers |
| Years regulated | 19+ |
What ASIC regulation means for you
ASIC-regulated brokers must maintain segregated client funds, meet strict capital requirements, and comply with Australian financial services law. Australia does not have a government-backed compensation scheme like the FSCS, but ASIC enforces high conduct standards.
All regulatory licences
IC Markets holds 3 regulatory licences across different jurisdictions. The entity that applies to your account depends on your country of residence.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity | Max leverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASIC | 335692 | International Capital Markets Pty Ltd | 1:30 max |
| CySEC | 362/18 | IC Markets (EU) Ltd | 1:30 max |
| FSA | SD018 | Raw Trading Ltd | 1:500 max |
How to verify IC Markets yourself
Go to asic.gov.au/online-services/search-asic-s-registers. Enter the licence number 335692 or search by entity name International Capital Markets Pty Ltd. The result should show the entity name, authorisation status, and the specific regulated activities it is permitted to conduct.
This takes under a minute. If a broker cannot be found on the relevant regulator's register, that is a serious warning sign. All legitimate regulated brokers appear there.
Common complaints and what they mean
IC Markets complaints are mainly about swap rates on overnight positions, which are disclosed and standard. Some complaints about requotes during news events — less common on ECN accounts than Standard accounts. Withdrawal times are 1 to 3 days.
None of these patterns indicate fraud. They are the normal complaints of a commercial brokerage enforcing its terms. Real forex scams operate without any regulatory licence, refuse all withdrawals, and disappear with client funds. That is not the profile of IC Markets.
Red flags that would indicate a real scam
When researching any broker, watch for these genuine warning signs:
- No licence number listed, or a licence that cannot be found on the official register
- Pressure to deposit more money to unlock withdrawals
- Promises of guaranteed returns or "risk-free" trading
- Platform that only shows profits, never losses
- No physical address or contact information
- Licence from a regulator you have never heard of that has no official website
None of these apply to IC Markets. Its ASIC licence 335692 is publicly verifiable, it has disclosed offices in Sydney, Australia, and it has operated continuously since 2007.
Frequently asked questions
Is IC Markets safe to deposit money with?
IC Markets is ASIC-regulated and client funds are held in segregated accounts. ASIC requires segregated client funds and strict capital requirements. This does not eliminate trading risk, but it protects funds from broker insolvency.
Why do people ask if IC Markets is a scam?
Most forex scam searches come from traders who lost money trading. CFD trading is high-risk — 73% of IC Markets retail clients lose money. Losing money on a legitimate platform does not make it a scam. Scams refuse all withdrawals and disappear. IC Markets has processed billions in withdrawals over 19 years of operation.
Is IC Markets regulated in my country?
IC Markets holds licences covering 51 countries across 3 regulatory jurisdictions. The entity serving your account depends on your country. Check the full licence table above to find which entity applies to your region.
What happens to my money if IC Markets goes bankrupt?
ASIC-regulated brokers must hold client funds in segregated bank accounts entirely separate from company operating funds. This means your deposits cannot be used to pay the broker's business creditors if it becomes insolvent.