IC Markets Review 2026
Lowest spreads of any regulated broker reviewed here.
Best EUR/USD spread of any major regulated broker. ECN pricing from 0.0 pips. High minimum deposit of $200 but serious value for active traders.
The basics
IC Markets was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia. It is privately owned. The broker offers CFDs on 2,250 instruments across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto. All positions are contracts for difference — there is no real asset ownership.
MetaTrader is available on all account types. Copy trading is not offered.
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia |
| Instruments | 2,250+ |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader |
| MetaTrader | Yes — MT4 and MT5 |
| Copy trading | No |
| Real stocks | No — CFDs only |
Is IC Markets safe?
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.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| ASIC | 335692 ✓ | International Capital Markets Pty Ltd |
| CySEC | 362/18 ✓ | IC Markets (EU) Ltd |
| FSA | SD018 ✓ | Raw Trading Ltd |
You can verify the ASIC licence at asic.gov.au/online-services/search-asic-s-registers. The registration shows the entity name, authorisation status, and full permissions list. It takes under a minute.
IC Markets spreads
These are the typical spreads on IC Markets's standard account. Spreads vary by market conditions and account type. ECN or raw-spread accounts offer lower spreads in exchange for a per-trade commission.
| EUR/USD | 0.8 (std) / 0.02 (raw) pips |
| GBP/USD | 1.1 / 0.04 pips |
| USD/JPY | 0.7 / 0.08 pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 20c/oz |
| S&P 500 | 0.4pt |
IC Markets's EUR/USD spread of 0.8 (std) / 0.02 (raw) pips is competitive for a retail broker without a per-trade commission.
IC Markets withdrawal fee and processing time
Fee: None. IC Markets does not charge withdrawal fees. Your bank or payment provider may charge their own fees.
Processing time: 1 to 2 business days. IC Markets is known for fast processing. Most withdrawals are completed within 24 hours of request.
Withdrawal requests must pass identity verification before processing. If your account is not yet fully verified (proof of identity and address submitted), expect additional delays. Verified accounts follow the standard processing times above.
IC Markets minimum deposit by entity
The minimum deposit depends on which IC Markets entity serves your country. Offshore entities often allow lower minimums but with less regulatory protection.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage (forex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Capital Markets Pty Ltd | ASIC 335692 | $200 | 1:30 |
| IC Markets (EU) Ltd | CySEC 362/18 | $200 | 1:30 |
| Raw Trading Ltd | FSA SD018 | $200 | 1:500 |
IC Markets vs Pepperstone
| IC Markets | Pepperstone | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC 335692 | FCA 684312 |
| Min deposit | $200 | None |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.8 (std) / 0.02 (raw) pips | 1.0 (std) / 0.09 (razor) pips |
| MetaTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Instruments | 2,250+ | 1,200+ |
| Copy trading | No | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | None | None |
Both brokers are regulated and legitimate. IC Markets suits traders who value MetaTrader and algorithmic trading. Pepperstone is better for traders who prioritise its specific regulated entity coverage.
Regulation — the numbers that matter
| ASIC | 335692 — International Capital Markets Pty Ltd |
| CySEC | 362/18 — IC Markets (EU) Ltd |
| FSA | SD018 — Raw Trading Ltd |
Leverage for retail clients in the EU and UK is capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs under ESMA rules. The offshore entity offers up to 1:500, but with lighter regulatory protection.
Pros and Cons
What works
- ASIC regulated
- EUR/USD from 0.0 pips (ECN)
- MT4, MT5, cTrader
- 2,250+ instruments
- True ECN execution
- No inactivity fee
What does not work
- $200 minimum deposit (higher than most)
- No real stocks
- No copy trading
- Not available in US, Canada
The verdict
IC Markets is a legitimate, regulated broker. The ASIC licence number 335692 is verifiable on the public register. It is best suited for traders who want MetaTrader on a regulated platform. Rating: 4.6 out of 5.
Alternatives to IC Markets
If IC Markets does not fit your needs, these regulated alternatives are worth comparing:
Frequently asked questions
Is IC Markets safe?
ASIC-regulated brokers must maintain segregated client funds, meet strict capital requirements, and comply with Australian financial services law. IC Markets holds ASIC licence 335692, which is publicly verifiable on the official register.
What is the IC Markets minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit is $200. This applies to the main regulated entity. Some offshore entities may differ. See the entity table above for full breakdown.
What is the IC Markets EUR/USD spread?
The EUR/USD spread on IC Markets standard accounts is typically 0.8 (std) / 0.02 (raw) pips. Spreads vary with market conditions. ECN or raw accounts offer lower spreads with a per-trade commission instead.
How long does IC Markets take to process withdrawals?
1 to 2 business days. IC Markets is known for fast processing. Most withdrawals are completed within 24 hours of request.
Does IC Markets charge withdrawal fees?
None. IC Markets does not charge withdrawal fees. Your bank or payment provider may charge their own fees.
Does IC Markets have MetaTrader?
Yes. IC Markets supports both MT4 and MT5 on all account types. This allows automated trading, custom indicators, and expert advisors.