IG Group Review 2026
Full IG Group review for Australia traders — regulation, spreads, fees and our honest verdict.
Regulation in Australia
| Regulator | ASIC ASIC — Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) |
| Licence Number | 220440 |
| Regulated Entity | IG Markets Ltd (AU) |
| Max Leverage (Forex) | 1:30 |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| EUR/USD Spread | From 0.6 pips |
| Instruments | 17,000+ |
| Platforms | IG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime |
| Copy Trading | ✗ |
| Real Stocks | ✓ |
| Inactivity fee | Inactivity fee: GBP12/month after 2 months |
Verdict
Regulated by ASIC (licence 220440). Minimum deposit $0. In Australia: maximum forex leverage 1:30.
About IG Group
IG Group was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in London, UK. The broker offers 17,000 tradeable instruments including forex pairs, CFDs on stocks, indices and commodities. IG Group is publicly listed on the LSE:IGG. It is regulated across multiple jurisdictions with a primary licence held by IG Markets Ltd (AU) under ASIC.
In Australia, IG Group operates as IG Markets Ltd (AU), authorised by ASIC under licence number 220440. Australia traders are subject to a maximum leverage of 1:30 on forex pairs under ASIC rules.
Trading Platforms
Pros
- ASIC regulated — licence 220440
- 17,000+ instruments to trade
- Negative balance protection in Australia
- Platforms: IG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime
- Real stock ownership (not CFD)
Cons
- Inactivity fee: GBP12/month after 2 months
- 70% of retail clients lose money
- CFD trading — you do not own the underlying asset
Key Facts About IG Group
- Oldest CFD broker in the world — founded London 1974 as IG Index
- Listed on London Stock Exchange (ticker: IGG), £2.8bn market cap as of 2026
- Offers share dealing, ISA and SIPP accounts alongside CFD/spread betting — rare for a CFD broker
Known Limitations
- Spreads on minor/exotic pairs significantly wider than raw-spread ECN brokers
- Complex fee structure with tiered commissions on shares
- Platform can be overwhelming for beginners
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IG Group regulated?
IG Group holds ASIC licence 220440, issued to the regulated entity {entity}. This is a real, verifiable licence recorded in the official ASIC public register.
What is the minimum deposit for IG Group in Australia?
The minimum deposit is $0. This is the amount required to open a live trading account for traders in Australia under ASIC regulation.
What leverage does IG Group offer in Australia?
In Australia, IG Group offers maximum forex leverage of 1:30 under ASIC rules. Higher leverage may be available through offshore-regulated entities.
Is IG Group safe to trade with?
IG Group is regulated by ASIC, which requires segregated client funds, negative balance protection and independent audits. Regulation does not eliminate trading risk, but it provides meaningful investor protection.
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