IG Group Review 2026
Full IG Group review for South Africa traders — regulation, spreads, fees and our honest verdict.
Regulation in South Africa
| Regulator | FSCA — Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) |
| Licence Number | 41393 |
| Regulated Entity | IG Markets South Africa Ltd |
| Max Leverage (Forex) | 1:400 |
| 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 FSCA (licence 41393). Minimum deposit $0. In South Africa: maximum forex leverage 1:400.
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 South Africa Ltd under FSCA.
In South Africa, IG Group operates as IG Markets South Africa Ltd, authorised by FSCA under licence number 41393. South Africa traders are subject to a maximum leverage of 1:400 on forex pairs under FSCA rules.
Trading Platforms
Pros
- FSCA regulated — licence 41393
- 17,000+ instruments to trade
- Negative balance protection in South Africa
- 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 FSCA licence 41393, issued to the regulated entity {entity}. This is a real, verifiable licence recorded in the official FSCA public register.
What is the minimum deposit for IG Group in South Africa?
The minimum deposit is $0. This is the amount required to open a live trading account for traders in South Africa under FSCA regulation.
What leverage does IG Group offer in South Africa?
In South Africa, IG Group offers maximum forex leverage of 1:400 under FSCA rules. Higher leverage may be available through offshore-regulated entities.
Is IG Group safe to trade with?
IG Group is regulated by FSCA, 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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