IC Markets Review (2026)
High-volume raw-spread ECN broker popular with scalpers and EAs.
Licences: ASIC, CySEC, FSA — the exact entity (and protection) depends on your country. See licence evidence ↓
The 60-second verdict
IC Markets scores 88/100 on our method — best suited to low fees, scalping & eas, raw spreads traders, and a weaker fit if you want total beginners wanting simplicity.
Best for
- Low fees
- Scalping & EAs
- Raw spreads
Not best for
- Total beginners wanting simplicity
- US residents
Score breakdown
Affiliate commission is weighted 0% and never affects this score.
Regulation & legal entities
| Regulators | ASIC — Australia, licence 335692 (Tier 1)Verified on registerchecked 2026-09-14 CySEC — Cyprus, licence 362/18 (Tier 2)Verified on registerchecked 2026-06-19 FSA — Seychelles, licence SD018 (Tier 3)Verified on registerchecked 2026-09-14 |
| Segregated client fundsSegregated fundsClient money held in bank accounts kept separate from the broker's own funds, so it isn't used to run the business and is easier to return if the firm fails. | Yes |
| Compensation scheme | ICF up to €20,000 (CySEC clients) |
| Negative-balance protectionNegative-balance protectionA safeguard that stops your account going below zero, so you can't end up owing the broker more than you deposited. Mandatory for retail clients in some regions. | Yes, for retail clients where required/applicable by region |
Source: our licence-evidence log — status shown per licenceConfirm licence numbers on the official register before depositing.
Is IC Markets regulated? Full register check, entity by entity →
Which IC Markets entity would onboard you?
The brand is not the counterparty — the legal entity on your client agreement sets your regulator, protections and terms. These are the entities we track for this broker.
| Legal entity | Regulator | Typically onboards | Protection notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IC Markets (KE) Limited Kenya | CMA (Kenya) (Tier 2) | KE | No compensation scheme identified |
| IC Markets (EU) Ltd Cyprus (EU/EEA) | CySEC (Tier 2) | IE, DE, FR, ES, IT, NL, BE, AT, PT, PL, SE, DK, FI, GR, CZ, HU, RO, BG, HR, SK, SI, EE, LV, LT, LU, MT, CY, IS, LI, NO | ICF — up to €20,000 if the firm fails (not for trading losses) |
| International Capital Markets Pty Ltd Australia | ASIC (Tier 1) | AU | No retail investor compensation scheme in Australia. |
| Raw Trading Ltd (trading as IC Markets Global) Seychelles | FSA Seychelles (Tier 3) | Most other countries (rest-of-world default) | No compensation scheme. · No NBP |
See which entity likely applies to your country with the entity checker — and always confirm the entity named on your client agreement at signup.
Fees & spreads
| Typical spreadSpreadThe gap between the buy (ask) and sell (bid) price. It's a core trading cost — tighter spreads are cheaper for you. (EUR/USD) | from 0 pips |
| CommissionCommissionA flat per-trade fee, common on raw/ECN accounts that show tighter spreads. Always compare spread + commission together as the all-in cost. | $7 per lot |
| Minimum deposit | $200 |
| Inactivity fee | None |
| All-in cost index | $···· (1/5) |
Figures are typical published values, not live quotes. Costs and charges may vary depending on the jurisdiction, account type and entity that holds your account.
Pros
- Very low raw spreads with deep liquidity, suited to scalping and automated strategies
- ASIC + CySEC regulation with segregated client funds
- Wide platform choice (MT4/MT5/cTrader) and fast execution
Cons
- Many clients are onboarded under the offshore (Seychelles) entity — weaker protection
- No US clients; CFD-based share access, not real ownership
This figure belongs to a legal entity, not to the brand, and each entity reports its own. See how IC Markets compares in our CFD loss-rate study, read verbatim from the brokers' own sites.
Products shown are offered as CFDs unless otherwise stated. Crypto CFDs do not provide ownership of the underlying cryptoasset. Product availability varies by region.
Complaints & track record
Long-established, high-volume broker with a strong reputation among active traders. Check which entity onboards you — protection differs by region.
IC Markets — common questions
Is IC Markets regulated?
IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), FSA (Seychelles). Client funds are held in segregated accounts, with ICF up to €20,000 (CySEC clients). The applicable licence and investor-protection scheme depend on the legal entity that onboards you, which varies by country — confirm the specific licence on the regulator's official register before depositing.
What is the minimum deposit at IC Markets?
IC Markets minimum deposit is $200. Deposit methods include Card, Bank transfer, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller. Available payment methods may vary depending on your jurisdiction, and depending on the payment method, third-party or bank charges may apply.
How long do withdrawals take at IC Markets?
Typical withdrawal time is Same – next day. Actual speed depends on your payment method and identity verification.
Is IC Markets good for beginners?
IC Markets is better suited to traders with some experience (beginner score 74/100). Beginners may prefer a simpler, lower-risk platform.
How does Clarytrade make money from this review?
If you open an account through our link, IC Markets pays us a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not affect our score — commission is weighted 0% in our method.
This is a research-based review. We use published broker information, regulatory registers, pricing disclosures and platform documentation, scored against our published 8-criteria method— we don't claim live account testing unless stated. Figures are indicative; verify current terms with IC Markets before depositing. We earn a commission if you open an account through our links — at no extra cost to you. It does not change our rankings. How we make money.
We earn a commission if you open an account through our links — at no extra cost to you. It does not change our rankings. How we make money.
