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.
What's on the menu
IC Markets has been serving since 2007, with the kitchen based in Sydney, Australia. The firm is privately held. The order book runs deep: 2,250 CFD instruments spanning forex, indices, commodities and crypto. Everything here is a contract for difference, so you are trading the price move, not owning the underlying dish.
MetaTrader comes plated on every account type. There is no copy-trading option here.
| 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 |
Kitchen inspection: 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 |
Want to inspect the kitchen yourself? Pull up asic.gov.au/online-services/search-asic-s-registers and look up the ASIC licence. The listing lays out the entity name, its authorisation status and the full list of what it is cleared to do. A minute, tops.
Ready to open an account?
IC Markets - ASIC regulated, min deposit $200, 2,250+ instruments.
Ingredient costs: IC Markets spreads
Here is what the raw ingredients cost on a standard IC Markets account. Spreads breathe with the market and with your account tier; step up to an ECN or raw-spread table and the spread shrinks, but a per-trade commission joins the bill.
| 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 |
That EUR/USD figure of 0.8 (std) / 0.02 (raw) pips is a fair price to pay on a commission-free account.
The bill: IC Markets withdrawal fee and timing
Cost to take money out: None. IC Markets does not charge withdrawal fees. Your bank or payment provider may charge their own fees.
How long it takes: 1 to 2 business days. IC Markets is known for fast processing. Most withdrawals are completed within 24 hours of request.
No cash leaves the till until your identity checks out. If your proof of ID and address are not yet filed and cleared, the payout waits; once you are fully verified, cash-outs follow the timings shown above.
The cover charge by entity
The opening deposit at IC Markets depends on which entity seats your country. Offshore branches tend to set a smaller cover charge, but you dine with a thinner layer of 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 kitchens hold real licences, so neither is a bad table. Pull up a chair at IC Markets if you value MetaTrader and running algorithms. Pepperstone plates up better for anyone who leans on its particular regulated-entity coverage.
The licences, line by line
| ASIC | 335692, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd |
| CySEC | 362/18, IC Markets (EU) Ltd |
| FSA | SD018, Raw Trading Ltd |
Under ESMA house rules, retail traders in the EU and UK are served leverage no higher than 1:30 on the major forex pairs. The offshore entity will pour up to 1:500, but that comes with a lighter seal of protection.
What tastes good, what leaves a bad aftertaste
Cooked well
- ASIC regulated
- EUR/USD from 0.0 pips (ECN)
- MT4, MT5, cTrader
- 2,250+ instruments
- True ECN execution
- No inactivity fee
Sent back
- $200 minimum deposit (higher than most)
- No real stocks
- No copy trading
- Not available in US, Canada
Compare IC Markets before you commit
4.6/5 rating - ASIC regulated - min deposit $200
The verdict
Nothing on the plate here is fake: IC Markets is a genuine, regulated broker, and ASIC licence 335692 checks out on the public register. The table is set best for traders who want MetaTrader served on a regulated platform. We rate it 4.6 out of 5.
Other tables worth a look
If IC Markets is not quite to your taste, these regulated kitchens 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. The kitchen holds ASIC licence 335692, and you can confirm it for yourself on the official register.
What is the IC Markets minimum deposit?
The cover charge is $200 at the main regulated entity. Offshore branches may plate it differently, so check the entity table above for the full spread.
What is the IC Markets EUR/USD spread?
On a standard IC Markets account the EUR/USD ingredient runs about 0.8 (std) / 0.02 (raw) pips. It moves with the market; an ECN or raw table trims the spread in exchange for a per-trade commission.
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. Both MT4 and MT5 are on the menu across every account type, so automated strategies, custom indicators and expert advisors are all on the table.