IG Group Review 2026
The full IG Group write-up for United Kingdom traders: the kitchen inspection, the ingredient costs, the bill, and our straight verdict.
Regulation in United Kingdom
| Regulator | FCA FCA, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Licence Number | 195355 |
| Regulated Entity | IG Markets Ltd |
| 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 |
| Verify on FCA register → | 195355 |
Verdict
Cooks under FCA (licence 195355). Cover charge $0. In United Kingdom, forex leverage is capped at 1:30.
About IG Group
IG Group opened its doors in 1974 out of a kitchen in London, UK. Its menu runs to 17,000 tradeable instruments, forex pairs alongside CFDs on stocks, indices and commodities. IG Group trades publicly on the LSE:IGG. It holds licences across several jurisdictions, with the head licence carried by IG Markets Ltd under FCA.
In United Kingdom, IG Group serves as IG Markets Ltd, cleared by FCA under licence number 195355. Under FCA house rules, United Kingdom traders are poured no more than 1:30 leverage on forex pairs.
Trading Platforms
Pros
- FCA regulated, licence 195355
- 17,000+ instruments to trade
- Negative balance protection in United Kingdom
- Platforms: IG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime
- Real stock ownership (not CFD)
- Founded in 1974 (52 years operating)
- 17,000+ instruments, one of the widest menus reviewed
Cons
- Inactivity fee: GBP12/month after 2 months
- 70% of retail clients burn their fingers
- CFDs only, you trade the price, you never own the dish
Key Facts, 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?
Yes. IG Group is authorised by FCA, issued to the entity IG Markets Ltd, an authorisation you can look up for yourself on the official FCA public register.
What is the minimum deposit for IG Group in United Kingdom?
The cover charge is $0, the smallest amount United Kingdom traders need to open a live account with IG Group under FCA rules.
What leverage does IG Group offer in United Kingdom?
In United Kingdom, FCA rules cap IG Group at 1:30 on forex pairs. A larger pour is sometimes available through offshore-regulated entities, with thinner protection to match.
Is IG Group safe to trade with?
The kitchen passes inspection: IG Group cooks under FCA. A tier-1 regulator insists on segregated client money, negative balance protection and independent audits, while lighter offshore regimes offer weaker cover and often no compensation scheme. That does not make trading risk-free, so check which entity holds your account and what protections actually apply before you deposit.
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