IG Group Review 2026
The full IG Group write-up for New Zealand traders: the kitchen inspection, the ingredient costs, the bill, and our straight verdict.
Regulation in New Zealand
| 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 |
| Verify on ASIC register → | 220440 |
Verdict
Cooks under ASIC (licence 220440). Cover charge $0. In New Zealand, 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 (AU) under ASIC.
In New Zealand, IG Group serves as IG Markets Ltd (AU), cleared by ASIC under licence number 220440. Under ASIC house rules, New Zealand traders are poured no more than 1:30 leverage on forex pairs.
Trading Platforms
Pros
- ASIC regulated, licence 220440
- 17,000+ instruments to trade
- Negative balance protection in New Zealand
- 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 ASIC, issued to the entity IG Markets Ltd (AU), an authorisation you can look up for yourself on the official ASIC public register.
What is the minimum deposit for IG Group in New Zealand?
The cover charge is $0, the smallest amount New Zealand traders need to open a live account with IG Group under ASIC rules.
What leverage does IG Group offer in New Zealand?
In New Zealand, ASIC 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 ASIC. 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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