IG Group Review 2026
The full IG Group write-up for South Africa traders: the kitchen inspection, the ingredient costs, the bill, and our straight 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 |
| Verify on FSCA register → | 41393 |
Verdict
Cooks under FSCA (licence 41393). Cover charge $0. In South Africa, forex leverage is capped at 1:400.
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 South Africa Ltd under FSCA.
In South Africa, IG Group serves as IG Markets South Africa Ltd, cleared by FSCA under licence number 41393. Under FSCA house rules, South Africa traders are poured no more than 1:400 leverage on forex pairs.
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)
- 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 FSCA, issued to the entity IG Markets South Africa Ltd, an authorisation you can look up for yourself on the official FSCA public register.
What is the minimum deposit for IG Group in South Africa?
The cover charge is $0, the smallest amount South Africa traders need to open a live account with IG Group under FSCA rules.
What leverage does IG Group offer in South Africa?
In South Africa, FSCA rules cap IG Group at 1:400 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 FSCA. 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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