IC Markets Review

Rating: 4.7/5 | Broker | Founded 2007 | Sydney, Australia

The go-to broker for serious traders. Raw spreads from 0.0 pips, deep liquidity, and institutional-grade execution make IC Markets the top choice for scalpers and high-volume traders.

Key Facts

  • Regulation: ASIC, CySEC, FSA
  • Minimum Deposit: $200
  • Spreads From: 0.0 pips (Raw), 0.6 pips (Standard)
  • Commission: $3.50 per lot per side (Raw)
  • Leverage: Up to 1:500
  • Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader
  • Instruments: 60+ Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Bonds
  • Account Types: Standard, Raw Spread
  • Deposit Methods: Bank, Card, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, Crypto
  • Withdrawal Time: 1-3 business days

Best For

  • Scalpers and high-frequency traders
  • Traders who need raw spreads
  • cTrader users
  • High-volume traders needing deep liquidity

Not Ideal For

  • Complete beginners who need educational resources
  • Traders who prefer a proprietary platform
  • Those looking for social/copy trading features

Pros

  • True raw spreads from 0.0 pips
  • Deep liquidity from multiple tier-1 providers
  • Fast execution with low latency
  • cTrader support with advanced features
  • Regulated by ASIC. Strong oversight
  • No dealing desk intervention
  • Supports automated trading and EAs

Cons

  • Limited educational resources
  • No proprietary platform
  • $200 minimum deposit is moderate
  • Research tools are basic compared to some brokers

IC Markets Spreads and Fees

IC Markets offers two account types. The Raw Spread account features spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side ($7 round turn). The Standard account has spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission. For active traders, the Raw Spread account typically offers the lowest overall trading cost. Swap rates are competitive and published transparently.

IC Markets Platforms

IC Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader. cTrader is particularly popular among IC Markets users due to its advanced charting, Level II pricing, and superior order execution. All platforms support automated trading through Expert Advisors (MT4/MT5) or cAlgo (cTrader). Mobile apps are available for all platforms.

IC Markets Regulation and Safety

IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles. Client funds are held in segregated accounts with top-tier banks. The ASIC regulation provides strong consumer protection and operational oversight.

IC Markets Execution Quality

IC Markets operates a true ECN/STP model with no dealing desk. Liquidity is sourced from over 25 providers including major banks and non-bank market makers. Average execution speed is under 40ms from their New York and London data centers. This makes IC Markets one of the fastest brokers available for retail traders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IC Markets good for scalping?

Yes. IC Markets is widely considered the best broker for scalping due to raw spreads from 0.0 pips and fast execution under 40ms.

What is the minimum deposit for IC Markets?

The minimum deposit for IC Markets is $200 for all account types.

Is IC Markets regulated?

Yes. IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), and FSA (Seychelles).

Does IC Markets support cTrader?

Yes. IC Markets is one of the most popular cTrader brokers and offers full support including cAlgo for automated trading.