IC Markets, officially known as International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, was founded in 2007. The broker is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with additional offices in Cyprus and Seychelles. IC Markets operates as a privately held company and has established itself as a prominent player in the online trading industry, catering to both retail and institutional clients.
Over the years, IC Markets has grown significantly, becoming one of the largest forex and CFD brokers globally. The company has achieved several milestones, including the launch of its advanced trading platforms and the expansion of its service offerings. IC Markets has positioned itself as a bridge between retail and institutional traders by providing access to premium pricing and superior liquidity.
The broker operates primarily in the retail forex and CFD markets, offering a variety of trading solutions tailored to meet the needs of different traders. Its business model focuses on providing a transparent trading environment with low spreads and fast execution speeds, appealing to active day traders, scalpers, and algorithmic traders.
This comprehensive overview highlights IC Markets as a reputable broker with a strong commitment to enhancing the trading experience for its clients. As a result, the IC Markets global broker is recognized for its competitive trading conditions and robust technology infrastructure.
IC Markets is regulated by several reputable authorities, ensuring a high level of investor protection and compliance with industry standards. The key regulatory bodies overseeing IC Markets include:
These licenses allow IC Markets to operate across various jurisdictions, providing services to clients globally while adhering to strict regulatory requirements.
IC Markets maintains a segregation of client funds policy, ensuring that client deposits are held in separate accounts with top-tier banks. This practice protects clients' funds from any operational risks associated with the broker's business activities.
Furthermore, IC Markets is a member of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) in Australia, which provides an additional layer of security for clients. The broker complies with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, requiring clients to provide identification and proof of residence before opening an account. This commitment to regulatory compliance underscores the broker's dedication to providing a secure trading environment for its clients.
The IC Markets global broker is thus positioned as a trustworthy and regulated entity in the financial trading landscape.
IC Markets offers an extensive range of trading products, allowing clients to diversify their portfolios across various asset classes. The key trading products available include:
Forex: IC Markets provides access to over 61 currency pairs, including major, minor, and exotic pairs. The broker offers competitive spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its raw spread accounts, making it an attractive choice for forex traders.
CFDs: The broker offers a wide selection of CFDs, including:
Indices: Traders can access 25 major global indices, allowing for speculation on stock market movements.
Commodities: IC Markets provides trading opportunities in 24 commodities, including precious metals (gold, silver), energy products (crude oil), and agricultural goods.
Cryptocurrencies: Clients can trade 21 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, among others.
Stocks: IC Markets offers over 2,100 stock CFDs from major exchanges, providing traders with the opportunity to invest in well-known companies.
Futures: The broker also allows trading in 4 global futures, further enhancing the trading options available to clients.
IC Markets continuously updates its product offerings, ensuring traders have access to the latest instruments and market trends. The broker's commitment to providing a diverse range of trading products makes it a suitable choice for various trading strategies, from casual trading to high-frequency trading.
With its extensive range of products and competitive pricing, the IC Markets global broker caters to the needs of both retail and institutional traders.
IC Markets supports multiple advanced trading platforms, providing clients with a comprehensive trading experience. The primary platforms available include:
MetaTrader 4 (MT4): Renowned for its user-friendly interface and extensive features, MT4 is widely used by forex traders. It supports automated trading through Expert Advisors (EAs) and offers a variety of technical analysis tools.
MetaTrader 5 (MT5): Building on the strengths of MT4, MT5 offers enhanced features, including additional timeframes, improved charting capabilities, and multi-asset trading functionality. It is suitable for traders looking to diversify their portfolios beyond forex.
cTrader: This platform is known for its intuitive design and advanced trading features, including Level II pricing, fast order execution, and automated trading capabilities. cTrader is particularly favored by scalpers and high-frequency traders.
TradingView: IC Markets has integrated TradingView into its offerings, allowing traders to access advanced charting tools and social trading features.
IC Markets operates on an ECN (Electronic Communications Network) model, which connects traders directly to liquidity providers, ensuring competitive spreads and fast execution speeds. The broker's servers are located in New York and London, providing low latency and high-speed connectivity.
Additionally, IC Markets supports API access for algorithmic trading, allowing traders to implement their trading strategies seamlessly. The broker also offers VPS (Virtual Private Server) services for clients who require uninterrupted connectivity for automated trading.
Overall, IC Markets provides a robust technological infrastructure that supports various trading styles, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced traders. The IC Markets global broker stands out for its commitment to delivering a superior trading experience through advanced technology.
IC Markets offers several account types tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients. The primary account options include:
Standard Account: This account is suitable for beginners and discretionary traders. It requires a minimum deposit of $200 and offers commission-free trading with spreads starting from 0.8 pips.
Raw Spread Account (MT4/MT5): Designed for active traders, this account type provides access to ultra-low spreads starting from 0.0 pips. A commission of $3.5 per lot is charged for trades executed on the MetaTrader platforms.
Raw Spread Account (cTrader): Similar to the raw spread accounts on MT4 and MT5, this account offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3 per 100k traded. It is ideal for traders who prefer using the cTrader platform.
Islamic Account: IC Markets provides swap-free accounts for clients who adhere to Islamic finance principles. These accounts maintain the same trading conditions as standard accounts but do not incur swap fees.
IC Markets offers leverage of up to 1:500, allowing traders to control larger positions with a smaller initial investment. The minimum trade size is 0.01 lots, providing flexibility for both small and large traders.
The broker does not charge any inactivity fees, and there are no additional fees for deposits or withdrawals. This transparent fee structure, combined with competitive spreads and commissions, makes IC Markets an attractive option for traders seeking cost-effective trading conditions.
With its diverse account offerings and favorable trading conditions, the IC Markets global broker caters to a wide range of trading strategies and client preferences.
IC Markets provides a variety of deposit and withdrawal options, ensuring convenience for its clients. The available deposit methods include:
The minimum deposit requirement for all account types is $200. Deposits are typically processed instantly for e-wallets and credit cards, while bank wire transfers may take 2-5 business days.
IC Markets does not charge any fees for deposits or withdrawals, although third-party payment providers may impose their charges. Withdrawal requests are processed within 1-2 business days, depending on the method chosen. Clients can withdraw funds using the same methods as deposits, ensuring a straightforward process.
The absence of fees for deposits and withdrawals, combined with a variety of payment methods, enhances the overall trading experience for clients. This commitment to efficient fund management further solidifies IC Markets' reputation as a reliable broker.
The IC Markets global broker stands out for its client-centric approach to fund management, ensuring that traders can access their funds with ease.
IC Markets offers comprehensive customer support to assist traders with their inquiries and issues. Support channels include:
IC Markets provides support in multiple languages, catering to its diverse client base. The broker also maintains a detailed FAQ section on its website to help clients find answers to common questions.
In addition to customer support, IC Markets offers a wealth of educational resources to help traders improve their skills. These resources include:
IC Markets also provides market analysis services, including daily commentary and insights into market trends. The integration of tools like Autochartist and Trading Central offers clients actionable trading ideas and signals.
With its robust customer support and diverse educational offerings, IC Markets ensures that traders have the resources they need to succeed in the financial markets.
IC Markets serves a global clientele, with a strong presence in key markets such as Australia, Europe, and Asia. The broker has established regional offices to support its international operations, enhancing its accessibility to clients worldwide.
However, IC Markets does not accept clients from certain countries due to regulatory restrictions. The following regions are excluded from IC Markets' services:
These restrictions are in place to ensure compliance with local regulations and to protect the interests of clients. IC Markets' commitment to regulatory adherence underscores its dedication to providing a secure trading environment.
In summary, the IC Markets global broker has successfully established itself as a leading trading provider, offering a wide range of services and products to meet the diverse needs of traders around the world. With its strong regulatory framework, competitive trading conditions, and comprehensive support, IC Markets continues to be a preferred choice for both new and experienced traders alike.