Company profile
Quick IG Review SummaryFounded in1974Registered inUnited KingdomRegulationASIC, FCA, FSA, FMA, MAS, DFSAMarket instruments17,000+, forex, indices, shares, commodities, cryptocurrenciesDemo Account✅($20,000 virtual funds)Min Deposit$0LeverageUp to 1:400EUR/USD SpreadFrom 0.6 pipsTrading platformL2 dealer, ProRealTime, MT4, TradingViewCopy Trading✅Payment MethodCredit/debit cards, bank transferCustomer Service24 hours a day, except 6 am - 4pm on Saturday (UTC+8) - live chatRegional RestrictionsUSAGeneral Information IG is a UK-registered company and regulated by multiple international financial bodies, including the ASIC, FCA, FSA, FMA, MAS, and DFSA. It offers access to a 17,000+ markets, including forex, indices, shares, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. The company provides multiple trading platforms, including L2 dealer, ProRealTime, MT4, and TradingView.What Type of Broker Is IG? IG is a Market Making (MM) broker, which means that it acts as a counterparty to its clients in trading operations. That is, instead of connecting directly to the market, IG acts as an intermediary and takes the opposite position to its clients. As such, it can offer faster order execution speed, tighter spreads and greater flexibility in terms of offering leverage. However, this also means that IG has a certain conflict of interest with their clients, as their profits come from the difference between the bid and ask price of assets, which could lead to them making decisions that are not necessarily in the best interest of their clients. It is important for traders to be aware of this dynamic when trading with IG or any other MM broker.Pros and Cons of IG Pros:Wide variety of markets and instrument optionsIntuitive and customizable trading platformsAccess to advanced technical analysis and charting toolsMultilingual, multi-channel customer serviceDemo account with virtual financing of $20,000No minimum deposit requirement for real accountsLeverage up to 1:400 Cons:Fees and costs may not be clearly specifiedWithdrawal of funds is not clearly specifiedThe minimum transaction amount is high for some marketsCredit card deposit fees are high compared to other brokersIs IG Legit? Yes. IG is currently regulated by multiple regulatory authorities, including ASIC (Australia), FCA (UK), FSA (Japan), FMA (New Zealand), MAS (Singapore), and DFSA (UAE).Regulated CountryRegulatorRegulated EntityLicense TypeLicense No.Australia Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC)IG AUSTRALIA PTY LTDMarket Making (MM)515106Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)IG MARKETS LIMITEDMarket Making (MM)195355Financial Services Agency (FSA)IG証券株式会社Retail Forex License関東財務局長(金商)第255号Financial Markets Authority (FMA)IG AUSTRALIA PTY LTDStraight Through Processing (STP)684191Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)IG ASIA PTE LTDRetail Forex LicenseUnreleasedDubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)United Arab EmiratesRetail Forex LicenseF001780Market Instruments IG offers access to 17,000+ markets, covering forex, indices, shares, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.Tradable Instruments Supported Forex✔Shares✔Indices✔Commodities✔Thematic and basket✔Options✔Futures✔Spot✔Cryptocurrencies✔Bonds❌ETFs❌Mutual Funds❌Account Type IG offers a single live account withno minimum deposit required. Aside from live accounts, demo accounts are also available. IG's demo account is a very useful tool for beginner traders, as it allows them to trade in a safe and risk-free environment. With IG's virtual funding of $20,000, traders can practice and hone their trading skills without risking their capital. In addition, the IG demo account provides access to the trading platform and all the instruments and tools available in the live account, allowing traders to familiarize themselves with the platform and test different trading strategies.Leverage As for the maximum leverage dimension at IG, the company offers a maximum leverage of up to 1:400. This means that traders can open positions that are 400 times larger than their available capital. Leverage can be a powerful tool for experienced traders, as it allows them to earn higher profits with limited capital. However, it can also significantly increase the risk of loss and it is important that traders fully understand the risks and limitations of leverage before using it.Spread and Commission In terms of costs, IG offers competitive, with EUR/USD spread starting from 0.6 pips. However, there is not much information available on commissions, which may create uncertainty for some traders. In addition, it is important to note that costs may be higher in less liquid markets or with lower trading volume.Trading Platform IG offers various trading platforms to meet the needs of different types of traders. The web-based platform is intuitive and easy to use, although it may be less customizable than other platforms. They also offer MetaTrader 4, a popular and well-known platform in the forex industry. For experienced traders, L2 Dealer offers a wide range of advanced tools and functionalities. However, this platform can be more complicated for beginner traders. Mobile apps are available for iOS and Android, allowing traders to trade on the go.Deposit and Withdrawal The minimum deposit for card payment is $50, and no minimum deposit required for Bank Transfer. Deposit options including immediate credit/debit card transactions upon card registration, with up to five cards permissible per account. For Hong Kong clients, cost-free FPS transfers in HKD are available and usually clear within one business day. Bank transfers are also supported. Always include your account ID as a reference to ensure prompt and accurate allocation of funds. However, fees of 1% are charged on Visa deposits and 0.5% on Mastercard deposits. Unfortunately, there is no detailed information on withdrawal of funds, which may be a drawback for some customers. IG Markets enables convenient funding through its mobile app, accessible under the 'add funds' section for both iPhone and Android users. Additionally, transfers can be made via Wise (formerly TransferWise), though users should check for any associated fees as IG Markets is not affiliated with Wise. For Wise transfers, proof of transaction and account details may be required.Conclusion In conclusion, IG is a well-established and regulated trading platform that offers a wide variety of financial instruments, an intuitive web platform and access to MetaTrader 4 and L2 Dealer. Although its demo account offers generous virtual funding, information on live accounts is limited. Multilingual customer service is available through multiple channels. However, there is very limited information on deposit and withdrawal.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is the minimum deposit required to open an account with IG? No minimum deposit requirement. What deposit methods are accepted on IG? IG accepts deposits through credit/debit cards and bank transfers. What is the maximum leverage offered by IG? 1:400. What trading platforms does IG offer? IG offers L2 dealer, ProRealTime, MT4, and TradingView.Risk Warning Trading online carries inherent risks, including the potential loss of invested capital. It may not be suitable for all traders or investors. It's essential to understand and acknowledge these risks before engaging in online trading.
FX2958852652
Hong Kong
As a user of the IG Forex trading platform for ten years, my honest evaluation can be summarized as follows. The IG platform is regulated by strict authorities such as the UK FCA and the Australian ASIC. It has a well-established fund segregation system and high security. I have been using it for a long time without encountering any financial risks. The platform covers a wide range of products including Forex, stock indices, and commodities, meeting diverse investment needs. The trading system is stable, with better slippage control than most platforms. In particular, the professional tools and market analysis resources are significantly helpful for experienced traders. In the "Swiss Franc Black Swan" event in 2015, IG prioritized managing its own risks, resulting in significant losses due to delayed customer stop-loss orders. Although it was compliant, it exposed conflicts of interest and caused a trust crisis. IG is suitable for long-term investors who prioritize compliance and security, especially for users familiar with the international market. However, it may pose obstacles for high-frequency traders or retail traders who rely on MT4, due to technical issues and high costs. Over the past ten years, its core advantages have remained unchanged, but it is necessary to be cautious of risk management deficiencies in extreme market conditions and consider the cost of use for users.
Neutral
04-08