IC Markets (International Capital Markets) is an Australian ECN/STP broker founded in Sydney in 2007. Regulated by ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), and FSA (Seychelles), IC Markets is one of the most trusted brokers globally for high-volume traders seeking tight spreads and true ECN execution. In 2026, IC Markets remains one of the top choices for GCC traders who prioritize low trading costs over high leverage.
IC Markets at a Glance
| Founded | 2007, Sydney, Australia |
| Regulation | ASIC, CySEC, FSA (Seychelles) |
| Min Deposit | $200 |
| EUR/USD Raw Spread | Avg 0.02 pips (Raw) |
| Commission | $3.50 per lot per side ($7 round trip) |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 (Seychelles) / 1:30 (CySEC) |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader |
| Islamic Account | Yes - swap-free available |
| Inactivity Fee | None |
IC Markets Regulation and Safety
IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) - one of the strictest financial regulators globally. ASIC requires client funds to be held in segregated bank accounts, separated from company funds. IC Markets also holds a CySEC licence (Cyprus), which covers European clients with up to EUR 20,000 in investor compensation scheme protection.
UAE traders access IC Markets via the Seychelles FSA entity, which allows higher leverage (up to 1:500) but provides less investor protection than ASIC. IC Markets does not hold a DFSA or UAE CMA (formerly SCA) licence for the UAE, but ASIC regulation is widely considered one of the strongest global regulatory standards. For more on GCC forex regulation, see our GCC forex regulation guide.
IC Markets Account Types
IC Markets offers two main account types for forex trading:
| Account | Spread | Commission | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Spread (MT4/MT5) | From 0.0 pips | $3.50/lot/side | MT4, MT5 |
| Raw Spread (cTrader) | From 0.0 pips | $3.00/lot/side | cTrader |
| Standard | From 1.0 pip | None | MT4, MT5, cTrader |
The Raw Spread cTrader account is IC Markets' most cost-effective option at $3.00/lot commission ($6 round trip). For a trader doing 50 standard lots per month, that is $300 in commissions - potentially thousands less per year compared to spread-only brokers. Use our broker cost calculator to compare IC Markets versus other brokers at your trading volume.
IC Markets Spreads - The Real Numbers
IC Markets publishes average spreads from live market data. On the Raw Spread account, EUR/USD averages just 0.02 pips - essentially zero spread with a fixed commission. This is the hallmark of a true ECN broker: prices come directly from liquidity providers (major banks and institutions) with no dealing desk intervention.
Compare this with market-maker brokers where the broker widens spreads to profit from each trade. With IC Markets, the broker earns only the commission - creating an aligned incentive to give you the best possible price. Monitor live spreads across brokers with our spread comparison tool.
IC Markets Leverage for UAE Traders
Through the Seychelles FSA entity, UAE traders can access up to 1:500 leverage on major forex pairs. This is lower than some offshore brokers (Exness offers 1:2000) but still very high. Under ASIC regulation, leverage is capped at 1:30 for major pairs and 1:20 for gold. Most experienced traders rarely use more than 1:100 even when higher leverage is available. Understand your exposure with our leverage risk simulator.
IC Markets Platforms
IC Markets supports three major platforms:
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4) - The industry standard, best for algorithmic trading with EAs and custom indicators
- MetaTrader 5 (MT5) - The upgraded version with more timeframes, pending order types, and economic calendar integration
- cTrader - A professional ECN platform with depth of market (DOM), advanced order types, and the lowest commissions at IC Markets ($3.00/lot vs $3.50 on MT4/MT5)
For most UAE traders, MT4 or MT5 is the right choice due to familiarity and the large community of EAs and indicators. cTrader is better for scalpers and traders who want true level-2 pricing. See our MT4 vs MT5 vs cTrader comparison guide.
IC Markets Islamic Account
IC Markets offers swap-free Islamic accounts for Muslim traders. The Islamic account is available on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread MT4/MT5, Raw Spread cTrader). To activate, contact IC Markets support after account verification. There are no substitute administration fees on the Islamic account - the only cost difference from a standard account is the absence of swap charges. For a comparison of Islamic account options across brokers, see our Islamic forex brokers guide.
IC Markets Deposits and Withdrawals
IC Markets supports multiple funding methods accessible to UAE traders:
- Bank wire transfer - 2-5 business days
- Visa/Mastercard - Instant deposit
- Neteller, Skrill - E-wallets, instant
- Cryptocurrency (USDT) - Instant via approved third-party
- PayPal - Available in select regions
IC Markets processes most withdrawals within 1 business day. There are no withdrawal fees from IC Markets, though your bank or payment processor may charge transfer fees.
Frequently Asked Questions About IC Markets
Is IC Markets safe for UAE traders?
Yes, IC Markets is one of the safest brokers available to UAE traders. ASIC regulation (Australia) is top-tier, requiring segregated client funds, regular audits, and strict capital requirements. While UAE traders use the Seychelles entity (not ASIC), the company's reputation and 17+ years of operation without major regulatory issues make it a trusted choice. IC Markets has never had a reported case of client fund misappropriation.
What is the minimum deposit for IC Markets?
The minimum deposit for IC Markets is $200 (approximately AED 735). This applies to all account types. IC Markets targets active traders rather than beginners, which is why the minimum is higher than brokers like XM ($5) or Exness ($10).
Does IC Markets charge swap fees on Islamic accounts?
No. IC Markets' Islamic (swap-free) accounts do not charge overnight swap fees. Unlike some brokers that charge administration fees as a substitute for swaps, IC Markets does not add any replacement fee - making it genuinely swap-free and suitable for halal trading.
Is IC Markets good for scalping?
Yes. IC Markets is one of the best brokers globally for scalping due to its raw ECN spreads (avg 0.02 pips on EUR/USD), fast execution speeds (averaging 36ms), and no restrictions on scalping or high-frequency trading strategies. The cTrader account with $3.00/lot commission is the preferred option for scalpers.
How does IC Markets compare to XM for UAE traders?
IC Markets offers lower trading costs (0.0 pip raw spreads vs XM's 0.6 pip standard) but requires a higher minimum deposit ($200 vs $5) and has no inactivity fees. XM is better for beginners with small accounts; IC Markets is better for experienced traders with $1,000+ accounts doing regular volume. See our full XM vs IC Markets comparison.