IC Markets is a leading Australian-based online trading broker known for its ultra-low spreads, fast execution speeds, and advanced trading technology. Founded in 2007, IC Markets has become one of the preferred brokers for scalpers, day traders, and algorithmic traders due to its ECN/STP trading environment and institutional-grade liquidity.
Company Profile
Establishment: IC Markets (International Capital Markets) was founded in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. The company was created with the goal of providing traders with access to the same pricing and execution quality that was previously only available to institutional investors.
Regulation: IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) through its entity IC Markets (EU), and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles. This multi-jurisdictional regulation provides a solid framework of trust and compliance.
Trading Products
Forex: IC Markets offers over 60 currency pairs, including majors, minors, and exotics, with some of the tightest spreads available in the retail market.
Commodities: The platform provides access to commodities including gold, silver, crude oil (WTI and Brent), and natural gas.
Indices: Traders can access major global indices, including the S&P 500, NASDAQ, FTSE 100, DAX, ASX 200, and others.
Shares: IC Markets offers CFD trading on shares from major global stock exchanges, including US, Australian, and European markets.
Cryptocurrencies: The platform supports trading on popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, and others.
Bonds: IC Markets provides access to bond CFDs, including US Treasury bonds and other government bonds.
Futures: IC Markets offers futures CFDs on various commodities and indices.
Trading Platform
MetaTrader 4 (MT4): IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4 with enhanced features including faster execution and access to its deep liquidity pool. The platform supports automated trading through Expert Advisors (EAs).
MetaTrader 5 (MT5): IC Markets also provides MetaTrader 5, offering additional features such as more timeframes, additional order types, and an integrated economic calendar.
cTrader: IC Markets is one of the few brokers to offer the cTrader platform, which is known for its advanced charting capabilities, fast execution, algorithmic trading support through cAlgo, and a modern, intuitive interface.
Web and Mobile Trading: All three platforms are available in web-based and mobile versions, ensuring traders can access their accounts from any device.
Key Features
ECN/STP Execution: IC Markets operates a true ECN/STP model, connecting traders directly to the interbank market. This results in minimal slippage, ultra-fast execution, and transparent pricing.
Ultra-Low Spreads: IC Markets is renowned for its raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips on major currency pairs. The average spread on EUR/USD is consistently among the lowest in the industry.
Fast Execution: IC Markets’ servers are co-located in Equinix data centers (NY4 and LD5), ensuring ultra-low latency and fast order execution. Average execution speed is under 40 milliseconds.
Deep Liquidity: IC Markets aggregates liquidity from multiple tier-1 banks and liquidity providers, ensuring tight spreads and minimal slippage even during volatile market conditions.
Free VPS: IC Markets offers a free Virtual Private Server (VPS) to eligible traders, ensuring uninterrupted automated trading with minimal latency.
No Dealing Desk: IC Markets operates a no dealing desk (NDD) model, eliminating any conflict of interest between the broker and its clients.
Education and Support
Educational Resources: IC Markets provides educational content including trading guides, video tutorials, webinars, and market analysis reports. The platform also maintains a comprehensive blog with regular market insights.
Customer Support: IC Markets offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone. The support team is available in multiple languages and is known for its responsiveness.
Trading Terms
Spreads and Commissions: IC Markets offers two main pricing models. Raw Spread accounts offer spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side (or $3.00 per lot per side on cTrader). Standard accounts offer spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission.
Deposit and Withdrawal Options: IC Markets supports various payment methods, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, and other e-wallets. There are no deposit fees charged by the broker.
Minimum Deposit: IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200 to open a live trading account.
Risk Management
Stop-Loss Orders: IC Markets provides comprehensive risk management tools, including stop-loss, take-profit, and trailing stop orders.
Negative Balance Protection: IC Markets offers negative balance protection, ensuring that traders’ accounts cannot go into a negative balance.
Pros
- Ultra-Low Spreads: Raw spreads from 0.0 pips make IC Markets one of the most cost-effective brokers for high-volume traders.
- Fast Execution: Co-located servers in Equinix data centers ensure ultra-low latency and rapid order execution.
- Multiple Platforms: Access to MT4, MT5, and cTrader provides flexibility for all types of traders.
- True ECN Environment: The NDD/ECN model ensures transparent pricing and no conflict of interest.
- Scalping and EA Friendly: IC Markets welcomes scalpers and automated trading, with no restrictions on trading strategies.
Cons
- Higher Minimum Deposit: The $200 minimum deposit is higher than some competitors, which may be a barrier for beginner traders.
- Limited Educational Content: While adequate, IC Markets’ educational resources are not as comprehensive as those offered by some competitor brokers.
- No Proprietary Platform: IC Markets relies entirely on third-party platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader) and does not offer a proprietary trading platform.
- No Social Trading: IC Markets does not offer built-in social or copy trading features.
Conclusion
IC Markets is an outstanding choice for experienced traders, scalpers, and algorithmic traders who demand the best execution, lowest spreads, and deepest liquidity. Its true ECN environment and multiple platform options make it one of the top brokers in the industry. However, beginners may find the higher minimum deposit and limited educational resources less appealing. As always, understanding the risks involved in trading and using effective risk management tools is essential for long-term success.
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