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Broker Overview: IC Markets – Bridging Retail and Institutional Trading
Establishment and Expansion
IC Markets, originally registered in Sydney, Australia in 2007, was founded by a team of seasoned financial professionals with a vision to bridge the gap between retail and institutional clients. Their mission was clear: to offer the best trading solutions and decisions to traders of all levels. Over the years, IC Markets has grown exponentially and emerged as one of the premier brokerage providers in Australia. Notably, it has extended its reach to serve international and European organizations and established a dedicated support center in China.
Types of Brokerage Services Offered by IC Markets
IC Markets operates as an ECN (Electronic Communication Network) broker, specializing in offering competitive spreads sourced from over 50 different banks, with spreads starting from as low as 0 pips. This brokerage is particularly well-suited for a diverse clientele that includes large traders, scalpers, and algorithmic traders who utilize expert advisors in their trading strategies.
Regulatory Compliance
IC Markets operates under strict regulatory oversight, providing traders with a strong sense of security. The broker is registered in Australia and operates under the license issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), one of the most stringent financial regulatory bodies. Additionally, IC Markets maintains a subsidiary in Cyprus, which holds a license from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), allowing them to offer trading services to European clients in compliance with local regulations.
Under ASIC’s stringent regulations, IC Markets ensures the protection of client funds by segregating them from company funds. Furthermore, IC Markets is a member of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), approved by the Australian Commission for the resolution of external disputes between consumers and financial service providers, providing an additional layer of security for traders.
Leverage for Traders
IC Markets provides leverage of up to 1:500, offering retail traders with limited initial capital the opportunity to access the Forex market. However, it’s important to note that European traders are subject to a maximum leverage of 1:30 due to ESMA regulations.
Types of Trading Accounts Offered
IC Markets offers a variety of trading accounts tailored to meet the diverse needs of traders:
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Standard Account: Ideal for beginners, this account allows trading through the MT4 platform and features spreads starting from 1 point.
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Raw Spread Account: Geared towards more experienced traders, this account offers institutional-level ECN spreads starting from 0 pips, with a commission of $3.5 per lot.
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cTrader Account: Similar to the Raw Spread Account but utilizing the cTrader platform, it offers spreads from 0 pips and a commission of $3 per lot.
Additionally, IC Markets provides traders with the option to choose a swap-free Islamic account and offers demo accounts for both MT4 and cTrader platforms.
Diverse Range of Trading Instruments
IC Markets caters to the comprehensive needs of traders by offering a diverse range of trading instruments, including:
- Currency pairs in the Forex market.
- Commodities.
- Futures.
- CFDs on shares, bonds, and indexes.
- Cryptocurrency pairs, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dash, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, EOS, and more, with leverage of up to 1:5 and a minimum lot size of 0.01.
Minimum Deposit and Accessibility
Opening an account with IC Markets is accessible and convenient, with options available in 10 major base currencies, including AUD, GBP, JPY, HKD, SGD, NZD, CHF, CAD, EUR, and USD. The minimum initial deposit required is $200, making it accessible to a wide range of traders.
In Conclusion
IC Markets is renowned for providing advanced trading conditions, including ECN accounts, competitive pricing, and a vast selection of trading instruments. Whether you are a seasoned trader or just starting, IC Markets offers a versatile platform to suit your trading needs. For more information, you can visit Trade Forex for reviews on IC Markets and share your personal experiences with this broker.
