IG

Official website Open account

8/10

1/10

$0

MT4, PureDeal, L2 Dealer

FCA, CFTC, NFA, BaFin, ASIC, FINMA

Features

  • Seminars and training
  • Daily analyst
  • Low initial deposit
  • Islamic accounts
  • Segregated accounts
  • Affiliate program
  • Wide selection of trading instruments

Pros

  • The largest international Forex broker

Cons

  • High commissions on CFD shares
  • Slow customer support

Information

Overview of IG – Adapted for Trade Forex

IG, established in the United Kingdom in 1974, has risen to prominence as a leading CFD broker globally. This pioneering company has expanded its reach across pivotal financial regions, boasting a network of offices in 13 countries. Key locations include the United Kingdom (headquartered in London), the United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Singapore.

Regulatory Compliance and Safety

IG’s reputation as a secure brokerage firm is underpinned by its stock exchange listing, transparent financial reporting, and stringent regulation by top-tier authorities. Its regulatory framework varies across jurisdictions:

  • United Kingdom: Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – offers protection up to 85,000 GBP.
  • Germany: Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) – assures 20,000 EUR protection.
  • Switzerland: Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) – guarantees up to 100,000 CHF.
  • United States: Overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and National Futures Association (NFA), but lacks funds protection.
  • Australia: Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
  • New Zealand: Financial Markets Authority (FMA).
  • Singapore: Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
  • Japan: Financial Services Agency (FSA).
  • South Africa: Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).
  • UAE: Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).
  • International Coverage: Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA).

Leverage Options

IG adheres to regional regulatory norms for leverage. In Europe, under the ESMA guidelines, the maximum leverage is capped at 1:30. Outside Europe, traders can access leverage up to 1:200 for Forex instruments.

Account Features

IG simplifies account setup with a streamlined, rapid process and also offers a free demo account for practice and learning.

Trading Instruments

IG’s diverse portfolio includes a focus on CFD contracts, being the first Australian provider in this domain. Its offerings extend to currency pairs, commodities, indices, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.

Trading Platform

IG’s proprietary trading platform is lauded for its intuitive design and advanced forecasting tools, catering to professional trader needs. Additionally, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is available in various formats, including web, desktop, and mobile applications.

IG enhances its platforms with 18 complimentary add-ons, indicators, Autochartist, technical analysis tools, and a free VPS for expert advisors.

Minimum Deposit and Fees

There is no minimum deposit requirement with IG, and it imposes no additional fees for money transfers. However, traders should verify trading conditions and margin requirements in their specific jurisdictions.

Conclusion: A Benchmark in Brokerage

IG Group, with over four decades of industry presence, sets a high bar in reliability, organization, and regulation. Its competitive trading environment, extensive product range, acclaimed platform, and robust support systems position it as a top choice. However, traders are advised to consult Trade Forex’s broker ratings and read IG reviews for a comprehensive decision-making process.