Why Pick IC Markets

IC Markets exists to do one thing exceptionally well: give forex and CFD traders the tightest possible spreads with the fastest possible execution. Founded in Sydney in 2007, the broker processes over $1.1 trillion in monthly trading volume and serves 200,000+ clients globally — numbers driven almost entirely by a pricing model that delivers raw EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips and average order execution under 66 milliseconds. For UAE-based scalpers, day traders, and algo traders who measure edge in fractions of a pip, IC Markets is difficult to beat on execution quality. The trade-off is scope: this is a CFD-only broker with no real stock ownership, no real ETFs, no mutual funds, and no investment accounts. You are trading contracts for difference on everything — stocks, indices, forex, commodities, crypto, bonds. The broker holds ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus) Tier-1 licences but does not yet hold a DFSA licence in the UAE — UAE clients are currently served through the FSA Seychelles or SCB Bahamas offshore entities. IC Markets has publicly stated it is working toward UAE regulatory approval, but as of early 2026, that process remains in progress. If raw execution speed and razor-thin spreads matter more to you than product breadth or local regulation, IC Markets belongs on your shortlist.

IC Markets

Best For Forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, crypto, stock CFDs

Recommended ForScalpers, day traders, algo traders, UAE clients seeking low spreads & fast execution

Open Account

All trading involves risk ⓘ

More than 80% of investors lose in spread bet and CFD trading. As these complex instruments allow for the use of leverage, there is a high risk of losing more money than you have deposited. Before attempting to participate in spread bets and CFDs, consider how well you understand them and if you can afford to lose your money.

Best For Forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, crypto, stock CFDs

Recommended ForScalpers, day traders, algo traders, UAE clients seeking low spreads & fast execution

• Trader Level Beginner to Advanced
• Number of Currency Pairs 61+ pairs
• Number of Instruments 2,250+ CFDs
• Base Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, SGD, HKD, NZD

4,5 / 5

Overall score

See Overall Score Breakdown

• Web trading platform4.5

• Fees4.8

• Mobile App4.5

• Deposit and withdrawal 4.8

• Available assets4

• Account opening5.0

• Education and Research 4

• Support4.5

• Overall rating4.5

Visit Interactive Brokers

All trading involves risk ⓘ

More than 80% of investors lose in spread bet and CFD trading. As these complex instruments allow for the use of leverage, there is a high risk of losing more money than you have deposited. Before attempting to participate in spread bets and CFDs, consider how well you understand them and if you can afford to lose your money.

Summary: IC Markets is an Australian-founded ECN broker specialising in ultra-low-cost forex and CFD execution. With raw spreads from 0.0 pips, sub-66ms execution speeds, and support for MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView, it caters to active traders who prioritise pricing over product breadth. UAE clients are served via offshore entities (Seychelles/Bahamas) — no DFSA licence is currently held.

Overall Pros & Cons

See how the best brokers in United Arab Emirates compare to IC Markets

The comparison below contrasts IC Markets against two popular UAE-accessible brokers with very different propositions. eToro is the beginner-friendly social trading platform with real stock ownership. Interactive Brokers is the institutional-grade multi-asset broker with a DFSA-licensed UAE branch.

IC Markets’ fee structure is built for active traders. The Raw Spread account delivers institutional-grade pricing: EUR/USD from 0.0 pips with a $3.50 per lot per side commission on MT4/MT5, or $3.00 per side on cTrader. The all-in cost on a standard EUR/USD trade (spread + commission) typically lands around $7 per round turn on a standard lot — among the cheapest in the retail forex market. The Standard account bundles the commission into the spread, starting from 0.8 pips on EUR/USD — no commission, but a wider spread. There are no deposit fees, withdrawal fees, inactivity fees, or account management fees.

The main cost caveat for UAE clients is the 0.5% currency conversion fee on deposits in currencies other than USD. If you are funding from an AED bank account, this adds meaningful friction. Swap rates also run above the industry average, making IC Markets expensive for traders who hold positions overnight — a consideration for swing traders or those using the Islamic swap-free account.

Forex Fees

Forex is IC Markets’ strongest suit. Raw Spread accounts deliver spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs, with the commission structure varying by platform.

Stock CFD Fees

IC Markets offers 2,100+ stock CFDs — not real shares. You do not own the underlying stock, cannot receive dividends directly, and cannot vote at shareholder meetings. Stock CFDs are available on MT5 only. The pricing is spread-based with no additional commission on the Standard account.

ETF Fees

IC Markets offers approximately 200 ETF CFDs — again, contracts for difference, not real ETF ownership. The spread-based pricing applies.

CFD Fees

IC Markets’ core product. Index, commodity, and individual stock CFDs are priced via spreads with no additional commission on Standard accounts, or raw spreads plus commission on Raw Spread accounts.

Crypto Fees

IC Markets offers 22+ crypto CFDs including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. Pricing is 0.1% of trade value — competitive against eToro’s 1% but higher than dedicated crypto exchanges.

Non-trading fees

IC Markets’ non-trading fee structure is among the cleanest in the industry. No inactivity fee, no withdrawal fee, no custody fee, no account management fee. The only meaningful non-trading cost is the 0.5% currency conversion fee on deposits not made in USD.

IC Markets holds Tier-1 licences from ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), plus offshore licences from FSA Seychelles and SCB Bahamas. UAE clients are currently onboarded under the Seychelles or Bahamas entities — not the ASIC or CySEC arms. This means UAE traders receive segregated client funds and negative balance protection but do not benefit from the ICF €20,000 compensation scheme (CySEC clients only) or any UAE-specific statutory protection. IC Markets has publicly confirmed it is pursuing a DFSA licence in the UAE, appointing a General Manager for the Middle East in April 2025, but as of early 2026 the licence has not been granted.

Who is IC Markets regulated by?

ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), FSA (Seychelles), and SCB (Bahamas). UAE clients are typically onboarded under the FSA Seychelles entity (IC Markets (SC) Limited) or the SCB Bahamas entity.

Is IC Markets a safe broker to use?

IC Markets has strong Tier-1 regulatory credentials through ASIC and CySEC, and its operational scale ($1.1 trillion monthly volume) demonstrates liquidity and stability. The concern for UAE traders is entity-specific: if you are served via the Seychelles or Bahamas entity, your regulatory protections are meaningfully weaker than if you were under the ASIC or CySEC arms. There is no statutory compensation scheme for these offshore entities. Interactive Brokers, by contrast, offers a DFSA-licensed UAE branch with local regulatory recourse.

Is there investor protection for IC Markets?

Only for CySEC-regulated clients (ICF coverage up to €20,000). UAE clients served via offshore entities have segregated funds and negative balance protection but no statutory compensation scheme if the broker becomes insolvent.

IC Markets Background

Founding: 2007 in Sydney, Australia by Andrew Budzinski.

Mission: Deliver institutional-grade execution to retail traders through true ECN pricing and deep liquidity.

Scale: 200,000+ active clients, $1.1 trillion+ monthly trading volume (2025).

Parent: Privately held. International Capital Markets Pty Ltd (ASIC entity), IC Markets (EU) Ltd (CySEC entity).

Technology: Servers in NY4 and LD5 Equinix data centres (New York and London), 50+ Tier-1 liquidity providers, sub-66ms average execution speed.

Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView integration, IC Social (copy trading).

Awards & Recognition: Best ECN Broker, Best MT4/MT5 Broker (multiple industry awards).

Recent Developments: In April 2025, IC Markets appointed Jason Hughes as General Manager for the Middle East and announced plans to pursue UAE regulatory approval. The broker also launched its IC Social copy trading platform and expanded its TradingView integration across all account types.

Deposits and withdrawals at IC Markets are about as frictionless as they get for a forex/CFD broker. The broker supports bank wire, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller — with instant processing on card and e-wallet deposits. There are no deposit or withdrawal fees on IC Markets’ end. UAE clients can fund in USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, or other supported currencies, but a 0.5% conversion fee applies for non-USD deposits — a cost worth noting if you are sending AED from a UAE bank account.

Account base currencies

USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, SGD, HKD, NZD. No AED — UAE clients converting from dirhams will incur the 0.5% FX fee.

Fees and options for deposits

Fees and options for withdrawal

Account opening is fully digital, fast, and available via mobile app. The process takes roughly 10–15 minutes to complete and accounts are typically approved within one business day. The $200 minimum deposit is modest for a forex/CFD broker. Three account types are available: Standard (spread-only, no commission), Raw Spread (0.0 pips + commission on MT4/MT5), and Raw Spread cTrader (0.0 pips + lower commission). Islamic swap-free accounts are available on request — a genuine advantage for UAE Muslim traders.

Account opening information

What is the minimum deposit at IC Markets?

$200 (approximately AED 735) for all account types.

Account types

Standard Account: Commission-free trading with spreads from 0.8 pips on EUR/USD. Best for beginners who prefer simple spread-only pricing.

Raw Spread Account (MT4/MT5): 0.0 pip spreads + $3.50/lot/side commission. Designed for active traders and scalpers who need the tightest possible spreads.

Raw Spread Account (cTrader): 0.0 pip spreads + $3.00/lot/side commission. Same ECN pricing with a slightly lower commission, paired with cTrader’s superior interface.

Islamic Swap-Free Account: Available across all account types. A flat admin fee replaces overnight swap charges, compliant with Shariah principles.

Demo Account: $100,000 in virtual funds, mirrors live market conditions. Useful for testing strategies or learning the platforms.

How to open an account?

1. Visit icmarkets.com and click “Open Account” or download the IC Markets app.
2. Enter personal details (name, email, phone, country of residence).
3. Select your account type (Standard or Raw Spread) and preferred platform (MT4, MT5, or cTrader).
4. Upload identification (passport or Emirates ID) and proof of address (utility bill or bank statement).
5. Complete the suitability questionnaire.
6. Account approved within 1 business day.
7. Fund your account ($200 minimum) and start trading.

IC Markets does not have a proprietary mobile app — instead, it offers the full suite of third-party platforms on mobile: MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Each app connects directly to IC Markets’ servers and delivers the same pricing and execution as the desktop versions. For UAE clients, the cTrader mobile app is the standout — clean interface, full depth-of-market data, and one-click execution. MT4 mobile remains the workhorse for EA-driven traders. All apps support 2FA, biometric login, and push notifications for price alerts and order execution.

Mobile app information

Languages

15+ languages including English and Arabic — a genuine advantage for UAE clients.

Look and Feel / User Interface

Varies by platform. cTrader is the most modern and polished, with a clean UI and native mobile-first design. MT5 is functional but complex. MT4 looks dated but remains the global standard for forex execution. TradingView integration adds powerful charting.

Security & Login

2FA supported across all platforms. Biometric login via Face ID and Touch ID.

Search

Symbol search available across all platforms with segment filtering.

Placing Orders

Full order type library: market, limit, stop, stop-limit, trailing stop, OCO. One-click execution available on cTrader and MT4/MT5. Micro-lot (0.01 lot) trading supported.

Products

2,250+ CFDs: 61+ forex pairs, 2,100+ stock CFDs (MT5 only), 200 ETF CFDs, 25 index CFDs, 28 commodity CFDs, 22+ crypto CFDs, 9 bond CFDs.

Alerts and Notifications

Price alerts and order execution notifications via push. Economic calendar integrated on MT5 and cTrader.

IC Markets offers four web-accessible platforms: MT4 WebTrader, MT5 WebTrader, cTrader Web, and TradingView (integrated since 2024). None of these are proprietary — IC Markets relies entirely on third-party platforms — but the selection is broader than most competitors. cTrader Web is the highlight: a browser-based platform with professional-grade charting, depth-of-market data, and one-click execution that works without installation. MT4 and MT5 Web are functional but limited compared to their desktop counterparts. TradingView integration is a major 2024–2025 addition, allowing traders to execute directly from TradingView charts.

IC Markets provides the following platforms:

• MetaTrader 4 — The industry standard for forex trading. Supports Expert Advisors, micro-lots, and 30+ built-in indicators. Stock CFDs not available on MT4.
• MetaTrader 5 — Expanded product range including stock CFDs. 21 timeframes, depth-of-market, built-in economic calendar, and multi-threaded strategy tester.
• cTrader — Modern interface with 26 timeframes, Level II pricing, and cTrader Automate for C# custom strategies. Lower commission ($3.00/side vs $3.50 on MT4/MT5).
• TradingView — Chart-based trading with IC Markets execution. Integrated since 2024.

Languages

15+ languages including English and Arabic.

Look and Feel / User Interface

cTrader leads in UI quality — clean, fast, and purpose-built for active trading. TradingView adds best-in-class charting. MT4/MT5 remain functional but visually dated.

Security & Login

2FA mandatory across all platforms. SSL encryption on all connections.

Search

Universal instrument search across all available CFDs.

Placing Orders

Full order types on all platforms. cTrader and TradingView offer the smoothest execution workflows.

Products

All 2,250+ CFDs accessible from any platform (stock CFDs MT5 only).

Alerts and Notifications

Price alerts, chart pattern alerts, and execution notifications on cTrader and TradingView. MT5 includes economic calendar integration.

Requirements

Any modern browser for web platforms. Desktop clients available for Windows and Mac (cTrader and MT5). VPS hosting available through third-party partners for automated trading.

IC Markets covers 2,250+ instruments, all traded as CFDs. The forex selection (61+ pairs) is comprehensive, the stock CFD universe (2,100+) is large, and the inclusion of bond CFDs (9 government bonds) is unusual for a retail forex broker. Crypto CFDs cover 22+ coins. What you don’t get is any form of real ownership: no real shares, no real ETFs, no dividend collection, no shareholder voting, no long-term investment accounts. For traders who want to speculate on price movements with leverage, the range is excellent. For investors who want to build a portfolio of real assets, IC Markets is the wrong tool.

Assets & products

Forex

61+ pairs (majors, minors, exotics).

Real Stocks

8,500+ global stocks across US, Europe, Asia, and Middle East; direct access to UAE names like Emirates NBD, Emaar, and Saudi Aramco via international exchanges.

Stock CFDs

2,100+ companies (MT5 only) including US, UK, German, Japanese, and Hong Kong markets.

ETF CFDs

200+ ETFs.

Index CFDs

25+ global indices.

Commodity CFDs

28+ including gold, silver, oil, natural gas, and softs.

Crypto CFDs

22+ including BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP.

Bond CFDs

9 government bond CFDs (US 10Y, Bund, Gilt, JGBs).

What’s not available

Real shares, real ETFs, mutual funds, options, futures (exchange-traded), bonds (direct ownership).

IC Markets provides a serviceable but not standout educational offering. IC Academy covers beginner-to-intermediate topics through courses and videos. The broker partners with Autochartist and Trading Central for automated pattern recognition and trading signals — a genuine value-add for technical traders. Daily market analysis is published, and an economic calendar is integrated into MT5 and cTrader. The WebTV collaboration with Trading Central, recorded from the New York Stock Exchange floor, adds a professional touch. Over 250 webinars are available on-demand. Where IC Markets falls short is in the depth and structure of its educational content compared to eToro’s guided social learning environment or Interactive Brokers’ Traders’ Academy.

Education for all levels

• IC Academy: Structured courses and tutorial videos.
• Financial glossary and forex calculators.
• Platform-specific guides for MT4, MT5, and cTrader.

Market insights

• Daily market analysis and updates.
• WebTV in collaboration with Trading Central (recorded from NYSE floor).
• Economic calendar integration (MT5 and cTrader).
• Autochartist signals and Trading Central research.

Research tools

• Autochartist pattern recognition — automated chart analysis.
• Trading Central signals — technical analysis and trade ideas.
• Depth-of-market (DoM) on cTrader and MT5.
• Spread monitoring and trade risk tools.

Accessibility

• Available in 15+ languages including Arabic.
• Free for all IC Markets account holders.
• 250+ on-demand webinars.
• Content oriented toward forex/CFD traders rather than long-term investors.

IC Markets offers 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone — including Arabic language support, which is a meaningful advantage for UAE clients. Response times are generally fast: live chat connects within minutes during market hours, and email queries typically receive replies within a few hours. The IC Markets support team is well-regarded for handling account, funding, and technical queries efficiently. There is no dedicated account manager unless you qualify for institutional-tier service.

Support options available

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 24/5 multilingual (including Arabic)
• Live Chat: Instant chat during market hours
• Help Centre: FAQ and self-service documentation

Response times and quality

• Live Chat: Under 5 minutes typical
• Email: 2–4 hours typical
• Phone: Immediate during market hours
• Quality: Technically competent, efficient, no-frills approach

UAE-specific support details

• Arabic language support available on phone and live chat
• 24/5 coverage aligns well with UAE market hours (GST is UTC+4)
• No dedicated UAE phone line but Arabic-speaking agents accessible
• Disputes resolved through Seychelles/Bahamas regulatory channels (not UAE)

UAE specific features

• Available to UAE residents without restriction
• Islamic swap-free accounts available across all account types — flat admin fee replaces overnight swaps
• Arabic language support on platform, mobile app, and customer service
• No DFSA licence — UAE clients served via FSA Seychelles or SCB Bahamas entities
• 10 base currencies but no AED — 0.5% conversion fee on AED deposits
• PayPal, Skrill, Neteller supported — wider funding options than many competitors
• cTrader and TradingView integration set IC Markets apart from MT4/MT5-only competitors
• Copy trading via ZuluTrade and IC Social for clients who want passive exposure
• Leverage up to 1:500 available (via Seychelles/Bahamas entities)
• Demo account with $100,000 virtual funds for testing
• Sub-66ms execution with servers in NY4 and LD5 data centres

Author comment

IC Markets occupies a very specific niche in the UAE trading landscape: it is the raw execution specialist. If you are a forex scalper, an algo trader running EAs on VPS, or a day trader who measures edge in fractional pips, the combination of 0.0 pip raw spreads, sub-66ms execution, and platform choice (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView) is genuinely compelling. The lack of a DFSA licence is the elephant in the room — UAE clients are served via offshore entities, which means weaker regulatory protections than DFSA-licensed competitors like Interactive Brokers or Pepperstone. IC Markets is actively pursuing a UAE licence, and if granted, it would close the most significant gap in the broker’s proposition for this market. For now, the practical impact is limited for traders who understand that CFD trading involves leverage risk regardless of regulatory jurisdiction. The broker is not suitable for long-term investors: no real stock or ETF ownership, no dividend collection, no portfolio building tools. But for what it does — delivering institutional-grade CFD execution at retail prices — IC Markets is among the best in the world, and it works perfectly well from Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

FAQ

Is IC Markets available to UAE residents?

Yes. IC Markets accepts UAE residents without restriction. UAE clients are onboarded under the FSA Seychelles or SCB Bahamas entity.

Does IC Markets have a DFSA licence?

Not yet. IC Markets has confirmed it is pursuing UAE regulatory approval, but as of early 2026, the DFSA licence has not been granted. UAE clients are served through offshore entities.

Does IC Markets offer Islamic accounts?

Yes. Islamic swap-free accounts are available across all account types (Standard, Raw Spread MT4/MT5, Raw Spread cTrader). A flat admin fee replaces overnight swap charges.

What is the minimum deposit at IC Markets?

$200 (approximately AED 735) for all account types.

Which platforms does IC Markets support?

MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and TradingView. All available on desktop, web, and mobile.

Can I trade real stocks with IC Markets?

No. IC Markets offers stock CFDs only — you do not own the underlying shares. For real share ownership, consider eToro or Interactive Brokers.

Are there inactivity fees at IC Markets?

No. IC Markets charges no inactivity, account management, or custody fees.

What are the forex spreads?

EUR/USD from 0.0 pips on Raw Spread accounts (plus $3.50/lot/side on MT4/MT5 or $3.00 on cTrader). Standard accounts start from 0.8 pips with no commission.

Does IC Markets support Arabic?

Yes. Platform, mobile app, and customer service are available in Arabic — one of 15+ supported languages.

How fast is execution?

Average order execution under 66ms, powered by 50+ Tier-1 liquidity providers and servers in NY4 (New York) and LD5 (London) Equinix data centres.

What leverage is available?

Up to 1:500 for UAE clients via the Seychelles/Bahamas entities. EU/Australian clients are capped at 1:30 under ESMA/ASIC rules.

Does IC Markets offer copy trading?

Yes, via ZuluTrade integration and the proprietary IC Social platform.

Is there a demo account?

Yes. Free demo account with $100,000 in virtual funds, available on all platforms.

What is the conversion fee for AED deposits?

0.5% on deposits in currencies other than USD. This applies to AED deposits from UAE bank accounts.

Does IC Markets offer options or futures?

No. IC Markets is a CFD-only broker. It does not offer exchange-traded options or futures.

What happened with the CySEC fine?

In 2023, CySEC fined IC Markets €200,000 for allegedly routing EU clients to offshore entities offering higher leverage. IC Markets denied the allegations and stated it would appeal.

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