Let's start here

IC Markets is a respected and well-regulated broker, providing a wide range of trading instruments, including over 2250 options, with competitive spreads starting at 0.0 pips. You can start with a demo account to gain experience, and opening a live account only requires a $200 deposit. They offer advanced trading platforms like MT4, MT5, and cTrader. Let's now delve into this IC Markets review.

What is IC Markets？

IC Markets is an Australian online forex and CFD broker that provides traders access to the global financial markets. The company was founded in 2007 and is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). IC Markets offers a range of trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, and provides traders with advanced trading platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader. The company also offers 24/7 customer support and a variety of educational resources for traders of all levels.

In the IC Markets review, we will analyse the characteristics of this broker in all its dimensions, providing you with easy and well-organised information. If you are interested, read on.

What Type of Broker is IC Markets？

IC Markets is a Market Making (MM) broker, which means that it acts as a counterparty to its clients in trading operations. That is, instead of connecting directly to the market, IC Markets acts as an intermediary and takes the opposite position to its clients. As such, it can offer faster order execution speed, tighter spreads and greater flexibility in terms of the leverage offered. However, this also means that IC Markets has a certain conflict of interest with their clients, as their profits come from the difference between the bid and ask price of assets, which could lead to them making decisions that are not necessarily in the best interests of their clients.

Is IC Market Legit？

IC Markets maintains regulatory compliance in both Australia and Cyprus, adhering to the respective financial regulatory standards in these jurisdictions. Regulatory oversight by ASIC and CYSEC helps ensure transparency and accountability in the broker's operations, contributing to a safer trading environment for clients.

Regulated Country	Regulated Authority	Regulated Entity	License Type	License Number
	ASIC	INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL MARKETS PTY. LTD.	Market Making(MM)	335692
	CYSEC	IC Markets (EU) Ltd	Market Making(MM)	362/18

IC Markets' Australian entity, INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL MARKETS PTY. LTD., regulated by ASIC under license number 335692, holding a license for Market Making (MM).

IC Markets' enropean entity, IC Markets (EU) Ltd, regulated by CYSEC under regulatory number 362/18, holding a license for Maket Making ( MM) as well.

WikiFX's investigation team personally visited the registered address located at Omonoias, 141, The Maritime Centre, Block B, 1st floor, 3045, Limassol, Cyprus. Notably, the IC Markets logo was prominently displayed on billboards in the vicinity of the building. Hence, their visit to the location confirmed that IC Markets was indeed operating from the officially designated regulatory address.

Market Instruments

IC Markets offers a wide range of over 2250 tradable instruments to trade, including forex pairs, commodities, stocks, cryptocurrencies, indices, bonds, and futures. This provides traders with the opportunity to diversify their investment portfolio and access multiple markets and assets. The company offers competitive spreads and low commissions on all instruments, making it a popular choice among traders.

Minimum Deposit

IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200 for traders to open an account. In the industry, many established brokers frequently impose minimum deposit requirements that surpass $500 or even reach $1,000. In contrast, certain major players such as Avatrade and Aixtrader only mandate minimum deposits of $100 and $0, respectively. So, IC Markets's minimum deposit requirement seems to be in the “middle”.

Here is the comparison of IC Markets minimum deposit with Avatrade, Exness, and Axitrader:

Broker	Minimum Deposit
	$200
	$100
	$1 USD
	$100

Account Type

C Markets offers traders a range of account types with different trading platforms, commissions, and spreads. The CTrader and Raw spread accounts charge a commission of $3 and $3.5 respectively but offer spreads from 0.0 pips, while the Standard account has no commission but wider spreads from 0.6 pips.

A demo account and Islamic account are also available. Although the minimum deposit of $200 may be high for some traders, the variety of account types and competitive spreads on some accounts may make up for it. However, traders should note that commissions are charged on all other accounts apart from the Standard account, and there is limited information on account features.

Demo Account

IC Markets offers a free advanced demo account for beginner traders to practice on, which lasts for 30 days.

Users who open a demo account can enjoy the following features:

• Access to Raw Pricing

• Spreads Starting at 0.0 Pips

• Fast Order Execution

• Available on MT4, MT5 and cTrader platforms

However, demo accounts aim to mimic real markets but function in a simulated environment. This means there are significant differences compared to real accounts, including not relying on real-time market liquidity, encountering price delays, and having access to certain products that may not be tradable on live accounts.

Opening a demo account is simple:

Step 1: click the “Try a Free DEMO” button on the homepage of IC Markets.

Step 2: Fill in your personal info, including your country of residence, name, email, phone number to get a verification code.

Step 3: Choose to demo accounts on your preferrable trading platform, MT4, MT5, or cTrader. Then choose your account currency, virtual funds, starting from $200 to $5,000,000, your desired leverage level.

Step 4: Log into your demo account and start trading.

Leverage

IC Markets' maximum leverage offering of up to 1:500 can be beneficial for experienced traders who know how to manage their risks well. The high leverage can potentially magnify the profits of a successful trade, enabling traders to take advantage of larger positions in the market. However, it is crucial for traders to exercise caution when using high leverage as it also increases the potential for significant losses. Inexperienced traders may not be suited for high leverage as it requires a thorough understanding of risk management. It is important to note that certain jurisdictions may have regulatory restrictions on high leverage, and traders should comply with the relevant regulations.

Spreads & Commissions

IC Markets is known for its tight spreads and low commissions, making it a popular choice among traders. The broker offers a variety of account types to choose from, including the Raw Spread account with spreads starting from 0.0 pips and a $3.5 commission per lot traded, and the Standard account with spreads starting from 0.6 pips and no commission. The cTrader account also offers low spreads starting from 0.0 pips, with a $3 commission per lot traded.

Trading Platforms

IC Markets offers its clients a variety of trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader4 and MetaTrader5 platforms as well as the cTrader platform. Each platform offers unique advantages and disadvantages, and traders can choose the platform that best suits their needs.

The MetaTrader4 and MetaTrader5 platforms are similar and offer a range of trading tools and indicators, as well as the ability to use Expert Advisors (EAs) and automate trading strategies.

The cTrader platform, on the other hand, offers advanced charting capabilities and a variety of order types. However, it has a steeper learning curve and limited customization options compared to the MetaTrader4 and MetaTrader5 platforms.

Deposit & Withdrawal

IC Markets offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal options, including Neteller, Skrill, bank transfer, VISA, Mastercard, Paypal, credit/debit cards, Poli, wire transfer, rapidpay, and klarna. IC Markets does not charge any fees for deposits and withdrawals, however, additional fees may occur at some banking institutions.

Withdrawal requests have a cut off time at 12:00 AEST/AEDT, and take up to 10 business days to process depending on the bank. International bank wire transfers take up to 14 days and incur additional intermediary and/or beneficiary fees. Credit/debit card withdrawals are processed free of charge and take 3-5 business days to reach your credit card. Paypal/Neteller/Skrill withdrawals are processed instantly and free of charge, but must be made from the same account as the initial funds were sent from.

Educational Resources

IC Markets offers a comprehensive range of educational resources that cater to traders of all levels. These resources include an economic calendar, market reports, video tutorials, a glossary, blogs, and calculators. The educational resources are updated regularly to ensure the information is relevant and up-to-date. The glossary is particularly useful for understanding forex terms and concepts, while the video tutorials cover a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced strategies. The blogs provide insights into the forex market, which can be useful for making informed trading decisions. The calculators are also helpful tools for calculating risk, margin, and position size. You can also watch videos on their official YouTube channel. For example, this is a video named 7 Common Mistakes New Traders Make, which would be useful for newbies.

Customer Service

IC Markets provides a strong customer care dimension with 24/7 availability for customer support. Clients can reach out to the support team via phone or email, and can expect prompt response times to email inquiries. However, there is no live chat option available for immediate assistance, and phone support may have international charges, which could be a disadvantage for some clients.

Conclusion

IC Markets is a regulated forex broker that offers traders a wide range of instruments, account types, and trading platforms to choose from. With low spreads, competitive commissions, and high leverage options of up to 1:500, traders can enjoy a flexible and customizable trading experience. The company's educational resources, including market reports, video tutorials, and a glossary, are extensive and informative, providing traders with valuable insights into the forex market. Additionally, IC Markets' customer support is available 24/7, ensuring that traders can always receive timely assistance. The company's variety of deposit and withdrawal methods also makes it easy for traders to manage their accounts efficiently. Overall, IC Markets is a reliable and trustworthy broker for both novice and experienced traders alike.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Question 1: What is the minimum deposit required to open an account with IC Markets？

• Answer 1: $200.

• Question 2: What are the available deposit and withdrawal methods on IC Markets？

• Answer 2: Neteller, Skrill, bank transfer, VISA, Mastercard, Paypal, credit/debit cards, Poli, wire transfer, rapidpay, and klarna.

• Question 3: What trading platforms are available on IC Markets？

• Answer 3: MetaTrader4, MetaTrader5, and cTrader.

• Question 4: What is the maximum leverage offered by IC Markets？

• Answer 4: 1:500.

• Question 5: Does IC Markets charge any fees for deposits and withdrawals？

• Answer 5: IC Markets does not charge any fees for deposits and withdrawals. However, additional fees may occur at some banking institutions.

What is FirewoodFX？

FirewoodFX, established in 2014 and headquartered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, operates as an unregulated entity in the financial markets. FirewoodFX offers a wide array of market instruments. The platform extends the option for users to familiarize themselves with its services through a demo account.

If you are interested, we invite you to continue reading the upcoming article where we will thoroughly assess the broker from various angles and present you with well-organized and succinct information. By the end of the article, we will provide a concise summary to give you a comprehensive overview of the broker's key characteristics.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

- Demo Account Availability: FirewoodFX provides a demo account option, enabling traders to practice trading strategies and familiarize themselves with the platforms features without risking real funds.

- MT4 Trading Platform: Trading occurs through the widely acclaimed MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform, known for its stability, versatility, and extensive range of trading tools, providing traders with a seamless trading experience.

- Multiple Account Options: FirewoodFX caters to traders of different experience levels by offering various types of trading accounts, each tailored to meet specific preferences and objectives.

- Zero commission for most accounts: Traders can enjoy cost-effective trading with no commissions on most accounts, reducing expenses and enhancing overall profitability.

- Convenient Deposit and Withdrawal Methods: The platform offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods, including bank transfers, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, credit cards, and e-payment systems, providing clients with flexibility and convenience in managing their funds.

Cons:

- Lack of Regulation: One of the most significant drawbacks of FirewoodFX is its unregulated status, which exposes traders to increased risks due to the absence of oversight from governmental or financial authorities.

- Regional Restrictions: FirewoodFX does not accept clients from the United States of America, North Korea, Iraq, Iran, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. These restrictions will stem from regulatory compliance issues or other factors specific to those regions.

Is FirewoodFX Safe or Scam？

FirewoodFX's current lack of valid regulation signifies a concerning absence of oversight from governmental or financial authorities, heightening the inherent risks associated with investing through their platform. Without regulatory supervision, there exists a substantial potential for malfeasance, where the operators of the platform hold no accountability for their actions.

This absence of oversight leaves investors vulnerable to various forms of misconduct, including misappropriation of funds and fraudulent practices. Essentially, the absence of regulation exposes investors to significant risks, as there are no safeguards in place to protect their investments.

Moreover, the lack of regulatory oversight means that FirewoodFX's operators have the autonomy to dissolve the platform abruptly, leaving investors with no recourse or means of recovering their investments.

Therefore, engaging with FirewoodFX carries inherent risks that every investor should be cognizant of before committing any funds to the platform.

Market Instruments

FirewoodFX offers forex, gold, crypto, oil and more.

- Forex (Foreign Exchange): This includes major currency pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, as well as minor and exotic currency pairs such as EUR/GBP, USD/TRY, and many others.

- Gold (XAU/USD): Trading in gold allows investors to speculate on the price movements of this precious metal against the US dollar.

- Crypto: FirewoodFX likely offers trading in various cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Ripple (XRP), and others. Investors can trade cryptocurrency pairs against major fiat currencies like USD or EUR.

- Oil (Crude Oil): This typically involves trading contracts for difference (CFDs) on the price of crude oil, allowing traders to speculate on its price movements without owning the physical commodity.

Account Types

FirewoodFX offers various types of trading accounts tailored to meet the needs of different types of traders.

- Cent Account: This account is suitable for beginners or those who want to trade with smaller amounts of capital. With a minimum deposit of USD 10 (or equivalent in USC), traders can start trading with micro-lot sizes, allowing for precise risk management and lower exposure to the market.

- Micro Account: Similar to the Cent Account, the Micro Account is designed for traders who prefer smaller trade sizes. It also requires a minimum deposit of USD 10 and offers micro-lot trading, but the base currency is USD instead of USC.

- Standard Account: The Standard Account is suitable for intermediate traders who are comfortable with standard lot sizes and require more flexibility in their trading. It requires a minimum deposit of USD 10 and offers standard lot trading.

- Premium Account: The Premium Account is designed for more experienced traders who may require additional features or benefits. It also requires a minimum deposit of USD 10 and offers standard lot trading like the Standard Account.

- ECN Account: The ECN (Electronic Communication Network) Account is tailored for advanced traders who require direct access to liquidity providers and prefer tighter spreads and faster execution. It requires a higher minimum deposit of USD 200 but offers the same standard lot trading as the Premium Account.

Furthermore, FirewoodFX offers demo accounts for traders who want to practice trading strategies and familiarize themselves with the platform's features without risking real funds. Demo accounts replicate real market conditions, providing a risk-free environment for learning and honing trading skills.

How to Open an Account？

To open an account with FirewoodFX, please follow these steps:

Leverage

FirewoodFX offers a maximum leverage of 1:1000, which means traders can control positions up to 1000 times the amount of their initial investment. Leverage allows traders to amplify their potential returns by using borrowed capital, enabling them to enter larger positions with a relatively smaller amount of capital. This can be advantageous for traders looking to maximize their profit potential with limited funds. However, it's important to note that leverage magnifies both profits and losses, making it a double-edged sword.

Spreads & Commissions

FirewoodFX offers competitive spreads across its range of account types. The spreads are variable and start from as low as 1 pip for certain account types. Variable spreads mean they fluctuate according to market conditions, providing traders with the opportunity to benefit from tighter spreads during times of high market liquidity. Additionally, FirewoodFX doesn't charge any commissions for standard trading accounts, making it attractive for traders who prefer not to pay additional fees per trade.

However, for the Micro account, FirewoodFX imposes a commission of $7 per lot traded. While this commission might seem nominal, it's essential for traders to factor it into their overall trading costs, especially if they engage in high-volume trading. The commission structure ensures that traders using the Micro account are aware of the costs associated with their trades upfront, allowing for better transparency and informed decision-making.

Trading Platforms

FirewoodFX provides its clients with the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) trading platform, renowned for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features. With MT4, FirewoodFX users gain access to a powerful trading environment equipped with advanced charting tools, technical indicators, and analytical resources, empowering traders to make informed decisions.

The platform offers a seamless trading experience across various devices, including desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets, allowing traders to access their accounts and execute trades anytime, anywhere. MT4's compatibility with different operating systems ensures flexibility for traders who prefer trading on their preferred devices.

Trading Tools

FirewoodFX's margin calculator is a practical trading tool designed to help traders accurately assess their margin requirements and pip values for different currency pairs.

By inputting key parameters such as the currency pair, leverage ratio, and trade size, the calculator swiftly computes the required margin in USD for each pair. This feature is invaluable for traders as it enables them to manage their risk effectively by ensuring they have adequate funds to cover their positions. Additionally, the calculator provides insight into the USD value per pip movement for each pair, aiding traders in understanding the potential profit or loss implications of their trades.

Deposits & Withdrawals

FirewoodFX offers a variety of convenient deposit and withdrawal methods to cater to the diverse needs of its clients. Clients can fund their accounts via bank transfer, QRIS, internet banking, virtual accounts (e-wallets), BIDR BEP20, BUSD BEP20, USD Tether TRC20/BEP20, credit card, Perfect Money, and Fasapay.

For Deposits:

For deposits, clients can choose from options such as bank transfer, QRIS, internet banking, virtual accounts, and various cryptocurrencies like BIDR BEP20, BUSD BEP20, and USD Tether TRC20/BEP20. For different ways, minimum amount and fees vary. For example, through Internet Banking, $10 of minimum amount is required. More details can be learned by clicking: https://www.firewoodfx.com/trading/deposit.

For Withdrawals:

Withdrawals from FirewoodFX accounts are also straightforward, with options including bank transfer, internet banking, and cryptocurrency withdrawals like BIDR BEP20, BUSD BEP20, and USD Tether TRC20/BEP20. Withdrawals are typically processed within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the chosen method. Similarly, for different ways, minimum amount and fees vary. For example, through Internet Banking, IDR 50,000 of minimum amount is required. More details can be learned by clicking: https://www.firewoodfx.com/trading/deposit.

Education

FirewoodFX provides a comprehensive Forex Glossary covering everything traders need to know about Forex terms. Their educational resources offer clear and concise explanations of key concepts, ensuring traders have a solid understanding of the terminology used in the forex market to navigate the complexities of forex trading confidently, ultimately enhancing their trading skills and success.

Customer Service

Customers can visit their office or get in touch with customer service line using the information provided below:

Telephone: +442036083558

Email: support@firewoodfx.com

Address: Suite 305, Griffith Corporate Centre, Beachmont. St. Vincent and the Grenadines

FirewoodFX offers online messaging as part of their trading platform. This allows traders to communicate with customer support or other traders directly through the platform. Online messaging can be a convenient way to get real-time assistance or to engage in discussions with fellow traders.

Conclusion

In conclusion, FirewoodFX offers a range of products and services, catering to traders seeking diversification in their investment portfolios. However, it operates without regulatory oversight, which poses inherent risks for traders. While the platform provides competitive leverage and a user-friendly MT4 trading platform, the absence of regulation raises concerns about the safety and reliability of the service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Risk Warning

Online trading involves significant risk, and you may lose all of your invested capital. It is not suitable for all traders or investors. Please ensure that you understand the risks involved and note that the information provided in this review may be subject to change due to the constant updating of the company's services and policies.

In addition, the date on which this review was generated may also be an important factor to consider, as information may have changed since then. Therefore, readers are advised to always verify updated information directly with the company before making any decision or taking any action. Responsibility for the use of the information provided in this review rests solely with the reader.