IC Markets Information

IC Markets Global 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 ASIC in Australia, CySEC in Cryprus and FSA in Seychelles. IC Markets offers 2,250+ CFDs on 61 currency pairs, 24 commodities, 2,100+ stocks, 25 indexes, 9 bonds, 21 cryptocurrencies, and 4 futures via the advanced trading platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and TradingView. The company also offers 24/7 customer support and a variety of educational resources for traders of all levels.

Is IC Market Legit?

IC Markets Global maintains regulatory compliance in both Australia and Cyprus, adhering to the respective financial regulatory standards in these jurisdictions. Regulatory oversight by Australia Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC) and Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CYSEC) contribute to a safer trading environment for clients.

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.

IC Markets Global is operated by Raw Trading Ltd and holds a Derivatives Trading License (No. SD018) issued by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA), authorizing futures, financial derivatives, securities, bond, options, and other financial product trading.

Market Instruments

IC Markets Global offers a wide range of over 2250 tradable instruments to trade, including CFDs on 61 currency pairs, 24 commodities, 2,100+ stocks, 25 indexes, 9 bonds, 21 cryptocurrencies, and 4 futures. This provides traders with the opportunity to diversify their investment portfolio and access multiple markets and assets.

Minimum Deposit

IC Markets Global 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 Aixonly 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 Global minimum deposit with Avatrade, Exness, and Axi:

Broker	Minimum Deposit
	$200
	$100
	$10
	$0

Account Type/Fees

Demo Account

IC Markets Global 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, cTrader, or TradingView. 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 1:1000 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.

Trading Platform

IC Markets Global offers its clients a variety of trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader4 and MetaTrader5 platforms as well as the cTrader and TradingView platforms.

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 Global offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal options, including MasterCard, Visa, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, UnionPay, Wire Transfer, Bpay, Broker to Broker, POLi, Thai Internet Banking, Rapidpay, Klarna, and Vietnamese Internet Banking.

IC Markets Global 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.

ZFX Information

Zeal Group of Companies, often referred to collectively as the Zeal Group, is a conglomerate of fintech corporations and regulated financial institutions that trade under the name ZFX. The group specializes in providing liquidity solutions for various types of assets in regulated markets and is backed by exclusive technology. Furthermore, the Zeal Group operates globally, combining with their multi-asset specializations and regulatory frameworks, solidifies their position as a competitive player in the financial industry.

Pros & Cons

Is ZFX Legit?

ZFX is a regulated broker. Its company name is Zeal Capital Market (UK) Limited, and it is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom under the registration No. 768451. The FCA is one of the most reputable regulatory bodies in the world, and its strict regulations ensure that ZFX adheres to high standards of transparency and fairness.

ZFX's other entity, Zeal Capital Market (Seychelles) Limited, is authorized and offshore regulated by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) under regulatory license number: SD027.

Additionally, ZFX ensures the safety of its clients' funds by keeping them fully segregated in a designated client bank account. This means that the clients' funds are kept separate from ZFX's operating funds. In the event that the company faces financial difficulties or becomes insolvent, the funds in these client accounts cannot be used to meet the liabilities of the company. This measure provides an added layer of security for ZFX clients, ensuring their capital cannot be used for any other purposes aside from their trading activities.

Market Instruments

ZFX provides a comprehensive range of market instruments, catering to diverse trading preferences and strategies. This includes major asset classes such as forex, where traders can engage in currency trading across major, minor, and exotic pairs. For those interested in the stock market, ZFX offers the ability to trade stocks from leading global companies, allowing traders to tap into corporate performance and stock market trends.

Additionally, ZFX includes indices trading, which aggregates the performance of a number of stocks representing a segment of the stock market, providing a broader market exposure. Commodities are also available, offering opportunities to trade in essential goods such as oil and gold, which are often used as hedge investments against inflation or currency devaluation.

Furthermore, ZFX has embraced the growing interest in digital currencies by including cryptocurrencies in their offerings, thus allowing traders to speculate on the highly volatile crypto markets. Overall, ZFX's diverse selection of trading instruments ensures that traders have ample opportunities to diversify their portfolios and explore various market dynamics.

Account Types

Apart from demo accounts, ZFX offers three types of trading accounts, namely Mini Trading, Standard Trading, and ECN Trading accounts. Each account has its own unique features and advantages, catering to different levels of traders with varying trading styles and preferences.

• Mini Trading Account: The Mini Trading account is designed for beginner traders who are new to the forex market. It requires a minimum deposit of $50 and offers the minimum FX spreads starting from 1.5 pips. The leverage is up to 1:2000, and the minimum trading size is 0.1 lots.
• Standard Trading Account: The Standard Trading account is designed for experienced traders who require a more comprehensive trading environment. It requires a minimum deposit of $200 and offers floating spreads starting from 1.3 pips. The leverage is up to 1:500, and the minimum trading size is 0.01 lots.
• ECN Trading Account: The ECN Trading account is designed for professional traders who require direct access to liquidity providers. It requires a minimum deposit of $1,000 and offers spreads starting from 0.2 pips (commission may apply). The leverage is up to 1:500, and the minimum trading size is 0.01 lots.

How to Open an Account?

Opening an account with ZFX is a simple and straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps.

• First, navigate to the ZFX website and click on the “Open an Account”or 'Start Trading Now' button.

• You will then be prompted to fill out a registration form with your personal information, including your country of residence, name, surname, phone number, email address, password, and referral code (optional). Confirm that you have read 'Terms & Conditions' and then click the 'Register' button.

• Next, you will need to choose the account type that best suits your needs, whether it be a Mini Trading, Standard Trading, or ECN Trading account. Each account type has its own minimum deposit requirement, so be sure to check the details carefully before making your selection.
• Once you have completed the registration form and selected your account type, you will need to provide some additional documentation to verify your identity and address. This typically includes a copy of your passport or national ID card, as well as a recent utility bill or bank statement. Once your account has been approved, you will be able to fund it and start trading in the financial markets.

Leverage

The maximum leverage offered by ZFX is up to 1:2000 and the leverage amount may vary depending on the account type and trading instrument. Additionally, ZFX operates on a tiered margin system, where the leverage is determined based on account equity. For accounts with equity between $0 and $3,000, the maximum leverage is 1:2000. For equity between $3,001 and $10,000, the maximum leverage is 1:1000. More detailed info on leverage can be found in the screenshot below:

Spreads & Commissions

ZFX says it offers competitive spreads and commissions on its trading instruments.

For the Mini Trading account, the minimum spread for forex pairs is 1.5 pips. The Standard Trading account has a minimum spread of 1.3 pips for forex pairs. The ECN Trading account has a minimum spread of 0.2 pips for forex pairs. However, no specific info on commissions is revealed openly.

Trading Platforms

ZFX offers the popular trading platform MetaTrader 4 (MT4), which is widely recognized in the forex industry for its user-friendly interface and advanced trading tools. MT4 provides access to various order types, technical analysis tools, and customization options, making it suitable for both novice and experienced traders. In addition, ZFX offers mobile versions of the MT4 platform for both iOS and Android devices, enabling traders to access the markets from anywhere, at any time.

ZFX also provides a mobile application for its clients, ensuring they can trade on the go. This ZFX Mobile App offers access to all the major features of the trading platform and enables clients to manage their portfolio, place trades, and monitor the markets from their mobile device.

Copy Trading

ZFX offers a Copy Trade feature, which is great news for both beginner and busy traders. Copy trading, also known as social trading, allows traders to automatically copy the trades of experienced and successful traders. This can help beginners to learn trading strategies from experienced traders, and help busy traders to automate their trading. By using the Copy Trade feature, you can potentially increase your chances of making profitable trades.

Education

ZFX is committed to providing an extensive educational framework to support both novice and experienced traders through their A-to-Z Academy, which offers comprehensive learning resources designed to master trading from the basics to advanced strategies. This initiative underscores ZFX's dedication to empowering its clients with the knowledge needed to navigate the financial markets confidently.

Additionally, ZFX enhances trader support with a 24/7 Help Center, serving as a constant trading support hub where traders can obtain assistance at any time.

The platform also features a detailed Glossary, which acts as a valuable dictionary for demystifying complex trading terminology, making the trading language more accessible to everyone.

Moreover, their FAQ section addresses common queries related to trading mechanics, account management, funding procedures, withdrawals, and specific product details.

Collectively, these educational resources equip ZFX traders with a solid foundation of knowledge and continuous support, facilitating a well-rounded and informed trading experience.

Customer Support

ZFX provides robust customer support with extensive availability and multiple communication channels to ensure that traders can receive assistance whenever needed. Operating hours extend throughout the week, with round-the-clock support from Monday to Friday and extended hours over the weekend from 07:30 AM to 02:00 AM the next day, accommodating traders across different time zones.

Traders can reach out via online chat for immediate responses, or call directly through the phone number 400-8424-611 for personalized assistance. Additionally, ZFX can be contacted through email at cs@zfx.com for comprehensive support.

The broker also maintains a strong presence on several social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Conclusion

Overall, ZFX is a reputable option for traders looking to access the financial markets. The broker's maximum trading leverage of 1:2000, based on account equity, is one of the highest in the industry and can provide traders with significant opportunities for profit. Additionally, competitive spreads and a choice of popular MT4 trading platforms further strengthen ZFX's position as a reliable broker.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)