IC Markets is now increasingly presented under the shorter IC brand, but a new logo does not answer the questions that matter most: which company holds an account, what does a complete trade cost, and how are withdrawals handled? This independent review examines those questions using published broker material checked on 14 October 2026. It is not a live execution test or a personal recommendation to open an account.
In an announcement dated 7 July 2026, IC said its global website would move from icmarkets.com to ic.com on 11 July. The company said partner links would continue working during the migration. Older references to IC Markets remain useful when researching the brand, but a familiar web address does not identify which legal entity will serve an individual customer.
IC broker review: key facts at a glance
| Area | Published Global offer | What you should verify |
|---|---|---|
| Account structures | Standard, MetaTrader Raw Spread, cTrader Raw Spread; Raw Pro tiers advertised as early access | Availability for your legal entity and country |
| Spread from | Standard 0.8 pip; Raw Spread 0.0 pips | Live quote for the symbol and session |
| Forex commission | Standard no separate commission; MetaTrader Raw USD 3.50 per standard lot per side | Full round-trip amount and account currency |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView integration | Compatible platform and account type |
| Regulatory example | Raw Trading Ltd, Seychelles FSA SD018, on the Global website | Contracting company, regulator and protections |
| Payment routes | Bank, card and other region-dependent options | Eligibility, processing rules and third-party fees |
These figures summarise a specific published Global offering, not a promise that all visitors receive identical leverage, commissions or investor protections. The account agreement, not the marketing brand, identifies the business responsible for your trading relationship.
How Standard and Raw Spread pricing really compare
The Standard forex account normally incorporates the main dealing charge into a marked-up spread. Raw Spread accounts quote lower starting spreads and charge a separate commission. A lower advertised spread can therefore come with a higher or lower total trading cost depending on the spread actually available when orders execute.
Consider a hypothetical one-standard-lot EUR/USD position in a USD account, where one pip is worth approximately USD 10. A Standard spread of 1.0 pip would cost about USD 10. A Raw spread of 0.2 pip would cost USD 2, plus USD 7 round-turn commission under the published MetaTrader Raw USD pricing, for USD 9 before swap, slippage or currency conversion. These are teaching assumptions, not observed IC trading results, and a different spread can reverse the comparison.
For scalpers, frequent dealing makes small differences consequential, but reliable analysis requires a sample of actual spreads and fills. For traders who hold positions overnight, financing rates may matter more than an initial spread difference. Metals, indices and other CFDs can also use specifications that make a simple EUR/USD example inappropriate.
Regulation: distinguish the name on the contract
IC Global names Raw Trading Ltd as an operator regulated by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority under securities-dealer licence SD018. This published fact is relevant if your account agreement names that company. Related IC websites and regional offerings may involve different firms. One company's authorisation does not automatically extend its protections to another company's customers.
Before transferring funds, look for the full legal company in your registration paperwork, check its regulatory licence independently, and read the relevant complaints, custody, leverage and withdrawal provisions. Regulation provides oversight but does not prevent trading losses or guarantee every payment. Our Risk Disclosure explains the general risks of leveraged CFDs.
Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView
IC advertises MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and cTrader, with TradingView charting and trading integration. MT4 is familiar to traders using MQL4 Expert Advisors; MT5 uses MQL5 and has a different technical environment. cTrader offers its own order interface and automation ecosystem. An EA written for one platform cannot simply be copied to another without adaptation.
The official IC TradingView FAQ says broker trading through TradingView requires its cTrader Raw account. A Standard MT4 account should not be assumed to connect the same way. Try the intended platform in demo mode and check position sizes, symbols, margins and execution settings before relying on a live setup.
Deposits and withdrawals: processing is not bank arrival
IC's published Global withdrawal information separates a broker processing cut-off from the additional time needed for a payment provider to deliver funds. The guidance lists card receipts commonly at 3–5 business days after processing and international bank transfers at approximately 2–14 business days. These are indicative ranges, not promises for every entity or payment channel.
Withdrawals normally require security confirmation, usually return to a method associated with the account holder, and can involve additional verification. IC's page says it normally imposes no extra withdrawal fees, but outside banks or intermediaries can charge fees. A delayed transfer should be investigated by checking its status, supporting documents and business-day timeline—not treated automatically as proof of fraud.
Advantages and trade-offs
| Potential benefit | Important limitation |
|---|---|
| Choice of spread-based and commission-based pricing | Total cost depends on actual spreads, commission, swap and execution |
| Multiple platforms and algorithmic trading tools | Account connections and compatibility are not identical |
| Public information about payments and account features | Rules vary by entity, method, instrument and date |
| Infrastructure promoted for active traders | Low latency does not remove slippage, outages or market risk |
Who should investigate IC—and who should pause?
Traders who understand position sizing and want to compare Raw Spread pricing or MetaTrader/cTrader workflows may find IC worth researching. A demo account can help establish whether a platform, instrument and strategy suit their requirements. Even then, profitability depends on the method and risk management rather than the broker alone.
Beginners attracted primarily by very high maximum leverage or a zero-pip headline should be cautious. Maximum permitted leverage is not a sensible default trade size, and no broker's pricing page constitutes a trading strategy. Anyone who needs particular investor protections should establish the exact legal entity first.
Our assessment and decision checklist
IC's Global materials provide enough information to conduct a useful account and platform comparison. The remaining questions are personal and jurisdiction-specific: is your country eligible, do the actual account conditions fit your strategy, and can you tolerate losing the funds you deposit? This website does not invent star ratings or claim firsthand withdrawal tests that have not taken place.
Before deciding, verify the company and country restrictions; read the actual cost schedule; compare realistic spreads; test your software in demo mode; review the withdrawal rules; and set a maximum risk budget. You can also consult the account-cost overview on our homepage.
Sources and affiliate disclosure
Primary sources reviewed on 14 October 2026: account overview, regulation statement, platform overview, withdrawal policy, and rebranding announcement.
Independent site; possible affiliate compensation. Qualifying registrations through our IC partner link may generate a commission for this website. Verify the destination's legal entity and rules. We do not handle deposits or offer personalised investment advice; see our Affiliate Disclosure.
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