IC Markets is a regulated CFD broker that lets you trade crypto without using an exchange or handling real tokens. It offers tight spreads, fast execution, and support for MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView, making it a strong option if you want straightforward crypto CFD trading alongside forex and other markets.
IC Markets scored 72/100 in our review, placing it in the stronger end of the CFD brokers we test for crypto trading. Unlike a traditional crypto exchange, IC Markets lets you trade cryptocurrency CFDs, which means you speculate on price movements without owning the underlying coins.
Because IC Markets is a regulated CFD broker, the trading experience is different from using an exchange or a prop firm platform. You don’t deal with wallets, blockchain transfers, or on-chain fees. Instead, everything runs through a trading account where crypto, forex, indices, commodities, and shares sit side by side.
IC Markets makes cryptocurrency pricing easy to follow because all crypto CFDs are commission-free on every account type and every platform.
Your crypto trading costs come from spreads and overnight swaps, which vary across the different markets you trade. For forex and metals, the pricing model changes depending on whether you use the Standard or Raw Spread account:
The spreads are competitive for the crypto markets IC Markets offers. Major pairs like Bitcoin and Ethereum sit in a reasonable range for a traditional CFD broker, while altcoins often show very tight minimums thanks to smaller pip values.
Prices can widen during high-volatility periods or on weekends, but IC Markets’ published minimum and average tables make it easy to see how each coin behaves.
Specialist crypto brokers with larger token lists may offer tighter spreads on niche markets, but IC Markets is one of the best options if you want transparent, predictable pricing across a focused list of 22 coins.
| Crypto Pair | Minimum Spread (USD) | Commission Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin (BTC/USD) | 12.0 | $0 |
| Ethereum (ETH/USD) | 2.89 | $0 |
| Litecoin (LTC/USD) | 1.05 | $0 |
| Bitcoin Cash (BCH/USD) | 1.56 | $0 |
| Polkadot (DOT/USD) | 0.011 | $0 |
| Chainlink (LINK/USD) | 0.012 | $0 |
| Cardano (ADA/USD) | 0.001 | $0 |
| Ripple (XRP/USD) | 0.008 | $0 |
Other trading fees include:
IC Markets scored 9/10 for fees because spreads on major forex pairs are consistently low, especially on the Raw accounts used by active traders. Commission rates are fair, and there are no internal fees for deposits or withdrawals. Costs can rise on some niche markets, but overall IC Markets remains one of the cheaper brokers to trade with.
IC Markets only offers 22 cryptocurrency CFDs covering the main majors and a handful of well known altcoins, you’re able to trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, as well as coins like Cardano, Solana, Chainlink, and Polkadot.
The smaller list gives you a simple selection without hundreds of fringe tokens, which helps if you want consistent pricing and clear spreads.
| Crypto Type | Crypto CFDs |
|---|---|
| Majors Cryptos | Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Ripple (XRP) |
| Large-Cap Altcoins | Cardano (ADA), Solana (SOL), Polkadot (DOT), Chainlink (LINK), Binance Coin (BNB), Uniswap (UNI), Stellar (XLM), Tezos (XTZ), EOS (EOS), Dogecoin (DOGE) |
| Smaller Altcoins | Avalanche (AVAX), Golem (GLM), Kusama (KSM), Dash (DASH), Emercoin (EMC), Namecoin (NMC), Peercoin (PPC), Moonbeam (GLMR)* |
IC Markets also supports a wide range of traditional CFD markets. You can trade forex, indices, commodities, metals, bonds, and more than 1,600 share CFDs depending on your region. This gives you the flexibility to move between crypto and other liquid markets during quieter periods or when you want broader exposure.
Trading hours for crypto run 7 days a week, so you can open and close positions even when forex, indices, and other markets are offline. This suits traders who prefer active weekend markets and want consistent access without switching platforms.
IC Markets scored 4/10 for markets because, although forex, indices and commodities coverage is solid, the crypto range is very limited compared to brokers offering hundreds of crypto CFDs. Share CFDs are also available but the selection is smaller than dedicated equity platforms. If you are looking for a wide market choice you’ll find IC Markets more restrictive than many other crypto providers.
You can trade crypto CFDs on MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView, so you aren’t locked into a single platform. Each option works slightly differently, especially with automation, charting tools, and order types.
The main differences matter if you rely on bots, scripts, or advanced order flow tools when trading crypto.
MT4 is the simplest platform in the set and suits traders who only need basic charting and automated strategies. You can use Expert Advisors (EAs) for crypto trading, and most bots designed for forex will run the same way on crypto charts.
The limitations are charting flexibility and fewer built-in indicators compared to MT5 or TradingView. Crypto markets on MT4 follow the same instrument list, but some regions and account types may not show every coin.
MT5 is the strongest MetaTrader option for crypto because it has faster order processing, more indicators, more timeframes, and better depth-of-market data.
EAs run more efficiently here, and many traders prefer MT5 for crypto scalping. All 22 crypto CFDs are available on MT5, and weekend trading is supported.
cTrader gives you advanced charting, custom indicators, and a detailed depth-of-market window. You can automate crypto trading using cBots, which can be built in C#.
The layout is cleaner than MT4 and MT5, making it easier to manage multiple charts. Some crypto CFDs may have different position limits on cTrader, but the overall list is similar.
TradingView has the strongest charting tools of the four platforms, with hundreds of indicators, drawing tools, and access to Pine Script for custom strategies. It also gives you community-built indicators and alerts that work well for tracking fast-moving crypto markets.
Crypto CFDs follow the same pricing and schedule, but TradingView may have tighter restrictions on net exposure depending on the account type.
IC Markets also supports a set of additional tools that work across its platforms:
These crypto trading tools help both new and advanced traders keep strategies consistent, especially for crypto where weekend trading and rapid price moves can affect trade execution.
IC Markets scored 9/10 for its trading platforms because it supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and TradingView. Each platform runs smoothly, offers fast execution and supports both manual and automated trading. The range is wide enough for beginner traders and advanced algo traders, with only a few tools needing third-party add-ons.
IC Markets is regulated across several major jurisdictions, and each licence sets out the protections you receive depending on where you open your account.
The broker keeps client money in segregated trust accounts, offers negative balance protection in regions where it is required, and operates as a CFD provider rather than a crypto exchange. This means you trade price movements only and never hold real crypto assets.
IC Markets is authorised by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles (FSA), and the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB). These entities cover Australia, Europe, and offshore regions, giving most traders a regulated pathway to onboard.
Some regions cannot be onboarded due to regulatory restrictions. IC Markets does not accept clients from the United States, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Iran, North Korea, and Brazil, along with any jurisdiction where local laws prohibit CFD trading.
The broker follows an ECN-style pricing model with multiple liquidity providers, which helps keep spreads stable across forex, indices, and crypto markets. This setup works well for traders who want transparent execution and a regulated environment without dealing with blockchain transfers or exchange custody.
IC Markets scored 9/10 for trust and safety because it is regulated by top tier financial authorities like ASIC and CySEC, uses segregated client accounts and has a long operating history. Traders under these regulators also get negative balance protection. The offshore entity has fewer protections, but the overall structure still offers strong safeguards compared to many CFD brokers.
You can fund your account using cards, bank transfers, and several online payment systems. Deposits normally arrive quickly, and most methods do not incur added costs.
Withdrawals are processed during business hours, and processing times depend on the payment method you choose. Bank transfers take longer, while cards and online wallets are faster once approved.
The minimum deposit for IC Markets is $200, and you can fund in multiple base currencies. Because these are CFDs rather than actual crypto assets, there are no blockchain fees or network confirmations to deal with.
Your money stays in your trading account until you request a withdrawal, and all transfers must go back to a verified payment method.
IC Markets scored 5/10 for funding because the $200 minimum deposit is high when compared to low cost alternatives like prop trading challenges. While the broker supports common funding methods such as cards, PayPal and bank transfers, availability varies by region, and some payment types carry external fees. The process works fine overall, but it isn’t as flexible or accessible as the top brokers in this area.
IC Markets keeps its trading rules consistent across platforms, but your leverage changes based on regulation. If you’re in Europe or Australia, crypto CFDs are capped at 2:1, and major forex pairs at 30:1.
These limits apply across all platforms. If you open your account under the offshore entity, IC Markets Global, you’ll see much higher leverage across most markets, especially on MT4 and MT5, where crypto can reach levels that many CFD brokers don’t offer.
MT4 and MT5 have the most flexible crypto options. Smaller BTC and ETH trades can reach 1:500, with leverage tapering down to 1:300 as your net exposure increases. BCH and LTC generally sit around 1:200.
These higher settings are only available outside ASIC and CySEC regions, and the platform automatically reduces leverage as your position grows, which helps manage risk during fast moves.
cTrader and TradingView are more conservative. They typically offer lower crypto leverage than MT4 and MT5 and apply their own internal exposure controls. If you like to scale in heavily or trade with higher leverage, you’ll notice these limits as your position size grows.
Margin rules are the same on every platform. IC Markets issues a margin call at 100%, and positions start to close if your margin level drops to 50%. This applies to crypto, forex, metals, indices, and shares, so you always know where your risk thresholds sit.
Most trading strategies are allowed. You can scalp, hedge, and automate strategies across MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. EAs, cBots, and Pine Script strategies all work, and VPS hosting is available if you want to keep your systems running without relying on your own internet connection.
Crypto trading follows the same permissions, but weekend sessions come with extra risk. Liquidity can thin out, spreads can widen, and prices can gap when markets reopen.
If you’re holding larger positions, it’s worth checking your platform’s live specifications before carrying crypto trades into quieter periods.
IC Markets scored 7/10 for trading rules because trading conditions differ by region. The Global entity allows high leverage and fewer restrictions, which many traders prefer, while the regulated entities have tighter limits on leverage and product access. This mix means some traders enjoy flexible rules, while others face more controls, leading to a moderate score.
IC Markets received an overall score of 72/100 based on testing across fees, platforms, funding, markets, safety, and trading rules. The broker performs very well on pricing and platforms, with low spreads, fast execution, and support for MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Safety is also strong thanks to regulation in several major regions.
The lower scores come from areas where traders may feel more restricted, such as the limited crypto market list, the higher $200 minimum deposit, and differences in leverage depending on which IC Markets entity you register under. The mix of strong trading conditions and a few practical limitations results in a balanced score that reflects what traders can expect day to day.
Yes, IC Markets offers a range of crypto CFDs that let you trade major coins without owning the tokens. Its known as a top crypto CFD broker and provides around 22 digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and several well-known altcoins. You trade these as CFDs, meaning you speculate on price movements with the option to go long or short. There are no blockchain transfers or network fees, and all trading runs through MT4, MT5, cTrader, or TradingView.
No, IC Markets is not allowed in the USA and does not accept clients based in the United States. This is due to regulatory restrictions, as IC Markets is licensed in regions such as Australia, Europe, and offshore jurisdictions but is not registered with US regulators. Traders in the US cannot open accounts or access the broker’s CFD products, including forex, indices, commodities, and crypto CFDs, and must use locally regulated alternatives instead.
IC Markets lets you trade cryptocurrency markets through CFDs, meaning you trade price movements without holding real digital assets. This makes the process straightforward because there are no wallets, blockchain fees, or transfer delays. You trade crypto CFDs on MT4, MT5, cTrader, or TradingView with spreads only and no commissions. Leverage depends on your region, with higher limits available under the Global entity.
Cryptocurrency CFD trading works by letting you speculate on crypto prices without owning the coins. Instead of holding real Bitcoin or Ethereum, you trade a contract that tracks the market price. This means you can go long or short, avoid blockchain fees, and trade through a standard CFD platform. It also gives you access to tools normally used for forex and indices. Many traders use this approach when learning how to trade crypto, as it keeps the process simple and platform based.
