Two regulated CFD brokers compete on platform breadth, crypto exposure, and client protections, testing which offers more flexibility for active traders.
IC Markets wins on the higher editorial score and broader regulation, with ASIC/CySEC/FSCA oversight and a compensation scheme.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose BlackBull Markets if…
Choose BlackBull Markets if you value New Zealand FMA regulation with strict client money segregation and no phone support.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want ASIC/CySEC/FSCA regulation with segregated funds and phone support.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Equally secure, as both maintain segregated funds and top-tier regulators across jurisdictions.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $200 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Taker Fee | 6.00%▼ lower | 7.00% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | BlackBull Markets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: BlackBull Markets rates 3.8/5 and IC Markets rates 4.1/5. IC Markets has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Both BlackBull Markets and IC Markets list the same spread figure of 0. Compare each exchange's full fee schedule, including maker/taker rates and any volume discounts, to evaluate total trading costs.
BlackBull Markets has no minimum deposit, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes BlackBull Markets more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both BlackBull Markets and IC Markets hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: BlackBull Markets has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
BlackBull Markets offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus IC Markets's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
BlackBull Markets charges $6 per trade, lower than IC Markets's $7 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
BlackBull Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, DXtrade, MetaTrader 4, while IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. BlackBull Markets has exclusive access to DXtrade.
IC Markets achieves a higher Fees & Spreads score indicating relatively lower costs.
Coin selection is similar, with both offering around 20 tokens.
BlackBull Markets offers a $0 min deposit, aiding entry for beginners.
Neither broker offers DeFi access or NFT trading.
| 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| 0.7 pips |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC FMA | ASIC FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.8 / 5
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