Two regulated CFD brokers clash over crypto access and trading ecosystems. The tension centers on coin coverage and platform breadth, setting up a reader to compare before deciding.
IC Markets edges Exness on the editorial score (4.1 vs 3.8), aided by broader platform support including cTrader and TradingView.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose Exness if…
Choose Exness if you want more crypto CFDs and a proprietary platform.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want transparent pricing and multiple platforms including cTrader and TradingView.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Exness has FCA regulation in addition to CySEC and others.
IC Markets offers tighter ECN-adjacent spreads and transparent pricing.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $1▼ lower | $200 |
| Spreads From | 0.3 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | 3.50%▼ lower | 7.00% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Exness | 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 | Fail | 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 | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: Exness 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.
IC Markets lists a lower spread from 0, compared with Exness's 0.3. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
Exness has $1, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Exness more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both Exness 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: Exness requires a lower minimum deposit ($1), lowering the barrier to entry, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Exness 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.
Exness charges $3.5 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.
Exness supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and TradingView.
Neither offers DeFi access or NFT trading, so they are equally matched.
| 0.65 pips▼ lower |
| 0.7 pips |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCryptoP2P | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPerfect MoneyCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA FSCA OJK CySEC | 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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