FXCM vs IC Markets Crypto Exchange Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of FXCM and IC Markets across security, fees, coin selection, staking, and editorial scoring.
Score 3.8 / 5
FXCM offers crypto CFDs under FCA and ASIC regulation with its powerful Trading Station platform - an established US-founded broker with institutional-grade charting and algorithmic trading tools.
VS
Score 4.1 / 5
IC Markets offers crypto CFDs on 20+ pairs via MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView with ECN-adjacent execution and ASIC/CySEC regulation - a competitive regulated route to digital asset CFD exposure for active traders.
Our Verdict
IC Markets winsby 0.3 pts
IC Markets edges ahead with a score of 4.1/5 vs FXCM's 3.8/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Best for security
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both exchanges show an equally strong security profile across cold storage, proof of reserves, and regulatory oversight.
Best for low fees
Recommended
IC Markets has a lower fee profile: no deposit fee, no inactivity fee.
Best for beginners
Recommended
IC Markets edges out FXCM with a higher editorial score (4.1/5 vs 3.8/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new crypto traders.
Best for coin selection
Insufficient data
Data not yet available
Coin-selection data is not yet available for this pair. Check each exchange's supported assets page to compare the number of tradeable cryptocurrencies.
Best for DeFi & Web3
Insufficient data
Data not yet available
DeFi and NFT feature data is not yet available for this pair. Check each exchange's Web3 product pages directly.
FXCM vs IC Markets: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  FXCM |  IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial Score | 3.8/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min. Deposit | $50 | $200 |
| Regulators | ASIC FCA | ASIC CySEC FSCA |
| 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 |
| Visit exchange | Visit FXCM | Visit IC Markets |
FXCM vs IC Markets Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
Pros
- FCA and ASIC regulated - high regulatory standard with FSCS protection
- Trading Station with professional quantitative analysis tools (FXCM Apps)
- Long track record since 1999 in institutional-grade retail trading
Cons
- Banned from US market (CFTC action 2017) - not available to US clients
- Crypto selection is limited to major pairs
- Higher spreads on entry-level accounts vs raw ECN alternatives
Pros
- ECN-adjacent raw spreads on crypto CFDs - tighter than most retail market makers
- All four platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView) support crypto CFDs from one account
- ASIC and CySEC regulated with segregated client funds and negative balance protection
- No inactivity fee; 24/7 customer support across multiple channels
Cons
- CFDs only - no real crypto ownership, staking, or on-chain withdrawals
- Narrower coin selection (20+) than dedicated exchanges offering hundreds of tokens
- No DeFi access or NFT trading
- Not available to US residents
FXCM vs IC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
0
FXCM
criteria wins
1
IC Markets
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | FXCM | 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 | Fail | 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 | Pass | Pass |
FXCM vs IC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4.1/5 vs 3.8/5 for FXCM. The best choice still depends on your individual needs — security, coin selection, fees, and staking offerings all matter.
FXCM and IC Markets show a similar security profile in our data. Both should be evaluated on cold storage practices, proof of reserves, regulatory oversight, and whether client funds are held separately from operational funds.
IC Markets has a lower fee profile, with no deposit fee and no inactivity fee. Always check each platform's trading fee schedule directly, as crypto exchange fees vary by asset, trading volume, and account tier.
Neither FXCM nor IC Markets is listed as offering staking in our data. Check each exchange's website directly for the most up-to-date staking offerings, as this feature changes frequently.
FXCM has a lower minimum deposit of $50, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes FXCM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
For beginners: FXCM has a lower minimum deposit ($50); IC Markets has a higher overall editorial score. Also consider each exchange's educational resources, customer support quality, and the simplicity of their user interface before deciding.
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