This head-to-head pits Gate.io, a native crypto exchange, against IC Markets, a regulated crypto CFD broker, highlighting security, asset breadth, and fund protections.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose Gate.io if you want 1,700+ coins and monthly proof of reserves.
Choose if…
Choose IC Markets if you want regulated status with segregated funds and negative balance protection.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.0/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $200 |
| Spreads From | N/A | 0 pips |
| Taker Fee | 0.20%▼ lower | 7.00% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Gate.io | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Pass | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Fail | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Pass | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
The scores are close: Gate.io rates 4/5 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 spread from 0. Current spread data is not available for Gate.io. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Gate.io has no minimum deposit, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Gate.io more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
IC Markets holds top-tier regulation (ASIC, CySEC, FSCA), providing stronger investor protections. Gate.io may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Gate.io has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and IC Markets provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Gate.io offers up to 100:1 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.
Gate.io charges $0.2 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.
Gate.io supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Gate.io has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
Gate.io offers staking while IC Markets does not according to our data. Staking lets you earn passive yield on your crypto holdings directly through the exchange. Check Gate.io's supported coins, lock-up terms, and estimated yields before committing.
Gate.io lists 500+ coins while IC Markets does not meet this threshold in our data. For traders who want access to many altcoins, Gate.io has the broader selection. Confirm specific coin availability for your region on each exchange's website.
IC Markets wins for security due to ASIC/CySEC regulation, segregated funds, and negative balance protection.
Gate.io wins for low fees with 0.02% maker and 0.05% taker futures fees.
Gate.io offers 1,700+ coins, far exceeding IC Markets' 20+ tokens.
IC Markets wins for beginners due to phone support and regulated safeguards.
Gate.io offers staking and yield-earning options while IC Markets does not, making Gate.io the better choice for holders who want to earn passive income on their crypto.
equally matched.
| N/A |
| 0.7 pips |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | CryptoBank transferCredit cardDebit card | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | CryptoBank transfer | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Network fee only | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | CIMA AUSTRAC MiCA | ASIC CySEC FSCA |
|---|
| Cold Storage | Yes | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | Yes | No |
|---|
| Staking | Yes | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | Yes | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
IC Markets operates under regulated oversight with segregated funds and negative balance protection, whereas Gate.io lacks these protections.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
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