IC Marketsvs
PhemexCrypto Exchange Comparison
IC Markets and Phemex square off as regulated CFD-based exposure versus native crypto trading. Traders weigh security, coin depth, and fee structures as they compare approaches.
Who should choose IC Markets vs Phemex?
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose IC Markets if you want ASIC/CySEC regulation with segregated funds and negative balance protection.
Choose if…
Choose Phemex if you want a native exchange with proof of reserves and zero-maker-fee spot trading through a premium membership.
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
Recommended
IC Markets vs Phemex: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  IC Markets |  Phemex |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $200 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | N/A |
| Taker Fee | 7.00% | 0.10%▼ lower |
IC Markets vs Phemex Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
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
IC Markets vs Phemex: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
IC Markets
criteria wins
3
Phemex
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | IC Markets | Phemex |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Pass |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Fail |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Pass |
| 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 | Fail |
IC Markets vs Phemex: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: IC Markets rates 4.1/5 and Phemex rates 3.9/5. 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 Phemex. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Phemex has no minimum deposit, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Phemex 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. Phemex 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: Phemex 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.
IC Markets offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Phemex's 100:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Phemex charges $0.1 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.
IC Markets supports TradingView, cTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, while Phemex supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. IC Markets has exclusive access to TradingView and cTrader and MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Phemex has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Phemex 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 Phemex's supported coins, lock-up terms, and estimated yields before committing.
