IC Markets vs Plus500 Crypto Exchange Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of IC Markets and Plus500 across security, fees, coin selection, staking, and editorial scoring.
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.
VS
Score 3.7 / 5
Plus500 offers crypto CFDs on 15+ major tokens via its proprietary WebTrader under FCA, ASIC, and MAS regulation - a straightforward, beginner-friendly regulated entry point for digital asset CFD exposure.
Our Verdict
IC Markets winsby 0.4 pts
IC Markets edges ahead with a score of 4.1/5 vs Plus500's 3.7/5. 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 Plus500 with a higher editorial score (4.1/5 vs 3.7/5), 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.
IC Markets vs Plus500: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  IC Markets |  Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial Score | 4.1/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Regulators | ASIC CySEC FSCA | ASIC CySEC MAS FCA CMA |
| 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 IC Markets | Visit Plus500 |
IC Markets vs Plus500 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
- Narrower coin selection (20+) than dedicated exchanges offering hundreds of tokens
- No DeFi access or NFT trading
- Not available to US residents
Pros
- LSE-listed, FCA/ASIC/MAS regulated - among the most transparent regulated CFD operators
- Clean, beginner-friendly platform with no minimum deposit requirement
- No commission - spread-only pricing is easy to understand for new traders
- Negative balance protection and segregated client funds
Cons
- Narrower coin selection (15+) than most multi-platform competitors
- Wider spreads than ECN alternatives - not cost-competitive for active traders
- Inactivity fee ($10/month) after 3 months - punishing for low-frequency traders
- No MetaTrader, no API, no algorithmic trading support
IC Markets vs Plus500: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
IC Markets
criteria wins
0
Plus500
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | IC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| 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 | Fail |
IC Markets vs Plus500: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4.1/5 vs 3.7/5 for Plus500. The best choice still depends on your individual needs — security, coin selection, fees, and staking offerings all matter.
IC Markets and Plus500 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 IC Markets nor Plus500 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.
Plus500 has a lower minimum deposit of $100, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Plus500 more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
For beginners: Plus500 has a lower minimum deposit ($100); 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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