IC Marketsvs
SkillingCrypto Exchange Comparison
Two regulated CFD brokers face off in crypto exposure. They differ in platform ecosystems and crypto inventories.
Our Verdict
IC Markets winsby 0.4 pts
IC Markets outperforms Skilling on the editorial score. It also demonstrates stronger trust/regulation and broader platform coverage for crypto CFDs.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1Coin catalog depth: Skilling lists 40+ crypto CFDs vs 20 for IC Markets.
- 2Platform breadth: IC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView; Skilling uses proprietary platform.
- 3Live support availability: IC Markets provides 24/5 live chat and phone support.
Who should choose IC Markets vs Skilling?
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want stronger regulation and access to MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView from one account.
Choose Skilling if…
Choose Skilling if you want 40+ crypto CFDs and a lower $50 minimum deposit.
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
Equally matched; both have strong regulation and segregated funds.
Best for low fees
Recommended
Equally matched; fee data shows no clear advantage.
IC Markets vs Skilling: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  IC Markets |  Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $200 | $50▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Taker Fee | 7.00% | N/A |
IC Markets vs Skilling 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 Skilling: 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
Skilling
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | IC Markets | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
IC Markets vs Skilling: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: IC Markets rates 4.1/5 and Skilling rates 3.7/5. 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 Skilling's 0.7. 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.
Skilling has $50, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Skilling more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both IC Markets and Skilling 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: Skilling requires a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
IC Markets offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Skilling'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.
IC Markets charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Skilling are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. 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 cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Skilling supports cTrader, Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4. Both provide cTrader and MetaTrader 4. IC Markets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView. Skilling has exclusive access to Skilling Trader.
