IC Markets vs Swissquote Crypto Exchange Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of IC Markets and Swissquote 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 4.1 / 5
Swissquote offers crypto CFDs and real crypto purchases through a Swiss-banking regulated environment - the only major multi-asset broker operating under FINMA supervision with a full banking licence, combining institutional-grade security with digital asset access.
Our Verdict
Too close to call
IC Markets and Swissquote are extremely closely matched with scores of 4.1/5 and 4.1/5. The right choice depends on your individual trading priorities.
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
Both exchanges share the same editorial score of 4.1/5, but IC Markets requires a lower minimum deposit ($200 vs $1000 for Swissquote), making it more accessible for new 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 Swissquote: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  IC Markets |  Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial Score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $1,000 |
| Regulators | ASIC CySEC FSCA | DFSA FINMA FCA |
| 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 Swissquote |
IC Markets vs Swissquote 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
- FINMA Swiss banking licence - strongest institutional-grade regulatory framework in retail multi-asset crypto
- Both crypto CFDs and real crypto purchase/custody available through the same account
- Swiss Depositor Protection - stronger client asset coverage than FSCS or MiFID
- Access to 60,000+ instruments alongside crypto in one Swiss-banking account
Cons
- Significantly higher costs than retail CFD competitors - spreads are premium
- Higher minimum deposit - not suited for beginner or small-capital traders
- Narrower crypto coin selection than eToro or Capital.com
- Platform sophistication creates a steep learning curve
IC Markets vs Swissquote: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
IC Markets
criteria wins
0
Swissquote
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | IC Markets | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
IC Markets vs Swissquote: Frequently Asked Questions
IC Markets and Swissquote share the same editorial score of 4.1/5. The right choice depends on your priorities: security features, coin selection, fee structure, or staking options.
IC Markets and Swissquote 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 Swissquote 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.
IC Markets has a lower minimum deposit of $200, while Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes IC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
For beginners: IC Markets has a lower minimum deposit ($200). Also consider each exchange's educational resources, customer support quality, and the simplicity of their user interface before deciding.
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