IC Marketsvs
SwissquoteCrypto Exchange Comparison
Two regulated crypto brokers face off on execution, regulation, and platform reach. IC Markets offers ECN-adjacent crypto CFDs across four platforms, while Swissquote blends real crypto with bank-grade oversight.
Our Verdict
Too close to call
IC Markets and Swissquote remain closely matched overall, with live chat availability differing as the clearest differentiator.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1IC Markets offers 24/5 live chat; Swissquote does not.
- 2IC Markets has no inactivity fee; Swissquote imposes an inactivity fee.
- 3Swissquote uses a proprietary platform; IC Markets uses non-proprietary platforms.
Who should choose IC Markets vs Swissquote?
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want 24/5 live chat support.
Choose Swissquote if…
Choose IC Markets if you prefer no inactivity fee. Choose Swissquote if you want real crypto purchases and custody in the same account. Choose Swissquote if you value a proprietary platform.
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
Swissquote wins for security with FINMA oversight and a Swiss banking licence.
Best for low fees
Recommended
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▼ lower | $1,000 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
| Taker Fee | 7.00% | N/A |
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
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. One concrete differentiator: IC Markets requires a lower minimum deposit.
IC Markets lists a lower spread from 0, compared with Swissquote's 1.7. 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.
IC Markets has $200, while Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes IC Markets more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both IC Markets and Swissquote 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: IC Markets requires a lower minimum deposit ($200), 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 Swissquote'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 Swissquote 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 Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and TradingView. Swissquote has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
IC Markets scores better on fee criteria (no deposit fee, no inactivity fee). Always check both exchanges' current fee schedules, as maker/taker rates and withdrawal fees vary and are subject to change.
