Admirals vs IC Markets: Which Broker Is Better?

Admirals operates through entities that include Admiral Markets UK Ltd, authorised by the UK FCA under licence number 595450, and Admirals Europe Ltd, regulated by CySEC under licence number 201/13. The group also includes Admiral Markets AS Jordan Ltd, registered with the Jordan Securities Commission, providing a direct regulatory presence in the Arab region.

The Jordanian entity may be relevant to eligible traders in the region, but the account may be opened with a different company depending on the client’s country and available services. Trade and Zero accounts, leverage, products, complaint procedures and legal protection can vary between entities under the same Admirals brand.

Before opening an Admirals account, traders should match the legal entity and licence number in the client agreement with the regulator’s official register. This helps Arabic-speaking traders understand whether their account is assigned to the Jordanian, European or UK entity and assess the actual protection that applies.

Regulated Admirals entities hold eligible retail client funds in segregated accounts, separate from the money used for the company’s operations. Negative balance protection may also apply under the conditions of the relevant entity. Eligible clients registered with certain UK or European entities may qualify for statutory compensation or additional legal safeguards within defined limits.

These protections do not automatically apply to every Admirals account worldwide. Client-money rules, compensation eligibility and complaint procedures may differ between the Jordanian, UK, European and international entities. Traders should confirm the legal company named in their client agreement and review the protection available under that entity before depositing.

IC Markets operates through regulated entities that include International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, authorised by ASIC under licence number 335692, and IC Markets (EU) Ltd, regulated by CySEC under licence number 362/18. International services are also provided through Raw Trading Ltd, regulated by the Seychelles FSA under licence number SD018, and IC Markets Global Ltd, regulated in the Bahamas.

The level of protection at IC Markets depends on the entity serving the client. An ASIC or CySEC account does not necessarily provide the same conditions and rights as an account opened with an international entity, and leverage, complaint procedures, negative-balance protection and available products may differ even when the client uses the same Raw Spread account or platform.

Before choosing IC Markets for scalping or algorithmic trading, traders should verify the legal company name and licence number shown during registration. Low spreads, liquidity and execution are important, but they do not determine which entity is responsible for client funds or what legal protection applies if a dispute or account problem occurs.

Regulated IC Markets entities hold eligible client funds in segregated accounts, separate from the capital used for the company’s operations, under the requirements of the relevant regulator. The broker also states that negative balance protection may apply to certain clients and entities under the conditions of the applicable account agreement.

Client-fund protection is not identical across the IC Markets group and may differ between the ASIC-regulated Australian entity, the CySEC-regulated European entity and international entities in Seychelles or the Bahamas. Traders should identify the legal company that will hold their funds before choosing a Raw Spread account or making a deposit.