IC Markets vs Equiti: Which Broker Is Better?

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.

Equiti operates through several legal entities, including Equiti Capital UK Limited, authorised by the UK FCA under licence number 528328, and Equiti Global Markets Ltd, regulated by CySEC under licence number 415/22. The group also includes an entity supervised by the Jordan Securities Commission under number 50248 and an international entity regulated by the FSA in Seychelles, giving Equiti a clear presence in Europe and the Arab region.

The Jordanian entity may be especially relevant to traders in Jordan and nearby markets, while the FCA and CySEC entities provide recognised regulatory frameworks for eligible clients. Conditions at the Seychelles entity may differ, however, so Equiti’s licences should not be treated as identical in terms of investor protection.

When assessing Equiti, traders should confirm which legal company will hold the account and client funds, then match its licence number with the official register. This allows traders to understand whether they are dealing with the Jordanian, European or international entity and what regulatory rights apply.

Regulated Equiti entities protect eligible client funds by keeping them separate from the capital used to operate the company. Where required, client money is held with banking institutions under the rules applying to the legal entity responsible for the account. This segregation helps prevent client funds from being used for the broker’s daily operating expenses.

Segregation does not remove trading risk or guarantee that funds will be recovered in every situation. Client protection, complaint procedures and any additional safeguards may differ between the FCA, CySEC, JSC and international Seychelles entities. Traders should verify the legal company holding their funds before depositing.