IC Markets vs Exness: 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.

Exness operates through legal entities regulated by several authorities, including Exness (UK) Ltd, authorised by the UK FCA under licence number 730729, and Exness (Cy) Ltd, regulated by CySEC under licence number 178/12. The group also includes entities registered with the FSCA in South Africa and the Jordan Securities Commission, giving Exness a regulatory presence that combines international and regional oversight.

The existence of several Exness licences does not mean that every client opens an account under the same regulator. The entity assigned to the client depends on the country of residence and the registration website, while leverage, complaint procedures and legal protection may differ between the UK, Cyprus and other entities.

When assessing Exness safety, traders should verify the legal company name in the client agreement and match it with the official licence number, especially before depositing significant funds. The Jordanian entity may be relevant to regional traders, but the actual level of protection remains linked to the entity under which the account is opened.

Exness client fund protection depends on the legal entity through which the trading account is opened. Regulated entities separate eligible client funds from company operating funds according to their applicable rules. Exness also applies identity verification and anti-money-laundering controls and provides negative balance protection, which may reset an account balance to zero after market movements create a negative balance.

Negative balance protection limits liability arising from a negative account balance, but it does not prevent normal trading losses. Legal rights, complaint procedures and regulatory protections may differ between the FCA, CySEC, FSCA and JSC entities. Traders should confirm the company responsible for their account before depositing.