IC Markets vs FxPro: 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.

FxPro operates through entities that include FXPRO UK Limited, authorised by the UK FCA under licence number 509956, and FxPro Financial Services Ltd, regulated by CySEC under licence number 078/07. Depending on the client’s country and available services, the group may also use international entities such as FxPro Global Markets Limited under the SCB in the Bahamas and Invemonde Trading Ltd regulated by the FSA in Seychelles.

The FCA and CySEC entities provide a strong regulatory foundation within the FxPro group, but international clients may not be registered with either of them. The actual entity affects leverage, available products, complaint procedures and any investor-protection or compensation arrangements, so the same level of protection should not be assumed for every FxPro account.

Before choosing an FxPro account or using MT4, MT5 or cTrader, traders should verify the legal company named in the registration documents and match its licence number with the official register. This is especially important for active traders comparing account flexibility and platform choice with the strength of the regulator responsible for their account.

Regulated FxPro entities keep eligible client funds separate from company operating funds under the applicable client-money rules. Certain clients registered with the UK or European entities may also qualify for statutory investor compensation schemes, subject to the relevant eligibility conditions and legal protection limits.

FxPro Wallet may allow traders to keep part of their balance outside an active trading account and transfer funds between accounts, but it is not a substitute for legal fund segregation or an investor compensation scheme. Protection differs between the FCA, CySEC, Bahamas and Seychelles entities, so traders should verify the legal company responsible for their account.