IFC Markets, established in 2006, is a global Forex and CFD broker boasting decades of industry expertise. The company operates under the oversight of several international regulatory bodies, including the BVI FSC and Labuan FSA.
As the flagship brand of the IFCM Group, IFC Markets benefits from over a decade of experience in developing and implementing innovative financial technology projects.
This article aims to provide an in-depth IFC Markets review, including an evaluation of its customer service, pricing structure, user advantages, and other relevant factors to consider.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- The GeWorko Portfolio Quoting Method enables the creation of synthetic assets.
- Recognised by clients, having received 33 recent international awards.
- Insured through Hamilton Group Syndicate 4000.
- Offers a competitive trading cost structure with no commissions.
- Over 650 tradable assets available including forex pairs, stocks, commodities, indices, ETFs, Crypto and Futures CFDs.
- Licensed by two regulatory bodies (BVI FSC and Labuan FSA).
- ECN accounts are available with spreads starting from 0.0 pips.
Cons
- Unlike many competitors, IFC Markets does not offer any native mobile app to its traders.
- The minimum deposit amount at IFC Markets for Standard account is $1000 which is relatively high as compared to other competing brokers.
Is IFC Markets Regulated?
For traders who ask if IFC Markets is safe? Yes, IFC Markets is a multi-regulated Forex and CFD broker that operates through multiple legal entities authorized by different financial regulatory bodies. IFC Markets has been providing financial services to thousands of traders since 2006 and is awarded by several platforms.
IFC Markets being regulated by 2 regulatory bodies, it ensures that the regulatory oversight is maintained across various jurisdictions and compliances with international financial standards.
Here is the list of IFC Markets regulations:
- IFCMARKETS. CORP. is licensed by the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVI FSC).
- IFCMARKETS.LTD is licensed by the Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA) in Malaysia.
As we all know, trading with a regulated CFD broker is always recommended, as it comes with Client Fund Protection. What this means is, the client funds are kept separately from the broker’s operational funds in separate accounts.
Moreover, IFC Markets also maintains insurance coverage through Hamilton Group Syndicate 4000. This insurance coverage provides an additional layer of protection against various other operational risks.
Important Note: While opening an account with IFC Markets, make sure you verify under which regulatory body their account will be opened. As different jurisdictions have different leverage limits, protections, and trading conditions.
IFC Markets Customer Service
IFC Markets is renowned for delivering exceptional customer support services within the industry, complemented by its proprietary Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software that ensures clients receive outstanding assistance.
Additionally, the IFC broker offers a blog and comprehensive technical support for Autochartist, including access to expert advisors.
The broker provides multichannel live support five days a week in twelve languages, alongside a versatile website available in nineteen languages.
Clients can reach IFC through various platforms, including Live Chat, email, Skype, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Instagram, and Signal. For clients located in the U.K. or Canada, phone support and callback requests are also available.
IFC Markets Pricing
Spreads for forex trading at IFC broker begin at 0.4 pips for floating spreads and 1.8 pips for fixed-spread accounts. However, these spreads may vary based on the trading platform and the currency pair involved.
For CFD trades, a minimum commission of 0.1% of the transaction amount is applicable, equating to $0.02 per share for U.S. stocks. For further details regarding share commissions in other markets, please click here.
There is no minimum deposit required to establish a NetTradeX beginner or MT4/5 micro account, while a minimum deposit of $1,000 is necessary for standard NetTradeX or MT4/5 accounts. The leverage ratios are contingent upon the type of broker account and the instruments being traded.
At IFC, maximum leverage ratios range from 1:200 to 1:400. For detailed and latest information regarding the leverage available for various positions and account types, please check the IFC Markets official website.
To fund your IFC Markets account, deposits can be made using a Visa or Mastercard, International Bank Transfer, Interac e-transfer, Crypto currencies, and SticPay. The usuall processing time for deposits via Visa or Mastercar, Crypto, and SticPay is instant. However, for Interac e-transfer, it is less than 1 working day and for Bank Transfer, it takes 2-3 working days.
Now coming to the IFC Markets Withdrawal methods and processing times. The withdrawal methods at IFC Markets are the same as the deposit methods. However, the IFC Markets Withdrawal processing time for Wire transfer is 2-3 working days, Banking card transfer is 1-5 business days, Interac e-transfer is 1-2 business days, Crypto currencies is less than 1 working day and several minutes for SticPay.
Research & Education
IFC Markets provides technical and fundamental analysis in a professional and high-quality format during each trading session, covering eleven distinct categories. The in-house research includes concise written analyses and video content, which present manual traders with fresh ideas to explore.
Recently, the IFC Markets broker introduced two new sections, Trading Ideas and Trading Signals, which offer succinct trading signals. We consider the research produced by IFC Markets to be among the most reputable in the industry.
What about education at IFC Markets?
The educational offerings at IFC Markets, centered around the IFCM Trading Academy, are of exceptional quality, delivered through extensive written materials and a diverse array of video resources.
The curriculum is structured to cater to various skill levels, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced sections. This represents a significant advantage for traders at IFC Markets. It is highly recommended that novice traders fully utilize these resources, beginning with the Forex Trading Step-by-Step course.
IFC Markets Mobile App
IFC Markets does not offer a dedicated mobile app. However, the trading platforms it supports, such as MT4, MT5, and NetTradeX, work on iOS and Android devices, including both phones and tablets.
You can also use the NetTradeX platform on Windows Phones. Additionally, the MetaTrader platforms are available in web-based and desktop versions, providing flexibility for traders to choose the version that suits their needs.
IFC Markets Key Features
IFC Markets broker provides clients with competitive dealing spreads and exceptional support services. Clients can benefit from both technical and fundamental analyses conducted by the broker’s team of experts, along with complimentary access to AutoChartist. This tool which offers visual market analysis, engaging content, and risk management support.
In addition to offering high-quality trading platforms such as MT4/5, the broker features a comprehensive market education section on its website. This makes it an ideal choice for novice and inexperienced traders.
Additional benefits include the availability of Islamic forex trading accounts, a robust analytics section, and a free demo account that allows potential clients to explore IFC’s services and practice their trading skills.
Moreover, IFC Markets presents several enticing promotions. By making a minimum deposit of $250, clients can qualify for a bonus of up to 50% on their deposit and have the chance to win various prizes.
Additionally, clients can earn up to 7% annual interest on the free margin funds in their trading accounts.
IFC Markets Trading Experience
IFC broker provides a user-friendly experience by offering the popular MT4/5 trading platforms. Their website is straightforward to use, giving you all the information you need to start trading.
It also offers a free demo trading account, which lets you test its services and create a trading plan without any risk. Additionally, IFC Markets has a large educational section that is very helpful for new traders, helping them learn and improve their trading skills.
IFC Markets vs. Competitors
When you compare IFC Markets to other forex trading platforms and CFD brokers, you’ll notice that not many offer as many benefits as IFC. One standout feature is that you can create your synthetic trading instruments.
Also, if you add funds to your trading account, you could win one of the exciting prizes the broker offers. Whether you’re just starting in trading or have lots of experience, choosing IFC Markets can be a smart choice.
However, it’s important to note that unlike some competitors, IFC doesn’t have a major regulator. Instead, it’s overseen by two smaller regulators.
IFC Markets Overall Rating
IFC Markets stands out as a solid option for those interested in forex and CFD trading. Although it isn’t backed by a major regulator, it is overseen by two smaller regulatory bodies.
The platform provides a diverse array of assets to trade, along with competitive spreads that can benefit traders.
Additionally, IFC Markets offers appealing promotions and a special feature that allows users to create and trade their synthetic assets. These qualities make it an attractive choice for both new and seasoned traders.
Conclusion
In this IFC Markets review, we can conclude that the trading environment at IFC Markets is appealing because it supports algorithmic trading on all its platforms. This allows traders to use computer programs to assist with trading.
IFC Markets broker also enables the creation of synthetic assets with its special Portfolio Quoting Method. Traders benefit from features like competitive leverage, thorough research, and quality educational resources.
However, it’s important to note that a minimum deposit of $1,000 is required to begin trading. For those willing to use the unique NetTradeX platform or MT5, IFC Markets offers a competitively priced trading environment.
This broker is an authentic choice for traders looking to diversify their investment portfolio, which means spreading out investments to manage risk better. New traders will find valuable educational materials to help them learn about trading effectively.
IFC Markets – FAQs
Q1. Is IFC Markets regulated?
A. Yes, IFC Markets is a regulated and safe broker and is operating through 2 licensed entities. The broker is regulated by British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVI FSC) and Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA).
Q2. Is IFC Markets good for beginners?
A. Yes, IFC Markets is a good forex broker for beginners. The reasons include a free demo account, extensive educational resources, and a user-friendly platform. It also offers Trading Academy, which offers learning materials for all experience levels.
Q3. Does IFC Markets offer Islamic accounts?
A. Yes, IFC Markets offers Islamic swap-free accounts to traders who follow Shariah principles. However, traders might need to submit a request to the IFCM team to activate the Swap-free option on their account.
Q4. What leverage does IFC Markets offer?
A. IFC Markets offers a leverage of up to 1:400 depending on various factors like regulatory jurisdiction, account type, trading instrument that you choose.
Q5. Does IFC Markets charge commissions?
A. No, IFC Markets does not usually charge commission hence offering a commission free trading on most Forex and CFD instruments. However, the trading cost is incorporated into the spread. Although, traders might have to pay commission on certain CFD products like stock CFDs.