IFC Markets Overview
IFC Markets is a forex and CFD broker, established in 2006, that runs on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its own NetTradeX platform. It is best known for letting traders build synthetic, portfolio-style instruments, and it keeps a low entry point, from $15 on its smaller accounts.
RebateGain does not currently offer cashback on IFC Markets. If you would like us to add it, let us know, and in the meantime you can earn a rebate on the brokers we already cover.
IFC Markets Account Types
IFC Markets groups its accounts by execution type, and each comes in two sizes: a Standard size from $1,000 and a smaller Nano or Micro size from $15. They run across NetTradeX, MetaTrader 4, and MetaTrader 5. The four main families are below.
| Account | Minimum deposit | Max leverage | Pricing & platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | $15 (Nano) or $1,000 (Standard) | up to 1:400 | Instant execution, fixed or floating spread; NetTradeX, MT4 |
| Direct | $15 (Nano) or $1,000 (Standard) | up to 1:400 | Market (NDD) execution; NetTradeX, MT5 |
| Pro | $15 (Micro) or $1,000 (Standard) | up to 1:400 | Market execution on MT5 |
| ECN | $1,000 | up to 1:200 | Raw spread + commission on MT5 |
Classic Account
The Classic account uses instant execution, where you trade at the quoted price or get a requote, and it offers fixed or floating spreads. It is the beginner-friendly option, opening from $15 on the Nano size, and runs on NetTradeX and MT4.
Advantages
- Starts from $15 on the Nano size
- Fixed-spread option keeps costs predictable
- NetTradeX and MT4
Disadvantages
- Instant execution can return a requote in fast markets
- Spreads are not raw like the ECN account
Direct Account
The Direct account uses market (no-dealing-desk) execution, which fills your order at the best available price rather than requoting, with floating spreads. It opens from $15 on the Nano size and runs on NetTradeX and MT5.
Advantages
- Market execution, no requotes
- Starts from $15 on the Nano size
- NetTradeX and MT5
Disadvantages
- Floating spreads can widen in volatile markets
Pro Account
The Pro account is a market-execution tier on MetaTrader 5, available in Standard and Micro sizes. It suits traders who want MT5 with straightforward market execution.
Advantages
- Market execution on MT5
- Standard and Micro sizes, from $15
Disadvantages
- Exact conditions to confirm with the broker
ECN Account
The ECN account moves to raw spreads sourced from liquidity providers, with a commission per lot, on MetaTrader 5. It is aimed at active, cost-focused traders and opens from $1,000, with leverage up to 1:200.
Advantages
- Raw spreads, tighter than the other accounts
- Suited to active, cost-focused trading
- MetaTrader 5
Disadvantages
- Higher $1,000 entry
- A commission applies on top of the spread
- Lower 1:200 leverage than the smaller accounts
Regulation & Safety
IFC Markets has operated since 2006 and runs through separate regulated entities. Is IFC Markets legitimate? Yes. It is a long-running, registered broker. The protection that applies to you, including any investor compensation scheme, depends on the entity you register under, so it is worth checking which one your account sits with.
BVI FSC (British Virgin Islands)
IFC Markets’ BVI entity is registered with the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission. A BVI FSC registration requires the entity to meet the authority’s capital and conduct standards for operating from the BVI.
LFSA (Labuan, Malaysia)
IFC Markets also operates a Malaysian entity registered with the Labuan Financial Services Authority. This is the entity that serves many clients across Asia.
On safeguards, IFC Markets states that it keeps client funds in segregated accounts, provides negative balance protection, and carries professional indemnity insurance underwritten at Lloyd’s of London. Before you fund an account, check which entity you are contracting with in your client agreement, because that decides which rules and protections apply to you.
Spreads, Commissions & Fees
How you pay depends on the account. The Classic account offers fixed or floating spreads with no separate commission, the Direct and Pro accounts use floating spreads on market execution, and the ECN account uses raw spreads plus a commission per lot. To compare them, add the spread and the commission together for what you actually trade.
Advantages
- Fixed-spread option on the Classic account is predictable
- ECN gives raw spreads for active traders
- Low $15 entry on the smaller accounts
Disadvantages
- ECN adds a commission on top of the spread
- Live spreads are not published in an easy-to-find table
- The ECN tier needs a $1,000 balance
Deposits & Withdrawals
IFC Markets supports common funding methods, typically bank cards, wire transfer, and online payment options, with a low entry from $15 on the smaller accounts. Methods, limits and processing times vary by region and the entity you register under, so check the options in your client portal.
Advantages
- Low entry from $15 on the smaller accounts
- Standard cards, wire and online options
- Same methods across the account range
Disadvantages
- Withdrawal fees and limits depend on the method
- Processing times vary by region and entity
Leverage & Instruments
Leverage reaches up to 1:400 on the smaller accounts and 1:200 on the Standard and ECN accounts. As with most brokers, the top figure applies mainly to major forex pairs; more volatile markets carry lower caps.
On the instrument side, IFC Markets is multi-asset, and it adds one feature most brokers do not have: synthetic, portfolio-style instruments you build yourself.
| Asset class | What you can trade |
|---|---|
| Forex | Major, minor and exotic currency pairs |
| Metals & commodities | Gold, silver, oil and more |
| Indices | Major global stock indices |
| Share CFDs | CFDs on global stocks |
| Cryptocurrencies | Popular crypto pairs |
| Synthetic instruments (PCI) | Build your own portfolio instruments with the GeWorko Method, or use the PCI library |
Advantages
- Build-your-own synthetic instruments are a genuine differentiator
- Multi-asset range across forex, metals, indices and more
- Stocks are available as CFDs
Disadvantages
- Leverage up to 1:400 amplifies losses as much as gains
- Leverage caps are lower on volatile markets
- Stocks are CFDs, so you do not own the underlying share
Trading Platforms
IFC Markets gives you a wider platform choice than most, including its own NetTradeX platform alongside MetaTrader.
NetTradeX
IFC Markets’ proprietary platform, on desktop, web and mobile. It is the home of the broker’s standout feature, the GeWorko Method, which lets you build and trade synthetic portfolio instruments you cannot create on MetaTrader.
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5
The industry-standard platforms, available for desktop, web and mobile, so your existing EAs and chart setups carry over.
Demo accounts
Free demo accounts let you test a strategy, NetTradeX, or the synthetic instruments before funding.
NetTradeX
Desktop · iOS · Android
MT4
Desktop · WebTrader · iOS · Android
MT5
Desktop · WebTrader · iOS · Android · Mac OS · Linux
Advantages
- Own NetTradeX platform plus MT4 and MT5
- GeWorko synthetic instruments are unique to NetTradeX
- EAs and chart setups carry over on MT4/MT5
Disadvantages
- NetTradeX has a learning curve next to MetaTrader
- Some features live only on NetTradeX, not MetaTrader