IC Markets New Zealand Review 2026
Forex Trading Risk — New Zealand Traders
IC Markets — Most Forex brokers reviewed on this site are offshore platforms not regulated by the FMA. Trading Forex through offshore brokers from New Zealand carries financial risk (you can lose your capital) and counterparty risk with zero local FMA protection. Retail Forex trading on international brokers should be done only after fully evaluating your personal risk profile. Consult a financial adviser before depositing funds.
Sajid's Hub Note: Trading forex in New Zealand involves serious counterparty risks. Before depositing any real funds, make sure to read our central Forex Trading New Zealand Hub Guide and check the legal realities in our Is Forex Legal in New Zealand? regulatory breakdown.
Overview of IC Markets for Kiwi Traders
IC Markets is the undisputed titan of ECN trading. Founded in Sydney in 2007, they have grown to become one of the largest brokers in the world by trading volume, regularly clearing over $1 trillion monthly. They are the go-to broker for high-volume automated traders, scalpers, and institutional money managers who require raw execution speed and razor-thin spreads. Let's see why they are considered the gold standard for active retail traders.
Regulation & Security: Is IC Markets Safe?
IC Markets is regulated by ASIC in Australia, CySEC in Cyprus, and the FSA in the Seychelles. Kiwi traders are registered under Raw Trading Ltd (IC Markets Seychelles), which is regulated by the Seychelles FSA. Because they operate offshore for NZ clients, you can access leverage up to 1:500. While Seychelles is an offshore registry, IC Markets' massive scale, audited financials, and ASIC parentage make them highly secure.
Spreads, Commissions, & Trading Fees
IC Markets has some of the lowest fees in the industry. The Standard account is commission-free with spreads from 1.0 pips. The Raw Spread account is where they dominate: spreads are regularly 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of USD $3.50 per side ($7.00 round turn). On cTrader, the commission is even lower at $6.00 round turn. They charge no inactivity fees and no withdrawal fees.
NZD Deposits & Withdrawal Friction
Kiwi traders can fund their accounts using credit card, bank wire, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, and crypto. While they do not have POLi, they support local bank deposits in NZD, meaning you can wire funds directly to an NZD clearing account without currency conversion losses. Withdrawals are processed daily and are generally free of charge.
Platforms & Execution Speeds
IC Markets offers a full suite: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and TradingView. Their servers are located in the Equinix NY4 (New York) and LD5 (London) data centers, which are the same hubs used by investment banks. This ensures ultra-low execution latency, typically under 5 milliseconds, minimizing slippage during major news events.
Sajid's Verdict on IC Markets
IC Markets is the best broker for active traders. Raw spreads are consistently tight, commissions are low, and they do not penalize you with inactivity fees. Local NZD banking options and multiple platforms make it the gold standard.
IC Markets New Zealand FAQs
1. Is IC Markets regulated by ASIC?
Yes, the parent group is regulated by ASIC, while New Zealand clients trade under the Seychelles FSA entity.
2. What is the minimum deposit at IC Markets?
The minimum deposit is $200 (approximately NZD 320).
3. Does IC Markets charge inactivity fees?
No, IC Markets does not charge any inactivity or account maintenance fees.
4. What is the commission on cTrader?
The cTrader commission is USD $3.00 per side per lot ($6.00 round turn).
5. Does IC Markets support NZD accounts?
Yes, you can open an account in NZD and deposit via local bank transfer.
6. Are execution speeds fast?
Yes, IC Markets execution speeds average under 5 milliseconds via Equinix servers.
Rating Breakdown
Pros
- ASIC regulated parent company with exceptional credibility
- true raw spread ECN liquidity with minimal spreads from 0.0 pips
- Choice of MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView platforms
- No inactivity fees whatsoever
- High execution speed and low latency (servers in NY4 & LD5)
Cons
- Higher $200 minimum deposit requirement
- Offshore registration (Seychelles FSA) applies to New Zealand clients
- Support response times can slow down during volatile sessions
Fees & Account Details
| Minimum Deposit | $200 (≈ NZD 320) |
| EUR/USD Spread | 1.0 pips (Standard) / 0.0 pips (Raw Spread) |
| Commission | None (Standard) / $3.50 per side per lot (Raw) |
| Withdrawal Time | 1-2 business days |
| Inactivity Fee | None |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
| Regulation | ASIC, CySEC, FSA |
IC Markets for New Zealand Traders
| POLi Payments Support | ✗ No |
| NZD Account Deposits | ✓ Yes |
| Local NZ Bank Transfer | ✓ Yes |
| English Support | ✓ Yes |
| NZST/NZDT Support Hours | ✓ Yes |
| Accepts New Zealand Clients | ✓ Yes |
| FMA Regulated | ✗ No |
| Offshore Only | ✓ Yes |
Sajid
Senior Retail Trader & NZ Market Analyst
Trading since 2012
Last updated
June 2026
New Zealand-based retail Forex and binary options trader since 2012. Cynical, battle-tested, and focused on risk preservation.
Forex Trading Risk — New Zealand Traders
IC Markets — Most Forex brokers reviewed on this site are offshore platforms not regulated by the FMA. Trading Forex through offshore brokers from New Zealand carries financial risk (you can lose your capital) and counterparty risk with zero local FMA protection. Retail Forex trading on international brokers should be done only after fully evaluating your personal risk profile. Consult a financial adviser before depositing funds.