Quick Verdict β North Macedonia Traders
Best Overall
HYCM & IC Markets
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
IC Markets
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Both Available
Swap-free for North Macedonia Muslims
Best for Beginners
HYCM
Better education & support
1:500 vs 1:5000
Max leverage
For traders in North Macedonia, choosing between HYCM and IC Markets means weighing a long-established broker against a global low-cost leader. HYCM, with a score of 3.6/5, has been in operation since 1977 and offers a trusted brand with a range of account types. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, is known for ultra-tight spreads, fast execution, and advanced platforms like cTrader. Both brokers accept North Macedonia clients and support local deposit methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. The local financial regulator oversees forex activities, so traders should ensure compliance with reporting requirements. This comparison focuses on costs, platforms, regulation, and payment methods to help you decide which broker fits your trading style.
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Overall Scores Comparison

HYCM
FCA Β· CySEC Β· CIMA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS
IC
IC Markets
ASIC Β· CySEC Β· FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
Regulation
Safety, oversight
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
Education
Webinars, guides
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Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | HYCM | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | IC Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | IC Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | IC Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | IC Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $20 | $200 | HYCM |
For North Macedonia traders, trading costs can significantly impact profitability, especially for high-frequency or scalping strategies. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, while HYCMβs standard account has spreads around 1.2 pips with no commission. Over 100 trades per month, IC Markets can save you $50β$100 in spread costs. Both brokers offer competitive swap rates, but IC Marketsβ lower spreads make it the cheaper option for active traders.
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Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | HYCM | IC Markets |
|---|
| Standard account | β | β |
| ECN / Raw spread | β | β |
| Islamic (swap-free) | β | β |
| Demo account | β | β |
| PAMM / MAM account | β | β |
| Zero spread account | β | β |
| Copy trading | β | β |
| Min deposit | $20 | $200 |
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Leverage Comparison - North Macedonia Traders
| Entity / Asset | HYCM | IC Markets |
|---|
| North Macedonia (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:5000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:5000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Leverage Warning for North Macedonia Traders
Traders in North Macedonia typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
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Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | HYCM | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | HYCM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | β | |