Quick Verdict — Iraq Traders
Best Overall
IC Markets
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
Exness
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Both Available
Swap-free for Iraq Muslims
Best for Beginners
IC Markets
Better education & support
1:5000 vs 1:2
Max leverage
Head-to-head comparison
For Iraq traders seeking a reliable forex broker, IC Markets and Exness stand out as two of the most popular choices in 2026, both earning a stellar 4.8/5 rating. As a retail trader in Iraq, you face unique challenges, including managing currency risk with the Iraqi Dinar and accessing deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. Both brokers cater to these needs, but they differ in key areas. IC Markets is renowned for its ultra-tight spreads and deep liquidity, making it a top pick for scalpers and algorithmic traders. Exness, on the other hand, offers flexible leverage, lower minimum deposits, and a more straightforward Islamic account policy, appealing to beginners and long-term traders. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals, local payment preferences, and regulatory comfort in Iraq.
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Overall Scores Comparison

IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS

Exness
FCA · CySEC · ASIC
3.5
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 | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Exness |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Exness |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Exness |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Exness |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 | Exness |
When comparing trading costs for Iraq traders, IC Markets typically edges ahead for high-volume strategies. Its Raw Spread account offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a $7 round-turn commission per lot, resulting in total costs often below $10 per lot. Exness’s Zero account also starts at 0.0 pips but charges a $3.5 per side commission, totaling $7 per lot. For standard accounts, Exness spreads average 0.3 pips with no commission, which is competitive for lower volumes. Iraq traders executing 10+ lots per week will save more with IC Markets, while those trading smaller sizes may prefer Exness’s simpler cost structure.
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Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 |
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Leverage Comparison - Iraq Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|
| Iraq (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:2 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:2 |
| 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 Iraq Traders
Traders in Iraq 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 | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Exness |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
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Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Exness |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets boasts execution speeds under 40ms on cTrader, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center, ideal for scalpers in Iraq trading major pairs like EUR/USD. Exness offers execution speeds around 100ms, which is still competitive for most retail traders. For Iraq traders with high-frequency strategies, IC Markets’ raw speed is superior, while Exness’s execution is reliable for standard trading.
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Regulation & Safety for Iraq Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets Global is not
FCA-authorised — the FCA has issued a public warning about this entity, and its clients do not have FOS or FSCS protection; verify the specific entity and licence before depositing. Neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator in Iraq, but both adhere to strict international standards. , for EU clients under
CySEC).
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Iraq traders may differ by entity.
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Deposits & Withdrawals for Iraq
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | crypto takes 30–60 minutes, and bank cards or wires take 1 to 5 business days |
Iraq traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT with both brokers. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200 for most methods, with USDT deposits processed instantly and no fees. Exness offers a lower barrier with a $10 minimum deposit, making it more accessible for beginners. Withdrawals are equally efficient: IC Markets processes e-wallet withdrawals within 24 hours, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. Exness also offers instant withdrawals for e-wallets and USDT, with no additional charges. For Iraq traders using USDT, both brokers accept Tether (ERC-20 or TRC-20), but Exness supports more networks, reducing transfer costs. Bank transfers from Iraq may incur intermediary fees, so e-wallets or USDT are recommended for faster, cheaper transactions.
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Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Iraq Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both IC Markets and Exness provide Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Iraq, in compliance with Sharia law. IC Markets offers swap-free accounts upon request for all account types, but charges a fee after a holding period (typically 10-14 days) to offset costs. Exness automatically applies swap-free status for clients from Muslim-majority countries like Iraq, with no extra fees or time limits, making it a more convenient option for long-term traders. For Iraq traders who hold positions overnight frequently, Exness’s policy is more favorable.
Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
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Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✓ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with Arabic language support available during business hours. Exness also provides 24/7 support in Arabic, with faster response times on live chat (under 30 seconds on average). For Iraq traders, Exness’s dedicated local support team and Arabic resources give it a slight edge, though both brokers are responsive and helpful.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
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Education & Research Tools
| Resource | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
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Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
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Pros & Cons of Each Broker
IC Markets
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-$200 min deposit
-No 24/7 support
Exness
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
+24/7 customer support
Cons
-No TradingView
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Who Should Use Which Broker? - Iraq Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are a scalper or algorithmic trader needing ultra-tight spreads and fast execution.
- Trade high volumes (10+ lots per week) and want to minimize per-lot costs.
- Prefer cTrader for advanced charting and EA compatibility.
- Are comfortable with a $200 minimum deposit and ASIC regulation.
Choose Exness if you...
- Are a beginner or low-volume trader wanting a low $10 minimum deposit.
- Need flexible leverage up to unlimited for certain instruments.
- Prefer a hassle-free Islamic account with no holding period fees.
- Value Arabic-language customer support and instant USDT withdrawals.
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FAQ - IC Markets vs Exness in Iraq
Is IC Markets or Exness better for Iraq?
+Can Iraq traders use both brokers legally?
+Which broker has lower spreads for Iraq traders?
+How do Iraq traders deposit at IC Markets and Exness?
+Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Iraq?
+Final Verdict - Iraq 2026
IC Markets wins overall
For Iraq traders in 2026, the choice between IC Markets and Exness boils down to your trading style and priorities. IC Markets wins on cost efficiency and execution speed, making it ideal for active scalpers and EA users who can leverage the tight spreads and low commissions. Exness is more accessible with its low minimum deposit, flexible leverage, and superior Islamic account policy, appealing to beginners and long-term traders. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, but Exness’s lower fees on USDT deposits give it a slight edge for cost-conscious Iraq traders. Neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator, but their international licenses provide adequate security. Ultimately, if you trade frequently and value speed, choose IC Markets; if you prioritize ease of use and Islamic compliance, Exness is your better bet.
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. All data verified as of October 2026.