Quick Verdict — Russia Traders
Best Overall
FXTM
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
FXTM
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Both Available
Swap-free for Russia Muslims
Best for Beginners
FXTM
Better education & support
1:5000 vs 1:5000
Max leverage
Head-to-head comparison
For Russia traders in 2026, choosing between IC Markets and FXTM is a critical decision that affects trading costs, platform usability, and access to local payment methods. Both brokers are well-regarded globally, but they cater to different trader profiles. IC Markets, with a stellar 3.6/5 score, is known for its ultra-low spreads, deep liquidity, and fast execution—ideal for experienced scalpers and algorithmic traders. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, offers a more beginner-friendly environment with extensive educational resources and a simpler account structure. Russia traders benefit from both brokers supporting local payment options like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, making deposits and withdrawals seamless. However, neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator (the Central Bank of Russia), so traders must choose based on their trading style, risk tolerance, and need for low-cost execution. This comparison breaks down every key factor for Russia-based retail traders.
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Overall Scores Comparison

IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
VS

FXTM
FCA · CySEC · FSCA
3.7
CompareBroker score
Winner
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 | FXTM | Winner |
|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $50 | IC Markets |
When comparing trading costs, IC Markets clearly outperforms FXTM for Russia traders. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a $3.5 commission per lot round turn, while FXTM’s standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission. For a Russia trader trading 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, IC Markets costs approximately $35 in total, whereas FXTM costs around $100—a 65% saving. High-volume traders in Russia will find IC Markets significantly more cost-effective, especially when trading USD/RUB or other volatile pairs where spread costs add up.
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Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $50 |
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Leverage Comparison - Russia Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|
| Russia (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:5000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 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 Russia Traders
Traders in Russia 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 | FXTM | 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+ | ✗ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
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Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| 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 is known for its ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 40ms and no requotes, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center. FXTM offers reliable execution but with occasional slippage during volatile markets. For Russia traders using scalping or high-frequency strategies, IC Markets’ execution quality is superior. FXTM is adequate for day trading but may not meet the needs of latency-sensitive traders.
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Regulation & Safety for Russia Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|
| 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 (the Central Bank of Russia), meaning Russia traders do not have local investor protection. However, both brokers offer negative balance protection and segregated client funds.
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Russia traders may differ by entity.
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Deposits & Withdrawals for Russia
| Payment Method | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|
| 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 | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. |
Russia traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both IC Markets and FXTM. IC Markets processes deposits instantly via e-wallets and USDT, with no fees, and withdrawals are typically processed within 24 hours. FXTM also supports these methods but may charge a small fee for Bank Transfer withdrawals (e.g., $30 for international wires). Minimum deposits are low: $50 for e-wallets at FXTM and $200 for bank transfers at IC Markets. USDT deposits are particularly popular among Russia traders for their speed and low cost. Both brokers support withdrawals back to the same payment method, ensuring convenience. Note that bank transfers can take 1-5 business days, while e-wallets and USDT are near-instant.
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Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Russia Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|
| 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 FXTM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Russia’s Muslim traders. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts upon request, with no additional fees, but certain instruments may incur a swap fee after 30 days. FXTM offers Islamic accounts automatically for clients in eligible regions, with no swap charges on all instruments. For Russia traders who follow Sharia law, FXTM’s automatic provision is simpler, while IC Markets requires a request but offers more flexibility. Both brokers ensure compliance with Islamic finance principles by avoiding overnight interest.
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 | FXTM | Winner |
|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Russian-speaking team available during Moscow trading hours. FXTM also provides 24/5 support with Russian language options, but response times can be slower during peak hours. For Russia traders, IC Markets’ round-the-clock support is a clear advantage, especially for those trading during global forex sessions. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections on their websites.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | FXTM | 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 | FXTM | Winner |
|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | 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
FXTM
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
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Who Should Use Which Broker? - Russia Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are a high-volume or scalping trader who needs ultra-low spreads and fast execution.
- Use Expert Advisors (EAs) or algorithmic trading strategies that require low latency.
- Prefer cTrader for advanced charting and automated trading.
- Want the lowest trading costs for frequent forex and CFD trading.
Choose FXTM if you...
- Are a beginner or intermediate trader who values educational resources and user-friendly platforms.
- Prefer a simpler account structure with no commissions on standard accounts.
- Want automatic Islamic account setup without requesting it.
- Need a broker with strong brand reputation and extensive market analysis tools.
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FAQ - IC Markets vs FXTM in Russia
Is IC Markets or FXTM better for Russia?
+Can Russia traders use both brokers legally?
+Which broker has lower spreads for Russia traders?
+How do Russia traders deposit at IC Markets and FXTM?
+Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Russia?
+Final Verdict - Russia 2026
FXTM wins overall
For Russia traders in 2026, IC Markets is the superior choice for those prioritizing low costs, fast execution, and advanced trading tools. Its 4.8/5 score reflects its strength in serving experienced and high-volume traders. FXTM, with a 3.7/5 score, is better suited for beginners or traders who value educational support and simplicity. Both brokers accept local payments like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, ensuring convenient deposits for Russia users. However, since neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, traders should assess their risk tolerance. Ultimately, IC Markets wins for cost efficiency and performance, while FXTM offers a more accessible entry point for new traders in Russia.
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.