Quick Verdict — Lebanon Traders
Best Overall
XM Group
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
XM Group
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Both Available
Swap-free for Lebanon Muslims
Best for Beginners
XM Group
Better education & support
1:5000 vs 1:1000
Max leverage
ASIC vs CySEC
Top regulator
Head-to-head comparison
Lebanon traders looking for a reliable forex broker face a choice between two top-tier options: IC Markets and XM Group. Both brokers are highly rated globally, with IC Markets scoring 4.8/5 and XM Group scoring 4.7/5. For Lebanon-based retail traders, key factors include local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, as well as regulation by the local financial regulator. IC Markets is known for its ultra-low spreads and institutional-grade execution, while XM Group offers a more accessible platform with a low minimum deposit and extensive educational resources. This comparison breaks down trading costs, platforms, regulation, and deposit/withdrawal options specifically for Lebanon traders trading in USD.
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Overall Scores Comparison
IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
VS
XM Group
CySEC · ASIC · IFSC
4.3
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 | XM Group | Winner |
|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | XM Group |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | XM Group |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | XM Group |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | XM Group |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $5 | IC Markets |
For Lebanon traders, trading costs are critical. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, making it ideal for scalpers and high-volume traders. XM Group’s spreads start from 0.6 pips on its Zero account with a $5 commission per round turn. On standard accounts, XM’s spreads are around 1.0 pips with no commission. For a Lebanon trader trading 10 lots per month, IC Markets can save $50–$100 in spread costs compared to XM Group, especially during volatile market hours.
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Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $5 |
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Leverage Comparison - Lebanon Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|
| Lebanon (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 Lebanon Traders
Traders in Lebanon 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 | XM Group | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
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Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| 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 offers ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 40ms, using Equinix NY4 servers for low latency. XM Group provides execution under 100ms with no requotes on most orders. For Lebanon traders, IC Markets is better for scalping and news trading, while XM Group’s execution is reliable for standard trading strategies.
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Regulation & Safety for Lebanon Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| 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. For Lebanon traders, neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator, but both adhere to strict international standards.
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Lebanon traders may differ by entity.
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Deposits & Withdrawals for Lebanon
| Payment Method | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|
| 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 | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
Lebanon traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both brokers. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200, while XM Group allows deposits as low as $5. Withdrawals are processed within 1-3 business days for bank transfers and instantly for e-wallets. USDT deposits are supported via TRC20 and ERC20 networks, with no deposit fees. For Lebanon traders, Skrill and Neteller are the fastest options, while USDT offers a crypto alternative. Both brokers do not charge withdrawal fees, but bank intermediary fees may apply.
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Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Lebanon Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|
| 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 XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Lebanon Muslim traders. IC Markets provides swap-free on all account types, including Raw Spread and Standard accounts, with no time limit. XM Group offers swap-free on Standard and Micro accounts, but it is not available on XM Zero accounts. No additional fees are charged for maintaining Islamic accounts at either broker, making them suitable for Lebanon traders observing Sharia law.
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 | XM Group | 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 fast response times. XM Group also provides 24/5 support with a dedicated Arabic-speaking team, which is beneficial for Lebanon traders. XM’s support is slightly more accessible for Arabic speakers, while IC Markets excels in technical support for platform issues.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | XM Group | 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 |
📚
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | IC Markets | XM Group | 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
XM Group
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
👤
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Lebanon Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are a high-volume trader seeking ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips
- Need fast execution for scalping or algorithmic trading
- Prefer cTrader platform with advanced order management
- Can deposit $200 or more via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT
Choose XM Group if you...
- Are a beginner or low-volume trader with a small deposit ($5 minimum)
- Want access to educational resources and webinars in Arabic
- Prefer fixed spreads on standard accounts without commission
- Need a broker with multiple international regulations for added security
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FAQ - IC Markets vs XM Group in Lebanon
Is IC Markets or XM Group better for Lebanon?
+Can Lebanon traders use both brokers legally?
+Which broker has lower spreads for Lebanon traders?
+How do Lebanon traders deposit at IC Markets and XM Group?
+Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Lebanon?
+Final Verdict - Lebanon 2026
XM Group wins overall
For Lebanon traders, the choice between IC Markets and XM Group depends on trading style and budget. IC Markets is the better option for active traders seeking low spreads and fast execution, especially those using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT for deposits. XM Group is ideal for beginners and traders who prefer a lower minimum deposit and Arabic support. Both brokers are regulated by reputable authorities and offer Islamic accounts. Considering local factors like the local financial regulator’s oversight and the availability of USDT payments, IC Markets edges ahead for cost-conscious traders, while XM Group provides a more accessible entry point for retail traders in Lebanon.
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.
