IC Markets vs CIMB Securities: Which Broker Wins in 2026?

Regulation & Safety

Both brokers operate under recognized, tier-1-equivalent regulatory frameworks, which means client fund protections and operational oversight are solid on either side. IC Markets is regulated by ASIC in Australia and CySEC in Cyprus, two of the most respected regulatory bodies in the retail trading industry.

CIMB Securities, meanwhile, is licensed by the SC (Securities Commission Malaysia) and MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore), both well-regarded within Southeast Asian financial markets. Our rating treats both regulatory setups as equivalent in trustworthiness, but IC Markets's dual Western regulatory coverage may offer added comfort for traders outside Asia.

Neither broker reports a history of major regulatory sanctions, and both avoid charging deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a positive sign of client-friendly cost structures across the board.

Fees, Spreads & Commissions

On paper, both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, so headline pricing looks identical. The real difference emerges in commission structure and overall trading cost efficiency once leverage and lot sizing are factored in.

IC Markets charges a commission of $3.5 per lot, which is standard for a raw-spread ECN-style account and typically appeals to high-frequency and scalping traders who prioritize tight execution over flat fees.

CIMB Securities charges a notably lower $0.1 per lot commission, which could suit low-frequency investors trading smaller stock or ETF positions. However, this needs to be weighed against IC Markets's broader market access and superior leverage ceiling.

Neither platform charges deposit or withdrawal fees, so funding and withdrawing capital won't erode your account balance on either side.

Minimum Deposit & Accessibility

CIMB Securities has a clear edge for beginners or anyone testing the waters with limited capital, requiring a $0 minimum deposit to open an account. This makes it one of the more accessible entry points for new investors in Southeast Asia.

IC Markets requires a $200 minimum deposit, a modest barrier compared to industry heavyweights, but still a meaningfully higher threshold than CIMB Securities's zero-dollar requirement.

For traders prioritizing low upfront commitment, CIMB Securities wins this category outright. However, the $200 required by IC Markets is still considered low-to-moderate within the broader forex and CFD brokerage industry.

Trading Platforms & Tools

IC Markets supports a notably wider platform ecosystem, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView integration, and a proprietary mobile app. This breadth gives traders flexibility to choose between industry-standard charting tools and more modern, web-based solutions.

CIMB Securities offers a proprietary web platform, a proprietary mobile app, and iTrade, which are generally tailored toward stock and ETF investors rather than active forex or CFD traders.

If platform variety and third-party charting integration (like TradingView) matter to your strategy, IC Markets has a decisive advantage. CIMB Securities's offering is more streamlined but narrower in scope, fitting a simpler buy-and-hold investment style.

Market Access & Leverage

IC Markets provides access to six distinct market categories: forex, CFDs, crypto, stocks, indices, and commodities, with maximum leverage reaching 1:500. This makes it a far more versatile choice for diversified trading strategies.

CIMB Securities covers a narrower four markets — stocks, ETFs, indices, and forex — with a maximum leverage of just 1:5, reflecting its more conservative, investment-oriented positioning rather than a high-leverage trading focus.

Active traders seeking leveraged exposure across multiple asset classes will find IC Markets significantly more capable. CIMB Securities is better suited to long-term investors who prefer lower-risk, lower-leverage positioning.

Our Verdict

IC Markets earns the win in this comparison with a 3.9/5 rating against CIMB Securities's 3.3/5, driven by superior leverage, broader market access, more platform options, and stronger regulatory coverage under ASIC and CySEC.

CIMB Securities remains a credible, long-established option founded in 1978, with the distinct advantage of a $0 minimum deposit that makes it especially attractive to beginners or cost-conscious investors in Southeast Asia.

Ultimately, your choice should hinge on trading style: active forex and CFD traders will get far more value from IC Markets, while conservative stock and ETF investors with limited starting capital may still find CIMB Securities a reasonable fit.