IUX Markets (also known as IUX) is a multi‑asset broker founded in 2016, headquartered in Mauritius. The broker operates under several entities, including IUX Markets (MU) Ltd (Mauritius FSC), IUX Markets AU Pty Ltd (ASIC), and IUX Markets ZA (PTY) Ltd (FSCA). IUX is known for its extremely high leverage offerings — up to 1:3000 — and low minimum deposits of $50. The broker supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and claims fast execution speeds of approximately 30 milliseconds.
IC Markets is a veteran in the industry, established in 2007 and headquartered in Australia. The broker is regulated by ASIC (AFSL 335692), CySEC (licence 362/18), and the FSA of Seychelles. IC Markets is widely regarded as one of the best brokers for scalping due to its ultra‑tight spreads (from 0.0 pips on Raw accounts), ultra‑fast execution (sub‑10ms), and deep liquidity from tier‑1 banks. The broker supports MT4, MT5, and cTrader, with a minimum deposit of $200.
For scalpers, the choice between these two brokers often comes down to a trade‑off: IUX offers higher leverage and lower deposit barriers, while IC Markets provides superior regulation, execution quality, and institutional‑grade liquidity. This guide will help you decide which is better suited to your scalping strategy.
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 5 (MT5) as a core platform, but there are differences in how you access and set up the environment for scalping.
| Platform Feature | IUX | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MT5 Availability | Yes (Desktop, Web, Mobile) | Yes (Desktop, Web, Mobile) |
| MT4 Support | No (MT5 only) | Yes (MT4, MT5, cTrader) |
| Server Location | London, New York, Singapore | Equinix data centres (LD4, NY4, TY3) |
| Minimum Deposit | $50 (Standard), $200 (Pro/Raw) | $200 (all accounts) |
| Account Types for Scalping | Pro (0.1–0.6 pips), Raw (0.0 pips + commission) | Raw Spread (0.0 pips + commission), cTrader Raw |
| Demo Account | Yes | Yes |
| VPS Hosting | Not specified | Free VPS for qualifying traders |
To set up MT5 for scalping on either broker:
Regulatory oversight is arguably the most critical factor for scalpers, who often hold positions for seconds to minutes and need reliable execution without the risk of broker intervention.
| Regulatory Aspect | IUX | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Regulators | FSC Mauritius (offshore), ASIC (AU), FSCA (ZA) | ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), FSA Seychelles |
| Investor Protection | Limited; no statutory compensation for FSC entity | ICF up to €20,000 (CySEC); no scheme for ASIC |
| Negative Balance Protection | Offered (discretionary) | Mandatory for EU clients; offered to others |
| Client Fund Segregation | Yes (claimed) | Yes (required by all regulators) |
| Regulatory Warnings | Warning CySEC warning issued July 2025 | Clear No major warnings |
| Financial Commission Member | Yes | No |
| Transparency | Moderate; some user complaints | High; regular audits and reports |
For definitive regulatory verification, check the ASIC Professional Registers (AFSL 335692 for IC Markets; AFSL 529610 for IUX AU), the CySEC public registry (IC Markets: 362/18), and the FSC Mauritius register (IUX: GB22200605). The CySEC warning against IUX is a significant red flag that any trader should investigate thoroughly.
Scalping requires the tightest possible spreads, low latency, and high leverage (with careful risk management). Here is how IUX and IC Markets compare on the key metrics.
| Metric | IUX | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Spreads (EURUSD) | Raw: from 0.0 pips; Pro: 0.1–0.6 pips; Standard: 0.2–0.8 pips | Raw: from 0.0 pips; Standard: from 0.6 pips |
| Commission (Raw/ECN) | $7 per lot (round turn) | $7 per lot (round turn) on Raw; $6 on cTrader |
| Leverage | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:500 (ASIC), 1:30 (CySEC retail), 1:1000 (offshore) |
| Execution Speed | ~30 ms | Sub‑10 ms |
| Execution Model | Market execution, NDD | STP/NDD, direct market access |
| Order Types | Market, limit, stop, trailing stop | Market, limit, stop, trailing stop, guaranteed stop |
| Minimum Trade Size | 0.01 lots | 0.01 lots |
| Scalping Policy | Allowed | Allowed – no restrictions |
For scalpers, the combination of ultra‑tight spreads, low commission, and sub‑10ms execution makes IC Markets the stronger contender. IUX's 1:3000 leverage may appeal to traders seeking maximum exposure, but this level of leverage is extremely risky and is a key factor in the broker's high‑risk profile.
Scalpers are highly sensitive to costs because they execute many trades. The table below compares the total cost of a 1‑lot EURUSD round turn on both brokers' raw accounts.
| Cost Component | IUX (Raw) | IC Markets (Raw) |
|---|---|---|
| Spread Cost (avg) | 0.1 pips × $10 = $1.00 | 0.0–0.1 pips × $10 = $0.50–$1.00 |
| Commission (round turn) | $7.00 | $7.00 |
| Total Cost | ≈ $8.00 | ≈ $7.50–$8.00 |
| Swap (overnight) – Long | Varies; higher than IC | Varies; competitive institutional rates |
| Deposit Fees | None (third‑party fees may apply) | None (third‑party fees may apply) |
| Withdrawal Fees | None (third‑party fees may apply) | None (third‑party fees may apply) |
| Inactivity Fee | Not specified | None |
Verdict: The total cost for a EURUSD scalping trade is nearly identical on both brokers. However, IC Markets' tighter spread consistency and lower swap rates may provide a slight edge for high‑frequency traders. IUX's cost advantage lies in its lower minimum deposit ($50 vs $200), making it more accessible for smaller accounts.
Here are two realistic scenarios illustrating how scalpers might use each broker on the MT5 platform.
Trader: James is a full‑time scalper who trades EURUSD and GBPUSD during the London session. He uses IC Markets' Raw account with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3.50 per side. He executes an average of 50 trades per day, each with a take‑profit of 3 pips and a stop‑loss of 3 pips.
Action: James uses MT5 with one‑click trading, a custom volume indicator, and a 5‑period EMA. The sub‑10ms execution ensures his orders are filled at the quoted price with minimal slippage. He monitors the economic calendar to avoid high‑impact news events that could widen spreads.
Outcome: Over a month, James achieves a 70% win rate. His net profit after commissions is positive, and he values the platform's stability and the broker's transparent execution reports.
Trader: Maria is a part‑time scalper with a smaller account. She uses IUX's Raw account with a $200 deposit, attracted by the 1:3000 leverage. She trades XAUUSD (gold) using MT5, targeting 2–3 pips per trade.
Action: Maria uses a scalping strategy based on price action and support/resistance levels. She sets tight stop‑losses of 2 pips. However, she notices that during volatile periods, slippage can occur, and the spread widens more than she expects.
Outcome: Maria has some profitable days, but the leverage amplifies her losses on losing trades. She also experiences a withdrawal delay of over a week when she tries to withdraw her profits, which raises concerns about the broker's reliability.
These scenarios highlight that while IUX offers attractive leverage, the execution quality and withdrawal reliability are significant concerns for scalpers who require consistency.
Scalping is one of the most demanding trading styles. Avoid these common errors to improve your performance on either broker.
IUX offers leverage up to 1:3000, which can be a "liquidation machine" for inexperienced scalpers. Even with IC Markets' 1:30 (EU retail) or 1:500 (ASIC), using maximum leverage without precise position sizing can lead to rapid drawdowns. Risk no more than 1% of your account per trade.
Spreads widen dramatically during major economic releases, increasing trading costs and slippage. Use an economic calendar to avoid trading during NFP, FOMC, or other high‑impact events.
Scalpers typically do not hold positions overnight, but if you do, swap costs can erode profits. Check the swap rates in MT5 before holding any position past the daily cutoff.
Both brokers offer demo accounts. Skipping this step and going straight to live trading can lead to costly mistakes. Practice your scalping strategy on a demo for at least two weeks.
IUX has regulatory restrictions – the CySEC warning is a red flag. IC Markets' ASIC and CySEC entities offer stronger protection. Ensure you understand which entity holds your account and what protections apply.
Scalping with either broker involves significant risks. However, the risk profile differs substantially between the two due to regulatory and execution factors.
IC Markets is generally considered better for scalping due to its stronger regulation (ASIC, CySEC), sub‑10ms execution, deeper liquidity, and consistent tight spreads. IUX offers higher leverage but comes with significant regulatory and withdrawal risks, including a CySEC warning issued in July 2025.
IUX is regulated by the Mauritius FSC (offshore), ASIC (Australia), and FSCA (South Africa). However, most international clients are onboarded through the Mauritius FSC entity, which offers limited investor protection. In July 2025, CySEC issued a formal warning against iux.com.
Yes, IC Markets fully supports scalping on MT5. The broker has no restrictions on scalping and offers ultra‑tight spreads (from 0.0 pips) and sub‑10ms execution, making it ideal for scalpers.
IUX offers leverage up to 1:3000. This is extremely high and carries significant risk. A 0.033% adverse move can wipe out your entire margin.
IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200 for all account types (Standard, Raw, and cTrader).
Yes, IUX supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5). However, IUX does not support MT4, which may be a limitation for traders who prefer the older platform.
Yes. IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), both tier‑1 regulators with strong oversight. IUX has a CySEC warning and operates primarily under an offshore FSC Mauritius licence, which offers limited investor protection.
Yes, both IUX and IC Markets offer gold (XAUUSD) CFD trading. IC Markets is known for tight gold spreads (from 0.15 USD/oz on Raw accounts), while IUX also offers competitive spreads but with potentially higher slippage.