Which broker is better for Kuwait traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Kuwait’s forex market is growing steadily, with retail traders increasingly seeking reliable brokers that accept local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Two popular choices among Kuwaiti traders are EasyMarkets and IC Markets, each offering distinct advantages. EasyMarkets, with a score of 3.4/5, is known for its fixed spreads, user-friendly proprietary platform, and strong regulatory track record. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, is a global ECN/STP broker that provides ultra-tight spreads, multiple advanced platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader), and high execution speed. For Kuwait traders trading in USD, both brokers allow deposit and withdrawal via local-friendly methods and support Islamic accounts. This comparison examines fees, platforms, regulation, and deposit options specifically for Kuwait’s retail forex community.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | IC Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | IC Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | IC Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | IC Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $200 | IC Markets |
For Kuwait traders, trading costs are a key factor when choosing a broker. EasyMarkets operates with fixed spreads, typically 1.0 pips on EUR/USD, with no commission. This suits beginners who prefer predictable costs. In contrast, IC Markets offers Raw Spread accounts with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $7 per lot round-turn. For a trader in Kuwait executing 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, IC Markets’ total cost (commission + spread) is roughly 40-50% lower than EasyMarkets’ fixed spread cost. The volume impact is significant: the more you trade, the more IC Markets saves you. Active Kuwait traders will find IC Markets much more cost-efficient, especially when using USD-denominated accounts.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Kuwait (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:5000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 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 |
| Asset Class | EasyMarkets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | IC Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform choice affects trading experience for Kuwait users. EasyMarkets provides its own web and mobile platform plus MT4, but its proprietary platform offers an integrated risk management tool and negative balance protection. IC Markets leads with MT4, MT5, and cTrader—all industry-standard platforms with advanced charting, automated trading, and fast order execution. For Kuwait retail traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) or algorithmic strategies, IC Markets’ extensive platform support is a clear advantage. EasyMarkets’ platform is simpler and may appeal to those new to forex. Both brokers offer Arabic-language support within their platforms? EasyMarkets provides some Arabic interface options; IC Markets largely uses English. Choosing depends on your technical needs and language preference.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IC Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | EasyMarkets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is vital for Kuwait scalpers and day traders. IC Markets uses ECN/STP execution with no dealing desk, offering direct market access and average execution speeds under 40ms. EasyMarkets uses a market execution model with minimal requotes, but its fixed spreads can lead to slippage during volatile news events. For Kuwait traders who trade during London or New York sessions, IC Markets’ low-latency data centers and deep liquidity pool ensure faster fills. EasyMarkets is adequate for swing trading but may not suit high-frequency strategies. Overall, IC Markets provides superior execution for active Kuwait retail traders.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation matters for Kuwait traders because the local financial regulator does not directly authorize forex brokers. EasyMarkets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), and FSA Seychelles. IC Markets holds licenses from ASIC, CySEC, and FSA Seychelles. Both are well-established offshore brokers that accept Kuwait clients legally. While neither is regulated by the CMA in Kuwait, their credible international licenses offer a level of protection such as client fund segregation and dispute resolution via the respective regulators. EasyMarkets has a slight edge in historical regulatory compliance, but IC Markets’ ASIC/IFSC framework is equally robust. For Kuwait traders, due diligence on the specific entity (e.g., international vs. EU clients) is recommended, but both are reliable.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days |
Deposit and withdrawal flexibility is crucial for Kuwait traders. Both EasyMarkets and IC Markets support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. EasyMarkets has a minimum deposit of $100, while IC Markets requires $200 (or $0 for some accounts). USDT TRC20 is especially fast and low-fee, making it a favorite for Kuwait students and part-time traders. Bank transfers may take 1-3 days and incur intermediary bank fees. Skrill and Neteller are instant but carry a small percentage fee. Withdrawals at IC Markets are generally processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and USDT; EasyMarkets processes withdrawals within 1-2 business days. Kuwait traders should note that USDT TRC20 requires a compatible wallet and can be deposited in USD equivalent. Both brokers offer fee-free withdrawal periods, but IC Markets provides more volume flexibility.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Muslim traders in Kuwait, swap-free Islamic accounts are essential to comply with Sharia law. EasyMarkets automatically offers Islamic accounts to eligible clients, with no swap or interest on overnight positions, and no hidden fees. The account is activated upon request and applies to most instruments. IC Markets also provides Islamic accounts, but traders must explicitly request the swap-free status via support. Once activated, IC Markets’ Islamic accounts also have no overnight charges, but certain exotic pairs may be excluded. Both brokers ensure that Kuwait traders avoid riba. EasyMarkets is slightly more convenient for immediate activation, while IC Markets requires a support ticket. Over long periods, the cost structure of each account with swaps removed favors IC Markets for active traders due to lower spreads.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Customer support availability matters for Kuwait traders given the time difference (UTC+3). EasyMarkets offers 24/5 live chat and email support with dedicated Arabic-language assistance. IC Markets provides 24/5 live chat, phone support, and email, primarily in English. For Kuwait traders who prefer Arabic support, EasyMarkets has a clear edge. IC Markets’ response time is generally fast, but language barriers may occur. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections. EasyMarkets also offers a call-back service. For technical issues during Kuwait business hours, both are reliable, but EasyMarkets’ Arabic support is a plus.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | EasyMarkets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose IC Markets if you...
For Kuwait traders, IC Markets (4.8/5) clearly outperforms EasyMarkets (3.4/5) in most critical areas: spreads, execution speed, platform variety, and cost efficiency. IC Markets is the ideal choice for active retail traders seeking low fees and professional tools. EasyMarkets remains a viable option for beginners or traders who prioritize predictable costs, Arabic support, and an effortless Islamic account setup. Both brokers accept local payments including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making them accessible from Kuwait. The local financial regulator does not directly oversee either, but their international licenses provide sufficient security. Ultimately, the decision hinges on your trading style: for performance and savings, IC Markets is the recommended broker for Kuwait in 2025.