Which broker is better for Mongolia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For emerging retail traders in Mongolia, choosing the right forex broker is crucial. FxOpen and IC Markets are two popular brokers that accept Mongolian clients, but they cater to different needs. FxOpen, with a score of 3.7/5, is often seen as a beginner-friendly broker with a low minimum deposit and a wide range of educational resources. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, is renowned for its institutional-grade trading conditions, tight spreads, and fast execution. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer and USDT, and FxOpen additionally offers QPay, a convenient e-wallet in Mongolia. While neither is regulated by the FRC Mongolia, they hold licenses from top-tier authorities. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local requirements.
| Instrument | FxOpen | 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 | $100 | $200 | FxOpen |
IC Markets offers superior cost efficiency for Mongolia traders, especially those trading frequently. Its Raw Spread account provides spreads from 0.0 pips with a $3.5 commission per lot round turn. In contrast, FxOpen’s Standard account has spreads from 0.7 pips with no commission, and its ECN account starts from 0.0 pips but with a $2.5 commission. For a trader in Mongolia executing 10 standard lots per month, IC Markets can save approximately $100 in total costs compared to FxOpen. However, FxOpen’s fixed spreads can be advantageous during volatile news events, offering predictability for new traders.
| Account Type | FxOpen | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | FxOpen | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Mongolia (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:5000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 | FxOpen | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FxOpen |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FxOpen |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | 20+ | FxOpen |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | IC Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FxOpen | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are widely used by Mongolia traders. FxOpen also provides its proprietary WebTrader and mobile apps, which are intuitive for beginners. IC Markets offers cTrader alongside MT4/5, which is popular for its advanced charting and order management. For Mongolia traders with limited internet, IC Markets’ cTrader has a lighter web version, while FxOpen’s mobile app supports offline quoting. Both platforms support automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), a common need among retail traders in Mongolia.
| Factor | FxOpen | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IC Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FxOpen |
| 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 under 40 milliseconds on its Raw Spread accounts. FxOpen’s execution is slightly slower, averaging 50-80 milliseconds. For scalpers and high-frequency traders in Mongolia, IC Markets is the better choice. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution, but IC Markets has a larger liquidity pool, reducing slippage during volatile market conditions.
| Safety Factor | FxOpen | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FxOpen is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia). IC Markets is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and the FSA (Seychelles). Neither broker is directly regulated by the FRC Mongolia, meaning Mongolia traders do not have local regulatory protection. However, both brokers offer negative balance protection and segregated client funds. IC Markets’ ASIC regulation provides a strong safety net, while FxOpen’s FCA license is highly respected. Mongolia traders should verify the broker’s international terms and consider using a trusted payment method like USDT for added security.
| Payment Method | FxOpen | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days |
FxOpen and IC Markets both accept deposits via Bank Transfer and USDT, but FxOpen has an edge with QPay integration, a popular mobile payment system in Mongolia. For Bank Transfer, deposits take 2-5 business days and may incur conversion fees from MNT to USD. USDT deposits are processed within minutes and are ideal for traders who value speed and lower fees. FxOpen’s QPay option allows instant deposits in MNT, which are then converted to USD. Withdrawals are processed similarly, with USDT being the fastest method. Minimum deposit for FxOpen is $10, while IC Markets requires $200, making FxOpen more accessible for beginners.
| Islamic Account Feature | FxOpen | 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 |
Both FxOpen and IC Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Mongolia. These accounts eliminate overnight interest charges, in line with Sharia law. FxOpen provides Islamic accounts on its Standard and ECN accounts, while IC Markets offers them on its Raw Spread and Standard accounts. Traders must request the account type during registration. IC Markets’ Islamic account has no additional fees, whereas FxOpen may charge a small administrative fee after a holding period. For long-term position traders in Mongolia, IC Markets’ policy is slightly more favorable.
| Support Feature | FxOpen | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FxOpen |
IC Markets offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a fast response time. FxOpen provides support during business hours (Monday to Friday) via live chat and email. For Mongolia traders in the Ulaanbaatar time zone (UTC+8), IC Markets’ round-the-clock support is advantageous for after-hours trading. Both brokers have English-language support, and FxOpen also offers limited Mongolian language assistance through its local partners.
| Mobile Feature | FxOpen | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FxOpen |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FxOpen |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | FxOpen |
| Resource | FxOpen | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FxOpen |
Choose FxOpen if you...
Choose IC Markets if you...
For Mongolia traders, IC Markets is the superior choice due to its higher Trustpilot score, tighter spreads, and faster execution. It is ideal for active traders who prioritize cost efficiency and advanced tools. However, FxOpen remains a strong option for beginners and those who value local payment methods like QPay and a lower minimum deposit. Both brokers are reliable and accept Mongolia clients, but IC Markets offers better value for serious traders. Always check the latest terms and consider using USDT for secure and quick transactions. If you are a retail trader in Mongolia starting out, FxOpen’s low barrier to entry is appealing, but for growth and performance, IC Markets is recommended.