Which broker is better for Taiwan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Taiwan traders seeking a reliable forex broker often compare IC Markets and FXTM, two globally recognized brands with strong offerings. IC Markets, with a 4.8/5 rating, is known for ultra-low spreads and institutional-grade execution, making it a top choice for active retail traders in Taiwan. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, excels in educational resources and user-friendly platforms, appealing to beginners and intermediate traders. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, ensuring convenient deposits and withdrawals. The local financial regulator oversees forex trading in Taiwan, but both brokers operate under international licenses (e.g., ASIC, CySEC) to serve Taiwan residents legally. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style, whether you prioritize low costs or comprehensive support.
| Instrument | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 | FXTM |
| Inactivity fee | β | β | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for Taiwan traders, IC Markets holds a clear advantage with spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account, plus a $7 round-turn commission per lot. FXTM's ECN account offers spreads from 0.1 pips with a similar commission structure. For a Taiwan trader executing 10 lots per day, IC Markets can save approximately $10-$20 daily in spread costs. This difference is significant for scalpers and high-frequency traders. Both brokers offer competitive swap rates, but IC Marketsβ lower spreads make it the more cost-effective option for volume-focused traders in Taiwan.
| Account Type | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | β | β |
| ECN / Raw spread | β | β |
| Islamic (swap-free) | β | β |
| Demo account | β | β |
| PAMM / MAM account | β | β |
| Zero spread account | β | β |
| Copy trading | β | β |
| VPS trading | β | β |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 |
| Neg. balance protection | β | β |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | β | β | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | β | β | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | β | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | β | β | FXTM |
| ETFs | β | β | Tie |
| Options | β | β | Tie |
| Futures | β | β | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | β | β |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | β | β |
| cTrader | β | β |
| TradingView | β | β |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | β | β |
| Scalping allowed | β | β |
| Hedging allowed | β | β |
| Fixed spreads | β | β |
| Variable spreads | β | β |
Both IC Markets and FXTM provide the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are widely used by Taiwan traders. IC Markets additionally offers cTrader, a platform favored for its advanced charting and fast execution. FXTM provides a proprietary web platform and mobile app, which are beginner-friendly but less customizable. For Taiwan traders who value advanced tools and algorithmic trading, IC Marketsβ cTrader support is a strong advantage. FXTMβs platforms are better suited for those who prefer simplicity and built-in educational features.
| Factor | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | β | β | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | β | β | Tie |
| News trading | β | β | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | β | β | Tie |
IC Markets boasts ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 40ms and no requotes, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center. FXTM offers execution speeds under 100ms, which is still competitive but slightly slower. For Taiwan traders engaged in scalping or high-frequency trading, IC Marketsβ superior execution quality reduces slippage and improves order fill rates, making it the preferred choice.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Reg number | #335692 | #600475 |
| Verify registration | Verify β | Verify β |
| Top-tier regulated | β | β |
| Investor protection | β | β |
| Segregated funds | β | β |
| Neg. balance protection | β | β |
IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), while FXTM holds licenses from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, CySEC, and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Mauritius. Neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator in Taiwan, but both comply with international standards. For Taiwan traders, this means client funds are held in segregated accounts, and negative balance protection is offered. IC Marketsβ ASIC regulation provides a higher level of oversight, which may appeal to risk-averse traders in Taiwan.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | β | β |
| Visa / Mastercard | β | β |
| Skrill | β | β |
| Neteller | β | β |
| USDT / Crypto | β | β |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | Cards instant (up to 2h EU); e-wallets instant-2h; bank/local transfer 1 business day; crypto up to 24h |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Taiwan traders can fund their accounts at both IC Markets and FXTM using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. IC Markets also supports credit/debit cards, PayPal, and UnionPay, while FXTM adds Perfect Money and local bank transfers. Minimum deposits are $200 for IC Markets and $100 for FXTM. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, USDT) and 1-3 business days for bank transfers. USDT deposits on TRC-20 or ERC-20 networks are fast and low-cost, ideal for crypto-savvy traders in Taiwan. Both brokers charge no deposit fees, but withdrawal fees may apply for bank transfers.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | β | β |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | β | β |
| Gold swap-free | β | β |
| Crypto swap-free | β | β |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both IC Markets and FXTM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Taiwan Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts automatically for eligible clients, while FXTM requires a request via customer support. These accounts do not charge or pay overnight swap fees, making them suitable for long-term position traders. FXTMβs process may take longer, but both brokers ensure compliance with Islamic finance principles. Taiwan traders should confirm eligibility and any additional conditions, such as account type restrictions, before opening an Islamic account.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | β | β | Tie |
| Phone support | β | β | Tie |
| Email support | β | β | Tie |
| 24/7 support | β | β | Tie |
| 24/5 support | β | β | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support in English and Chinese, with response times under 2 minutes for live chat. FXTM provides similar multilingual support, including Mandarin, via live chat and email, but phone support is limited to business hours. For Taiwan traders, IC Marketsβ round-the-clock support is more reliable for urgent issues, especially during volatile market hours.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5β | 4.3β | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3β | 4.2β | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | β | β | Tie |
| Push notifications | β | β | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | β | β | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | β | β | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | β | β | Tie |
| Dark mode | β | β | Tie |
| Resource | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | IC Markets |
| Webinars (live) | β | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | β | β | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
Choose FXTM if you...
For Taiwan traders, IC Markets (4.8/5) is the superior choice for cost-conscious and active traders due to its tighter spreads, faster execution, and advanced platforms. FXTM (4.3/5) is a solid alternative for beginners and those who value educational support and a lower entry barrier. Both brokers accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, ensuring convenient local payments. While neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, their international licenses provide adequate protection. Ultimately, IC Markets wins for performance, while FXTM offers a more accessible experience for new traders in Taiwan.