IC Markets Vs Hantec Markets 2026: China Offshore Trader Comparison
Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — China Traders
Head-to-head comparison
China offshore traders seeking international forex exposure often compare IC Markets and Hantec Markets as two viable options. 8/5, is a leading Australian-based ECN broker known for ultra-low spreads, deep liquidity, and support for USDT deposits—a critical feature for China traders bypassing capital controls. 6/5, is a UK-regulated broker with a longer history but higher trading costs and fewer local payment methods. Both accept China clients as offshore traders, but neither is regulated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). IC Markets Global is not FCA-authorised — the FCA has issued a public warning about this entity, and its clients do not have FOS or FSCS protection; verify the specific entity and licence before depositing.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | IC Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Hantec Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Hantec Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Hantec Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Hantec Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 | Hantec Markets |
IC Markets offers Raw Spread accounts with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $3.5 commission per lot round turn, making it ideal for high-frequency China traders. For a standard lot of EUR/USD, the total cost is about $3.5 per side. Hantec Markets standard account spreads start from 1.2 pips with no commission, costing $12 per lot per side—over 3x more expensive. For China traders executing 50+ lots monthly, IC Markets saves thousands of CNY annually. Hantec Markets also offers fixed spreads on some pairs, which can be beneficial during volatile news events but still higher overall.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 |
Leverage Comparison - China Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:500 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | IC Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader—all fully compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. China traders benefit from fast VPS hosting options and API trading for algorithmic strategies. Hantec Markets offers MT4 and a proprietary web platform but lacks cTrader. For China traders using Expert Advisors (EAs) or copy trading, IC Markets is better supported. Both platforms support Chinese language interfaces.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IC Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets provides ECN execution with average order execution under 40ms and no requotes, ideal for scalping and high-frequency strategies popular among China traders. Hantec Markets uses market maker execution with occasional requotes during high volatility. IC Markets' execution quality is superior for active traders.
Regulation & Safety for China Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Deposits & Withdrawals for China
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | Crypto / USDT: 1 to 3 hours (for eligible wallets)E-wallets: Within hours up to 1 dayBank / Wire Transfers: 2 to 5 business days |
For China traders, deposit methods are a critical differentiator. IC Markets accepts USDT deposits (ERC20 and TRC20) with zero fee, plus Bank Transfer (international) and credit cards. USDT deposits are processed within minutes, ideal for traders needing fast capital deployment. Hantec Markets primarily supports Bank Transfer (international) and credit cards but does not widely accept USDT. Withdrawals at IC Markets via USDT are also faster (1-24 hours) compared to Hantec's bank transfers (2-5 business days). Minimum deposit at IC Markets is $200 equivalent, while Hantec requires $500. For China traders, IC Markets offers superior flexibility and speed.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for China Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | Hantec 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 IC Markets and Hantec Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in China. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts upon request for clients who cannot receive or pay interest due to religious beliefs. Hantec Markets offers Islamic accounts automatically for eligible clients with no additional fees. However, IC Markets may charge a swap-free fee after a holding period (typically 7-10 days) on certain instruments, while Hantec Markets is more lenient. China Muslim traders should verify terms with both brokers before opening.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | 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. Response times are under 5 minutes on live chat. Hantec Markets provides 24/5 support (Monday to Friday) with Chinese-speaking agents available during Asian trading hours. IC Markets has an edge with round-the-clock availability, crucial for China traders operating during non-standard hours.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | IC Markets | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
IC Markets
Hantec Markets
Who Should Use Which Broker? - China Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are a high-volume China trader needing ultra-low spreads and commissions
- Prefer depositing with USDT for fast, low-cost funding
- Use algorithmic trading or Expert Advisors (EAs) on MT4/MT5
- Require 24/7 customer support in Chinese
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
- Prefer a broker with FCA regulation for higher client fund protection
- Are a long-term position trader less concerned with spread costs
- Want a simpler account structure without commission fees
- Need an Islamic account with no swap-free holding period fees
FAQ - IC Markets vs Hantec Markets in China
Is IC Markets or Hantec Markets better for China?
+Can China traders use both brokers legally?
+Which broker has lower spreads for China traders?
+How do China traders deposit at IC Markets and Hantec Markets?
+Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for China?
+Final Verdict - China 2026
For China offshore traders, IC Markets is the clear winner with a 4.8/5 rating vs Hantec Markets' 3.6/5. IC Markets offers lower spreads, faster execution, and critical support for USDT deposits—a game-changer for China traders navigating capital controls. While Hantec Markets provides stronger FCA regulation, its higher costs, limited payment methods, and slower execution make it less competitive. China traders focused on active trading, cost efficiency, and deposit flexibility should choose IC Markets. Those prioritizing regulatory security and a conservative approach may still consider Hantec Markets, but the gap in overall value is significant. Always consult local legal advice regarding CSRC and foreign exchange regulations before trading.
