Quick Verdict — Pakistan Traders
Best Overall
IC Markets & Hantec Markets
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
Hantec Markets
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Both Available
Swap-free for Pakistan Muslims
Best for Beginners
IC Markets
Better education & support
1:5000 vs 1:500
Max leverage
Head-to-head comparison
For Pakistan traders navigating the forex market in 2026, choosing between IC Markets and Hantec Markets requires careful consideration of local needs. IC Markets, with a 4.8/5 trust score, is a global leader known for ultra-low spreads, high leverage up to 1:500, and direct support for local payment methods like JazzCash and Easypaisa. Hantec Markets, scoring 3.6/5, is a smaller broker with FCA and ASIC regulation, offering Islamic accounts and a simpler product line. Both brokers accept Pakistan clients, but their suitability differs based on trading volume, cost sensitivity, and payment convenience. This comparison focuses on key factors for Pakistan retail traders: spreads, leverage, Islamic account availability, deposit methods including USDT TRC20 and bank transfers, and regulatory oversight by the SECP. Whether you are a scalper or a long-term position trader, understanding these differences will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals in Pakistan's growing forex community.
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Overall Scores Comparison

IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS

Hantec Markets
FCA · ASIC · JFSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
Regulation
Safety, oversight
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
Education
Webinars, guides
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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 significantly lower trading costs for Pakistan traders compared to Hantec Markets. IC Markets provides raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a commission of $3.5 per lot per side. Hantec Markets operates on a fixed spread model, with EUR/USD spreads typically starting at 1.2 pips and no commission. For a Pakistan trader executing 20 standard lots per month, IC Markets can save approximately $1,200 annually on spreads alone. Additionally, IC Markets does not charge deposit fees for JazzCash or Easypaisa, while Hantec may pass on third-party processing fees. Swap charges are also lower at IC Markets, making it more cost-effective for holding positions overnight.
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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 |
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Leverage Comparison - Pakistan Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|
| Pakistan (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 |
Leverage Warning for Pakistan Traders
Traders in Pakistan typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
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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 |
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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 delivers superior execution quality with an average order execution speed of 40ms and no requotes on its Raw Spread account. Hantec Markets offers execution speeds around 100ms with occasional slippage during volatile markets. For Pakistan scalpers and day traders, IC Markets’ low latency and high fill rates are critical for profitability. Hantec Markets is adequate for swing traders who prioritize stability over speed.
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Regulation & Safety for Pakistan Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
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. Neither broker is directly regulated by the
SECP, which is typical for international brokers serving Pakistan clients. However, both brokers comply with international standards that protect client funds through segregation and negative balance protection. For Pakistan traders, this means funds are held in separate accounts and are not used for broker operations.
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Pakistan traders may differ by entity.
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Deposits & Withdrawals for Pakistan
| 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 |
Depositing and withdrawing funds as a Pakistan trader is straightforward with both brokers, but IC Markets offers more local convenience. IC Markets supports instant deposits via JazzCash and Easypaisa with no fees, and withdrawals to these methods are processed within 24 hours. USDT TRC20 deposits are also supported at IC Markets, allowing fast, low-cost transfers from crypto wallets. Hantec Markets accepts bank transfers and USDT TRC20 but does not directly integrate JazzCash or Easypaisa, requiring Pakistan traders to use third-party payment services. Withdrawal times at IC Markets are faster (1–2 business days) compared to Hantec (3–5 business days). Bank transfers to Pakistani accounts are available at both brokers, but IC Markets has lower transfer fees.
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Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Pakistan 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 Pakistan Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts with no swap charges on overnight positions and no additional fees for holding positions beyond 30 days. Hantec Markets also offers swap-free accounts, but it may charge a fee or restrict swap-free status after 30 days of holding a position. IC Markets’ Islamic account is available on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread) with the same low spreads, making it more flexible for long-term traders. Pakistan traders should confirm swap-free status at account opening, as both brokers require a declaration of Muslim faith.
Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
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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 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated support for Pakistan traders in Urdu and English. Hantec Markets provides support during market hours (Monday–Friday) via email and phone, but lacks 24/7 live chat. IC Markets’ support team is more responsive and can assist with local payment issues like JazzCash deposits. For Pakistan traders needing quick resolution, IC Markets’ round-the-clock support is a clear advantage.
| 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 |
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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 |
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Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
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Pros & Cons of Each Broker
IC Markets
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-$200 min deposit
-No 24/7 support
Hantec Markets
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
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Who Should Use Which Broker? - Pakistan Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are a scalper or day trader needing ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips and fast execution
- Prefer using local payment methods like JazzCash, Easypaisa, or USDT TRC20 for instant deposits
- Want high leverage up to 1:500 for maximizing capital efficiency in PKR
- Require a wide range of platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader) and VPS for automated trading
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
- Prefer a simpler, fixed spread model with no commission fees
- Trade lower volumes and value personalized customer support over platform variety
- Are comfortable using bank transfers or USDT TRC20 for deposits without JazzCash/Easypaisa
- Want a broker with FCA regulation and a smaller, more focused product offering
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FAQ - IC Markets vs Hantec Markets in Pakistan
Is IC Markets or Hantec Markets better for Pakistan?
+Can Pakistan traders use both brokers legally?
+Which broker has lower spreads for Pakistan traders?
+How do Pakistan traders deposit at IC Markets and Hantec Markets?
+Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Pakistan?
+Final Verdict - Pakistan 2026
IC Markets & Hantec Markets tied wins overall
For Pakistan traders in 2026, IC Markets is the clear winner due to its higher trust score (4.8/5), lower trading costs, and superior local payment support including JazzCash, Easypaisa, and USDT TRC20. Its Islamic accounts are more flexible, and its execution speed suits active traders. Hantec Markets (3.6/5) is a viable option for those who prefer fixed spreads and a simpler platform, but its lack of direct local payment methods and higher costs make it less competitive. Considering the SECP’s regulatory environment and the need for cost efficiency, IC Markets is the recommended choice for most Pakistan retail traders seeking high leverage and Islamic accounts.
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. All data verified as of October 2026.