Which broker is better for Taiwan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When comparing IC Markets vs Hantec Markets for Taiwan traders in 2026, the choice largely depends on trading style and cost sensitivity. IC Markets, with a 4.8/5 rating, is renowned for its raw ECN pricing, ultra-low spreads, and support for high-frequency trading. Hantec Markets, scoring 3.6/5, offers a more traditional brokerage experience with competitive spreads and a focus on customer service. For Taiwan-based experienced retail traders, IC Markets is often preferred due to its superior execution and cost structure, especially when trading major forex pairs like USD/TWD. Both brokers accept Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits in TWD, making them accessible for local investors. However, regulation differences matter: IC Markets is regulated by ASIC and CySEC, while Hantec Markets holds FCA and FSA licenses. Neither is regulated by the FSC Taiwan, so traders should practice due diligence. This comparison covers spreads, platforms, deposits, and regulatory implications to help you decide.
| 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 |
For Taiwan traders, trading costs are critical. IC Markets offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. Hantec Markets has spreads starting from 0.8 pips on the same pair with no commission. For a trader executing 50 lots per month, IC Markets costs around $350 in commission plus spreads, while Hantec Markets would cost about $400 in spreads alone. IC Markets is clearly cheaper for active traders. Additionally, IC Markets provides a true ECN environment with no requotes, which benefits scalpers. Hantec Markets uses a market maker model, which may lead to slightly higher costs during volatile periods.
| 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 |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan (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 |
| 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 |
| Platform | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the preferred platforms for Taiwan traders due to advanced charting and automated trading. IC Markets also offers cTrader, which is ideal for scalpers with its depth-of-market view and faster order execution. Hantec Markets provides WebTrader and mobile apps but lacks cTrader. For Taiwan traders who rely on Expert Advisors (EAs) or algorithmic strategies, IC Markets has better VPS hosting options and lower latency servers in Asia, including Tokyo. Hantec Markets has acceptable platform stability but fewer advanced tools.
| 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 raw ECN execution with average latency under 10ms from its Tokyo servers, ideal for Taiwan traders who need fast fills. Hantec Markets uses a market maker model with dealing desk intervention, which can lead to slippage during news events. For scalpers and algorithmic traders, IC Markets is clearly superior. Both brokers offer No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution on certain accounts, but IC Markets' direct market access is more reliable.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key concern for Taiwan traders since the FSC Taiwan does not directly oversee offshore brokers. IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), offering strong client fund segregation and negative balance protection. Hantec Markets is regulated by the FCA (UK) and FSA (Japan), providing similar safeguards but with a smaller capital base. Neither broker holds a Taiwan license, so traders must rely on international regulatory oversight. IC Markets' higher trust score (4.8) reflects stronger financial stability and transparency, making it a safer choice for larger deposits. Hantec Markets is still reputable but less established in the Asian market.
| 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 |
Taiwan traders can deposit and withdraw using Bank Transfer and Credit Card with both brokers. IC Markets processes Bank Transfer deposits within 1-2 business days and Credit Card deposits instantly, with no deposit fees. Withdrawals are free for Bank Transfer but may incur a small fee for Credit Card refunds. Hantec Markets offers similar processing times, but Bank Transfer withdrawals may take 2-3 business days. For larger amounts (over TWD 500,000), IC Markets is more efficient with faster processing. Credit Card deposits are capped at certain limits; check with your bank. Both brokers support TWD accounts, but conversion fees may apply if you deposit in other currencies. IC Markets also supports local e-wallets like Skrill for faster transactions.
| 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 Taiwan Muslim traders who require compliance with Sharia law. These accounts eliminate overnight interest charges on positions held beyond the daily rollover. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on all platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader) without additional fees, but traders must request it during registration. Hantec Markets also offers swap-free accounts on standard and ECN accounts, though some instruments may have limited availability. For Taiwan traders seeking a fully compliant Islamic trading environment, both brokers meet the requirements, but IC Markets offers more flexibility with platform choices.
| 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 |
Customer support is available 24/5 for both brokers. IC Markets offers live chat, email, and phone support in English and Chinese, which is beneficial for Taiwan traders. Hantec Markets provides support in multiple languages including Mandarin, but response times can be slower during peak hours. IC Markets has a dedicated support team for Asia-Pacific, ensuring faster resolution for deposit and technical issues. Overall, IC Markets has a more responsive support system for Taiwan traders.
| 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 |
| 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 |
Choose IC Markets if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For Taiwan traders, IC Markets is the clear winner with a 4.8/5 rating, offering lower trading costs, faster execution, and better platform options. Its support for Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits in TWD, combined with strong international regulation, makes it ideal for active and experienced traders. Hantec Markets (3.6/5) is a reliable alternative for those who prefer a traditional broker with fixed spreads and strong FCA oversight, but its higher costs and slower execution limit its appeal for frequent traders. Given the FSC Taiwan's lack of direct oversight, traders should prioritize brokers with strong regulatory backing like IC Markets. For the best trading experience in 2026, IC Markets is recommended for Taiwan traders seeking value and performance.