Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
China traders venturing into offshore forex trading often compare IC Markets and Libertex for their international exposure. IC Markets, with a high trust score of 4.8/5, is known for low spreads and advanced trading tools, while Libertex (3.7/5) offers a user-friendly platform suitable for beginners. Both brokers are not regulated by the CSRC, so China traders must rely on offshore regulation (e.g., CySEC, FSA). Trading in CNY is not directly supported, but USDT and Bank Transfer (international) deposits make it accessible. This comparison helps China traders decide based on costs, platforms, and local payment options.
| Instrument | IC Markets | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Libertex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Libertex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Libertex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Libertex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 | Libertex |
For China traders, trading costs are critical. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a $3.5 commission per lot, ideal for high-volume trading. Libertex has wider spreads (1.0-1.5 pips) with no commission, but costs are higher overall. On a $10,000 monthly volume, IC Markets saves approximately $50-100 compared to Libertex. China traders should consider volume impact: IC Markets is cheaper for scalping, while Libertex suits occasional traders.
| Account Type | IC Markets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:999 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:999 |
| 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 | Libertex | 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+ | 20+ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Libertex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 popular among China traders for advanced charting and automated trading. Libertex offers its proprietary platform and MT5, but lacks the depth of tools. For China traders needing EA support and custom indicators, IC Markets is superior. Libertex’s platform is simpler, better for beginners who prefer a straightforward interface.
| Factor | IC Markets | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Libertex |
| 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 boasts ultra-fast execution with average speeds under 40ms and no requotes, ideal for China scalpers and algorithmic traders. Libertex has slightly slower execution (around 100ms) and may experience slippage during volatile markets. For high-frequency trading, IC Markets is the clear winner.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), while Libertex holds licenses from CySEC and FSA (Seychelles). Neither broker is regulated by the CSRC, meaning China traders have no local investor protection. IC Markets’ ASIC regulation offers a higher tier of oversight, which may appeal to risk-averse traders. Libertex’s lower-tier FSA license provides less protection. China traders should consider this when choosing.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 5 business days |
China traders can deposit using USDT and Bank Transfer (international) at both brokers. IC Markets supports USDT deposits with zero fees and near-instant processing, ideal for avoiding CNY conversion costs. Bank transfers take 2-5 business days with potential intermediary fees. Libertex also accepts USDT but may have a minimum deposit of $50 (USDT) vs IC Markets’ $20. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 days for USDT at IC Markets, while Libertex may take longer. USDT is recommended for speed and lower costs.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | Libertex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Libertex offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for China Muslim traders. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types with no restrictions on holding periods, ideal for long-term trading. Libertex offers Islamic accounts but may limit them to certain instruments or impose swap fees after a period (e.g., 30 days). China Muslim traders should confirm conditions with support before opening an account.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Libertex | 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 support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated Chinese-speaking agents. Libertex provides 24/5 support with limited Chinese language options. For China traders, IC Markets’ round-the-clock support is more reliable, especially during Asian trading hours. Response times average under 2 minutes for live chat.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Libertex | 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 | Libertex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
Choose Libertex if you...
For China traders, IC Markets is the stronger choice due to its higher trust score (4.8/5), lower spreads, and superior execution. It supports USDT and Bank Transfer (international) with fast processing, and its ASIC regulation offers better protection. Libertex (3.7/5) is simpler but costs more and has weaker oversight. While neither broker is CSRC-regulated, IC Markets provides a more professional environment for offshore trading. China traders should prioritize IC Markets for cost efficiency and reliability.