Which broker is better for Guyana traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Guyanese retail traders are increasingly looking beyond local banks and using global forex brokers to access tight spreads, fast execution and multiple trading platforms. When comparing IC Markets vs Moneta Markets, the key differences matter more to Georgetown and other trading hubs in Guyana. IC Markets, rated 4.8/5, is known for its institutional-grade raw spreads and sophisticated platform support, while Moneta Markets, rated 3.3/5, offers a more streamlined product that still covers the essentials. Both brokers accept clients from Guyana and support USD-based accounts, which is important because most local traders bank in US dollars. Payment options such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller and USDT TRC20 work for both firms, although the minimum amounts and processing speeds differ. This comparison focuses on what actually affects a Guyana trader: real cost per lot, deposit and withdrawal reliability, regulation from the local financial regulator perspective, and which broker matches your everyday trading style.
| Instrument | IC Markets | Moneta Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Moneta Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Moneta Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Moneta Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Moneta Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $50 | IC Markets |
For Guyana traders, spreads and commissions are the most visible cost. IC Markets offers Raw Spread accounts with spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs and a $7 USD round-turn commission per lot. Moneta Markets offers a Pro account with spreads from 0.0 pips as well, but its average effective spread on EUR/USD and USD/GYD crosses is often higher for small retail volumes. If you trade 5 to 10 lots per week, IC Markets gives a cost advantage of around 10% to 15% compared to Moneta Markets. On standard accounts without commission, IC Markets still keeps spreads tight, while Moneta's standard spreads are more typical of mid-tier brokers. For Guyana traders in a dollarised economy, the all-in cost in USD is the real measure, and IC Markets ends up cheaper in the long run.
| Account Type | IC Markets | Moneta Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $50 |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Moneta Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Guyana (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | Moneta 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Moneta Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | Moneta Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular in Guyana because they run well on limited internet bandwidth and mobile devices. IC Markets also offers cTrader, a powerful platform that appeals to traders who need advanced charting and one-click execution. Moneta Markets focuses on MT4 and MT5 plus a web trader, which is enough for basic day trading and swing trading. For Guyanese retail clients, MT5 is the most practical choice because it supports automated trading through Expert Advisors and gives you access to a wider range of assets. If you value platform variety and an advanced trading experience, IC Markets is clearly ahead. Moneta's simpler setup may be easier for complete beginners in Guyana who just want to open a trade quickly.
| Factor | IC Markets | Moneta Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Moneta 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 is known for its high-speed execution using Equinix NY4, LD4 and TY3 servers, with raw spreads from multiple top-tier liquidity providers. This means Guyana traders get tighter pricing and fewer requotes during volatile news events like US interest rate announcements, which often move the USD heavily. Moneta Markets uses a similar no dealing desk model but has lower liquidity depth and less established infrastructure, which can lead to higher slippage during peak times. If you day trade from Guyana, your physical distance from US servers is already a challenge, so choosing a broker with faster execution is crucial. IC Markets has a performance edge that is noticeable in active trading.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Moneta Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles. Moneta Markets is also licensed by ASIC and the FSA of Vanuatu, giving it a similar offshore structure. For Guyana traders, there is no direct licensing by the local financial regulator, so you are relying on the broker's international supervision. IC Markets has a longer track record and deeper regulatory history, which reduces the risk of account freezing or missed withdrawals. Moneta Markets is newer and smaller, but it still follows standard client segregation rules. Before depositing large amounts, check the latest licence status and consider that the local financial regulator does not provide investor protection for any overseas broker, meaning you must be comfortable with the jurisdiction that supervises your chosen broker.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Moneta 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 | Internal Processing: Generally handled within 24 hours by the finance team.Credit/Debit Cards: 1 to 5 business days to fully reflect.Bank Wire / International Transfers: 3 to 5 business days to complete. |
Guyana traders can fund both IC Markets and Moneta Markets using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller and USDT TRC20. Bank Transfer is the most common for larger deposits, but Guyanese banks may charge international wire fees that eat into your trading capital. Skrill and Neteller offer faster transfers, but convert USD to their own e-wallet currency margins, so you pay a small spread. USDT TRC20 is the most cost-effective option for tech-savvy traders in Guyana because it avoids bank intermediaries and settles within minutes. IC Markets processes most withdrawals within 1 business day, while Moneta usually takes 2 to 5 business days depending on the method. To avoid issues, complete verification early and use the same payment method for deposits and withdrawals, because both brokers practice strict anti-money laundering rules aligned with international regulation.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | Moneta 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 Moneta Markets provide Islamic or swap-free accounts for Guyanese Muslim traders who need to comply with Sharia law. These accounts do not earn or charge interest for overnight positions, which removes a major barrier for long-term position trading. IC Markets applies its Islamic account feature to Raw Spread and Standard accounts with no additional spread markup, although some brokers charge a one-time administrative fee after holding a position for more than a few days. Moneta Markets also offers swap-free accounts, but its fee structure for long-held positions is less transparent. If you live outside the main cities like Georgetown, where internet can be slower, an Islamic account is still a safe way to trade because you can hold trades without worrying about overnight swap costs.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Moneta 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 in English is available from both brokers, which is essential for Guyana traders who may have questions about banking or platform issues. IC Markets provides 24/7 chat support, which is helpful because local trading hours often overlap with US market sessions early in the morning. Moneta Markets offers support from Sunday evening to Friday night, with a live chat that is responsive but not always 24/7. For Guyanese clients, response times matter when a deposit is stuck or a withdrawal is delayed. IC Markets also offers a larger help centre and a more detailed FAQ specific to payment methods like USDT TRC20 and Skrill, making it more reliable for local traders.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Moneta 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 | Moneta Markets | 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 Moneta Markets if you...
For the majority of Guyana traders, IC Markets is the better broker in 2026 due to its superior spreads, stronger regulatory history, faster execution and wider platform selection. Moneta Markets is still a viable choice if you are starting out with small capital or prefer a no-frills interface. However, when considering local conditions like using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller or USDT TRC20 for funding, IC Markets processes withdrawals faster and charges less in hidden costs. The local financial regulator does not protect you with either broker, so your main protection comes from the broker's offshore licence and internal controls. IC Markets' longer operational record gives you more confidence for handling larger deposits, while Moneta might suit a beginner who only needs the basics.