Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China-based traders seeking international exposure, IC Markets and TMGM are two prominent offshore forex brokers. Both accept Chinese clients and support local payment methods like USDT and international bank transfers. While IC Markets boasts a higher rating of 4.8/5 and is known for its raw spreads and ECN execution, TMGM follows with a 3.3/5 rating, offering competitive pricing and a user-friendly platform. This comparison helps Chinese traders decide which broker aligns with their trading goals, given that CSRC does not directly oversee these international firms.
| Instrument | IC Markets | TMGM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | TMGM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | TMGM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | TMGM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | TMGM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 | TMGM |
For China traders, trading costs are crucial. IC Markets offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its True ECN account with a commission of $7 per lot round turn. TMGM’s standard account has spreads starting from 1.0 pips without commission. Over high volume trading, IC Markets becomes significantly cheaper. For example, trading 20 lots per month on EUR/USD, IC Markets costs around $140 in commission, while TMGM’s spread cost would be approximately $400. This difference highlights IC Markets' advantage for active traders.
| Account Type | IC Markets | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| China (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 | TMGM | 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 | ✗ | 1,700+ | TMGM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers provide the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms, widely used in China. IC Markets also offers cTrader for advanced charting. TMGM provides WebTrader and mobile apps optimized for Chinese users. For traders in China, platform stability and low latency are critical given cross-border connections. IC Markets' servers in New York and London ensure fast execution, while TMGM’s Australian servers may offer slightly higher latency. Both support VPS hosting for automated trading.
| Factor | IC Markets | TMGM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | TMGM |
| 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 |
Execution quality is a key differentiator. IC Markets uses a true ECN/STP model with no dealing desk, offering average execution speeds of under 40ms. TMGM employs a hybrid model with some market making, leading to slightly higher slippage during news events. For Chinese scalpers and high-frequency traders, IC Markets provides superior execution reliability and lower requotes.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), while TMGM is regulated by ASIC and VFSC (Vanuatu). Neither is regulated by CSRC, meaning Chinese traders rely on offshore protections. IC Markets' ASIC regulation provides a higher level of client fund segregation and compensation scheme coverage. TMGM’s VFSC regulation is less stringent. For China traders, this means greater trust in IC Markets’ regulatory oversight, albeit both operate internationally.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1 to 4 business days to process, with internal processing typically completed within 1 business day. |
Depositing and withdrawing funds from China is straightforward with both brokers. IC Markets supports USDT (Tether) deposits via TRC20 and ERC20 networks, with zero fees and fast processing. International bank transfers take 1-3 business days and are suitable for larger amounts. TMGM also accepts USDT and bank transfers. Minimum deposit for IC Markets is $200, while TMGM requires $100. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for USDT, while bank transfers may take 2-5 days. Both brokers allow Chinese traders to fund accounts in CNY-equivalent via USDT, bypassing capital controls.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Chinese Muslim traders requiring swap-free accounts, both IC Markets and TMGM offer Islamic accounts. IC Markets provides swap-free status on all account types upon request, with no additional fees and no time limit. TMGM offers Islamic accounts on its standard and prime accounts, but charges a small administration fee after holding positions overnight for more than 10 days. IC Markets' policy is more favorable for long-term traders in China who follow Sharia law.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | TMGM | 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 for Chinese traders is available in Mandarin via live chat, email, and phone at both brokers. IC Markets offers 24/7 support with a dedicated Chinese support team. TMGM provides support during Asian trading hours but lacks round-the-clock assistance. IC Markets' responsiveness and language options edge out TMGM for China-based clients.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | TMGM | 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 | TMGM | 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 TMGM if you...
For China traders, IC Markets emerges as the superior choice with its 4.8 rating, tighter spreads, strong ASIC regulation, and excellent support for USDT deposits and international bank transfers. TMGM, while offering competitive features and a lower entry barrier, falls short in regulatory depth and execution quality. Given that CSRC does not regulate these offshore brokers, IC Markets’ transparent operations and higher trust score make it the preferred broker for Chinese traders seeking international exposure. Overall, IC Markets is highly recommended for its cost efficiency and reliability.