IC Markets vs XM Group (2026): A Detailed Comparison for Japan Traders
Which broker is better for Japan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Choosing between IC Markets and XM Group is a critical decision for Japan traders in 2026. Both brokers are globally recognized, but they cater to different needs within the Japanese trading community. IC Markets, with a Trustpilot score of 4.8/5, is renowned for its ultra-low spreads (from 0.0 pips) and institutional-grade execution, making it a top pick for scalpers and algorithmic traders who rely on speed and cost efficiency. XM Group, scoring 4.7/5, is celebrated for its user-friendly platforms, no re-quotes policy, and extensive educational resources, appealing to retail traders who value support and flexibility. For Japan traders, both brokers accept local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and they operate under strong offshore regulation (ASIC, CySEC). However, neither is directly regulated by the Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA), so traders must understand the regulatory implications. This comparison dives into spreads, platforms, regulation, and deposit options to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals in Japan.
| Instrument | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | XM Group |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | XM Group |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | XM Group |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | XM Group |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $5 | IC Markets |
| Inactivity fee | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
For Japan traders, trading costs are a key factor, especially for high-frequency strategies. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a commission of $3.50 per lot round turn, making it highly competitive for scalping USD/JPY. On a standard lot of USD/JPY, the total cost is around $3.50, significantly lower than XM's Standard account, which has spreads from 1.0 pips (costing $10 per lot) with no commission. XM's Zero account reduces spreads to 0.6 pips but adds a $5 commission per lot, totaling $11 per lot. For Japan traders executing 100 lots per month, IC Markets saves $650–$750 compared to XM. XM's fixed spreads on some accounts provide predictability, but active traders will find IC Markets' raw pricing more cost-effective.
| Account Type | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| VPS trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $5 |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Japan (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | IC Markets | XM Group | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Options | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Futures | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fixed spreads | ✗ | ✗ |
| Variable spreads | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are widely used by Japan traders for their advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform favored by algorithmic traders for its direct market access and advanced order management. XM Group additionally offers its proprietary XM WebTrader, which is accessible via browser without download, and supports one-click trading. For Japan traders who use Expert Advisors (EAs) or require fast trade execution, IC Markets' cTrader and raw ECN pricing are superior. XM's platform suite is more beginner-friendly, with integrated educational tools and market analysis.
| Factor | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| News trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets is known for its ultra-fast execution, with average speeds under 40 milliseconds on its Raw Spread account, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center and direct market access. This is ideal for Japan traders who scalp or use high-frequency strategies. XM Group offers no re-quotes and fast execution (under 100 milliseconds) on its Zero account, but its Standard account may experience slight slippage during volatile news events. For Japan traders trading USD/JPY during the Asian session, IC Markets' execution speed and low latency provide a clear edge.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| Reg number | #335692 | #443670 |
| Verify registration | Verify ↗ | Verify ↗ |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), while XM Group holds licenses from CySEC, the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) of Belize, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Neither broker is directly regulated by the Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA), meaning they cannot solicit clients in Japan without a local license. However, many Japan traders use these brokers on a cross-border basis, accepting the lack of local investor protection. IC Markets' ASIC regulation is considered stronger due to strict client money segregation and leverage restrictions. Japan traders should be aware that they may not be eligible for the Japanese Investor Protection Fund, so due diligence is essential.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Depositing and withdrawing funds as a Japan trader is straightforward with both brokers. IC Markets and XM Group support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT (Tether), making it easy to fund accounts in USD. For Bank Transfer, IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200, while XM starts from $5. Both brokers process Skrill and Neteller deposits instantly with no fees, though withdrawal times vary: IC Markets processes e-wallet withdrawals within 24 hours, while XM typically takes 1-2 business days. USDT deposits are supported on both platforms, with IC Markets accepting TRC-20 and ERC-20 networks, and XM offering USDT via its XM Payments section. For Japan traders, using USDT can bypass bank delays, but always check for network fees. Withdrawals are generally free, but IC Markets charges a $3.50 fee for bank wire withdrawals under $200.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gold swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crypto swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both IC Markets and XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Japan who wish to trade without earning or paying interest (riba). IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, cTrader) upon request, with no swap charges on overnight positions. XM Group also offers Islamic accounts on its Standard, Micro, and Zero accounts, with a simple declaration required. Japan traders should note that swap-free accounts may have restrictions on holding positions for extended periods (e.g., IC Markets limits to 7 days on certain instruments). Both brokers maintain these accounts in compliance with Sharia law, making them suitable for Japan's Muslim trading community.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| 24/5 support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with English as the primary language. For Japan traders, there is no dedicated Japanese support line, but the live chat team can assist in English. XM Group provides 24/5 support in multiple languages, including Japanese, via phone, email, and live chat. XM's dedicated Japanese-speaking team is a significant advantage for Japan traders who prefer local language assistance. Response times are generally fast for both, but XM's multilingual support edges ahead for Japan-based users.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5★ | 4.3★ | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3★ | 4.2★ | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Dark mode | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Resource | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | IC Markets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are a scalper or algorithmic trader needing ultra-tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions.
- Require fast execution under 40ms for high-frequency strategies on USD/JPY.
- Prefer advanced platforms like cTrader for direct market access and automated trading.
- Trade high volumes (100+ lots per month) and want to minimize costs significantly.
Choose XM Group if you...
- Are a beginner or retail trader who values a low minimum deposit of $5 and fixed spreads.
- Need Japanese-language customer support and educational resources for learning.
- Want a no-re-quotes policy and reliable execution without worrying about slippage.
- Prefer a wide range of account types (Micro, Standard, Zero) to match your risk tolerance.
For Japan traders, the choice between IC Markets and XM Group ultimately depends on your trading style and priorities. IC Markets is the clear winner for cost-conscious, active traders who need raw spreads, fast execution, and advanced platforms like cTrader. Its support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT makes funding easy, and its ASIC regulation offers strong oversight. XM Group, on the other hand, is ideal for beginners or those who prefer a more supportive environment with Japanese-language support, fixed spreads, and a low barrier to entry. While neither broker is regulated by the Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA), both are reputable offshore options. If you prioritize low costs and high speed, IC Markets is your best bet. If you value education, simplicity, and local language support, XM Group is the smarter choice for your Japan-based trading journey in 2026.