Abstract:IST Markets offers CFD trading with MT4, a demo account, a $100 initial deposit, and low-spread VIP accounts, but its FSC Mauritius regulation is suspect.
IST MarketsReview Summary | |
Founded | 2015-10-12 |
Registered Country/Region | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
Regulation | Unregulated |
Market Instruments | Forex, Commodities, Stocks, Bonds, Indices, and Futures |
Demo Account | ✅ |
Leverage | 1:500 |
Spread | From 0.1 pips (EUR/USD) |
Trading Platform | Web Trader, Meta Trader 4, and Meta Trader 5 |
Min Deposit | $100 |
Customer Support (24/5) | support@istmarkets.com |
Facebook, Instagram, LinkendIn, TikTok |
IST Markets is registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It offers a rich and diverse range of trading services, providing trading of over 2,000 financial assets, covering stocks, foreign exchange, indices, commodities, etc. There is zero commission for stock CFDs, and the spread of some foreign exchange pairs is as low as 0 pip. It has various types of accounts to match the needs of different investors. The trading platform is fully functional and easy to operate. It supports more than 15 deposit and withdrawal methods, enabling flexible access to funds, and also has the CopyTrader function for copying trades. The regulatory status of IST Markets is questionable, and it is recommended that investors give priority to trading with brokers regulated by primary regulatory authorities.
Pros | Cons |
Over 2000 different financial assets | Unregulated |
Commission-free stock trading | Complex fees: spreads, commissions, overnight fees, and currency conversion fees |
CopyTrader function available | |
24/5 Customer Support | |
Demo trading | |
Low trading costs: Commission-free stock trading | |
MT4 and MT5 available |
IST Markets claims to be regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius (license number GB22200573), but this brokerage firm is not under regulation. This indicates that it does not have a legitimate operational foundation.
IST Markets offers various trading products, covering Forex CFDs (61 currency pairs, with spreads as low as 0.0 pips), Index CFDs (25 indices), Commodity CFDs (more than 22 commodities, including energy, agriculture, and metals), Stock CFDs (more than 730 stocks from the ASX, NYSE, and NASDAQ, eligible for dividends), Bond CFDs (more than 11 types), and Futures CFDs (4 global futures). Each product has different characteristics and advantages, providing investors with diverse choices and trading opportunities.
Tradable Instruments | Supported |
Forex | ✔ |
Commodities | ✔ |
Stocks | ✔ |
Bonds | ✔ |
Indices | ✔ |
Futures | ✔ |
The Raw Spread account of IST Markets has a low spread. The average spread of the Euro/US Dollar pair is 0.1 pips, and the one-sided commission per lot is $3.5, which is suitable for day traders and others. IST Markets offers various trading account types, including Classic, Premium, and VIP accounts. Different accounts vary in terms of spreads, commissions, initial deposit amounts, leverage ratios, and suitable trading styles.
IST Markets provides an Islamic (swap-free) account for customers who cannot receive or pay interest due to their religious beliefs. This account comes in two types: Raw Spread and Standard. IST Markets also offers a simulated trading account for beginners.
Account Type | Spread | Commission | Minimum Deposit | Maximum Leverage | Suitable for |
Classic Account | From 1.5 pips | Free | $100 | 1:500 | Day traders and scalpers with a small amount of capital who pursue low trading costs |
Premium Account | From 1.1 pips | Free | $3,000 | 1:400 | Investors using Expert Advisor (EA) trading and scalpers |
VIP Account | From 0.0 pips | $6 per lot (both sides) | $25,000 | 1:200 | Independent traders with a large amount of capital who pursue extremely low spreads |
Raw Spread Account | Average 0.1 pips(EUR/USD) | $3.5 per lot (one side) | - | - | Day traders, scalpers, and investors using intelligent trading systems who pursue low latency and low trading costs |
For the Classic account of IST Markets, the spread starts from 1.5 pips, and there is no commission. For the Premium account, the spread starts from 1.1 pips, and there is no commission. For the VIP account, the spread starts from 0.0 pips, and the one-sided commission per lot is $6.
Overnight fees apply for held positions, calculated based on size and asset type—e.g., USD index sell positions cost 0.00409486, while buys incur- 0.02538253. Currency conversion uses standard rates without extra fees, though markups may apply if account and deposit currencies differ. Traders can check real-time rates and fees on the platform.
IST Markets provides differentiated leverage services. The maximum leverage for Forex CFDs is 1:500, and for Stock CFDs, it depends on the specific variety. The leverage for the Classic account is 1:500, for the Premium account it is 1:400, and for the VIP account it is 1:200. Investors should note that while leverage can amplify profits, it can also magnify risks.
Since its establishment in 2019, IST Markets has successively launched the Meta Trader 4 and Meta Trader 5 trading platforms, the MT5 mobile application, and the WebTrader platform.
Trading Platform | Supported | Available Devices | Suitable for |
Web Trader | ✔ | - | All |
Meta Trader 4 | ✔ | - | Beginners |
Meta Trader 5 | ✔ | Mobile | Experienced traders |
IST Markets requires a minimum deposit of $100 and supports various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, Neteller, Skrill, bank transfers, and online banking. Deposits via e-wallets or cards are usually instant, while bank transfers take 4–7 days. Withdrawals follow similar channels, with IST Markets Money offering instant processing, while card withdrawals may take 3–10 days and bank transfers up to 14 days.
The platform charges a 5 per withdrawal fee, and inactive accounts (12+ months) incur dormancy fees. Currency conversion fees may apply for non−USD transactions, varying by payment method and VIP tier. Unverified accounts have a 2,250 total deposit limit, and first-time deposits range from
Deposit Methods | Arrival Time | Withdrawal Methods | Processing Time |
Credit/Debit Card | Instant | IST Markets Money | Instant |
Neteller/Skrill | Instant | Credit/Debit Card | 3-10 working days |
Bank Transfer | 4-7 working days | Neteller/Skrill | 1-3 working days |
Online Banking | Subject to the payment provider | Bank Transfer | Up to 14 days |
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