This is our updated EC Markets review for 2026, based on fresh research and developments after months of continuous monitoring. We trust that this review provides helpful insights that will empower traders to invest with greater confidence and peace of mind. Read on to find out more.
EC Markets is widely regarded as a reputable, multi-regulated broker, but a high trust score alone does not tell the full story. In this review, we look beyond headline ratings to examine:
- How EC Markets’ regulation and fund protection work in practice
- Where trading conditions favour certain strategies and limit others
- Which types of traders benefit most from its account structure
- What potential drawbacks traders should consider before committing capital
FX Trust Score Index – EC Markets
EC Markets gained an overall score of 90.75 % across our five key ratings criteria.
Compare this broker against others in our Broker Data Index.
FX Trust Score Index Ratings
How we calculate the FX Trust Score How we calculate the FX Trust Score:
• Regulation & Compliance (30%)
• Security & Fund Protection (20%)
• Customer Support (15%)
• Online Reputation (20%)
• Trading Conditions (15%)
🔍 Looking for quick facts?
View the EC Markets profile
for company background, regulation, trading conditions and contact links.
EC Markets Broker Pros and Cons
- Low spreads
- Fast execution
- Multi-regulated across 7 jurisdictions
- Free and fast deposits and withdrawals
- Efficient KYC / account verification
- Strong educational tools/resources
- Limited base currency options
*All trading involves risk. It is possible to lose all your capital.
EC Markets at a Glance
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EC Markets Overview
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Client Support
| Year Established | 2012 |
| Licences Held | FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), FMA (New Zealand), FSC (Mauritius), FSA (Seychelles), FSCA (South Africa), SCA (United Arab Emirates) Licences Verified 16/01/2026 |
| Demo Account Available | Yes |
| Base Currencies | USD |
| Promotions | No |
| Account Opening Time | Instant |
| Withdrawal Fee | None |
| Inactivity Fee | None |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Minimum Position Size | 0.01 lot |
| Maximum Leverage | Flexible leverage between 1:100 and 1:1000 |
| Spread Type (Fixed/Variable) | Variable (STD, ECN, PRO) |
| Average Spread (based on EUR/USD) | 1.1 pips |
| Assets | CFDs on Forex, Metals, Crude Oil, Indices, Crypto |
| Number of Currency Pairs | 48 |
| Account Types | STD, ECN, PRO |
| Mobile Trading | Yes |
| 24/7 or 24/5 Trading | 24/5 (24/7 for crypto) |
| Hedging Allowed | Yes |
| Scalping Allowed | Yes |
| Swap Free Account | Yes |
| Languages | 10 |
| Affiliate Program | Yes |
| Free Educational Resources | Yes |
| Daily Technical Analysis | Yes |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, EC Markets App |
| Payment Methods | |
| Deposit methods | Credit/Debit Cards, eWallets, Bank Wire, International Bank Transfer, and more |
| Withdrawal Methods | Bank Transfer, International Bank Wire, STICPAY, OTC365, Union Pay, Pembayaran Bank ATM Indonesia, Thai QR Payment, VN Pay, POLi and more |
| Withdrawal times | Within 2 hours on average |
| Withdrawal limits | Bank Transfer: $50 – $6,800 USD (Single Transaction Limit) International Bank Wire: $200-$90,000 USD (Single Transaction Limit)STICPAY: $200-$50,000 USD (Single Transaction Limit) OTC123: 50-50,000 USDT (Single Transaction Limit) |
| Currencies | USD, CNY, IDR, MYR, THB, VND, INR, USDT and more. |
| Live Chat | Phone, Email, 24/5 Multilingual Support, Live Chatbot |
| Contact Info | Phone: +248 422 4099 Email: [email protected] |
| Social Media Channels | X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube |
*All trading involves risk. It is possible to lose all your capital.
Is EC Markets a trusted forex broker?
EC Markets is widely regarded as a reputable, multi-regulated forex broker, however, trust in trading goes beyond headline scores or brand recognition.
In this review, our analysts examined EC Markets across a wide range of trust-related factors, including regulation, fund protection, client support, transparency, online reputation and the overall trading environment. The aim is not just to determine whether EC Markets is “legit,” but to understand how well it performs in real-world trading conditions and who it is best suited for.
From a regulatory and operational perspective, EC Markets scores strongly and ranks among the higher-rated brokers we have reviewed, achieving an overall score of 90.75% in the FX Trust Score Index. However, as with any broker, how suitable it is ultimately depends on trading style, risk tolerance and account requirements.
Below, we break down EC Markets’ structure, licensing, platforms and trading conditions in detail to help you decide whether it aligns with your needs as a trader.
Introduction to EC Markets: A brief overview
CFD Broker EC Markets, was established in the UK in 2012, and has since received multiple awards for its progress and achievements, including UF Awards for ‘Best Trusted Broker LATAM 2025’ and ‘Best IB Affiliate Program 2025’ plus ‘Best Customer Service’ in the Forex Expo Awards. FX Trust Score also awarded EC Markets for ‘Best Trade Execution’ and ‘Most Innovative Broker’ in our 2024 Awards.
EC Markets also features at the top of our Best Forex Brokers in Latin America leaderboard with four other high-performing brokers.
Since 2012, EC Markets has evolved considerably and has created a strong regulatory footprint. Now it boasts seven licenses across top tier jurisdictions including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. This regulatory footprint indicates a strong emphasis on compliance and security, although the practical impact varies depending on account type and jurisdiction. Safety of funds is something which matters hugely to clients.
In terms of product offering, EC Markets offers traders fourty-eight currency pairs and a wide range of tradable assets including CFDs on Forex, Metals, Commodities, Indices and Cryptos. There is significant choice for traders and the broker suits the needs of most beginners and pros.
On the 23rd July 2025, EC Markets announced that it had signed a multi-year deal, becoming an official global partner of Premier League champions, Liverpool Football Club. This sponsorship demonstrates a certain financial standing and ongoing commitment to global expansion.
Read on for a more detailed breakdown.
Is EC Markets safe?
Licensing and Regulation
As a multi-regulated broker, EC Markets is highly regarded within the trading community for maintaining ethical standards and best industry practices. It currently operates under licence with renowned tier-1 regulators such as the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Further evidence of the broker’s strict adherence to regulatory frameworks is shown through its licences with the South Africa Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), the New Zealand Financial Markets Authority (FMA), the Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA) and the Financial Services Commission Mauritius (FSC). In June 2025, EC Markets also secured its category 5 license from the UAE’s Securities and Commodoties Authority (SCA).
FX Trust Score has verified the validity of each of these licences and can confirm that all are active and in good standing. For a complete list of EC Markets’ licenses and corporate details, you can also check the official EC Markets profile
Security of Funds and Protection
Operational transparency and client security are of top priority at EC Markets, demonstrated through the acquisition of top-tier international licences, as featured above. Clients can trade safely in the knowledge that EC Markets is complying with best practices and that their funds are safeguarded.
Key features include third-party auditing, negative balance protection (which protects retail clients from losing more money than they dedicated to trading), and segregated funds (whereby clients’ assets are held in separate accounts to those of EC Markets). In addition to this, EC Markets offers enhanced asset protection to clients through its partnership with Arch Insurance via its 2012 Syndicate, which is underwritten in Lloyd’s of London. As part of this insurance policy, the broker provides guaranteed protection up to $1 million to its clients, at no extra cost.
EC Markets trading platforms
EC Markets provides access to the full MetaTrader suite, made up of two of the world’s most popular trading platforms. Clients can choose between the classic MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and the next-generation MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are both available across all devices, allowing for round-the-clock trading via desktop or on iOS and Android. The MT4 platform is renowned for its winning combination of user-friendly interface and advanced charting tools, whereas the newer MT5 offers an upgraded trading experience, packed with additional features and a wider selection of tradable instruments.
Clients can also trade on-the-go via the official EC Markets App, which is available for download on both iOS and Android devices through the App Store and Google Play. The App has a simple interface and clean layout, allowing traders to navigate the mobile application with ease. It is also packed with useful trading features, including integrated market analysis and real-time price, order alerts and status updates. Traders can manage their accounts and process deposits and withdrawals securely, quickly and reliably.
*All trading involves risk. It is possible to lose all your capital.
EC Markets Account Types
As a global CFD broker, EC Markets offers three different trading account types, including STD, ECN and Pro accounts. It also offers swap-free accounts for Islamic traders.
An STD account is good for beginners who are not yet trading high volumes and need a low cost strategy. ECN and Pro are more suited to frequent traders and those focused on minimising the cost of spreads. The Pro account, which requires a minimum deposit of $5,000 is more suitable for seasoned traders who have significantly more capital to invest and plan to undertake higher trading volumes or follow an aggressive strategy to justify the initial investment.
Starting from an STD or ECN account with a lower deposit and then moving to Pro might be a good option for beginner traders who wish to develop their skills and strategy.
In terms of leverage, EC Markets generously offers leverage of up to 1:1000 which gives traders a great amount of flexibility. It also offers a minimum position size of 0.01 lot which is very good and allows micro positions even on higher accounts.
Let’s compare EC Markets account types side by side in the table below:
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Account Type Feature ↓ |
STD |
ECN |
PRO |
|
|
Who is it for? |
Low commitment starter, good for new or low volume traders. |
Cost focused active traders, tighter spreads, small commission, scalping friendly. |
$5k deposit, high volume traders who benefit from premium pricing. |
|
|
Minimum Deposit |
$10 |
$10 |
$5,000 |
|
|
EUR/USD Spreads |
From 1.0 pips |
From 0.0 pips |
From 0.0 pips |
|
|
Leverage |
Up to 1:1000 |
Up to 1:1000 |
Up to 1:1000 |
|
|
Margin Call |
50% |
50% |
50% |
|
|
Stop Out |
30% |
30% |
30% |
|
|
Base Currencies |
USD |
USD |
USD |
|
|
Minimum Position Size |
0.01 lot |
0.01 lot |
0.01 lot |
Cost Example
Let us look at this cost Example (EUR/USD, 1 Standard Lot, Round-Turn):
STD Account: 1.2 pips average spread = $12 cost per lot
ECN/PRO Accounts: 0.0 pip spread + $3 commission = $3 cost per lot
Over 100 trades, that’s roughly $1,200 with STD versus $300 with ECN/PRO. This represents a major saving for active traders!
EC Markets Trading Assets
There is a good selection of assets for clients to trade, with more than 100 CFD trading instruments available across FX, precious metals, crude oil, indices, and cryptocurrencies. The broker allows CFD trading on silver, spot gold, Brent Crude (UK Oil), WTI (US Oil), and a wide range of leading global indices. For currency traders, there are 48 tradable currency pairs, each with varying average spreads, which include majors like EURUSD and GBPUSD and minors such as EURAUD and GBPJPY. Meanwhile, for those who prefer to trade cryptocurrency CFDs, EC Markets presents access to popular global fiat currency base pairs (BTCUSD, DOTUSD, ETHUSD, XRPUSD, and more).
Trading Conditions at EC Markets
Spreads & Commissions
Featuring extremely low spreads and competitive swap rates, EC Markets is a standout player in the financial industry for its competitive trading conditions, low fees, and a minimum deposit of just $10. On its PRO and ECN accounts, spreads start from 0.0 pips, making them well-suited to short-term trading strategies such as hedging or scalping, providing traders with reduced costs and no hidden fees embedded in the spread. During volatile market conditions, spreads can widen across the industry, which is why understanding how spreads behave when volatility increases is just as important as headline pricing.
As for the STD account, the rate differs per geographic region, ranging between 1.0-1.4 pips. Regarding other associated fees, commissions are charged at $3 round turn per standard lot.
Leverage
EC Markets provides traders with customisable leverage options to match their strategies and risk preferences. Offering flexible leverage between 1:100 and 1:1000, users can adjust their settings at any time to better suit their specific trading goals.
This flexibility improves capital efficiency while supporting strong risk management. Additionally, as a multi-licensed, trusted international broker, EC Markets strictly observes leverage limits set by some of the world’s leading regulatory bodies like the FCA in the UK and ASIC in Australia.
EC Markets Customer Support
EC Markets offers a variety of support channels including a website contact form, email, live chat and telephone, all of which we list in the client support tab of our ‘EC Markets at a glance’ table above. Client support is available 24/5 and the multilingual EC Markets team is available to assist in a wide range of languages, ensuring excellent communication with its traders.
On the 1st October 2025, we re-tested client support via live chat and were impressed with the response time, helpfulness, friendliness and level of knowledge we received. An agent answered within 15 seconds and we had the answers to a range of questions within 3 minutes.
We asked what languages were available to be spoken and the agent replied that they offer English, Spanish, Chinese and Indian and far more are supported via other support channels. Since these are the most widely spoken languages of the world, we believe that a majority of traders would be covered and in the instant that they are not, communication can take place in written form.
In essence, traders contact client support to get answers to their questions or resolve issues and the EC Markets team certainly delivers.
Educational Resources for EC Markets Traders
Trader education is a key part of EC Markets’ offering, reinforcing its commitment to client growth and development. Alongside its forex glossary and economic calendar, traders of all abilities can access trading courses via the company’s dedicated ‘Academy’ website section. Meanwhile, for traders looking for expert market analysis, EC Markets’ in-house financial market analyst presents a detailed weekly overview of the most significant market movements from the previous week. Lastly, within the MT4 platform, traders can access Trading Central’s innovative set of Alpha Generation MT4 Indicators, helping them to plot directional trends and key levels directly onMetaTrader’s existing charts
EC Markets Online Reputation: What Traders are Saying
Research into online reviews about EC Markets shows that they enjoy a solid reputation within the global trading community. Overall, the feedback is very positive, with many users praising the broker’s exceptional customer service – particularly the helpfulness and responsiveness of the support representatives. Other reviewers highlighted the impressive trading conditions, including low spreads, lightning-fast execution speeds from 0.02 seconds, and quick deposits and withdrawals. Reading through the user reviews, it’s clear that EC Markets has successfully built a loyal client base by consistently delivering a reliable and trader-focused experience.
How to Open an Account
Open an account with EC Markets by following these simple steps:
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- Visit the EC Markets homepage and click the Start Trading button.
- Fill in the Email field in the registration form.
- Click ‘Get Email Verification Code’ in the following field.
- Check your email account within 15 minutes and enter the code into the form.
- Complete the remainder of the form and click Register.
- Your account will be automatically created and you can access your EC Markets client area. Here you can create a Demo or Live trading account.
The FXTS Verdict: Is EC Markets a Trusted Broker?
EC Markets stands out as a well-established, multi-regulated global broker that performs strongly across the trust, transparency and trading-condition criteria we assess at FX Trust Score.
Licensed by leading regulatory authorities across multiple jurisdictions, including the FCA, ASIC, and FSCA, EC Markets demonstrates a clear commitment to regulatory compliance, client fund protection and operational standards. Combined with competitive trading conditions, responsive customer support and a broad range of platforms and account types, this places EC Markets among the most dependable brokers we have reviewed. In fact, EC Markets leads the way.
Of course, no broker is universally “perfect” for every trader. EC Markets is particularly well suited to traders who value tight spreads, execution quality and regulatory oversight, whilst those with highly specific account or jurisdictional requirements should still compare options carefully.
Overall, based on our ongoing monitoring, regulatory verification and performance analysis, EC Markets earns its position as a trusted and reliable broker choice for many retail and professional traders in 2026.
You can also view the EC Markets profile for key facts and registration data and Compare EC Markets with other brokers in our Forex Broker Reviews section.
Last updated: January 16, 2026 – review data verified with financial regulators and manual checks made by FX Trust Score.
*All trading involves risk. It is possible to lose all your capital.
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FAQs
EC Markets is headquartered in the UK, with its main company offices situated in London. The broker also has a presence in Europe and MENA, with offices in Limassol (Cyprus) and Dubai (UAE), respectively.
The minimum deposit is $10. This low initial funding requirement makes EC Markets highly accessible to traders of all levels, allowing them to get started quickly and easily. Clients can benefit from the flexibility of a low entry point until they feel ready to deposit larger trading funds.
Depending on the jurisdiction, EC Markets offers leverage up to 1:500 on forex pairs and precious metals, and 1:200 on crude oil trading. Under its FCA and ASIC licences, leverage is capped at 1:30 for retail clients.
Each individual trader can open a total of up to 5 USD trading accounts of each type. If a client’s funds reach $20,000, they can apply for an additional account. For funds exceeding $20,000, they can apply for an additional account for every additional $5,000 deposit by contacting EC Markets’ support team.
To withdraw funds from EC Markets, log into your client portal, select the withdrawal method, enter the amount and submit the request. Processing times vary by method, with e-wallets typically being the fastest.
Yes, EC Markets offers negative balance protection, ensuring you cannot lose more than your deposited funds. This is especially important in volatile markets and helps limit risk for traders.
EC Markets can be suitable for beginners due to its intuitive platforms, demo account and educational resources. However, new traders should understand the risks of leveraged trading before committing real funds.
In 2025, EC Markets announced a high-profile sponsorship as the Global Partner of Liverpool FC. This partnership connects the broker with one of the most successful football clubs globally. Through the sponsorship, EC Markets will benefit from global brand visibility, exclusive marketing rights and promotional opportunities aligned with Liverpool FC’s worldwide fan base. For traders, it highlights EC Markets’ growing presence and credibility in the financial services industry, supported by association with a Premier League giant.
The Liverpool FC and EC Markets partnership is primarily a branding and sponsorship initiative, but it carries positive implications for EC Markets’ clients. By partnering with such a globally recognised club, EC Markets demonstrates financial strength, long-term commitment and brand trust. Traders may also see exclusive campaigns or promotions linked to Liverpool FC in the future. While the sponsorship does not directly change trading conditions such as spreads, platforms, or regulation, it reinforces EC Markets’ credibility and market visibility.
EC Markets is considered a legitimate broker regulated by recognised financial authorities. It follows industry-standard practices such as segregated accounts and transparent pricing. FX Trust Score has verified the broker’s licensing status across different jurisdictions.
Our research shows that EC Markets is a transparent, reliable, and trusted broker that is regulated worldwide by reputable authorities like the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), FSCA (South Africa), FMA (New Zealand), FSC (Mauritius), the SCA (UAE) and the FSA (Seychelles). Strong regulatory compliance ensures that the company adheres to strict fund protection measures, including segregated accounts, regional leverage limits, and negative balance protection, among others.
✅ Reviewed by the FX Trust Score editorial team
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