Is IG Safe?

IG is the safest forex broker in our audit. Full stop. It scores 98 out of 100 in our Regulation & Trust category, the highest of any broker we review. IG holds six Tier 1 regulatory licences, is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange as part of the FTSE 250, and has been operating continuously since 1974. If safety is your number one priority, there is no broker with a stronger profile.

Regulatory Standing

IG Group holds licences from six Tier 1 regulators:

Six Tier 1 licences. No other broker in our review comes close. OANDA has six Tier 1 licences as well, but IG edges it with the addition of FINMA (Switzerland), one of the strictest financial regulators in the world.

Every major financial jurisdiction is covered: UK, Australia, Germany, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United States. The CFTC/NFA licence is particularly notable because US regulation is the hardest to obtain and maintain. The compliance requirements are enormous, and very few international brokers bother with the US market because of it. IG does.

The FCA licence (195355) has been active for decades. IG was one of the first spread betting companies regulated by the FCA's predecessor, the FSA. BaFin coverage gives IG direct access to the German market under one of Europe's strictest regulators. MAS regulation in Singapore is considered among the best in Asia-Pacific.

There is no offshore entity in IG's structure. No Seychelles, no Bahamas, no Vanuatu. Every client, regardless of location, is served by a Tier 1 regulated entity. This is exceedingly rare in the forex industry.

Fund Protection Assessment

Segregated client funds: Yes, across all entities. IG holds client money in segregated bank accounts with top-tier banks. The FCA entity uses UK-regulated banks.

Negative balance protection: Yes, for all retail clients. Mandatory under FCA, ASIC, and EU regulations.

Investor compensation: Through the FCA entity, clients are covered by the FSCS up to GBP 85,000. The BaFin entity provides coverage under the German Investor Compensation Scheme. The FINMA entity operates as a bank (IG Bank S.A.), which carries Swiss banking protections.

Public listing transparency: IG Group Holdings plc trades on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker IGG. It's a FTSE 250 constituent. This means IG publishes audited annual reports, quarterly trading updates, and is subject to LSE listing rules. Any material changes to the company's financial health become public immediately. This level of transparency is a genuine safety advantage that privately held brokers simply can't match.

IG's fund protection is as strong as it gets in retail forex. The combination of FSCS coverage, Swiss banking entity, and public financial accountability sets a standard that no other broker in our audit fully matches.

Company Background

IG was founded in 1974 by Stuart Wheeler as the world's first financial spread betting company. That makes it over 50 years old. In an industry where many brokers are less than a decade old, IG's longevity is extraordinary.

The company listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2000 and has been a member of the FTSE 250 for years. IG Group Holdings plc has a market capitalisation in the billions, employs over 2,000 staff globally, and operates in 17 countries.

IG survived the 2008 financial crisis, the 2015 Swiss franc shock, the COVID-19 volatility of 2020, and every market disruption in between. At each of these events, weaker brokers went bankrupt or imposed withdrawal restrictions. IG continued to operate normally.

The company has faced minor regulatory fines over its 50-year history, which is expected for any financial institution operating at this scale. None have been material to its operations or standing. There have been no licence revocations, no client fund losses, and no insolvency events.

Withdrawal Reliability

IG's withdrawal options are slightly less varied than some competitors (no Skrill or Neteller), but the methods offered are reliable and free.

The broker supports 9 base currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, CAD, SGD, HKD).

One cost to note: IG charges an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 24 months of no trading activity. This is a downside, but the 24-month grace period is longer than most brokers that charge inactivity fees.

IG's withdrawal track record is impeccable. As a publicly listed, FTSE 250 company, any systemic withdrawal issues would surface in financial reports, shareholder communications, and regulatory filings immediately. No such issues exist.

How IG Compares on Safety

IG sits at the very top:

The safety leader: IG (98) is the highest-rated broker for regulation and trust in our entire audit.

Close competitors: OANDA (95) also holds six Tier 1 licences and has strong US regulation. CMC Markets (92) and FOREX.com (92) are publicly listed with multiple Tier 1 licences.

Strong but below IG: Pepperstone (90) has dual FCA/ASIC Tier 1 coverage. XTB (88) is publicly listed with FCA and KNF licences.

Mid-range and below: IC Markets (82), eToro (82), XM (78), and others sit well below IG's safety profile.

The gap between IG and the rest of the field is significant. Six Tier 1 licences, 50+ years of history, FTSE 250 listing, and no offshore entities. No other broker checks all those boxes.

Our Safety Verdict

IG is the safest forex broker you can trade with. That's not an opinion; it's a function of the data. Six Tier 1 regulators, a 50-year track record, public listing on the LSE, FSCS coverage up to GBP 85,000, and no offshore entity structure. Every metric points in the same direction.

The trade-off is cost. IG's spreads start at 0.60 pips on EUR/USD, which is wider than raw-spread specialists like IC Markets or Pepperstone. The $12/month inactivity fee after 24 months is also a downside. And the lack of cTrader or MT5 means IG's platform offering isn't as wide as some competitors.

Our recommendation: If safety is your primary concern and you're willing to accept slightly higher trading costs, IG is the clear choice. For traders who prioritise tighter spreads and are comfortable with slightly less regulatory coverage, Pepperstone offers a strong balance of safety and cost.

Regulation & Trust Score: 98 / 100

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