markets.com

Markets.com broker has been operating since 2008 and, with licenses from Cyprus's CySEC and South Africa's FSCA, over 500 CFD instruments and commission-free trading, it is one of the well-known international brokers. However, Iran is explicitly on its list of restricted countries. In this overview, we review Markets.com's licenses, accounts, platforms, payment methods and risks based on Teagle's data.

What kind of broker is Markets.com?

Markets.com is a broker with 18 years of history, registered in Teagle's data as based in Cyprus, and according to the broker itself it has more than 4.7 million users in 170 countries. The broker offers trading in contracts for difference (CFDs) on forex, stocks, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, ETFs and bonds. Execution speeds of up to 0.35 milliseconds, competitive spreads, segregated bank accounts and deposit insurance are among its advertised features. Keep in mind that buying stock CFDs does not make you the actual owner of the shares, and you have no voting rights or ability to transfer the shares.

Markets.com broker licenses and credibility

According to Teagle's latest review, Markets.com holds three active licenses:

• CySEC Cyprus (No. 092/08), status Active; a reputable body operating under European Union law.
• FSCA South Africa (No. 46860), status Active.
• FSA Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (No. 27030 BC 2023), status Active; a weak offshore registration.

The CySEC license is this broker's main strength, but the Saint Vincent registration provides no real oversight of forex activity, and client protection depends on which group entity your account is opened under. We have explained the difference between these two types of license in the article What is an offshore and onshore broker and the guide Broker regulation tiers .

Does Markets.com serve Iranians?

No. Teagle's experts have found that Iran is explicitly on Markets.com's list of restricted countries, and residents of Iran cannot officially open an account. Using false identity or residency information can also lead to account suspension and problems withdrawing funds. For this reason, Teagle recommends that Iranian traders choose a broker that has officially and transparently confirmed it serves Iran. To learn about these kinds of restrictions, read the article Brokers restricted for Iranians and how to choose a safe broker .

Markets.com trading accounts

Markets.com offers two account types: Retail for retail clients and Professional for professional clients. Features shared by both accounts according to Teagle's table:

• Minimum deposit of 100 dollars, euros or pounds;
• No commission, with floating spreads from zero;
• Margin call at 70% and stop-out at 50%;
• An Islamic (swap-free) version and access to over 500 instruments on MT4 and MT5.

Teagle's data on maximum leverage is inconsistent; what is clear is that leverage is limited for retail clients and this broker is not suitable for those who want high leverage. According to the broker, if the margin level falls below 50%, the system may close positions starting with the most losing trade. We have explained the difference between retail and professional clients in the article The difference between retail and professional users .

Markets.com platforms and services

Trading at Markets.com is done on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, a web platform and a proprietary app for Android and iOS. The broker's additional services include bonuses, copy trading and social trading, support for expert advisors, an IB program, education, an economic calendar, calculators and a specialized glossary, and hedging and news trading are also allowed. One point Teagle lists among the drawbacks is that this broker operates as a market maker; we have described this model in the article B-Book and A-Book brokers .

Deposits and withdrawals at Markets.com

The minimum deposit for all methods is 100 dollars, euros or pounds. Listed methods include PayPal, credit and debit cards, Skrill, Neteller, bank wire, iDEAL, Sofort, local bank transfer and Apple Pay. The minimum withdrawal is 5 with Skrill and Neteller, 10 with PayPal and cards, and 100 dollars or pounds (and 20 euros) with bank wire. Deposit and withdrawal fees and processing times are not stated in Teagle's data. None of these methods are available to Iranian users. For US stocks, a 30% withholding tax on dividends has also been stated.

Markets.com rating and risk on Teagle

Markets.com's final rating on Teagle is 3.03 out of 5: Trustpilot 3.6, WikiFX 3.6 and Forex Peace Army 1.9. To date, one user has left a review for this broker on Teagle, giving it 4 out of 5. Teagle Eye's risk score for Markets.com is 25 out of 100, in the "low to medium risk" category, mainly due to its three active licenses and 18 years of history. See where low-risk brokers stand in the low-risk broker rankings .

Pros and cons of Markets.com broker

• Pro: CySEC and FSCA oversight and segregation of client funds
• Pro: Over 500 CFD instruments and commission-free trading with floating spreads
• Pro: A variety of analytical and educational tools
• Con: Services prohibited for residents of Iran
• Con: Operates as a market maker, and leverage is limited for retail clients
• Con: High overnight swap costs on some assets

Who is Markets.com suitable for?

Markets.com is suitable for non-Iranian traders interested in a wide range of CFD instruments, commission-free trading, MT4 and MT5, and copy trading. It is not a suitable option for users residing in Iran or those who want high leverage. If you want a broker with a reputable license, weigh it up in the Markets.com vs FxPro comparison .

Conclusion

Markets.com is a notable broker in terms of licensing and trading structure, but its official ban on Iran rules it out for Iranian users. Do not register with a false identity or residency; choose a broker that officially accepts Iranians, start with small capital, make a test withdrawal, and follow the latest warnings on the investment risk warning page .