Liverpool FC named EC Markets a global partner on 23 July 2025, drawing wider attention to the broker. But a sponsorship deal cannot answer “Is EC Markets legit?” The FCA and ASIC licences belong to entities serving UK and Australian clients. Your own agreement determines which terms and protections apply.
To assess scam claims, identify who holds your margin and governs withdrawals. In this article, Backcom.io reviews the entities, checks regulatory registers as at 14 October 2026, and works through trading costs after rebates.
What Is EC Markets? Legal Entities And Name Changes
EC Markets is a forex and CFD brokerage brand operating through entities in the UK, New Zealand, Mauritius and Seychelles. Each entity has its own licence and client base. Check the company named in your agreement.
Four dates matter for the UK entity:
- 12 April 2011: Companies House records the incorporation of what is now EC Markets Group Ltd, company number 07601714, under the name DNL Finance Limited.
- 8 August 2012: FCA authorisation for the UK entity began under FRN 571881.
- 29 January 2020: After using the names AlumFX and GCM Prime, the company became EC Markets Group Ltd.
- 23 July 2025: Liverpool FC announced its global partnership with the broker. Commercial sponsorship does not grant a financial licence.
The broker lists seven regulators: FSC, FCA, CMA, FSCA, ASIC, FMA and FSA. Match each authorisation to its legal entity.
Is EC Markets Legit? EC Markets Regulation And The Entity You Sign With
Is EC Markets legit for you? Start with the company that signs your client agreement. A group-wide list of licences does not establish the protection available on your account.
| Legal entity / licence | Regulator | Register check | Who it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| EC Markets Group Ltd, FRN 571881 | FCA, UK | Authorised since 8 August 2012 | UK clients |
| EC Markets Financial Limited, AFSL 414198 | ASIC, Australia | Effective from 17 February 2012 | Australian clients |
| EC Markets Limited, Seychelles | FSA Seychelles | Listed as a Securities Dealer. SD009 is stated by the broker | International clients, depending on the account-opening route |
| EC Markets Limited, Mauritius | FSC Mauritius | GB21200130 is stated by the broker but was not verified in the register | International clients, depending on the account-opening route |
| Limassol office, Cyprus | CySEC | Not listed among investment firms | No client coverage under a CySEC licence |
Registers were checked on 14 October 2026. Licence status can change, so check again before opening an account.
Check the FCA register for FRN 571881, ASIC register search and FSA Seychelles Securities Dealer list directly.
The broker also cites FMA, FSCA and CMA. These could not be verified in the registers during this review. Check whether any claimed authorisation covers the entity serving your region.
The FCA and ASIC licences are genuine, but they cover entities serving UK and Australian clients. If your account is with an offshore entity, your client agreement determines the protection available.
Which Entity Will You Sign With?
Account forms in different regions name offshore entities, including EC Markets Limited (Mauritius) and the Seychelles entity. Check the company named on your own registration form and agreement before depositing. Your account-opening route determines which terms apply.
For accounts under the Mauritius entity, the client agreement dated 15 July 2026 says:
- Client money is segregated: Margin is held separately from company funds and earns no interest.
- Mauritius law applies: Disputes fall under Mauritius courts, with complaints also possible through the Office of the Ombudsperson for Financial Services.
- No compensation scheme identified: The agreement does not describe an investor compensation arrangement comparable to the UK’s FSCS for retail clients of the UK entity.
Check local rules before funding: A broker’s foreign licence does not establish whether you may use its services or transfer funds from your region. Read the rules that apply where you live.
EC Markets Scam Claims: Verified Warning And Checks You Can Make
EC Markets scam claims are not established by the official sources checked on 14 October 2026. Backcom.io has an introducing relationship with EC Markets, so this review covers warnings and unfavourable terms.
What Did Japan’s FSA Warning In 2025 Say?
In May 2025, Japan’s FSA listed EC Markets Limited, with Seychelles and Mauritius addresses, among businesses soliciting internet-based OTC derivatives trades without Japanese registration. This is a registration warning, not a finding of fraud.
See the Japan FSA warning list (in Japanese).
Withdrawal And Trading Terms To Read First
The Mauritius Client Agreement and Risk Disclosure Policy give the broker these powers:
- Withdrawals to the funding source: A withdrawal can be refused if the receiving account details differ from the original details.
- Funds held for up to six months: Clause 21.14 permits account suspension and retention of funds where the broker has grounds to suspect a breach or market abuse.
- Action against abusive strategies: Clauses 23-24 allow trades to be cancelled or profits reclaimed if the broker considers a client to have exploited price latency or short-term volatility.
Scalpers and EA users should read the wording on “short-term volatility” before placing trades.
5 Checks Before You Deposit
Before funding, check:
- Search the regulator’s register: Match the exact entity name and licence number on the FCA, ASIC or FSA Seychelles register, rather than relying on a logo.
- Identify your contracting company: Compare the agreement, account-opening email and client portal, and save copies dated when you open the account.
- Read the withdrawal rules: Check the permitted channel, rejection grounds and how long funds may be held.
- Try a small withdrawal: Test the actual processing time and channel before committing more capital.
- Verify anyone claiming to be staff: Never send money to a personal account, share a password or OTP, or hand over account control to someone promising managed profits.
See 12 signs of a forex broker scam.
EC Markets Review: Accounts, Fees, Leverage And Deposits
This EC Markets review uses the account terms displayed at ecmarkets.com on 14 October 2026:
| Account | Spread from | Commission | Minimum deposit | Maximum leverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STD | 1.0 pip | 0 | USD 10 | 1:1000 |
| ECN | 0.0 pip | USD 1.5/lot per side | USD 10 | 1:1000 |
| PRO | 0.0 pip | 0 | USD 5,000 | 1:1000 |
These are the broker’s account-page figures as at 14 October 2026. Terms may vary by entity and change over time.
The page lists orders of 0.01-50 lots, USD accounts, MT4/MT5, swap-free trading on request and negative balance protection. Check margin-call and stop-out rules, then measure XAUUSD and EURUSD spreads on MT5 across sessions. ECN commission is USD 3 per round-turn lot. The forex spread guide explains how to express spread as a trading cost.
Maximum Leverage Of 1:1000 And Its Practical Limits
The broker’s leverage page sets a 1:1000 ceiling for major and minor forex pairs and metals. The ceilings are 1:500 for indices, 1:400 for energy and 1:100 for exotic pairs. The broker may reduce leverage to 1:30. Retail clients of the Australian entity face a separate 1:30 forex cap.
Suppose gold trades at USD 4,150 per ounce and one lot represents 100 ounces. The position value is USD 415,000. At 1:1000, one lot requires USD 415 margin. At 1:30, it requires about USD 13,833. Calculate margin before choosing size.
MT4, MT5, Deposits And Withdrawals
The broker offers MT4, MT5 and its own app. The broker’s regional funding page advertises instant processing with a 0% broker fee for a local-currency gateway, and roughly T+5 for USD bank transfers. Check whether either route is available where you live. Its advertised withdrawal time of about two hours is not a contractual guarantee, particularly when clause 21.14 applies.
EC Markets Rebates And Net Trading Cost By Link
EC Markets rebates return part of the broker commission paid to a partner for each lot traded. The EC Markets rebate rates by link were recorded on 14 October 2026 and may change.
Backcom.io is an independent introducing broker (IB/affiliate). It receives commission from brokers and passes part of that commission to traders as rebates. See the risk disclaimer.
| Link | Spread versus No Markup | Metals rebate (USD/lot) | Forex, indices, oil rebate (USD/lot) | Remaining after added spread (gold / EURUSD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Markup | Standard | 18 | 8 | 18 / 8 |
| +1 pip | +1 pip, about USD 10/lot | 28 | 18 | 18 / 8 |
| +2 pip | +2 pips, about USD 20/lot | 38 | 28 | 18 / 8 |
| ECN-UV | Low spread | 2.5 | 2.5 | Measure separately |
The last column assumes one gold pip is USD 0.1 per ounce, or USD 10 per lot, and one EURUSD pip is also USD 10 per lot. Daily rebates enter the calculation as follows:
Net cost per lot = spread converted to USD + commission – rebate per lot
For a hypothetical 10 gold lots, the +2 pip link pays USD 380 in rebates but adds about USD 200 in spread. No Markup pays USD 180 without added spread. Both leave USD 180 before the base spread and commission. For 10 EURUSD lots, rebates of USD 80/180/280 minus added spread of USD 0/100/200 each leave USD 80.
Actual spreads can change this result. ECN-UV requires its own spread and commission measurements.
Which Rebate Link Fits Your Trading Style?
Choose by strategy:
- Scalping: A wider spread worsens entries, so measure the low-spread link carefully.
- Longer holding periods: Entry spread may matter less, but the assumed remainder still equals No Markup.
- Daily rebates: The +1 and +2 pip links convert more cost into a rebate while retaining the wider spread.
See the forex broker rebate comparison.
Who Is EC Markets Suitable For?
EC Markets may suit traders comfortable with the contracting entity and total cost.
Worth considering if you:
- Already use MT4/MT5: You want STD with a USD 10 minimum or ECN at USD 1.5 per lot per side.
- Accept an offshore entity: You have read its governing law and complaint route before funding an account.
- Trade regularly: You are prepared to measure spreads and rebates to find your net cost.
Avoid or consider carefully if you:
- Need UK or Australian retail protections: An account with another entity does not automatically receive FCA or ASIC protections.
- Use an EA to exploit price latency: Clauses 23-24 let the broker act on trades it regards as abusive.
- Face local restrictions: Check whether your region permits access to the broker and transfers to the entity named in your agreement.
Compare the seven criteria for choosing a reputable forex broker.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About EC Markets
Is EC Markets The Same As IC Markets?
No. EC Markets and IC Markets are separate brands with different groups of legal entities, despite the similar names. The UK EC Markets company is EC Markets Group Ltd, FRN 571881. Searching for “ECMarkets” may lead you to IC Markets. Check both the domain and the company named in your agreement before depositing.
Is EC Markets Legit In Your Region?
It depends on the entity named in your agreement. FCA 571881 and ASIC 414198 were verified, but those licences cover the UK and Australian client entities. Registration routes in other regions may name Mauritius or Seychelles entities. The Mauritius FSC licence number is broker-stated and could not be verified in the register on 14 October 2026.
Does Japan’s FSA Warning Mean EC Markets Is A Scam?
No fraud finding follows from that warning. In May 2025, Japan’s FSA said EC Markets Limited solicited Japanese investors online without registration in Japan. It is a warning about registration, not a finding that EC Markets is a scam. Check the regulator relevant to your residence and match the legal entity before depositing.
What Is The Minimum Deposit And How Long Do Withdrawals Take?
According to the account page on 14 October 2026, STD and ECN require USD 10, while PRO requires USD 5,000. The broker advertises withdrawals in about two hours. The Mauritius agreement, however, permits funds to be held for up to six months when a breach or market abuse is suspected. Check the return-to-source withdrawal route in your client portal.
Which EC Markets Rebate Link Pays The Most?
A larger rebate may not lower total cost. Assuming a gold pip costs USD 10 per lot, the +1 and +2 pip links add USD 10 and USD 20 per lot in both rebate and spread. The remainder stays USD 18/lot for metals and USD 8/lot for forex, indices and oil. Measure spreads on MT5 before choosing.
Conclusion: Check The Contracting Entity Before Trusting The Licence List
Is EC Markets legit? Its FCA and ASIC licences were verified for the UK and Australian entities. They do not automatically cover an account opened with another entity. The Mauritius FSC licence could not be verified in the register. Weigh your contracting entity, withdrawal terms and net trading cost together.
To complete your EC Markets review, search the registers, read your agreement and measure spreads on MT5. If you have decided to open an account, check the EC Markets rebate page and calculate net cost before selecting a link.
Disclaimer: Backcom.io compiled this article from regulator registers, broker documents and the rebate page as at 14 October 2026 for information only. It is neither investment advice nor legal advice. Leveraged trading can cost you all your capital, while licences, terms and rebate rates may change.
