IST MARKETS

IST Markets is a Mauritius-based retail forex and CFD broker that was established on 10 March 2023. The company is registered at The Cyberati Lounge, Ground Floor, The Catalyst, Silicon Avenue, 40 Cybercity, 72201 Ebène, Mauritius. The broker operates under the trading name IST Markets (Mauritius) Ltd. and maintains a presence on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

According to industry records, IST Markets does not hold any active regulatory licences from any financial authority. The broker's official website claims authorisation by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius. However, this claimed licence could not be independently confirmed through the FSC's public register, nor is it reflected in the known facts. This discrepancy is a significant point for traders to consider.

IST Markets offers four account types tailored to different trader profiles. The Classic account requires a minimum deposit of $100 and offers a maximum leverage of 1:500. The Premium account requires a $3,000 minimum deposit with leverage up to 1:400.

The VIP account is designed for high-volume traders, with a $25,000 minimum deposit and leverage capped at 1:200. An Islamic (swap-free) account is also available, offering leverage up to 1:1000, though no specific minimum deposit is listed. Each account type provides access to over 250+ instruments.

The broker provides the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are popular among retail traders for their advanced charting, automated trading capabilities, and user-friendly interfaces. IST Markets claims to offer access to over 1,000 underlying CFD instruments across six asset classes, including forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and stocks. The broker does not publicly list specific spreads or commissions for all account types, though the website highlights competitive conditions.

IST Markets supports multiple funding methods, including credit/debit cards, bank wire transfers, and local payment options for several Asian countries. The broker states that deposits are fee-free, and withdrawals via card are also free, with a small fee applying to certain wire transfers. The minimum deposit across standard accounts is $100, making the broker accessible to retail traders with limited capital.

IST Markets positions itself as a broker for both novice and experienced traders, offering a demo account for practice and tiered account structures that cater to different capital levels. The high leverage offered (up to 1:1000 on Islamic accounts) may appeal to aggressive short-term traders, while the VIP account targets high-net-worth individuals seeking low spreads.

Traders should approach IST Markets with caution due to the unresolved regulatory status. While the broker's website presents a professional image and extensive offerings, the lack of confirmed regulation — combined with the broker's recent founding in 2023 — means that client deposits are not protected by any known compensation scheme. Traders are advised to conduct their own due diligence before committing funds.