IC Markets
Written byRanjan NiskritySenior Contributor & Team Lead
Fact-checked byJowel RanaCrypto & Forex Expert
Risk reviewed byJannatul FerdaushCustomer Risk AnalystCFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. A bonus or reward does not reduce that risk. Offers change often and vary by country and entity, so confirm the live terms on the broker's site. Some links are affiliate links; they never change which offers we list or how we describe them.
Top welcome bonus offers from top-tier regulated brands
Every brand below holds at least one top-tier licence in its group, and every offer runs through an entity outside the UK, EU and Australia. The cards show which entity pays the bonus, because that entity, not the famous licence, decides your protections.
| Broker | Welcome offer | Maximum | Min. deposit | Group licences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 HFM | 100% deposit match | $50,000 | Varies by region | FCA, CySEC, FSCA, DFSA |
 XM | $30 free + 50% match | $5,000 | $5 | CySEC, ASIC |
 AvaTrade | 20% deposit match | $10,000 | See live terms | CBI, ASIC, FSA Japan |
 Vantage | 50% then 10% | $500 on first deposit | $50 | ASIC, FCA, CIMA |
 IC Markets | 100% first deposit | $1,000 | $50 | ASIC, CySEC |
 Tickmill | $30 free account | $100 profit | $0 to trade | FCA, CySEC, FSCA, DFSA |
 Blueberry | 20% trade credit | $2,000 | $100 | ASIC |
HFM 100% Supercharged Welcome Bonus
Offered by HFM regional entities such as HF Markets SA (FSCA); group also licensed by the FCA, CySEC and DFSA
- Maximum
- $50,000
- Extra
- $2 per lot gold rebate, capped at $8,000
- Bonus withdrawable
- No
- Profits withdrawable
- Yes
The catch: Each withdrawal removes bonus credit dollar for dollar, and trades held under a minute earn no rebate.
XM Welcome Bonus: $30 Free + 50% Deposit Match
Offered by XM Global; group also licensed by CySEC and ASIC
- No-deposit credit
- $30 in eligible countries
- Deposit bonus
- 50% to $500, 20% to $4,500
- Min. deposit
- $5
- Bonus withdrawable
- No
The catch: Any withdrawal removes the deposit bonus in proportion to the share of balance you take out, and cancels the $30 credit.
AvaTrade 20% First Deposit Welcome Bonus
Offered by AvaTrade's international entity; group also licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC and FSA Japan
- Maximum
- $10,000
- Unlocks after
- A trading volume target
- Bonus withdrawable
- After the volume target
- Profits withdrawable
- Yes
The catch: The volume needed per $1 of bonus has changed over the years; read the live terms before depositing.
Vantage 50% Welcome Deposit Bonus
Offered by Vantage Global Limited (VFSC, No. 700271); group also licensed by ASIC, the FCA and CIMA
- First deposit
- 50% up to $500
- Later deposits
- 10% bonus
- Min. deposit
- $50, opt-in required
- Promotion period
- Runs to 31 December 2026
The catch: You must opt in through the client portal, only listed account types qualify, and residents outside Vantage's eligible countries are excluded.
IC Markets 100% First Deposit Bonus
Offered by Raw Trading Ltd (FSA Seychelles); group also licensed by ASIC and CySEC
- Maximum
- $1,000
- Min. deposit
- $50
- Bonus withdrawable
- No
- Profits withdrawable
- Yes
The catch: Only the first qualifying deposit earns the 100% rate, one profile per person, and it cannot be combined with other offers.
Tickmill $30 Welcome Account
Offered by Tickmill Ltd (FSA Seychelles); group also licensed by the FCA, CySEC, FSCA and DFSA
- Deposit to trade
- None
- Trading window
- 60 days
- Profit you can move
- $30 to $100, once
- To withdraw profit
- Deposit $100 to your wallet
The catch: Only one profit transfer is allowed, capped at $100, expert advisors are banned, and the offer excludes EU citizens and a long list of countries.
Blueberry 20% Welcome Trade Credit
Offered by Blueberry Markets (V) Ltd (VFSC) and Blueberry Markets (Mauritius) Ltd; group also licensed by ASIC
- Maximum
- $2,000
- Min. deposit
- $100
- Credit type
- Margin only
- Credited
- Within 24 hours
The catch: The credit keeps trades open but never pays a loss, and any withdrawal cancels it.
Top-tier brands with no welcome bonus: Pepperstone, IG, CMC Markets and Exness do not pay one. Pepperstone rewards high-volume traders through its Active Trader programme instead, and Exness competes on spreads and fast withdrawals.
Promotions from brokers we list
The brokers FX Recap reviews run these offers. Each card links to our full write-up of the terms.
RoboForexWelcome creditRoboForex $30 Welcome Bonus
$30 credit after a $10 bank-card deposit on a ProCent or Pro account. Profits can be withdrawn with no volume rule.
LiteFinanceDeposit bonusLiteFinance 30% Deposit Bonus (Code EASYSTART)
30% up to $5,000 with code EASYSTART, usable twice. The bonus moves to your balance after at least 50 trades.
LiteFinanceCash rewardLiteFinance 50% Cash Reward (Trade Smart)
A cash reward of 50% of the qualifying amount if you meet the profit target and stay inside four risk limits over 30 days.
OANDAWelcome bonusOANDA Welcome Bonus up to $1,000
A welcome bonus of up to $1,000 for eligible new accounts that meet deposit and volume rules. Check current availability for your region.
XMCompetitionXM Demo Trading Competition
Free-entry demo contests for new traders, including a $25,000 weekly prize pool shared by 100 winners, plus live competitions.
ExnessFree demoExness Free Demo Account
Exness pays no deposit bonus. It offers a free demo with $10,000 of virtual funds that you can top up or reset.
How a forex welcome bonus works
A forex welcome bonus is an incentive a broker gives a new client, usually on the first deposit. It comes in three main forms: a deposit match (HFM's 100%, AvaTrade's 20%), a free starter account with no deposit (Tickmill's $30 Welcome Account) or trading credit that only supports margin (Blueberry's 20%).
In every case the bonus itself stays inside the account. It lets you open larger positions or ride out a drawdown, and the profit you make on top of it can be withdrawn once you meet the rules. Some brokers convert part of the bonus to cash after a trading volume target; most never do.
Welcome bonuses are a one-off. Once you have claimed one, later deposits either earn a smaller reload bonus, as with XM's 20% second tier and Vantage's 10%, or nothing at all. Existing clients are usually steered toward loyalty programmes and referral rewards instead.
Types of welcome bonus
The name is the same; the mechanics are not. Pick the type that fits how you plan to trade.
| Type | How it works | Example | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit match | A percentage of your first deposit added as credit | HFM 100%, AvaTrade 20%, IC Markets 100% | Traders funding a real account anyway |
| Tiered deposit bonus | A high rate on the first slice, lower on the rest | XM 50% then 20%, Vantage 50% then 10% | Small first deposits |
| Free welcome account | A small balance with no deposit, profits capped | Tickmill $30 Welcome Account, XM $30 | Testing a broker at no cost |
| Trade credit | Margin-only credit that never covers a loss | Blueberry 20% | Swing traders wanting headroom |
| Welcome cash reward | Cash paid after meeting trading or performance targets | LiteFinance Trade Smart | Disciplined traders who hit targets |
Welcome bonus terms that decide the value
Headline figures sell the offer. These clauses decide what it is worth, and they sit in the terms, not on the banner.
Which entity pays it
A top-tier group does not mean a top-tier account. The bonus comes from the offshore entity, so your complaints route and compensation cover are that entity's, not the FCA's or ASIC's.
Withdrawal rules
XM removes the bonus in proportion to what you withdraw; HFM removes it dollar for dollar; Blueberry cancels it on any withdrawal. Plan withdrawals before you claim.
Volume targets
AvaTrade releases its bonus after a set trading volume per $1 of bonus. Divide the bonus by the rule and compare the answer with the lots you trade in a normal month.
Profit caps
Free welcome accounts cap what you can take out: Tickmill allows one transfer of $30 to $100 of profit.
Time limits
Tickmill's Welcome Account trades for 60 days; Vantage's promotion runs to 31 December 2026. Unused credit and open trades close when time runs out.
Opt-in and codes
Vantage requires you to opt in through its portal; some brokers need a promo code. Missing the step means no bonus, with no way to add it later.
Eligible accounts
Raw, ECN, swap-free and share accounts are often excluded. Check the account type before you deposit.
Country lists
Every offer here excludes the UK, EU and Australia for retail clients, and most add their own lists, such as Blueberry's exclusion of the US, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan.
Worked example
- First deposit
Amara deposits $800. XM's 50% tier pays $400 of bonus, so her equity starts at $1,200.
- Second deposit
She adds $500 a month later. The first tier has $100 left to pay (50% of $200), then 20% applies to the other $300, adding $60. Her bonus is now $560.
- Withdrawal
Up $150, she withdraws $290, about 20% of her $1,450 balance. Around 20% of the bonus goes with it, leaving $448.
- What it taught her
She now withdraws profits once a quarter instead of monthly, so the bonus lasts.
The size of a welcome bonus matters less than how the broker treats withdrawals. Pick the offer whose exit rule fits how often you plan to take money out.
Where a welcome bonus is allowed
Top-tier regulators protect retail clients partly by limiting incentives. That is why the brands below run most of these offers through entities outside Europe, the UK and Australia.
| Region | Regulator | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | ESMA, CySEC and national regulators | Banned | Bonuses and other incentives on CFDs are banned for retail clients. |
| United Kingdom | FCA | Banned | Banned for retail CFD and spread-betting clients since the FCA made ESMA's rules permanent in 2019. |
| Australia | ASIC | Banned | Banned since 29 March 2021 under ASIC's CFD product intervention order. |
| Japan | FSA | Banned | Registered FX firms do not offer deposit bonuses; offshore firms advertising them may not solicit Japanese residents. |
| South Africa | FSCA | Allowed | Allowed if clear and not encouraging reckless risk; HFM runs its offer through its FSCA entity. |
| Offshore hubs | FSA Seychelles, VFSC, FSC Mauritius, FSC Belize | Allowed | Where most welcome bonuses are paid, including those of top-tier brands. |
Big brands run several licensed companies. Your country of residence decides which one onboards you, and only that company's rules, and its bonus, apply to you.
Welcome bonus trends in 2026
Offers vary by country
XM, Vantage and Tickmill all publish country lists, and XM has switched some markets from its $30 credit to deposit-based offers. Check the offer while logged in from your own country.
Loyalty over big welcome matches
Brands such as HFM (new loyalty programme in January 2026) and Vantage (Vantage Rewards) are shifting spend from one-off welcome bonuses to rewards for continued trading.
Opt-in bonuses
More brokers now ask you to opt in, so the bonus is a conscious choice rather than an automatic credit you might not want.
Regulators target promotions
The FCA, ASIC and seven other regulators ran a joint action against unlawful finfluencer promotions in June 2025. Bonus codes pushed on social media deserve extra caution.
Is a welcome bonus worth it?
Good fit if
- You were going to fund an account with this broker anyway.
- Your money will stay in for months rather than being withdrawn often.
- The paying entity's licence checks out on its regulator's register.
- Its terms fit your account type and your usual trading volume.
Skip it if
- The bonus is the main reason you are choosing the broker.
- An early withdrawal would erase most of the value.
- Claiming it means losing top-tier protection you could otherwise have.
- The offer is 200% or more, or the firm has no licence you can check.
Checks before you sign up
- Confirm the entity named in the client agreement and its licence number
- Read the bonus terms on the broker's own site
- Check the withdrawal rule: proportional, dollar for dollar or full cancellation
- Work out any volume target against your normal monthly lots
- Note the expiry date and any opt-in or promo-code step
- Make sure your country and account type qualify
Red flags
Oversized matches usually come with impossible volume targets, or from firms with no real licence.
Legitimate terms lock the bonus, never your money.
Look up the exact company name on the FCA, ASIC or CySEC register. Clone firms borrow famous brand names.
Brokers do not cold-message bonus codes through Telegram or WhatsApp.
Unsure about a firm? Check our scam broker blacklist and the regulator's own register first.
Welcome bonus FAQs
What is a forex welcome bonus?
A forex welcome bonus is an incentive a broker gives a new client, usually a percentage match on the first deposit, a small free account or margin-only trading credit. The bonus stays in the account; profits made with it can be withdrawn under the broker's rules.
Which top-tier regulated brokers offer a welcome bonus in 2026?
Among brands with FCA, ASIC or CySEC licences in their group, HFM, XM, AvaTrade, IC Markets, Vantage, Tickmill and Blueberry offer welcome bonuses in 2026, all through entities outside the UK, EU and Australia.
Can FCA or ASIC regulated brokers give a welcome bonus?
Not to retail clients of their UK or Australian entities; both regulators ban bonuses on CFDs. The same brands can offer them through offshore entities to clients in other countries.
Is the Tickmill $30 welcome account free?
Yes. Tickmill adds $30 to a Welcome Account with no deposit. You have 60 days to trade, and you can move between $30 and $100 of profit once, after verifying your identity and depositing $100 to your wallet.
What is the difference between a welcome bonus and a deposit bonus?
A welcome bonus is for new clients only and usually applies once. Deposit bonuses can also apply to later deposits, often at a lower reload rate, such as XM's 20% tier or Vantage's 10%.
Can I withdraw a welcome bonus?
Usually not. AvaTrade can release its bonus after a volume target, but most offers keep the credit in the account and let you withdraw only profits.
Do welcome bonuses expire?
Many do. Tickmill's Welcome Account trades for 60 days, and promotions such as Vantage's have end dates. Unused credit is removed when the offer expires.
Is a welcome bonus worth it?
Only if it fits how you already trade. If you plan to withdraw often, or would give up top-tier protection to get it, the bonus usually costs more than it gives.
Sources: Tickmill Welcome Account, Vantage deposit bonus, XM Global bonus terms, HFM Supercharged Bonus terms, IC Markets deposit bonus terms, ESMA CFD product intervention.