IG Group is widely regarded as the world's largest CFD and spread-betting provider, founded in 1974 in London and listed on the London Stock Exchange (IGG) as a FTSE 250 company. Regulated by the FCA, ASIC, and authorities across its global footprint, IG offers more than 17,000 markets — forex, indices, shares, commodities, options, and crypto — through its acclaimed proprietary platform, MetaTrader 4, ProRealTime, and the advanced L2 Dealer. Its scale, longevity, and breadth make it a benchmark in leveraged trading.
About IG Group
A pioneer of financial spread betting, IG has spent five decades building one of the most trusted and comprehensive trading franchises in the world. Beyond leveraged CFDs and spread betting, IG offers share dealing and smart portfolios, and it owns the US options-focused broker tastytrade. As an FCA- and ASIC-regulated, publicly listed company, IG pairs strong client protections with deep liquidity and one of the widest market ranges available, serving everyone from new traders to professionals.
Key Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 |
| HQ | London, United Kingdom |
| Listed | LSE: IGG (FTSE 250) |
| Regulation | FCA (UK), ASIC (AU) + global |
| Markets | 17,000+ across forex, shares, indices, options, crypto |
| Platforms | IG platform, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer |
| Also offers | Share dealing, spread betting, smart portfolios |
| Owns | tastytrade (US options broker) |
Key Features
Unmatched Market Range
With 17,000+ markets spanning forex, indices, thousands of shares, commodities, options, and crypto, IG offers one of the broadest product ranges in the industry — ideal for diversified and cross-asset traders.
Professional Platforms
IG's proprietary platform is complemented by MT4, ProRealTime for advanced charting and automation, and L2 Dealer for direct-market-access trading — a toolkit that scales from beginner to professional.
Trust & Scale
As a 50-year-old, FTSE 250-listed company regulated by the FCA and ASIC, IG offers the financial strength, transparency, and client protections that serious traders value.
Fee Structure
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Forex & indices | Competitive spreads, no commission |
| Shares CFDs | Commission-based |
| Spread betting (UK) | Spread-based, tax-efficient |
| Share dealing | Per-trade commission |
| Inactivity fee | May apply after long dormancy |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 17,000+ markets — industry-leading range
- 50-year track record, FTSE 250-listed
- FCA and ASIC regulated
- Proprietary platform, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer
- Spread betting, CFDs and share dealing
Cons
- CFDs are leveraged — high risk of loss
- Spreads not the tightest for raw-ECN scalpers
- Inactivity fees after dormancy
- Product access varies by jurisdiction
Summary
IG Group is the heavyweight of CFD and spread-betting trading, combining a 50-year track record, FTSE 250 listing, and 17,000+ markets with professional platforms and strong regulation. It suits traders who value breadth, trust, and tooling above rock-bottom raw spreads, and its ownership of tastytrade underlines its global ambitions. As with any leveraged provider, CFDs carry significant risk of loss.