IQ Option — where it wins, where it loses
IQ Option does not currently take a column outright against this field. It loses on tier-1 cover, published spread. Its cost per ten lots is not confirmed, so it is left out of the cost ordering rather than estimated.
Column by column
The split
Two lists, no averaging. A broker that takes a column outright appears on the left of it; one that gets beaten on a column appears on the right. Nothing is scored into a single number, because a single number hides which side you actually care about.
Wins on
No column where IQ Option takes the field outright.
Loses on
- tier-1 cover
- published spread
Cost per 10 lots is the EUR/USD spread cost of ten round-turn standard lots at the figure above, commission excluded. Where a broker publishes a "from" spread rather than an average, the comparison inherits that limitation — see the unconfirmed list further down.
Licensing
Which entity, which regulator, which number
Tier decides how much weight a licence carries in any safety column. Each row links to the page it was read from.
| Regulator | Number | Jurisdiction | Tier | Entity | Read from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CySEC | 247/14 | Cyprus | Tier 2 | IQOption Europe Ltd (listed by CySEC as IQBroker Europe Ltd, ex IQOption Europe Ltd) | cysec.gov.cy |
| None disclosed (Antigua and Barbuda registration ILLC 004) | Antigua and Barbuda | Tier 3 | Sky Ladder LLC | iqoption.com |
Checkable
Facts the comparison runs on
On the record
- IQOption Europe Ltd holds CySEC licence 247/14, dated 30 July 2014, with Cyprus company registration number HE327751; the CySEC register lists the entity as IQBroker Europe Ltd (ex IQOption Europe Ltd) (https://www.cysec.gov.cy/en-GB/entities/investment-firms/cypriot/40647/).
- CySEC published a decision imposing an administrative fine of EUR 180,000 on IQ Option Europe Ltd (https://www.cysec.gov.cy/en-GB/public-info/decisions/38973/).
- The FCA register entry for IQOPTION EUROPE LTD states the firm is running off its UK business and cannot deal with new customers (https://register.fca.org.uk/s/firm?id=001b000000k1yJqAAI).
- Outside the EEA, IQ Option states services are provided by Sky Ladder LLC, registered in Antigua and Barbuda under registration number ILLC 004, with no financial-services licence disclosed.
- Regulators in several jurisdictions, including Brazil's CVM and the Reserve Bank of India, have published alerts or orders concerning IQ Option or entities using the brand.
| Trading since | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Base | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Minimum to open | not verified |
| Leverage cap | 1:30 (EEA retail) |
| EUR/USD | not verified |
| Terminals | IQ Option proprietary web platform, Mobile apps, Desktop app |
| Account tiers | Demo, Real |
| Record confidence | medium |
| Matchup-ready | no — too many gaps to run a fair head-to-head |
Excluded from the maths
Not verified
Not verified
These fields are not confirmed. They are shown as gaps, not filled in, and they do not feed any column of the matrix:
- minimum deposit
- EUR/USD spread
- date of the CySEC EUR 180,000 decision
- negative balance protection
- current CySEC licence status under the IQBroker name
Costs less
Who beats IQ Option on price
Tickmill
$10.00 per 10 lots · wins on headline spread, platform choice
Eightcap
$10.00 per 10 lots · wins on regulatory reach
JustMarkets
$30.00 per 10 lots · wins on headline spread
CMC Markets
$50.00 per 10 lots · wins on headline spread, no minimum deposit, regulatory reach, platform choice
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money. Verify every figure with the broker before opening an account.