The short answer
Based on strong regulation and a high Trust Score, IG shows the hallmarks of a legitimate broker. "Legit" is not the same as "risk-free", though — trading itself can still lose your money.
Regulation & legitimacy signals
Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, a FTSE 100 constituent — high financial transparency due to public-company obligations.
Green flags & red flags
- Very strong regulation — supervised by the FCA & a FTSE 100 public company (high financial transparency from public-company duties)
- One of the oldest & largest providers (since 1974) with 19,000+ markets
- Mature platforms: proprietary web + mobile app + MT4 in some markets
- Leveraged products (CFDs/spread betting) remain high-risk regardless of strong regulation
- Spreads/fees aren't always the cheapest compared to low-cost ECN brokers
- Product availability & regulatory entity differ per country — verify which serves your region
Risk & regulation note
IG is one of the most established and tightly regulated brokers in this directory (a FTSE 100 public company since 1974). Still keep in mind: strong regulatory status reduces institutional risk, not market risk — leveraged trading can still lose money even with a solid broker.
How to verify IG yourself
- 1Check the regulator's database
Look up IG's license number directly on the regulator's official website (e.g. FCA, ASIC, CySEC, CFTC). A real license appears in the regulator's public register.
- 2Confirm the entity that serves your country
Many brokers use different legal entities per region — a tier-1 license in one country may not cover you. Check which entity you're signing up with.
- 3Search for withdrawal complaints
Look for consistent, credible reports of withdrawal problems (not one-off angry posts). Test with a small deposit and a withdrawal before committing more.
- 4Verify the official domain
Only use the official site (ig.com). Scammers clone broker sites — check the exact URL and avoid links from unsolicited messages.
Other IG guides
Update history
- 2026-08-01
Assessment based on our latest editorial review.