In this article7
EC Markets advertises a rebate of up to $38 per lot on metals — the highest of the
eight brokers on Backcom VN. But read their own table carefully and that figure is not a gift; it is a
trade-off, plainly disclosed.
Rebate by account type
| Account type | Forex | Indices | Oil | Metals | Crypto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STD standard spread | $8 | $8 | $8 | $18 | $8 |
| STD-PX +1 pip | $18 | $18 | $18 | $28 | $8 |
| STD-PXX +2 pips | $28 | $28 | $28 | $38 | $8 |
| ECN-UV low spread | $2.50 | $2.50 | $2.50 | $2.50 | $2.50 |
US dollars per lot. There are three matching Cent account types, paying one
hundredth of these figures. Source: the table published on the
EC Markets page at Backcom VN.
The rule is visible in the table itself
Read the forex column downwards: $8 → $18 → $28. Each markup tier adds one pip to
the spread, and the rebate rises by exactly $10.
On one standard lot of a major pair, a pip is usually worth about $10. Which means the extra you pay
and the extra you receive very nearly cancel out.
The $38 figure does not mean you are thirty dollars better off than at $8. It means you pay more up
front and receive more back. This is exactly what the article on
which broker pays the highest rebate describes,
and EC Markets is the clearest example because they publish the markup openly.
Crypto is the exception — and not in your favour
This is the most important line in the whole table, and it needs no interpretation: the crypto column
stays at $8 across all three markup tiers.
So on an STD-PXX account trading crypto CFDs, you pay 2 pips of markup and receive
not one cent of extra rebate. The entire difference is pure cost.
The practical conclusion: if crypto is a meaningful share of your volume, do not take a high
markup tier. It only makes sense for forex, indices, oil and metals.
ECN-UV: the lowest figure, but not necessarily the most expensive
The ECN-UV account pays only $2.50 a lot across every product — which looks poor. But it is the
low-spread type, and the
ECN-versus-Standard calculation shows that net
cost is the thing worth comparing:
Net cost = spread + commission − rebate
For a high-frequency trader holding briefly, a tight spread usually beats a large rebate. For someone
trading rarely and holding for longer, it can be the other way round. There is no general answer — there
is a calculation, and it needs your real volume.
Three signup links — choose before you open the account
EC Markets uses an unusual mechanism: you choose the markup tier at the signup link
itself, not by switching later inside the account.
- No Markup — raw spread, $18/lot rebate
- Markup 1 — +1 pip, $28/lot rebate
- Markup 2 — +2 pips, $38/lot rebate
Because that choice is attached to the account from the start,
work out your volume and your product mix before you
click through, rather than picking the largest number.
Licences
| Regulator | Country | Licence number |
|---|---|---|
| FCA | United Kingdom | 571881 |
| ASIC | Australia | number not published |
| FSCA | South Africa | number not published |
Only the FCA licence has a published number. For the other two,
check the regulator’s own register before depositing —
and remember that what matters is which legal entity holds your account, not how many
licences the broker lists.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strengths: a low-spread ECN model, MT4 and MT5 support, three account families
including Cent accounts for small balances, and rebates paid daily and automatically. - Weaknesses: crypto is CFD only, not spot; documentation and community material are
thinner than at the larger brokers; and the markup mechanism requires the user to understand it before
choosing — not a fit for a complete beginner.
To put EC Markets alongside the other seven brokers on the same basis, see the
rebate comparison by product and the
guide to choosing a broker.
This article is for information only and is not investment advice. Conditions and fee levels are published by the brokers and can change at any time — check with the broker you actually use. Leveraged forex and CFD trading carries a high level of risk and can cost you your entire deposit.
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