IQ option
IQ Option is a privately held, direct-to-consumer multi-asset CFD trading platform founded in 2013, offering retail traders globally access to CFDs on stocks, forex, and cryptocurrency via an intuitive self-serve website with demo accounts and analytical tools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersMahé, Seychelles
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What IQ option does
IQ Option is a privately held, direct-to-consumer online brokerage that has operated a multi-asset CFD trading platform since 2013, serving retail traders globally with CFD exposure to stocks, forex, and cryptocurrency. The platform is built around an intuitive trading interface, free demo accounts for strategy practice, and integrated analytical tools for market analysis, distributed as a self-serve product through iqoption.com. The company operates under a dual regulatory structure: clients within the European Economic Area are onboarded through a Cyprus-regulated entity, while clients outside the EEA are served by a separate international entity with a different level of investor protection.
Revenue is generated primarily through spreads and transaction fees on CFD trading across the three asset classes, supplemented by tournament entry fees from periodic competitive trading events (e.g., the $56,000 prize-pool tournament launched in December 2025 to mark the platform's 12th anniversary). The firm is incorporated in Seychelles, led by founder Dmitry Zaretsky, and publicly listed in the range of 11–50 employees — a figure that likely reflects specific corporate entities rather than the full operating group given the platform's global retail footprint. No external funding rounds, ownership structure, M&A activity, or institutional investors are disclosed in the available sources.
IQ option firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IQ option
- Legal name
- IQ Option
- Website
- https://iqoption.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- IQ Option is a privately held, direct-to-consumer multi-asset CFD trading platform founded in 2013, offering retail traders globally access to CFDs on stocks, forex, and cryptocurrency via an intuitive self-serve website with demo accounts and analytical tools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IQ option industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Trading Platform
- NAICS
- Securities and Commodity Exchanges (5232)
- SIC
- Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200), Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Algorithmic Trading & Execution Platforms (FSAFANAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Options Exchanges (Listed Options Markets) (FSAFABAK)
Keywords
Where IQ option is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mahé
- HQ country
- Seychelles
Offices1 record
Markets served
IQ option business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- CFD Trading Revenue: IQ Option generates revenue primarily through spreads and fees on Contracts for Difference (CFD) trading across stocks, forex, and cryptocurrency assets. The platform operates as a multi-asset trading broker.
- Tournament Entry Fees: The platform hosts trading tournaments with entry fees, such as the $56,000 tournament launched for their 12th anniversary, generating revenue from participant registrations.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
IQ option product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IQ Option operates a proprietary multi-asset online trading platform that enables retail traders to trade Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on stocks, forex, and cryptocurrency. The platform provides an intuitive interface, free demo accounts for practice, and integrated analytical tools for market analysis. The company also runs competitive trading tournaments with prize pools as a secondary engagement and monetization channel.
Product overview
IQ Option operates as a single-platform multi-asset trading broker offering CFD products across stocks, forex, and cryptocurrency markets. The core offering is the IQ Option Trading Platform, which provides CFD trading capabilities with demo accounts and analytical tools. The platform is complemented by promotional tournaments offering prize pools to engage users. The company operates under a dual regulatory structure, with EEA clients overseen by Cyprus-based regulators while international clients use a separate entity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- IQ Option Trading Platform
- Trading Tournaments
Companies that use IQ option
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
IQ option technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
IQ option partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights4 records
IQ option competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Plus500: Listed CFD broker offering multi-asset leveraged trading on a proprietary platform to retail clients globally. Directly comparable to IQ Option in product mix (CFDs across asset classes) and target segment.
- eToro: Multi-asset retail trading platform offering CFDs on stocks, forex, and crypto to global consumers. Closely comparable to IQ Option on customer base, product surface, and self-serve onboarding model.
- Trading 212: Commission-free multi-asset retail trading platform offering CFDs and fractional investing. Comparable to IQ Option on self-serve consumer onboarding and multi-asset CFD product.
- Exness: Global retail forex and CFD broker with multi-jurisdictional regulation and high-volume retail flow. Comparable to IQ Option on CFD-centric retail product and global, multi-entity structure.
- Pepperstone: Globally regulated retail FX and CFD broker with strong tier-1 license footprint. Comparable to IQ Option on CFD-led product surface and retail target market.
- XM Group: Global retail forex and CFD broker with multi-jurisdictional regulation and broad asset coverage. Comparable to IQ Option in retail customer targeting, CFD-led product set, and multi-entity regulatory structure.
- AvaTrade: Multi-regulated retail broker offering CFDs on forex, stocks, and crypto with a global direct-to-consumer footprint. Closely comparable on regulatory architecture and CFD product set.
Broad incumbents
- Interactive Brokers: Large, deeply regulated global broker serving retail and professional clients across asset classes. Comparable as a multi-asset retail-accessible trading venue, though focused on a higher-acuity customer.
- Robinhood: Mass-market US retail trading platform with expanding multi-asset offering. Comparable on direct-to-consumer retail trading model and PLG onboarding, though product and geographic mix differ.
- IG Group: Large, listed retail CFD and spread-betting broker with deep regulatory licenses and a much broader product and geographic portfolio. Comparable in core retail CFD offering but operates at materially greater scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
IQ option social profiles
Digital presenceIQ option financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IQ option leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
IQ option funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IQ option M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IQ option
What does IQ option do?
IQ Option operates a proprietary multi-asset online trading platform that enables retail traders to trade Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on stocks, forex, and cryptocurrency. The platform provides an intuitive interface, free demo accounts for practice, and integrated analytical tools for market analysis. The company also runs competitive trading tournaments with prize pools as a secondary engagement and monetization channel.
Is IQ option a public or private company?
IQ option is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was IQ option founded?
IQ option was founded in 2013. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is IQ option based?
IQ option is headquartered in Mahé, Seychelles.
How does IQ option make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. CFD Trading Revenue is the primary driver. The others are tournament Entry Fees.
Who are IQ option's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Plus500, eToro, Trading 212, Exness, Pepperstone, XM Group and AvaTrade. Broad incumbents are Interactive Brokers, Robinhood and IG Group.
Does IQ option have an API?
No public API is recorded for IQ option.
What industry is IQ option in?
IQ option's product category is Online Trading Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAFANAN, Algorithmic Trading & Execution Platforms, with a secondary code of FSAFABAK, Options Exchanges (Listed Options Markets). Its NAICS code is 5232 and its SIC code is 6200.