HF Markets Review 2026

Regulation and Licenses

HFM operates through separate legal entities rather than one global license. HF Markets Europe Ltd is authorized by CySEC under license 183/12. HF Markets UK Ltd holds FCA reference 801701, and HF Markets DIFC Limited is regulated by the DFSA under reference F004885. Other group regulatory references include FSCA 46632 in South Africa, Seychelles FSA SD015, and Kenya CMA 155.

Company registration numbers should not be treated as regulatory licenses. HF Markets SV Ltd is incorporated in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as 22747 IBC 2015, while 11118651 is the Companies House registration number for HF Markets UK Ltd. Traders should confirm the legal entity and regulator shown during registration and in the client agreement.

Client Money Protection

HFM states that client funds are held separately from the company's operating funds. Compensation arrangements depend on the account entity. Eligible clients of the Cyprus company may claim through the Investor Compensation Fund, up to the lower of 90% of the claim or €20,000. Qualifying clients of the United Kingdom company may receive Financial Services Compensation Scheme protection of up to £85,000 per person, per firm.

The group also states that it holds civil liability insurance of up to €5 million for matters including negligence, errors, omissions and fraud. This policy is separate from statutory compensation schemes and does not cover normal market losses.

Negative Balance Protection

Eligible retail clients receive negative balance protection under HFM's stated policy. If market gaps or rapid price moves push the account below zero, the balance is reset to zero. This does not prevent a trader from losing the full account balance.

Security and Company Track Record

HFM has operated since 2010 and maintains licenses in several jurisdictions. The company is privately held, so public financial reporting is more limited than at a listed broker or bank-owned trading firm. Account security therefore depends partly on the regulatory standards and compensation rules of the specific entity.

Forex Spreads and Commissions

Trading costs differ by account. Spread-based accounts include the broker charge in the bid and ask difference, while the Zero account adds commission separately. Because spreads are variable, the advertised minimum should be considered together with typical spreads, commission and trading volume.

On the Zero account, forex commission is $0.06 round turn for every 1,000 currency units. A standard 100,000-unit lot therefore costs $6 before any spread. Gold commission is $0.10 round turn per ounce, equal to $10 for 100 ounces. The total cost of a trade is the commission plus the spread available when the order is executed.

The average spreads are about 1.4 pips on EUR/USD, 1.6 pips on GBP/USD, 25 pips on XAU/USD and 0.75 points on the S&P 500 CFD for standard pricing. Actual spreads change with liquidity, volatility, session time and account type.

Overnight Financing Charges

Positions held through the daily rollover incur or receive a swap. The amount depends on the instrument, position direction, contract size and current financing rate. Swap-free treatment applies only to eligible accounts and instruments. An alternative charge may apply when a position remains open beyond the allowed swap-free period.

Funding and Currency Conversion Costs

Most deposit and withdrawal methods have no internal HFM fee. External charges may still be deducted by banks, card networks, electronic wallets or blockchain networks. A conversion cost may also apply when the payment currency differs from the trading account currency.

Inactivity and Other Charges

HFM charges $5 per month after more than six months without a trade, deposit or withdrawal. The fee rises to $10 per month in the second year and $20 in the third year, then increases by $10 at each later annual tier. Charges stop when the account balance reaches zero.

Account Options

The Cent account records the balance in USC and uses smaller contract sizes. One Cent lot equals 1,000 units, and forex or gold positions can start at 0.01 lots. This structure allows traders to use lower nominal position values than on a standard account.

Premium uses standard contract sizes and spread-based pricing. Pro also charges through the spread but starts from 0.6 pips and requires a $100 deposit. Zero starts from 0.0 pips on forex and charges $3 per side per standard lot.

InfinityX requires $500, advertises spreads from 0.3 pips and applies a 20% margin call with a 0% stop-out level. Its leverage rules can allow much higher exposure than standard retail limits. Traders using this account need to monitor free margin because positions may remain open until account equity is depleted.

Cent uses USC as the account currency. Most standard accounts use USD or EUR, while InfinityX also lists NGN, JPY, THB, IDR and GHS. Funding in a different currency may result in conversion charges.

Demo and Swap Free Accounts

Demo accounts are available through MT4, MT5 and the HFM App. They can be used to learn the platform, test order types and evaluate an Expert Advisor. Demo execution does not fully reproduce live slippage, liquidity or the effect of trading with real funds.

Swap-free terms are available on selected accounts and instruments, including arrangements for clients who follow Sharia principles. Holding period limits and alternative charges may still apply.

Tradable Markets

HFM provides CFDs on forex, metals, energies, commodities, indices, shares, cryptocurrencies, ETFs and bonds. The Cent account is limited mainly to more than 50 currency pairs and gold. Product availability depends on the legal entity and platform, and some instruments require MT5, HFM WebTrader or the HFM App.

Leverage and Margin Requirements

International accounts can provide leverage of up to 1:2000, subject to account equity, asset class, position size and local rules. Retail clients under the United Kingdom and European entities face lower limits: 1:30 on major forex pairs, 1:20 on minor pairs, gold and major indices, 1:10 on other commodities, 1:5 on shares and 1:2 on cryptocurrencies.

Most standard accounts use a 50% margin call and a 20% stop-out level. InfinityX changes these levels to 20% and 0%. Higher leverage reduces the margin needed to open a position but increases the percentage effect of each market move on account equity.

Execution Quality and Trading Rules

HFM uses market execution under an STP model. Orders are filled at the available market price, so positive or negative slippage can occur during news releases, market openings and periods of lower liquidity. Scalping, hedging, news trading and Expert Advisors are permitted. Forex position sizes start at 0.01 lots.

VPS access can keep automated strategies connected when the trader's computer is offline. It does not guarantee execution price, latency or order fills.

Supported Platforms

HFM provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, HFM WebTrader, the HFM Platform and the HFM App. MT4 remains relevant for traders who use existing Expert Advisors and indicators written for that platform. MT5 adds more timeframes, order types and multi-asset functions.

WebTrader has the largest number of listed indicators, analytical objects and chart types. MT5 has 21 timeframes and is better suited to multi-asset chart analysis. The HFM App can be used for order placement, account monitoring and payments, but its charting tools are more limited.

Charts, Research and Analysis

Trading tools include market news, commentary, economic and earnings calendars, calculators, trading signals, webinars, videos and electronic books. Platform functions include live prices, alerts, one-click trading, chart indicators and drawing tools. Traders who require detailed company accounts, institutional research or specialist order flow data will need external sources.

Automated and Copy Trading

Expert Advisors are available on MT4 and MT5. Eligible professional and institutional clients can request FIX API access. HFM also provides VPS plans, with free access based on net deposits and monthly trading volume.

HFM Copy Trading connects followers with strategy providers through MT4, MT5 and the HFM App. Provider profiles show return, drawdown, popularity, fees and risk data. Followers can set their allocation and rescue level. Minimum deposits are $10 for a Cent copy account, $25 for Premium and $100 for Pro. A provider may charge a performance fee on profitable results.

Learning Materials

The education section contains courses, live and recorded webinars, podcasts, platform tutorials, market analysis and forex lessons. The material covers basic trading concepts, platform use, technical analysis and risk management. Calendars, calculators and market analysis are more relevant once a trader begins planning and reviewing live trades.

Registration and Identity Checks

Applicants select an account type and are assigned to a legal entity based on residence and eligibility. HFM then completes Know Your Customer checks. A passport, national identity card or driving license can be used as identity evidence, while a recent bank statement or utility bill can confirm the residential address.

HFM restricts applications from several jurisdictions, including the United States, Canada, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Syria, Myanmar, Yemen, Angola, Sudan, Libya, Uganda, the Central African Republic, Eritrea, the Republic of Congo, Belarus, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vanuatu, Cuba, Laos, Nicaragua, the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye. The final decision depends on residence, local law and the relevant HFM entity.

Approval Times

HFM states that document review can take up to 48 hours. Processing may take longer when identification has expired, images are incomplete, the proof of address is outside the permitted date range or personal details do not match.

Deposit and Withdrawal Methods

Available payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, FasaPay, bank wire, Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tether. The method list varies by country and account entity.

Withdrawals generally follow the original deposit method. Card deposits are normally refunded to the card before remaining profits are sent through another eligible method. HFM applies no internal fee, but banks, intermediaries and payment networks can still deduct charges.

Processing Times

Card, electronic wallet and cryptocurrency deposits are generally processed instantly or within 10 minutes. Bank wire deposits take 2 to 7 business days. Alternative withdrawals may be completed immediately or within 24 hours, while card and bank withdrawals usually take 2 to 10 business days. External processing and submission times can extend these periods.

Contact Options and Availability

Support is available by live chat, email and telephone. International contact details include [email protected] and +44 203 097 8571. General support is advertised as available 24 hours a day, while payments and compliance teams may work within separate business hours.

Response Speed and Service Quality

Live chat is appropriate for platform navigation, account settings and general trading questions. Email provides a written record for document-related, payment, and complaint cases. Telephone support can be used for urgent account access issues. Compliance and withdrawal reviews may take longer because they require document checks or input from external payment providers.

Languages and Complaint Handling

Support languages include English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Greek, Polish, Bulgarian, Romanian, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay, Indonesian, Filipino, Bengali, Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Uzbek and Kazakh.

A complaint should include the account number, order or transaction reference, date, disputed amount and requested resolution. External escalation procedures depend on the legal entity and the regulator or dispute body responsible for that entity.

Better Choice for New Traders

FXGlory suits beginners who want a low entry point, with a $1 minimum deposit, 0.01-lot trading and fixed and floating spreads. Leverage can reach 1:3000, so conservative position sizing is essential. HFM is more suitable for traders who prioritize Cent contract sizes and copy trading.

Better Choice for Lower Costs

Pepperstone is an alternative for active traders who want cTrader, TradingView or no inactivity fee. Its Razor account starts from 0.0 pips and charges from $3.50 per side per standard lot in USD. HFM Zero charges $3 per side, but the full comparison should include the live spread, account currency, platform and average trade size.

Better Choice for Experienced Traders

IG may suit experienced traders who need a wider product range and platforms such as ProRealTime or L2 Dealer. HFM is more focused on MetaTrader, higher leverage on international forex accounts, Expert Advisors and copy trading.

Reasons to Choose HF Markets

• Cent, spread-based and commission-based forex account structures.
• MT4 and MT5 access with Expert Advisors and VPS options.
• Copy trading through MetaTrader and the HFM App.

Testing and Scoring Process

Every broker is assessed using the same review methodology and scoring framework. Applying consistent criteria across all reviews makes it easier to compare brokers on matters such as regulation, pricing, platforms, account conditions, market access, funding, and customer support. A full explanation of the process is available on our broker review methodology page.

Editorial and Commercial Disclosure

Our broker reviews are produced independently and do not constitute personal financial advice. The same methodology, scoring criteria, and editorial standards are applied to every broker, and no commercial relationships influence our evaluations.

Broker terms can change after publication. While we review and update broker information regularly, readers should still confirm current spreads, commissions, leverage limits, minimum deposits, promotions, payment methods, restricted jurisdictions, and client protection measures before opening or funding an account.

HFM provides several forex account formats, MetaTrader access, automated trading and copy trading. Cent is designed for smaller contract values, Pro reduces the advertised spread without adding a standard commission, and Zero separates commission from the spread. The main limitations are regional differences in protection and leverage, a tiered inactivity fee, limited public financial disclosure and a 0% stop-out level on InfinityX. Before depositing, traders should confirm the legal entity, current account specification, typical spread, commission, margin rules and payment conditions.