HFM Review 2026
Regulated broker with real licence numbers.
HFM is a regulated CFD broker founded in 2010. It holds a FCA licence under number 801701.
The basics
HFM was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus. It is privately owned. The broker offers CFDs on 1,000 instruments across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto. All positions are contracts for difference — there is no real asset ownership.
MetaTrader is available on all account types. Copy trading lets you replicate the positions of other traders automatically.
| Founded | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus |
| Instruments | 1,000+ |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, HFM App |
| MetaTrader | Yes — MT4 and MT5 |
| Copy trading | Yes |
| Real stocks | No — CFDs only |
Is HFM safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| FCA | 801701 ✓ | HF Markets (UK) Ltd |
| CySEC | 183/12 ✓ | HF Markets (Europe) Ltd |
| FSCA | 46632 ✓ | HF Markets SA Pty Ltd |
| DFSA | F004885 ✓ | HF Markets MENA Ltd |
| FSA | SD015 ✓ | HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd |
You can verify the FCA licence at register.fca.org.uk. The registration shows the entity name, authorisation status, and full permissions list. It takes under a minute.
HFM spreads
These are the typical spreads on HFM's standard account. Spreads vary by market conditions and account type. ECN or raw-spread accounts offer lower spreads in exchange for a per-trade commission.
| EUR/USD | 0.3 pips pips |
| GBP/USD | 0.6 pips pips |
| USD/JPY | 0.4 pips pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 18c/oz |
| S&P 500 | 0.4pt |
HFM's EUR/USD spread of 0.3 pips pips is among the tightest available, competitive with ECN brokers.
HFM withdrawal fee and processing time
Fee: None. HFM does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Processing time: 1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Withdrawal requests must pass identity verification before processing. If your account is not yet fully verified (proof of identity and address submitted), expect additional delays. Verified accounts follow the standard processing times above.
HFM minimum deposit by entity
The minimum deposit depends on which HFM entity serves your country. Offshore entities often allow lower minimums but with less regulatory protection.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage (forex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HF Markets (UK) Ltd | FCA 801701 | $5 | 1:30 |
| HF Markets (Europe) Ltd | CySEC 183/12 | $5 | 1:30 |
| HF Markets SA Pty Ltd | FSCA 46632 | $5 | 1:500 |
| HF Markets MENA Ltd | DFSA F004885 | $5 | 1:500 |
| HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd | FSA SD015 | $5 | 1:2000 |
HFM vs eToro
| HFM | eToro | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 801701 | FCA 583263 |
| Min deposit | $5 | $50 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.3 pips pips | 1.0 pips |
| MetaTrader | Yes | No |
| Instruments | 1,000+ | 3,000+ |
| Copy trading | Yes | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | None | $5 per withdrawal |
Both brokers are regulated and legitimate. HFM suits traders who value copy trading and social features. eToro is better for traders who prioritise its specific regulated entity coverage.
Regulation — the numbers that matter
| FCA | 801701 — HF Markets (UK) Ltd |
| CySEC | 183/12 — HF Markets (Europe) Ltd |
| FSCA | 46632 — HF Markets SA Pty Ltd |
| DFSA | F004885 — HF Markets MENA Ltd |
| FSA | SD015 — HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd |
Leverage for retail clients in the EU and UK is capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs under ESMA rules. The offshore entity offers up to 1:2000, but with lighter regulatory protection.
Pros and Cons
What works
- FCA regulated — HF Markets (UK) Ltd
- Very low minimum deposit ($5)
- MetaTrader 4 and 5 available
- Copy trading available
- No inactivity fee
- Tight EUR/USD spread from 0.3 pips
What does not work
- No real stock ownership — CFDs only
- High leverage only via offshore entity
The verdict
HFM is a legitimate, regulated broker. The FCA licence number 801701 is verifiable on the public register. It is best suited for social and copy traders. Rating: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to HFM
If HFM does not fit your needs, these regulated alternatives are worth comparing:
Frequently asked questions
Is HFM safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent. HFM holds FCA licence 801701, which is publicly verifiable on the official register.
What is the HFM minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit is $5. This applies to the main regulated entity. Some offshore entities may differ. See the entity table above for full breakdown.
What is the HFM EUR/USD spread?
The EUR/USD spread on HFM standard accounts is typically 0.3 pips pips. Spreads vary with market conditions. ECN or raw accounts offer lower spreads with a per-trade commission instead.
How long does HFM take to process withdrawals?
1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Does HFM charge withdrawal fees?
None. HFM does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does HFM have MetaTrader?
Yes. HFM supports both MT4 and MT5 on all account types. This allows automated trading, custom indicators, and expert advisors.