HFM Review
- Multiple regulatory licenses held
- Cryptocurrency funding available
- Real accounts tested
Not available in United States
Thinking about trading with HFM (formerly HotForex) in 2025? Here you can find what actual traders are saying, break down their costs like spreads and swaps, and check out their regulatory setup to see how they stack up.
Live Spreads: Zero Account is Competitive
| Brokers | Forex | Commodities | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD | GBPJPY | AUDNZD | Average | XAUUSD | XAGUSD | Average | |
When trading the main cost is usually the spread (the gap between the buying and selling price), but some accounts, like HFM's Zero account, aim for super-tight spreads but add a fixed commission per trade. Other accounts, like Premium, have wider spreads but no separate commission. We analyse the total cost using real data from live accounts to see how they compare.
Based on our live data, HFM's pricing can be quite competitive, especially if you choose the account type that best suits your trading style (Zero for frequent traders focusing on raw spreads, Premium for simplicity). Want to compare HFM against specific competitors or check different instruments? Just use the orange "Edit" button above. Keeping an eye on these costs is crucial for any trader.
HFM User reviews
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Translation:
Excellent broker, very agile support, the little I worked with them I have nothing to complain about, everything is very clear and transparent, I also really enjoyed participating in the championships.
Scrolling through the HFM reviews on FxVerify, you'll find many traders sharing positive experiences. A common theme is fast withdrawals and easy deposits, which is always reassuring. Responsive customer support also gets frequent mentions. Users often highlight the variety of account types available (like Premium or Zero Spread) and find the trading platforms reliable with good execution speeds.
While opinions on spreads vary depending on the account type chosen (with some finding Micro/Premium high, and others praising Zero), many find them competitive overall. The broker's long history and occasional promotions or contests are also seen positively by some users.
HFM Overall rating
| Rating | Weight | |
| User rating | 4.3 (98 reviews)  | 3 |
| Popularity | 5.0 | 3 |
| Regulation | 5.0 | 2 |
| Pricing rating | 4.5 | 1 |
| Features | Not rated | 1 |
| Customer Support | Not rated | 1 |
The overall ratings on FxVerify tend to back up the positive user sentiment for HFM. Having been around since 2010, they've built a significant global presence and are generally seen as a reliable broker. They hold licenses from several regulatory bodies worldwide, adding to their credibility. HFM is quite popular, particularly in certain regions, and scores well in areas like available features and support. They operate as a private company, not a bank.
Regulation: Licensed by Multiple Authorities
| Company | Licenses & Regulations | Segregated Client Money | Deposit Compensation Scheme | Negative Balance Protection | Rebates | Max. Leverage Retail Clients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HF Markets (Europe) Ltd |
|
up to €20,000
|
|
|
30 : 1 | |
| HF Markets (UK) Ltd |
|
up to £85,000
|
|
|
30 : 1 | |
| HF Markets SA (PTY) Ltd |
|
|
|
|
1000 : 1 | |
| HF Markets (DIFC) Ltd |
|
|
|
|
50 : 1 | |
| HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd |
|
|
|
|
1000 : 1 | |
| HFM Investments Ltd |
|
|
|
|
400 : 1 | |
|
HF Markets (SV) Ltd
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
|
|
|
|
|
2000 : 1 |
HFM takes regulation seriously, holding licences in various parts of the world. This includes oversight from respected bodies like CySEC (Cyprus/EU), the FCA (UK), DFSA (Dubai), FSCA (South Africa), FSA (Seychelles), and the CMA (Kenya). This multi-jurisdictional approach means they operate under different rules depending on the region.
It's important to know that this affects things like leverage – UK/EU clients typically have lower leverage (30:1) due to local rules, while clients under other entities (like Seychelles) might access much higher leverage (up to 2000:1). Compensation schemes (like FSCS in the UK or ICF in Cyprus) also only apply under specific regulations, offering protection if the broker fails.
Available Assets: Wide Range of CFDs
HFM provides a broad range of markets to trade, mostly through CFDs. You'll find the usual suspects like forex pairs, popular metals (Gold, Silver), energies (Oil), major stock indices, and a decent selection of individual company stocks. They also offer CFDs on cryptocurrencies, bonds, and even some ETFs.
Use the live symbol search tool above to see exactly what's available right now, based on data from live accounts. Remember, CFDs (Contracts for Difference) allow you to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset. This gives you the ability to use leverage, which can amplify profits but also significantly increase potential losses.
Live Swap Rates: Average Overnight Holding Costs
| Brokers | Forex | Commodities | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURUSD | GBPJPY | AUDNZD | Average | XAUUSD | XAGUSD | Average | |
If you hold trades open overnight, you'll encounter swap rates (also called financing or rollover fees). These fees can be a cost or a credit to your account, depending on the instrument, whether you're buying or selling, and prevailing interest rates. The table above shows live swap data pulled from our swap analysis tool connected to live accounts.
HFM's swap rates vary – sometimes they might be more favourable than competitors, sometimes less, depending on the specific asset. Like most brokers, they charge triple swaps on Wednesdays to account for the weekend when markets are closed. Feel free to use the orange "Edit" button to compare HFM's swaps against other brokers or for different symbols.
Trading Platforms: Modern and Features-Rich HFM App
| Platform | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) |
|
|
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
|
|
| HFM App (Proprietary Mobile/Web) |
|
|
Choosing your trading software is key. HFM offers the ever-popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms for desktop, web, and mobile. They also have their own proprietary HFM App, providing an integrated experience. The table above gives a quick rundown of the good and bad points for each.
Deposits/Withdrawals: Fund Your Account with Crypto
| Method | Processing Time (Deposits) | Fees (Charged by HFM) | Available Currencies (Common Base) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | Typically 2-7 business days | $0 | USD, EUR, (Others vary by region) |
| Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard) | Usually Instant / Within hours | $0 | USD, EUR |
| Skrill | Usually Instant / Within hours | $0 | USD, EUR |
| Neteller | Usually Instant / Within hours | $0 | USD, EUR |
| Cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, USDT, LTC - Availability varies) | Typically within hours (Network dependent) | $0 | Crypto (Converted) |
| Other E-wallets / Local Methods (Region Specific) | Varies (Often Instant or same day) | $0 | USD, EUR, Local Currencies |
HFM provides a good range of options for getting money into and out of your trading account. Common methods include bank transfers, major credit/debit cards, and popular e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller. Depending on your location, you might also find options for crypto funding or local payment systems. See the table for typical deposit times and base currencies.
HFM generally states they don't charge fees for deposits or withdrawals. However, be aware that intermediary banks (for wires) or your payment provider (e-wallets, cards, crypto networks) might impose their own fees, which are outside HFM's control. Always check the latest details on the HFM official website for methods available in your specific region.
HFM Profile
| Company Name | HF Markets SA (PTY) & HF Markets (SV) Ltd |
| Categories | Forex Brokers, Forex Rebates |
| Primary Category | Forex Brokers |
| Year Founded | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Cyprus |
| Office Locations | United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria, Kenya, Mauritius, United Kingdom, South Africa |
| Account Currency | EUR, JPY, USD, ZAR, NGN |
| Support Languages | Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Bengali, Urdu, Chinese (Traditional), Filipino |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit/Debit Card, FasaPay, Neteller, Skrill, Sofort, BitPay, PayRedeem |
| Financial Instruments | Forex, Shares, Indices, Bonds, Oil/Energies, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, ETFs |
| Prohibited Countries | Iran, United States |
24 hour support
Segregated Accounts
Islamic Accounts
Accepts Canadian clients
Accepts Japanese Clients
Non expiring demo
Trading API
Cent accounts
Negative balance protection
Social trading
Regulatory deposit insurance
Trailing stops
Bonuses
Interest on margin
Fixed spread
Variable spread
For a quick snapshot of HFM's key details, check out their profile on FxVerify. It covers things like their founding date (2010), head office location, the full list of deposit and withdrawal methods, customer support options, accepted account currencies, and importantly, a list of countries they accept clients from – so you can easily see if you're eligible to sign up.
HFM Promotions
HFM is known for frequently offering various promotions. These can range from deposit bonuses and loyalty schemes to trading contests. Because these offers change regularly and always come with specific terms and conditions (like trading volume requirements), it's essential to check the "Promotions" section on the official HFM website for the latest deals and make sure you fully understand the rules before participating.
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