HFM Review 2026
The full HFM write-up for United Kingdom traders: the kitchen inspection, the ingredient costs, the bill, and our straight verdict.
Regulation in United Kingdom
| Regulator | FCA FCA, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) |
| Licence Number | 801701 |
| Regulated Entity | HF Markets (UK) Ltd |
| Max Leverage (Forex) | 1:30 |
| Minimum Deposit | $5 |
| EUR/USD Spread | From 0.3 pips |
| Instruments | 1,000+ |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, HFM App |
| Copy Trading | ✓ |
| Real Stocks | ✗ |
| Inactivity fee | No inactivity fee |
| Verify on FCA register → | 801701 |
Verdict
Cooks under FCA (licence 801701). Cover charge $5. In United Kingdom, forex leverage is capped at 1:30.
About HFM
HFM opened its doors in 2010 out of a kitchen in Limassol, Cyprus. Its menu runs to 1,000 tradeable instruments, forex pairs alongside CFDs on stocks, indices and commodities. It holds licences across several jurisdictions, with the head licence carried by HF Markets (UK) Ltd under FCA.
In United Kingdom, HFM serves as HF Markets (UK) Ltd, cleared by FCA under licence number 801701. Under FCA house rules, United Kingdom traders are poured no more than 1:30 leverage on forex pairs.
Trading Platforms
Pros
- FCA regulated, licence 801701
- 1,000+ instruments to trade
- Negative balance protection in United Kingdom
- Platforms: MT4, MT5, HFM App
- Copy trading available
- Founded in 2010 (16 years operating)
- Licences in 5 jurisdictions
Cons
- No inactivity fee
- 76% of retail clients burn their fingers
- CFDs only, you trade the price, you never own the dish
- No real stock ownership
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HFM regulated?
Yes. HFM is authorised by FCA, issued to the entity HF Markets (UK) Ltd, an authorisation you can look up for yourself on the official FCA public register.
What is the minimum deposit for HFM in United Kingdom?
The cover charge is $5, the smallest amount United Kingdom traders need to open a live account with HFM under FCA rules.
What leverage does HFM offer in United Kingdom?
In United Kingdom, FCA rules cap HFM at 1:30 on forex pairs. A larger pour is sometimes available through offshore-regulated entities, with thinner protection to match.
Is HFM safe to trade with?
The kitchen passes inspection: HFM cooks under FCA. A tier-1 regulator insists on segregated client money, negative balance protection and independent audits, while lighter offshore regimes offer weaker cover and often no compensation scheme. That does not make trading risk-free, so check which entity holds your account and what protections actually apply before you deposit.
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