HFM Review 2026
The full HFM write-up for Ireland traders: the kitchen inspection, the ingredient costs, the bill, and our straight verdict.
Regulation in Ireland
| Regulator | CySEC CySEC, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) |
| Licence Number | 183/12 |
| Regulated Entity | HF Markets (Europe) 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 CySEC register → | 183/12 |
Verdict
Cooks under CySEC (licence 183/12). Cover charge $5. In Ireland, 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 (Europe) Ltd under CySEC.
In Ireland, HFM serves as HF Markets (Europe) Ltd, cleared by CySEC under licence number 183/12. Under CySEC house rules, Ireland traders are poured no more than 1:30 leverage on forex pairs.
Trading Platforms
Pros
- CySEC regulated, licence 183/12
- 1,000+ instruments to trade
- Negative balance protection in Ireland
- 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 CySEC, issued to the entity HF Markets (Europe) Ltd, an authorisation you can look up for yourself on the official CySEC public register.
What is the minimum deposit for HFM in Ireland?
The cover charge is $5, the smallest amount Ireland traders need to open a live account with HFM under CySEC rules.
What leverage does HFM offer in Ireland?
In Ireland, CySEC 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 CySEC. 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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