HFM Review 2026
A licensed kitchen with real, checkable paperwork.
HFM opened its doors in 2010 and cooks as a regulated CFD broker, carrying FCA licence 801701.
What's on the menu
HFM has been serving since 2010, with the kitchen based in Limassol, Cyprus. The firm is privately held. The order book runs deep: 1,000 CFD instruments spanning forex, indices, commodities and crypto. Everything here is a contract for difference, so you are trading the price move, not owning the underlying dish.
MetaTrader comes plated on every account type. A copy-trading table lets you mirror another trader's orders automatically, no recipe of your own required.
| 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 |
Kitchen inspection: 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 |
Want to inspect the kitchen yourself? Pull up register.fca.org.uk and look up the FCA licence. The listing lays out the entity name, its authorisation status and the full list of what it is cleared to do. A minute, tops.
Ready to open an account?
HFM - FCA regulated, min deposit $5, 1,000+ instruments.
Ingredient costs: HFM spreads
Here is what the raw ingredients cost on a standard HFM account. Spreads breathe with the market and with your account tier; step up to an ECN or raw-spread table and the spread shrinks, but a per-trade commission joins the bill.
| 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 |
That EUR/USD figure of 0.3 pips pips is a lean, low-cost ingredient, right up there with the ECN specialists.
The bill: HFM withdrawal fee and timing
Cost to take money out: None. HFM does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
How long it takes: 1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
No cash leaves the till until your identity checks out. If your proof of ID and address are not yet filed and cleared, the payout waits; once you are fully verified, cash-outs follow the timings shown above.
The cover charge by entity
The opening deposit at HFM depends on which entity seats your country. Offshore branches tend to set a smaller cover charge, but you dine with a thinner layer of 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 kitchens hold real licences, so neither is a bad table. Pull up a chair at HFM if you value copy trading and following other traders. eToro plates up better for anyone who leans on its particular regulated-entity coverage.
The licences, line by line
| 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 |
Under ESMA house rules, retail traders in the EU and UK are served leverage no higher than 1:30 on the major forex pairs. The offshore entity will pour up to 1:2000, but that comes with a lighter seal of protection.
What tastes good, what leaves a bad aftertaste
Cooked well
- 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
Sent back
- No real stock ownership, CFDs only
- High leverage only via offshore entity
Compare HFM before you commit
4.0/5 rating - FCA regulated - min deposit $5
The verdict
Nothing on the plate here is fake: HFM is a genuine, regulated broker, and FCA licence 801701 checks out on the public register. The table is set best for social traders who like to follow the chef. We rate it 4.0 out of 5.
Other tables worth a look
If HFM is not quite to your taste, these regulated kitchens 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. The kitchen holds FCA licence 801701, and you can confirm it for yourself on the official register.
What is the HFM minimum deposit?
The cover charge is $5 at the main regulated entity. Offshore branches may plate it differently, so check the entity table above for the full spread.
What is the HFM EUR/USD spread?
On a standard HFM account the EUR/USD ingredient runs about 0.3 pips pips. It moves with the market; an ECN or raw table trims the spread in exchange for a per-trade commission.
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. Both MT4 and MT5 are on the menu across every account type, so automated strategies, custom indicators and expert advisors are all on the table.