HFM Review

Emily Watson

Written by

Emily Watson
David Okonjo

Fact Checked by

David Okonjo

Updated

Jan 4, 2026
Broker review header

89

Trust Score: 89/100

Based on regulatory status, company history, and financial transparency

  • 3.5+ million clients globally
  • Regulated by FCA, CySEC, FSCA, DFSA, CMA, FSA
  • Zero Spread Account with $6 commission per lot
  • Cent Account for beginners - no minimum deposit
  • Excellent local payment methods (Africa/Asia)
  • HFM Copy Trading platform
  • HFM App for mobile trading (2026)
  • Leverage up to 1:1000 (international entity)

Founded

2010

Headquarters

Larnaca, Cyprus

Clients

3,500,000+

Why choose HFM

HFM (formerly HotForex) is a well-established global forex and CFD broker that has served over 3.5 million clients since its founding in 2010. Rebranded from HotForex to HFM in 2022, the broker emphasizes its multi-asset nature with over 1,000 instruments available for trading. HFM is regulated by multiple authorities including FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), FSCA (South Africa), DFSA (Dubai), CMA (Kenya), and FSA (Seychelles), providing strong global coverage. The broker is particularly popular in Africa and Asia due to its excellent local payment method support and local currency accounts. HFM offers diverse account types from beginner-friendly Cent accounts with no fixed minimum deposit to Zero Spread and Pro accounts for experienced traders. Key features include the HFM Copy Trading platform, competitive Raw Spread accounts with $6 commission per lot round turn, and loyalty programs including bonus offers.

Pros

  • Strong multi-regulator oversight (FCA, CySEC, FSCA)
  • Excellent account variety for all trader levels
  • Outstanding local payment methods (Africa/Asia)
  • Low minimum deposit ($0-$5 on most accounts)
  • HFM Copy Trading platform
  • Physical stocks and ETFs available
  • Local currency base accounts

Cons

  • US clients not accepted
  • Inactivity fee after 6 months ($5/month)
  • Leverage caps apply in EU/UK jurisdictions
  • Some features limited by regulatory entity
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HFM

Save Wishlist's

Popular choice

Min Deposit:

$5

Inactivity Fee:

No

Regulated:

Yes

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HFM offers competitive pricing with multiple account types to suit different trading styles. The Premium account is commission-free with spreads from 1.0 pip on EUR/USD. The Zero account offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips with a $3 per lot per side commission ($6 round turn). Pro and Pro Plus accounts offer tighter spreads with no commission. HFM charges no deposit or withdrawal fees, though a $5 monthly inactivity fee applies after 6 months of dormancy. Equity CFD trades carry a 0.10% commission.

InstrumentStandardRaw/Pro
EUR/USD1.0 pip (Premium)0.0 pips + $3/side (Zero)
GBP/USD1.5 pips (Premium)0.3 pips + $3/side (Zero)
USD/JPY1.3 pips (Premium)0.1 pips + $3/side (Zero)
Gold (XAU/USD)0.29 (Premium)0.10 (Zero)
S&P 5000.40 points0.25 points
BTC/USDVariableVariable

Deposit Fee

$0

Withdrawal Fee

$0

Inactivity Fee (after 6 months)

$5/month

Equity CFD Commission

0.10%

Account Maintenance

$0

Non-trading fees

Inactivity fee: No.

HFM operates under a comprehensive multi-jurisdictional regulatory framework with licenses from six regulators across four continents. The broker holds Tier-1 licenses from the FCA (UK) and CySEC (Cyprus), providing strong EU-level oversight. Additional licenses from FSCA (South Africa), DFSA (Dubai), CMA (Kenya), and FSA (Seychelles) ensure global coverage. Client funds are held in segregated accounts at top-tier banks, and negative balance protection is provided to all retail clients. HFM rebranded from HotForex in 2022 and has maintained a clean regulatory record.

Regulatory Status

RegulatorCountryTierLicense
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)United KingdomTier-1801701
Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC)CyprusTier-1183/12
Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)South AfricaTier-246632
Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)UAETier-2F004885
Capital Markets Authority (CMA)KenyaTier-2155
Financial Services Authority (FSA)SeychellesTier-3SD015

Safety Features

Segregated AccountsYes
Negative Balance ProtectionYes
Investor ProtectionFSCS (UK) up to £85,000, ICF (Cyprus) up to €20,000
Compensation SchemeFSCS (UK) £85,000, Investor Compensation Fund (Cyprus) €20,000

HFM excels in providing excellent local payment method support, particularly for clients in Africa and Asia. The broker offers a wide range of deposit and withdrawal options including credit/debit cards, bank wire transfers, e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller), cryptocurrency, and numerous local payment methods. Deposits are typically instant for cards and e-wallets. HFM charges no deposit or withdrawal fees. The broker supports multiple base currencies including USD, EUR, and local currencies like NGN (Nigeria), ZAR (South Africa), VND (Vietnam), and IDR (Indonesia). Minimum deposits are very low, starting from $5 for most account types.

Deposit Options

MethodProcessing TimeFeeMin. Deposit
Credit/Debit Card (Visa, Mastercard)InstantFree$5
Bank Wire Transfer1-3 business daysFree$50
SkrillInstantFree$5
NetellerInstantFree$5
Bitcoin/CryptocurrencyInstantFree$10
Local Bank Transfer (Africa/Asia)Instant to 24 hoursFreeVaries
FasaPayInstantFree$5

Withdrawal Options

MethodProcessing TimeFeeMin. Withdrawal
Credit/Debit Card2-5 business daysFree$5
Bank Wire Transfer2-5 business daysFree$50
Skrill/Neteller24-48 hoursFree$5
Bitcoin/CryptocurrencyInstantFree$10
Local Payment Methods24-48 hoursFreeVaries

Base Currencies

USD, EUR, NGN, ZAR, JPY, VND, IDR, GBP

HFM offers a straightforward account opening process that can be completed online in minutes. The broker provides five distinct account types: Cent (for beginners), Premium (no commission), Zero (raw spreads), Pro, and Pro Plus (for experienced traders). Minimum deposits are very low - Cent, Zero, and Premium accounts have no fixed minimum, while Pro requires $100 and Pro Plus requires $250. Verification requires government-issued ID and proof of address. Demo accounts are free with unlimited virtual funds. Islamic swap-free accounts are available upon request.

Account Types

Account TypeMin. DepositKey Features
Cent AccountNo minimum
  • Spreads from 1.2 pips
  • No commission
Premium AccountNo minimum
  • Spreads from 1.0 pip
  • No commission
Zero Spread AccountNo minimum
  • Spreads from 0.0 pips on majors
  • Commission $3 per lot per side ($6 RT)
Pro Account$100
  • Spreads from 0.5 pips
  • No commission
Pro Plus Account$250
  • Spreads from 0.2 pips
  • No commission

Verification Steps

  • Time to open: Same day for most applications, verification within 24-48 hours
  • Demo Account: Yes
  • Islamic Account: Yes
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HFM offers the proprietary HFM App for iOS and Android devices, providing a modern mobile trading experience. The app allows full account management, trading, deposits, and withdrawals. Rated 4.5/5 on iOS and 4.2/5 on Android, the HFM App features integrated support chat, real-time quotes, and push notifications. Traders can also use the standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 mobile apps. The app supports biometric login for security and provides access to the HFM Copy Trading feature.

App Features

  • Full trading functionality
  • Real-time streaming quotes
  • In-app deposits and withdrawals
  • Integrated support chat
  • Push notifications for price alerts
  • Account management
  • HFM Copy Trading access
  • Detailed trading history
  • Biometric login (Face ID/Touch ID)
  • Multiple account switching

HFM provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 desktop platforms, the industry standards for forex and CFD trading. Both platforms support Expert Advisors (EAs) for automated trading, advanced charting with 30+ indicators, and one-click trading. HFM also offers the HFM Copy Trading platform for social/copy trading and the HFM App for mobile trading. Free VPS hosting is available for traders meeting volume requirements. WebTrader is available for browser-based trading without downloads.

Supported Platforms

  • MetaTrader 4 (MT4): Industry-standard forex trading platform with Expert Advisor support for automated trading.
  • MetaTrader 5 (MT5): Advanced multi-asset platform with enhanced features for professional traders.
  • HFM WebTrader: Browser-based trading platform requiring no download.
  • HFM Copy Trading: Social trading platform allowing traders to copy successful strategy providers.

Compare platform providers:

HFM offers over 1,000 CFD instruments across forex, stock CFDs, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, bonds, and ETFs. With 53 forex pairs, 800+ stock CFDs, and unique offerings like physical stocks (in select regions) and bonds, HFM provides excellent diversification. Cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 13 other coins. Leverage varies by regulatory entity - up to 1:1000 for international clients and up to 30:1 for EU/UK retail clients under ESMA rules.

Available Instruments

Forex Pairs53
Indices23
Stocks800
Commodities10
Cryptos15
ETFs50

Leverage Limits

InstrumentMax Leverage
Forex1:1000 (International), 30:1 (EU/UK retail)
Indices200:1 (International), 20:1 (EU/UK)
Stocks25:1 (International), 5:1 (EU/UK)
Crypto50:1 (International), 2:1 (EU/UK)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, HFM (formerly HotForex) is a legitimate broker regulated by six authorities including FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), FSCA (South Africa), DFSA (Dubai), CMA (Kenya), and FSA (Seychelles). The broker has served over 3.5 million clients since 2010 with a clean regulatory record. Client funds are held in segregated accounts with negative balance protection.

HFM has very low or no minimum deposit requirements on most accounts. Cent, Premium, and Zero accounts have no fixed minimum (typically $5). Pro account requires $100 and Pro Plus requires $250. This makes HFM very accessible for beginner traders.

HFM spreads vary by account type. Premium account offers spreads from 1.0 pip with no commission. Zero account provides raw spreads from 0.0 pips with a $3 per lot per side commission ($6 round turn). Pro and Pro Plus accounts offer spreads from 0.5 and 0.2 pips respectively with no commission.

No, HFM does not charge any deposit or withdrawal fees. All funding methods are free. However, a $5 monthly inactivity fee applies after 6 months of no trading activity.

HFM offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), HFM WebTrader, and the proprietary HFM App for mobile trading. The HFM Copy Trading platform is also available for social trading.

Yes, HFM offers the HFM Copy Trading platform where clients can copy strategies from experienced traders or become strategy providers themselves. The platform includes performance metrics, risk management tools, and flexible capital allocation.

Leverage at HFM varies by regulatory entity. International clients (FSA Seychelles) can access leverage up to 1:1000 on forex. EU and UK clients are limited to 30:1 on forex under ESMA/FCA rules. Indices, stocks, and crypto have lower leverage limits.

No, HFM does not accept clients from the United States due to regulatory restrictions. Traders from the US should seek brokers regulated by the CFTC or NFA.

Yes, HFM offers Islamic swap-free accounts compliant with Sharia law. These accounts do not charge or receive swap interest on overnight positions. Islamic accounts are available upon request for all account types.

HFM excels in supporting local payment methods, particularly in Africa and Asia. This includes local bank transfers, mobile money, and regional e-wallets. The broker also offers local currency accounts in NGN (Nigeria), ZAR (South Africa), VND (Vietnam), and IDR (Indonesia).
Emily Watson

Emily Watson

Cryptocurrency • Fintech • Blockchain

Author of this review

Emily is a blockchain technology expert and fintech journalist. She bridges the gap between traditional finance and emerging technologies, reviewing crypto CFD offerings and evaluating broker innovation in the digital asset space.

Crypto & Fintech Editor — Everything you find on BrokerAnalysis is based on reliable data and unbiased information. We combine our 10+ years finance experience with readers feedback.

Risk Warning: Forex/CFD trading involves significant risk. 68-80% of retail accounts lose money.|Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn commissions from listed partners.|Not Advice: For educational purposes only.

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