This HF Markets review examines the global broker’s regulatory footprint, platform suite, account structure, and retail/institutional offering. Formerly known as HotForex, HF Markets is a multi-jurisdictional broker catering to traders across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East with strong compliance and transparent execution models.

Regulation and Safety

HF Markets operates through multiple regulated entities:

• HF Markets (Europe) Ltd: Regulated by CySEC, License No. 183/12
• HF Markets SA (PTY) Ltd: Regulated by FSCA South Africa, License No. 46632
• HF Markets (DIFC) Ltd: Regulated by DFSA, License No. F004885
• HF Markets (UK) Ltd: Regulated by FCA, License No. 801701
• HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd: Regulated by FSA Seychelles, License No. SD015
• HF Markets (SV) Ltd: Unregulated offshore entity in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Client funds are held in segregated accounts, and EU/UK clients are covered by investor protection schemes (ICF, FSCS). Negative balance protection is standard across all entities.

Execution Model and Trading Platforms

HF Markets uses a hybrid STP/NDD model, ensuring no dealing desk intervention. Execution is fast and transparent, with access to the following platforms:

• MetaTrader 4 (MT4): Full support for all devices
• MetaTrader 5 (MT5): Advanced trading features and Level II data
• HF App: Proprietary mobile trading, account management, and market tools

FIX API and VPS are available for algorithmic and high-volume traders.

Markets and Instruments

HF Markets offers more than 1,200 instruments across 6 asset classes:

• Forex: 50+ currency pairs including majors and exotics
• Commodities: Gold, oil, coffee, copper
• Indices: Dow, Nasdaq, DAX, FTSE, Nikkei
• Shares: Global stocks including Tesla, Amazon, Alibaba (CFDs)
• ETFs: Select funds including SPDR and iShares
• Cryptocurrencies: BTC, ETH, ADA, LTC, DOGE (CFDs)

Accounts, Spreads and Leverage

HF Markets offers a flexible account structure:

• Micro: Spreads from 1 pip, leverage up to 1:1000
• Premium: Lower spreads, no commission, leverage up to 1:500
• Zero Spread: Spreads from 0.0 pips, $6/lot commission
• PAMM: For money managers and investors
• Islamic: Swap-free available on request

Minimum deposit: $5. Stop-out levels: 10–50% depending on account. EU leverage limited to 1:30 under ESMA.

Funding and Base Currencies

Deposit and withdrawal options include:

• Bank wire and local bank transfers
• Visa, Mastercard
• Skrill, Neteller, crypto wallets

Base currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, NGN, ZAR (varies by region). Most deposits are processed instantly; withdrawals within 1 business day.

Client Protections and Features

• Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) for CySEC clients
• FSCS coverage for UK clients up to £85,000
• Negative balance protection
• Segregated client accounts
• Two-factor authentication, biometric login
• Audited financials and transparent operations

Institutional and Retail Offering

HF Markets supports both retail and institutional clients:

• VPS hosting for latency-sensitive strategies
• FIX API access for HFT and algo trading
• White-label and liquidity partnerships
• PAMM and MAM services

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Multi-jurisdictional regulation including FCA and CySEC
• Access to both MT4 and MT5 platforms
• Ultra-low spreads and high leverage options
• Over 1,200 tradable assets
• FIX API and institutional-grade tools

Cons

• Offshore entities lack compensation scheme coverage
• Account availability varies by region
• No stock ownership (CFDs only)
• Withdrawal limits on certain local methods
• Research tools vary across platforms

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HF Markets regulated?

Yes, HF Markets is regulated by CySEC, FCA, FSCA, DFSA, and FSA Seychelles across multiple entities.

What is the minimum deposit for HF Markets?

The minimum deposit is $5 for the Micro account, though higher tiers may require more.

Which platforms does HF Markets offer?

HF Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary HF App for mobile trading.

Does HF Markets support crypto trading?

Yes, HF Markets offers crypto CFDs including BTC, ETH, ADA, DOGE, and others.

Is there protection against negative balances?

Yes, HF Markets enforces negative balance protection across all account types.