What is HFM？

HFM, a trading name of HF Markets Group, founded in 2010, is a financial broker that provides both individual and institutional clients with online trading services. HFM has been headquartered in Cyprus but serves several global offices in Dubai, South Africa, and offshore entities in St Vincent and the Grenadines, all under respective regulatory authorities.

In the following article, we will analyse the characteristics of this broker in all its dimensions, providing you with easy and well-organised information. If you are interested, read on.

What Type of Broker is HFM？

HFM is a Market Making (MM) broker, which means that it acts as a counterparty to its clients in trading operations. That is, instead of connecting directly to the market, HFM acts as an intermediary and takes the opposite position to its clients. As such, it can offer faster order execution speed, tighter spreads and greater flexibility in terms of the leverage offered.

However, this also means that HFM has a certain conflict of interest with their clients, as their profits come from the difference between the bid and ask price of assets, which could lead to them making decisions that are not necessarily in the best interests of their clients. It is important for traders to be aware of this dynamic when trading with HFM or any other MM broker.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• HFM is a well-regulated company by various reputable authorities, providing a high level of security to traders' funds and personal information.

• The company offers a wide range of trading instruments, including forex pairs, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and stocks, with over 3500 instruments to choose from.

• There are multiple account types available, including Premium, Pro, Zero, and Cent, catering to the different needs of traders.

• HFM offers rich educational resources such as webinars, video tutorials, and daily analysis, providing valuable insights for traders.

• The company provides multiple trading platforms including MetaTrader4, MetaTrader5, and their proprietary HFM platform, giving traders a wide range of options to choose from.

• HFM offers various customer channels, through multiple channels including email, phone, and live chat.

Cons:

• The maximum leverage offered by HFM is up to 1:2000, which can be risky for inexperienced traders.

• HFM does not provide services to residents of the USA, Canada, Sudan, Syria, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Mauritius, Myanmar, Yemen, Afghanistan, Vanuatu and EEA countries.

Is HFM Safe or Scam？

• HF Markets (Europe) Ltd is regulated by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission - CySEC, with regulatory license number 183/12

• HF Markets (UK) Limited, its UK entity, under the regulation of the Financial Conduct Authority - FCA in the UK (license number 801701)

• HF Markets (DIFC) Limited, the Dubai entity under regulation of Dubai Financial Services Authority - DFSA (license number F004885)

• HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd, authorized and offshore regulated by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA), with Regulatory License No. SD015

HFA appears to be a serious player when it comes to offering protection measures for its clients. They provide market leading insurance, positioning themselves as an industry leader in financial safety.

In addition to this, they maintain their accounts with major banks and ensure the segregation of client funds for added security. They also provide protection against negative balances, helping traders avoid owing more than they've invested.

Along with these measures, HFA implements robust risk management strategies to further safeguard their clients' assets. This shows their commitment to providing a secure and reliable trading environment for their users.

Market Instruments

HFM offers a diverse range of more than 3500 instruments across various asset classes, including forex, commodities, metals, bonds, energies, ETFs, indices, cryptos, and stocks. This extensive offering provides traders with a wide range of investment opportunities and the ability to diversify their portfolio. Traders can access multiple asset classes within a single platform, making it convenient and efficient to trade across various markets.

Account Types

HFM indeed offers a range of accounts to suit various trading styles and levels. They provide the option of Premium, Pro, Zero, and Cent accounts, catering to both novice and experienced traders.

The Pro account requires an initial deposit of $/€100/₦50,000/¥13,000 to get started. Interestingly, HFM does not impose a minimum deposit requirement for its Premium, Zero, and Cent accounts, making them highly accessible options.

Alongside these, they also offer free demo accounts, allowing potential traders to test out their platform and develop their trading strategies before committing real money.

How to Open an Account？

Opening an account with HFM typically involves a few standard steps:

Step 1: Visit the HFM website and click on the “Register” button.

Step 2: Fill out the registration form with your personal information such as country of residence, email address, and password.

Step 3: Once you've completed the registration form, you'll need to submit some documents to verify your identity and address. This generally involves uploading a copy of your passport or national ID for identification and a utility bill or bank statement for proof of address.

Step 4: After identity verification, you can choose your account type. HFM offers Premium, Pro, Zero, and Cent accounts. The Pro account requires a minimum initial deposit of $/€100/₦50,000/¥13,000, while the other three types do not have a minimum deposit requirement.

Step 5: Once you've selected your account type, you can make the necessary deposit using your preferred method of payment.

Step 6: After your deposit is confirmed, your account should be set up and ready for trading.

Leverage

HFM offers a maximum leverage of up to 1:2000, which can be an attractive feature for traders looking to maximize their potential profits with a smaller investment. This high leverage also provides greater market exposure and trading opportunities, allowing traders to take advantage of price movements in various markets.

However, it is important to note that high leverage also comes with high risk and potential losses. Traders must exercise proper risk management and discipline to avoid margin calls and account liquidation. While this feature may attract experienced traders, it may not be suitable for all, especially beginners or those with limited capital.

Spreads & Commissions

HFM caters to different trading preferences with variable spreads across its account types.

The Premium and Cent accounts offer spreads starting from 1.2 pips. The Pro account has even lower spreads starting from 0.5 pips. The most versatile is the Zero account, which offers spreads from zero pips on forex and gold trading, providing an entry point for cost-effective trading.

However, specific information on the trading commissions is not disclosed directly. You might need to reach out to their customer service or check thoroughly on their website for further details on this.

Trading Platforms

HFM offers multiple trading platforms including the popular MetaTrader4 and MetaTrader5 platforms as well as their proprietary HFM mobile app.

The MetaTrader4 and MetaTrader5 platforms are widely used in the industry and provide traders with access to a wide range of trading tools and indicators.

The HFM mobile app is relatively new but has an intuitive user interface and advanced charting features. However, it may have limited customization options and a limited selection of third-party plugins and add-ons.

Some traders may find the platforms too complex to use, but overall, HFM's platform dimension offers a good variety of options for traders of all skill levels.

Deposits & Withdrawals

HFM indeed provides a variety of options to make deposit and withdrawal processes simple and flexible for its customers. They accept bank transfers, major credit/debit cards (Visa & MasterCard), and several electronic payment methods such as crypto, Fasapay, Neteller, PayRedeem, Skrill, and Bitpay.

The minimum deposit or withdrawal limit is quite low, set at $5 for most payment methods, which makes it convenient for traders of all sizes.

HFM minimum deposit vs other brokers

They also ensure cost-effectiveness by not charging for most deposits and withdrawals. The processing times for transactions can vary depending upon the chosen method. Importantly, they have a system in place where withdrawals submitted before 10:00am server time are processed the same business day between 7:00am and 5:00pm.

More details can be found in the below screenshots.

Education

HFM is deeply committed to trader education and offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources for traders at all levels. They provide in-depth trading courses that cover a wide range of topics, aiming to enhance traders' knowledge and trading skills.

Their portfolio of educational resources also includes engaging videos that explain intricate trading concepts in an easy-to-understand format.

They hold webinars and seminars (upcoming), giving both novice and experienced traders the opportunity to learn first-hand from industry experts.

Additionally, HFM provides insightful podcasts featuring discussions on various trading topics.

These educational offerings are designed to help traders better understand the markets and make well-informed trading decisions.

Customer Service

HFM offers multiple avenues of customer support to ensure all client queries and concerns are attended to. The live chat feature on their platform allows for real-time assistance, alongside a contact form for more comprehensive inquiries.

They can also be reached through their phone number: +44-2030978571 or via email at support@hfm.com.

For those who prefer social media interactions, they have an active presence on Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn where they post regular updates and users can interact with them.

Lastly, for common questions, their FAQ section could be of help as it covers a range of general queries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Risk Warning

Online trading involves significant risk, and you may lose all of your invested capital. It is not suitable for all traders or investors. Please ensure that you understand the risks involved and note that the information provided in this review may be subject to change due to the constant updating of the company's services and policies.

General information

BCR is an Australian forex broker that was established in 2008 under the company name BACERA CO PTY LTD. The broker is regulated by ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) and offshore regulated by FSC (Financial Services Commission), ensuring compliance with financial regulations and providing a level of trust and security for traders.

In the following article, we will analyze the characteristics of this broker from various aspects, providing you with simple and organized information. If you are interested, please read on.

We will also briefly summarize the main advantages and disadvantages so that you can understand the broker's characteristics at a glance.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Regulation: BCR is regulated by ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission), which provides a level of security and trustworthiness for traders.

• Demo Account: BCR provides a demo account, allowing traders to practice and test their trading strategies in a risk-free environment.

• Commission-free: BCR offers commission-free trading for all account types.

• Advanced Trading Platforms: BCR provides access to advanced MT4 trading platform, offering comprehensive charting tools, indicators, and automated trading capabilities.

• Market Research Tools: BCR offers various market research tools, including economic calendars and market live, to help traders stay informed and make well-informed trading decisions.

Cons:

• Limited Account Types: BCR only offers two account types, which could restrict options for traders with specific needs or preferences.

• Wide Spreads: BCR offers spreads from 3.0 pips, while the industry average spread is just 1.5 pips.

• Customer Support Availability: The availability of customer support might be limited outside of regular business hours, which could be inconvenient for traders in different time zones or those requiring immediate assistance.

Is BCR Legit or a Scam？

BCR operates within a well-regulated framework, authorized and regulated by respected financial authorities, including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC, No. 328794) and offshore regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC, No. SIBA/L/19/1122) in the Virgin Islands.

This regulatory oversight ensures that BCR complies with stringent financial regulations, industry standards, and best practices. The ASIC and FSC play a crucial role in monitoring and supervising Doo Prime's operations, ensuring that the broker maintains transparency, ethical practices.

Additionally, BCR's practice of keeping segregated client funds means that client money is kept separate from the company's own funds. This can offer an additional layer of security for traders, since in the event of a company bankruptcy, these funds would not be treated as recoverable assets by general creditors of the company. This practice is common among regulated brokers as it provides more protection for traders' investments.

Market Instruments

Forex, CFDs on metals, commodities, indices... BCR allows clients to access 300+ trading markets. Therefore, both beginners and experienced traders can find what they want to trade on BCR.

This includes prominent global forex currency pairs, allowing for trading in the foreign exchange market.

They also offer CFDs on metals, which may include precious metals like gold and silver, as well as industrial metals.

In addition, traders can access CFDs on commodities, from energy sources like oil and gas to agricultural products.

This is extended to indices, tracking performance of groups of shares in a particular market or sector.

However, cryptocurrencies are currently unavailable.

This extensive offering enables traders to diversify their portfolios and engage in different markets based on their investment preferences and strategies.

Account Types

Apart from demo accopunts, BCR offers four live account types: Standard, Advantage, Alpha, and Affiliate. All account types provide leverage up to 400:1, a 50% stop-out level, micro-lot trading (0.01), and access to single stock CFDs, except for the Alpha account. The minimum deposit requirements range from $300 USD for the Standard and Advantage accounts to $3,000 USD for the Affiliate account. Spreads start from 1.2 pips for the Advantage account, with the Alpha account offering zero spreads. Additionally, the Advantage account charges a $3 USD commission per lot per side. The lot size per transaction is capped at 20 for all account types.

How to Open an Account？

Here are four specific steps to open an account with BCR:

Step 1: Visit the BCR official website: Go to the BCR website using a web browser on your computer or mobile device. Navigate to the account opening section: Look for the “Join Now” button on the website on the homepage.

Step 2: Fill out the account application form: Click on the account opening button/link, and you will be directed to an online form. Provide the requested information, including your full name, contact details (such as phone number and email address), and password.

Step 3: Submit identification documents: As part of the account verification process, BCR may require you to provide identification documents. These documents may include a copy of your passport or national ID card, proof of address (such as a utility bill or bank statement), and any other documents requested by the broker.

Step 4: Review and agree to the terms and conditions: Before finalizing your account creation, carefully read through the terms and conditions provided by BCR. Make sure you understand and agree to all the terms before proceeding. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact their customer support for clarification.

Leverage

BCR provides traders with maximum levearge up to 400:1.

Leverage, in simple terms, is a tool that enables traders to control a larger position in the market with a smaller amount of capital. It can be a valuable tool for experienced traders who understand its risks and benefits. By using leverage, traders can potentially generate higher returns on their investments.

However, leverage is a double-edged sword. While it can enhance profits, it can also magnify losses. Traders should exercise caution and implement effective risk management strategies when utilizing leverage. It is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the market and the associated risks before engaging in leveraged trading.

Spreads & Commissions

BCR provides traders with a variety of options when it comes to spreads and commissions, catering to different trading needs and preferences. The Standard account offers a zero-commission trading environment, allowing traders to execute trades without incurring any additional charges. Spreads for the Standard account start from 8.0 pips.

For those seeking even tighter spreads, the Advantage account is available. With spreads starting from 3.0 pips and no commissions, this account offers enhanced trading conditions for traders looking to optimize their trading strategies and minimize their trading costs.

Spreads and commissions vary on the trading symbol, more details can be found in the screenshot below.

Trading Platforms

BCR provides traders with a versatile trading platform that encompasses the renowned MT4 (MetaTrader4) platform as well as a user-friendly webtrader. The MT4 platform is highly regarded in the industry for its robust features and comprehensive tools, empowering traders with advanced charting capabilities, technical indicators, and a wide range of order types to suit their trading strategies. With MT4, traders can analyze market trends, execute trades with precision, and effectively manage their positions.

Deposit & Withdrawal

BCR provides its customers with a variety of payment options, catering to different banking preferences. The options available for depositing and withdrawing funds include Bank transfer, MasterCard, Direct Debit, Visa, UnionPay, Fasapay, helpay2, NPAY, Skrill, Neteller, POLi, and USDT. This selection gives traders a good deal of flexibility.

In terms of withdrawal request processing, BCR operates a specific schedule. The cut-off time for processing on the same day is 10:00 AM. Requests submitted before this time will be processed on the same day, whereas requests submitted afterwards will not be processed until the following business day.

Additionally, BCR does not charge any fees for deposits or withdrawals. However, transactions between international banks might incur fees such as intermediary fees.

Trading Tools & Education

BCR is dedicated to providing its clients with a comprehensive trading experience by offering valuable trading tools and educational resources.

Their economic calendar is a must-have tool for traders, allowing them to stay informed about important economic events that have the potential to impact the markets. Identifying these events can help with planning trading strategies.

Their glossary is an excellent educational resource, especially for beginner traders. It provides definitions for numerous terms used in trading, helping traders become familiar with industry jargon.

Additionally, BCR offers a 'Market Live' feature, which provides real-time updates about market conditions and trends.

These tools, combined with their educational resources, assist traders in making informed decisions and understanding the complexity of the markets, which ultimately contributes towards a more efficient trading experience.

Customer Support

Customer support through multiple channels, including phone, email, contact form and online chat. This multi-channel approach ensures that traders have various options to reach out for assistance or inquiries.

By offering phone support, BCR allows traders to have direct communication with their support team, enabling them to receive real-time assistance and resolve any urgent matters.

Email support provides traders with a written record of their communication, allowing them to articulate their queries or concerns in detail and receive responses at their convenience.

Additionally, BCR's online chat support enables traders to have quick and direct interactions with a support representative. This live chat feature allows for instant messaging and real-time responses.

Below are the details about customer service.

Language(s): English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, etc.

Service Time: 24/5

Live chat, Contact Form

Email: info@thebcr.com

Phone: +44 3300010590

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn

Address: BCR Co Pty Ltd, Trident Chambers, Wickhams Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Risk Warning

Online trading involves significant risk, and you may lose all of your invested capital. It is not suitable for all traders or investors. Please ensure that you understand the risks involved and note that the information provided in this review may be subject to change due to the constant updating of the company's services and policies.

In addition, the date on which this review was generated may also be an important factor to consider, as information may have changed since then. Therefore, readers are advised to always verify updated information directly with the company before making any decision or taking any action. Responsibility for the use of the information provided in this review rests solely with the reader.