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.

Overview of Deriv

There are two brokers named Deriv, which can cause confusion:

One company is registered in Malta and is commonly known as Deriv.com, with its company name: Binary.com. In 2013 Binary.com rebranded to Deriv. They are a legitimate online trading platform offering forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and more, with regulation from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and other regulatory bodies.

The other company, also named Deriv (FX) Ltd, is suspected to be a clone or fake broker. There is limited information available about this company, and it is not clear whether they are regulated or offer legitimate trading services.

Is Deriv legit or a scam？

Please note that this Deriv is the trading name of Deriv (FX) Ltd, and this company is not regulated or authorized by any other regulatory authorities. More clearly, this broker is using another legit Deriv's url website to confuse people and it is a clone broker.

Trading with a cloned forex broker carries a high risk as these brokers are not authorized or regulated by any legitimate regulatory body. These cloned brokers often use the names, logos, and websites of established and reputable brokers to deceive traders into believing that they are dealing with a legitimate broker.

Cloned brokers often offer attractive trading conditions such as low spreads, high leverage, and bonuses to lure unsuspecting traders into depositing funds into their accounts. Once traders deposit their funds, they may find that it is impossible to withdraw their money or receive any support from the cloned broker.

Pros and Cons

Based on the available information, it has been reported that Deriv is a suspected clone broker, which means that it is not a legitimate or regulated financial entity. Therefore, it is highly recommended to avoid trading with this broker. It is important to trade with a regulated and reputable broker to ensure the safety of your funds and investments. In conclusion, as there are no pros to trading with an unregulated and potentially fraudulent broker, it is advisable to consider reputable alternatives.

Market Intruments

Deriv offers a wide range of market instruments for traders to trade on, including forex currency pairs, commodities, cryptocurrencies, indices, and synthetic indices. Forex currency pairs include major, minor, and exotic pairs, while commodities include precious metals, energies, and agricultural products. Traders can also trade on popular indices such as the S&P 500, FTSE 100, and Nikkei 225. Deriv also offers trading on popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. Additionally, traders can trade on synthetic indices, which are proprietary indices designed to simulate the behavior of real-world markets.

Account Types

Deriv offers different account types to cater to the varying needs and preferences of traders.

Synthetic Account: This account provides access to synthetic markets, which are artificial markets that simulate real-world market conditions. It requires a minimum deposit of $1 and offers leverage of up to 1:1000.

Financial account: Deriv also provides a financial account, which is specifically designed for trading on financial instruments. This account offers a higher leverage of up to 1:1000, allowing traders to maximize their trading potential. Additionally, traders can access a wide range of financial instruments, including stocks, bonds, and commodities.

Financial STP Account: This account is designed for traders who prefer to trade with Straight Through Processing (STP) execution. It requires a minimum deposit of $100 and provides access to over 50 tradable assets, including forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. The account also offers leverage of up to 1:100.

Demo Account

Deriv offers a demo account for traders who want to practice trading without risking real money. The demo account is a simulation of the live trading environment, and it comes with $10,000 in virtual funds that can be used to place trades in a risk-free setting. The demo account allows traders to test the trading platform, try out different trading strategies, and get a feel for the market conditions before investing real money. The demo account is available for all account types, including financial account. It is a great way for new traders to learn how to trade and for experienced traders to test out new strategies.

How to open an account？

1. Go to the Deriv website and click on “Create free demo account” or “Sign up for free” to create a demo or real account, respectively.

1. Fill in your personal information, such as your name, email address, and phone number.

2. Choose the account type that you want to open, such as a real or demo account.

3. Agree to the terms and conditions and submit your application.

4. Once your application is approved, you can fund your account and start trading.

Leverage

Leverage is a critical component of trading that allows traders to control more significant positions in the market with a smaller amount of capital. Deriv offers various leverage options for traders, depending on the type of account and trading instrument. For forex trading, the maximum leverage offered is up to 1:1000 for professional clients and 1:30 for retail clients. For commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies, the maximum leverage offered is up to 1:200 for professional clients and 1:5 for retail clients.

It's essential to understand the risks involved with leverage trading and how to use it properly to avoid significant losses. Deriv provides education and resources for traders to understand leverage and its impact on trading. Traders can also adjust their leverage levels according to their risk appetite and trading strategies. It's crucial to note that high leverage comes with high risks, and traders should exercise caution when using leverage in their trading activities.

Spreads & Commissions (Trading Fees)

The exact spreads and commissions vary depending on the account type and trading instrument. Here's a brief overview of the spreads and commissions offered by Deriv:

For forex trading, the spreads start from 0.5 pips for major currency pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY. The spreads for minor and exotic currency pairs are slightly higher, ranging from 1.0 to 3.0 pips.

For commodities, the spreads start from as low as 0.01 pips for Gold and 0.03 pips for Silver. For other commodities such as Crude Oil and Natural Gas, the spreads range from 0.3 to 3.0 pips.

For indices trading, the spreads start from as low as 0.5 pips for major indices such as the US 500 and Germany 30. For other indices, the spreads range from 1.0 to 3.0 pips.

Deriv charges a commission of $1 for forex trading and $0.50 for commodities and indices trading. However, the commission is only applicable to certain account types such as the Financial and Synthetic Indices account types.

Non-Trading Fees

Deriv does not charge any deposit or withdrawal fees. However, there are some non-trading fees that clients need to be aware of. For instance, an inactivity fee of $5 per month is charged on accounts that have been inactive for more than 12 months. There is also a fee of $10 for each returned deposit or withdrawal, and a $25 fee for withdrawals to international bank accounts. Moreover, clients may incur additional fees for using certain payment methods such as credit cards or e-wallets. It is recommended that clients thoroughly review the fee schedule provided by Deriv before opening an account.

Trading Platform

Deriv offers its clients a variety of trading platforms to choose from, each with its own unique features and advantages. The DTtrader platform is a browser-based platform that is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it suitable for beginner traders. It offers a wide range of trading instruments, including forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and stocks. The platform also comes with a built-in economic calendar and technical analysis tools to help traders make informed trading decisions.

The Deriv platform is a comprehensive trading platform that is suitable for both beginner and experienced traders. It offers advanced charting tools, customizable layouts, and a wide range of technical indicators. The platform is available as a desktop, web, and mobile application, providing traders with access to the markets from anywhere in the world.

For traders who prefer automated trading strategies, Deriv offers the DBot platform. This platform allows traders to create and test their own trading bots using simple drag-and-drop tools. It also provides access to pre-built trading bots that have been developed by other traders.

Trading Tools

Deriv offers a range of trading tools to help traders analyze the markets and manage their trades effectively. Some of the trading tools available on the platform include:

• Swap calculator: This tool helps traders to calculate the swap fees incurred when holding positions overnight. It provides traders with the required swap rate and the amount of swap to be charged or credited to their accounts.

• Margin calculator: The margin calculator is used to calculate the required margin for opening a new position based on the instrument traded, leverage, and trade size.

• Pip calculator: This tool helps traders to calculate the value of a pip for a given currency pair, allowing them to estimate their potential profits or losses on a trade.

• PNL for margin: The Profit and Loss calculator for margin is used to calculate the profit or loss of a trade based on the margin used. It takes into account the instrument traded, leverage, and trade size to provide an accurate estimate of the potential profit or loss on a trade.

Deposit & Withdrawal

Deriv offers various deposit and withdrawal methods for its clients, including bank wire transfers, credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies. The available payment options may vary depending on the client's country of residence.

For deposits, clients can use bank wire transfers, credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro), and e-wallets (Neteller, Skrill, FasaPay, Jeton, Perfect Money, and Qiwi). Deposits made via e-wallets and credit/debit cards are usually processed instantly, while bank wire transfers may take a few business days to reflect in the trading account.

For withdrawals, clients can use bank wire transfers, e-wallets (Neteller, Skrill, FasaPay, Jeton, Perfect Money, and Qiwi), and cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, and Litecoin). Withdrawals made via e-wallets and cryptocurrencies are usually processed within a few hours, while bank wire transfers may take up to 7 business days to reflect in the client's account.

It's important to note that some payment methods may have fees associated with them, and the processing time may also vary depending on the payment method and the client's country of residence. Deriv does not charge any fees for deposits and withdrawals, but clients may be subject to fees charged by the payment provider or the intermediary bank.

Customer Support

Deriv offers customer support through multiple channels, including live chat, email, and phone support. The customer support team is available 24/7 to assist traders with any questions or issues they may have. Additionally, Deriv has an extensive FAQ section on its website, which covers a wide range of topics, including account registration, deposits and withdrawals, trading platforms, and more.

One of the advantages of Deriv's customer support is its multilingual support team. The customer support team can assist traders in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese, and more. This allows traders from around the world to communicate effectively with the support team.

Another benefit of Deriv's customer support is its responsiveness. The live chat support team is typically available within seconds, and email and phone support requests are usually addressed within a few hours. Overall, Deriv's customer support is highly rated by traders, and the broker is committed to providing exceptional customer service.

However, one potential downside of Deriv's customer support is that it does not offer support through social media channels. Some traders may prefer to communicate through social media, and the lack of this option could be seen as a limitation.

Educational Resources

Deriv offers various educational resources to help traders improve their knowledge and skills. Some of the educational resources offered by Deriv include:

• Trading guides: Deriv provides detailed trading guides that cover various topics such as forex trading, digital options trading, and contracts for difference (CFDs).

• Video tutorials: The broker also offers video tutorials on its website that cover a wide range of topics such as how to use the trading platforms, technical analysis, and trading strategies.

• Webinars: Deriv conducts regular webinars that cover a variety of topics related to trading. These webinars are conducted by experienced traders and are designed to provide traders with valuable insights and tips.

• Economic calendar: Deriv provides an economic calendar that displays important upcoming economic events and their impact on the financial markets.

• Trading contests: The broker also conducts trading contests that provide traders with an opportunity to test their skills and win prizes.

Conclusion

Based on the information available, Deriv (FX) Ltd is a suspected fake clone broker. It is important for traders to be cautious when dealing with such brokers and to thoroughly research and verify the legitimacy of a broker before opening an account or depositing funds. It is always recommended to choose a regulated broker with a good reputation in the industry to ensure the safety of your investments.

FAQs

• Q: Is Deriv a regulated broker？

A: No, this Deriv is the trading name of Deriv (FX) Ltd, which is not regulated by any regulatory authority.

• Q: What trading instruments does Deriv offer？

  A: Deriv offers a range of trading instruments, including forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, stock indices, and synthetic indices.

• Q: What are synthetic indices on Deriv？

  A: Synthetic indices on Deriv are proprietary financial instruments that simulate real-world market movements using algorithms. They are available for trading 24/7, unlike regular market indices that have trading hours.

• Q: Does Deriv offer educational resources for traders？

  A: Yes, Deriv offers a range of educational resources such as video tutorials, trading guides, webinars, and market analysis to help traders improve their skills and knowledge.

• Q: Is customer support available on Deriv？

  A: Yes, Deriv offers customer support via live chat, email, and phone in multiple languages.