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.

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 contained in this article is for general information purposes only.

General Information

What is Hirose Financial？

Hirose Financial UK is a FCA regulated Forex trading company offering multiple trading solutions to the FX community basing in the UK. It is founded in 2010, a subsidiary of Hirose Tusyo of Japan. The broker provides online trading services for the foreign exchange market, allowing clients to trade various currency pairs. They offer both major and minor currency pairs, as well as exotic currency pairs.

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. At the end of the article, we will also briefly make a conclusion so that you can understand the broker's characteristics at a glance.

Pros & Cons

Hirose Financial Alternative Brokers

There are many alternative brokers to Hirose Financial depending on the specific needs and preferences of the trader. Some popular options include:

• IC Markets - A popular and reputable Forex and CFD broker with competitive pricing and advanced trading platforms.

• Pepperstone- An award-winning Forex and CFD broker with low fees, fast execution speeds, and multiple trading platforms.

• OANDA- A trusted global Forex and CFD broker with an easy-to-use trading platform, competitive pricing, and excellent customer service.

Ultimately, the best broker for an individual trader will depend on their specific trading style, preferences, and needs.

Is Hirose Financial Safe or Scam？

Based on the information available, Hirose Financial is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which makes it appears to be a reliable and reputable online broker. But it is important to note that experience alone does not guarantee the legitimacy or security of a brokerage firm. Exposure of withdrawal and fraud issues are red flags that should not be ignored as well.

Anyway, as with any investment, there is always some level of risk involved, and it is important for traders to do their own research and carefully consider their options before investing.

Market Instruments

Hirose Financial UK offers a large range of Forex instruments for traders, with a wide selection of over 46 currency pairs to trade.

Forex trading involves the buying and selling of different currencies in pairs, with the aim of profiting from the fluctuations in their exchange rates. Traders can engage in trading major currency pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, as well as minor and exotic currency pairs through Hirose Financial.

Accounts

Demo Account: Hirose Financial provides a free demo account that allows you to try out the financial markets without the risk of losing money.

Live Account: Hirose Financial offers the advantage of no minimum deposit requirement to open a live account, allowing traders to start trading without any specific financial commitment while deposit requirements vary depending on the chosen deposit method.

Leverage

When it comes to leverage, Hirose Financial enables its clients to use the maximum trading leverage up to 1:30. Leverage is a mechanism that allows traders to control larger positions in the market with a smaller amount of capital. With a leverage ratio of 1:30, traders can potentially amplify their trading positions by up to 30 times their invested capital. This means that for every $1 of capital, traders can have exposure to $30 worth of assets in the market.

While leverage can magnify potential profits, it's important to note that it also increases the risk of losses. Higher leverage ratios come with increased market exposure and the possibility of larger losses if the trades move against the trader's expectations. Therefore, it's crucial for traders to use leverage judiciously and implement appropriate risk management strategies to protect their capital.

Hirose Financial's provision of leverage up to 1:30 may be suitable for traders who are comfortable with a certain level of risk and have a thorough understanding of the potential implications of trading with leverage. It's important for traders, especially beginners, to educate themselves about leverage, its risks, and how to use it responsibly before engaging in leveraged trading.

Spreads & Commissions

Hirose Financial offers competitive spreads on its trading platforms. For the LION Trader (ActTrader) platform, traders can benefit from spreads starting from as low as 0.7 pips. This means that the difference between the buying and selling prices of currency pairs or other instruments can be as minimal as 0.7 pips, offering potentially tighter pricing for traders.

On the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform, Hirose Financial provides spreads starting from 1.9 pips. While slightly higher than the LION Trader platform, it still offers competitive pricing for traders using MT4. Both platforms aim to offer traders access to tight spreads, allowing for more cost-effective trading.

It's worth noting that Hirose Financial does not charge commissions on trades. This indicate that traders can execute their trades without incurring additional fees beyond the spread. This fee structure can be beneficial for traders, as it allows for more transparent and predictable transaction costs.

Below is a comparison table about spreads and commissions charged by different brokers:

Please keep in mind that spread values can vary depending on market conditions, account type, and other factors. Commission structures may also differ based on the broker's pricing model and the type of account being used. It's important to review the official websites or contact the brokers directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information on spreads and commissions.

Trading Platforms

Hirose Financial UK offers its clients the flexibility to trade on multiple devices through their supported platforms. Traders can access the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform on various devices, including PC, iPad, iPhone, and Android devices. This allows for seamless trading experiences across different operating systems and devices, catering to the diverse needs of traders.

Additionally, Hirose Financial provides the Lion Trader platform, which is available on PC, iPhone, iPad and Android devices. The Lion Trader platform offers a user-friendly interface and features specifically designed to enhance the trading experience. Traders can conveniently access their trading accounts, monitor market movements, execute trades, and manage their positions from their preferred devices.

Overall, Hirose Financial's trading platforms are well-designed, user-friendly, and offer a range of advanced features suitable for both beginner and experienced traders. See the trading platform comparison table below:

Deposits & Withdrawals

Hirose Financial offers convenient options for depositing and withdrawing funds.

Deposits: Traders can make deposits using Neteller, a popular electronic payment method, or through wire transfers. Additionally, Hirose Financial allows for account balance transfers between accounts without any extra fees.

Withdrawals: When it comes to withdrawals, traders have the choice of using Neteller, local wire transfer, or international wire transfer. Neteller offers a seamless and quick withdrawal process. Local wire transfers are available for withdrawals in GBP, EUR, and USD, with specific handling fees applicable. For international wire transfers, fees vary based on the currency, and additional fees may apply when funds are returned to the beneficiary bank.

Fees

There are no extra fees when making deposit within Hirose Financial, while for withdrawals, theres different thresholds and handling fees:

Neteller: with Neteller withdrawals, there are no fees involved, and the minimum withdrawal amount is 20 GBP, 20 USD, or 20 EUR, maximum withdrawal limit is 5,000 USD per transaction.

Local wire transfers: Clients can expect a fee of £6.00 for GBP, £8.50 for EUR, and £8.50 for USD, along with a minimum withdrawal amount of 20 GBP, 20 USD, or 20 EUR by this method.

International wire transfers: there will be £5.00 for EUR and £8.50 for USD and GBP via this method, with a minimum withdrawal amount of 50 GBP, 50 USD, or 50 EUR.

It's important to note that additional fees may apply for certain transactions, such as when returning international wire transfers to the beneficiary bank. Clients should consult their own banks for specific details regarding any additional fees.

User Exposure on WikiFX

On our website, you can see that a report of unable to withdraw. Traders are encouraged to carefully review the available information. You can check our platform for information before trading. If you find such fraudulent brokers or have been a victim of one, please let us know in the Exposure section, we would appreciate it and our team of experts will do everything possible to solve the problem for you.

Customer Service

Hirose Financial provides multiple customer service options to assist its clients. Customers can reach out to Hirose Financial through various channels to address their queries and concerns as below:

Phone: +44 (0)20 3089 3880

Customer support email: info@hiroseuk.com.

Additionally, Hirose Financial offers a Contact Us form on their website. Customers can fill out this form with their queries, providing details about their specific needs or concerns.

Live chat support is also available for immediate assistance.

Additionally, Hirose Financial offers screen sharing functionality through Skype.

Besides of this, you can also get in touch with this broker on some social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube while their FAQ section is a valuable resource for finding quick answers to common queries as well.

Overall, Hirose Financial's customer service is considered reliable and responsive, with various options available for traders to seek assistance.

Note: These pros and cons are subjective and may vary depending on the individual's experience with Hirose Financial's customer service.

Education

Hirose Financial offers a comprehensive educational package to support traders in their journey.

The educational resources include a forex guide, trading manual, and glossary, providing valuable insights and knowledge about the foreign exchange market. These resources aim to enhance traders' understanding of forex trading concepts, strategies, and terminology.

In addition to the foundational materials, Hirose Financial also offers educational resources on technical analysis and economic indicators. Technical analysis equips traders with tools and techniques to analyze price charts, identify trends, and make informed trading decisions. Economic indicators provide valuable information about the overall economic health which can impact currency markets. By understanding and interpreting these indicators, traders can better anticipate market movements and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Whether traders are beginners or experienced, these educational materials can serve as valuable references to improve their trading abilities and make more informed decisions in the forex market.

Conclusion

According to available information, Hirose Financial is a regulated UK-based brokerage firm. While the firm has significant experience in the industry and offers a professional Forex trading and receives a lot of good reviews from their clients, it is important to consider certain factors such as reports of unable to withdraw that may raise concerns. It is critical that potential clients exercise caution, conduct thorough research and seek up-to-date information directly from Hirose Financial before making any investment decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)