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 is dangerous, and you could potentially lose all of your investment funds. Not all investors and traders are suitable for it. Please understand that the information on this website is designed to serve as general guidance, and that you should be aware of the risks.

General Information

What is Yuanta Futures？

Yuanta Futures Co., Ltd is a Taiwan-based business that specializes in futures brokerage and proprietary trading. It was established in 2011. The company runs its businesses through futures brokerage, which includes domestic futures brokerage, domestic options brokerage, offshore futures brokerage, and offshore option brokerage services; proprietary business, which involves trading in securities, futures, and options, among other things; consultancy services, which include futures market analysis and advices, futures-related book publishing and seminars, as well as futures managing services, proprietary trading, and other businesses. TPEx has granted Yuanta Futures Co., Ltd authorization and regulation; nevertheless, the entire scope of its regulatory license has not been made public.

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

Yuanta Futures Alternative Brokers

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

• GF Futures - A highly regarded futures broker known for its comprehensive range of services and expertise, making it a reliable choice for clients seeking reliable futures brokerage solutions.

• HUISHANG FUTURES - A prominent futures broker that stands out for its strong research capabilities and customer-focused approach, making it a recommended option for investors seeking in-depth market analysis and personalized support.

• HUALIAN FUTURES - A well-established futures broker known for its robust technological infrastructure and user-friendly platforms, making it a recommended choice for clients looking for advanced trading tools and a seamless trading experience.

Is Yuanta Futures Safe or Scam？

Yuanta Futures operates under the regulation of TPEx (Taipei Exchange), which provides a level of oversight and compliance to their operations. However, it is important to note that there have been reports from users encountering difficulties with fund withdrawals and incidents related to potential scams associated with Yuanta Futures. These reports raise concerns and highlight the need for caution when considering Yuanta Futures as a trading option.

Products & Services

• Futures Introducing Broker (IB)

Yuanta Futures IB business has 21 clients, including Yuanta Securities, Taiwan Cooperative Securities, Kuanz Ho Securities, Taichung Bank Securities, Fenglong Securities, and others, as well as five clearing houses including Yuanta Securities, Optiver Taiwan, and Oriental Securities Corporation; additionally, with a convenient network of electronic channels (mobile phone app and internet platform), Yuanta Futures provides service without boundaries.

• FINI Department

The team at Yuanta Futures offers top-notch services to foreign institutional investors. These services include domestic agent services, manual order placement, a variety of quick and secure electronic order placement platforms, and tailored after-hours reports to fulfill the specific requirements of all of our FINI clients.

• Leverage Transaction Merchant

Yuanta Futures claims to offer clients and institutional investors a wide variety of profit and hedging channels because Yuanta Futures was the first to introduce foreign currency margin trading. The broker provide services in more than thirty foreign currencies, as well as program trading strategies, and on the basis of our advantages as a leading brand in options and long-term development of foreign exchange futures. In the future, Yuanta will work to gradually introduce the buying of Taiwan stock options, forward contracts, option contracts, exchange contracts, contracts for difference, and other related products, or combination contracts, like links to fixed income products, as the regulatory authorities continue to open the market.

Trading Platform

Yuanta Futures offers a flexible and convenient electronic operating platform - the cutting-edge Yuanta Futures Wizard app - providing consumers a fresh program trading experience. Yuanta Futures has Taiwan's strongest sales force and a wealth of professional expertise. Yuanta Futures has attempted to dispel the mystique and danger that previously surrounded the futures market and create a new age of riches and stability for its clients.

See the trading platform comparison table below:

User Exposure on WikiFX

On our website, you can see reports of unable to withdraw and scams. Traders are encouraged to carefully review the available information and consider the risks associated with trading on an unregulated platform. 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

The Yuanta Futures customer support can be reached through telephone: 886-2-23261000 / 0800-333-338, as well as Facebook and Line.

Address: 3F., No. 77, Sec. 2, Nanjing E. Rd., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City 104089 , Taiwan (R.O.C.).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the current situation surrounding Yuanta Futures raises significant concerns regarding the ability to withdraw funds associated with the company. While Yuanta Futures operates under the regulation of TPEx, the alleged difficulties in the withdrawal process have eroded trust and confidence among investors.

It is crucial for regulatory authorities to thoroughly investigate these reports and take appropriate actions to protect the interests of investors and uphold the integrity of the financial market. Addressing these concerns is paramount to restoring trust in Yuanta Futures as a reliable financial institution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the regulatory authority overseeing Yuanta Futures' operations？

A1: Yuanta Futures is regulated by TPEx (Taiwan Stock Exchange).

Q2: How can customers contact Yuanta Futures' customer support？

A2: Customers can reach Yuanta Futures' customer support through telephone at 886-2-23261000 / 0800-333-338. They can also contact customer support through Facebook and Line.

Q3: What is the electronic operating platform provided by Yuanta Futures？

A3: Yuanta Futures offers the Yuanta Futures Wizard app, which is a flexible and convenient electronic operating platform designed to enhance the trading experience for users.