Regulators
CySEC, FCA, FSCA, DFSA, FSA Seychelles, FSC Mauritius, CMA Kenya
Min. deposit
$5
Spread from
0.0 pips (Zero account)
Max. leverage
Up to 1:30 (EU retail) / 1:2000 (offshore)
Platforms
MT4, MT5, HF App
Founded
2010 · Limassol, Cyprus
HF Markets review summary
HF Markets (rebranded from HotForex in 2022) is a Cyprus-headquartered broker founded in 2010 with one of the strongest MENA + Africa retail footprints of any tier-1 regulated broker. Its seven-regulator structure includes the DFSA (Dubai), FSCA (South Africa), CMA (Kenya), plus EU (CySEC) and UK (FCA) coverage.
The standout product is the Zero account: spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD with $6/lot commission (round-turn) — competitive with IC Markets and Pepperstone for ECN-style execution. Combined with the $5 minimum deposit on the Premium account, HF Markets is unusually accessible for an institutionally-regulated broker.
For Arabic-speaking MENA traders, HF Markets offers a fully localised Arabic platform, Arabic customer support, Islamic accounts by default, and local payment methods (Knet Kuwait, mada Saudi Arabia, fawry Egypt). This is a stronger MENA setup than most Cyprus-based competitors.
Account types
| Account | Min. deposit | Spreads | Commission |
|---|
| Cent | $5 | From 1.2 pips | None |
| Premium | $5 | From 1.2 pips | None |
| Zero | $200 | From 0.0 pips | $6/lot round-turn |
| Pro | $100 | From 0.5 pips | None |
Regulation
- HF Markets (Europe) Ltd — CySEC 183/12 (EU)
- HF Markets (UK) Ltd — FCA 801701
- HF Markets SA (Pty) Ltd — FSCA 46632
- HF Markets (Dubai) Ltd — DFSA F004885 (UAE)
- HF Markets (SV) Ltd — FSA Seychelles SD015
- HF Markets Kenya Ltd — CMA 155
Bottom line
HF Markets scores 4.4/5. The clear choice for MENA + African retail traders who want a multi-regulated broker with Arabic platforms, low deposit thresholds, and competitive ECN spreads via the Zero account.
HF Markets — Frequently Asked Questions
Is HF Markets regulated and safe?
HF Markets is regulated by CySEC, FCA, FSCA, DFSA, FSA Seychelles, FSC Mauritius, CMA Kenya. Client funds are held in segregated accounts at tier-1 banks and the broker operates under active financial-services licenses. Verify each license number on the regulator's official website before opening an account.
What is the minimum deposit at HF Markets?
The minimum deposit at HF Markets is $5. Most account types accept this minimum; premium tiers may require higher deposits — see the account-types table above.
What are the typical spreads at HF Markets?
Spreads at HF Markets start from 0.0 pips (Zero account). Actual spreads vary by account type, instrument, time of day, and market volatility. Raw/ECN accounts add a per-lot commission on top of the tighter spread.
What trading platforms does HF Markets offer?
HF Markets supports: MT4, MT5, HF App. MT4 / MT5 are the industry standards; cTrader is preferred for ECN execution; proprietary platforms offer broker-specific tools but less third-party compatibility.
What is the maximum leverage at HF Markets?
Maximum leverage at HF Markets: Up to 1:30 (EU retail) / 1:2000 (offshore). EU retail clients are capped at 1:30 by ESMA rules regardless of broker policy. Professional clients and offshore-entity clients can access higher leverage subject to qualification.
Who is HF Markets best suited for?
MENA + Africa retail traders wanting a low-deposit, multi-regulated broker with Islamic accounts and Arabic support.