In the rapidly evolving world of online trading, Hantec Markets has emerged as a prominent CFD broker, offering a wide range of trading instruments and services.
Hantec Markets is available in numerous regions, including Europe, India, Brazil, Colombia, and beyond. Furthermore, its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange mandates the public disclosure of its financials, reinforcing its credibility. The broker is also under the regulation of top-tier authorities such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), ensuring stringent oversight.
Currently, Hantec Markets is unavailable in the US. Therefore, this review is not applicable to US residents, who might consider alternatives like Interactive Brokers for their trading needs.
That’s Hantec Markets in a nutshell. To delve deeper into our research team’s findings on Hantec Markets and gain further insights, continue reading.
Overview
The Hantec Group, established in Hong Kong in 1990, has grown to become a prominent CFD broker with a mission to offer multinational brokerage services. It was publicly listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2000, and the inauguration of its London branch in 2010 marked the start of a rapid expansion phase.
In 2020, Hantec Group restructured into two divisions to better serve global markets:
- The Western Division, based in London: It is regulated by the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius.
- The Eastern Division, headquartered in Hong Kong: This division benefits from regulations by Australia’s ASIC, New Zealand’s FMA, Japan’s FSA, and Hong Kong’s CGSE.
The broker is known for its user-friendly platforms, particularly MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). One of the standout features of Hantec Markets is the Multi Account Manager (MAM) platform, which is ideal for professional traders or regulated asset managers. It allows for managing multiple MetaTrader accounts from a single interface, ensuring a fast, stable, and liquid trading environment.
Hantec offers prime institutional services as well as retail services, offered through two main account types:
- Cent account: geared towards new traders with a low minimum deposit requirement,
- Standard account: offering more features, like access to copy trading, lower spreads and more asset classes.
Pricing at Hantec Markets is competitive, featuring low spreads starting at 0.1 pips for some currency pairs. The broker’s fee structure is transparent, eliminating deposit charges, though withdrawal commissions may apply based on the trader’s activity level. Trades do not incur any commissions except on indices. They charge swap fees on positions held overnight and a currency conversion fee of 0.6% if your deposit currency differs from the account currency.
Hantec supports various funding methods, including credit/debit cards and e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller.
While they accept clients worldwide, Hantec Markets’ services are not accessible in some regions, including the US, Belgium, and Russia. Additionally, those new to trading may find the educational resources at Hantec Markets somewhat limited compared to those at other brokers.
Highlights
| 🌎 Supported countries | Worldwide – Exceptions include the US, Belgium, Russia, and a few other countries |
| 💰 CFDs fees | Low |
| 💵 Currency conversion fee | Up to 0.6% |
| 💰 Inactivity fee | $5 after 6 months of inactivity |
| 💰 Withdrawal fee | Depends on trading activity |
| 💸 Minimum deposit | $10 for cent account; $100 for standard account |
| 📍 Products offered | CFDs |
| 🎮 Demo account | Yes (Standard account only) |
| 📜 Regulatory entities | FCA, FSC, ASIC, FMA, CGSE |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Low spreads
- Cent Account, ideal for beginners
- Demo Account (Standard account only)
- Top-tier regulators
- Copy trading
Cons
- Inactivity fee ($5 per month after 6 months of inactivity)
- Commission on withdrawal depending on activity
- Limited offering, no CFD on cryptocurrencies or ETFs
- Limited education section
- No bank wire transfer deposit option
Account opening
Opening an account with Hantec Markets is quick, requiring just an email and password. Upon registration, you’ll gain immediate access to a demo account on their platform, allowing you to explore its features.
You’ll receive an email containing your username, password, and instructions for using the MetaTrader4 (MT4) or MetaTrader5 (MT5) trading platforms.
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the demo account and are ready to proceed with a real account at Hantec Markets, you must provide proof of identity (passport, driver’s license, ID card, or residency permit) and proof of address dated within 3 months.
Accounts can be set up in several currencies, with options including USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, NGN, and AUD for deposits. Various deposit methods are offered, such as credit or debit cards, Skrill, Neteller, and China UnionPay.
However, it’s important to note that bank transfers are not accepted. Moreover, the minimum required deposit varies by account type: for a cent account, it’s set at $10, and for a standard account, the requirement is $100.
Trading platform
Hantec Markets offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), both distinguished for their advanced charting tools, vast selection of technical indicators, and comprehensive account management features. MT5 further enriches the trading experience with additional timeframes, order types, and an integrated economic calendar, catering to the needs of both beginner and experienced traders seeking depth in market analysis and flexibility in trading strategies.
Multi Account Manager (MAM) platform
The Multi Account Manager (MAM) platform at Hantec Markets is designed for professional traders or regulated asset managers, enabling efficient management of multiple MetaTrader accounts through a single interface. This tool simplifies operations for professionals handling numerous accounts, offering a streamlined approach to executing trades, managing risk, and optimizing strategies across different accounts.
Trading Central
Hantec Markets offers access to Trading Central, a comprehensive platform for investment decision support, including fundamental, technical, sentiment, and economic analysis. It provides 24/7 multi-asset coverage, strategies based on backtesting, and educational resources. Key features include detailed technical analysis, customizable trading ideas, economic insights, and real-time news sentiment analysis to improve trading strategies and market comprehension. They also offer tools to aid in planning your trading strategies, including a margin calculator, a pip/point value calculator, a swaps calculator, and a currency converter.
Products and markets
Hantec Markets specializes in Contracts for Difference (CFD) trading across various products and markets. Unlike traditional trading, where traders own the asset, CFD trading allows traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset. They profit through the spreads, the difference between the buy price and the sell price. To know more about the difference between CFD trading and shares trading, further insights and detailed comparisons are available in our article: CFDs vs Shares: Understand the Differences.
Hantec Markets’ trading options include:
- Forex Trading: It offers access to an extensive selection of more than 130 currency pairs.
- Commodities: This includes trading in precious metals like gold, silver, and oil, as well as other commodities.
- Shares: They give you access to trade over 1,800 instruments on the US market.
- Indices: Hantec Markets allows traders to engage with major indices across Europe, Asia, Australia, and the US.
Although Hantec Markets provides various options for trading across different asset classes, its portfolio has certain limitations. Notably, they do not offer trading in cryptocurrencies, ETFs, or international stocks.
Leverage options depend on your geographical location, offering up to 500 for standard accounts and up to 1,000 for Cent accounts. It’s crucial to remember that while higher leverage can potentially boost profits, it significantly increases the risk of incurring larger losses.
Additionally, Hantec Markets offers the Hantec FIX API service, which delivers high-speed connectivity and direct access to interbank pricing networks. This service is particularly advantageous for those employing automated strategies or scalping systems that demand tight spreads and rapid execution speeds.
Fees
Hantec Markets charges various trading and non-trading fees. Here’s an overview based on the gathered information:
Account opening and maintenance
Opening an account with Hantec Markets is free, and there are no charges for holding money in your account. Still, you may be charged $5 monthly after 6 months of inactivity.
Currency conversion fee
A notable fee to consider is the currency conversion fee, set at 0.6%. This fee applies when the base currency of your trading account differs from the deposit currency. Ideally, you should make deposits in the same currency as your account’s base currency to avoid this fee.
Trading costs
The primary trading costs with Hantec Markets are the spreads and commissions in certain CFD markets. The spreads are variable and competitive, with spreads beginning at 0.1 pips, offering an attractive rate relative to the industry standard. For Forex and CFD share trading, there are no commissions, but trading indices incur a commission fee for each trade.
Swap fees, also known as overnight fees, are charged for positions held open overnight. These are standard in the industry and vary according to the financial instrument and market conditions. For traders adhering to Islamic finance principles, Hantec Markets offers an Islamic Account option that is swap-free.
Detailed information about these trading fees, along with specific trading conditions for each asset class, is transparently provided on their website, allowing you to review them before initiating a trade.
Withdrawal fees
While Hantec Markets does not impose any commission on deposits, they may apply a withdrawal fee. Upon inquiry, their customer support indicated that this fee is subject to the trading activity of each trader but did not provide a definitive formula or table for estimating these charges. This lack of clear information is somewhat unexpected, especially considering the broker’s otherwise transparent disclosure of fees and trading conditions on their website.
Supported countries
Hantec Markets operates globally, with offices in 10 countries, including the UK, Australia, and Hong Kong, among others, welcoming clients from across the globe.
However, due to regulatory restrictions, certain countries are excluded from their client list, notably the United States, Belgium, Russia, and Iran, among a few others. To determine if your country is eligible for account opening, you can easily check the available options by reviewing the country selection list on the account opening page.
Regulation
The Hantec Group started in Hong Kong in 1990 and got listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2000. Hence, it should comply with stringent regulatory standards and demonstrate a commitment to transparency through regular audits.
In a strategic move to enhance its offerings and better cater to its global clientele, the Hantec Group underwent a pivotal restructuring in 2020, splitting its operations into two specialized divisions.
- The Western Division, strategically positioned in London, operates under the stringent regulatory frameworks of the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius.
- The Eastern Division, with its headquarters in Hong Kong, is regulated by several top-tier authorities, including Australia’s ASIC, New Zealand’s FMA, Japan’s FSA, and Hong Kong’s CGSE.
Investors should be aware that the level of protection offered by different financial schemes varies depending on the country. In the UK, for instance, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) offers coverage up to £85,000 per account, providing a significant safety net for investors. On the other hand, those investing under Mauritius law might not receive the same level of protection, as they are subject to the specific regulations and safeguards established by Mauritius legislation.
Following the CFD trading regulation of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), Hantec Markets included a negative balance protection policy for all its clients. This protection is available to all retail clients, including those residing outside the European Union. For instance, any negative balances in trading accounts are reset to zero at no extra charge to the client.
The policy also protects trading account balances from losses beyond the net deposited funds, offering coverage up to USD 10,000. However, it’s important to note that this protection does not extend to clients who have opted for a professional account status.
User reviews
Hantec Markets enjoys a positive reputation on Trustpilot, boasting an impressive rating of 4.4 out of 242 total reviews. A majority of 69% of reviewers awarded the company 5 stars, highlighting its reliability, efficient customer support, and user-friendly trading platforms.
While the feedback is overwhelmingly positive, showcasing Hantec Markets as a broker that offers great customer service, fast and secure transactions, and a supportive environment for traders, there are instances of criticism.
A small percentage of reviews reflect challenges with server errors and promotions, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and reliable technical infrastructure.
Bottom line
Hantec Markets distinguishes itself in the CFD trading industry as a reputable and well-regulated broker, catering to a wide variety of traders with its comprehensive service offerings. It stands out for those searching for a CFD Forex broker that provides competitive spreads and various leverage options adaptable to different global regions. Although they do not charge any deposit fees, their withdrawal fee structure is not fully disclosed, so you should carefully examine it to make sure it aligns with your trading strategy and budget.
For traders with a focus on direct share investments, it may be worthwhile to explore other platforms like Interactive Brokers, known for their extensive market access. Similarly, those seeking a broader international CFD selection might find IG Markets more aligned with their needs, offering a wide range of global markets and products.
This concludes our analysis of Hantec Markets, aimed at providing insights into the broker’s offerings. As with selecting any trading platform, it’s crucial to thoroughly investigate and align the broker’s offerings with your individual trading strategies and goals.
