Deriv and HFM square off over crypto CFD depth, regulation, and platform options. The tension centers on regulatory strength versus accessibility.
HFM edges Deriv on the editorial score thanks to stronger regulation and broader crypto CFD options. Deriv lags in regulatory depth.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
HFM is stronger on security due to FCA, CySEC, FSCA, and DFSA oversight.
HFM has the higher Fees & Spreads score, indicating lower relative costs.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $5 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | N/A | 6.00% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Deriv | HFM |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
HFM rates 3.9/5 versus 3.4/5 for Deriv. HFM edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
HFM lists a lower spread from 0, compared with Deriv's 0.5. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
HFM has no minimum deposit, while Deriv requires at least $5. This makes HFM more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
HFM holds top-tier regulation (DFSA, FCA, FSCA), providing stronger investor protections. Deriv may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
HFM stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Deriv offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus HFM's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
HFM charges $6 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Deriv are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
Deriv supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade, while HFM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5. Deriv has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile and DXtrade. HFM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4.
HFM scores better on fee criteria (no deposit fee, no inactivity fee). Always check both exchanges' current fee schedules, as maker/taker rates and withdrawal fees vary and are subject to change.
Equally matched for DeFi and Web3 capabilities.
| N/A |
| 0.6 pips |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSC BVI LFSA MFSA VFSC | DFSA FCA FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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