Two CFD brokers square off over crypto offerings, leverage, and regulatory umbrellas. The tension centers on security and asset breadth, leaving readers weighing safety against access.
HFM edges FBS on regulatory oversight and protections, reflected in a higher editorial score. FBS offers a $1 minimum deposit, while HFM requires $0, signaling different entry barriers.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
HFM wins for security due to top-tier regulators and compensation schemes.
Equally matched.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $1 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Taker Fee | 20.00% | 6.00%▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FBS | 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 | Pass | Pass |
HFM rates 3.9/5 versus 3.4/5 for FBS. HFM edges ahead on our composite score, though both exchanges meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Both FBS and HFM list the same spread figure of 0. Compare each exchange's full fee schedule, including maker/taker rates and any volume discounts, to evaluate total trading costs.
HFM has no minimum deposit, while FBS requires at least $1. This makes HFM more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
HFM holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, DFSA), providing stronger investor protections. FBS 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.
FBS 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, lower than FBS's $20 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. 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.
FBS supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while HFM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and 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.
| 2 pips |
| 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayPerfect Money | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSCA CySEC IFSC | FCA FSCA DFSA 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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