HFMvs
IC MarketsCrypto Exchange Comparison
Two regulated crypto CFD brokers face off on platform breadth, regulation scope, and asset depth, creating anticipation for the verdict.
Our Verdict
IC Markets winsby 0.2 pts
HFM and IC Markets are closely matched overall, with the clearest differentiator being HFM's broader crypto CFD selection (50 vs 20).
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1HFM lists 50+ crypto CFDs; IC Markets lists 20+.
- 2IC Markets offers 24/7 live chat; HFM lacks this.
- 3IC Markets has transparent pricing; HFM does not.
Who should choose HFM vs IC Markets?
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose HFM if…
Choose HFM if you want 50+ crypto CFDs and HFcopy within the same account.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want 24/7 live chat and multi-platform access (MT4/MT5/cTrader/TradingView) from one account.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Best for security
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
HFM wins for security, regulated by FCA, CySEC, FSCA, and DFSA.
Best for low fees
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
IC Markets wins for low fees with ECN-adjacent crypto spreads.
HFM vs IC Markets: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  HFM |  IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $200 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Taker Fee | 6.00%▼ lower | 7.00% |
HFM vs IC Markets Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
Pros
- 50+ crypto CFDs, one of the wider selections among regulated multi-asset brokers
- HFcopy enables copy trading of dedicated crypto strategies within the same account
- CySEC and DFSA regulated with Islamic (swap-free) account options for crypto
- No minimum deposit; multilingual 24/5 customer support
Cons
- CFDs only, no real crypto ownership, staking, or on-chain access
HFM vs IC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
0
HFM
criteria wins
2
IC Markets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | HFM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
HFM vs IC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: HFM rates 3.9/5 and IC Markets rates 4.1/5. IC Markets has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Both HFM and IC Markets 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 IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes HFM more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both HFM and IC Markets hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: HFM has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
HFM offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus IC Markets'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 IC Markets's $7 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.
HFM supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and TradingView.
