HFM vs IC Markets Crypto Exchange Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of HFM and IC Markets across security, fees, coin selection, staking, and editorial scoring.
Score 3.9 / 5
HFM offers 50+ crypto CFDs across MT4, MT5, and HFcopy under CySEC and DFSA regulation - one of the wider crypto CFD selections among regulated forex brokers, with a strong social copy trading platform for digital asset strategies.
VS
Score 4.1 / 5
IC Markets offers crypto CFDs on 20+ pairs via MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView with ECN-adjacent execution and ASIC/CySEC regulation - a competitive regulated route to digital asset CFD exposure for active traders.
Our Verdict
IC Markets winsby 0.2 pts
IC Markets edges ahead with a score of 4.1/5 vs HFM's 3.9/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
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
Both exchanges show an equally strong security profile across cold storage, proof of reserves, and regulatory oversight.
Best for low fees
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both exchanges offer equivalent fee conditions — no deposit fee and no inactivity fee.
Best for beginners
Recommended
IC Markets edges out HFM with a higher editorial score (4.1/5 vs 3.9/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new crypto traders.
Best for coin selection
Insufficient data
Data not yet available
Coin-selection data is not yet available for this pair. Check each exchange's supported assets page to compare the number of tradeable cryptocurrencies.
Best for DeFi & Web3
Insufficient data
Data not yet available
DeFi and NFT feature data is not yet available for this pair. Check each exchange's Web3 product pages directly.
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 | $200 |
| Regulators | CySEC DFSA FCA FSCA | ASIC CySEC FSCA |
| 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 |
| Visit exchange | Visit HFM | Visit IC Markets |
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
- International entity (Seychelles FSA) is significantly less protective than CySEC
- Crypto spreads can widen substantially during volatile market conditions
- HFcopy strategy quality depends on available crypto-focused signal providers
Pros
- ECN-adjacent raw spreads on crypto CFDs - tighter than most retail market makers
- All four platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView) support crypto CFDs from one account
- ASIC and CySEC regulated with segregated client funds and negative balance protection
- No inactivity fee; 24/7 customer support across multiple channels
Cons
- CFDs only - no real crypto ownership, staking, or on-chain withdrawals
- Narrower coin selection (20+) than dedicated exchanges offering hundreds of tokens
- No DeFi access or NFT trading
- Not available to US residents
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
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4.1/5 vs 3.9/5 for HFM. The best choice still depends on your individual needs — security, coin selection, fees, and staking offerings all matter.
HFM and IC Markets show a similar security profile in our data. Both should be evaluated on cold storage practices, proof of reserves, regulatory oversight, and whether client funds are held separately from operational funds.
HFM and IC Markets appear similar on fee criteria in our data. Compare each exchange's trading fee schedule directly, as crypto fees vary by asset, volume tier, and payment method.
Neither HFM nor IC Markets is listed as offering staking in our data. Check each exchange's website directly for the most up-to-date staking offerings, as this feature changes frequently.
HFM has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes HFM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
For beginners: HFM has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum); IC Markets has a higher overall editorial score. Also consider each exchange's educational resources, customer support quality, and the simplicity of their user interface before deciding.
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