Two brokers compete on crypto exposure and execution style: HFM offers regulated CFDs with social copy trading, while Phemex runs a native exchange with broad coins and low-cost pricing.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose HFM if you value regulated oversight and client funds protection.
Choose if…
Choose Phemex if you want a broad coin universe and transparent pricing.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | N/A |
| Taker Fee | 6.00% | 0.10%▼ lower |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | HFM | Phemex |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Pass |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Fail |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Pass |
| 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 | Fail |
HFM and Phemex share the same editorial score of 3.9/5. One concrete differentiator: HFM holds top-tier regulatory status.
HFM lists a spread from 0. Current spread data is not available for Phemex. Check both exchanges' full fee schedules, including maker/taker rates, for up-to-date pricing.
Neither HFM nor Phemex requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
HFM holds top-tier regulation (CySEC, FCA, FSCA), providing stronger investor protections. Phemex 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.
For beginners, HFM provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchange's site before deciding.
HFM offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Phemex's 100:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Phemex charges $0.1 per trade, lower than HFM's $6 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 Phemex supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. HFM has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Phemex has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Phemex offers staking while HFM does not according to our data. Staking lets you earn passive yield on your crypto holdings directly through the exchange. Check Phemex's supported coins, lock-up terms, and estimated yields before committing.
HFM is regulated and offers client funds segregation and compensation schemes.
Phemex offers zero maker fees on spot trading with transparent pricing.
HFM provides regulation and no minimum deposit plus multilingual support for beginner traders.
Phemex offers staking and yield-earning options while HFM does not, making Phemex the better choice for holders who want to earn passive income on their crypto.
equally matched
| 0.6 pips |
| N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | CryptoCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPay | Crypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Network fee only |
|---|
| Regulators | CySEC FCA FSCA DFSA | — |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | Yes |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | Yes |
|---|
| Staking | No | Yes |
|---|
| 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 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
HFM and Phemex are closely matched overall. The clearest differentiator is regulation and security; HFM is licensed with segregated funds, while Phemex lacks regulatory licensing.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
Score 3.9 / 5
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