HFM vs JustMarkets: Which Broker Is Better?

HFM operates through a multi-entity structure that includes HF Markets (UK) Limited, authorised by the UK FCA under licence number 801701, and HF Markets (Europe) Ltd, regulated by CySEC under licence number 183/12. The group also has entities supervised by the DFSA in Dubai, the FSCA in South Africa and the FSA in Seychelles, allowing it to serve clients in different regions.

The entity accepting an HFM account depends on the client’s country of residence and the available services. As a result, leverage, products, negative-balance protection and complaint procedures may vary, and the group’s multiple licences do not automatically give international clients the protection available under the FCA or CySEC entities.

Before selecting an HFM account, traders should review the legal company name and licence number in the client agreement and identify the regulator responsible for complaints. This assessment is more important than the number of licences alone, especially when comparing account flexibility and trading conditions with the actual level of regulatory protection.

Regulated HFM entities hold eligible client funds in accounts separate from the company’s operating funds. Negative balance protection may also apply under the terms of the relevant account and legal entity, helping prevent eligible clients from remaining liable when exceptional market movements cause the trading-account balance to fall below zero.

Some clients registered under FCA or CySEC entities may qualify for statutory compensation schemes, but this protection does not automatically cover every HFM account worldwide. Client-money safeguards, compensation eligibility and complaint procedures may differ between the UK, Cyprus, Dubai, South Africa and Seychelles entities. Traders should confirm their legal company before depositing.

JustMarkets emphasizes client protection features such as segregated accounts and negative balance protection in its official materials. Its trust profile is practical, though the strength of safeguards still depends on the operating entity.

JustMarkets states that client funds are held separately from the company’s operating funds. Negative balance protection is also available under the conditions of the relevant account and legal entity, helping prevent eligible clients from being required to cover a negative balance caused by exceptional market movements.

The legal strength of these safeguards is not identical for every JustMarkets client. Client-money rules, investor compensation arrangements and complaint procedures may differ between the CySEC-regulated entity and international entities regulated in Seychelles, Mauritius or the British Virgin Islands. Traders should confirm the legal company responsible for their account before depositing.