HFM vs Equiti: 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.

Equiti operates through several legal entities, including Equiti Capital UK Limited, authorised by the UK FCA under licence number 528328, and Equiti Global Markets Ltd, regulated by CySEC under licence number 415/22. The group also includes an entity supervised by the Jordan Securities Commission under number 50248 and an international entity regulated by the FSA in Seychelles, giving Equiti a clear presence in Europe and the Arab region.

The Jordanian entity may be especially relevant to traders in Jordan and nearby markets, while the FCA and CySEC entities provide recognised regulatory frameworks for eligible clients. Conditions at the Seychelles entity may differ, however, so Equiti’s licences should not be treated as identical in terms of investor protection.

When assessing Equiti, traders should confirm which legal company will hold the account and client funds, then match its licence number with the official register. This allows traders to understand whether they are dealing with the Jordanian, European or international entity and what regulatory rights apply.

Regulated Equiti entities protect eligible client funds by keeping them separate from the capital used to operate the company. Where required, client money is held with banking institutions under the rules applying to the legal entity responsible for the account. This segregation helps prevent client funds from being used for the broker’s daily operating expenses.

Segregation does not remove trading risk or guarantee that funds will be recovered in every situation. Client protection, complaint procedures and any additional safeguards may differ between the FCA, CySEC, JSC and international Seychelles entities. Traders should verify the legal company holding their funds before depositing.