Hantec Markets has a 4.8 out of 5 Trustpilot rating from 483 reviews, yet 58% of retail CFD accounts lose money with this broker. Our comprehensive review will reveal the true story behind their fees and costs.

The company started in 1990 and now operates in twelve countries. They have established themselves as a major player under the oversight of three key regulators - the FCA, ASIC, and FSC. Their $1 per lot commission and competitive spreads that start from 0.5 for EUR/USD look attractive, but traders need to understand the complete fee structure.

This review breaks down all their costs - from the rates they advertise to the fees they don't prominently display. You'll learn everything needed to decide if this broker meets your trading needs.

Hantec Markets Overview: Company Background and Regulation

History of Hantec Markets Since 1990

Tang Yu Lap started the Hantec Group in Hong Kong in 1990 with a clear goal to build a multinational financial broker. The company first focused on the Asian market and reached a milestone in 1993 when it became one of the first companies to get a license from Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission for leveraged forex trading. The 1990s saw steady growth as the company opened offices in New Zealand and Taiwan by 1998.

The year 2000 marked a turning point when Hantec listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, which confirmed its position as a major financial player. The brand "Hantec Markets" came to life in Sydney, Australia in 2008, and soon after, its main office opened in London in 2010. Bashir Nurmohamed set up the London entity, Hantec Markets Limited, with support from Tang Yu Lap.

Current Regulatory Status: FCA, ASIC, and FSC Oversight

Hantec Markets now operates under several regulatory frameworks that protect clients across different regions:

• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK (License no. 502635)
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) (License no. 326907)
• Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius

The broker also has licenses from the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) and the Financial Services Authority Seychelles (FSA). UK clients get protection under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, which covers up to £85,000 per person. Client funds stay separate from the company's operational accounts—a key safety measure required by top-tier regulators.

Global Presence and Market Position

Hantec Markets has grown over the last 30 years and now has offices in 19 countries. The company split into Eastern and Western divisions in 2020, with headquarters in Hong Kong and London. The Eastern division serves Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong markets, while the Western division helps clients through its UK and Mauritius regulations.

The broker lets clients trade various assets including forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. Its institutional branch, Hantec Prime, offers custom liquidity solutions and multi-asset market coverage for professional traders. The company has earned several industry awards, including "Most Transparent Broker Global" and "Best Broker Asia" at the Global Forex Awards.

Standard Fee Structure What Hantec Markets Advertises

Hantec Markets brands itself as an affordable broker. Their official website makes it clear that traders only need to think over "the spread, and/or a commission if you choose to trade specific CFD markets". This simple fee approach stands at the core of their marketing strategy.

Trading Commission Rates Across Account Types

The broker's account types come with different fee structures. Their Global account runs commission-free with typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.5 pips. The Pro account gives you tighter spreads (around 0.1 pips for EUR/USD) but has a commission of 3.50 per lot. High-volume traders should note that this commission-spread mix can substantially affect their overall trading costs.

Spread Comparison: Hantec Markets vs. Competitors

Hantec Markets' spreads stack up well against other industry players. Their S&P 500 CFD spread sits at 0.3, beating Oanda (0.7), IG (0.4), and eToro (0.9). The Euro Stoxx 50 CFDs tell a similar story, with Hantec Markets charging 1.2 - better than Oanda (3.0), IG (1.5), and Forex.com (1.9). Their EUR/USD spread starts at 0.2 pips, though some competitors offer zero-spread options that are hard to match.

Deposit and Withdrawal Fees

Trading with Hantec Markets comes with a bonus - free deposits and withdrawals. Their guidelines show all deposit methods cost nothing, whether you use wire transfers, credit/debit cards, BPAY, Skrill, or Neteller. The same goes for withdrawals, which usually take 2-5 working days to process. You'll need at least $50 to make a withdrawal.

Account Maintenance Costs

While opening and maintaining an account costs nothing, traders should watch out for extra fees:

• A 0.6% currency conversion fee added to the settlement exchange rate
• Overnight financing charges (swap rates) for positions kept past trading hours

Day traders can dodge some of these costs, but swing and position traders need to add them to their expense calculations. Hantec Markets keeps its fee structure transparent and affordable compared to many other brokers in the industry.

Hidden Costs Revealed: The Fine Print Analysis

Hantec Markets advertises their fees openly, but their terms and conditions hide several costs. These hidden charges can affect your trading profits a lot if you don't know about them.

The $5 Monthly Inactivity Fee After 6 Months

Hantec Markets claims to have a simple fee structure, yet they charge a monthly inactivity fee of $/£/€5 after six months without any trading. Your account needs deposits, withdrawals, open trades, or any activity to avoid this charge. The fee stays low compared to other brokers, but it adds up for accounts that remain unused.

Overnight Financing Charges (Swaps)

Hantec calls these "Swap" charges - you pay them when positions stay open overnight. The rates change based on:

• Your trade size
• Your position type (long or short)
• What you're trading

Long positions mean you borrow money to buy assets, so you pay financing rates. Short positions might earn you financing rates, unless the measured interest rate falls below the broker's overnight fee. These costs add up - the longer you keep a position, the more you pay in financing.

Currency Conversion Costs When Trading Non-Base Currency Pairs

A 0.6% currency conversion fee applies to trades involving multiple currencies at Hantec Markets. They add this fee to the market rate when settling trades. Trading GBP to USD means they multiply the exchange rate by 1.006 before converting.

Hantec Markets only offers USD trading accounts. Traders who use other currencies must pay conversion fees on deposits and withdrawals, which can eat into their profits.

Platform Fees and Data Subscriptions

Hantec Markets doesn't charge extra for platforms or data subscriptions. Traders should watch out for other costs in their terms, such as margin deposit requirements and liquidity protection rules that could change trading conditions.

Hantec Markets Trading Information 2025

Real Trading Costs: Practical Scenarios Calculated

The true trading costs at Hantec Markets go beyond their advertised rates. Let me break down the expenses you might face with different trading styles.

Day Trader Cost Analysis (20 trades per day)

Day traders who execute about 20 trades daily can benefit from several Hantec Markets' features. Their execution speed hits around 58 milliseconds, which beats the industry standard of 60 milliseconds. Day traders don't hold positions overnight, so they skip the financing charges that come with longer-term strategies.

The Standard account gives day traders:

• Zero commission trading across asset classes
• No deposit or withdrawal fees
• S&P 500 CFD spread costs of about 0.3 points during peak hours
• EUR/USD spread averaging 0.5 pips during active market periods

Swing Trader Expenses (5-10 trades per week)

Swing traders who target 5-10% weekly gains face extra costs at Hantec. The overnight financing charges kick in when positions stay open beyond the trading day. These swap rates change based on:

• Trade size
• Direction (long/short)
• The traded instruments' underlying interest rates

Long positions usually cost 0.1% to 0.5% per day in overnight financing. Traders also pay a 0.6% currency conversion fee when trading non-base currency pairs.

Long-term Position Holder Costs

Position traders who hold long-term face the highest total expenses. Hantec's documentation shows that financing rates compound over time—your total costs grow the longer you hold a position. Your account gets charged a $/£/€5 monthly fee after six months without activity.

Buy-and-hold strategies can expose you to big price swings, so you need patience. These strategies work best if you have a long-term investment outlook rather than chasing quick profits.

Impact of Leverage on Total Trading Expenses

Hantec Markets lets you use leverage up to 1:500, which can increase both profits and losses. A small $1,000 deposit could control a $10,000 position with 10:1 leverage. Small market moves can affect your returns by a lot at this point.

The numbers show that 58% of retail investor accounts lose money trading CFDs with Hantec Markets. This statistic proves why good risk management matters, especially when leverage can push losses beyond your original deposits.

Conclusion

A deep look at Hantec Markets' fee structure reveals trading costs that don't match their advertised rates. They advertise simple pricing with EUR/USD spreads from 0.5 pips, but the 0.6% currency conversion fee and overnight financing rates paint a different picture.

Day traders pay the least since they mostly deal with spread charges. The story changes for swing and position traders who need to watch out for overnight fees that add up fast. The $5 monthly inactivity fee might seem small but builds up quickly for traders who don't trade often.

The retail CFD accounts' 58% loss rate raises red flags. The broker's strong oversight from FCA, ASIC, and FSC gives traders solid protection through segregated accounts and compensation plans. Their spreads on major instruments like S&P 500 and Euro Stoxx 50 CFDs beat many competitors.

The bottom line? Hantec Markets works great for active day traders because of zero commissions and fast executions. Long-term position traders should look elsewhere since overnight charges and currency conversion fees can eat into their returns substantially.

FAQs

Q1. What are the main regulatory bodies overseeing Hantec Markets? Hantec Markets is regulated by three major authorities: the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius. This multi-jurisdictional oversight ensures client protection across different regions.

Q2. How do Hantec Markets' spreads compare to competitors? Hantec Markets offers competitive spreads compared to industry alternatives. For example, their S&P 500 CFD spread is 0.3, which is lower than several major competitors. Their EUR/USD spread starts from 0.2 pips, making them quite competitive in the forex market as well.

Q3. Are there any hidden fees when trading with Hantec Markets? While Hantec Markets advertises a straightforward fee structure, there are some less obvious costs. These include a $5 monthly inactivity fee after 6 months of no account activity, overnight financing charges for positions held beyond the trading day, and a 0.6% currency conversion fee for trades involving multiple currencies.

Q4. How does leverage impact trading costs at Hantec Markets? Hantec Markets offers leverage up to 1:500, which can significantly amplify both profits and losses. While high leverage can increase potential returns, it also magnifies risks. It's important to note that 58% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with Hantec Markets, emphasizing the need for proper risk management.

Q5. Which type of trader is best suited for Hantec Markets? Based on the fee structure and trading conditions, Hantec Markets appears to be most suitable for active day traders. They benefit from commission-free trading, quick execution speeds, and avoid overnight financing charges. However, long-term position holders may face higher cumulative costs due to overnight fees and currency conversion charges.