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HFTrading is an online CFD provider headquartered in New Zealand. The required minimum deposit is only $250.
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HFTrading makes it really easy to get started with trading CFDs of various underlying assets such as Stocks, Crypto, Commodities, Indices and Forex.
Emerging as a result of the MahiFX takeover by LGT Solutions Limited late in 2019, HFTrading is one of the most exciting players in the Australian CFD industry. If you’re looking to know more about online CFD provider, you just came to the right place.
HFTrading is a New-Zealand based financial service provider operated by the CTRL Investments Limited.
| Name | HFTrading |
| Type of CFDs |
Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Forex, Crypto |
| Country | New Zealand / Australia |
| Been in operation since | 2019 |
| Regulation | Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) & New Zealand Financial Market Authority (FMA) |
HFTrading allows users to trade on the MetaTrader 4 trading platform for mobile, web, and desktop. In addition to an Economic Calendar you will also find an Earnings Report Calendar.
The site offers a range of educational resources through articles, videos on demand, courses, eBooks, and even tutorials.
Account Types
HFTrading offers three different accounts to cater to diverse clients using the service to trade. These accounts are:
- Silver – suited for novice traders
- Gold – typically for experienced traders
- Platinum – mainly for pro-level traders
Each of these accounts has different features, swap discount, max leverage, min spreads, and fees. Here is a table outlining their major differences.
| Silver | Gold | Platinum | |||
| Deposit limits | No deposit limits | No deposit limits | No deposit limits | ||
| Spreads | from 3.2 | from 2.6 | from 2.1 | ||
| Max. leverage: | up to 1:200 | up to 1:400 | up to 1:500 | ||
| Support: | Mon-Fri | Mon-Fri | Mon-Fri | ||
| Swap discount | N/A | 25% | 50% | ||
| Execution model | STP | STP | STP | ||
To access the global financial markets via CFDs, you need to open an account by completing the account registration form.
After this, you can then proceed to deposit funds and begin trading CFDs. You can contact customer support through the website if you experience any problems.
Range of Markets Offered by HFTrading
HFTrading offers hundreds of CFDs of underlying assets from different markets all around the world. Some of these count with high rates of volatility a boon for seasoned traders who can leverage the price fluctuations.
The company offers CFDs of 6 main underlying assets i.e.
- Cryptocurrencies
- Commodities
- Forex
- Shares
- Indices
- Metals
Below is a roundup highlighting the essential aspects of each underlying asset.
Cryptocurrencies
Crypto is currently one of the buzzing markets owing to the massive media spotlight and volatility of the instruments. However, the process of buying and selling crypto is tedious not to mention very involving.
HFTrading makes things easier for you by allowing you to trade CFDs of coins. Some of the crypto coins CFDs available are Etherium, Steller, Ripple, Bitcoin, Monero, Dashcoin, and Litecoin. CFDs of Australian altcoins like Bata and CanYa coin are also supported.
Commodities
The commodities market has been around for a while and is sometimes regarded as the most traditional. It is propelled by the interaction of supply and demand.
You can trade CFDs on any of the available valuable goods ranging from soft items such as sugar to energy assets such as crude oil.
Forex
Foreign exchange (Forex) involves trading currencies against each other. Based on the share of the global market exchange they have, currency pairs are broadly categorised into three groups- major, minor, and exotic.
The Forex market is another great option for investors looking to diversify their portfolio. Further, the unpredictability and turbulence associated with the Forex market make it an ideal choice for investors.
HFTrading offers CFDs of over 30 currency pairs around currencies such as the Australian, Canadian, NZ & US dollar, Swiss Franc, GB Pound, Euro, Yen, and Danish Krone.
Shares
Shares represents ownership of a company. Stock trading is available on HFTrading via CFDs. Netflix, Apple, Amazon, or Tesla are among the most popular stocks available.
HFTrading provides access to a wide range of share CFDs from different regions including American, European, and Australian.
Indices
Indices provides an option to take part in the dynamics of the general market and determine the direction of economic development. HFTrading allows you to trade CFDs on indices such as DOW 30. NASDAQ, S&P 500, Nikkei 225, DAX 30, and others.
Metals
The metal market allows investors to trade on various precious metals like gold and silver. You can also trade these highly-valuable assets via CFDs. Other metal elements you can trade CFDs in are platinum, copper, and palladium.
Trading Platforms
HFTrading features 3 different platforms to accommodate the varying needs of its customers. All three platforms are supported under the MT4 technology known for its easy-to-use interface and its top-notch security standards.
These platforms are Mobile Trading: (available for Android on Google Play and iOS on Apple Store), MT4 (Available for Windows and iOS) and Web Trader (browser-based)
MetaTrader 4
This is one of the best and widely used trading platforms by most financial service providers. It is user friendly and comes with many handy functions which makes it suitable for both beginners and experienced traders. It also employs excellent security measures that ensure your data is well secured.
Web Trader
This trading platform is browser-based and therefore doesn’t require any installations, additional software, even download. All you need is a stable internet connection and a browser to set off your trading journey. Web trader is straightforward, convenient, and just as user-friendly as MT4.
Mobile Trading Platform
HFTrading’s mobile trading platform is available as an application that is free to download from the Google PlayStore (if you use Android) or App Store (if you use iOS). It is functional as the web trader platform and gives you access to the whole market. It also comes with trading tools such as full asset catalogues and reports on the market.
Deposit & Withdrawal
HFTrading supports several payment methods for depositing and withdraw funds from your account. Some of the payment methods you can use are Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Skrill, and Neteller.
Different fees are charged depending on the payment method. HFTrading has a minimum deposit amount of $250. Withdrawals are typically processed within 1-3 days upon acceptance although they can take longer if you request a withdrawal outside working days/hours.
To make a withdrawal, just fill in the withdrawal request form in the HFTrading Client Portal area and wait for it to be processed.
The waiting time before funds are ‘visible’ in your account also varies depending on the payment methods. E-wallets and online payment systems are almost instant while bank transfers take a few business days.
It is worth noting that the payment methods have different requirements, transactional limits, and restrictions. The name on the payment method should also match with the name under your account for the transactions to be possible.
Both USD and AUD currencies are accepted when opening accounts. This is advantageous to some traders as currency conversion fees don’t apply if you’re using an account in your currency
Fees & Spreads
Trading costs are entirely dependent on the market being traded and the account type you use. There are no hidden fees and charges, You can access details regarding the minimum spreads and swap charges on the website as well as on the trading platform.
You’ll notice that unlike some brokers that pay clients a swap or interest depending on the direction of the trade or asset, HFTrading does things differently by charging a daily swap fee on all positions held open overnight. You will also notice that these overnight charges are much higher than the industry standard.
On the bright side, users with Gold and Platinum Accounts get a 25% and 50% discount on the swap charges respectively. This investment firm also charges an inactivity / low activity fee if your trading account remains inactive for more than 60 days.
Customer Support
The customer service at HFTrading is great. The financial service provider has a responsive and knowledgeable support team that can be reached easily in case of any inquiries. HFTrading provides three different ways to reach customer support i.e.
- Live chat
- Email: support@hftrading.com
- Telephone: +61 391139456
However, the support team isn’t available all around the clock. Telephone support, for instance, is only available from Monday to Friday between 12:00 – 02:00 GMT.
Educational Materials
HFTrading includes several educational materials from e-books to tutorials. Some of the e-books you can access are Capital Management, Trading Psychology, Global Trading, Beginners Strategies, and Advanced Technical Analysis.
Each of these e-books covers different topics around trading and investment. You can also opt for online video courses like Trading Strategies, CFDs & Stocks, Social Trading, Beginner Course, the Trading Market, and Trading Tools that explain various concepts. Other materials include articles and V.O.Ds.
Economic Calendar
HFTrading’s official website has an economic calendar section where you can access the recent news releases and the effect they have on global economies. In addition, there is an earnings report calendar from Yahoo Finance where you can find information such as company quarterly as well as annual earning and EPS estimates.
The economic calendar is an essential tool as it helps traders when carrying out analysis. The releases are arranged according to the time/date of release along with the impacts i.e. previous, actual, and forecasted impact.
HFTrading Regulation
Since the company operates in New Zealand and Australia, it is required by law to be licensed by financial authorities in both countries.
In Australia, it is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (AFSL number 414198). In New Zealand, it is regulated by the New Zealand Financial Market Authority (FSPR number FSP197465).
Is HFTrading good: Pros & Cons
Pros
- Its operations are overseen and regulated by strict financial authorities in both Australia New Zealand (ASIC and FMA respectively)
- No hidden fees and charges
- User-friendly MetaTrader 4 platform
- Offers over 300 CFDs of various underlying asset classes
Cons
- HFTrading’s overnight swap rates are higher than the industry average
- Customer support is not available 24/7
Conclusion
HFTrading has competitive trading conditions i.e. spreads and leverage which is good for traders. It is authorised and regulated by ASIC and FMA so . The diversity in terms of markets and variety of available CFDs also makes it a viable choice for any investor looking to start trading. Overall, it meets the average needs of most trading platforms.
FAQ
Is HFTrading regulated in Australia?
Yes, by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
How do I open an account with HFTrading?
To open a trading account with HFTrading, visit their website and click on the ‘Open Account’ option at the top right on the homepage. Note that you should be over 18 years to be eligible for trading.
You’ll be required to fill in your personal details including email address and phone number. You will also be presented with a questionnaire to fill and asked to submit some documents for verification. Once you’re done, you can make your first deposit.
What is the minimum amount of money I can deposit to start trading?
The minimum deposit at HFTrading is $250
What platform does HFTrading mainly use?
MetaTrader 4
Does HFTrading collect your personal data? If it does what does it do with this data?
HFTrading collects your personal information when you:
- open an account
- post on the CTRL community
- make any inquiries
- submit feedback
- subscribe to the newsletters
- enroll for the promotions.
According to HFTrading, they only use this information is to:
- Foster platform-client relationship
- Improve on how they provide services and advise on several subjects
- Answering inquires
- Conduct analysis on customer satisfaction
It is also important to note that some of the personal information the site collects is required by law. They keep an eye on activities such as money laundering.
How Does HFTrading Australia Make Money?
HFTrading makes its revenue primarily from commission from liquidity provider which is based on the volume of hedged positions and swaps.