Which broker is better for Cyprus traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Cyprus traders looking for a reliable forex broker in 2026 often compare Admirals and Hantec Markets, two regulated brokers serving the local market. Admirals holds a strong 4.1/5 rating, while Hantec Markets scores 3.6/5, reflecting differences in spreads, platforms, and local support. Both are licensed by the local financial regulator, ensuring fund security and compliance with EU standards. For Cyprus retail traders, factors like deposit methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20), trading costs, and customer service in English and Greek matter. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Cypriot traders: cost efficiency, regulatory safety, and ease of transactions. Whether you trade EUR/USD, gold, or indices, understanding these differences helps you choose the right broker for your strategy.
| Instrument | Admirals | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Hantec Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Hantec Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Hantec Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Hantec Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $1 | $10 | Admirals |
For Cyprus traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. Admirals offers competitive spreads from 0.6 pips on its Zero account for EUR/USD, with a commission of $3 per lot. Hantec Markets has higher variable spreads starting at 1.2 pips with no commission, but overall costs are higher for active traders. For a Cyprus trader executing 10 standard lots per month, Admirals saves approximately $60 in spread costs compared to Hantec Markets. Swap rates also favor Admirals, which offers lower overnight charges for popular pairs like GBP/USD and USD/CHF. Both brokers provide negative balance protection, but Admirals’ cost structure is more favorable for scalpers and day traders in Cyprus.
| Account Type | Admirals | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | Admirals | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | Admirals | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Admirals |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Admirals |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | Admirals |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Admirals | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Cyprus traders need platforms that work well on local internet speeds and mobile devices. Admirals provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and its proprietary WebTrader, all optimized for desktop and mobile. Hantec Markets offers only MT4 and a basic web platform, limiting options for advanced traders. Admirals also supports automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs) and has a dedicated mobile app for iOS and Android, ideal for Cyprus traders on the go. Hantec Markets’ platforms are reliable but lack the customization and tool range that Admirals offers. For Cyprus retail traders, Admirals’ platform variety is a clear advantage.
| Factor | Admirals | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Admirals |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Admirals offers fast execution with an average speed of 0.3 seconds on its ECN accounts, suitable for scalpers in Cyprus. Hantec Markets has slightly slower execution at 0.5 seconds due to its market maker model. Both brokers have no requotes on major pairs, but Admirals’ STP/ECN model provides more transparency and better fills during high volatility, which is common during European sessions.
| Safety Factor | Admirals | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Admirals and Hantec Markets are regulated by the local financial regulator in Cyprus, ensuring compliance with CySEC directives. This means client funds are held in segregated accounts, and traders benefit from negative balance protection and access to the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) up to €20,000. Admirals has additional licenses from the FCA and ASIC, adding an extra layer of security. Hantec Markets is solely CySEC-regulated, which is sufficient for Cyprus traders but offers less international oversight. For Cypriot retail traders, both brokers provide a safe trading environment, but Admirals’ multi-regulatory status offers more reassurance.
| Payment Method | Admirals | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. | Crypto / USDT: 1 to 3 hours (for eligible wallets)E-wallets: Within hours up to 1 dayBank / Wire Transfers: 2 to 5 business days |
Cyprus traders can easily fund their accounts at both Admirals and Hantec Markets using popular local methods: Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Admirals processes deposits instantly for e-wallets and crypto, with no fees, while bank transfers take 1-2 business days. Withdrawals at Admirals are free for Skrill and Neteller, but bank transfers incur a small fee. Hantec Markets also supports these four methods but charges a 1% fee on USDT TRC20 deposits. For Cyprus traders, Admirals offers more flexibility with additional options like credit/debit cards and PayPal. Minimum deposits are $100 for both brokers, making them accessible to retail traders. Overall, Admirals provides faster and cheaper deposit/withdrawal processes for Cypriot users.
| Islamic Account Feature | Admirals | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Muslim traders in Cyprus, both Admirals and Hantec Markets offer swap-free Islamic accounts that comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying overnight interest. Admirals provides Islamic accounts on request without a minimum deposit requirement, making it accessible to all retail traders. Hantec Markets requires a minimum deposit of $500 for Islamic accounts, which may be a barrier for some. Admirals also allows Islamic accounts on all account types, while Hantec Markets limits them to standard accounts. For Cyprus Muslim traders, Admirals is the more inclusive option.
| Support Feature | Admirals | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Admirals |
Cyprus traders benefit from customer support in both English and Greek at Admirals, available 24/5 via live chat, email, and phone. Hantec Markets offers support in English only, with limited hours (9 AM to 6 PM EET). Admirals also has a local office in Cyprus, while Hantec Markets operates remotely. For Cypriot traders needing quick assistance, Admirals’ multilingual and locally-based support is superior.
| Mobile Feature | Admirals | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Admirals |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Admirals |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Admirals | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Admirals |
Choose Admirals if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For Cyprus retail traders in 2026, Admirals is the better choice overall with a 4.1/5 rating, offering lower spreads, more platforms, and superior local support. It excels in deposit flexibility with Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, plus fast execution. Hantec Markets (3.6/5) is a solid alternative for those who prefer simplicity and fixed spreads, but its higher costs and limited features make it less competitive. Both are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring safety. For most Cypriot traders, especially those trading actively, Admirals provides better value and a more tailored experience.