Which broker is better for Taiwan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced forex traders based in Taiwan, choosing the right broker is critical to optimizing trading performance and managing costs. Admirals (rated 4.1/5) and Hantec Markets (rated 3.6/5) are two brokers accessible to Taiwan residents, but they cater to different trading styles and priorities. Admirals is a globally recognized broker offering deep liquidity, tight spreads, and advanced tools like MetaTrader 4 and 5. Hantec Markets, with its strong Asian heritage, focuses on simplicity and localized support. Both accept Taiwan traders and support deposits via Bank Transfer and Credit Card in TWD. However, regulatory protection from the FSC Taiwan is not available for either broker, so traders must rely on offshore regulation. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your specific needs as a Taiwan-based trader.
| 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 |
When comparing trading costs for Taiwan traders, Admirals clearly outperforms Hantec Markets. Admirals offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Zero account with a commission of $3 per lot, while its Trade account has spreads from 0.5 pips with no commission. In contrast, Hantec Markets' standard spreads start at 1.2 pips for EUR/USD, with no commission option. For a Taiwan trader executing 10 lots per month, Admirals could save hundreds of dollars annually. Hantec Markets does offer occasional spread discounts, but Admirals' overall cost structure is more competitive for active, volume-driven traders.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers provide robust platforms suited to Taiwan traders. Admirals offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, as well as its proprietary WebTrader. These platforms support advanced charting, algorithmic trading, and VPS hosting for high-frequency traders. Hantec Markets also provides MT4 and MT5, but lacks proprietary tools. For Taiwan traders who value customization and automation, Admirals' MT5 with integrated economic calendar and depth of market is superior. Hantec Markets' platforms are clean and reliable, but less feature-rich. Both are available in Chinese language, which is a plus for local users.
| 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 |
Execution quality is vital for experienced traders. Admirals offers ECN execution with no dealing desk intervention, ensuring fast fills and minimal slippage. Hantec Markets uses a hybrid model with some market maker characteristics, which can lead to occasional requotes during volatile periods. For Taiwan traders trading news events or scalping, Admirals' straight-through processing (STP) provides superior execution. Hantec Markets is adequate for swing traders but less ideal for high-frequency strategies.
| Safety Factor | Admirals | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key concern for Taiwan traders since neither broker is licensed by the FSC Taiwan. Admirals is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia), offering a high level of investor protection including negative balance protection and compensation schemes. Hantec Markets is regulated by the FCA and VFSC (Vanuatu), with the latter offering less robust oversight. For Taiwan traders, Admirals' multi-tier regulation provides greater reassurance, especially for larger account balances. Hantec Markets' VFSC license carries higher risk. Both brokers are legitimate, but Admirals has a stronger regulatory framework.
| 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 |
Taiwan traders can fund their accounts at both Admirals and Hantec Markets using Bank Transfer and Credit Card, both in TWD. Admirals also supports e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller, while Hantec Markets adds UnionPay and local Asian bank transfers. Minimum deposits are $100 for Admirals and $50 for Hantec Markets. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for cards and e-wallets, while bank transfers take 2-5 days. Admirals does not charge deposit fees, but Hantec Markets may apply a small fee for certain methods. For Taiwan traders, Hantec Markets' lower minimum deposit and UnionPay option provide extra flexibility, but Admirals offers faster withdrawal processing overall.
| 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 |
Both Admirals and Hantec Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Taiwan, ensuring compliance with Sharia law by eliminating interest charges on overnight positions. Admirals provides Islamic accounts upon request for all account types, with no additional fees. Hantec Markets also offers swap-free accounts automatically for eligible clients, but may charge an administrative fee after a holding period. For Taiwan's Muslim community, Admirals' more transparent and fee-free Islamic account policy is preferable. Both brokers require verification of Muslim faith or residency in a Muslim-majority region.
| 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 |
Customer support is available 24/5 from both brokers, with Chinese language support for Taiwan traders. Admirals offers live chat, email, and phone support, with response times under 30 minutes. Hantec Markets provides similar channels but with slightly slower response times, especially during Asian trading hours. Admirals also has a dedicated Taiwan account manager for high-volume clients. Overall, Admirals' support is more responsive and comprehensive for Taiwan-based traders.
| 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 experienced Taiwan traders, Admirals is the clear winner with a higher overall score (4.1 vs 3.6), lower trading costs, better execution, and stronger regulation. Its support for Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits in TWD, along with advanced platforms, makes it ideal for active traders. However, Hantec Markets remains a solid choice for those prioritizing simplicity, a lower entry barrier, and Asian-focused service. Since neither broker is regulated by the FSC Taiwan, traders should assess their risk tolerance and trading volume. For most Taiwan traders seeking value and performance, Admirals is the recommended broker in 2026.