Quick Verdict — Hong Kong Traders
Best Overall
CMC Markets
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
FXTM
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
FXTM
Swap-free for Hong Kong Muslims
Best for Beginners
CMC Markets
Better education & support
1:1 vs 1:5000
Max leverage
Hong Kong traders seeking a reliable online broker often weigh CMC Markets against FXTM (ForexTime). Both are established international brands but differ significantly in regulation, product range, and cost structure. This comparison breaks down the key factors for Hong Kong-based investors, from licensing to platform features, to help you choose the right fit for your trading goals.
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Overall Scores Comparison

CMC Markets
FCA · ASIC · MAS
4.2
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS

FXTM
FCA · CySEC · FSCA
3.7
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
Regulation
Safety, oversight
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
Education
Webinars, guides
💹
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | CMC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $50 | CMC Markets |
📂
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | CMC Markets | FXTM |
|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $50 |
⚖️
Leverage Comparison - Hong Kong Traders
| Entity / Asset | CMC Markets | FXTM |
|---|
| Hong Kong (offshore) | Up to 1:1 | Up to 1:5000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1 | 1:5000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Leverage Warning for Hong Kong Traders
Traders in Hong Kong typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
📈
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | CMC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | CMC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | CMC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | CMC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
⚡
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | CMC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | CMC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
🛡️
Regulation & Safety for Hong Kong Traders
| Safety Factor | CMC Markets | FXTM |
|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Hong Kong traders may differ by entity.
💳
Deposits & Withdrawals for Hong Kong
| Payment Method | CMC Markets | FXTM |
|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 5 business days | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 1 to 3 business days. |
☪️
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Hong Kong Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | CMC Markets | FXTM |
|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
💬
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | CMC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | CMC Markets |
| Mobile Feature | CMC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | CMC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | CMC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
📚
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | CMC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | CMC Markets |
⭐
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
⚖️
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
CMC Markets
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
FXTM
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
👤
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Hong Kong Guide
Choose CMC Markets if you...
Are a beginner trader in Hong Kong
Want TradingView integration
Have less than $200 to start
Choose FXTM if you...
Are a beginner trader in Hong Kong
Are a scalper or EA trader
❓
FAQ - CMC Markets vs FXTM in Hong Kong
Are CMC Markets and FXTM regulated in Hong Kong? +
Which broker offers better spreads for Hong Kong traders? +
Can I trade Hong Kong stocks with CMC Markets or FXTM? +
Final Verdict - Hong Kong 2026
CMC Markets wins overall
After comparing 12 categories, CMC Markets comes out ahead for most Hong Kong traders.
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. All data verified as of July 2026.