Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For China traders seeking international forex exposure, FBS and Hantec Markets are two popular offshore brokers. FBS, with a score of 3.7/5, is known for low minimum deposits and crypto-friendly deposits via USDT, appealing to younger traders. Hantec Markets, scoring 3.6/5, is a Hong Kong-based broker with a strong reputation in Asia and tighter spreads on major pairs. Both brokers operate outside CSRC regulation, meaning China traders must rely on offshore licenses (IFSC for FBS, FCA for Hantec). This comparison examines trading costs, deposit methods, and regulatory implications specific to China-based traders.
| Instrument | FBS | 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 | $5 | $10 | Hantec Markets |
For China traders, trading costs vary significantly between FBS and Hantec Markets. FBS offers spreads from 0.7 pips on Standard accounts and 0.0 pips on Zero Spread accounts (with $6 commission per lot). Hantec Markets provides spreads from 0.0 pips on its Pro account with a lower commission of $3.50 per lot. For high-volume traders in China, Hantec is cheaper on major pairs like EUR/USD and USD/JPY. However, FBS has no hidden fees on deposits via USDT, which can offset spread costs for smaller accounts.
| Account Type | FBS | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 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 | FBS | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FBS |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | FBS |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are the preferred platforms for China traders due to their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. FBS also provides the FBS Trader app for mobile trading with copy trading features. Hantec Markets offers the same MT4/MT5 suite but lacks a proprietary app. For China traders who value copy trading, FBS has an edge. Platform stability is similar, with both offering VPS hosting for algorithmic traders.
| Factor | FBS | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FBS |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
FBS uses a market execution model with average execution speed of 0.3 seconds. Hantec Markets offers ECN execution with speeds under 0.1 seconds, making it better for scalpers and high-frequency traders. For China traders using VPS or automated strategies, Hantec's lower latency is beneficial. FBS execution is reliable for standard trading but may have requotes during news events.
| Safety Factor | FBS | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FBS is regulated by the IFSC (Belize) and CySEC (Cyprus), while Hantec Markets is regulated by the FCA (UK) and ASIC (Australia). Neither broker is regulated by the CSRC in China, meaning traders have no local consumer protection. For China traders, Hantec's FCA regulation offers stronger fund segregation and compensation schemes, but FBS's IFSC license is less stringent. Both brokers accept China traders, but due diligence is required. The lack of CSRC oversight means traders should only risk capital they can afford to lose.
| Payment Method | FBS | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Electronic Wallets / Systems: Credited immediately to 30 minutes (processed 24/7 by the financial department).Cryptocurrency: Instant, though subject to blockchain network confirmations.Credit / Debit Cards: Average of 3 to 4 business days (internal processing takes 15–20 minutes, plus bank clearance).Bank Transfers: Usually processed within 7 to 10 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 |
China traders at FBS can deposit using USDT (Tether) and international Bank Transfer, with USDT being the fastest and cheapest option—no fees and instant processing. Hantec Markets only accepts international Bank Transfer, which can take 2-5 business days and incur intermediary bank fees. For withdrawals, FBS processes USDT withdrawals within 24 hours, while Hantec's wire transfers take 3-7 days. Minimum deposits: FBS starts at $10 (or equivalent USDT), Hantec at $100. For China traders wanting speed and low cost, FBS is superior; for those preferring traditional banking, Hantec works.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | 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 FBS and Hantec Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in China. FBS provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Cent, Zero Spread) with no swap fees on overnight positions. Hantec Markets offers Islamic accounts upon request, but they may have conditions such as minimum deposit requirements or account age. For China Muslim traders, FBS is more straightforward with instant approval, while Hantec requires manual verification. Both comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying interest.
| Support Feature | FBS | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
FBS offers 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support with Chinese language options. Hantec Markets provides support during Asian trading hours via live chat and email, also in Chinese. FBS has a slight edge with round-the-clock availability, which is useful for China traders trading global markets. Response times are similar, averaging under 2 minutes for live chat.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FBS |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FBS |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FBS | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Choose FBS if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For China traders, FBS is the better choice for accessibility and low entry barriers, especially with USDT deposits and copy trading. Hantec Markets suits experienced traders who prioritize tight spreads and FCA regulation. Neither broker is CSRC-regulated, so offshore risk is inherent. FBS's 3.7/5 score edges out Hantec's 3.6/5 due to its deposit flexibility and lower minimums. Ultimately, choose FBS for convenience and Hantec for cost efficiency on large trades. Always verify broker status before depositing.