Which broker is better for Cyprus traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Cyprus traders comparing FXTM and Hantec Markets in 2026 face two well-regulated brokers with distinct strengths. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, is a globally recognized brand with a strong presence in Limassol. Hantec Markets, scoring 3.6/5, offers a more boutique experience. Both are licensed by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), ensuring local regulatory protection. For Cypriot retail traders, key considerations include deposit methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20), trading costs, and platform availability. FXTM excels with tighter spreads and more account types, while Hantec Markets appeals with simplicity and lower minimum deposits. This comparison helps you decide based on your specific trading needs in Cyprus.
| Instrument | FXTM | 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 | $200 | $10 | Hantec Markets |
For Cyprus traders, FXTM offers lower overall trading costs, especially on its ECN account with spreads from 0.1 pips on EUR/USD and a commission of $3 per lot. Hantec Markets standard account has spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission. Over 100 lots per month, FXTM saves approximately $200 in spread costs. However, Hantec Markets is cheaper for low-volume traders who prefer fixed spreads. Both brokers offer competitive swap rates, but FXTM's variable spreads can widen during Cyprus market hours (afternoon). Consider your average trade size and frequency when choosing.
| Account Type | FXTM | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | FXTM | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus (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 | FXTM | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FXTM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FXTM |
| Crypto CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FXTM | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
FXTM provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, both fully available in Greek and English, with advanced charting tools and automated trading via Expert Advisors. Hantec Markets also offers MT4 and MT5, plus its proprietary WebTrader. For Cyprus traders, MT5 is particularly useful for multi-asset trading including stocks and commodities. FXTM's platforms have better mobile apps for iOS and Android, crucial for traders on the go. Both support VPS for automated strategies. Hantec Markets' platform is simpler, ideal for beginners who prefer fewer features.
| Factor | FXTM | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FXTM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
FXTM uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with an average speed of 0.1 seconds on ECN accounts. Hantec Markets also uses NDD but with slightly slower execution at 0.3 seconds. For Cyprus traders trading during high volatility (e.g., US session overlap), FXTM's faster execution reduces slippage. Both brokers have 99.9% uptime and no requotes on market orders. FXTM's deeper liquidity pool gives better fill rates on large orders.
| Safety Factor | FXTM | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both FXTM and Hantec Markets are regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the local financial regulator. This means Cyprus traders benefit from negative balance protection, segregation of client funds, and access to the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) covering up to €20,000 per client. FXTM also holds additional licenses from FCA (UK) and FSCA (South Africa), adding extra layers of oversight. Hantec Markets is solely CySEC-regulated, which is sufficient for retail traders but offers less international diversification. Both comply with ESMA leverage limits (1:30 for major forex pairs) for EU clients.
| Payment Method | FXTM | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 24 hours (often in 30 minutes),Credit / Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 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 have several deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. For Bank Transfer, FXTM processes deposits in 1-2 business days with no fee, while Hantec Markets takes 1-3 days. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant at both, with FXTM allowing withdrawals back to the same e-wallet within 24 hours. USDT TRC20 is supported by both brokers, with FXTM offering lower fees (0.5% vs Hantec's 1%) and faster processing (minutes). Minimum deposit at FXTM is $100, while Hantec Markets starts at $50. Withdrawal times: FXTM typically processes within 24 hours for e-wallets and 1-2 days for bank transfers; Hantec Markets takes 1-3 days for all methods. Both brokers do not charge internal withdrawal fees, but bank intermediary fees may apply.
| Islamic Account Feature | FXTM | 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 FXTM and Hantec Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Cyprus Muslim traders. FXTM provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, ECN, and Cent accounts) with no additional fees, but charges a flat fee for positions held beyond 3 days on certain instruments. Hantec Markets offers swap-free accounts upon request, with no extra charges for most currency pairs. Cyprus traders should note that swap-free accounts are available to residents of Cyprus regardless of religion, but must not be used for arbitrage or hedging strategies. FXTM's policy is more transparent with clear terms, while Hantec Markets requires manual activation.
| Support Feature | FXTM | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FXTM |
FXTM offers 24/5 customer support in Greek and English via live chat, email, and phone. Their Limassol office provides local call support during business hours. Hantec Markets also offers Greek and English support but only during market hours (Monday-Friday). FXTM's live chat response time is under 1 minute, while Hantec Markets averages 2-3 minutes. For Cyprus traders, FXTM's dedicated local account managers are a plus for personalized assistance.
| Mobile Feature | FXTM | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FXTM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FXTM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FXTM | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FXTM |
Choose FXTM if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For Cyprus traders in 2026, FXTM is the better choice overall, scoring 4.3/5 vs Hantec Markets' 3.6/5. FXTM offers lower spreads, more deposit options including USDT TRC20 and Skrill/Neteller, faster execution, and stronger local support from its Limassol office. Both brokers are CySEC-regulated, ensuring safety under local financial regulator standards. However, Hantec Markets is a solid alternative if you are a beginner with a small account or prefer fixed spreads. Consider your trading style: FXTM suits active traders, while Hantec Markets fits casual retail traders. Always test with a demo account before committing real funds.