Which broker is better for Belarus traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Belarus traders looking for a reliable forex broker face a choice between HYCM and XM Group, two well-established international brokers. HYCM, founded in 1977, has a longer history and a solid reputation, while XM Group, launched in 2009, has grown rapidly to serve over 5 million clients worldwide. For retail traders in Belarus, both brokers offer trading in forex, CFDs, commodities, and indices with competitive conditions. However, XM Group’s higher overall rating (4.7/5 vs 3.6/5) suggests it may be the better option for most traders. Both brokers accept Belarus clients and provide local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals convenient. This comparison will help you decide which broker suits your trading style and local needs in Belarus.
| Instrument | HYCM | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | XM Group |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | XM Group |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | XM Group |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | XM Group |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $20 | $5 | HYCM |
When comparing trading costs for Belarus traders, XM Group generally offers lower spreads than HYCM. On the XM Ultra Low account, spreads start from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs with a $3.5 commission per lot round turn, while the standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission. HYCM’s Fixed account has spreads from 1.2 pips, and the Raw account from 0.6 pips with a $4 commission per lot. For traders in Belarus executing high volumes, XM Group’s lower spreads can result in significant savings over time. Additionally, XM Group offers zero swap fees on certain accounts, reducing overnight holding costs.
| Account Type | HYCM | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $20 | $5 |
| Entity / Asset | HYCM | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Belarus (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| 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 | HYCM | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | HYCM |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | HYCM |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | HYCM |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | HYCM | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both HYCM and XM Group offer the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are widely used by Belarus traders for their advanced charting tools, automated trading capabilities, and custom indicators. XM Group also provides its own XM WebTrader for browser-based trading, while HYCM offers a proprietary HYCM Trader platform. For Belarus traders who value mobile trading, both brokers have fully functional apps for iOS and Android. XM Group’s platforms are slightly more user-friendly and offer faster order execution, which is beneficial for day traders and scalpers in Belarus.
| Factor | HYCM | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | HYCM |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Execution quality is crucial for Belarus traders, especially those using scalping or automated strategies. XM Group offers instant execution on standard accounts with no requotes, and market execution on Ultra Low accounts with fast order processing. HYCM provides both instant and market execution depending on the account type, but some traders report occasional slippage during volatile markets. XM Group’s execution speed is generally faster, with average order processing times below 0.5 seconds, making it a better choice for high-frequency traders in Belarus.
| Safety Factor | HYCM | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a key concern for Belarus traders. HYCM is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and other authorities, providing strong oversight and client fund protection. XM Group is regulated by CySEC, ASIC (Australia), and the IFSC (Belize), among others. While neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator in Belarus, both comply with international standards and offer negative balance protection. For Belarus traders, XM Group’s regulation under CySEC offers a good balance of security and flexibility, while HYCM’s FCA regulation provides the highest level of protection. However, traders should be aware that local regulations may apply to forex trading activities.
| Payment Method | HYCM | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | E-Wallets (Skrill, Neteller, WebMoney): 1 hour to 1 business day.Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard): 3 to 5 business days (after broker processing).Bank Wire Transfers: 3 to 7 business days depending on your bank and location. | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
Belarus traders can easily fund their accounts at both HYCM and XM Group using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. At XM Group, deposits via Skrill and Neteller are processed instantly with a minimum of $5, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days with a $50 minimum. USDT TRC20 deposits are also instant with no fees. HYCM accepts the same methods with a minimum deposit of $20 for Skrill and Neteller, and $50 for bank transfers. Withdrawals at both brokers are free for most methods, though XM Group processes withdrawals within 24 hours for e-wallets. USDT TRC20 is particularly useful for Belarus traders who prefer cryptocurrency transactions due to speed and lower fees. Both brokers support local currency conversions to USD, but XM Group offers more flexible withdrawal options.
| Islamic Account Feature | HYCM | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| 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 HYCM and XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Belarus Muslim traders who wish to trade in accordance with Sharia law. HYCM provides Islamic accounts upon request, with no swap or interest charges on overnight positions, but clients must confirm their religious beliefs. XM Group offers Islamic accounts automatically for clients from Muslim-majority countries like Belarus, with no additional fees or conditions. XM Group’s policy is more straightforward, as it does not require a waiting period or documentation for approval. Both brokers ensure that swap-free accounts are available for all account types, including standard and ECN accounts.
| Support Feature | HYCM | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | HYCM |
Customer support is available in Russian and English at both HYCM and XM Group, which is beneficial for Belarus traders. XM Group offers 24/5 live chat, phone, and email support with a reputation for fast response times. HYCM also provides multilingual support but with slightly longer wait times during peak hours. XM Group’s support team is generally more responsive and helpful for Belarus traders, especially regarding account issues and payment queries.
| Mobile Feature | HYCM | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | HYCM |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | HYCM |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | HYCM | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | HYCM |
Choose HYCM if you...
Choose XM Group if you...
For Belarus retail traders, XM Group is the clear winner with a rating of 4.7/5 compared to HYCM’s 3.6/5. XM Group offers lower spreads, faster execution, better customer support in Russian, and more flexible deposit/withdrawal options including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. While HYCM has the advantage of FCA regulation and a longer track record, XM Group’s overall package is more competitive for most traders in Belarus. The broker’s zero-fee deposits, instant withdrawals for e-wallets, and Islamic account availability make it particularly suitable for local traders. However, if regulatory protection is your top priority, HYCM remains a solid choice. Ultimately, XM Group provides better value for money and a smoother trading experience for Belarus traders in 2025.