Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
China traders seeking international forex exposure often compare Libertex and Hantec Markets as offshore brokers. Libertex, founded in 1997, is a global broker with a strong European presence, while Hantec Markets, established in 1998, has deeper roots in Asia-Pacific markets. Both accept China residents but operate outside CSRC regulation, meaning traders must use international entities. Libertex scores 3.7/5 versus Hantec Markets' 3.6/5, reflecting slightly better overall trading conditions. For China traders, key considerations include deposit methods like USDT and international bank transfers, trading costs, and platform accessibility. This comparison focuses on how each broker serves offshore traders from China, covering spreads, regulation, and account types relevant to local needs.
| Instrument | Libertex | 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 | $10 | $10 | Tie |
Spread costs are critical for China traders due to frequent trading and volume. Libertex offers tighter spreads on major forex pairs, with EUR/USD starting from 0.1 pips on ECN accounts, compared to Hantec Markets' 0.3 pips. For a standard lot trade, Libertex saves approximately $2 per round turn. However, Hantec Markets has lower commission structures on certain account types, which may benefit scalpers. Both brokers charge no deposit or withdrawal fees for USDT transactions, but international bank transfers incur intermediary charges. China traders trading 10+ lots per month will find Libertex more cost-effective overall.
| Account Type | Libertex | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $10 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | Libertex | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:999 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:999 | 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 | Libertex | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Libertex |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Libertex |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | Libertex |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Libertex | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Libertex provides its proprietary web platform and MetaTrader 4/5, while Hantec Markets offers MT4 and MT5 exclusively. For China traders, MT4 remains the most popular choice due to custom indicators and EA support. Both brokers support VPS hosting for automated trading, though Libertex charges a small monthly fee. Hantec Markets' platform is more streamlined for mobile trading, with a Chinese-language interface available. Libertex's proprietary platform includes advanced charting tools but lacks the extensive community support of MT4.
| Factor | Libertex | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Libertex |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Libertex uses STP/ECN execution with no requotes and average execution speed of 0.1 seconds. Hantec Markets also offers ECN execution with similar speeds. Both brokers have no dealing desk intervention. For China traders trading during Asian sessions, Hantec Markets may have slightly better liquidity due to its regional servers. Libertex's global server network ensures consistent execution across all sessions.
| Safety Factor | Libertex | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither Libertex nor Hantec Markets is regulated by the CSRC, meaning China traders must use offshore entities. Libertex is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus) and FCA (UK), providing European-level client fund protection. Hantec Markets is regulated by the FCA and ASIC (Australia), with additional oversight from the VFSC. For China traders, this means no local investor compensation scheme, but both brokers segregate client funds. Hantec Markets' ASIC regulation is particularly relevant for Asia-Pacific traders, while Libertex's FCA status offers stronger European protections.
| Payment Method | Libertex | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 5 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 can fund accounts using USDT (Tether) or international bank transfers with both brokers. USDT deposits are processed within minutes and avoid traditional banking delays. Libertex supports USDT via ERC-20 and TRC-20 networks, while Hantec Markets accepts USDT on multiple chains. Minimum deposit is $100 for Libertex and $50 for Hantec Markets. International bank transfers take 2-5 business days and may incur $10-30 intermediary fees. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for USDT and 3-5 days for bank transfers. Neither broker charges internal fees for USDT transactions, making it the preferred method for China traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | Libertex | 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 brokers offer swap-free Islamic accounts for Muslim traders in China. Libertex provides Islamic accounts with no swap fees on all forex pairs, available on request via customer support. Hantec Markets also offers Islamic accounts with no additional charges, but requires a minimum deposit of $500. Account conversion is free and takes 1-2 business days. No restrictions apply on trading style or volume, making both suitable for halal trading.
| Support Feature | Libertex | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Libertex |
Libertex offers 24/5 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with Chinese-language support available during Asian trading hours. Hantec Markets provides 24/5 support in English and Chinese, with faster response times via WeChat. Hantec Markets' local presence in Hong Kong gives it an advantage for China traders needing real-time assistance.
| Mobile Feature | Libertex | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Libertex |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Libertex |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Libertex | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Libertex |
Choose Libertex if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For China traders, both Libertex and Hantec Markets are viable offshore brokers, but the choice depends on individual priorities. Libertex's higher overall score (3.7 vs 3.6) and tighter spreads make it better for cost-conscious traders, especially those trading high volumes. Hantec Markets' regional strength, lower minimum deposit, and Chinese-language support appeal to smaller traders and those prioritizing local service. Both accept USDT deposits, bypassing traditional banking restrictions. Neither is CSRC-regulated, so traders must accept offshore risk. Ultimately, Libertex suits traders seeking low costs and European regulation, while Hantec Markets fits those wanting Asian-focused support and lower entry barriers.