Which broker is better for China traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
China traders seeking offshore forex exposure face a key choice between XM Group (rated 4.7/5) and Hantec Markets (rated 3.6/5). Both brokers accept Chinese clients through international entities, but their offerings differ significantly in cost, regulation, and local payment support. XM Group, established in 2009, serves over 5 million clients globally and offers tight spreads from 0.0 pips, making it ideal for volume-driven traders. Hantec Markets, founded in 1990, has a stronger Asian heritage but higher minimum deposits and narrower asset selection. For China traders using CNY, both support USDT deposits and international bank transfers, but XM Group’s lower fees and faster execution give it an edge. While neither is regulated by the CSRC, both hold reputable licenses (FCA, CySEC, FSA) that provide a safety net for offshore trading. This comparison breaks down spreads, platforms, deposit methods, and regulatory implications specific to the China market in 2026.
| Instrument | XM Group | 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 directly impact net returns, especially when converting CNY to USD. XM Group offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Ultra Low account, with a commission of $3.5 per lot round turn. Hantec Markets’ Raw account starts at 0.6 pips with a $5 commission per lot. On a typical 2-lot EUR/USD trade, XM Group costs approximately $7, while Hantec Markets costs $17. For traders executing 10 lots daily, XM Group saves CNY 700 per day. Additionally, XM Group charges no withdrawal fees, whereas Hantec Markets imposes a 2% fee on USDT withdrawals. These savings are critical for China traders managing capital in a high-volume environment.
| Account Type | XM Group | 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 | XM Group | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| China (offshore) | Up to 1:1000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1000 | 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 | XM Group | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | XM Group |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | XM Group |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | ✗ | XM Group |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Hantec Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | XM Group | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), essential for China traders using Expert Advisors (EAs). XM Group also provides its proprietary XM WebTrader, which supports one-click trading and advanced charting without installation. Hantec Markets focuses solely on MT4/MT5 but offers a mobile app optimized for Asian markets. For China traders, XM Group’s platform ecosystem is more versatile, with better support for algorithmic trading and faster execution speeds (<30ms vs <50ms). Neither broker restricts access to Chinese IPs, but XM Group’s server locations in London and New York provide lower latency for offshore traders.
| Factor | XM Group | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Hantec Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | XM Group |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
XM Group offers market execution with average fill times under 30ms and no requotes on 98% of trades. Hantec Markets uses instant execution with occasional requotes during news events. For China traders using scalping strategies or EAs, XM Group’s faster execution and lower slippage (average 0.1 pips) are advantageous. Hantec Markets’ execution is adequate for swing traders but less suited for high-frequency activity.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither XM Group nor Hantec Markets is regulated by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), as both operate offshore. XM Group is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia), offering tier-1 protection including negative balance protection and investor compensation schemes (up to €20,000 under CySEC). Hantec Markets is licensed by the FSA (Vanuatu) and FCA (UK), but its Vanuatu entity offers limited protection. For China traders, XM Group’s stronger regulatory framework provides greater security for funds held in offshore accounts. However, traders must still accept the risk of dealing with non-CSRC entities and comply with China’s foreign exchange rules.
| Payment Method | XM Group | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several 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 both brokers using USDT (Tether) and international bank transfers. XM Group supports USDT deposits via TRC20 and ERC20 networks with zero fees and instant credit, while Hantec Markets charges a 2% fee on USDT deposits. International bank transfers are available for both, but XM Group requires a minimum of $5, while Hantec Markets requires $50. Withdrawals: XM Group processes USDT withdrawals within 24 hours with no fees, whereas Hantec Markets charges $25 for bank wire withdrawals and 2% for USDT. Neither broker supports Alipay or WeChat Pay. For China traders, XM Group’s lower minimums and fee-free USDT transactions make it more cost-effective for frequent deposits and withdrawals.
| Islamic Account Feature | XM Group | 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 Islamic (swap-free) accounts for China Muslim traders. XM Group provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Micro, Standard, Ultra Low) with no minimum deposit requirement and no holding period restrictions. Hantec Markets offers Islamic accounts only on its Standard account, requiring a $500 minimum deposit, and may charge an administrative fee of $10 per month after 30 days of holding a position. For long-term position traders in China, XM Group’s policy is more favorable, as it eliminates overnight swap charges without additional costs. Both brokers require a declaration of Muslim faith to open an Islamic account.
| Support Feature | XM Group | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | XM Group |
XM Group offers 24/5 multilingual customer support in Mandarin Chinese via live chat, email, and phone. Hantec Markets provides support in English and Mandarin during Asian trading hours (9:00-18:00 HKT). XM Group’s response time averages under 30 seconds on live chat, while Hantec Markets may take 2-5 minutes. For China traders needing real-time assistance during volatile sessions, XM Group’s around-the-clock support is more reliable.
| Mobile Feature | XM Group | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | XM Group |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | XM Group |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | XM Group | Hantec Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | XM Group |
Choose XM Group if you...
Choose Hantec Markets if you...
For China traders in 2026, XM Group is the superior choice over Hantec Markets. Its higher rating (4.7 vs 3.6), lower trading costs, fee-free USDT deposits, and stronger regulation (FCA/CySEC) align well with the needs of offshore traders seeking international exposure. XM Group’s 0.0 pip spreads and $5 minimum deposit reduce entry barriers, while its 24/5 Mandarin support and Islamic account flexibility cater to local preferences. Hantec Markets remains a niche option for traders valuing heritage and simplicity, but its higher costs and weaker Vanuatu regulation may concern risk-averse users. Both brokers operate outside CSRC oversight, so China traders must use USDT or international bank transfers and comply with capital controls. For most, XM Group offers the best balance of cost, safety, and functionality.