Which broker is better for Syria traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Syrian retail traders exploring the forex market in 2026, choosing between XM Group and Hantec Markets is a critical decision. Both brokers accept clients from Syria and support USD accounts, but they differ significantly in features, costs, and payment flexibility. XM Group, with a strong 4.7/5 rating, is a globally recognized broker offering ultra-low spreads, a vast range of instruments, and modern deposit methods including USDT TRC20—a game-changer for Syrian traders facing banking restrictions. Hantec Markets, rated 3.6/5, is a more traditional broker with a solid reputation but limited payment options and higher costs. Given Syria’s unique financial landscape—where access to international banking is restricted—the ability to deposit via USDT TRC20, Skrill, or Neteller can make or break a trading experience. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Syrian traders: trading costs, Islamic accounts, local payment methods, and regulatory safety under the local financial regulator.
| 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 Syrian traders trading in USD, trading costs are a primary factor. XM Group offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its Ultra Low account, with a commission of $3.5 per lot. In contrast, Hantec Markets’ standard account spreads average 1.2 pips on EUR/USD with no commission, but the total cost per lot is higher at around $12 versus XM Group’s $3.5. Over 100 lots traded per month, XM Group saves Syrian traders approximately $850 in spread costs alone. For scalpers and high-volume traders, XM Group’s lower spreads directly improve profitability. Syrian traders should also consider that Hantec Markets does not offer a raw spread account, limiting cost-saving opportunities.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Syria (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), the industry-standard platforms preferred by Syrian traders for their reliability and advanced charting tools. XM Group additionally provides its own XM WebTrader and a mobile app, while Hantec Markets sticks to the standard MT4/MT5 suite. For Syrian traders with limited internet bandwidth, XM Group’s lighter web platform may offer a smoother experience. Both platforms support automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), which is popular among Syrian retail traders seeking passive strategies. XM Group’s broader platform selection gives it a slight edge.
| 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 provides market execution with no requotes and average execution speed under 0.1 seconds, which is excellent for Syrian scalpers and day traders. Hantec Markets uses instant execution on standard accounts, which can result in requotes during high volatility. For Syrian traders trading major pairs like EUR/USD, XM Group’s faster execution reduces slippage and improves trade accuracy.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is crucial for Syrian traders given the lack of a strong local financial regulator. XM Group is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities including CySEC, FCA (UK), and ASIC, providing robust client fund protection and negative balance protection. Hantec Markets is regulated by the FCA and FSA (Vanuatu), which offers reasonable oversight but less comprehensive protection than XM Group’s multi-regulatory framework. For Syrian traders, XM Group’s regulation under well-known bodies adds a layer of security, especially when depositing via USDT TRC20 or other methods. Both brokers are required to comply with international anti-money laundering standards, which benefits Syrian traders by ensuring transparent operations.
| 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 |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is a top concern for Syrian traders due to restricted banking channels. XM Group excels by supporting Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20—the latter being especially valuable for Syrians who can use cryptocurrency to bypass local banking limitations. Deposits via USDT TRC20 are processed instantly with zero fees, while Skrill and Neteller deposits are also instant. Withdrawals at XM Group are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and crypto. Hantec Markets supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller, but notably lacks USDT TRC20 support. This means Syrian traders using Hantec Markets must rely on traditional e-wallets or bank transfers, which may be slower or more expensive. XM Group’s inclusion of USDT TRC20 makes it the clear winner for Syrian traders seeking fast, low-cost funding.
| 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 XM Group and Hantec Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Syrian Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. XM Group provides swap-free accounts on all account types with no time limit and no hidden fees, making it ideal for long-term position traders. Hantec Markets also offers Islamic accounts, but after a holding period (typically 30 days), a small admin fee may apply. For Syrian traders who hold positions overnight, XM Group’s unlimited swap-free policy is more advantageous. Both brokers require a simple request to convert a standard account to Islamic, and no additional documentation is needed beyond standard KYC.
| 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 customer support in Arabic, which is a major advantage for Syrian traders who prefer to communicate in their native language. Support is available via live chat, phone, and email. Hantec Markets provides support in English only, with limited Arabic language assistance. For Syrian traders, XM Group’s Arabic support ensures quicker resolution of issues, especially during volatile market hours.
| 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 Syrian retail traders in 2026, XM Group is the superior choice over Hantec Markets. Its 4.7/5 rating reflects lower trading costs, better deposit flexibility with USDT TRC20, Skrill, and Neteller, and superior Islamic account terms. XM Group’s regulation under multiple top-tier authorities provides the security Syrian traders need when trading from a region with a less robust local financial regulator. While Hantec Markets is a legitimate option with FCA regulation, its higher spreads, lack of USDT TRC20 support, and limited Arabic support make it less suited for the specific needs of Syrian traders. If you want to maximize cost savings and payment convenience, XM Group is the clear winner for Syria.