Which broker is better for Taiwan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Taiwan traders seeking reliable forex brokers in 2026 often compare XM Group and Hantec Markets. XM Group, with a stellar 4.7/5 rating, is a global powerhouse known for low spreads, fast execution, and extensive educational resources. Hantec Markets, scoring 3.6/5, is a UK-based broker with a strong focus on Asian markets, offering personalized service and a solid regulatory framework. For Taiwan traders using TWD, both brokers accept Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits, but XM’s broader product range—over 1,000 instruments including forex, indices, and commodities—gives it an edge for experienced retail traders. Hantec Markets offers a more curated selection of 50+ forex pairs and CFDs, appealing to traders who prefer a streamlined experience. While neither broker is directly regulated by the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) Taiwan, XM’s regulation by the FCA and CySEC provides a high level of security. This comparison examines spreads, platforms, deposits, and local support to help Taiwan traders choose the best fit for their strategies.
| 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 Taiwan traders, trading costs directly impact profitability, especially for high-volume scalpers. XM Group offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Zero account for major pairs like USD/TWD and EUR/USD, with a commission of $3.50 per lot. The Standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission, ideal for casual traders. In contrast, Hantec Markets’ spreads start from 1.2 pips on its Classic account, with no commission, and from 0.6 pips on the Pro account with a $6 commission per lot. Over 50 lots per month, XM’s lower spreads can save Taiwan traders up to 30% in costs. Additionally, XM offers no hidden fees and negative balance protection, while Hantec charges a small inactivity fee after 6 months. For cost-sensitive Taiwan traders, XM Group is clearly more competitive.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan (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 cater to Taiwan traders with robust platforms, but XM Group offers more flexibility. XM provides MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, plus a proprietary XM WebTrader for instant browser access. This is ideal for traders who need advanced charting and automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs). Hantec Markets also supports MT4 and MT5, but lacks a proprietary web platform. For Taiwan traders using TWD, XM’s platforms allow easy customization of currency pairs and indicators. Hantec’s platforms are reliable but less feature-rich. Mobile trading is smooth on both, but XM’s faster updates and broader third-party plugin support give it an edge for experienced retail traders in Taiwan.
| 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 |
Execution speed is vital for experienced Taiwan traders using scalping strategies. XM Group uses advanced STP/ECN technology, offering execution speeds under 1 second and no requotes on most orders. This is ideal for high-frequency trading. Hantec Markets also offers STP execution, but average speeds are slightly slower at 1-2 seconds, with occasional requotes during volatile markets. XM’s 99.9% order fill rate and negative balance protection further enhance reliability. For Taiwan traders trading major pairs like USD/TWD, XM’s faster execution can reduce slippage and improve profitability.
| Safety Factor | XM Group | Hantec Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is critical for Taiwan traders, as the FSC Taiwan does not directly oversee foreign brokers. XM Group is regulated by top-tier authorities: the UK FCA (license 705428) and CySEC (license 120/10), ensuring strict client fund segregation and negative balance protection. This means Taiwan traders’ deposits are safe up to £85,000 under the FSCS scheme. Hantec Markets is also FCA-regulated (license 502635) and holds an FSA license in the Seychelles, offering similar protections but with a smaller safety net. Both brokers comply with anti-money laundering (AML) rules, requiring identity verification for Taiwan clients. XM’s additional regulation by the Australian ASIC (for international clients) provides extra oversight, making it a safer choice for larger Taiwan traders. Hantec’s local heritage in Asia adds trust, but XM’s multiple regulatory layers offer stronger peace of mind.
| 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 in TWD is straightforward at both brokers, but XM Group offers faster processing. XM supports Bank Transfer (local and international) and Credit Card deposits, with most methods being instant and free. Minimum deposit is $5 USD (approx. 160 TWD), and withdrawals are processed within 24 hours on business days. Hantec Markets also accepts Bank Transfer and Credit Card, but bank transfers can take 1-3 business days, and the minimum deposit is $100 USD (approx. 3,200 TWD). Both brokers charge no fees for deposits, but Hantec may impose a small fee for withdrawals via bank wire. For Taiwan traders, XM’s lower minimum deposit and faster processing make it more accessible for those starting with smaller capital. Credit Card deposits are instant at both, but XM’s wider local banking partner network ensures smoother TWD transactions.
| 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 |
For Muslim traders in Taiwan, both XM Group and Hantec Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest. XM provides swap-free status on all account types (Standard, Zero, and Micro) without any time limit, making it ideal for long-term traders. Hantec Markets also offers Islamic accounts, but only after verification of religious affiliation, and applies swap-free conditions for up to 30 days on certain instruments. XM’s policy is more flexible and transparent, with no hidden fees. Taiwan Muslim traders should verify with each broker’s support team to ensure their trading style aligns with the swap-free terms. Overall, XM Group is more accommodating for Islamic account holders.
| 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 |
Customer support in Chinese is essential for Taiwan traders. XM Group offers 24/5 live chat, email, and phone support in Mandarin, with a dedicated Taiwan hotline. Response times are under 30 seconds on average. Hantec Markets also provides Mandarin support via live chat and email, but only during Asian market hours (9 AM-6 PM GMT+8). XM’s 24/5 availability is better for traders active during European or US sessions. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections in Chinese, but XM’s faster response and multilingual team give it a clear advantage for Taiwan traders needing immediate assistance.
| 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 Taiwan traders in 2026, XM Group is the clear winner over Hantec Markets, scoring 4.7/5 compared to 3.6/5. XM offers lower spreads, faster execution, and a wider product range, making it ideal for experienced retail traders who need to maximize profits. Its support for TWD deposits via Bank Transfer and Credit Card, combined with instant processing, simplifies local transactions. While Hantec Markets provides solid FCA regulation and a personalized touch, its higher costs and limited asset selection are less competitive. For Taiwan traders seeking a reliable, cost-efficient broker with strong regulatory oversight (though not FSC Taiwan directly), XM Group is the recommended choice. Always verify local tax implications and test both brokers with a demo account before committing capital.