HYCM Review 2026 | Regulation, Fees, Platforms and Safety

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Overview of HYCM

HYCM is a long-established Forex and CFD broker with a history dating back to 1977, operating under the HY Group brand. Over the decades, HYCM has built a reputation as a regulation-focused, traditional brokerage, serving retail and professional traders across Europe, the UK, and international markets.

In 2026, HYCM is generally positioned as:

• A strongly regulated multi-entity broker
• Focused on Forex and CFD trading
• Suitable for beginners and intermediate traders
• Less focused on ultra-low-cost ECN or institutional trading

This review provides a clear, realistic, and in-depth evaluation of HYCM, covering regulation, safety, platforms, trading costs, account types, strengths, weaknesses, and trader suitability.

Is HYCM Regulated and Safe?

Yes. HYCM is considered a well-regulated and relatively safe broker, especially when trading under its top-tier regulated entities.

Regulatory Licenses

Entity	Regulator	Region	Protection Level
HYCM UK	FCA	United Kingdom	Very High
HYCM Europe	CySEC	European Union	High
HYCM Dubai	DFSA	Middle East	High
HYCM Offshore	Cayman Islands	International	Lower

This multi-regulatory structure allows HYCM to operate globally while offering strong protection for UK and EU traders.

Investor Protection and Client Fund Security

HYCM applies strict security measures under its regulated entities.

Key Protection Features

• Client funds held in segregated accounts
• Negative balance protection for retail clients
• Strong AML and KYC compliance
• Regular regulatory audits

Compensation Schemes

• UK clients may be covered by FSCS (up to £85,000)
• EU clients may be covered by ICF (up to €20,000)

This places HYCM among the safer brokers for retail traders who prioritize regulatory protection.

Trading Platforms Offered by HYCM

HYCM supports industry-standard trading platforms, making it accessible to a wide range of traders.

MetaTrader 4 (MT4)

• Forex and CFD trading
• Expert Advisors supported
• Custom indicators
• Widely used by retail traders

MetaTrader 5 (MT5)

• More indicators and timeframes
• Improved order management
• Faster strategy testing
• Supports additional asset classes

HYCM Proprietary Web Platform

• Browser-based
• Simple and beginner-friendly
• Limited advanced features

Platforms are available on:

• Desktop
• Web
• iOS and Android mobile apps

Account Types and Trading Conditions

HYCM offers three main account types, each designed for different trading styles.

Fixed Account

• Fixed spreads
• No commission
• Predictable costs
• Suitable for beginners

Classic Account

• Variable spreads
• No commission
• Balanced option for most traders

Raw Account

• Spreads from 0.0 pips
• Commission per lot
• Designed for active and experienced traders

Account Type	Spreads	Commission	Best For
Fixed	Fixed	No	Beginners
Classic	Variable	No	Intermediate
Raw	Very low	Yes	Active traders

HYCM Review

HYCM is an online forex and CFD trading platform. They provide traders with access to key markets such as currencies, indexes, commodities, and stocks. HYCM is one of the few brokers that offers cryptocurrency CFDs to traders interested in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.

Pros

• Segregates client funds
• Established in 1977
• Regulated by Financial Conduct Authority, CySEC
• Min. deposit from $1

Cons

• Doesn’t offer VPS (See alternatives)
• Inactivity Fee
• Limited range of instruments
• Not ASIC Regulated (See alternatives)

A minimum deposit of $1 is required to establish a live account. Alternatively, HYCM Markets has a demo account that you may use to experiment and become acquainted with their platform.

Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom (FRN: 186171)  and CySEC (license number: 259/14), HYCM places all customer money in segregated bank accounts with tier-1 institutions. HYCM has been in business since 1977.

Before we get into the specifics of HYCM’ spreads, fees, platforms, and trading tools, you may want to open their website in a new tab by clicking the button below to get the most up-to-date information directly from them.

VISIT HYCM

Full disclosure: We may receive a commission if you sign up with a broker using one of our links.

Available Trading Instruments

HYCM offers a broad but focused range of CFD instruments.

Markets Available

Asset Class	Availability	Notes
Forex	Yes	Major, minor, exotic pairs
Indices CFDs	Yes	Global indices
Commodities CFDs	Yes	Metals and energy
Stock CFDs	Yes	Global companies
Cryptocurrencies CFDs	Limited	Retail only
Real Stocks	No	CFDs only
ETFs	No	Not supported

HYCM is designed for short- to medium-term CFD trading, not long-term investing.

Spreads, Fees and Trading Costs in 2026

HYCM’s pricing is transparent and competitive, though not always the lowest in the market.

Typical Spreads

Instrument	Average Spread
EUR/USD	From 1.2 pips (Classic)
EUR/USD	From 0.0 pips (Raw)
Gold	Competitive
Major indices	Market average

Additional Fees

• Commission applies only to Raw accounts
• Overnight swap fees apply
• Inactivity fees may apply after extended periods
• No hidden trading commissions on Classic or Fixed accounts

Leverage and Risk Management

Leverage at HYCM depends on regulatory entity.

Retail Leverage

• UK and EU clients: up to 1:30
• Offshore entities: higher leverage may be available

Risk management tools include:

• Margin call alerts
• Stop-out protection
• Guaranteed negative balance protection

This makes HYCM a controlled-risk broker for retail traders.

Deposits and Withdrawals

Payment Methods

• Bank transfer
• Credit and debit cards
• Selected e-wallets

Availability depends on region.

Processing Times

Transaction	Time
Deposits	Instant to 1 business day
Withdrawals	1–5 business days

HYCM generally maintains a reliable withdrawal reputation under its regulated entities.

Demo Account

HYCM provides a free demo account across MT4 and MT5 platforms.

Demo accounts allow traders to:

• Practice trading strategies
• Test platforms and execution
• Understand pricing and spreads

Is HYCM Suitable for Beginners?

Yes. HYCM is well suited for beginners, especially under UK and EU regulation.

Beginner Advantages

• Strong regulation
• Fixed and Classic accounts
• Demo account
• Simple platforms

Beginner Limitations

• Education content is basic
• Advanced tools are limited

HYCM for Experienced Traders

Experienced traders may find HYCM suitable if they:

• Prefer regulated environments
• Use MT4 or MT5
• Want predictable execution

However, traders seeking ultra-low spreads, institutional liquidity, or advanced analytics may prefer ECN-focused brokers.

Advantages and Disadvantages of HYCM

Advantages

• Strong FCA and CySEC regulation
• Long operating history
• Multiple account types
• MT4 and MT5 support
• Good beginner accessibility

Disadvantages

• Limited crypto offering
• No real stocks or ETFs
• Education resources are basic
• Not the cheapest ECN broker

Comparison with Other Regulated Brokers

Feature	HYCM	Market Average
Regulation	Very strong	Mixed
Platforms	MT4 MT5	Mixed
Spreads	Medium	Medium
Beginner friendly	High	Variable
Advanced tools	Limited	Often better elsewhere

Common Trader Concerns

Traders researching HYCM often ask:

• Which entity will my account be under?
• Are my funds protected?
• Is HYCM suitable for long-term trading?

These are valid concerns and should be confirmed before opening an account.

Is HYCM Worth Using in 2026?

HYCM remains a solid, regulation-first broker in 2026. It does not aim to compete with high-risk offshore or ultra-low-cost brokers but instead focuses on safety, compliance, and stability.

For traders who value regulation, predictable costs, and established platforms, HYCM is a reliable choice.

Who Should Consider HYCM?

HYCM is suitable if:

• You are a beginner or intermediate trader
• You prioritize regulation and safety
• You trade Forex and CFDs manually
• You prefer MT4 or MT5

HYCM may not be suitable if:

• You want real stocks or ETFs
• You trade primarily cryptocurrencies
• You require institutional-level pricing
• You rely heavily on advanced analytics

Risk Warning

Trading Forex and CFDs involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. HYCM offers strong regulatory protection for retail clients, but leveraged trading can result in rapid losses. Always trade responsibly and only with funds you can afford to lose.

What are HYCM’s spreads & fees?

HYCM, like most brokers, charges a fee based on the spread, which is the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset.

The commissions and spreads shown here are based on the HYCM website’s minimum spreads.

Forex	HYCM	City Index	XTB
EUR/USD(Average: 0.7 pips)	0.2 pips	0.7 pips	0.1 pips
GBP/USD(Average: 1.1 pips)	0.4 pips	1.7 pips	0.1 pips
USD/JPY(Average: 1.1 pips)	0.2 pips	0.6 pips	0.1 pips
AUD/USD(Average: 0.8 pips)	0.7 pips	0.6 pips	0.2 pips
USD/CHF(Average: 2.3 pips)	0.7 pips	2.3 pips	0.2 pips
USD/CAD(Average: 2.9 pips)	0.6 pips	0.5 pips	0.3 pips
NZD/USD(Average: 3.6 pips)	1.1 pips	2.8 pips	0.3 pips
EUR/GBP(Average: 2.4 pips)	0.3 pips	0.5 pips	0.1 pips

Spreads are dynamic and are for informational purposes only.

As you can see, HYCM’s minimum spread for trading EUR/USD is 0.2 pips – which is relatively high compared to average EUR/USD spread of 0.70 pips. Below is a breakdown of how much it would cost you to trade one lot of EUR/USD with HYCM vs. similar brokers.

SEE ALL SPREADS

How much does HYCM charge to trade 1 lot of EUR/USD?

If you bought one standard lot of EUR/USD (100,000 units) with HYCM at 1.1719 and then sold it the next day at the same price, you would most likely pay $15.1. Here’s a quick summary of the costs and how they compare to XTB and AvaTrade.

	HYCM	XTB	AvaTrade
Spread from:	$ 2.00	$ 2.00	$ 7.00
Commission:	$4.00	$0.00	$0.00
Total cost of a 100k trade:	$ 6.00	$ 2.00	$ 7.00
		$4 less	$1 more
	VISIT HYCM	VISIT XTB	VISIT AVATRADE

All fees/prices are for informational purposes and are subject to change.

Visit HYCM

What can you trade with HYCM?

HYCM provides over 100 different trading products, including over 70 currency pairings. To compare, we’ve summarised all of the different types of instruments offered by HYCM, as well as the products offered by XTB and AvaTrade.

FX / Currencies	HYCM	XTB	AvaTrade
# of forex pairs offered	71	48	59
Major forex pairs	Yes	Yes	Yes
Minor forex pairs	Yes	Yes	Yes
Exotic forex pairs	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cryptocurrencies*	No	Yes	Yes

Commodity CFDs	HYCM	XTB	AvaTrade
# of commodities offered	10	21	16
Metals	Yes	Yes	Yes
Energies	Yes	Yes	Yes
Agricultural	Yes	Yes	Yes

Index & Stock CFDs	HYCM	XTB	AvaTrade
# of stocks offered	10	1606	99
UK shares	No	Yes	Yes
US shares	Yes	Yes	Yes
German shares	No	Yes	Yes
Japanese shares	No	Yes	Yes
	SEE HYCM’S INSTRUMENTS	SEE XTB’S INSTRUMENTS	SEE AVATRADE’S INSTRUMENTS

Visit HYCM

What’s the HYCM trading experience like?

1) Platforms and apps

HYCM provides the well-known MT4 forex trading software. See our MT4 broker comparison for a list of the best MT4 brokers. HYCM also provides a bespoke HYCM platform.

They now provide mobile apps for Android and iOS, making it easy to monitor and make transactions while on the go.

SEE HYCM’S PLATFORMS

Still not sure?

Open a practice account & learn to trade

2) Executing Trades

The minimum and maximum trading criteria at HYCM vary based on the trader and the asset.

As a market maker, HYCM may have lower entrance criteria than an ECN broker, who usually has greater capital and minimum trading requirements due to a higher number of transactions. Market makers usually have a lower minimum deposit and a lower minimum trading requirement and no commission on trades.

Margin requirements, like those of other brokers, vary based on the trader, account, and instrument. The most recent margin requirements may be seen on their website.

Finally, we’ve included a list of some of the most common financing options that HYCM provides its traders below.

Trading Features:

• Allows scalping
• Allows hedging
• Low min deposit

Accounts offered:

• Micro account
• Mini account
• Standard account
• Islamic account

Funding methods:

• Credit cards
• Bank Transfer
• PayPal
• Payoneer

3) Client support

English, Chinese, Arabic, and Russian are just a few of the languages supported by HYCM.

4) What you’ll need to open an account with HYCM

Because HYCM is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and CySEC, every new customer must go through a few simple compliance checks to verify that you understand the risks of trading and are permitted to trade. When you establish an account, you will most likely be asked for the following information, so have it handy:

• A scanned colour copy of your passport, driving license or national ID
• A utility bill or bank statement from the past three months showing your address

You’ll also need to answer a few basic compliance questions to prove your trading expertise, so allow at least 10 minutes to finish the account opening procedure.

While you may be able to browse their site immediately, it is essential to note that you will not be able to execute any transactions until you pass compliance, which can take several days, depending on your situation.

To start the process of opening an account with HYCM you can visit their website here.

Open a demo account

79% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

In 2026, HYCM continues to be a well-regulated, stable, and beginner-friendly broker. While it may not offer the lowest costs or most advanced tools, its regulatory strength, long history, and transparent trading conditions make it a dependable option for retail traders seeking safety over speculation.

FAQs

1. Is HYCM a regulated broker?

Yes. HYCM is regulated by several major authorities, including the FCA in the United Kingdom, CySEC in the European Union, and DFSA in Dubai, which provides strong regulatory oversight and investor protection.

2. Is HYCM safe to use for trading?

HYCM is considered a relatively safe broker, especially for UK and EU clients. It follows strict rules on client fund segregation, negative balance protection, and regulatory reporting.

3. Which trading platforms does HYCM support?

HYCM supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and its own web-based trading platform, available on desktop and mobile devices.

4. Is HYCM suitable for beginners?

Yes. HYCM is well suited for beginners due to its strong regulation, demo account availability, fixed and Classic account options, and user-friendly platforms.

5. What are the main risks of trading with HYCM?

The main risks include market volatility, leverage-related losses, and limited access to advanced trading tools. As with all CFD brokers, traders should only invest money they can afford to lose.