HYCM broker scan
Follow research updates for HYCM →Regulation, real cost, withdrawal friction and red flags to check before you deposit. International contracting company: Costa Rica; separate UK and UAE entities.
Availability depends on residence, nationality and the contracting company. Broker and affiliate country exclusions apply separately. The UK referral remains under review because of HYCM's conditions on educational content. The international contract names a Costa Rica company; an available link does not establish EU regulatory coverage or account eligibility. — confirm before opening an account.
We earn a commission if you open an account through our links — at no extra cost to you. It does not change our rankings. How we make money.
HYCM has solid platform and app quality and competitive all-in trading costs, but it offers leveraged CFDs, where most retail accounts lose money. Before depositing, verify the exact legal entity, product access and withdrawal terms that apply to you — and it's worth comparing alternatives before you decide.
- you trade forex or CFDs
- you care about cost transparency
- you want clearer withdrawal terms
- you want to own spot crypto, not crypto CFDs
- you're unsure which legal entity would apply to you
- you want non-CFD / direct investing only
- HQ
- International contracting company: Costa Rica; separate UK and UAE entities
- Min deposit
- $20
- Withdrawal
- 3–7 daysArrival · broker-stated
Research-based summary — informational only, not financial advice and not a safety guarantee. Verify directly before depositing.
Last updated October 2026·Spreads, fees and withdrawal times are typical/indicative and change with account type and market conditions — verify current terms with the broker before you deposit.·How we score
Check the account for your country
A brand-wide score does not establish your account terms. Bring the possible entity, source evidence and your cost assumptions into one report.
Build my HYCM account report →Traders comparing published Fixed, Classic and Raw pricing who will check the exact account and legal company first.
Anyone relying on a group licence badge without checking their contract, or seeking unleveraged asset ownership through these CFD accounts.
Eight signals, scored the same way
Low confidence
Watch the all-in cost
Slow typical payouts
MT4, MT5
high-risk product mix
Some terms need digging
Complaints & track record
Varies by country
Regulation snapshot
The FCA register confirms HYCM Capital Markets (UK) Limited (186171). The DFSA register lists HYCM Limited (F000048) for arranging deals, including with retail clients; it is not listed there as the trading counterparty. HYCM Financial Services L.L.C.'s CMA claim (20200000473) awaits a complete register read and concerns arrangement/advice. The international customer agreement is with HYCM Capital Markets S.R.L. in Costa Rica. Its company registration is not a brokerage licence, and we have not verified a brokerage authorisation for that company.
| Regulation profile | Entity-specific oversight (entity clarity, not tier-one onboarding) |
| Regulators | |
| Segregated client fundsSegregated fundsClient money held in bank accounts kept separate from the broker's own funds, so it isn't used to run the business and is easier to return if the firm fails. | HYCM says capital not allocated to margin is segregated from operating funds. Check the exact entity's client-money terms. |
| Compensation scheme | Entity-specific; no compensation scheme verified for the Costa Rica operator |
| Negative-balance protectionNegative-balance protectionA safeguard that stops your account going below zero, so you can't end up owing the broker more than you deposited. Mandatory for retail clients in some regions. | The international contract includes negative-balance protection and permits offsets across your accounts; this is not UK/EU regulatory coverage. |
Source: our licence-evidence log — status shown per licenceVerify these licences on the official regulator register before depositing — how to check.
Withdrawal still under review after verification? Separate document checks, broker processing and payment arrival.
Which entity could apply to you?
HYCM may onboard you through a different legal entity depending on your country — which can change your regulator and protection. Decode the entity that may apply before you deposit.
Real cost snapshot
| Advertised starting spreadSpreadThe gap between the buy (ask) and sell (bid) price. It's a core trading cost — tighter spreads are cheaper for you. | from 0.1 pips |
| CommissionCommissionA flat per-trade fee, common on raw/ECN accounts that show tighter spreads. Always compare spread + commission together as the all-in cost. | $4 per lot |
| Minimum deposit | $20 |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month after 90 days without activity (international contract) |
| All-in cost index | $$··· (2/5) |
Last updated October 2026·International Raw account: advertised spreads from 0.1 pips plus $4 per round for FX. These are published starting terms, not typical or measured EUR/USD costs. Metals have a different commission; financing and other charges are additional. — verify current terms with the broker before you deposit.·How we score
Withdrawal check
| Typical withdrawal speed | 3–7 days to arrive (broker-stated) (Slow) |
| Deposit / withdrawal methods | Bank transfer, Visa, Crypto (where available) |
| Verification | Identity verification (KYC) required before the first withdrawal. |
Withdrawal rules can vary by entity, country and payment method — and regulated brokers usually return funds to your original deposit method first. Available payment methods may vary depending on your jurisdiction, and depending on the payment method, third-party or bank charges may apply. See how withdrawals work.
Product risk
This reflects the risk of the products offered (e.g. leveraged CFDs) — not the broker's trustworthiness. A lower-risk product label is not an endorsement of the broker.
| Product risk level | Higher caution |
| CFD / leverage risk | High |
| Max leverage (region-aware) | 500:1 globally; retail limits — UK: up to 30:1. Lower limits apply to some instruments. |
| Crypto CFDs | Offered via CFDs — you don't own the underlying coins. |
Products shown are offered as CFDs unless otherwise stated. Crypto CFDs do not provide ownership of the underlying cryptoasset. Product availability varies by region.
Products & markets
This profile compares forex/CFD accounts. Stock and crypto CFDs do not confer ownership of shares or coins; separate products and regional terms can differ.
Red flags & what to verify
Neutral checks, not accusations. Confirm each one directly before funding an account.
Want to recognise these yourself? Try the broker red-flag detector.
Get the broker deposit checklist.
A plain-English checklist for checking regulation, fees, withdrawal terms, leverage risk and red flags before you fund an account.
Educational checklist only — not investment advice and no trading signals. We store your email to send the checklist; no spam. See our privacy policy.
Alternatives to HYCM
Other regulated platforms worth scanning side by side, with the single strongest reason each could be a better fit.
Why this fits: Stronger regulatory profile vs HYCM. Scan it before you decide.
Why this fits: Faster withdrawals vs HYCM. Scan it before you decide.
We earn a commission if you open an account through our links — at no extra cost to you. It does not change our rankings. How we make money.
HYCM — common questions
Quick, research-based answers to what people check before depositing. Informational only — verify directly.
Is HYCM regulated?+
The FCA register confirms HYCM Capital Markets (UK) Limited (186171). The DFSA register lists HYCM Limited (F000048) for arranging deals, including with retail clients; it is not listed there as the trading counterparty. HYCM Financial Services L.L.C.'s CMA claim (20200000473) awaits a complete register read and concerns arrangement/advice. The international customer agreement is with HYCM Capital Markets S.R.L. in Costa Rica. Its company registration is not a brokerage licence, and we have not verified a brokerage authorisation for that company.
Is HYCM a scam, or is it legitimate?+
The FCA register confirms HYCM Capital Markets (UK) Limited (186171). The DFSA register lists HYCM Limited (F000048) for arranging deals, including with retail clients; it is not listed there as the trading counterparty. HYCM Financial Services L.L.C.'s CMA claim (20200000473) awaits a complete register read and concerns arrangement/advice. The international customer agreement is with HYCM Capital Markets S.R.L. in Costa Rica. Its company registration is not a brokerage licence, and we have not verified a brokerage authorisation for that company.
Is HYCM available in my country?+
Availability — and the legal entity that onboards you — varies by country (HYCM does not accept AF, AL, BB, BY, BE, BF, KH, CA, KY, CY, CD, FR, GI, HT, HK, IR, IQ, JM, LB, ML, MZ, MM, KP, PA, PH, PT, RU, SN, SS, ES, SD, TZ, UG, US). The entity decides your regulator and protection. Use our entity decoder to see which entity may apply to you, and confirm it during signup.
What does it cost to trade with HYCM?+
International Raw account: advertised spreads from 0.1 pips plus $4 per round for FX. These are published starting terms, not typical or measured EUR/USD costs. Metals have a different commission; financing and other charges are additional.
How long do withdrawals take at HYCM?+
Typical withdrawal time is 3–7 days to arrive (broker-stated). Actual speed depends on your payment method, identity verification (KYC) and the entity that holds your account. Regulated brokers usually return funds to your original deposit method first.
What leverage does HYCM offer, and is it risky?+
Maximum leverage is around 500:1 on the global entity; retail limits — UK: up to 30:1. Lower limits apply to some instruments. Leverage amplifies both gains and losses, and most retail CFD accounts lose money — only trade with money you can afford to lose.
Before you deposit, compare HYCM against alternatives.
Informational scan — not a safety guarantee and not financial advice. Affiliate link; we may earn a commission, which never changes the scan score. Verify availability, fees and regulation directly before depositing.