Risk Warning

Online trading involves significant risk, and you may lose all of your invested capital. It is not suitable for all traders or investors. Please ensure that you understand the risks involved and note that the information contained in this article is for general information purposes only.

General Information

What is PBFX？

PBFX is a provider of online trading services focused on Forex currency pairs, stocks, commodities, oil & gas, and cryptocurrencies through MT4 platform. Pribizco currently registered with the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR) and the Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC).

In the following article, we will analyze the characteristics of this broker from various aspects, providing you with simple and organized information. If you are interested, please read on. At the end of the article, we will also briefly make a conclusion so that you can understand the broker's characteristics at a glance.

Pros & Cons

PBFX has several notable pros and cons. On the positive side, PBFX offers a wide range of market instruments and flexible leverage options up to 1:1000, providing traders with various trading opportunities. Additionally, they have multiple account types to suit different trading needs through the leading MT4 platform.

However, there are also some drawbacks. There is limited information on spreads and commissions, which may be a concern for some traders. Additionally, the customer service contact options are limited, and the educational resources and tools provided by PBFX are also limited.

Is PBFX Safe or Scam？

PBFX's registration with the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR, License N0. 551686) and the Australia Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC, License No. 269820) indicates that it holds licenses in those jurisdictions. However, it is important to note that these licenses are considered general registered licenses, which may have different regulatory requirements compared to full regulatory licenses.

While registration with these authorities demonstrates some level of compliance, it does not provide the same level of investor protection as full regulatory licenses. Traders should exercise caution and conduct further research to assess PBFX's reputation, track record, and the overall safety of their services before engaging with the platform.

Market Instruments

Pribizco offers investors a wide variety of financial trading assets, mainly Forex currency pairs, stocks, commodities, oil & gas, and cryptocurrencies. The Forex market offers traders the opportunity to participate in the global currency exchange market, allowing them to trade major, minor, and exotic currency pairs. With stocks, traders can access various company shares and participate in the equity markets. Commodities such as gold, silver, oil, and gas provide avenues for diversification and hedging strategies.

Additionally, PBFX enables traders to engage in the growing market of cryptocurrencies, which includes popular digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others. This diverse selection of market instruments gives traders the flexibility to explore various trading opportunities and diversify their investment portfolios.

Accounts

PBFX offers traders a choice of three live account types: Cent, Standard, and ECN. The Cent account requires a minimum deposit of $10, making it accessible to traders with smaller capital. The Standard account also has a minimum deposit of $10 and caters to the needs of traders who prefer traditional trading conditions.

On the other hand, the ECN account requires a higher minimum deposit of $1,000 and provides traders with direct access to the market through Electronic Communication Network (ECN) technology, offering enhanced liquidity and potentially lower spreads.

Additionally, PBFX provides free demo accounts with $10,000 in virtual funds, allowing traders to practice their strategies and familiarize themselves with the platform before trading with real money.

Furthermore, PBFX offers swap-free accounts for traders who adhere to Islamic principles. These account options provide flexibility and cater to the diverse needs and preferences of traders.

Leverage

PBFX offers flexible leverage of up to 1:1000 to its traders. This high leverage option allows traders to potentially amplify their trading positions and potential profits. However, it's important to note that trading with high leverage also carries increased risk, as it can amplify potential losses. Traders should exercise caution and carefully manage their risk when utilizing high leverage ratios. PBFX's flexible leverage option provides traders with the ability to choose a leverage level that aligns with their trading strategy and risk tolerance, allowing them to optimize their trading approach.

Spreads & Commissions

PBFX offers competitive spreads on its different account types. For Cent and Standard accounts, the spread is fixed at 1.7 pips, providing traders with a transparent and consistent cost for executing trades. On the other hand, ,ECN accounts have a spread of 0 pips which means traders can access raw interbank spreads and potentially benefit from tighter pricing.

However, PBFX does not provide specific information regarding commissions. Traders are advised to review the broker's terms and conditions or contact customer support to obtain more detailed information about commissions and any additional costs associated with trading on the platform.

Below is a comparison table about spreads and commissions charged by different brokers:

Please note that the information provided is based on general data and may vary depending on the specific account type and trading conditions offered by each broker. It's always recommended to refer to the official website or contact the broker directly for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Trading Platforms

PBFX provides a range of trading platforms, primarily focusing on the popular MetaTrader4 (MT4) platform. MT4 is known for its user-friendly interface, advanced charting capabilities, and extensive range of technical indicators and analysis tools. Traders can access the MT4 platform on various devices, including Windows and Mac computers, as well as mobile devices running on iOS and Android operating systems. This allows for seamless trading and monitoring of positions on-the-go.

The availability of MT4 across multiple platforms ensures that traders have flexibility and convenience in executing their trades. With its robust features and widespread usage in the industry, MT4 offered by PBFX enables traders to make informed trading decisions and execute their strategies effectively.

See the trading platform comparison table below:

Deposits & Withdrawals

PBFX offers a variety of convenient and secure payment options for both deposits and withdrawals. Traders can fund their accounts using popular methods such as Tether, PayTrust, MTPAY, China UnionPay, and SWIFT. The broker has a low minimum deposit requirement of only $10, making it accessible for traders of different budgets.

PBFX minimum deposit vs other brokers

Moreover, PBFX does not impose any limitations on withdrawal amounts, allowing clients to withdraw their funds as needed. Both deposits and withdrawals are free of charge, eliminating any additional costs for traders.

PBFX also provides a benefit to its clients by offering 3 times free deposit and withdrawal per month, providing flexibility and cost savings. The processing time for deposits and withdrawals is relatively fast, typically taking 1-5 working days, ensuring timely access to funds for traders.

Bonuses

PBFX provides a bonus program that rewards clients based on their initial deposit amounts. Traders can receive bonus amounts depending on the deposited funds, offering an opportunity to enhance their trading capital. For example, depositing $10 will grant a $10 bonus, while depositing $20 will result in a $20 bonus. The bonus amounts increase with larger deposits, with $30 bonus for $30 deposit, $60 bonus for $50 deposit, and $90 bonus for $200 deposit.

It's important to note that the maximum deposit amount eligible for a bonus is $500, and the maximum bonus amount that can be received is $150. This bonus program allows traders to potentially boost their trading funds and take advantage of additional opportunities in the market.

Customer Service

PBFX offers a range of customer support options to assist traders in their journey. Clients can reach out to the broker through 24/5 live chat, phone, and email channels, ensuring prompt and efficient communication. The availability of multiple contact methods allows traders to choose the most convenient option for their needs.

Additionally, PBFX maintains an active presence on popular social networks like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, where traders can follow their updates and engage with the broker's community.

The combination of various customer support channels and social media presence demonstrates PBFX's commitment to providing reliable and accessible support to its clients, enhancing the overall trading experience.

Note: These pros and cons are subjective and may vary depending on the individual's experience with PBFX's customer service.

Conclusion

In conclusion, PBFX is a forex broker registered with the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR) and the Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC). They offer a range of market instruments and flexible leverage options, providing trading opportunities for different types of traders.

However, the limited information available on their website, especially regarding spreads and commissions, raises some concerns. The customer service options are also limited, and the educational resources and tools provided by PBFX are not extensive. It is recommended to conduct further research and consider your specific trading needs before choosing PBFX as your forex broker.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Information

Hantec Markets, one of the subsidiaries of the Hantac group, was established in 2008 in Australia as a new brand. Its business scope focuses on CFDs trading on forex, commodities, indices and bullion.

Demo account is available for practicing and trades can be executed on the world renowned MetaTrader4 and 5 platforms.

One exciting news is that the broker is decently regulated by ASIC (Australia Securities & Investment Commission) and FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), proving a certain level of liability and legality. What's more, the broker implements fund segregation and negative balance to protect customer funds.

However, the company charges several fees such as commissions, overnight fees, conversion fees, etc., adding trading costs.

Pros and Cons

Is Hantec Markets Legit?

Yes, Hantec Markets is a legitimate and regulated forex broker that operates under the oversight of reputable financial regulatory bodies. It is officially regulated by ASIC (Australia Securities & Investment Commission) and FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), with licenses numbering at 326907 and 502635 respectively.

Though its CGSE and VFSC licenses are suspected to be fake clones, but after investigation, the regulated entities are subsidiaries of the Hantec Group who has 19 offices around the globe, which means Hantec Markets does not necessarily duplicate these licenses.

Nonetheless, during the research, we found that the company holds a suspected clone license with number “関東財務局長（金商）第102号” from FSA (Financial Services Agency) as well. But the company name is “Gaitame Finest Company Limited”, not relating to Hantect Group at all. You should be vigilant about this alarming red flag since the company might deceiving clients in another company's name in some business areas.

Regulated Country	Regulator	Regulatory Status	Regulated Entity	License Type	License No.
	ASIC	Regulated	Hantec Markets (Australia) Pty Limited	Market Making (MM)	326907
	FCA	Regulated	Hantec Markets Limited	Market Making (MM)	502635
	CGSE	Suspicious Clone	亨達金銀投資有限公司	Type AA License	163
	VFSC	Suspicious Clone	Hantec Markets (V) Company Limited	Retail Forex License	40318
	FSA	Suspicious Clone	Gaitame Finest Company Limited	Retail Forex License	関東財務局長（金商）第102号

Market Instruments

Currency pairs, indices, commodities, metals, energies, stocks... Hantec Markets gives its clients access to a massive trading market. So, both beginners and sophisticated traders could find what they want to trade on Hantec Markets.

Account Type

Demo account: Hantec Markets offers a demo account for you to test a little on the financial market without the risk of losing money.

Real account: there are 2 types of real accounts in total: Cent account and Standard account.

The Cent account is said to target beginners who want to trade with less risks. The initial deposit requirement is affordable at $10, with spread starting from 1.2 pips. However, additional functions such as copy trading and demo account are not available with this account. You cannot practice before you start real trading or imitate trading strategies from successful traders.

While Standard account, with access to a full suite of Hantec features, also requires the same initial deposit of $10. Spread is tighter from 0.1 pips and copy trading/demo account is available.

In addition, there is a Swap Free Accounts that allows trading the following products without swap charges: EURUSD, GBPUSD, USDJPY, USDCHF, EURCAD, GBPCAD, EURGBP, CHFJPY, EURCHF, EURJPY, NZDUSD, AUDUSD, AUDNZD, USDCAD, GBPJPY, CADJPY, CADCHF, GBPCHF, XAGUSD, XAUUSD. However, if you hold a position for longer than one week in this account, a holding fee of 10 USD (or equivalent) per lot on FX and 30 USD (or equivalent) per lot on XAUUSD and XAGUSD per day will be charged.

Leverage

Hantec Markets offers a maximum leverage of up to 1:1000, which is a generous offer and ideal for professional traders and scalpers. However, since leverage can magnify your profits, it can also result in a loss of capital, especially for inexperienced traders. Therefore, traders must choose the right amount according to their risk tolerance.

Spreads and Commissions

Hantec Markets offers Forex trading with spreads starting from specified values for various currency pairs. There are no commissions charged for Forex trades. The spread type is floating, and the minimum order size is 0.01 lot. The trading conditions also include a stop-out level set at 40% of the used margin. Overall, Hantec Markets provides competitive spreads and transparent commission-free trading for Forex.

Trade major pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY:

EUR/USD spread: 0.00014898 pips

GBP/USD spread: 0.000213589 pips

USD/JPY spread: 0.022286942 pips

Hantec Markets offers precious metals trading with competitive spreads and floating spread types. Traders can trade gold (XAU) with a minimum margin requirement of 5% and silver (XAG) with a minimum margin requirement of 10%. The minimum order size for gold is 0.1 lot (10 ounces) and for silver is 0.1 lot (500 ounces). There are no commissions charged for trading these metals, and the trading hours are available according to the server time.

Hantec Markets offers CFD trading on a variety of symbols, including stocks. The spreads for stock CFDs start from specified values for each symbol. Additionally, there are no specific details provided regarding commissions for stock CFD trading.

Hantec Markets offers indices trading on various major indices in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the US. The spreads for indices trading start from specified values for each symbol. Additionally, there are no specific details provided regarding commissions for indices trading.

In terms of Commodity Trading conditions at Hantec Markets, both US Oil and UK Oil have a spread of 0.05. There are no specific details provided regarding commissions for commodity trading.

Hantec Markets offers cryptocurrency trading with competitive spreads on a range of popular cryptocurrencies.

Non-Trading Fees

Currency Conversion Fee:

A conversion fee may be applicable to trades based on the currency settings of your trading account, funding currency, and the settlement currency of the market being traded.

The conversion fee is set at 0.6% and is added to the settlement exchange rate, which is determined by the market rate at the time of settlement. To account for the conversion fee, the underlying exchange rate is multiplied by 1.006 during the conversion process.

For instance, if the GBP/USD exchange rate is 1.1, the applicable FX conversion rate would be 1.1 x 1.006 = 1.1066.

By default, CFD accounts are set to 'instant' conversion. This means that any realized profit, loss, funding, dividend adjustments, or commission will be automatically converted to your account's base currency.

Let's consider an example:

Suppose you have purchased £20 per point worth of FTSE (UK100), and the base currency of your trading account is USD. Since you are trading in GBP, which is different from your account's base currency, the related transactions need to be converted to USD.

Assuming the exchange rate is 0.7576 ($1 equals £0.7576), after incorporating the conversion fee of 0.6%, the conversion rate becomes 0.7576 x 1.006 = 0.7621.

If FTSE increases by 30 points, your profit would amount to £600. This profit will be reflected as £600/0.7621 = $787.30 in your account. To calculate the admin fee charged, multiply your profit by 0.6%:

$787.30 profit x 0.6% = £4.72 currency conversion fee (already included – not charged separately)

Overnight Funding (Swap charges):

Also known as the 'Swap' charge, this is the cost of holding a position overnight. The amount will be dependent on the size of your trade, whether you have a long or short position and the instrument you are trading. Swap rates are determined by the underlying interest rates of the products or currency pairs you have open positions in.

Trading Platforms

Hantec Markets offers two trading platforms for trades execution: the popular MetaTrader4 and MetaTrader5.

Both platforms are widely recognized globally for its robust functions, built-in charting tools and techinical indicatiors and customized interface. Traders can configure settings of the platform according to their own preferences.

You can acess these two platforms via web on any devices, or download apps from Windows, iOS, Mac and Android devices.

Deposit and Withdrawal

Hantec Markets provides multiple payment methods:

Credit/Debit Card: Accepts USD, EUR, GBP, and NGN with a minimum deposit of $25 by Visa, Maestro, UK Debit Cards; no processing fees apply, and payment details must match the account name.

Skrill: Allows deposits in USD, EUR, GBP, and NGN with a minimum of $100; no processing fees, and account details must match.

NETELLER: Supports USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, NGN, and AUD with a minimum deposit of $100; no processing fees, and account details must match.

China UnionPay: Supports all Mainland Chinese cards; no minimum deposit specified and no processing fees.

Withdrawals are made via the original funding method, processed within 2-5 working days, and must match the account holders name.

Customer Support

Hantec Markets prides itself on providing excellent customer service to its clients. Each client is assigned a dedicated relationship manager who serves as their primary point of contact for any queries or issues. The relationship manager can be reached conveniently through the live chat tool available on the website.

The customer support team is also available 24/5 and can be contacted by leaving a message in the “contact us” section of the website.

Alternatively, you can reach out to them through the live chat feature, which is located at the lower right corner of the broker's website. Additionally, you have the option to contact customer support via telephone using the following numbers:

China – 4000280332

Nigeria – 7080601265

Jordan – 18442000155

Thailand – 1800019263

Taiwan – 886801491458

Pakistan – 080090044349

Main Office (UK) – +41225510215

Please note that international numbers may incur toll fees.

Office Locations:

Hantec Markets' main headquarters is situated at 5-6 Newbury St, Barbican, London EC1A 7HU in the United Kingdom. For the addresses of their Dubai, India, or other offices, please refer to the Hantec Markets website.

Education

Hantec Markets offers a wide range of educational resources on its website to support traders in their learning journey. These resources include market reports, analysis videos, YouTube webinars featuring Nigerian and African traders, as well as podcasts. Moreover, there is a dedicated learning hub that provides valuable content across four experience tiers, along with lessons on strategy creation and risk management.

Conclusion

Overall, Hantec Markets is a well-established forex broker with competitive spreads, transparent commission-free trading, and access to popular trading platforms like MT4 and MT5. Traders can benefit from various trading platforms and a diverse selection of tradable assets. However, some aspects, such as limited information about certain commissions and the availability of Hantec Social platform, could be improved. Traders should carefully assess their trading requirements and preferences, as well as consider the associated risks and costs, before choosing Garnet Trade as their trading platform.

FAQs

Is Hantec Markets a legitimate broker?

Yes, Hantec Markets is a legitimate and regulated forex broker. They are authorized and supervised by ASIC and FCA.

What account types do Hantec Markets offer?

Hantec Markets offers demo accounts, Cent accounts, and Standard accounts. The minimum deposit to open an account is just $10.

What trading platforms are available on Hantec Markets?

MT4 and MT5.

What is the maximum leverage offered by Hantec Markets?

Hantec Markets offers maximum leverage of 1:1000 for international clients using the Cent Account and 1:500 for international clients using the Standard Account. However, for European clients, leverage is limited by ESMA regulations to 1:30 for major FX pairs, 1:20 for minors and exotics, gold, and stock indices, and 1:10 for oil and silver.

What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Hantec Markets?

Hantec Markets supports Bank Wire, VISA, MasterCard, Neteller, Skrill, and UnionPay.