HFM's maximum leverage is 2,000:1, according to the MetaTrader 5 broker directory run by MetaQuotes. The Top-up Bonus account is capped at 1,000:1, and leverage is restricted from 15 minutes before to 5 minutes after major news. Stop-out is 20%, with negative balance protection. Leverage at HFM's EU and UK companies is capped by regulation and doesn't describe international accounts.
HFM leverage at a glance
| Item | HFM (international clients) |
|---|---|
| Maximum leverage | 2,000:1 |
| Top-up Bonus account | Up to 1,000:1 |
| Around major news | Restricted from 15 minutes before to 5 minutes after the release |
| Margin call / stop-out | 50% / 20% |
| Negative balance protection | Yes |
The news-time rule and stop-out level are as reported by Myforex’s HFM update, which also gives the 1,000:1 cap on the bonus account. Metals, indices, crypto and stock CFDs carry lower leverage than FX majors; the contract specification in MT4 or MT5 shows the figure for each symbol.
What the rules mean in practice
- Open positions before news have their margin recalculated at the lower leverage, so a thin margin buffer can turn into a stop-out. Reduce size or add margin before major releases.
- A 20% stop-out means HFM starts closing positions when equity falls to a fifth of used margin.
- Negative balance protection caps your loss at the account balance if a gap takes equity below zero.
Worked example: margin at 2,000:1 and 500:1
One standard lot of EUR/USD (100,000 euros) at 1.10 is worth $110,000.
- At 2,000:1 the margin is $110,000 ÷ 2,000 = $55
- At 500:1 the margin is $110,000 ÷ 500 = $220
Either way, each pip is worth $10. High leverage only lowers the deposit needed to open the position; it doesn’t reduce the risk of that position. With a $200 balance, a one-lot trade at 2,000:1 would be stopped out after a move of under 20 pips.
Our leverage guide and margin calculator help you work out what a given leverage means for your position size. Group licences: is HFM safe?.
| Broker | Leverage conditions | Visit broker | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 XMFeatured | 4.9/5Editorial rating | 1,000:1 | 1000:1 up to $40,000 equity | ✓ | 20% | Visit |
 HFM | 4.1/5 | 2,000:1 | selected accounts | ✓ | 20% | Visit |
 Exness | 4.2/5 | 2,000:1 | Unlimited only with equity under $5,000 after 10 closed or… | ✓ | 0% | Visit |
 XS.com | 4.1/5 | 2,000:1 | Dynamic: 1:2000 on FX majors/minors and gold at low equity… | ✓ | 20% | Visit |
 FXGT | 4.1/5 | 5,000:1 | Optimus account at under $1,000 equity, after 5 GT lots an… | ✓ | 20% | Visit |
Verified leverage rules elsewhere: Exness leverage, XM leverage, high-leverage brokers.
Related
Leverage at other brokers
Frequently asked questions
What is HFM's maximum leverage?
2,000:1, according to the MetaTrader 5 broker directory. The Top-up Bonus account is capped at 1,000:1, and leverage is reduced around major news releases.
Why is leverage lower on HFM's EU site?
EU and UK regulators cap retail leverage. HFM's EU company (CySEC) and UK company (FCA) follow those rules; offshore group companies don't have to.
Does higher leverage mean bigger losses?
Not by itself. Your profit or loss per pip depends on position size. Higher leverage lowers the margin needed, which makes it easier to open a position that is too large for your balance.
Does HFM have negative balance protection?
The MetaTrader 5 broker directory lists negative balance protection for HFM. Check the terms of the company that holds your account.