Yes. HFM is licensed in the UAE by the DFSA through HF Markets (DIFC) Limited (ref. F004885). What the licence covers and how to verify it.
Yes. HFM is licensed in the UAE by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) through HF Markets (DIFC) Limited, reference F004885. The firm is based in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a financial free zone with its own regulator.
Key Facts About HFM UAE Regulation
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) |
| Licensed entity | HF Markets (DIFC) Limited |
| Reference | F004885 |
| Licence date | 12 December 2018 |
| Legal status | A company incorporated in the DIFC |
| Permitted activities | Arranging Deals in Investments; Dealing in Investments as Principal (matched principal only) |
| Retail clients | Yes, endorsed to serve Retail Clients and to hold or control client assets |
| Where to verify | DFSA Public Register |
What Does HFM's UAE Licence Allow?
According to the DFSA Public Register, HF Markets (DIFC) Limited holds these permissions: Arranging Deals in Investments; Dealing in Investments as Principal (matched principal only). Yes, endorsed to serve Retail Clients and to hold or control client assets.
"Matched principal" means the firm offsets each client trade with another counterparty at the same time, instead of holding the opposite position on its own books.
Which HFM Entity Will You Sign Up With?
HFM is part of a group with entities in several countries. Holding a UAE licence does not guarantee that every UAE resident is onboarded to the UAE entity. Before you deposit, check the company name in your client agreement. If it names HF Markets (DIFC) Limited, your account falls under the DFSA. If it names an entity in another country, that country's regulator applies instead.
How Can You Check HFM's Licence Yourself?
- Open the DFSA Public Register.
- Confirm the firm name is HF Markets (DIFC) Limited and the reference is F004885.
- Check the permitted activities match what you plan to do, such as trading CFDs.
- Make sure the website and app you use link to this entity, since regulators regularly warn about clone sites that copy licensed firms' details.
For the full assessment of costs, platforms and safety read our HFM review.
Where Can You Trade?
These assets are available as CFDs on the regulated brokers below. Capital at risk.
What Are the Key Takeaways?
HFM holds a UAE licence from the DFSA through HF Markets (DIFC) Limited (ref. F004885).
Yes, endorsed to serve Retail Clients and to hold or control client assets.
Check the entity named in your client agreement, because UAE protections only apply if you are onboarded to the UAE entity.
Verify the licence on the DFSA Public Register rather than relying on the broker's website.
CFDs are complex instruments and most retail accounts lose money; HFM's own figure is shown on our review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HFM regulated in the UAE?
Is HFM safe for UAE traders?
How do I check HFM's UAE licence?
Capital at risk. Trading in financial instruments carries a high level of risk to your capital. This content is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.