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LHFX Review 2025

Written By

Christian Harris

Written By

Christian Harris

Christian is a seasoned journalist with decades of experience. He transitioned from tech journalism to finance to follow his interest in investing. He has been trading stocks, futures, forex, and cryptocurrencies for more than 5 years, becoming an eToro Popular Investor. With hands-on expertise across various assets, he offers valuable trading insights.

» Christian Harris Profile Page

Edited By

James Barra

Edited By

James Barra

James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.

» James Barra Profile Page

Fact Checked By

Michael MacKenzie

Fact Checked By

Michael MacKenzie

Michael is a writer and editor with over a decade in journalism and publishing. His niche lies in editing and fact-checking content in the financial services sector, with a focus on online brokers and trading platforms. Michael previously reported on politics and economics in the Middle East and edits books for established publishers.

» Michael MacKenzie Profile Page

Updated

Mar 31, 2025

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LHFX is #72 in our CFD broker rankings.

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Customer Reviews

Minimum Deposit $10

Trading Platforms MT4

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities

Regulators FSC

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP

Payment Options Bitcoin Payments

Pros

• Opening an account with LHFX is super easy, taking just minutes and only requiring a $10 deposit, making it accessible for traders with limited capital.
• LHFX provides round-the-clock customer service via live chat, email, a callback service, and social media platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram, with fast if not fairly basic responses from agents during testing.
• LHFX’s top-performing area in testing was its low fees, featuring 0.0-pip spreads and a competitive $6 commission per lot. Its ECN model ensures direct market access, tight spreads, and fast execution - ideal for scalpers and day traders.

Cons

• LHFX lacks essential research tools like an economic calendar, trading calculators, and currency converters, while we encountered error messages accessing its market analysis.
• LHFX operates with Bitcoin-based deposit and withdrawal systems, meaning that deposits made in USD, EUR, or GBP are automatically converted to Bitcoin. This lack of direct fiat banking options can be a hassle for traders who prefer the simplicity of traditional solutions.
• LHFX only supports MT4 with no add-ons available at firms like Admirals. And with no alternative software like cTrader, TradingView or a proprietary app, the limited selection could prove restrictive for many traders.

In this deep dive review into LHFX, we dissect its highs and lows, giving traders an unfiltered look at what the platform truly offers. Having tested it extensively since its early days as LonghornFX, we rate the broker’s key features with a focus on short-term trading.

Regulation & Trust

LHFX is a trading name of Longhorn Ltd, a company incorporated in Mauritius and regulated by the country’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) under the Investment Dealer license number GB23202204.

This is a ‘red tier’ regulator according to DayTrading.com’s Regulation & Trust Rating.

It’s important to note that LHFX explicitly states on its website that any EU authority, EEA national competent authority, or the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not authorize it.

This means its services fall outside the EU and UK regulatory frameworks, so compensation funds like the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) or Investor Compensation Fund will not cover you in the event of LHFX’s closure.

You should therefore exercise caution and conduct thorough due diligence before engaging with its services.

Accounts & Banking

Live Accounts

Opening a live account with LHFX is straightforward and only takes a few minutes based on testing.

Still after sign-up, I quickly noticed that, unlike many leading brokers, LHFX only offers a single ECN account, regardless of the deposit amount.

There are no tiered options based on trading volume or initial capital, meaning everyone trades under the same conditions.

The platform provides high leverage of up to 1:500, which can attract traders looking for higher risk-to-reward opportunities.

The absence of multiple account types at LHFX stands out compared to more established brokers like FP Markets, which offers a Standard account with no commissions and a Raw account (suitable for active traders) with spreads as low as 0.0 pips but a commission per lot traded.

These structured account options let you choose between cost models that fit your strategy, something missing from LHFX’s one-size-fits-all approach.

However, the broker does offer Islamic accounts that do not incur swap fees. Instead, they charge an administration fee.

Demo Accounts

Opening a demo account with LHFX is quick and hassle-free. A big plus is that you can open unlimited demo accounts, which never expire—unlike some brokers that limit access after 60 or 90 days.

However annoyingly, you can’t manage demo accounts from the client dashboard. There’s no option to replenish funds or change leverage, meaning you must create a new account within the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform every time you need a reset.

This feels inconvenient compared to IC Markets, which lets you adjust balances and leverage easily.

Deposits & Withdrawals

Depositing funds into LHFX isn’t straightforward as it requires using Bitcoin payments. When I log into my account and select the deposit option, I have two choices: deposit Bitcoin directly or buy Bitcoin through third-party Instacoins.

If I deposit Bitcoin, I enter the amount I want to transfer and click the ‘Deposit Funds’ button. LHFX then provides a one-time-use Bitcoin wallet address, which I must use within 15 minutes.

Once received, any funds sent to this address are credited to my trading account. A new wallet address is generated for future deposits, meaning I can’t reuse the same one.

If I buy Bitcoin via Instacoins using a bank wire transfer, credit card, or debit card, LHFX redirects me to an external website where I can purchase it and send it directly to my trading account.

While this adds flexibility, it also means relying on a separate service, which may have fees and processing times of up to six hours.

Managing Bitcoin transactions requires extra steps compared to traditional fiat deposits, but once the funds are in your account, you can start trading without issues.

The minimum deposit requirement is low, at $10, catering to beginners, and LHFX notably doesn’t charge deposit fees, though third-party fees (from banks and Instacoins) can apply.

The withdrawal process is similarly tied to BTC. When I want to withdraw, I need to provide a BTC wallet address. Thankfully, withdrawals are quick, and funds typically arrive within 1-2 hours.

Still, if you’re new to crypto or don’t want to deal with BTC wallets, this might feel like too much hassle compared to more traditional brokers.

Assets & Markets

LHFX specializes in forex  and CFD trading, lacking popular asset classes such as real stocks, ETFs, or options.

You can trade:

• Forex: 55+ currency pairs, covering major, minor, and exotic pairs. This selection is competitive but falls short of industry leaders like IG, which offers over 100 forex pairs.
• Cryptocurrencies: 30+ cryptocurrency pairs, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. While this is more than many traditional brokers, it lacks the depth of dedicated crypto exchanges.
• Stocks: 75+ stocks from US, UK, and EU markets, providing exposure to major equities including Amazon, Netflix and LVMH.
• Indices: 10+ major worldwide indexes, including the S&P 500, FTSE 100, and Nikkei 225, allow speculation on broader market stock movements.
• Commodities: 8+ including precious metals (gold, silver, platinum) and oil, but notably missing agricultural commodities like orange juice and wheat.

LHFX offers a reasonable range of forex and cryptocurrency pairs. However, its selection of indices and commodities is more limited.

In contrast, CMC Markets provides access to 12,000+ CFD products, including commodities, currencies, ETFs, stocks, indices, share baskets, and treasuries—a broader selection than most online brokers.

Fees & Costs

LHFX offers low spreads from our evaluations, starting from around 0.7 pips for the EUR/USD pair, due to its ECN model, which provides direct market access.

The broker also maintains competitive commission ($6 per lot on all trades) and swap fees, helping keep trading costs low.

LHFX is quite favorable in terms of deposit and withdrawal fees. It offers free deposits and withdrawals, with funds typically processed within 30 minutes. This is more convenient than brokers that may charge fees or have longer transaction processing times.

However, LHFX applies an inactivity fee of $10 per month if an account has been open for at least 180 days and has not made deposits or trades for 90 days.

Brokers like eToro charge a similar $10 monthly fee, though it kicks in after 12 months of inactivity, so it’s worth considering your trading frequency. Also, some brokers, like Pepperstone, have no inactivity fees.

Platforms & Tools

LHFX offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) as its sole trading platform. MT4 is widely known for its reliability on desktop, web and mobile devices, making it a popular choice for experienced forex traders.

It provides essential features like advanced charting, technical analysis tools, and automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs).

However, unlike other brokers that offer multiple platforms such as cTrader, TradingView, or their own proprietary platforms, support for only MT4 may feel limiting if you’re looking for more flexibility or advanced tools. IC Markets, by comparison, offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView.

Placing a trade with MT4 is relatively straightforward, even though I find the interface outdated. After logging in with my account details provided by LHFX, the Market Watch window displays all available assets, such as forex pairs, metals, and indices.

To place a trade, I right-click on the asset I want to trade, such as GBP/JPY, and select New Order. I can set the volume (lot size) in the order window and choose between Market Execution or Pending Order.

When I use Market Execution, I can place the order instantly by hitting Buy or Sell or setting a pending order at a specific price. I can also input Stop Loss and Take Profit levels to manage risk.

Once my trade is live, it appears in the Order tab under the Terminal window, where I can monitor the trade and adjust my position if needed. To close the trade, I right-click on it and select Close Order or use the X on the trade line in the chart.

Christian Harris

Author

MT4 offers a straightforward process for placing and managing trades. However, its limitations in advanced charting and customizability may not appeal to more experienced traders looking for a broader range of features.

Research

LHFX’s ‘Trading Analysis’ section regularly updates with daily technical analyses. However, I’ve encountered multiple 404 errors when accessing these pages, rendering the content inaccessible.

Furthermore, LHFX lacks several essential research tools commonly offered by leading day trading brokers, such as an economic calendar, trading calculators, currency converters, screeners, or technical analysis tools from third-party vendors like Trading Central, Autochartist, or Signal Center.​

In contrast, top-tier brokers like Pepperstone provide comprehensive in-house research resources, offering you a more robust and informative trading experience.

Education

LHFX’s educational offerings are minimal.

The ‘Education’ hosts just 10 articles, with some content not updated since August 2023. While essential topics like spreads and leverage are covered, the lack of recent material may leave learners seeking more current information.

The difference is notable compared to top brokers. For instance, AvaTrade offers an extensive selection of educational resources, including courses, videos, eBooks, tutorials, glossaries, and more.

For more comprehensive and current educational resources, you will find more value in brokers prioritizing ongoing learning and development.

Customer Support

LHFX offers 24/7 customer service through multiple channels, including live chat, email, phone support (via callback), and social media.

• Live Chat: I frequently use the chat widget within my client dashboard and on the website, and the response time is always quick. The support agents are always helpful, but sometimes, the answers feel generic and don’t go in-depth.
• Email: I have also contacted LHFX via email. The response are generally slower than live chat, but I have received detailed replies within a few hours that have addressed my questions about account management and withdrawals.
• Callback: The absence of a dedicated phone line for direct support means I have sometimes needed to request a callback rather than having immediate access to someone over the phone. While I did receive the callback within the promised timeframe during testing, it’s not as immediate or seamless as having direct phone support available at all times.
• Social Media: LHFX is active on platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram. Though I haven’t reached out through social media, it’s a good option for staying updated with the broker’s latest news.

LHFX’s customer service options are decent but lack the extensive features seen with more established brokers, such as multilingual phone lines. However, it should be commended for operating all day, every day.

Should You Day Trade With LHFX?

LHFX offers an ECN trading environment with high leverage and Bitcoin-based transactions, which may appeal if you’re an experienced day trader who is comfortable with crypto transactions.

However, its lack of regulation by major financial authorities and limited funding options could be a drawback if you prefer traditional fiat deposits and added regulatory protections.

FAQ

Is LHFX Legit Or A Scam?

LHFX operates with limited regulatory oversight, as it is not licensed by major financial authorities like the FCA, ASIC or CySEC.

The lack of transparency regarding certain account features and funding methods may raise concerns for some traders.

Is LHFX Suitable For Beginners?

While the $10 starting deposit is low, LHFX may not be the most suitable option for beginners due to its reliance on Bitcoin for deposits and withdrawals, which requires familiarity with cryptocurrency wallets.

Additionally, the lack of multiple account types or clear, detailed educational resources might make it challenging for new traders to navigate.

Beginners may find brokers with more user-friendly interfaces, fiat deposit options, and dedicated support, like IC Markets or FP Markets, more accessible.

Top 3 Alternatives to LHFX

Compare LHFX with the top 3 similar brokers that accept traders from your location.

1. Interactive Brokers – Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage, providing access to 150 markets in 33 countries, along with a suite of comprehensive investment services. With over 40 years of experience, this Nasdaq-listed firm adheres to stringent regulations by the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC, amongst others, and is one of the most trusted brokers for trading around the globe.
   Go to Interactive Brokers
2. Dukascopy – Established in 2004, Dukascopy Bank SA is a Swiss online bank and brokerage providing short-term trading opportunities on 1,200+ instruments, including binaries. A choice of accounts (JForex, MT4/5, Binary Options) and sophisticated platforms (JForex, MT4/MT5) deliver powerful tools and market data for active traders.
   Go to Dukascopy
3. World Forex – World Forex is an offshore broker registered in St Vincent and the Grenadines, offering commission-free trading with a $1 minimum deposit and 1:1000 leverage. Digital contracts are also available, offering beginners a straightforward way to speculate on popular financial markets.
   Go to World Forex

LHFX Comparison Table

Compare Trading Instruments

Compare the markets and instruments offered by LHFX and its competitors. Please note, some markets may only be available via CFDs or other derivatives.

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