GatesFX and HankoTrade are two offshore brokers that appear frequently in the same conversations — both offer high leverage, crypto deposits, and operate outside major regulatory jurisdictions. But which one is actually better? This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you decide. For individual reviews, see the GatesFX Review on EntryLab.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | GatesFX | HankoTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Saint Lucia | Saint Vincent & the Grenadines |
| Regulation | None | None |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5, TradeLocker | MetaTrader 5 |
| Max Leverage | 1:1000 | 1:500 |
| Min Deposit | $10 | $10 |
| Spreads From | 1.0 pips | 0.0 pips (ECN) |
| Deposit Methods | Crypto only | Crypto, Cards, Bank Transfer |
| Deposit Bonus | Yes (up to 100%) | Yes (varies) |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
Regulation and Safety
Neither broker holds a license from a major financial regulator (FCA, ASIC, CySEC, etc.). Both are registered in Caribbean jurisdictions known for minimal financial oversight.
GatesFX — Registered in Saint Lucia. No investor protection scheme. Crypto-only deposits mean transactions are difficult to dispute or reverse.
HankoTrade — Registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Also no meaningful investor protection. However, HankoTrade accepts card and bank deposits alongside crypto, which provides slightly more dispute options through payment processors.
Verdict: Both carry the same fundamental risk. HankoTrade’s card/bank deposit options give marginally more recourse if issues arise.
Platforms
This is a clear differentiator.
GatesFX offers both MetaTrader 5 and TradeLocker. TradeLocker provides TradingView-powered charting and a modern browser-based experience. This dual-platform offering is a genuine advantage. See our GatesFX MT5 vs TradeLocker guide for details.
HankoTrade offers MetaTrader 5 only. If you are specifically looking for MT5, both deliver. But GatesFX gives you TradeLocker as a bonus option.
Verdict: GatesFX wins on platform choice.
Leverage
GatesFX — Maximum 1:1000 leverage. This is among the highest available from any broker and allows significant position sizing from small accounts.
HankoTrade — Maximum 1:500 leverage. Still very high by regulated broker standards (EU/UK/AU caps at 1:30), but half of what GatesFX offers.
Verdict: GatesFX wins if you want maximum leverage. Whether you should use 1:1000 leverage is a separate question — most professional traders would argue you shouldn’t.
Spreads and Pricing
GatesFX — Spreads start from 1.0 pips. No ECN/raw spread option is publicly available. This means every trade carries at least 1 pip of built-in cost.
HankoTrade — Offers an ECN account with spreads from 0.0 pips plus commission. The standard account has wider spreads but no commission. For active traders, the ECN option can save significant money over time.
Verdict: HankoTrade wins on trading costs, especially for scalpers and high-frequency traders.
Deposits and Withdrawals
GatesFX — Crypto deposits only. Minimum $10. Withdrawals via crypto, minimum $25. Processing typically 1–24 hours.
HankoTrade — Crypto, credit/debit cards, and bank transfers. Minimum deposit $10. Multiple withdrawal options. This flexibility is a significant advantage for traders who don’t hold cryptocurrency.
Verdict: HankoTrade wins on deposit/withdrawal flexibility.
Unique Features
GatesFX — Deposit bonus (up to 100%), TradeLocker platform, 1:1000 leverage.
HankoTrade — Copy trading functionality, ECN pricing, card/bank deposits, mobile app (HankoTrade X).
HankoTrade’s copy trading feature allows less experienced traders to mirror the strategies of successful traders — a feature GatesFX does not offer.
Verdict: HankoTrade has more features overall.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose GatesFX if:
- You want TradeLocker’s modern charting interface
- You need 1:1000 leverage specifically
- You are comfortable with crypto-only deposits
- The deposit bonus adds value to your strategy
Choose HankoTrade if:
- You want lower trading costs via ECN pricing
- You need card or bank deposit options
- You want copy trading features
- You prefer a slightly wider feature set
Choose neither if:
- Regulation matters to you
- You need investor protection guarantees
- You are a beginner who needs educational support
The Bottom Line
Both GatesFX and HankoTrade are functional offshore brokers with specific strengths. GatesFX wins on leverage and platform choice (TradeLocker). HankoTrade wins on pricing, deposit flexibility, and features (copy trading, ECN accounts).
For pure trading cost efficiency, HankoTrade is the better choice. For modern charting and maximum leverage, GatesFX edges ahead. Neither offers the safety of a regulated broker, so apply the same risk management principles to both: small deposits, regular withdrawals, and never trade with money you cannot lose.
Disclaimer: Both GatesFX and HankoTrade are unregulated offshore brokers. Trading with unregulated entities carries significant risk. This article is for informational purposes only.