The foreign exchange and CFD brokerage panorama continues to evolve as main gamers reassess their market focus. FXTM, the foreign exchange and CFD dealer owned by Andrey Dashin, is making ready to relinquish its UK Monetary Conduct Authority (FCA) license because the
firm shifts its strategic focus towards Asia and the Center East.
Singapore Summit: Meet the biggest APAC brokers you understand (and people you continue to do not!).
On the identical time, FXTM is strengthening its presence within the
Gulf area by upgrading its present Class 5 licence within the UAE to a
Class 1 license. It would enable it to supply full brokerage operations and
shopper onboarding inside the nation.
The dealer’s UAE enlargement coincides with a brand new partnership
with a neighborhood Indonesian brokerage agency, signaling broader regional ambitions
throughout Asia.
FP Markets joins layoff wave
CFD dealer FP Markets change into the most recent agency to implement job cuts as a part of a broader restructuring pattern within the retail brokerage trade. Christina Koro, the agency’s Group Head of HR & Individuals Tradition, confirmed to Finance Magnates that the layoffs affected lower than 7% of the dealer’s world workforce.
She defined that the choice was linked to a wider organizational evaluate analyzing how roles are structured and aligned with the corporate’s ongoing progress technique. Koro added that whereas some positions are being consolidated or redefined, FP Markets continues to spend money on know-how and increase into new markets. The Australian-based dealer employed over 300 workers globally as of mid-2025, together with greater than 100 in Cyprus.
74 UK brokers allowed to supply CFDs
In the meantime, as of December 1, 2025, there have been 74 Monetary Conduct Authority (FCA)-regulated companies permitted to supply contracts for distinction (CFD) merchandise to retail merchants in the UK, in response to knowledge obtained by FinanceMagnates.com by means of a Freedom of Info request. In complete, 105 companies had been listed inside the FCA’s CFD portfolio, although just a few are believed to have since surrendered their licenses.
Amongst these planning to exit the UK market is FXTM, which just lately confirmed its intention to surrender its FCA license whereas increasing operations within the UAE and Indonesia. The British regulator additional disclosed that 2,547 companies had been licensed to behave as principals and/or brokers with permissions overlaying CFDs, rolling spot foreign exchange , or unfold bets for shoppers. Regardless of some withdrawals, the figures spotlight that dozens of brokers stay energetic underneath FCA oversight.
Are tech glitches breaking merchants?
Buying and selling know-how issues have change into the principle supply of stress for a lot of buy-side fairness merchants, outweighing worries about careers, compliance, and work-life steadiness. A latest research discovered that 51% of surveyed merchants named inside tech points as their greatest explanation for fatigue or burnout, with frequent small glitches making a “demise by a thousand cuts” impact and leaving much less tolerance for IT failures in an digital buying and selling setting.
Capital cycle and crowding replace for thematic ETF’s. Noteworthy that robotics and automation stay comparatively uncrowded and capital scarce in comparison with its personal 10y historical past pic.twitter.com/kxc0VYKGyY
— Variant Notion (@VrntPerception) September 24, 2025
In his column, Paul Golden seems at how these know-how points have an effect on merchants’ psychological load and day-to-day work. He additionally examines HALO investing developments, the dangers linked to thematic ETFs, and why Bloomberg terminals nonetheless matter whilst new AI instruments problem their function within the buying and selling desk toolkit.
MetaQuotes debuts MetaTrader.com
Elsewhere, MetaQuotes, the Cyprus-based developer of the MetaTrader
buying and selling platforms, launched MetaTrader.com, a centralized portal designed to
ship monetary knowledge and instruments to retail merchants, market analysts, and
algorithmic builders.
The brand new website consolidates market data, information feeds,
interactive charting, and a developer market in a single location. In response to
the corporate, customers can log in utilizing their present MQL5.com credentials,
enabling seamless entry for these already a part of the MetaQuotes group.
The launch continues MetaQuotes’ effort to broaden its
product ecosystem past its flagship MT4 and MT5 terminals. It follows a number of
latest initiatives, together with a December 2025 replace to the pricing mannequin for
its Ultency liquidity bridge.
Prop companies pivot to shares, with out the leverage
For practically a decade, proprietary buying and selling companies have
perfected a mannequin rooted in foreign exchange and CFDs, fast-paced markets outlined by excessive
leverage, razor-thin spreads, and fast turnover. The method has paid off
handsomely: trade figures present that main companies have distributed greater than
$1 billion in dealer payouts, with FTMO alone handing out roughly $450 million
throughout its first ten years in enterprise.
Now, the sector’s consideration is popping to a a lot bigger taking part in discipline: U.S. equities. But this strategic shift poses basic
questions on sustainability. Shares lack the intense leverage and margin
efficiencies that underpin the FX prop mannequin, forcing companies to rethink how they
generate returns and whether or not their enterprise economics can adapt to a market
ruled by very totally different mechanics.
Coinbase wins Aussie nod for fairness derivatives
Within the crypto house, Coinbase is pushing forward with its world enlargement after acquiring an Australian monetary providers license. The brand new authorization allows the crypto trade to supply crypto and fairness perpetual contracts, with plans to roll out extra merchandise equivalent to futures and choices sooner or later.
The transfer marks a big step in Coinbase’s broader technique to evolve right into a multi-product monetary platform. The corporate goals to combine crypto buying and selling with equities , derivatives, and different conventional devices, positioning itself as a complete “gateway to every thing in finance.”
Singapore’s impartial wealth managers gear up for progress
Elsewhere, the exterior asset administration is rising as a key progress space in Singapore’s wealth sector as high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth shoppers more and more search personalized funding options. The pattern highlights a shift towards impartial recommendation and larger flexibility in comparison with conventional personal banking fashions.
New analysis from Financial institution of Singapore reveals that exterior asset managers are gaining momentum, supported by a brand new technology of shoppers who prioritize autonomy, transparency, and customized service.
Over half of the managers surveyed in late 2025 and early 2026 stated they had been exploring new markets and forming strategic partnerships, whereas practically two-thirds recognized enhancing shopper expertise and engagement as their primary focus.
iFOREX, DB Investing, and GTN: govt strikes of the week
Within the govt strikes of the week, CFD and FX dealer iFOREX named Michael Hewson as its new Senior Monetary Strategist, bolstering the corporate’s in-house analysis
and schooling providing. Hewson joins after a protracted spell at CMC Markets as Chief
Market Analyst, adopted by a interval working independently as an analyst and
content material producer.
UAE-based foreign exchange and CFD dealer DB Investing appointed Syed Ahmmed as Chief Enterprise Growth Officer, giving him a world remit
after a number of years in senior roles at OneRoyal and Zara FX. He’s based mostly in
Muscat, Oman, and oversees enterprise growth for the dealer throughout MENA, the
Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
Lastly, Salim Sebbata, a veteran of the retail buying and selling
sector, left Capital.com to hitch GTN as Chief Business Officer for its
European operations, Finance Magnates has discovered. He stated the corporate’s primary
focus for his remit will likely be driving natural progress in Europe.
The foreign exchange and CFD brokerage panorama continues to evolve as main gamers reassess their market focus. FXTM, the foreign exchange and CFD dealer owned by Andrey Dashin, is making ready to relinquish its UK Monetary Conduct Authority (FCA) license because the
firm shifts its strategic focus towards Asia and the Center East.
Singapore Summit: Meet the biggest APAC brokers you understand (and people you continue to do not!).
On the identical time, FXTM is strengthening its presence within the
Gulf area by upgrading its present Class 5 licence within the UAE to a
Class 1 license. It would enable it to supply full brokerage operations and
shopper onboarding inside the nation.
The dealer’s UAE enlargement coincides with a brand new partnership
with a neighborhood Indonesian brokerage agency, signaling broader regional ambitions
throughout Asia.
FP Markets joins layoff wave
CFD dealer FP Markets change into the most recent agency to implement job cuts as a part of a broader restructuring pattern within the retail brokerage trade. Christina Koro, the agency’s Group Head of HR & Individuals Tradition, confirmed to Finance Magnates that the layoffs affected lower than 7% of the dealer’s world workforce.
She defined that the choice was linked to a wider organizational evaluate analyzing how roles are structured and aligned with the corporate’s ongoing progress technique. Koro added that whereas some positions are being consolidated or redefined, FP Markets continues to spend money on know-how and increase into new markets. The Australian-based dealer employed over 300 workers globally as of mid-2025, together with greater than 100 in Cyprus.
74 UK brokers allowed to supply CFDs
In the meantime, as of December 1, 2025, there have been 74 Monetary Conduct Authority (FCA)-regulated companies permitted to supply contracts for distinction (CFD) merchandise to retail merchants in the UK, in response to knowledge obtained by FinanceMagnates.com by means of a Freedom of Info request. In complete, 105 companies had been listed inside the FCA’s CFD portfolio, although just a few are believed to have since surrendered their licenses.
Amongst these planning to exit the UK market is FXTM, which just lately confirmed its intention to surrender its FCA license whereas increasing operations within the UAE and Indonesia. The British regulator additional disclosed that 2,547 companies had been licensed to behave as principals and/or brokers with permissions overlaying CFDs, rolling spot foreign exchange , or unfold bets for shoppers. Regardless of some withdrawals, the figures spotlight that dozens of brokers stay energetic underneath FCA oversight.
Are tech glitches breaking merchants?
Buying and selling know-how issues have change into the principle supply of stress for a lot of buy-side fairness merchants, outweighing worries about careers, compliance, and work-life steadiness. A latest research discovered that 51% of surveyed merchants named inside tech points as their greatest explanation for fatigue or burnout, with frequent small glitches making a “demise by a thousand cuts” impact and leaving much less tolerance for IT failures in an digital buying and selling setting.
Capital cycle and crowding replace for thematic ETF’s. Noteworthy that robotics and automation stay comparatively uncrowded and capital scarce in comparison with its personal 10y historical past pic.twitter.com/kxc0VYKGyY
— Variant Notion (@VrntPerception) September 24, 2025
In his column, Paul Golden seems at how these know-how points have an effect on merchants’ psychological load and day-to-day work. He additionally examines HALO investing developments, the dangers linked to thematic ETFs, and why Bloomberg terminals nonetheless matter whilst new AI instruments problem their function within the buying and selling desk toolkit.
MetaQuotes debuts MetaTrader.com
Elsewhere, MetaQuotes, the Cyprus-based developer of the MetaTrader
buying and selling platforms, launched MetaTrader.com, a centralized portal designed to
ship monetary knowledge and instruments to retail merchants, market analysts, and
algorithmic builders.
The brand new website consolidates market data, information feeds,
interactive charting, and a developer market in a single location. In response to
the corporate, customers can log in utilizing their present MQL5.com credentials,
enabling seamless entry for these already a part of the MetaQuotes group.
The launch continues MetaQuotes’ effort to broaden its
product ecosystem past its flagship MT4 and MT5 terminals. It follows a number of
latest initiatives, together with a December 2025 replace to the pricing mannequin for
its Ultency liquidity bridge.
Prop companies pivot to shares, with out the leverage
For practically a decade, proprietary buying and selling companies have
perfected a mannequin rooted in foreign exchange and CFDs, fast-paced markets outlined by excessive
leverage, razor-thin spreads, and fast turnover. The method has paid off
handsomely: trade figures present that main companies have distributed greater than
$1 billion in dealer payouts, with FTMO alone handing out roughly $450 million
throughout its first ten years in enterprise.
Now, the sector’s consideration is popping to a a lot bigger taking part in discipline: U.S. equities. But this strategic shift poses basic
questions on sustainability. Shares lack the intense leverage and margin
efficiencies that underpin the FX prop mannequin, forcing companies to rethink how they
generate returns and whether or not their enterprise economics can adapt to a market
ruled by very totally different mechanics.
Coinbase wins Aussie nod for fairness derivatives
Within the crypto house, Coinbase is pushing forward with its world enlargement after acquiring an Australian monetary providers license. The brand new authorization allows the crypto trade to supply crypto and fairness perpetual contracts, with plans to roll out extra merchandise equivalent to futures and choices sooner or later.
The transfer marks a big step in Coinbase’s broader technique to evolve right into a multi-product monetary platform. The corporate goals to combine crypto buying and selling with equities , derivatives, and different conventional devices, positioning itself as a complete “gateway to every thing in finance.”
Singapore’s impartial wealth managers gear up for progress
Elsewhere, the exterior asset administration is rising as a key progress space in Singapore’s wealth sector as high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth shoppers more and more search personalized funding options. The pattern highlights a shift towards impartial recommendation and larger flexibility in comparison with conventional personal banking fashions.
New analysis from Financial institution of Singapore reveals that exterior asset managers are gaining momentum, supported by a brand new technology of shoppers who prioritize autonomy, transparency, and customized service.
Over half of the managers surveyed in late 2025 and early 2026 stated they had been exploring new markets and forming strategic partnerships, whereas practically two-thirds recognized enhancing shopper expertise and engagement as their primary focus.
iFOREX, DB Investing, and GTN: govt strikes of the week
Within the govt strikes of the week, CFD and FX dealer iFOREX named Michael Hewson as its new Senior Monetary Strategist, bolstering the corporate’s in-house analysis
and schooling providing. Hewson joins after a protracted spell at CMC Markets as Chief
Market Analyst, adopted by a interval working independently as an analyst and
content material producer.
UAE-based foreign exchange and CFD dealer DB Investing appointed Syed Ahmmed as Chief Enterprise Growth Officer, giving him a world remit
after a number of years in senior roles at OneRoyal and Zara FX. He’s based mostly in
Muscat, Oman, and oversees enterprise growth for the dealer throughout MENA, the
Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
Lastly, Salim Sebbata, a veteran of the retail buying and selling
sector, left Capital.com to hitch GTN as Chief Business Officer for its
European operations, Finance Magnates has discovered. He stated the corporate’s primary
focus for his remit will likely be driving natural progress in Europe.
