Finance Magnates sat down with Michael Higgins, the International CEO of Hidden Road, after Ripple agreed to acquire the crypto prime broker for $1.25 billion.
“Ripple was well known to Hidden Road as a customer. Hidden Road was known to members of the Ripple management team. There was a natural relationship between our firms.”
Michael Higgins, the International CEO of Hidden Road during FMLS:24 panel
“We are fortunate to have 20 times more demand for balance sheet than supply at Hidden Road,” Michael Higgins, International CEO of Hidden Road, told FinanceMagnates.com following the $1.25 billion acquisition by Ripple. “By partnering with Ripple,” he added, “we can immediately solve the supply and demand issue for Hidden Road’s existing clients, expand our capacity to service our pipeline, and continue to scale.”
The acquisition, according to him was also “pretty organic” as “Ripple was well known to Hidden Road as a customer. Hidden Road was known to members of the Ripple management team. There was a natural relationship between our firms.”
“A Natural Fit”
Ripple acquired Hidden Road earlier this month in one of the largest deals in the crypto industry. The $1.25 billion transaction will be completed with a mix of cash, XRP tokens and equity, and is expected to close in the coming months. The deal also came in the backdrop when “all participants in digital assets are aiming to institutionalise the market infrastructure,” according to Higgins. “The combination of Ripple and Hidden Road was a natural fit.”
🚨 Here is the full speech of @MonicaLongSF about @Ripple acquiring Hidden Road for $1.25B👇 How RLUSD will be used ?! Will XRP be involved in this deal ? Is volume on the XRPL going to explode ? Check and repost the video guys 👇 pic.twitter.com/knOQ1WP7aM
Founded in 2018, Hidden Road offers cryptocurrency liquidity through over-the-counter (OTC) prime brokerage. “Hidden Road, in traditional markets, provides its customers with clearing and prime services—across foreign exchange, fixed income, swaps, and listed derivatives,” Higgins explained.
He described the link between traditional and digital markets: “You trade Bitcoin against dollars. You trade Bitcoin against euro. You trade Bitcoin against yen. That has an FX component and a digital asset component. This is evidence of the merging of traditional and digital markets.”
According to recent data, Hidden Road clears $3 trillion annually across all markets and serves over 300 major institutional clients. With Ripple’s backing, the broker plans to grow its capacity to serve even more clients in the future.
“Tokenising real-world assets on blockchains like the XRP Ledger has the potential to make traditional markets more efficient,” Higgins added.
Ripple's acquisition of Hidden Road focused not only on scale but also on product synergy. Hidden Road plans to use Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin as collateral within its brokerage system and is also looking into using the XRP Ledger to improve settlement efficiency. The aim is to speed up the use of Ripple’s key technologies among major institutional users.
Brad Garlinghouse, CEO, Ripple; Source: LinkedIn
“Providing clients with a stablecoin that operates 24/7 helps make markets more operationally and capital efficient,” added Higgins.
Furthermore, once the deal is complete, Hidden Road will migrate its post-trade activity to XRPL to streamline operations and reduce costs. On Ripple’s side, it sees the opportunity to optimise costs and liquidity in its cross-border payments solution, Ripple Payments, while also offering secure digital asset custody services to Hidden Road’s clients.
Another highlight of the deal was Ripple’s commitment to “inject billions of dollars of capital” to provide immediate scale and meet the demand for Hidden Road’s prime brokerage, clearing and financing platform. This would also address the demand abundance situation for Hidden Road, which, according to Higgins, “is a good problem to have and speaks to the success of our prime brokerage, clearing and financing platform.”
“Ripple enables Hidden Road to provide more capacity to institutional clients,” Higgins added. “The worlds of traditional markets and digital assets have already merged. Now you have a prime broker that can offer access to digital assets and compete in traditional markets—and the only one who can service both at scale: Hidden Road.”
“We will be able to support some of the largest institutions in the world—hedge funds, regional banks, asset managers—across asset classes and product types,” he explained. “Within digital assets, we believe it will bring the biggest names into the space through a regulated, well-capitalised entity.”
“The Timing Was Right”
The acquisition came as the crypto regulatory environment in the US was changing. Donald Trump, who declared himself the first Bitcoin President during his campaign, appointed a crypto-friendly Chair to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the agency that once went after Ripple in a high-profile lawsuit. Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, confirmed that the regulator had decided to end enforcement actions against the company.
“The tailwind from Trump’s regulatory initiatives has created an opportunity for digital assets to grow with US support,” Higgins said. “Prime and clearing needed innovation. We set out to do that years ago, and part of taking that next step was having a strong balance sheet and a partner to scale with. Ripple is certainly providing that. We believe it brings trust and financial strength to the ecosystem—across assets and products. It’s exciting.”
“We set out to do three things: rebuild the prime and clearing infrastructure, obtain global regulation, and inject significant capital into the business,” he added. “We became a more mature business with a strong institutional client base over time. With the right partner—regulatory-first, technology- and product-focused—it felt natural to combine with Ripple. The timing was right.”
Another point highlighted by Higgins was “being regulatory compliant.” He said, “We both maintain strong regulatory and compliance frameworks that allow us to operate in the jurisdictions we do.” Indeed, days after the acquisition announcement, Hidden Road secured a broker-dealer licence in the United States.
“The goal was, and
remains, to become the preeminent non-bank, multi-asset prime and clearing
firm. Technology, regulation, and balance sheet—that’s what it takes,” Higgins on the long-term vision of Hidden Road. “It’s still very early on.”
“We are fortunate to have 20 times more demand for balance sheet than supply at Hidden Road,” Michael Higgins, International CEO of Hidden Road, told FinanceMagnates.com following the $1.25 billion acquisition by Ripple. “By partnering with Ripple,” he added, “we can immediately solve the supply and demand issue for Hidden Road’s existing clients, expand our capacity to service our pipeline, and continue to scale.”
The acquisition, according to him was also “pretty organic” as “Ripple was well known to Hidden Road as a customer. Hidden Road was known to members of the Ripple management team. There was a natural relationship between our firms.”
“A Natural Fit”
Ripple acquired Hidden Road earlier this month in one of the largest deals in the crypto industry. The $1.25 billion transaction will be completed with a mix of cash, XRP tokens and equity, and is expected to close in the coming months. The deal also came in the backdrop when “all participants in digital assets are aiming to institutionalise the market infrastructure,” according to Higgins. “The combination of Ripple and Hidden Road was a natural fit.”
🚨 Here is the full speech of @MonicaLongSF about @Ripple acquiring Hidden Road for $1.25B👇 How RLUSD will be used ?! Will XRP be involved in this deal ? Is volume on the XRPL going to explode ? Check and repost the video guys 👇 pic.twitter.com/knOQ1WP7aM
Founded in 2018, Hidden Road offers cryptocurrency liquidity through over-the-counter (OTC) prime brokerage. “Hidden Road, in traditional markets, provides its customers with clearing and prime services—across foreign exchange, fixed income, swaps, and listed derivatives,” Higgins explained.
He described the link between traditional and digital markets: “You trade Bitcoin against dollars. You trade Bitcoin against euro. You trade Bitcoin against yen. That has an FX component and a digital asset component. This is evidence of the merging of traditional and digital markets.”
According to recent data, Hidden Road clears $3 trillion annually across all markets and serves over 300 major institutional clients. With Ripple’s backing, the broker plans to grow its capacity to serve even more clients in the future.
“Tokenising real-world assets on blockchains like the XRP Ledger has the potential to make traditional markets more efficient,” Higgins added.
Ripple's acquisition of Hidden Road focused not only on scale but also on product synergy. Hidden Road plans to use Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin as collateral within its brokerage system and is also looking into using the XRP Ledger to improve settlement efficiency. The aim is to speed up the use of Ripple’s key technologies among major institutional users.
Brad Garlinghouse, CEO, Ripple; Source: LinkedIn
“Providing clients with a stablecoin that operates 24/7 helps make markets more operationally and capital efficient,” added Higgins.
Furthermore, once the deal is complete, Hidden Road will migrate its post-trade activity to XRPL to streamline operations and reduce costs. On Ripple’s side, it sees the opportunity to optimise costs and liquidity in its cross-border payments solution, Ripple Payments, while also offering secure digital asset custody services to Hidden Road’s clients.
Another highlight of the deal was Ripple’s commitment to “inject billions of dollars of capital” to provide immediate scale and meet the demand for Hidden Road’s prime brokerage, clearing and financing platform. This would also address the demand abundance situation for Hidden Road, which, according to Higgins, “is a good problem to have and speaks to the success of our prime brokerage, clearing and financing platform.”
“Ripple enables Hidden Road to provide more capacity to institutional clients,” Higgins added. “The worlds of traditional markets and digital assets have already merged. Now you have a prime broker that can offer access to digital assets and compete in traditional markets—and the only one who can service both at scale: Hidden Road.”
“We will be able to support some of the largest institutions in the world—hedge funds, regional banks, asset managers—across asset classes and product types,” he explained. “Within digital assets, we believe it will bring the biggest names into the space through a regulated, well-capitalised entity.”
“The Timing Was Right”
The acquisition came as the crypto regulatory environment in the US was changing. Donald Trump, who declared himself the first Bitcoin President during his campaign, appointed a crypto-friendly Chair to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the agency that once went after Ripple in a high-profile lawsuit. Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, confirmed that the regulator had decided to end enforcement actions against the company.
“The tailwind from Trump’s regulatory initiatives has created an opportunity for digital assets to grow with US support,” Higgins said. “Prime and clearing needed innovation. We set out to do that years ago, and part of taking that next step was having a strong balance sheet and a partner to scale with. Ripple is certainly providing that. We believe it brings trust and financial strength to the ecosystem—across assets and products. It’s exciting.”
“We set out to do three things: rebuild the prime and clearing infrastructure, obtain global regulation, and inject significant capital into the business,” he added. “We became a more mature business with a strong institutional client base over time. With the right partner—regulatory-first, technology- and product-focused—it felt natural to combine with Ripple. The timing was right.”
Another point highlighted by Higgins was “being regulatory compliant.” He said, “We both maintain strong regulatory and compliance frameworks that allow us to operate in the jurisdictions we do.” Indeed, days after the acquisition announcement, Hidden Road secured a broker-dealer licence in the United States.
“The goal was, and
remains, to become the preeminent non-bank, multi-asset prime and clearing
firm. Technology, regulation, and balance sheet—that’s what it takes,” Higgins on the long-term vision of Hidden Road. “It’s still very early on.”
Yam Yehoshua is Editor-in-Chief, leading coverage of the global online trading, fintech, and digital assets sectors. He sets editorial direction and oversees how major developments are reported and explained for industry professionals.
Under his leadership, the newsroom focuses on the structural trends affecting brokers, trading platforms, and market infrastructure, including regulation, licensing, consolidation, and the evolution of CFD and crypto business models. The editorial approach prioritises clarity, financial accuracy, and relevance for decision-makers.
Yam has a background in both print and digital journalism and works closely with executives, regulators, and operators across key jurisdictions. His work is focused on separating market narrative from financial reality and ensuring coverage reflects how the industry operates in practice, not just how it is marketed.
Education:
Journalism and Communication Studies (Diploma Program)
Headline College, Tel Aviv, Israel
Arnab Shome is an electronics engineer-turned-financial editor. He holds a Bachelor of Technology from the National Institute of Technology, Agartala. He entered the retail trading industry about a decade ago, covering the cryptocurrency market for Finance Magnates, and later expanded his coverage to include forex and CFDs as well.
His work at Finance Magnates includes C-level interviews, data-driven analysis, opinion pieces, and scoops of industry exclusives. He also contributes to Finance Magnates’ quarterly industry report.
Area of coverage:
1. CFD broker-related news
2. Industry-related Regulatory updates and developments
3. New retail trading trends
4. Prop trading industry updates
5. Executive interviews
Education:
Bachelor of Technology - National Institute of Technology, Agartala (India)
Capital.com Names Ex-Pepperstone InfoSec GM as VP of IT Operations During Product and AI Shift
Featured Videos
FM Daily Brief – 3 July 2026
FM Daily Brief – 3 July 2026
FM Daily Brief – 3 July 2026
FM Daily Brief – 3 July 2026
Today’s Friday, the 3rd of July 2026, and these are our main stories: Esma warns that prediction markets may still fall under the EU’s binary options ban, prediction markets surpass 50 billion dollars in monthly trading volume and brokers rethink client engagement in a tougher regulatory landscape.
Today’s Friday, the 3rd of July 2026, and these are our main stories: Esma warns that prediction markets may still fall under the EU’s binary options ban, prediction markets surpass 50 billion dollars in monthly trading volume and brokers rethink client engagement in a tougher regulatory landscape.
Today’s Friday, the 3rd of July 2026, and these are our main stories: Esma warns that prediction markets may still fall under the EU’s binary options ban, prediction markets surpass 50 billion dollars in monthly trading volume and brokers rethink client engagement in a tougher regulatory landscape.
Today’s Friday, the 3rd of July 2026, and these are our main stories: Esma warns that prediction markets may still fall under the EU’s binary options ban, prediction markets surpass 50 billion dollars in monthly trading volume and brokers rethink client engagement in a tougher regulatory landscape.
Why FX Brokers Lose Deposits: SPAYZ.io CCO on Payments, Conversion & Emerging Markets
Why FX Brokers Lose Deposits: SPAYZ.io CCO on Payments, Conversion & Emerging Markets
Why FX Brokers Lose Deposits: SPAYZ.io CCO on Payments, Conversion & Emerging Markets
Why FX Brokers Lose Deposits: SPAYZ.io CCO on Payments, Conversion & Emerging Markets
Why FX Brokers Lose Deposits: SPAYZ.io CCO on Payments, Conversion & Emerging Markets
Why FX Brokers Lose Deposits: SPAYZ.io CCO on Payments, Conversion & Emerging Markets
Are your payment flows costing you clients?
At iFX EXPO International, Finance Magnates' Editor-in-Chief Yam Yehoshua speaks with Tatjana Meluskane, Chief Commercial Officer at SPAYZ.io, about why payment strategy has become one of the biggest drivers of broker growth.
In this interview, Tatjana explains why local payment methods, regional expertise, and close cooperation between brokers and payment providers are essential for improving deposit conversion rates and expanding into emerging markets.
In this interview:
- Why brokers lose deposits before clients even start trading
- The importance of local payment methods and local currencies
- Why card payments often fail in emerging markets
- Mobile money, QR payments, and regional payment preferences
- How brokers can improve payment conversion rates
- The role of analytics in payment optimisation
- Why payment success is a shared responsibility between brokers and PSPs
- The value of long-term partnerships in global payments
Key Quote:
"Everything starts with partnership... We are focusing on growth through partnerships, close cooperation, fast reaction, improvements and developments." — Tatjana Meluskane, Chief Commercial Officer, SPAYZ.io
If you're a broker, fintech company, payment provider, or industry professional looking to improve client deposits and payment performance, this interview is packed with practical insights.
#FinanceMagnates #iFXEXPO #Forex #Payments #Fintech #Brokers #PSP #PaymentGateway #Trading #FX #EmergingMarkets #SPAYZ #ConversionRate #PaymentMethods
Are your payment flows costing you clients?
At iFX EXPO International, Finance Magnates' Editor-in-Chief Yam Yehoshua speaks with Tatjana Meluskane, Chief Commercial Officer at SPAYZ.io, about why payment strategy has become one of the biggest drivers of broker growth.
In this interview, Tatjana explains why local payment methods, regional expertise, and close cooperation between brokers and payment providers are essential for improving deposit conversion rates and expanding into emerging markets.
In this interview:
- Why brokers lose deposits before clients even start trading
- The importance of local payment methods and local currencies
- Why card payments often fail in emerging markets
- Mobile money, QR payments, and regional payment preferences
- How brokers can improve payment conversion rates
- The role of analytics in payment optimisation
- Why payment success is a shared responsibility between brokers and PSPs
- The value of long-term partnerships in global payments
Key Quote:
"Everything starts with partnership... We are focusing on growth through partnerships, close cooperation, fast reaction, improvements and developments." — Tatjana Meluskane, Chief Commercial Officer, SPAYZ.io
If you're a broker, fintech company, payment provider, or industry professional looking to improve client deposits and payment performance, this interview is packed with practical insights.
#FinanceMagnates #iFXEXPO #Forex #Payments #Fintech #Brokers #PSP #PaymentGateway #Trading #FX #EmergingMarkets #SPAYZ #ConversionRate #PaymentMethods
Are your payment flows costing you clients?
At iFX EXPO International, Finance Magnates' Editor-in-Chief Yam Yehoshua speaks with Tatjana Meluskane, Chief Commercial Officer at SPAYZ.io, about why payment strategy has become one of the biggest drivers of broker growth.
In this interview, Tatjana explains why local payment methods, regional expertise, and close cooperation between brokers and payment providers are essential for improving deposit conversion rates and expanding into emerging markets.
In this interview:
- Why brokers lose deposits before clients even start trading
- The importance of local payment methods and local currencies
- Why card payments often fail in emerging markets
- Mobile money, QR payments, and regional payment preferences
- How brokers can improve payment conversion rates
- The role of analytics in payment optimisation
- Why payment success is a shared responsibility between brokers and PSPs
- The value of long-term partnerships in global payments
Key Quote:
"Everything starts with partnership... We are focusing on growth through partnerships, close cooperation, fast reaction, improvements and developments." — Tatjana Meluskane, Chief Commercial Officer, SPAYZ.io
If you're a broker, fintech company, payment provider, or industry professional looking to improve client deposits and payment performance, this interview is packed with practical insights.
#FinanceMagnates #iFXEXPO #Forex #Payments #Fintech #Brokers #PSP #PaymentGateway #Trading #FX #EmergingMarkets #SPAYZ #ConversionRate #PaymentMethods
Are your payment flows costing you clients?
At iFX EXPO International, Finance Magnates' Editor-in-Chief Yam Yehoshua speaks with Tatjana Meluskane, Chief Commercial Officer at SPAYZ.io, about why payment strategy has become one of the biggest drivers of broker growth.
In this interview, Tatjana explains why local payment methods, regional expertise, and close cooperation between brokers and payment providers are essential for improving deposit conversion rates and expanding into emerging markets.
In this interview:
- Why brokers lose deposits before clients even start trading
- The importance of local payment methods and local currencies
- Why card payments often fail in emerging markets
- Mobile money, QR payments, and regional payment preferences
- How brokers can improve payment conversion rates
- The role of analytics in payment optimisation
- Why payment success is a shared responsibility between brokers and PSPs
- The value of long-term partnerships in global payments
Key Quote:
"Everything starts with partnership... We are focusing on growth through partnerships, close cooperation, fast reaction, improvements and developments." — Tatjana Meluskane, Chief Commercial Officer, SPAYZ.io
If you're a broker, fintech company, payment provider, or industry professional looking to improve client deposits and payment performance, this interview is packed with practical insights.
#FinanceMagnates #iFXEXPO #Forex #Payments #Fintech #Brokers #PSP #PaymentGateway #Trading #FX #EmergingMarkets #SPAYZ #ConversionRate #PaymentMethods
Are your payment flows costing you clients?
At iFX EXPO International, Finance Magnates' Editor-in-Chief Yam Yehoshua speaks with Tatjana Meluskane, Chief Commercial Officer at SPAYZ.io, about why payment strategy has become one of the biggest drivers of broker growth.
In this interview, Tatjana explains why local payment methods, regional expertise, and close cooperation between brokers and payment providers are essential for improving deposit conversion rates and expanding into emerging markets.
In this interview:
- Why brokers lose deposits before clients even start trading
- The importance of local payment methods and local currencies
- Why card payments often fail in emerging markets
- Mobile money, QR payments, and regional payment preferences
- How brokers can improve payment conversion rates
- The role of analytics in payment optimisation
- Why payment success is a shared responsibility between brokers and PSPs
- The value of long-term partnerships in global payments
Key Quote:
"Everything starts with partnership... We are focusing on growth through partnerships, close cooperation, fast reaction, improvements and developments." — Tatjana Meluskane, Chief Commercial Officer, SPAYZ.io
If you're a broker, fintech company, payment provider, or industry professional looking to improve client deposits and payment performance, this interview is packed with practical insights.
#FinanceMagnates #iFXEXPO #Forex #Payments #Fintech #Brokers #PSP #PaymentGateway #Trading #FX #EmergingMarkets #SPAYZ #ConversionRate #PaymentMethods
Are your payment flows costing you clients?
At iFX EXPO International, Finance Magnates' Editor-in-Chief Yam Yehoshua speaks with Tatjana Meluskane, Chief Commercial Officer at SPAYZ.io, about why payment strategy has become one of the biggest drivers of broker growth.
In this interview, Tatjana explains why local payment methods, regional expertise, and close cooperation between brokers and payment providers are essential for improving deposit conversion rates and expanding into emerging markets.
In this interview:
- Why brokers lose deposits before clients even start trading
- The importance of local payment methods and local currencies
- Why card payments often fail in emerging markets
- Mobile money, QR payments, and regional payment preferences
- How brokers can improve payment conversion rates
- The role of analytics in payment optimisation
- Why payment success is a shared responsibility between brokers and PSPs
- The value of long-term partnerships in global payments
Key Quote:
"Everything starts with partnership... We are focusing on growth through partnerships, close cooperation, fast reaction, improvements and developments." — Tatjana Meluskane, Chief Commercial Officer, SPAYZ.io
If you're a broker, fintech company, payment provider, or industry professional looking to improve client deposits and payment performance, this interview is packed with practical insights.
#FinanceMagnates #iFXEXPO #Forex #Payments #Fintech #Brokers #PSP #PaymentGateway #Trading #FX #EmergingMarkets #SPAYZ #ConversionRate #PaymentMethods
Broker Licensing, Cyprus vs Greece & Why UAE Is Winning | Nicos Kezarides Interview
Broker Licensing, Cyprus vs Greece & Why UAE Is Winning | Nicos Kezarides Interview
Broker Licensing, Cyprus vs Greece & Why UAE Is Winning | Nicos Kezarides Interview
Broker Licensing, Cyprus vs Greece & Why UAE Is Winning | Nicos Kezarides Interview
Broker Licensing, Cyprus vs Greece & Why UAE Is Winning | Nicos Kezarides Interview
Broker Licensing, Cyprus vs Greece & Why UAE Is Winning | Nicos Kezarides Interview
Are tougher regulations making broker licences too expensive? Is Greece becoming a stronger alternative to Cyprus? And could prediction markets become the next major growth area for the trading industry?
In this exclusive interview from iFX Expo International 2026, Adonis Adoni, News Editor at Finance Magnates, speaks with Nicos Kezarides, CEO of A.P. Standard Chartered Corporate Services Ltd, about the biggest licensing and compliance challenges facing brokers today.
Nicos Kezarides explains:
- Why A.P. Standard Chartered operates as a one-stop shop for licensing and compliance
- The biggest regulatory challenges facing brokers in Cyprus, Seychelles, Mauritius, and beyond
- Why some firms are considering selling their licences
- Greece's growing appeal as a licensing destination
- Why the UAE continues to attract brokers and industry talent
- How brokers should approach international expansion
- Common compliance mistakes during licence applications
- Why customer support remains a key part of AP's business
- His prediction for the next major trend after prop trading
Whether you're launching a brokerage, expanding into new markets, or following regulatory developments, this interview provides practical insights from someone with more than 20 years of industry experience.
#BrokerLicensing #Forex #CFD #Crypto #Compliance #Regulation #TradingIndustry #IFXExpo #FinanceMagnates #CySEC #UAE #Greece #PropTrading #PredictionMarkets
Are tougher regulations making broker licences too expensive? Is Greece becoming a stronger alternative to Cyprus? And could prediction markets become the next major growth area for the trading industry?
In this exclusive interview from iFX Expo International 2026, Adonis Adoni, News Editor at Finance Magnates, speaks with Nicos Kezarides, CEO of A.P. Standard Chartered Corporate Services Ltd, about the biggest licensing and compliance challenges facing brokers today.
Nicos Kezarides explains:
- Why A.P. Standard Chartered operates as a one-stop shop for licensing and compliance
- The biggest regulatory challenges facing brokers in Cyprus, Seychelles, Mauritius, and beyond
- Why some firms are considering selling their licences
- Greece's growing appeal as a licensing destination
- Why the UAE continues to attract brokers and industry talent
- How brokers should approach international expansion
- Common compliance mistakes during licence applications
- Why customer support remains a key part of AP's business
- His prediction for the next major trend after prop trading
Whether you're launching a brokerage, expanding into new markets, or following regulatory developments, this interview provides practical insights from someone with more than 20 years of industry experience.
#BrokerLicensing #Forex #CFD #Crypto #Compliance #Regulation #TradingIndustry #IFXExpo #FinanceMagnates #CySEC #UAE #Greece #PropTrading #PredictionMarkets
Are tougher regulations making broker licences too expensive? Is Greece becoming a stronger alternative to Cyprus? And could prediction markets become the next major growth area for the trading industry?
In this exclusive interview from iFX Expo International 2026, Adonis Adoni, News Editor at Finance Magnates, speaks with Nicos Kezarides, CEO of A.P. Standard Chartered Corporate Services Ltd, about the biggest licensing and compliance challenges facing brokers today.
Nicos Kezarides explains:
- Why A.P. Standard Chartered operates as a one-stop shop for licensing and compliance
- The biggest regulatory challenges facing brokers in Cyprus, Seychelles, Mauritius, and beyond
- Why some firms are considering selling their licences
- Greece's growing appeal as a licensing destination
- Why the UAE continues to attract brokers and industry talent
- How brokers should approach international expansion
- Common compliance mistakes during licence applications
- Why customer support remains a key part of AP's business
- His prediction for the next major trend after prop trading
Whether you're launching a brokerage, expanding into new markets, or following regulatory developments, this interview provides practical insights from someone with more than 20 years of industry experience.
#BrokerLicensing #Forex #CFD #Crypto #Compliance #Regulation #TradingIndustry #IFXExpo #FinanceMagnates #CySEC #UAE #Greece #PropTrading #PredictionMarkets
Are tougher regulations making broker licences too expensive? Is Greece becoming a stronger alternative to Cyprus? And could prediction markets become the next major growth area for the trading industry?
In this exclusive interview from iFX Expo International 2026, Adonis Adoni, News Editor at Finance Magnates, speaks with Nicos Kezarides, CEO of A.P. Standard Chartered Corporate Services Ltd, about the biggest licensing and compliance challenges facing brokers today.
Nicos Kezarides explains:
- Why A.P. Standard Chartered operates as a one-stop shop for licensing and compliance
- The biggest regulatory challenges facing brokers in Cyprus, Seychelles, Mauritius, and beyond
- Why some firms are considering selling their licences
- Greece's growing appeal as a licensing destination
- Why the UAE continues to attract brokers and industry talent
- How brokers should approach international expansion
- Common compliance mistakes during licence applications
- Why customer support remains a key part of AP's business
- His prediction for the next major trend after prop trading
Whether you're launching a brokerage, expanding into new markets, or following regulatory developments, this interview provides practical insights from someone with more than 20 years of industry experience.
#BrokerLicensing #Forex #CFD #Crypto #Compliance #Regulation #TradingIndustry #IFXExpo #FinanceMagnates #CySEC #UAE #Greece #PropTrading #PredictionMarkets
Are tougher regulations making broker licences too expensive? Is Greece becoming a stronger alternative to Cyprus? And could prediction markets become the next major growth area for the trading industry?
In this exclusive interview from iFX Expo International 2026, Adonis Adoni, News Editor at Finance Magnates, speaks with Nicos Kezarides, CEO of A.P. Standard Chartered Corporate Services Ltd, about the biggest licensing and compliance challenges facing brokers today.
Nicos Kezarides explains:
- Why A.P. Standard Chartered operates as a one-stop shop for licensing and compliance
- The biggest regulatory challenges facing brokers in Cyprus, Seychelles, Mauritius, and beyond
- Why some firms are considering selling their licences
- Greece's growing appeal as a licensing destination
- Why the UAE continues to attract brokers and industry talent
- How brokers should approach international expansion
- Common compliance mistakes during licence applications
- Why customer support remains a key part of AP's business
- His prediction for the next major trend after prop trading
Whether you're launching a brokerage, expanding into new markets, or following regulatory developments, this interview provides practical insights from someone with more than 20 years of industry experience.
#BrokerLicensing #Forex #CFD #Crypto #Compliance #Regulation #TradingIndustry #IFXExpo #FinanceMagnates #CySEC #UAE #Greece #PropTrading #PredictionMarkets
Are tougher regulations making broker licences too expensive? Is Greece becoming a stronger alternative to Cyprus? And could prediction markets become the next major growth area for the trading industry?
In this exclusive interview from iFX Expo International 2026, Adonis Adoni, News Editor at Finance Magnates, speaks with Nicos Kezarides, CEO of A.P. Standard Chartered Corporate Services Ltd, about the biggest licensing and compliance challenges facing brokers today.
Nicos Kezarides explains:
- Why A.P. Standard Chartered operates as a one-stop shop for licensing and compliance
- The biggest regulatory challenges facing brokers in Cyprus, Seychelles, Mauritius, and beyond
- Why some firms are considering selling their licences
- Greece's growing appeal as a licensing destination
- Why the UAE continues to attract brokers and industry talent
- How brokers should approach international expansion
- Common compliance mistakes during licence applications
- Why customer support remains a key part of AP's business
- His prediction for the next major trend after prop trading
Whether you're launching a brokerage, expanding into new markets, or following regulatory developments, this interview provides practical insights from someone with more than 20 years of industry experience.
#BrokerLicensing #Forex #CFD #Crypto #Compliance #Regulation #TradingIndustry #IFXExpo #FinanceMagnates #CySEC #UAE #Greece #PropTrading #PredictionMarkets
FM Daily Brief – 2 July 2026
FM Daily Brief – 2 July 2026
FM Daily Brief – 2 July 2026
FM Daily Brief – 2 July 2026
FM Daily Brief – 2 July 2026
FM Daily Brief – 2 July 2026
Today’s Thursday, the 2nd of July 2026, and these are our main stories: the FCA’s crackdown is reshaping Premier League sponsorship, Trade Republic rebuilds its execution model, and Binance returns to the Philippines.
Today’s Thursday, the 2nd of July 2026, and these are our main stories: the FCA’s crackdown is reshaping Premier League sponsorship, Trade Republic rebuilds its execution model, and Binance returns to the Philippines.
Today’s Thursday, the 2nd of July 2026, and these are our main stories: the FCA’s crackdown is reshaping Premier League sponsorship, Trade Republic rebuilds its execution model, and Binance returns to the Philippines.
Today’s Thursday, the 2nd of July 2026, and these are our main stories: the FCA’s crackdown is reshaping Premier League sponsorship, Trade Republic rebuilds its execution model, and Binance returns to the Philippines.
Today’s Thursday, the 2nd of July 2026, and these are our main stories: the FCA’s crackdown is reshaping Premier League sponsorship, Trade Republic rebuilds its execution model, and Binance returns to the Philippines.
Today’s Thursday, the 2nd of July 2026, and these are our main stories: the FCA’s crackdown is reshaping Premier League sponsorship, Trade Republic rebuilds its execution model, and Binance returns to the Philippines.
Why Africa's Trading Market Is Growing Fast | Kabelo Mathapo, Vantage Markets
Why Africa's Trading Market Is Growing Fast | Kabelo Mathapo, Vantage Markets
Why Africa's Trading Market Is Growing Fast | Kabelo Mathapo, Vantage Markets
Why Africa's Trading Market Is Growing Fast | Kabelo Mathapo, Vantage Markets
Why Africa's Trading Market Is Growing Fast | Kabelo Mathapo, Vantage Markets
Why Africa's Trading Market Is Growing Fast | Kabelo Mathapo, Vantage Markets
Africa's trading market is growing rapidly, driven by fintech innovation, mobile technology, digital payments, and increasing access to financial markets.
In this interview from the Finance Magnates Africa Summit 2026, Adam Button speaks with Kabelo Mathapo, Business Development Manager at Vantage Markets South Africa, about the trends shaping the industry and what traders are looking for from brokers today.
🎯 Topics covered:
- Growth of retail trading in Africa
- What traders look for in a broker
- Mobile trading and fintech innovation
- Local payment solutions and financial access
- Building trust through transparency and regulation
- The future of trading across Africa
- Crypto adoption and asset-backed digital currencies
💬 "You want a broker that's reliable, a broker that's going to secure your money, and a broker that's going to be there for the long term."
Whether you're a trader, fintech professional, broker, or simply interested in the future of financial markets, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing regions in the industry.
📍 Recorded at the Finance Magnates Africa Summit 2026
#FinanceMagnates #VantageMarkets #AfricaTrading #Fintech #ForexTrading #OnlineTrading #Crypto #Investing #RetailTrading #FMAS2026 #TradingAfrica #FinancialMarkets #FintechAfrica #TradingCommunity #ForexBroker
Africa's trading market is growing rapidly, driven by fintech innovation, mobile technology, digital payments, and increasing access to financial markets.
In this interview from the Finance Magnates Africa Summit 2026, Adam Button speaks with Kabelo Mathapo, Business Development Manager at Vantage Markets South Africa, about the trends shaping the industry and what traders are looking for from brokers today.
🎯 Topics covered:
- Growth of retail trading in Africa
- What traders look for in a broker
- Mobile trading and fintech innovation
- Local payment solutions and financial access
- Building trust through transparency and regulation
- The future of trading across Africa
- Crypto adoption and asset-backed digital currencies
💬 "You want a broker that's reliable, a broker that's going to secure your money, and a broker that's going to be there for the long term."
Whether you're a trader, fintech professional, broker, or simply interested in the future of financial markets, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing regions in the industry.
📍 Recorded at the Finance Magnates Africa Summit 2026
#FinanceMagnates #VantageMarkets #AfricaTrading #Fintech #ForexTrading #OnlineTrading #Crypto #Investing #RetailTrading #FMAS2026 #TradingAfrica #FinancialMarkets #FintechAfrica #TradingCommunity #ForexBroker
Africa's trading market is growing rapidly, driven by fintech innovation, mobile technology, digital payments, and increasing access to financial markets.
In this interview from the Finance Magnates Africa Summit 2026, Adam Button speaks with Kabelo Mathapo, Business Development Manager at Vantage Markets South Africa, about the trends shaping the industry and what traders are looking for from brokers today.
🎯 Topics covered:
- Growth of retail trading in Africa
- What traders look for in a broker
- Mobile trading and fintech innovation
- Local payment solutions and financial access
- Building trust through transparency and regulation
- The future of trading across Africa
- Crypto adoption and asset-backed digital currencies
💬 "You want a broker that's reliable, a broker that's going to secure your money, and a broker that's going to be there for the long term."
Whether you're a trader, fintech professional, broker, or simply interested in the future of financial markets, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing regions in the industry.
📍 Recorded at the Finance Magnates Africa Summit 2026
#FinanceMagnates #VantageMarkets #AfricaTrading #Fintech #ForexTrading #OnlineTrading #Crypto #Investing #RetailTrading #FMAS2026 #TradingAfrica #FinancialMarkets #FintechAfrica #TradingCommunity #ForexBroker
Africa's trading market is growing rapidly, driven by fintech innovation, mobile technology, digital payments, and increasing access to financial markets.
In this interview from the Finance Magnates Africa Summit 2026, Adam Button speaks with Kabelo Mathapo, Business Development Manager at Vantage Markets South Africa, about the trends shaping the industry and what traders are looking for from brokers today.
🎯 Topics covered:
- Growth of retail trading in Africa
- What traders look for in a broker
- Mobile trading and fintech innovation
- Local payment solutions and financial access
- Building trust through transparency and regulation
- The future of trading across Africa
- Crypto adoption and asset-backed digital currencies
💬 "You want a broker that's reliable, a broker that's going to secure your money, and a broker that's going to be there for the long term."
Whether you're a trader, fintech professional, broker, or simply interested in the future of financial markets, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing regions in the industry.
📍 Recorded at the Finance Magnates Africa Summit 2026
#FinanceMagnates #VantageMarkets #AfricaTrading #Fintech #ForexTrading #OnlineTrading #Crypto #Investing #RetailTrading #FMAS2026 #TradingAfrica #FinancialMarkets #FintechAfrica #TradingCommunity #ForexBroker
Africa's trading market is growing rapidly, driven by fintech innovation, mobile technology, digital payments, and increasing access to financial markets.
In this interview from the Finance Magnates Africa Summit 2026, Adam Button speaks with Kabelo Mathapo, Business Development Manager at Vantage Markets South Africa, about the trends shaping the industry and what traders are looking for from brokers today.
🎯 Topics covered:
- Growth of retail trading in Africa
- What traders look for in a broker
- Mobile trading and fintech innovation
- Local payment solutions and financial access
- Building trust through transparency and regulation
- The future of trading across Africa
- Crypto adoption and asset-backed digital currencies
💬 "You want a broker that's reliable, a broker that's going to secure your money, and a broker that's going to be there for the long term."
Whether you're a trader, fintech professional, broker, or simply interested in the future of financial markets, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing regions in the industry.
📍 Recorded at the Finance Magnates Africa Summit 2026
#FinanceMagnates #VantageMarkets #AfricaTrading #Fintech #ForexTrading #OnlineTrading #Crypto #Investing #RetailTrading #FMAS2026 #TradingAfrica #FinancialMarkets #FintechAfrica #TradingCommunity #ForexBroker
Africa's trading market is growing rapidly, driven by fintech innovation, mobile technology, digital payments, and increasing access to financial markets.
In this interview from the Finance Magnates Africa Summit 2026, Adam Button speaks with Kabelo Mathapo, Business Development Manager at Vantage Markets South Africa, about the trends shaping the industry and what traders are looking for from brokers today.
🎯 Topics covered:
- Growth of retail trading in Africa
- What traders look for in a broker
- Mobile trading and fintech innovation
- Local payment solutions and financial access
- Building trust through transparency and regulation
- The future of trading across Africa
- Crypto adoption and asset-backed digital currencies
💬 "You want a broker that's reliable, a broker that's going to secure your money, and a broker that's going to be there for the long term."
Whether you're a trader, fintech professional, broker, or simply interested in the future of financial markets, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing regions in the industry.
📍 Recorded at the Finance Magnates Africa Summit 2026
#FinanceMagnates #VantageMarkets #AfricaTrading #Fintech #ForexTrading #OnlineTrading #Crypto #Investing #RetailTrading #FMAS2026 #TradingAfrica #FinancialMarkets #FintechAfrica #TradingCommunity #ForexBroker
