Jean-Yves Sireau, who founded Deriv, has stepped down as co-CEO but remains the majority shareholder.
Choudhary now takes full charge, having previously shared the CEO role with Sireau.
Rakshit Choudhary, CEO at Deriv
Deriv, a contracts for differences (CFDs) broker, has appointed Rakshit Choudhary as its sole Chief Executive Officer following the departure of Jean-Yves Sireau from the executive team, FinanceMagnates.com has learned. Until now, Choudhary and Sireau jointly held the position of co-CEOs.
Sireau Launches New Venture
Sireau, the founder of Deriv, is stepping down from his executive role after nearly 25 years at the company. He will continue as the majority shareholder and will focus on strategic guidance and future initiatives. He has already launched a new company focused on AI-driven health optimisation.
“This handover represents a natural and exciting evolution for Deriv,” Sireau commented. “Rakshit has been an integral part of the company’s growth for over 16 years and is well positioned to lead it forward.”
Jean-Yves Sireau
A Long-Time Employee Takes the Helm
Choudhary has spent most of his career at Deriv. He joined the broker in mid-2009 as a Quantitative Analyst and progressed steadily through the ranks. He was later appointed Head of Quantitative Development & Research, followed by Head of Product Development. Prior to becoming co-CEO last year, he served as Chief Operating Officer for five years.
Like many other major brokers, Deriv is broadening its offerings. In 2023, it launched its institutional arm, Deriv Prime, which provides liquidity to other industry participants. In 2022, the firm introduced its white label service under the Deriv X brand.
“I look forward to building on that legacy — accelerating growth in our core markets, advancing our AI-first strategy, and improving the client experience across the board,” Choudhary said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Deriv opened its second office in Cyprus last December. Based in Nicosia, the new site functions as a technology development centre, where teams focus on artificial intelligence, data analytics, and software development.
Deriv, a contracts for differences (CFDs) broker, has appointed Rakshit Choudhary as its sole Chief Executive Officer following the departure of Jean-Yves Sireau from the executive team, FinanceMagnates.com has learned. Until now, Choudhary and Sireau jointly held the position of co-CEOs.
Sireau Launches New Venture
Sireau, the founder of Deriv, is stepping down from his executive role after nearly 25 years at the company. He will continue as the majority shareholder and will focus on strategic guidance and future initiatives. He has already launched a new company focused on AI-driven health optimisation.
“This handover represents a natural and exciting evolution for Deriv,” Sireau commented. “Rakshit has been an integral part of the company’s growth for over 16 years and is well positioned to lead it forward.”
Jean-Yves Sireau
A Long-Time Employee Takes the Helm
Choudhary has spent most of his career at Deriv. He joined the broker in mid-2009 as a Quantitative Analyst and progressed steadily through the ranks. He was later appointed Head of Quantitative Development & Research, followed by Head of Product Development. Prior to becoming co-CEO last year, he served as Chief Operating Officer for five years.
Like many other major brokers, Deriv is broadening its offerings. In 2023, it launched its institutional arm, Deriv Prime, which provides liquidity to other industry participants. In 2022, the firm introduced its white label service under the Deriv X brand.
“I look forward to building on that legacy — accelerating growth in our core markets, advancing our AI-first strategy, and improving the client experience across the board,” Choudhary said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Deriv opened its second office in Cyprus last December. Based in Nicosia, the new site functions as a technology development centre, where teams focus on artificial intelligence, data analytics, and software development.
Arnab is an electronics engineer-turned-financial editor. He entered the industry covering the cryptocurrency market for Finance Magnates and later expanded his reach to forex as well. He is passionate about the changing regulatory landscape on financial markets and keenly follows the disruptions in the industry with new-age technologies.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Executive Interview | Jas Shah | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Jas Shah | FMLS:25
Interview with Jas Shah
Builder | Adviser | Fintech Writer | Product Strategist
In this episode, Jonathan Fine sat down with Jas Shah, one of the most thoughtful voices in global fintech. Known for his work across advisory, product, stablecoins, and his widely read writing, Jas brings a rare combination of industry insight and plain-spoken clarity.
We talk about his first impression of the Summit, the projects that keep him busy today, and how they connect to the stablecoin panel he joined. Jas shares his view on the link between fintech, wealthtech and retail brokers, especially as firms like Revolut, eToro and Trading212 blur long-standing lines in the market.
We also explore what stablecoin adoption might look like for retail investment platforms, including a few product and UX angles that are not obvious at first glance.
To close, Jas explains how he thinks about writing, and how he approaches “shipping” pieces that spark debate across the industry.
Interview with Jas Shah
Builder | Adviser | Fintech Writer | Product Strategist
In this episode, Jonathan Fine sat down with Jas Shah, one of the most thoughtful voices in global fintech. Known for his work across advisory, product, stablecoins, and his widely read writing, Jas brings a rare combination of industry insight and plain-spoken clarity.
We talk about his first impression of the Summit, the projects that keep him busy today, and how they connect to the stablecoin panel he joined. Jas shares his view on the link between fintech, wealthtech and retail brokers, especially as firms like Revolut, eToro and Trading212 blur long-standing lines in the market.
We also explore what stablecoin adoption might look like for retail investment platforms, including a few product and UX angles that are not obvious at first glance.
To close, Jas explains how he thinks about writing, and how he approaches “shipping” pieces that spark debate across the industry.