Melhem joined the broker last year as the CMO, but has been its Board Advisor since 2022.
Two co-founders, Hisham Mansour and Eduardo Fakhoury, have become Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively.
CFI Financial Group, a forex and contracts for differences (CFDs) broker with the Middle East as its stronghold, has shuffled its top management: it appointed Ziad Melhem as the new Group Chief Executive Officer, while the two co-founders, Hisham Mansour and Eduardo Fakhoury, stepped down as Managing Directors to become Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively.
Another prominent change was the promotion of Stelios Thrasyvoulou to Chief Product and Technology Officer from his previous position as Chief Technology and Information Officer. He will continue to lead the company’s product and technology offerings.
New CEO Takes Over to Accelerate Growth
Melhem’s appointment to the top role also came with an internal promotion. He joined the broker late last year as its Group Chief Marketing Officer and continued in that role until the recent promotion. He has been associated with CFI since 2022 as a Board Advisor, according to his LinkedIn profile.
CFI detailed that Melhem, as CEO, will lead the company’s day-to-day operations. His focus will be on accelerating growth, expanding client value, and pushing the broker’s global footprint.
“We are entering a dynamic new chapter for CFI, and I look forward to working with our talented teams to drive innovation, growth, and excellence across all markets we serve,” said Melhem.
Indeed, he took over as CEO about three months after the broker launched its prime brokerage services. It also continues to expand its presence in the region and opened an office in Baku earlier this year.
The broker's growing dominance is also reflected in the 92 per cent jump in the number of active traders on its platform in the first quarter of 2025. The quarterly trading volume on the platform reached $1.28 trillion, a 3.5 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 129 per cent increase year-over-year.
A Regional Expert
Before joining CFI, Melhem had extensive experience working with other top regional brokers. He started his career at Lebanon-based AM Financials and moved to Amana Capital at the end of 2013 as the CMO and later as the Chief Business Development Officer. He spent eight years of his career at Amana.
Hisham Mansour, Co-Founder at CFI Financial Group; Source: CFI
Following his tenure at Amana, he and Ahmad Khatib launched Dubai-based Mafhoom Technologies, a company that provides personal finance management tools for Arabic-speaking users. Khatib also joined CFI last year, alongside Melhem, as the Chief Business Development Officer.
Although there was a change in the roles of the two CFI co-founders, they will continue to guide the broker’s strategic direction, support its long-term vision, and strengthen its corporate governance.
“Eduardo and I remain fully engaged in shaping the Group’s strategic direction from our roles on the Board, and in supporting Ziad as he takes the helm as Group CEO,” said Mansour. “We have full confidence in his leadership and in the broader management team to lead CFI into its next chapter of success and deliver exceptional value to our clients worldwide.”
CFI Financial Group, a forex and contracts for differences (CFDs) broker with the Middle East as its stronghold, has shuffled its top management: it appointed Ziad Melhem as the new Group Chief Executive Officer, while the two co-founders, Hisham Mansour and Eduardo Fakhoury, stepped down as Managing Directors to become Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively.
Another prominent change was the promotion of Stelios Thrasyvoulou to Chief Product and Technology Officer from his previous position as Chief Technology and Information Officer. He will continue to lead the company’s product and technology offerings.
New CEO Takes Over to Accelerate Growth
Melhem’s appointment to the top role also came with an internal promotion. He joined the broker late last year as its Group Chief Marketing Officer and continued in that role until the recent promotion. He has been associated with CFI since 2022 as a Board Advisor, according to his LinkedIn profile.
CFI detailed that Melhem, as CEO, will lead the company’s day-to-day operations. His focus will be on accelerating growth, expanding client value, and pushing the broker’s global footprint.
“We are entering a dynamic new chapter for CFI, and I look forward to working with our talented teams to drive innovation, growth, and excellence across all markets we serve,” said Melhem.
Indeed, he took over as CEO about three months after the broker launched its prime brokerage services. It also continues to expand its presence in the region and opened an office in Baku earlier this year.
The broker's growing dominance is also reflected in the 92 per cent jump in the number of active traders on its platform in the first quarter of 2025. The quarterly trading volume on the platform reached $1.28 trillion, a 3.5 per cent increase from the previous quarter and a 129 per cent increase year-over-year.
A Regional Expert
Before joining CFI, Melhem had extensive experience working with other top regional brokers. He started his career at Lebanon-based AM Financials and moved to Amana Capital at the end of 2013 as the CMO and later as the Chief Business Development Officer. He spent eight years of his career at Amana.
Hisham Mansour, Co-Founder at CFI Financial Group; Source: CFI
Following his tenure at Amana, he and Ahmad Khatib launched Dubai-based Mafhoom Technologies, a company that provides personal finance management tools for Arabic-speaking users. Khatib also joined CFI last year, alongside Melhem, as the Chief Business Development Officer.
Although there was a change in the roles of the two CFI co-founders, they will continue to guide the broker’s strategic direction, support its long-term vision, and strengthen its corporate governance.
“Eduardo and I remain fully engaged in shaping the Group’s strategic direction from our roles on the Board, and in supporting Ziad as he takes the helm as Group CEO,” said Mansour. “We have full confidence in his leadership and in the broader management team to lead CFI into its next chapter of success and deliver exceptional value to our clients worldwide.”
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.
OANDA Names Former IG Group Risk Executive to Management Board
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
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.
Vitalii Bulynin Talks About Versus Trade, New Pairs, and Big Plans
Vitalii Bulynin Talks About Versus Trade, New Pairs, and Big Plans
In this interview, Versus Trade Co-Founder Vitalii Bulynin explains how the company got its license fast, why its trading pairs are fresh and fun, and what the team will build next.
He also discusses the most active pairs, the IB and MIB plans, and hiring needs for new markets.
Watch the whole talk to learn more about how Versus Trade works and where it is heading.
#financemagnates #VersusTrade #TradingPairs #BTCvsGold #goldtrading #innovation
In this interview, Versus Trade Co-Founder Vitalii Bulynin explains how the company got its license fast, why its trading pairs are fresh and fun, and what the team will build next.
He also discusses the most active pairs, the IB and MIB plans, and hiring needs for new markets.
Watch the whole talk to learn more about how Versus Trade works and where it is heading.
#financemagnates #VersusTrade #TradingPairs #BTCvsGold #goldtrading #innovation
Marketing in 2026 Audiences, Costs, and Smarter AI
Marketing in 2026 Audiences, Costs, and Smarter AI
As brokers eye B2B business and compete with fintechs and crypto exchanges alike, marketers need to act wisely with often limited budgets. AI can offer scalable solutions, but only if used properly.
Join seasoned marketing executives and specialists as they discuss the main challenges they identify in financial services in 2026 and how they address them.
Attendees of this session will walk away with:
- A nuts-and-bolts account of acquisition costs across platforms and geos
- Analysis of today’s multi-layered audience segments and differences in behaviour
- First-hand account of how global brokers balance consistency and local flavour
- Notes from the field about intelligently using AI and automation in marketing
Speakers:
-Yam Yehoshua, Editor-In-Chief at Finance Magnates
-Federico Paderni, Managing Director for Growth Markets in Europe at X
-Jo Benton, Chief Marketing Officer, Consulting | Fractional CMO
-Itai Levitan, Head of Strategy at investingLive
-Roberto Napolitano, CMO at Innovate Finance
-Tony Cross, Director at Monk Communications
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #FintechMarketing #AI #DigitalStrategy #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
As brokers eye B2B business and compete with fintechs and crypto exchanges alike, marketers need to act wisely with often limited budgets. AI can offer scalable solutions, but only if used properly.
Join seasoned marketing executives and specialists as they discuss the main challenges they identify in financial services in 2026 and how they address them.
Attendees of this session will walk away with:
- A nuts-and-bolts account of acquisition costs across platforms and geos
- Analysis of today’s multi-layered audience segments and differences in behaviour
- First-hand account of how global brokers balance consistency and local flavour
- Notes from the field about intelligently using AI and automation in marketing
Speakers:
-Yam Yehoshua, Editor-In-Chief at Finance Magnates
-Federico Paderni, Managing Director for Growth Markets in Europe at X
-Jo Benton, Chief Marketing Officer, Consulting | Fractional CMO
-Itai Levitan, Head of Strategy at investingLive
-Roberto Napolitano, CMO at Innovate Finance
-Tony Cross, Director at Monk Communications
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #FintechMarketing #AI #DigitalStrategy #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Fail Better Trading Tech to Tackle Industry Risks
Fail Better Trading Tech to Tackle Industry Risks
Much like their traders in the market, brokers must diversify to manage risk and stay resilient. But that can get costly, clunky, and lengthy.
This candid panel brings together builders across the trading infrastructure space to uncover the shifting dynamics behind tools, interfaces, and full-stack ambitions.
Attendees will hear:
-Why platform dependency has become one of the most overlooked risks in the trading business?
-Buy vs. build: What do hybrid models look like, and why are industry graveyards filled with failed ‘killer apps’?
-How AI is already changing execution, risk, and reporting—and what’s next?
-Which features, assets, and tools gain the most traction, and where brokers should look for tech-driven retention?
Speakers:
-Stephen Miles, Chief Revenue Officer at FYNXT
-John Morris, Co-Founder at FXBlue
-Matthew Smith, Group Chair & CEO at EC Markets
-Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i
-Gil Ben Hur, Founder at 5% Group
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #Trading #Fintech #FintechInnovation #TradingTechnology #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Much like their traders in the market, brokers must diversify to manage risk and stay resilient. But that can get costly, clunky, and lengthy.
This candid panel brings together builders across the trading infrastructure space to uncover the shifting dynamics behind tools, interfaces, and full-stack ambitions.
Attendees will hear:
-Why platform dependency has become one of the most overlooked risks in the trading business?
-Buy vs. build: What do hybrid models look like, and why are industry graveyards filled with failed ‘killer apps’?
-How AI is already changing execution, risk, and reporting—and what’s next?
-Which features, assets, and tools gain the most traction, and where brokers should look for tech-driven retention?
Speakers:
-Stephen Miles, Chief Revenue Officer at FYNXT
-John Morris, Co-Founder at FXBlue
-Matthew Smith, Group Chair & CEO at EC Markets
-Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i
-Gil Ben Hur, Founder at 5% Group
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #Trading #Fintech #FintechInnovation #TradingTechnology #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
