The Finance Magnates Africa Summit (FMAS:25) is now underway in Cape Town, marking the first time the event is being held in South Africa’s financial capital.

Taking place on the 29th and 30th of May, today marks the opening day of the region’s largest gathering focused on online trading, fintech, crypto, and payments. FMAS:25 brings together a broad spectrum of industry professionals at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

Futures and Multi-Asset Trading Outlook

At the Centre Stage, the panel titled “Futures and the Future of Multi-Asset Trading” brought together market professionals to examine current developments and expectations in the multi-asset trading landscape.

Speakers, including representatives from OANDA, Equiti, CFI Financial, and independent analysts, discussed the role of futures in portfolio strategies and the growing dynamics across asset classes. The session focused on market accessibility, trading tools, and key factors influencing multi-asset participation.

On-Chain Crypto Investing Opportunities Discussed

At the Exchange Stage, Jason Welz, Head of Digital Assets at Jaltech, presented a session titled “Crypto Investing Beyond Speculation: Opportunities On-Chain.”

The discussion focused on identifying practical use cases for on-chain assets, moving beyond short-term price movements. Welz outlined emerging opportunities within blockchain infrastructure and the evolving role of digital assets in portfolio diversification.

Trading, Payments, Arbitrage in Crypto

At the Exchange Stage, during the panel titled "Bitcoin Futures: Strategies for Trading, Payments, and Arbitrage," Hannes Wessels of Binance and Pierre van Helden of FiveWest discussed practical strategies for navigating Bitcoin futures.

The session addressed trading techniques, the use of crypto in payments, and potential opportunities in arbitrage. Both speakers shared insights on managing risk and assessing value in the dynamic digital asset landscape.

Trust, Regulation, and Fraud in Trading

At the Centre Stage, a panel titled “Lost & Funds: Traders’ Trust Amid Regulation and Fraud” is addressing the complexities of trust in trading environments. Featuring Jimmy Moyaha of Lebowa Capital, Eva Crouwel of Hidden Road Partners, Joe Tom Nyama of Africa Due Diligence, and Shawn Barnett of Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa, the session explores regulatory challenges, financial crime, and due diligence practices.

The discussion highlights the significance of maintaining trust in the trading ecosystem through robust compliance and transparency measures.

Bridging Africa’s Financial Knowledge Gap

At the Exchange Stage, Martin Stoilov, Global Head of Client Experience & Customer Relations at FP Markets, and Christoforos Panagiotou, Africa Regional Manager at FP Markets, are presenting a session titled “From Education to Awareness: Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Africa.”

The discussion focuses on the importance of financial education and market awareness in supporting informed participation in trading. It highlights the role of brokers in promoting understanding of financial instruments and services among African clients.

Trading Approaches for the Year Ahead

At the Exchange Stage, Robert Van Eyden, CEO of Scope Markets South Africa, is leading a session titled “The Badass Trader, Revisited: Trade Your Way to Riches in 2025.”

The presentation focuses on trading approaches and principles for the year ahead, offering perspectives on market behavior, trader mindset, and strategic planning aimed at navigating future market conditions.

Crypto Panel Highlights African Market Insights

At the Centre Stage, a panel titled “The Future of Crypto, Lessons from Africa” is being moderated by Andres Felipe Perez, Director at Fintech Services South Africa. Panel participants include Hannes Wessels, General Manager of South Africa at Binance; Christo de Wit, Country Manager for South Africa at Luno; Pierre van Helden, Co-Founder and Director of Business Development at FiveWest; and Callan Richardson, Head of Growth at Bitget.

The discussion addresses regional developments in cryptocurrency, including adoption trends, regulatory progress, and operational insights from companies active in the African market.

Using AI Tools in Trading Strategies

At the Exchange Stage, Terence Hove, Senior Financial Markets Strategist at Exness, is presenting a session titled “No BrAIner: How Smart Traders Actually Use AI.” The session examines practical applications of artificial intelligence in trading, focusing on how market participants are integrating AI tools into their strategies to support analysis and decision-making processes.

Mastercard and WIPA Discuss Financial Inclusion

At the Centre Stage, Hannalie Marsh, Ambassador of Women in Payments Africa (WIPA), and Gabriel Swanepoel, Country Manager for Southern Africa at Mastercard, are presenting a session titled “Pay it Forward: Africa’s Leap Toward Digital Finance.”

The discussion focuses on the region’s progress in digital financial services, addressing adoption trends, infrastructure development, and the broader impact on financial inclusion.

Key Trends Shaping CFD Trading 2025

At the Exchange Stage, Kyle Moulster, Head FX Dealer at FXOne Financial Advisors, is delivering a session titled “Currency Exposure Mastery: Tackling Volatility with Trigger/Tracker Models.”

The presentation focuses on managing currency risk by using structured models designed to respond to market movements, offering practical insights into handling volatility in foreign exchange trading.

Managing Volatility with Trigger Tracker Models

At the Exchange Stage, Kyle Moulster, Head FX Dealer at FXOne Financial Advisors, is delivering a session titled “Currency Exposure Mastery: Tackling Volatility with Trigger/Tracker Models.”

The presentation focuses on managing currency risk by using structured models designed to respond to market movements, offering practical insights into handling volatility in foreign exchange trading.

Panel Explores Lessons from Trading

At the Centre Stage, Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at ForexLive, is moderating a session titled “All-Star Investors Panel: Insight & War Stories from The Trading Life.”

The panel features Robert Van Eyden, CEO of Scope Markets South Africa; Lourens Reichert, Managing Partner and Chairman of the Investment Committee at Holborn Assets; and Jimmy Moyaha, Founder of Lebowa Capital.

FMAS:25 has officially started at CTICC, Hall 4! 🎉

Kicking off a full day of expert panels, industry insights, and networking with key players across the trading and fintech sectors.#FMAS25 #CapeTown pic.twitter.com/fhi2XQsPcH

— Finance Magnates (@financemagnates) May 29, 2025

The discussion brings together personal experiences and professional insights from across the trading world.

Key Trends Shaping CFD Trading 2025

At the Exchange Stage, Mj Givens Kgasi, Financial Analyst at Octa, is presenting a session titled “The Future of CFD Trading in 2025: Key Trends.”

The talk focuses on anticipated developments in the contracts for difference (CFD) market, highlighting emerging patterns and potential shifts that may shape trading practices and industry dynamics in the near future.

Trading Success: Psychology Versus Strategy

At the Centre Stage, Hormoz Faryar, Managing Director at ATFX Connect MEA, and Linton White, Regional Head at ATFX Africa, are leading a session titled “Trading Psychology vs Strategy.”

The discussion addresses the balance between mindset and method in trading, offering insights into how psychological factors and strategic planning influence trading outcomes.

Cracking Crypto Cycles: Key Regional Trends

At the Exchange Stage, Alexander Thomson and Brandon Badenhorst, both Business Development Managers at TD Markets Exchange, are presenting a session titled “Cracking Crypto Market Cycles: U.S. and African Trends Every Retail Trader Should Know.”

The session examines key market patterns and regional developments that may impact retail trading strategies in the crypto space.

Shift Toward Fairer Funded Trading Models

At the Exchange Stage, Lismore Burke, Business Development Manager at Axi, is presenting a session titled “Unlocking Capital: The Shift toward Fairer Funded Trading Models.”

The session outlines current approaches in funded trading and highlights changes aimed at providing more equitable access to trading capital.

Trading Industry Experts Share Insights

At the Centre Stage, a panel discussion titled “Leaders Roundtable: Trading Industry in Motion” is in progress. The session is moderated by Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at ForexLive.

Panel members include Linton White, Regional Head at ATFX Africa; Amar Ramith, Chief Executive Officer of TD Markets; Paul Margarites, Regional Commercial Director at Exness; Ricardo Da Silva, CEO of Webull Securities South Africa; and Alex Stefanidis, Senior Business Development Executive – Africa at HFM.

It’s finally here — Day 1 of FMAS:25 kicks off in less than an hour! 🎉

📍 29 May 2025 | CTICC – Hall 4
🕙 Doors & Registration Open: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

🎤 Sessions Run: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🚪 Venue Closes: 6:00 PM

👉 For the full agenda, https://t.co/25A594fJNi pic.twitter.com/qhZO0Qmj9q

— FM events (@F_M_events) May 29, 2025

Finance Magnates Summit Connects Global Leaders

Organised by Finance Magnates Events, the summit offers a platform for traders and businesses to engage with global leaders, explore the latest market trends, and tap into Africa’s growing role in the global financial ecosystem.