During a panel discussion, it emerged that the cost and complexity of building a brokerage from scratch—especially with regulatory, technological, and liquidity challenges—remain high.
The expo hosts panel discussions on trading, payments, and financial regulation, featuring a lineup of industry experts and thought leaders. Catch live updates here!
Attendees at iFX EXPO International event floor
The floors of iFX Expo International opened today. This time, held at the City of Dreams Mediterranean Integrated Resort, the two-day expo brings the entire retail trading industry together once again.
This annual event attracts the entire retail trading sector — regulators, C-level executives, marketers, sales representatives, and even traders — all under one roof. It provides the ideal setting for reconnecting with existing clients and onboarding new ones.
Scroll to Convert – Winning Attention in the Feed Economy
Today’s traders and clients are no longer engaging with emails; they are consuming 15-second videos and following financial memes. Financial brands, from brokers to payment apps, are competing to stay relevant in the spaces where attention actually resides: TikTok, X, and other creator-driven platforms.
This discussion dominated the panel discussion at the Speaker Hall session during the IFX EXPO,
where the panelists examined whether regulated financial firms can communicate
effectively with Gen Z without compromising their credibility.
Speakers explored what works and what clearly doesn’t when it comes to short-form
content in the financial services industry.
"There Are Many Use Cases of Crypto"
"People sketch the definition of a hedge to traditional finance as low correlation, combining different asset classes," Andreas Vlachos, Community Operations Manager at Bitget, said. "And crypto is much more than just an investment. It has so many use cases—on DeFi, on NFTs, or even on new coins with different purposes."
"So what is, let’s say, somehow meaningful is that it’s not just additional finance—it’s improving it. It’s providing an alternative payment method. Let’s say traditional finance—crypto is mimicking it, but also, you know, exchanges can provide interest rates, higher interest rates than usual. Exchanges provide crypto loans, or even, indeed, you can acquire crypto loans.
So there are many use cases—different ones—that can be more efficient, faster, less costly than traditional finance. And I think this is the attraction point for new countries. They want to see—why should I just keep my money in a bank? Why can’t I just stay on with USDC and enjoy a higher interest rate."
His comments come as many emerging markets turn to crypto out of necessity. Inflation, weak currencies, and slow banks push people to look elsewhere.
In Argentina, nearly 60% of crypto users prefer stablecoins like USDC to escape inflation topping 270%. In Nigeria, over 47% of adults use crypto regularly, often to bypass currency controls. Platforms like Aave and Compound now hold over $10 billion in total value locked. The appeal? Faster, cheaper, and often more rewarding. That’s the context—why keep money in a bank when crypto offers more?
Vlachos was a part of the iFX panel on "In Crypto We Hedge - The Smart Money Strategy for 2025." he was joined by Andrey Stoychev, CEO at VS Capital; Anton Golub, Chief Business Officer at Freedx; and Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i.
"It Does Not Make Sense to Build Everything Yourself"
“Businesses need to generate revenue as fast as possible," said Luka Knezic, Co-Founder of TradeLocker, while discussing the benefits of white label solutions. "So you find a solution, rent it, and run the business. If you do not have much time or many resources, it does not make sense to build everything yourself."
As global trading volumes continue to rise and more retail investors enter the markets, the demand for brokerage services has grown beyond traditional financial hubs. At the same time, the cost and complexity of building a brokerage from scratch—especially with regulatory, technological, and liquidity challenges—remain high.
Against this backdrop, white label solutions have become an increasingly attractive route for new entrants. These setups allow businesses to bypass the need for in-house infrastructure, offering ready-made trading platforms and support systems that drastically cut time to market.
The comments reflect a growing trend in the financial services space: companies from outside the forex or derivatives world—such as payment firms, tech startups, and even marketing agencies—are leveraging white label models to tap into the trading market. The appeal lies in speed and simplicity.
For firms with limited resources or technical staff, renting an end-to-end solution enables immediate operation and revenue generation, without the delays and risks of building proprietary systems. This shift is expanding the competitive landscape, opening up brokerage opportunities to a much wider range of players.
Knezic was part of the panel discussion on "Creating Your Brokerage Canvas with White Label Solutions". He was joined by Andrew Saks, Chief Product Officer at TraderEvolution Global (moderator), and Aliaksei Melets, Head of Partners Acquisition at Quadcode.
"Real-Time, Security, and Transparency"
"For Visa to be fast and flexible, [the company] is addressing three categories," said Michael Ioannides, Visa Country Manager Cyprus at Visa Europe. "The first one is, as we said earlier, real-time — real funds, real-time, market-wide speed, to the destination of the user, without any reductions, without any unnecessary technology. It’s crucial.
Secondly is security. Because nowadays, it really is a very important element in digital transactions.
And I would say the third element, which is very, very important, is transparency."
His remarks come at a time when global financial markets are undergoing a rapid shift toward instant, digital-first infrastructure. The demand for real-time payments has surged, driven by consumer expectations shaped by fintech apps and digital wallets. Central banks and regulators across major economies—from the U.S. FedNow to the EU’s push for instant SEPA payments—are accelerating initiatives to modernise payment rails.
For banks and financial institutions, failing to support real-time settlement is no longer just a technical shortcoming—it’s a competitive liability. Ioannides's emphasis on "real funds, real-time" directly reflects this growing pressure on traditional players to keep pace with faster-moving fintechs and embedded finance platforms.
Ioannides was the part of a iFX panel that discussed on the topic "Fast & Flexible: Payments on the Edge." Other participants were Ugne Buraciene, Group CEO of payabl (moderator); Ran Yehud, SVP Commercial Middle East & Africa at Nuvei; Matthijs Boon, CRO EqualsMoney; and Rafaela Aprahamyan, Sales Manager at PayRetailers.
"US Equities Are Now Unpredictable"
Michalis Persianis, Chairman of the Fiscal Council of Cyprus, kicked off the event with a keynote. "US equities are now unpredictable and entail unknown risks," he said. "All of this is being partially replaced by alternative hedges, including crypto."
His comments came as the US market has swung sharply in 2025. After President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on 2 April, the S&P 500 fell almost 10 % in two sessions and the VIX spiked into the mid-50s—levels last seen during the Covid-19 crash.
Capital has been moving out of equity funds and into vehicles seen as inflation or policy hedges. Crypto funds attracted a record $7.05 billion of net inflows in May, lifting their assets under management to an all-time high of $167 billion. U.S. spot-Bitcoin ETFs booked a five-day $1.3 billion streak of inflows (9-13 June) even while Middle-East tensions rattled markets, underscoring their appeal as portfolio insurance.
Key Highlights from the iFX Floor
What can you expect today?
The day is packed with keynote speeches, panel discussions, fireside chats, and informal meetings on the sidelines. As always, the floor is lively with booths where company representatives are ready to present their services and products.
The crowd has already gathered on the event floor, with booth visits and networking activities in full swing. There's a lively atmosphere as attendees engage with exhibitors and connect with fellow participants.
Attendees are flooding the iFX EXPO floor
Do you want to drive a Lambo? You can do it at the iFX EXPO International.
A Lamborghini car parked at the IC Markets booth at iFX EXPO International
Are you more into 2 wheelers? You have got an option too.
A Ducati motorbike at one of the booths at iFX
The Finance Magnates team is ready to talk to industry executives.
Industry representatives are already chatting at the Finance Magnates booth at iFX
If you are attending the event, drop by booth number 155 to meet the Finance Magnates team.
The floors of iFX Expo International opened today. This time, held at the City of Dreams Mediterranean Integrated Resort, the two-day expo brings the entire retail trading industry together once again.
This annual event attracts the entire retail trading sector — regulators, C-level executives, marketers, sales representatives, and even traders — all under one roof. It provides the ideal setting for reconnecting with existing clients and onboarding new ones.
Scroll to Convert – Winning Attention in the Feed Economy
Today’s traders and clients are no longer engaging with emails; they are consuming 15-second videos and following financial memes. Financial brands, from brokers to payment apps, are competing to stay relevant in the spaces where attention actually resides: TikTok, X, and other creator-driven platforms.
This discussion dominated the panel discussion at the Speaker Hall session during the IFX EXPO,
where the panelists examined whether regulated financial firms can communicate
effectively with Gen Z without compromising their credibility.
Speakers explored what works and what clearly doesn’t when it comes to short-form
content in the financial services industry.
"There Are Many Use Cases of Crypto"
"People sketch the definition of a hedge to traditional finance as low correlation, combining different asset classes," Andreas Vlachos, Community Operations Manager at Bitget, said. "And crypto is much more than just an investment. It has so many use cases—on DeFi, on NFTs, or even on new coins with different purposes."
"So what is, let’s say, somehow meaningful is that it’s not just additional finance—it’s improving it. It’s providing an alternative payment method. Let’s say traditional finance—crypto is mimicking it, but also, you know, exchanges can provide interest rates, higher interest rates than usual. Exchanges provide crypto loans, or even, indeed, you can acquire crypto loans.
So there are many use cases—different ones—that can be more efficient, faster, less costly than traditional finance. And I think this is the attraction point for new countries. They want to see—why should I just keep my money in a bank? Why can’t I just stay on with USDC and enjoy a higher interest rate."
His comments come as many emerging markets turn to crypto out of necessity. Inflation, weak currencies, and slow banks push people to look elsewhere.
In Argentina, nearly 60% of crypto users prefer stablecoins like USDC to escape inflation topping 270%. In Nigeria, over 47% of adults use crypto regularly, often to bypass currency controls. Platforms like Aave and Compound now hold over $10 billion in total value locked. The appeal? Faster, cheaper, and often more rewarding. That’s the context—why keep money in a bank when crypto offers more?
Vlachos was a part of the iFX panel on "In Crypto We Hedge - The Smart Money Strategy for 2025." he was joined by Andrey Stoychev, CEO at VS Capital; Anton Golub, Chief Business Officer at Freedx; and Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i.
"It Does Not Make Sense to Build Everything Yourself"
“Businesses need to generate revenue as fast as possible," said Luka Knezic, Co-Founder of TradeLocker, while discussing the benefits of white label solutions. "So you find a solution, rent it, and run the business. If you do not have much time or many resources, it does not make sense to build everything yourself."
As global trading volumes continue to rise and more retail investors enter the markets, the demand for brokerage services has grown beyond traditional financial hubs. At the same time, the cost and complexity of building a brokerage from scratch—especially with regulatory, technological, and liquidity challenges—remain high.
Against this backdrop, white label solutions have become an increasingly attractive route for new entrants. These setups allow businesses to bypass the need for in-house infrastructure, offering ready-made trading platforms and support systems that drastically cut time to market.
The comments reflect a growing trend in the financial services space: companies from outside the forex or derivatives world—such as payment firms, tech startups, and even marketing agencies—are leveraging white label models to tap into the trading market. The appeal lies in speed and simplicity.
For firms with limited resources or technical staff, renting an end-to-end solution enables immediate operation and revenue generation, without the delays and risks of building proprietary systems. This shift is expanding the competitive landscape, opening up brokerage opportunities to a much wider range of players.
Knezic was part of the panel discussion on "Creating Your Brokerage Canvas with White Label Solutions". He was joined by Andrew Saks, Chief Product Officer at TraderEvolution Global (moderator), and Aliaksei Melets, Head of Partners Acquisition at Quadcode.
"Real-Time, Security, and Transparency"
"For Visa to be fast and flexible, [the company] is addressing three categories," said Michael Ioannides, Visa Country Manager Cyprus at Visa Europe. "The first one is, as we said earlier, real-time — real funds, real-time, market-wide speed, to the destination of the user, without any reductions, without any unnecessary technology. It’s crucial.
Secondly is security. Because nowadays, it really is a very important element in digital transactions.
And I would say the third element, which is very, very important, is transparency."
His remarks come at a time when global financial markets are undergoing a rapid shift toward instant, digital-first infrastructure. The demand for real-time payments has surged, driven by consumer expectations shaped by fintech apps and digital wallets. Central banks and regulators across major economies—from the U.S. FedNow to the EU’s push for instant SEPA payments—are accelerating initiatives to modernise payment rails.
For banks and financial institutions, failing to support real-time settlement is no longer just a technical shortcoming—it’s a competitive liability. Ioannides's emphasis on "real funds, real-time" directly reflects this growing pressure on traditional players to keep pace with faster-moving fintechs and embedded finance platforms.
Ioannides was the part of a iFX panel that discussed on the topic "Fast & Flexible: Payments on the Edge." Other participants were Ugne Buraciene, Group CEO of payabl (moderator); Ran Yehud, SVP Commercial Middle East & Africa at Nuvei; Matthijs Boon, CRO EqualsMoney; and Rafaela Aprahamyan, Sales Manager at PayRetailers.
"US Equities Are Now Unpredictable"
Michalis Persianis, Chairman of the Fiscal Council of Cyprus, kicked off the event with a keynote. "US equities are now unpredictable and entail unknown risks," he said. "All of this is being partially replaced by alternative hedges, including crypto."
His comments came as the US market has swung sharply in 2025. After President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on 2 April, the S&P 500 fell almost 10 % in two sessions and the VIX spiked into the mid-50s—levels last seen during the Covid-19 crash.
Capital has been moving out of equity funds and into vehicles seen as inflation or policy hedges. Crypto funds attracted a record $7.05 billion of net inflows in May, lifting their assets under management to an all-time high of $167 billion. U.S. spot-Bitcoin ETFs booked a five-day $1.3 billion streak of inflows (9-13 June) even while Middle-East tensions rattled markets, underscoring their appeal as portfolio insurance.
Key Highlights from the iFX Floor
What can you expect today?
The day is packed with keynote speeches, panel discussions, fireside chats, and informal meetings on the sidelines. As always, the floor is lively with booths where company representatives are ready to present their services and products.
The crowd has already gathered on the event floor, with booth visits and networking activities in full swing. There's a lively atmosphere as attendees engage with exhibitors and connect with fellow participants.
Attendees are flooding the iFX EXPO floor
Do you want to drive a Lambo? You can do it at the iFX EXPO International.
A Lamborghini car parked at the IC Markets booth at iFX EXPO International
Are you more into 2 wheelers? You have got an option too.
A Ducati motorbike at one of the booths at iFX
The Finance Magnates team is ready to talk to industry executives.
Industry representatives are already chatting at the Finance Magnates booth at iFX
If you are attending the event, drop by booth number 155 to meet the Finance Magnates team.
Hannah Hill on Innovation, Branding & Award-Winning Technology | Executive Interview | AXI
Hannah Hill on Innovation, Branding & Award-Winning Technology | Executive Interview | AXI
Recorded live at FMLS:25, this executive interview features Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at AXI, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following AXI’s win for Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
Recorded live at FMLS:25, this executive interview features Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at AXI, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following AXI’s win for Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25
In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide.
We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand.
We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error.
We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.
In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide.
We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand.
We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error.
We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.
Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner.
In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner.
In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates
👍 Facebook: /financemagnates
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates
🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates
▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates
👍 Facebook: /financemagnates
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates
🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates
▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
