CFD firms are burning through CMOs faster than ever, with median tenure dropping to less than 18 months.
According to the FYI study, nearly half of the analyzed brokers currently have no marketing expert after their previous executive departed.
Chief
marketing officers (CMOs) at online trading firms are leaving their jobs faster
than ever, with new data from FYI showing the median tenure has dropped to just
17.5 months across the industry.
CFD Industry CMO Tenure
Drops to Lowest Level Since 2014
The
findings come from an analysis of 50 data points covering 40 individual CMOs
across 38 companies in the CFD and online trading space between 2014 and 2024.
The research, which examined LinkedIn profiles and announcements,
paints a picture of an industry where marketing leadership struggles to gain
traction.
Nearly 40%
of the CMOs studied lasted less than one year in their roles, while only 4%
managed to stay five years or longer. The average tenure of 22.4 months is
pulled higher by a handful of longer-serving executives, but the median tells a
starker story.
“2024
showing the lowest average tenure in the entire dataset” suggests the
problem is getting worse, not better. The data shows no correlation between
company size and CMO turnover, with both large brokers and smaller firms
experiencing similar churn rates.
Christian Görgen from FYI
“Our aim
was to understand how long CMOs usually stay in these roles, why it’s so hard
for them to last long-term and what this says about leadership and marketing in
the online trading industry,” Christian Görgen from Marketing Agency FYI commented on the report’s
findings.
Perhaps
more telling is what happens after these marketing chiefs leave: 40% of the
brokers analyzed currently have no CMO in place following their previous
executive's departure. Of the 40 brokers investigated, 16 had no one holding
the official Chief Marketing Officer title at the time of review.
Industry Structure Creates
Impossible Expectations
The
research points to fundamental misalignment between what CMOs can deliver and
what trading firm founders expect. Unlike technology startups that focus on
user engagement metrics, CFD brokers prioritize traditional financial KPIs like
customer acquisition cost and lifetime value.
“Founders
want rapid user growth and quick revenue, often within months. But marketing
isn't something you can switch on overnight,” Görgen adds. This creates a
cycle where CMOs are brought in when growth stalls, expected to deliver
immediate results, then removed when quick fixes don't materialize.
The
competitive landscape doesn't help. Cyprus financial regulator CySEC lists 247
approved domains as of July 2025, with most offering similar services:
multi-asset access, fast execution, and tight spreads. This commoditization
makes differentiation difficult and puts additional pressure on marketing teams
to find unique angles.
The
research also highlights how heavily the industry relies on affiliate
marketing, with brokers often paying 25% to over 50% of their revenue to
affiliates and introducing brokers. While some affiliates provide legitimate
value, the analysis describes a “darker side” involving “fake
traffic, shady referrals and recycled client books.”
Successful Marketing
Leaders Buck Traditional Mold
The few
CMOs who do succeed in online trading don't fit the typical marketing executive
profile. The research found that effective marketing leaders in this space “tend to be hands-on, highly technical, and closely aligned with the
trading side of the business.”
Many come
from within the company or have backgrounds in business, computer science, or
trading rather than traditional marketing disciplines. “They follow
structured frameworks, focus on execution, and know when to turn up the
volume,” the analysis states.
This
suggests the industry may need to rethink what it looks for in marketing
leadership, moving away from brand-focused executives toward more
operationally-minded professionals who understand the technical aspects of
trading platforms.
The
research concludes that traditional CMO models aren't working in online
trading, and that sustainable change requires treating marketing as part of
core business strategy rather than a support function brought in during growth
emergencies.
Chief
marketing officers (CMOs) at online trading firms are leaving their jobs faster
than ever, with new data from FYI showing the median tenure has dropped to just
17.5 months across the industry.
CFD Industry CMO Tenure
Drops to Lowest Level Since 2014
The
findings come from an analysis of 50 data points covering 40 individual CMOs
across 38 companies in the CFD and online trading space between 2014 and 2024.
The research, which examined LinkedIn profiles and announcements,
paints a picture of an industry where marketing leadership struggles to gain
traction.
Nearly 40%
of the CMOs studied lasted less than one year in their roles, while only 4%
managed to stay five years or longer. The average tenure of 22.4 months is
pulled higher by a handful of longer-serving executives, but the median tells a
starker story.
“2024
showing the lowest average tenure in the entire dataset” suggests the
problem is getting worse, not better. The data shows no correlation between
company size and CMO turnover, with both large brokers and smaller firms
experiencing similar churn rates.
Christian Görgen from FYI
“Our aim
was to understand how long CMOs usually stay in these roles, why it’s so hard
for them to last long-term and what this says about leadership and marketing in
the online trading industry,” Christian Görgen from Marketing Agency FYI commented on the report’s
findings.
Perhaps
more telling is what happens after these marketing chiefs leave: 40% of the
brokers analyzed currently have no CMO in place following their previous
executive's departure. Of the 40 brokers investigated, 16 had no one holding
the official Chief Marketing Officer title at the time of review.
Industry Structure Creates
Impossible Expectations
The
research points to fundamental misalignment between what CMOs can deliver and
what trading firm founders expect. Unlike technology startups that focus on
user engagement metrics, CFD brokers prioritize traditional financial KPIs like
customer acquisition cost and lifetime value.
“Founders
want rapid user growth and quick revenue, often within months. But marketing
isn't something you can switch on overnight,” Görgen adds. This creates a
cycle where CMOs are brought in when growth stalls, expected to deliver
immediate results, then removed when quick fixes don't materialize.
The
competitive landscape doesn't help. Cyprus financial regulator CySEC lists 247
approved domains as of July 2025, with most offering similar services:
multi-asset access, fast execution, and tight spreads. This commoditization
makes differentiation difficult and puts additional pressure on marketing teams
to find unique angles.
The
research also highlights how heavily the industry relies on affiliate
marketing, with brokers often paying 25% to over 50% of their revenue to
affiliates and introducing brokers. While some affiliates provide legitimate
value, the analysis describes a “darker side” involving “fake
traffic, shady referrals and recycled client books.”
Successful Marketing
Leaders Buck Traditional Mold
The few
CMOs who do succeed in online trading don't fit the typical marketing executive
profile. The research found that effective marketing leaders in this space “tend to be hands-on, highly technical, and closely aligned with the
trading side of the business.”
Many come
from within the company or have backgrounds in business, computer science, or
trading rather than traditional marketing disciplines. “They follow
structured frameworks, focus on execution, and know when to turn up the
volume,” the analysis states.
This
suggests the industry may need to rethink what it looks for in marketing
leadership, moving away from brand-focused executives toward more
operationally-minded professionals who understand the technical aspects of
trading platforms.
The
research concludes that traditional CMO models aren't working in online
trading, and that sustainable change requires treating marketing as part of
core business strategy rather than a support function brought in during growth
emergencies.
Damian's adventure with financial markets began at the Cracow University of Economics, where he obtained his MA in finance and accounting. Starting from the retail trader perspective, he collaborated with brokerage houses and financial portals in Poland as an independent editor and content manager. His adventure with Finance Magnates began in 2016, where he is working as a business intelligence analyst.
Retail Trading & Prop Firms in 2025: Five Defining Trends - And One Prediction for 2026
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
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
