Bitcoin Takes Center Stage at iFX EXPO in Macau Despite Chinese Government Hostility
Sunday,26/01/2014|09:14GMTby
Andrew Saks McLeod
Bitcoin has made several advancements during the course of recent months to become accepted into the worldwide financial industry as a mainstream product. Last week, senior industry officials discussed it at the iFX EXPO in Macau
Commercial interest in virtual currency within the financial sector has advanced significantly recently, with banks beginning to provide deposit accounts, and entrepreneurial technology companies having installed the world's first Bitcoin ATM.
As the financial world began to readily accept Bitcoin (BTC) as a viable and legitimate currency, interest among FX firms to offer it as a tradable instrument gained momentum, with certain retail FX providers throwing caution to the wind in terms of the high risk involved due to Volatility which resulted in values of the virtual currency ranging from $70 to one BTC, to over $1,000 to one BTC in the twilight weeks of 2013.
Bitcoin an Attention-Grabber Among International FX CEOs
As the financial community is beginning to extend a warm welcome to Bitcoin around the world, the future of the virtual currency is becoming a subject of debate among senior financial sector CEOs at panel discussions at prestigious international conferences, with last week's iFX EXPO having been a highly interesting case in point.
Tamas Szabo, IG Group Head of APAC Approaches Bitcoin Cautiously
Soon after the two day event which gathered international FX industry leaders had commenced, a discussion panel consisting of such exalted company as Tamas Szabo, IG Group's Regional Head for Asia-Pacific, Steven Reiter, CEO of Sentry Derivatives and Avtar Sandhu, Senior Commodities Manager at Singaporean giant Phillip Futures turned quickly turned to the subject of Bitcoin when debating as to what they view as the next big trading product in Asia.
A very interesting topic of discussion, especially bearing in mind China's attempts to discourage the population within the tightly controlled yet highly valuable target market for electronic trading companies based in free market economies across the globe.
Can BTC Rival Gold With No Physical Backing?
The debate regarding Bitcoin was a crowd-pleaser as China’s main Bitcoin exchange has reported some of the highest trading volumes despite the increasing governmental disapproval and subsequent banning of the acceptance of deposits from payment firms to Bitcoin exchanges under the vice-like grip of its jurisdiction.
Mr. Szabo raised his concerns about the future of a currency that is not government-backed, considering it lackluster and therefore to be approached with trepidation.
During this lively debate, a comparison was made between Bitcoin and the gold market, however, Mr. Sandhu stated the fundamental difference: “Gold is physically backed, and in Asia it is used as an investment product, you buy it, keep it and store it.”
Whilst these particular conglomerates have begun to share their opinions on the viability of offering Bitcoin, none of them have yet added it to the list of available instruments on their respective platforms. Thus far, this position has been spearheaded by some of the more gung-ho firms such as Markets.com, Ava and Plus500, the latter of which rapidly adapted its trading terms subsequent to launching BTC in order to cope with Risk Management teething troubles.
Whilst the participants in the lively discussion demonstrated that Bitcoin-related thought is being circulated within the boardrooms of some of the largest FX firms on the technology and brokerage sides of the business, none of the firms represented by the panelists have yet to take it up, however the mere notion that it is being talked about energetically by senior executives during a debate on the next big trading product in Asia is testimony to Bitcoin's potentially powerful future presence.
Commercial interest in virtual currency within the financial sector has advanced significantly recently, with banks beginning to provide deposit accounts, and entrepreneurial technology companies having installed the world's first Bitcoin ATM.
As the financial world began to readily accept Bitcoin (BTC) as a viable and legitimate currency, interest among FX firms to offer it as a tradable instrument gained momentum, with certain retail FX providers throwing caution to the wind in terms of the high risk involved due to Volatility which resulted in values of the virtual currency ranging from $70 to one BTC, to over $1,000 to one BTC in the twilight weeks of 2013.
Bitcoin an Attention-Grabber Among International FX CEOs
As the financial community is beginning to extend a warm welcome to Bitcoin around the world, the future of the virtual currency is becoming a subject of debate among senior financial sector CEOs at panel discussions at prestigious international conferences, with last week's iFX EXPO having been a highly interesting case in point.
Tamas Szabo, IG Group Head of APAC Approaches Bitcoin Cautiously
Soon after the two day event which gathered international FX industry leaders had commenced, a discussion panel consisting of such exalted company as Tamas Szabo, IG Group's Regional Head for Asia-Pacific, Steven Reiter, CEO of Sentry Derivatives and Avtar Sandhu, Senior Commodities Manager at Singaporean giant Phillip Futures turned quickly turned to the subject of Bitcoin when debating as to what they view as the next big trading product in Asia.
A very interesting topic of discussion, especially bearing in mind China's attempts to discourage the population within the tightly controlled yet highly valuable target market for electronic trading companies based in free market economies across the globe.
Can BTC Rival Gold With No Physical Backing?
The debate regarding Bitcoin was a crowd-pleaser as China’s main Bitcoin exchange has reported some of the highest trading volumes despite the increasing governmental disapproval and subsequent banning of the acceptance of deposits from payment firms to Bitcoin exchanges under the vice-like grip of its jurisdiction.
Mr. Szabo raised his concerns about the future of a currency that is not government-backed, considering it lackluster and therefore to be approached with trepidation.
During this lively debate, a comparison was made between Bitcoin and the gold market, however, Mr. Sandhu stated the fundamental difference: “Gold is physically backed, and in Asia it is used as an investment product, you buy it, keep it and store it.”
Whilst these particular conglomerates have begun to share their opinions on the viability of offering Bitcoin, none of them have yet added it to the list of available instruments on their respective platforms. Thus far, this position has been spearheaded by some of the more gung-ho firms such as Markets.com, Ava and Plus500, the latter of which rapidly adapted its trading terms subsequent to launching BTC in order to cope with Risk Management teething troubles.
Whilst the participants in the lively discussion demonstrated that Bitcoin-related thought is being circulated within the boardrooms of some of the largest FX firms on the technology and brokerage sides of the business, none of the firms represented by the panelists have yet to take it up, however the mere notion that it is being talked about energetically by senior executives during a debate on the next big trading product in Asia is testimony to Bitcoin's potentially powerful future presence.
Prediction Markets Hit Record $702 Million Daily Volume Amid Regulatory Pressure
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
Exness CMO Alfonso Cardalda on Cape Town office launch, Africa growth, and marketing strategy
Exness CMO Alfonso Cardalda on Cape Town office launch, Africa growth, and marketing strategy
Exness is expanding its presence in Africa, and in this exclusive interview, CMO Alfonso Cardalda shares how.
Filmed during the grand opening of Exness’s new Cape Town office, Alfonso sits down with Andrea Badiola Mateos from Finance Magnates to discuss:
- Exness’s marketing approach in South Africa
- What makes their trading product stand out
- Customer retention vs. acquisition strategies
- The role of local influencers
- Managing growth across emerging markets
👉 Watch the full interview for fundamental insights into the future of trading in Africa.
#Exness #Forex #Trading #SouthAfrica #CapeTown #Finance #FinanceMagnates
Exness is expanding its presence in Africa, and in this exclusive interview, CMO Alfonso Cardalda shares how.
Filmed during the grand opening of Exness’s new Cape Town office, Alfonso sits down with Andrea Badiola Mateos from Finance Magnates to discuss:
- Exness’s marketing approach in South Africa
- What makes their trading product stand out
- Customer retention vs. acquisition strategies
- The role of local influencers
- Managing growth across emerging markets
👉 Watch the full interview for fundamental insights into the future of trading in Africa.
#Exness #Forex #Trading #SouthAfrica #CapeTown #Finance #FinanceMagnates
