A press release shared with FinanceMagnates.com detailed that the broker has hired Jason Hughes as its General Manager for the Middle East.
The broker is also opening a service centre in Malaysia and boosting its tech presence in India and the Philippines.
Racing simulator at IC Markets booth
Australia-headquartered broker IC Markets is considering strengthening its presence in the Middle East by obtaining a licence in the United Arab Emirates. However, it remains unclear which regulator the broker will approach in the country.
The move is part of a broader strategy to expand its footprint across Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
A New Head for the Middle East
A press release shared with FinanceMagnates.com also revealed that the broker has appointed Jason Hughes as its General Manager for the Middle East. Hughes has previously worked with several brokerage firms, including eToro, Exinity, ADSS, CMC Markets, and IG Group, bringing nearly two decades of industry experience to his new role at IC Markets.
Jason Hughes as IC Markets' General Manager for the Middle East
“In the Middle East, the Group is progressing toward securing regulatory approval in the United Arab Emirates, with plans to offer a high-touch, relationship-managed service tailored to the region’s trading community,” the broker stated in the announcement.
Further, IC Markets is establishing a new service centre in Malaysia to support its broader commercial growth plans. It is also investing in technology hubs in India and the Philippines.
Last year, Axi, another Australia-based CFDs broker, opened an office in India, which has since become its technology and product centre. Both Axi and IC Markets have also entered the prop trading space with their own platforms.
IC Markets’ Dispute in Cyprus
IC Markets offers leveraged trading in margin forex and CFDs across several asset classes. In addition to its Australian operations, the broker holds licences in Cyprus, Seychelles, and the Bahamas. It also obtained authorisation from Kenya’s financial regulator last year, expanding into Africa’s growing trading market.
Despite being among the top brokers in terms of trading volumes, IC Markets has faced its share of controversies.
In 2023, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) imposed a €200,000 fine on the broker for “knowingly and intentionally” violating leverage limits. According to the regulator, IC Markets’ Cyprus-regulated entity offered clients leverage of up to 1000:1 by onboarding them under an offshore entity. Within the European Union, FX and CFDs brokers are only allowed to offer leverage up to 30:1.
In a statement shared with FinanceMagnates.com at the time, an IC Markets spokesperson “categorically denied” the allegations and said the company “will rigorously pursue an appeal.” However, it remains unclear whether the broker followed through with legal action against the regulatory decision.
Australia-headquartered broker IC Markets is considering strengthening its presence in the Middle East by obtaining a licence in the United Arab Emirates. However, it remains unclear which regulator the broker will approach in the country.
The move is part of a broader strategy to expand its footprint across Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
A New Head for the Middle East
A press release shared with FinanceMagnates.com also revealed that the broker has appointed Jason Hughes as its General Manager for the Middle East. Hughes has previously worked with several brokerage firms, including eToro, Exinity, ADSS, CMC Markets, and IG Group, bringing nearly two decades of industry experience to his new role at IC Markets.
Jason Hughes as IC Markets' General Manager for the Middle East
“In the Middle East, the Group is progressing toward securing regulatory approval in the United Arab Emirates, with plans to offer a high-touch, relationship-managed service tailored to the region’s trading community,” the broker stated in the announcement.
Further, IC Markets is establishing a new service centre in Malaysia to support its broader commercial growth plans. It is also investing in technology hubs in India and the Philippines.
Last year, Axi, another Australia-based CFDs broker, opened an office in India, which has since become its technology and product centre. Both Axi and IC Markets have also entered the prop trading space with their own platforms.
IC Markets’ Dispute in Cyprus
IC Markets offers leveraged trading in margin forex and CFDs across several asset classes. In addition to its Australian operations, the broker holds licences in Cyprus, Seychelles, and the Bahamas. It also obtained authorisation from Kenya’s financial regulator last year, expanding into Africa’s growing trading market.
Despite being among the top brokers in terms of trading volumes, IC Markets has faced its share of controversies.
In 2023, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) imposed a €200,000 fine on the broker for “knowingly and intentionally” violating leverage limits. According to the regulator, IC Markets’ Cyprus-regulated entity offered clients leverage of up to 1000:1 by onboarding them under an offshore entity. Within the European Union, FX and CFDs brokers are only allowed to offer leverage up to 30:1.
In a statement shared with FinanceMagnates.com at the time, an IC Markets spokesperson “categorically denied” the allegations and said the company “will rigorously pursue an appeal.” However, it remains unclear whether the broker followed through with legal action against the regulatory decision.
Arnab Shome is an electronics engineer-turned-financial editor. He holds a Bachelor of Technology from the National Institute of Technology, Agartala. He entered the retail trading industry about a decade ago, covering the cryptocurrency market for Finance Magnates, and later expanded his coverage to include forex and CFDs as well.
His work at Finance Magnates includes C-level interviews, data-driven analysis, opinion pieces, and scoops of industry exclusives. He also contributes to Finance Magnates’ quarterly industry report.
Area of coverage:
1. CFD broker-related news
2. Industry-related Regulatory updates and developments
3. New retail trading trends
4. Prop trading industry updates
5. Executive interviews
Education:
Bachelor of Technology - National Institute of Technology, Agartala (India)
IG Group Weighs Move from London to Wall Street: Report
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 – Nominations Now Open
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 – Nominations Now Open
The Finance Magnates Awards 2026 nominations are now open. 🏆
From fintech innovators to leading brokers, this is where the finance industry celebrates its biggest achievements.
Winners will be announced at the Cyprus Gala Dinner on November 6, 2026.
Nominate your brand now.
https://awards.financemagnates.com/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=nominations-open
#FMAwards #FinanceMagnates #FintechAwards #Fintech #FinanceIndustry
The Finance Magnates Awards 2026 nominations are now open. 🏆
From fintech innovators to leading brokers, this is where the finance industry celebrates its biggest achievements.
Winners will be announced at the Cyprus Gala Dinner on November 6, 2026.
Nominate your brand now.
https://awards.financemagnates.com/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=nominations-open
#FMAwards #FinanceMagnates #FintechAwards #Fintech #FinanceIndustry
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 | Nominations Now Open 🏆#Fintech #FMAwards #TradingIndustry
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 | Nominations Now Open 🏆#Fintech #FMAwards #TradingIndustry
Lights on. Cameras ready. 🎬
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 nominations are now open. 🏆
#FMAwards #FinanceMagnates #FintechAwards #Fintech
Lights on. Cameras ready. 🎬
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 nominations are now open. 🏆
#FMAwards #FinanceMagnates #FintechAwards #Fintech
Exness sees trust as the key theme for growth in MENA Trading Growth for 2026
Exness sees trust as the key theme for growth in MENA Trading Growth for 2026
Mohammad Amer, Regional Commercial Director at Exness, sits down to discuss the booming MENA financial trading market. Find out why Dubai is key to the company's growth strategy, how a mobile-first generation is changing expectations, and why trust will be the defining theme for traders in 2026.
In this interview, you'll learn:
* Why Dubai and the MENA region are critical growth markets for fintech and online trading.
* How Exness is addressing the demands of mobile-first, younger traders through engineering, platform stability, and transparent conditions.
* The essential role local talent plays in providing a culturally relevant and compliant user experience.
* Mohammad Amer's outlook on the future of the online trading industry and why stronger controls and systems are necessary.
* Why "trust" isn't just a brand value, but has commercial value—and why he predicts 2026 will be the "Year of Trust."
Key Takeaways:
➡️ The MENA region is rapidly shaping global financial markets.
➡️ New traders expect stability, precise execution, and transparency.
➡️ Local expertise is key to regulatory compliance and user experience.
➡️ Future success belongs to firms capable of meeting rising standards across regulation and platform consistency.
Read the full article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-sees-trust-as-the-key-theme-for-growth-in-mena-trading-growth-for-2026/
#Exness #MENA #Trading #FinTech #Dubai #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #MohammadAmer #Trust #MobileTrading
Mohammad Amer, Regional Commercial Director at Exness, sits down to discuss the booming MENA financial trading market. Find out why Dubai is key to the company's growth strategy, how a mobile-first generation is changing expectations, and why trust will be the defining theme for traders in 2026.
In this interview, you'll learn:
* Why Dubai and the MENA region are critical growth markets for fintech and online trading.
* How Exness is addressing the demands of mobile-first, younger traders through engineering, platform stability, and transparent conditions.
* The essential role local talent plays in providing a culturally relevant and compliant user experience.
* Mohammad Amer's outlook on the future of the online trading industry and why stronger controls and systems are necessary.
* Why "trust" isn't just a brand value, but has commercial value—and why he predicts 2026 will be the "Year of Trust."
Key Takeaways:
➡️ The MENA region is rapidly shaping global financial markets.
➡️ New traders expect stability, precise execution, and transparency.
➡️ Local expertise is key to regulatory compliance and user experience.
➡️ Future success belongs to firms capable of meeting rising standards across regulation and platform consistency.
Read the full article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-sees-trust-as-the-key-theme-for-growth-in-mena-trading-growth-for-2026/
#Exness #MENA #Trading #FinTech #Dubai #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #MohammadAmer #Trust #MobileTrading
Paytiko CEO Razi Salih on Why Payment Orchestration is a MUST-HAVE for Brokers in 2026
Paytiko CEO Razi Salih on Why Payment Orchestration is a MUST-HAVE for Brokers in 2026
At iFX Expo Dubai, Finance Magnates spoke with Razi Salih, CEO at Paytiko, about the evolution of the payments ecosystem and why payment orchestration has shifted from an option to a necessity for brokers, prop firms, and exchanges.
Mr. Salih explains how global expansion, the need for deep localisation, and the sheer number of new payment methods, from instant banking to stablecoins, are driving this critical infrastructure shift.
#PaymentOrchestration #Fintech #Brokerage #TradingPayments #RaziSalih #Paytiko #iFXExpoDubai #Stablecoins #AIinFintech
At iFX Expo Dubai, Finance Magnates spoke with Razi Salih, CEO at Paytiko, about the evolution of the payments ecosystem and why payment orchestration has shifted from an option to a necessity for brokers, prop firms, and exchanges.
Mr. Salih explains how global expansion, the need for deep localisation, and the sheer number of new payment methods, from instant banking to stablecoins, are driving this critical infrastructure shift.
#PaymentOrchestration #Fintech #Brokerage #TradingPayments #RaziSalih #Paytiko #iFXExpoDubai #Stablecoins #AIinFintech
Altima CTO Sunil Jadhav: Solving Data Fragmentation & Lag for Brokers & Prop Firms
Altima CTO Sunil Jadhav: Solving Data Fragmentation & Lag for Brokers & Prop Firms
Altima CTO Sunil Jadhav sits down with Finance Magnates to discuss the core technology challenges facing CFD brokers and proprietary trading firms today.
Jadhav explains how the industry's reliance on batch processing and fragmented systems (where CRMs, risk tools, and trading platforms operate with separate 'sources of truth') leads to delayed data and inconsistent operational decisions. He argues that real-time event processing is essential for managing fast-moving trading activity and risk.
Learn how Altima's unified, event-driven architecture, connecting Altima CRM, Altima Prop, IB systems, and risk management through a single backbone, is designed to provide synchronous data and better operational coordination for modern brokerage and prop firm stacks.
Key Topics:
- Broker and Prop Firm Data Challenges
- The problem of delayed data processing (batch processing vs. real-time events)
- Fragmented systems and conflicting data sources
- Altima's unified, event-driven solution architecture
- The concept of a "risk-aware CRM"
- Built-in risk management in Altima Prop
#Altima #financemagnates #iFXDubai #FinTech #BrokerTech #PropFirm #CFDBroker #TradingTechnology #RealTimeData #RiskManagement #CRM #FinancialMarkets #EventDrivenArchitecture
Altima CTO Sunil Jadhav sits down with Finance Magnates to discuss the core technology challenges facing CFD brokers and proprietary trading firms today.
Jadhav explains how the industry's reliance on batch processing and fragmented systems (where CRMs, risk tools, and trading platforms operate with separate 'sources of truth') leads to delayed data and inconsistent operational decisions. He argues that real-time event processing is essential for managing fast-moving trading activity and risk.
Learn how Altima's unified, event-driven architecture, connecting Altima CRM, Altima Prop, IB systems, and risk management through a single backbone, is designed to provide synchronous data and better operational coordination for modern brokerage and prop firm stacks.
Key Topics:
- Broker and Prop Firm Data Challenges
- The problem of delayed data processing (batch processing vs. real-time events)
- Fragmented systems and conflicting data sources
- Altima's unified, event-driven solution architecture
- The concept of a "risk-aware CRM"
- Built-in risk management in Altima Prop
#Altima #financemagnates #iFXDubai #FinTech #BrokerTech #PropFirm #CFDBroker #TradingTechnology #RealTimeData #RiskManagement #CRM #FinancialMarkets #EventDrivenArchitecture
