Traditional retail FX brokers can no longer ignore the potential of offering leveraged cryptocurrency trading. Brokers are in situations where they must offer crypto trading instruments or run the risk of losing ‘bread and butter’ FX clients to competing firms with such products.
In order to get set up quickly with crypto Liquidity , brokers can integrate with crypto exchanges or broker liquidity providers. Once the price stream is integrated to the broker’s connectivity provider it can mark up spread/commission to capture revenue and offer it as a trading instrument on its platform such as MT4.
In this article, we will assess the pros and cons of connecting to a crypto exchange versus a crypto LP for a broker that wants to offer Cryptocurrencies to their client base.
Liquidity from a Crypto Exchange
A broker can connect directly to a crypto exchange and send client trades there.
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of taking this route:
Liquidity from a Broker
Brokers can go to cryptocurrency broker-LP’s that act as either a market maker themselves or use an STP model to lay trades off to the exchanges.
Here are the advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons) of taking the broker LP route:
Overview
Here is a table that summarizes the the key differences between going to crypto exchanges versus crypto broker LPs.
Leverage
Most crypto exchanges are not leveraged. If they are, it’s through a system of borrowing that involves payment of interests, which gets pretty complex. Broker crypto LPs can offer higher leverage (as high as 20:1) by either acting as market makers or posing higher margin with crypto exchanges. This allows you to post less margin and gives your clients a more attractive offering.
Commission/costs
By working directly with an exchange there is one fewer party involved in the equation. This can sometimes reduce commissions. In most cases the exchanges will charge 20-30 basis points (0.20-0.30%) per trade per side while LPs will charge 25-50 (.25-.50%) basis points per side. A couple things to keep in in mind however are:
Broker LPs may be aggregating multiple exchanges which will reduce the spread.
Some broker LPs will no commission at all as they will generate revenue from their market making operations.
Market Depth
One single exchange typically doesn't have huge market depth, especially if you add leverage into the mix. In order to combat that, brokers may want to aggregate multiple exchanges and that requires technology that most brokers don’t have yet. Because crypto LPs typically aggregate multiple exchanges, there will be more market depth with the broker’s access to multiple venues.
Brokers may want to aggregate multiple exchanges and that requires technology that most brokers don’t have yet
API Integration
Connection and integration to crypto exchanges is not always straightforward. Their APIs are not always designed for FX brokers which can make integration challenging and time consuming. Conversely, certain crypto broker LPs are already pre-integrated into FX connectivity and bridge providers such as OneZero, PrimeXM.
This essentially makes working with them a plug and play solution for brokers. Simply do the necessary paperwork with your LP, send margin and just add the crypto LP in your OneZero or PrimeXM platform and you will have the instrument streaming into your metatrader. No integration required!
BTC/USD price chart. Source: Google Finance
Customer Service
There are very few crypto exchanges that would have a forex experienced customer service team to handle broker client issues. Brokers offering crypto pricing will have adequate forex experienced customer service, which will be easier for you to deal with.
Posting Margin
Most exchanges require you to post margin via BTC (bitcoin). They will not accept US dollars or euros to fund the margin account. Crypto broker LPs accept margin in USD, EUR or any other major currency. This will make dealing with your coverage account easier.
Safety of funds
Because of the lack of regulation in the crypto space, safety of funds is a big concern when posting margin with a crypto exchange. This issue is less of an issue when dealing a reputable LP.
Recommendation from Nekstream
Although going to crypto exchanges can be a bit more cost effective, going to a crypto broker LP has many inherent benefits and can make your life much easier, especially if you have a b2c business model.
We suggest that you aggregate multiple LPs that fit your needs. When deciding who to connect with, here are a few key parameters that you should pay attention to:
What exchanges they connect to? You ideally want them to connect to multiple major exchanges such as xBTCE, Bitfinex, Paloniex. This way they are not fully reliant on one exchange if there is an issue like downtime, hacking or shutdowns.
Aggregating multiple exchanges also provides a truer price for each crypto instrument and mitigates predatory trading. If they are only working with one exchange, do they have plans to add more in the near future?
Are they making a market or acting as an STP? At this stage you ideally want to aggregate a combination or an STP and a market maker. Crypto trading is so volatile and so new that relying solely on a market maker can be a bit risky. Ideally you want to hedge your risk with both models. We will touch upon this in a subsequent article in this series.
Do they have their own aggregator of exchanges? Connection to the exchanges and aggregating crypto liquidity is not a super straightforward process. If a company has already built the tech and established a solid connection it can be a big plus.
Company regulation and jurisdiction. Not all crypto LPs are regulated in major jurisdictions. But when sending in funds to your coverage account you want to feel comfortable that your money is safe. So if a broker LP has been around for a while and has entities that are regulated by the FCA and ASIC, it can be a plus.
Keeping all of these things in mind and going with a solid crypto broker LP can be a great way to start offering crypto trading to your client base.
Alex Nekritin is the Managing Director of Nekstream Global, a liquidity and technology consulting company helping brokers, HFT traders and money managers to find proper liquidity and tools for their ventures. Alex has over 10 years of experience in the financial space. Contact Alex at info@nekstream.com.
Traditional retail FX brokers can no longer ignore the potential of offering leveraged cryptocurrency trading. Brokers are in situations where they must offer crypto trading instruments or run the risk of losing ‘bread and butter’ FX clients to competing firms with such products.
In order to get set up quickly with crypto Liquidity , brokers can integrate with crypto exchanges or broker liquidity providers. Once the price stream is integrated to the broker’s connectivity provider it can mark up spread/commission to capture revenue and offer it as a trading instrument on its platform such as MT4.
In this article, we will assess the pros and cons of connecting to a crypto exchange versus a crypto LP for a broker that wants to offer Cryptocurrencies to their client base.
Liquidity from a Crypto Exchange
A broker can connect directly to a crypto exchange and send client trades there.
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of taking this route:
Liquidity from a Broker
Brokers can go to cryptocurrency broker-LP’s that act as either a market maker themselves or use an STP model to lay trades off to the exchanges.
Here are the advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons) of taking the broker LP route:
Overview
Here is a table that summarizes the the key differences between going to crypto exchanges versus crypto broker LPs.
Leverage
Most crypto exchanges are not leveraged. If they are, it’s through a system of borrowing that involves payment of interests, which gets pretty complex. Broker crypto LPs can offer higher leverage (as high as 20:1) by either acting as market makers or posing higher margin with crypto exchanges. This allows you to post less margin and gives your clients a more attractive offering.
Commission/costs
By working directly with an exchange there is one fewer party involved in the equation. This can sometimes reduce commissions. In most cases the exchanges will charge 20-30 basis points (0.20-0.30%) per trade per side while LPs will charge 25-50 (.25-.50%) basis points per side. A couple things to keep in in mind however are:
Broker LPs may be aggregating multiple exchanges which will reduce the spread.
Some broker LPs will no commission at all as they will generate revenue from their market making operations.
Market Depth
One single exchange typically doesn't have huge market depth, especially if you add leverage into the mix. In order to combat that, brokers may want to aggregate multiple exchanges and that requires technology that most brokers don’t have yet. Because crypto LPs typically aggregate multiple exchanges, there will be more market depth with the broker’s access to multiple venues.
Brokers may want to aggregate multiple exchanges and that requires technology that most brokers don’t have yet
API Integration
Connection and integration to crypto exchanges is not always straightforward. Their APIs are not always designed for FX brokers which can make integration challenging and time consuming. Conversely, certain crypto broker LPs are already pre-integrated into FX connectivity and bridge providers such as OneZero, PrimeXM.
This essentially makes working with them a plug and play solution for brokers. Simply do the necessary paperwork with your LP, send margin and just add the crypto LP in your OneZero or PrimeXM platform and you will have the instrument streaming into your metatrader. No integration required!
BTC/USD price chart. Source: Google Finance
Customer Service
There are very few crypto exchanges that would have a forex experienced customer service team to handle broker client issues. Brokers offering crypto pricing will have adequate forex experienced customer service, which will be easier for you to deal with.
Posting Margin
Most exchanges require you to post margin via BTC (bitcoin). They will not accept US dollars or euros to fund the margin account. Crypto broker LPs accept margin in USD, EUR or any other major currency. This will make dealing with your coverage account easier.
Safety of funds
Because of the lack of regulation in the crypto space, safety of funds is a big concern when posting margin with a crypto exchange. This issue is less of an issue when dealing a reputable LP.
Recommendation from Nekstream
Although going to crypto exchanges can be a bit more cost effective, going to a crypto broker LP has many inherent benefits and can make your life much easier, especially if you have a b2c business model.
We suggest that you aggregate multiple LPs that fit your needs. When deciding who to connect with, here are a few key parameters that you should pay attention to:
What exchanges they connect to? You ideally want them to connect to multiple major exchanges such as xBTCE, Bitfinex, Paloniex. This way they are not fully reliant on one exchange if there is an issue like downtime, hacking or shutdowns.
Aggregating multiple exchanges also provides a truer price for each crypto instrument and mitigates predatory trading. If they are only working with one exchange, do they have plans to add more in the near future?
Are they making a market or acting as an STP? At this stage you ideally want to aggregate a combination or an STP and a market maker. Crypto trading is so volatile and so new that relying solely on a market maker can be a bit risky. Ideally you want to hedge your risk with both models. We will touch upon this in a subsequent article in this series.
Do they have their own aggregator of exchanges? Connection to the exchanges and aggregating crypto liquidity is not a super straightforward process. If a company has already built the tech and established a solid connection it can be a big plus.
Company regulation and jurisdiction. Not all crypto LPs are regulated in major jurisdictions. But when sending in funds to your coverage account you want to feel comfortable that your money is safe. So if a broker LP has been around for a while and has entities that are regulated by the FCA and ASIC, it can be a plus.
Keeping all of these things in mind and going with a solid crypto broker LP can be a great way to start offering crypto trading to your client base.
Alex Nekritin is the Managing Director of Nekstream Global, a liquidity and technology consulting company helping brokers, HFT traders and money managers to find proper liquidity and tools for their ventures. Alex has over 10 years of experience in the financial space. Contact Alex at info@nekstream.com.
Typosquatting Goes Industrial: Why One Broker Registered Over 600 Domains
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
