“Our Job Is to Educate, Not Dictate”: FM Singapore Summit 2026 Begins Sessions

The Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026 has opened at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre after a networking launch held at Paulaner Brauhaus the previous evening. The event moved into its first full day of activity today (Wednesday), with the exhibition floor in Hall 405 active from 10:00 SGT.

Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).

The exhibition area, which had been largely set up the day before, became a busy meeting point for delegates. Participants included retail brokers, institutional banks, and fintech companies.

Exhibition Floor Activity

The expo floor reflected several clear themes. One of the most visible was prop trading infrastructure. A large section of booths focused on tools and services supporting proprietary trading firms. This reflected ongoing changes in retail trading Retail Trading In finance, retail trading refers to individual traders, trading through a broker, or on a platform. This can include novice traders and experienced traders. Trading and investing are divided into two categories, retail and institutional. Institutions include investment banks like JP Morgan or Citibank and global central banks like the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. When we talk about retail trading however, we usually are referring to forex trading, but there are retail trade In finance, retail trading refers to individual traders, trading through a broker, or on a platform. This can include novice traders and experienced traders. Trading and investing are divided into two categories, retail and institutional. Institutions include investment banks like JP Morgan or Citibank and global central banks like the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. When we talk about retail trading however, we usually are referring to forex trading, but there are retail trade Read this Term behaviour over the past year.

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Liquidity and execution providers also had a strong presence. Several tier-1 firms presented low-latency systems designed for fragmented Southeast Asian markets. The focus was on execution speed and regional connectivity Connectivity Connectivity is defined as a term used for connecting devices to each other. In most cases, this refers to computer networking and more specifically includes bridges, routers, switches, gateways, and service as well as local networks. Connectivity can refer to simple forms, such as connecting a home or office to the internet or even connecting a digital camera to a computer or printer. Connectivity in FinanceConnectivity has taken on new meaning with the growth of fintech and Big Data collectio Connectivity is defined as a term used for connecting devices to each other. In most cases, this refers to computer networking and more specifically includes bridges, routers, switches, gateways, and service as well as local networks. Connectivity can refer to simple forms, such as connecting a home or office to the internet or even connecting a digital camera to a computer or printer. Connectivity in FinanceConnectivity has taken on new meaning with the growth of fintech and Big Data collectio Read this Term.

A third cluster centred on artificial intelligence. Booths working on AI-driven onboarding and automated risk systems attracted consistent foot traffic during the morning. These companies presented tools aimed at reducing manual processes in client management and compliance workflows.

Market Professionals Share Trading Floor Tales

The “Trading Tales: Stories from The Floor” session featured experienced financial markets professionals reflecting on their careers across sales and trading environments.

Speakers shared perspectives on the evolution of trading practices, moving from voice and ticket-based systems to screen-based execution. The discussion highlighted changes in Singapore’s FX market over time, along with regional characteristics that have shaped trading behaviour and career paths.

The session also included personal accounts from trading floors, offering context on how market culture has developed in the region. Participants included Spencer Campbell, Director at SE Asia Consulting, George Ng, Managing Director at FP Energy, and Jonathan Fine of Finance Magnates Group.

Tokenised Finance Faces Adoption and Regulation

The “The Future of Finance Will be Tokenised” session examined the development of tokenised assets and the infrastructure required to support broader adoption across both retail and institutional markets.

Speakers discussed how tokenisation is being applied across asset classes, including bonds and debt instruments, while noting that adoption challenges vary between institutional and retail use cases.

The discussion focused on core infrastructure questions around ownership, settlement, and interoperability, as well as the operational and compliance considerations for brokers offering tokenised products.

Regulatory positioning across APAC was also addressed, particularly in relation to tokenised securities frameworks. Participants included David Jenkins, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Openmarkets Group, Christopher Forbes, Head of Asia and Middle East at CMC Markets, Justin Christopher, Head of Asia at Calastone, Amos Song, Chief Business Officer at DigiFT, and Leeny Luong, Head of APAC at Partisia Foundation.

Retail Brokers Eye Prediction Market Growth

The “Outrageous Predictions? Retail Brokers & Event Contracts” session examined the growing interest in prediction markets and event-based trading products across retail brokerage platforms.

Speakers discussed the potential for “super-cycle” growth in event contracts, alongside questions around regulation and product structure as brokers consider integrating instruments that resemble betting-style markets. The discussion focused on how established exchanges, retail brokers, and prediction platform providers are approaching collaboration and product development.

It also addressed expected volume growth in 2026 and the expansion of new contract categories tied to political, economic, and cultural events. Participants included Jakub Roz, CEO of For Traders, Leon Okun, Founder and CEO of Plaee, Professor Edward Tay of National University of Singapore, and Jorden Tan, Subcommittee Lead at ACCESS Singapore.

Thailand and Vietnam Shape Broker Expansion

The “Regional Focus: Thailand, Vietnam” session examined the operational realities of building brokerage businesses in two of Southeast Asia’s fast-developing trading markets.

Speakers discussed how Bangkok is emerging as a regional hub for broker expansion into CLMV markets, while Vietnam’s rising trading volumes are increasingly shaping regional strategy discussions at headquarters level.

The panel focused on the practical requirements for market entry, including entity structures, regulatory timelines, and common setup challenges faced by first-time operators. It also covered how offshore broker models interact with domestic restrictions in both jurisdictions, along with differences in client onboarding, distribution, and talent acquisition.

The discussion highlighted that language, culture, and acquisition channels in both markets differ significantly from broader APAC assumptions. Participants included Won Tien Ching, CEO of ACCM, Janis Baltalksnis, Regional Director Thailand & Laos at Versus Trade, and Jonathan Fine of Finance Magnates Group.

Precious Metals Rally Tests Trading Infrastructure

The “Precious Insights: APAC’s Bullion Market amid Record Volatility” session examined how the recent rally in precious metals is affecting market structure, pricing dynamics, and trading behaviour across the Asia-Pacific region.

Speakers discussed how volatility in gold and other bullion assets is influencing hedging strategies among brokers and liquidity providers, as well as increasing interest from regional banks in physical gold distribution.

The discussion also highlighted Southeast Asia’s growing retail demand for bullion, driven by both central bank accumulation and store-of-value preferences. Panelists further examined Singapore’s role as a regional bullion hub, alongside operational challenges such as kilogram-based pricing, local delivery systems, and the integration of CFD and physical bullion markets.

Participants included Judy Goh, Managing Director for APAC at Integral, John Murillo, Chief Business Officer at B2Broker, Alex Ho of CMC Markets, Tan Kway Guan, Central Banks and Public Policy Lead at World Gold Council, and Alexander Fergusson, CEO of Woodside.

Trust and Liquidity Shape Trading Conditions

The “License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil” session examined liquidity conditions across Asian markets and the structural factors shaping execution during periods of volatility.

The discussion focused on regional market characteristics, including connectivity, asset preferences, and differences in liquidity provision compared with other global regions. Speakers also addressed diversification strategies versus concentration in single assets, along with the role of trust in liquidity relationships as trading becomes more automated.

The panel brought together participants from across the liquidity chain, including Mohammad Isbeer, Group Chief Institutional Officer at Equiti Capital, Alex Mackinnon, CEO Asia at Finalto, Stavros Economides, Chief Operations Officer at Match-Prime Liquidity, Yoann Turpin, Co-founder of Wintermute, Grace Chan, Executive Director at Phillip Nova, and Vinay Trivedi, CEO of SGX CurrencyNode.

Premium Clients Drive Broker Revenue Strategies

The “Join The Club: What Premium Clients Want” session focused on the role of high-net-worth traders in retail brokerage revenues and how firms across Asia are building and managing premium client segments.

Speakers discussed how brokers define premium clients beyond deposit size, placing emphasis on engagement, trading activity, and long-term value. The panel also examined which services and product features help build trust and improve client retention, while remaining scalable from a cost and operations perspective.

Participants included Desmond Leong, CEO of Returning.AI, Shane Syed, Strategic Sales Advisor and Co-Founder at USAM Group and PitchFintech, Oriano Lizza of CMC Markets, Q Tan Chuen Kiat of Orient Futures Singapore, Qin Lang of eToro, and Jaycee Lai of IG Group.

Retail Trading Trends Shape Market Platforms

The “Key Trends Shaping Modern Trading Behavior” session focused on how trading activity and user expectations are changing across global markets. The discussion examined shifts in retail trader behaviour, including increased demand for faster execution, more transparent pricing, and improved access to data and analytics.

Speakers also considered how platform providers are adapting product design and distribution strategies to match these expectations. The panel highlighted the role of social and data-driven trading environments in shaping decision-making processes. Participants included Edmund Lee, Growth Manager (Singapore) at TradingView, and Kenny Wan Yaoming, Head of Sales at Penguin Securities.

Digital Asset Adoption Faces Market Pressure

The “Buying The Deep: Digital Asset Adoption in APAC and Beyond” session focused on how institutional investors and market infrastructure firms are approaching digital assets during an extended market downturn.

Speakers discussed the impact of lower crypto asset prices on adoption strategies, capital allocation, and operational readiness across the region. The discussion also examined gaps in custody, connectivity, and settlement infrastructure that continue to affect institutional participation in Asia-Pacific markets.

Panelists reviewed how stablecoins, tokenisation, and broader on-chain market infrastructure are developing despite cautious investor sentiment. The session featured David Jenkins, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Openmarkets Group, Chris Knight, Managing Director at LMAX Digital, Andrew Leelarthaepin, Head of Business Product at Maybank Investment Banking Group, Luke Boland, Head of Fintech at Standard Chartered, Karl Mohan, EVP of Financial Services at Crypto.com, and Zann Kwan, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at REVO.

Panel Discusses Funding and Liquidity Strategies

The “Funding & Exit in Singapore from Pre-Seed to Liquidity” session examined Singapore’s role in capital formation and exit planning for startups and high-growth firms.

Speakers discussed the breadth of the city-state’s investment ecosystem, including sovereign-backed capital, venture funding, family offices, and public market access through the Singapore Exchange. The discussion also covered alternative exit channels such as private secondary markets, strategic acquisitions, and digital marketplace exits.

Panelists focused on how founders and investors can preserve exit flexibility throughout different growth stages. The session was held in partnership with 8 Circle and featured speakers including Vidushan Premathiratne of 8 Circle and Techt Labs, Luca Zorzino of Illuminate Financial, Zongxi Sia of Cocoon Capital, and Thom Abbott of London Stock Exchange.

Brokers Debate AI Adoption and Risk

The “AI Getting Real for Brokers” session focused on how brokerage firms are moving beyond experimental use of artificial intelligence and treating AI tools as part of their core business infrastructure.

Speakers from brokerage firms, AI providers, and trading technology companies discussed how large language models are affecting client acquisition, operational efficiency, and risk management. Panelists also examined how institutional adoption of AI is raising expectations among retail clients.

Another major topic was liability and accountability when AI-generated recommendations contribute to trading losses. The discussion featured participants including Vince De Castro of Acuity Trading, Adam Philips of FXTRADING.com, Carney Mak of FXHB Asset Management, Tuvshin Tug of Pixel Nexus Global, Thomas Kareklas of BridgeWise, and Yaki Razmovich of eToro.