iFX EXPO Dubai 2026 enters its final day today (Thursday), concluding three days of meetings, panel discussions and networking at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The exhibition floor opens at 10:30, marking the final round of scheduled engagements for participants across the online trading and fintech sectors.

Brokerage, Fintech Networking Continues in Dubai

The 2026 edition began yesterday with the opening of the exhibition floor, following a Welcome Party on Tuesday evening at Bla Bla Dubai Beach Club. Brokers, fintech firms, liquidity providers and service providers gathered ahead of the main conference agenda, which has included keynote speeches, panel sessions and business meetings throughout the week.

Running from 10–12 February, the expo brings together representatives from retail brokerage, payments , crypto and institutional trading, with the final day providing attendees an opportunity to conclude meetings and discussions initiated earlier in the event.

You Are the Portfolio: Growth Principles

The session “YOU ARE THE PORTFOLIO: Maximizing Your Potential & the Power of Nonlinear Growth” features Chantel Elloway, President and Founder of CEPR.

The talk explores how individuals can cultivate and align multiple forms of capital—including intellectual, emotional, physical, social, cultural, and financial—over time to create nonlinear growth.

Drawing on experiences across entrepreneurship, finance, communications, government, health and wellness, media, and tech, Elloway emphasizes intentional, integrated development as a path to sustainable performance.

Attendees gain insights into maximizing potential, embracing unique personal journeys, and leveraging holistic growth strategies in an era of AI, automation, and constant disruption.

Inside the Systems Driving Market Execution

The session “The Avengers of FinTech: Behind The Tech That Runs the Markets” features Mark Holland Walker, CEO of Fintech Times, in discussion with Stelios Pallis, CTO of XS.com; Angelos Gregoriou, CEO and Co-Founder of DW Dynamic Works; Alex Tsepaev, Chief Strategy Officer of B2PRIME; and Rauan Khassan, Chief Commercial Officer of TradingView.

The panel examines the technological infrastructure underpinning modern trading systems, including ultra-low-latency architecture, AI-driven decision engines, real-time risk management frameworks, cross-asset integration, and cybersecurity measures.

Speakers provide insight into how trading technology providers are building scalable, resilient systems to support execution, liquidity routing, and risk control across FX, crypto, and tokenized markets in 2026.

Identifying Overlooked Risks in Brokerages

The session “Your Biggest Risk Is the One You Ignored: Identifying The Silent Killers” features Andrey Stoychev, CEO and Managing Partner of VS Capital, in conversation with Peter Plester, Head of B2B Sales at EXNESS; Shanu Khan, Global Business Manager at Mega-Fusion; and Varun Srivastava, APAC Head of Cyber Operations at a Global FSI Company.

The discussion examines overlooked operational risks in fast-moving financial markets, including liquidity gaps and technology vulnerabilities.

Speakers explore real-world failure cases, early warning signs, and strategies for mitigating crises, offering practical guidance on building resilient brokerage frameworks and responding effectively when risks have already materialized.

Transforming Payments with UAE Digital Dirham

The session “2' Minutes to the Future: The UAE’s Digital Dirham and the Next Phase of Payments” features Ghadeer Ibrahim, Business Journalist and Market Analyst at CNBC Arabia, in conversation with Arpit Mehta, Co-founder and CPO of Fuze; Andrey Kalashnikov, Head of Match2Pay; Ali Zakaria, Senior Legal Counsel at Mashreq Bank; and Jonathan Wood, SVP Commercial at BVNK.

The discussion examines the UAE’s first transaction using the Digital Dirham and the phased rollout of the country’s central bank digital currency.

Speakers explore the potential impact on financial efficiency, cross-border settlements, and central bank-private sector relationships, while highlighting strategic objectives, regulatory considerations, and opportunities for banks and fintechs in the evolving payments landscape.

Building Sustainable Wealth Across MENA Markets

The session “Lessons for the Long Game: Turning MENA Opportunities into Lasting Wealth” features Amer Al Ahbabi, Chairman of Vertix Holdings, and Fadi Namah AlAwami, Founder of The Consultation Center.

The discussion focuses on long-term wealth creation, emphasizing disciplined decision-making, strategic planning, and sustainable growth over short-term gains.

Speakers examine emerging opportunities across the MENA region, including developments in fintech and investment innovation, and outline practical approaches for businesses and individuals seeking to build and preserve wealth over time.

Balancing Risk and Reward with Leverage

The session “Margin Optimization: Leverage That Works for You”, features Jameel Ahmad, Chief Analyst at GTCFX, in conversation with Jason Martyn Hughes, GM at IC Markets, and Fadi Abouras, CEO of Ava Trade Middle East Limited.

The discussion focuses on the role of leverage in trading, highlighting how margin can amplify market exposure while increasing risk.

Speakers explore the fundamentals of leverage, the balance between potential profits and losses, strategies for aligning leverage with individual risk tolerance, and common mistakes traders make when using leverage, providing practical guidance for effective risk management.

AI Trading Versus Algorithmic Trading Explained

The session “AI Trading vs Algo Trading: The Truth, the Tools, and the Future of Trader Performance” features Paul Chalmers, CEO of UK Trading Academy.

The discussion examines the differences between AI-driven trading strategies and traditional algorithmic systems, highlighting the strengths, limitations, and appropriate applications of each approach.

Attendees gain practical insights, real-world examples, and a framework to assess which tools can enhance trading performance, helping traders make informed decisions in 2026 and beyond.

Practical Strategies for Live Market Execution

The session “Advanced Workshop: Trade Execution Mastery [Part 2]” is led by Greg Michalowski, Director of Client Education and Technical Analysis at InvestingLive.com.

The workshop forms part of a two-day program designed for experienced traders seeking practical guidance on execution and risk management. The session covers maintaining focus during live markets, refining entry and exit strategies, managing risk during active trades, and reviewing performance using structured rules.

Topics also include identifying key technical levels, selecting appropriate timeframes, and improving trade management. Participants attending both sessions on 12 February receive an Advanced Workshop Certificate confirming their participation.

Retail Trading Losses and Profit Dynamics

The session “If 90% of Traders Lose Money… Who’s Actually Making It?”, features Pere Monguió, Co-CEO of FXStreet, in conversation with Tajinder Virk, Co-Founder and CEO of Dealing at Finvasia Group.

The fireside chat examines the dynamics behind retail trading losses and brokerage profitability, exploring behavioral patterns such as overtrading and the industry’s focus on transaction volume.

Speakers discuss the shift from speculative activity toward longer-term investing, as well as the role of data access, risk awareness, and mindset in supporting more sustainable wealth creation.

Finding Strength When Everything Disappears

The session “The Rising Phoenix: Finding Resilience When Everything is Taken” features Murtuza Kazmi, CEO of My Forex Funds, in conversation with Bojan Ninkovic, Head of Strategy & Digital at UF Agency by Ultimate Group.

Kazmi shares a personal account of navigating the sudden collapse of his global firm, discussing the psychological challenges, responsibilities toward displaced employees, and strategies for rebuilding amid adversity.

The session focuses on resilience and character, offering insights for professionals facing unexpected setbacks and illustrating how personal strength can guide recovery even when resources and stability are lost.

Tokenization Trends: Opportunities and Risks Today

The session “Tokenization Today: Is It the Right Moment to Invest?” features Afshin Setoudeh, CMO of TRAZE; Amna Usman Chaudhry, Financial Economist and Frontier Tech Strategist; Amir Tabch, Executive Director and CEO of OFZA; and Anton Golub, Founding Member of RWA Labs.

The panel explores the growing application of tokenization across real estate, digital assets, and art, examining opportunities, challenges, and regulatory considerations for investors.

Speakers provide insights on market timing, liquidity, valuation, and compliance, offering guidance for institutions and individuals considering entry into fractionalized, blockchain-enabled investment markets.

Crypto Trends and Strategies with Galadari

The session “Game Plans & Trend Lines: Crypto Talks with Galadari” features Mohammad Mahmood Galadari, CEO of Galadari Accelerator Inc, in conversation with Duska Nedeljkovic, Head of Conferences at Ultimate Group. Galadari shares his insights on the UAE’s Web3 and crypto landscape, discussing market trends, trading strategies, and the factors that differentiate short-term hype from sustainable opportunities.

The fireside chat highlights his experience in shaping the MENA digital asset ecosystem and offers traders, investors, and crypto enthusiasts practical perspectives on navigating the region’s evolving crypto markets.

From Garage Floor to Web3 Influence

In the session “From the Garage Floor to Global Influence”, Andres Meneses, co-founder of Versus On Chain, shares his journey from starting with minimal resources to becoming a prominent figure in the Web3 and blockchain space.

The talk explores the challenges he faced, including financial setbacks, legal disputes, and failed partnerships, and how he rebuilt through ventures such as OrbytX, VS On Chain, and The OGs podcast. Meneses highlights the role of resilience, strategic decision-making, and community building in achieving sustained influence and impact within the global Web3 ecosystem.

VARA 2025: Broker Compliance Changes

The session “License to Comply: Regulatory Currents in Motion” brings together Ludmila Yamalova, Founder and Managing Partner of Yamalova & Plewka FZCO; Paul Herman Boots, Senior Director and Head of Sector Development at VARA; Abdullatif Manlla, Head of Compliance at Equiti Securities Currencies Broker; and Samir Safar-Aly, Head and Director of FinTech & Financial Services Regulations at PwC Legal Middle East.

They discuss the evolving regulatory landscape in the MENA region, including VARA’s 2025 updates on leverage limits, collateral rules, and licensing requirements for VASP brokers. The session highlights how firms are adapting compliance models in real time, managing client asset protections, and aligning with both local and global regulatory standards.

Trading Principles Behind Long-Term Market Success

In the session “Learnings from Interviews with World’s Best Traders”, Riz Iqbal, founder of Words of Rizdom and Chart Fanatics, distills insights from in-depth conversations with top-performing traders. The discussion explores the principles that underpin long-term trading success, including risk management, navigating drawdowns, market priorities, and mental frameworks.

Attendees gain a behind-the-scenes perspective on the strategies and approaches that contribute to sustained profitability and resilient trading careers.

Turning Gold Volatility into Bullion Opportunities

The session “The Alchemist’s Ledger: Turning Volatility into Bullion Opportunities” brings together Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO of Media at Finance Magnates and investingLive; John Murillo, Chief Business Officer at B2BROKER; Firdaus Ali, Head of Business Intelligence at TradingPro; Abhijit Shah, Board Member and CEO of Emirates Gold; and Louis Josef Hems, Commercial Director at DGCX.

They discuss trends in gold and silver markets, the impact of global uncertainty and central bank activity on bullion demand, how MENA brokers manage retail and institutional flows, and strategies for execution, hedging, and integrating bullion into multi-asset portfolios.

InvestingLive Hosts Trade Execution Mastery Workshop

The Advanced Workshop: Trade Execution Mastery [Part 1], hosted by Greg Michalowski, Director of Client Education and Technical Analysis at InvestingLive, offers veteran traders practical guidance on trade execution and risk management.

The 90-minute session covers maintaining focus during live markets, improving entries and exits, managing risk, and reviewing trades according to structured rules.

Participants explore key technical levels, timeframe selection, and trade management techniques. Attendees who complete both sessions on 12 February receive an Advanced Workshop Certificate recognizing their training and participation.

Digital Assets Integration Expands Across UAE

The UAE has emerged as a regional hub for digital assets, developing a full-stack ecosystem that extends beyond trading into everyday payments and institutional finance.

In a session titled “How the UAE Became Crypto's Capital by Turning Digital Assets Into Everyday Money: Digital Assets Outlook in 2026”, speakers explore how platforms like Crypto.com are enabling crypto payments at Emarat stations and Emirates airline, partnering with local financial institutions, and supporting government-backed stablecoin initiatives.

The discussion also examines how professional capital, including tokenized funds and real-time settlement networks, is shaping the market’s infrastructure and long-term adoption prospects.