CEE is home to 300 million people, 40% of Europe's population.
More and more people are choosing to trade, not just with CFDs.
poland
Against the
backdrop of a global pandemic, the world saw an unexpected consequence: a drastic
jump in the number of active retail traders. Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)
was no exception. The Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) reported a
staggering jump in active Forex market clients, reaching a record of 142,000 by 2022.
Amid this
growth, the industry has seen a marked shift towards a diverse range of
assets, with a strong interest in stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. The
wheels of change are in motion, rewriting the landscape of the CEE retail
trading industry, described in the Finance Magnates Intelligence report.
Record Number of Polish and
CEE Traders Invest
According
to data from the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF), the number of
active Forex market clients in Poland (including both residents and foreign
clients of broker companies registered in the country) was just under 39,000 in
2016.
Maciej Wojciechowski, Purple Trading
Since then,
there has been a continuous increase in active clients, particularly since the
onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The number of active clients jumped to
over 80,000 in 2020, increased to 112,000 in 2021, and exceeded 142,000 in
2022.
"The
pandemic and its repercussions are absolutely one of the factors that
significantly increased the number of individual investors, up to the record
year of 2022 with a number of over 142,000 active traders," Maciej
Wojciechowski, the Busines Development & Brand Manager at Purple Trading, originally commented in Polish and was translated to English using DeepL.
Over a span
of six years, local retail traders' profits have nearly quintupled: from PLN
141.5 million reported in 2016 to PLN 519.5 million documented in 2022.
The Changing Landscape of
Retail Investing
The CEE
retail trading industry is experiencing a significant transformation, which is driven by
a combination of technology, regulatory measures, changing investor habits, and
broader market conditions. Traders in the region are embracing new asset
classes, including stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Despite these shifts, Forex
remains a popular investment vehicle, with currency pairs, commodities, and
indices continuing to attract significant interest from retail customers.
In response
to this changing demand, brokers like Conotoxia, XTB and Purple Trading are
broadening their offerings. For instance, Conotoxia has introduced a capital
management service to lower the entry barrier to the advisory market.
Purple
Trading has observed an uptick in interest in foreign stocks, likely due to the
potential for portfolio diversification and the opportunity to achieve higher
profits through global stock market participation.
In the meantime,
XTB, the most significant player in the local market, intends to launch a
savings account to lure new clients. Omar Arnaout, the CEO of XTB, admitted the
vision of the company during a recent earnings conference in April.
Filip Kaczmarzyk, XTB
Filip
Kaczmarzyk, a Member of the XTB Management Board, confirmed in a recent interview with Finance Magnates in Polish and translated to English using DeepL that Poland constitutes the largest FX/CFD market
in CEE, the region's biggest country.
"Regarding
FX/CFD, we see enormous potential in the Czech Republic. There is evident
interest in OTC investing there. However, in Romania, the proportions are
slightly different, and there the majority of investors are focusing on stocks
and ETFs," Kaczmarzyk commented. A "broker should work on providing the
widest possible range of offerings to meet client expectations."
He also
confirmed that the interest of local traders is moving away from CFDs to more
passive investing opportunities, including stocks and ETFs.
"In
2022, as many as 44% of XTB clients in Poland invested in stocks and ETFs. In
Romania, this result was even higher, reaching a staggering 55%. Therefore, we
can expect that this trend will continue in the coming months, and even years,"
Kaczmarzyk explained.
Check Quarterly Industry
Report for Full Analysis
Brokers and
traders cannot ignore the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic on the CFD/FX
industry in Poland and the broader CEE region. The local market analysis
examines the growth the industry has experienced over the past six years, with
a special focus on the pandemic's role. In addition, you will discover how key brokers,
such as XTB and OANDA TMS, have benefited from this expansion.
However, we
have only scratched the surface. The complete Quarterly Industry Report delves
into these topics and more, offering granular details, expert commentary, and
critical analysis of the CEE retail trading industry. Whether you are a
seasoned trader, a curious investor, or a broker seeking the latest insights,
our report is an indispensable tool.
Check our
Quarterly Industry Report for an in-depth look at the exciting yet challenging
times ahead, marked by diversification, innovation, and increased regulatory
scrutiny in the CEE region.
Against the
backdrop of a global pandemic, the world saw an unexpected consequence: a drastic
jump in the number of active retail traders. Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)
was no exception. The Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) reported a
staggering jump in active Forex market clients, reaching a record of 142,000 by 2022.
Amid this
growth, the industry has seen a marked shift towards a diverse range of
assets, with a strong interest in stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. The
wheels of change are in motion, rewriting the landscape of the CEE retail
trading industry, described in the Finance Magnates Intelligence report.
Record Number of Polish and
CEE Traders Invest
According
to data from the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF), the number of
active Forex market clients in Poland (including both residents and foreign
clients of broker companies registered in the country) was just under 39,000 in
2016.
Maciej Wojciechowski, Purple Trading
Since then,
there has been a continuous increase in active clients, particularly since the
onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The number of active clients jumped to
over 80,000 in 2020, increased to 112,000 in 2021, and exceeded 142,000 in
2022.
"The
pandemic and its repercussions are absolutely one of the factors that
significantly increased the number of individual investors, up to the record
year of 2022 with a number of over 142,000 active traders," Maciej
Wojciechowski, the Busines Development & Brand Manager at Purple Trading, originally commented in Polish and was translated to English using DeepL.
Over a span
of six years, local retail traders' profits have nearly quintupled: from PLN
141.5 million reported in 2016 to PLN 519.5 million documented in 2022.
The Changing Landscape of
Retail Investing
The CEE
retail trading industry is experiencing a significant transformation, which is driven by
a combination of technology, regulatory measures, changing investor habits, and
broader market conditions. Traders in the region are embracing new asset
classes, including stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Despite these shifts, Forex
remains a popular investment vehicle, with currency pairs, commodities, and
indices continuing to attract significant interest from retail customers.
In response
to this changing demand, brokers like Conotoxia, XTB and Purple Trading are
broadening their offerings. For instance, Conotoxia has introduced a capital
management service to lower the entry barrier to the advisory market.
Purple
Trading has observed an uptick in interest in foreign stocks, likely due to the
potential for portfolio diversification and the opportunity to achieve higher
profits through global stock market participation.
In the meantime,
XTB, the most significant player in the local market, intends to launch a
savings account to lure new clients. Omar Arnaout, the CEO of XTB, admitted the
vision of the company during a recent earnings conference in April.
Filip Kaczmarzyk, XTB
Filip
Kaczmarzyk, a Member of the XTB Management Board, confirmed in a recent interview with Finance Magnates in Polish and translated to English using DeepL that Poland constitutes the largest FX/CFD market
in CEE, the region's biggest country.
"Regarding
FX/CFD, we see enormous potential in the Czech Republic. There is evident
interest in OTC investing there. However, in Romania, the proportions are
slightly different, and there the majority of investors are focusing on stocks
and ETFs," Kaczmarzyk commented. A "broker should work on providing the
widest possible range of offerings to meet client expectations."
He also
confirmed that the interest of local traders is moving away from CFDs to more
passive investing opportunities, including stocks and ETFs.
"In
2022, as many as 44% of XTB clients in Poland invested in stocks and ETFs. In
Romania, this result was even higher, reaching a staggering 55%. Therefore, we
can expect that this trend will continue in the coming months, and even years,"
Kaczmarzyk explained.
Check Quarterly Industry
Report for Full Analysis
Brokers and
traders cannot ignore the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic on the CFD/FX
industry in Poland and the broader CEE region. The local market analysis
examines the growth the industry has experienced over the past six years, with
a special focus on the pandemic's role. In addition, you will discover how key brokers,
such as XTB and OANDA TMS, have benefited from this expansion.
However, we
have only scratched the surface. The complete Quarterly Industry Report delves
into these topics and more, offering granular details, expert commentary, and
critical analysis of the CEE retail trading industry. Whether you are a
seasoned trader, a curious investor, or a broker seeking the latest insights,
our report is an indispensable tool.
Check our
Quarterly Industry Report for an in-depth look at the exciting yet challenging
times ahead, marked by diversification, innovation, and increased regulatory
scrutiny in the CEE region.
Damian's adventure with financial markets began at the Cracow University of Economics, where he obtained his MA in finance and accounting. Starting from the retail trader perspective, he collaborated with brokerage houses and financial portals in Poland as an independent editor and content manager. His adventure with Finance Magnates began in 2016, where he is working as a business intelligence analyst.
Virtu Financial’s Trading Income Jumps 34% in 2025 amid Market Volatility
Hannah Hill on Innovation, Branding & Award-Winning Technology | Executive Interview | AXI
Hannah Hill on Innovation, Branding & Award-Winning Technology | Executive Interview | AXI
Recorded live at FMLS:25, this executive interview features Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at AXI, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following AXI’s win for Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
Recorded live at FMLS:25, this executive interview features Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at AXI, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following AXI’s win for Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
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
