Changes in regulatory requirements reach off-shore destinations
For the last two years, we have been witnessing growing regulatory requirements in Europe and, more recently, in Australia as well. Many brokers have decided to open or use existing regulated offshore branches to offer an alternative to clients. Recent changes in Bahamian regulations show that even in safe havens, the business and regulatory environment is inevitably changing. Is this a new trend that will affect the whole FX/CFD industry?
Recent propositions for Bahamian regulations bring important questions to the table. Firstly, everybody would like to know if other offshore jurisdictions will follow the same approach. Secondly, it is not clear yet what the rationale is behind the decision of the Bahamian regulator.
Some Jurisdictions Lack Benefits for Traders?
At first, it may look as though the Bahamas may want to become a more reputable destination for brokers. Since these countries have started to accept FX/CFD brokers and dealers with open arms, the reputation following them has not been very positive. Offshore destinations at best have always been linked to tax avoidance strategies rather than regulatory requirements. In other words, those companies that did not want to pay taxes (or pay much lower taxes) chose offshore destinations. But, there have always been many negative opinions about doing business in such places, especially with consistent accusations of Money Laundering.
"Some jurisdictions were highly popular in the past, but now they've become what we call in our law firm the 'Plan B' jurisdictions – Barbados, Bermuda, Bahamas, and Belize. These serve as a nice place to register the business, but lack a real benefit to the traders or the brokers," told Finance Magnates Tal Itzhak Ron, Chairman, and CEO, Tal Ron, Drihem & Co., Law Firm
With growing regulatory pressure all over the globe, owning a license in offshore destinations seems to be inevitable today. Although no one can be sure in which regions we will see further restrictions next.
To get the full article and the bigger-picture on the regulatory trends for off-shore destinations, get our latest Quarterly Intelligence Report.
For the last two years, we have been witnessing growing regulatory requirements in Europe and, more recently, in Australia as well. Many brokers have decided to open or use existing regulated offshore branches to offer an alternative to clients. Recent changes in Bahamian regulations show that even in safe havens, the business and regulatory environment is inevitably changing. Is this a new trend that will affect the whole FX/CFD industry?
Recent propositions for Bahamian regulations bring important questions to the table. Firstly, everybody would like to know if other offshore jurisdictions will follow the same approach. Secondly, it is not clear yet what the rationale is behind the decision of the Bahamian regulator.
Some Jurisdictions Lack Benefits for Traders?
At first, it may look as though the Bahamas may want to become a more reputable destination for brokers. Since these countries have started to accept FX/CFD brokers and dealers with open arms, the reputation following them has not been very positive. Offshore destinations at best have always been linked to tax avoidance strategies rather than regulatory requirements. In other words, those companies that did not want to pay taxes (or pay much lower taxes) chose offshore destinations. But, there have always been many negative opinions about doing business in such places, especially with consistent accusations of Money Laundering.
"Some jurisdictions were highly popular in the past, but now they've become what we call in our law firm the 'Plan B' jurisdictions – Barbados, Bermuda, Bahamas, and Belize. These serve as a nice place to register the business, but lack a real benefit to the traders or the brokers," told Finance Magnates Tal Itzhak Ron, Chairman, and CEO, Tal Ron, Drihem & Co., Law Firm
With growing regulatory pressure all over the globe, owning a license in offshore destinations seems to be inevitable today. Although no one can be sure in which regions we will see further restrictions next.
To get the full article and the bigger-picture on the regulatory trends for off-shore destinations, get our latest Quarterly Intelligence Report.
A graduate of the Warsaw School of Economics, Sylwester received an MA specializing in finance and banking. As Finance Magnates' research associate and STA certified analyst, he leaves no stone unturned. Sylwester is the previous minority partner of an NFA registered US forex broker, and since 2003, has participated in many forex projects.
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Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
