Finance Magnates recently interviewed 26 Degrees’ Group CCO, James Alexander, to learn about the demand for Pairs CFDs.
“The Japanese market specifically has shown a keen interest and is a strategic focus for us.”
A cake box with 26 Degrees branding at the rebranding launch party, Photo: 26 Degrees
“Currently, over 20% of our global brokerage client base is either offering or in the process of releasing Pairs CFDs,” said 26 Degrees’ Group Chief Commercial Officer, James Alexander, to Finance Magnates following his company’s recent launch of Gold Pairs CFDs. He added: “That’s a significant number, and we expect it to become even more prominent in 2025 and beyond.”
“We Expect to See Demand Continue to Grow”
Alexander compared the demand for these instruments to the roll-out of Equity CFDs via API in 2017 and 2018. “Back then, very few broker clients offered Equity CFDs; now, the vast majority of major brokers have some form of Equity CFD offering,” he said. “In our opinion, Pairs CFDs will be no different.”
James Alexander, 26 Degrees’ Group Chief Commercial Officer
26 Degrees, previously known as Invast Global, launched Pairs CFDs last July, enabling the trading of index vs. index, commodity vs. commodity, or equity vs. equity, similar to forex pairs. Although the concept of such an instrument was not new, it was the first company to launch it.
“Interest since we launched Pairs CFDs has been strong, and we expect demand to keep growing as more brokers understand the simplicity of Pairs and bring this unique product to market for their own clients,” Alexander commented.
“Any initial hesitation around the introduction of Pairs as a new product quickly fades once the simplicity, benefits, and implementation process are clearly laid out—a process we’ve already guided many brokers through,” he added.
“The US 100 vs Japan 225 Has Been the Most Popular”
According to 26 Degrees, these new products provide traders with a simpler and more efficient trading experience than traditional instruments, featuring a single price ratio between the two assets. This ratio adjusts according to changes in the assets’ prices, allowing traders to manage risk through a single trade rather than two separate positions.
Additionally, these Pairs CFDs can be structured to increase or reduce volatility, depending on the instruments' correlation. According to the company, they also offer greater margin efficiency than trading each asset separately with two positions.
Revealing the most popular Pairs, Alexander said: “Among the Indices-focused Pairs, the US 100 vs Japan 225 has been the most popular, while on the Equity CFD Pairs side, Nvidia vs Oracle has attracted the most trader interest. Given the recent volatility in both the Japanese Index and Nvidia over recent months, it is unsurprising that these two Pairs have taken the top spots.”
“Since we first began discussing Pairs CFDs with clients, we’ve seen strong interest in Gold-related pairs, which has only intensified with Gold’s recent rally,” added Alexander. “We are expecting a lot of interest in the newly released US 100 vs XAU Pair with the upcoming U.S. election, so these rankings may shift in the coming weeks.”
Notably, Gold has consistently been one of the top-traded instruments. Alexander also highlighted that his company is “seeing continued growth in Equity Index volumes globally,” and the new Gold Pairs CFDs will combine these assets.
“The Retail Market in Japan Is Expanding”
Elaborating on the geographical demand for Pairs CFDs, Alexander said: “The Japanese market specifically has shown a keen interest and is a strategic focus for us.” He added: “This is evident with the number of Pairs we offer against the Japan 225 Index and, more recently, the Japan 2000 Index in Osaka.”
“The retail market in Japan is expanding to include a much broader range of instruments and asset classes,” he continued. “Although USD/JPY remains a dominant focus for traders in Japan (much like XAU does globally), we feel that a broader diversification of available instruments is hugely beneficial for both traders and the brokers that serve them.”
“Interestingly, we’ve noticed distinct regional preferences for certain types of Pairs,” he explained. “For instance, Japanese brokers have shown a keen interest in Index CFD Pairs, brokers in APAC have shown a stronger focus on Equity CFD Pairs, and Commodity Pairs, particularly those focused on Oil, are especially popular among brokers in the MENA region.”
Meanwhile, Finance Magnates earlier reported that 26 Degrees is considering to surrender its regulatory license in Cyprus. However, it is planning to keep its Limassol office open as a supporting branch for its international activities.
“Currently, over 20% of our global brokerage client base is either offering or in the process of releasing Pairs CFDs,” said 26 Degrees’ Group Chief Commercial Officer, James Alexander, to Finance Magnates following his company’s recent launch of Gold Pairs CFDs. He added: “That’s a significant number, and we expect it to become even more prominent in 2025 and beyond.”
“We Expect to See Demand Continue to Grow”
Alexander compared the demand for these instruments to the roll-out of Equity CFDs via API in 2017 and 2018. “Back then, very few broker clients offered Equity CFDs; now, the vast majority of major brokers have some form of Equity CFD offering,” he said. “In our opinion, Pairs CFDs will be no different.”
James Alexander, 26 Degrees’ Group Chief Commercial Officer
26 Degrees, previously known as Invast Global, launched Pairs CFDs last July, enabling the trading of index vs. index, commodity vs. commodity, or equity vs. equity, similar to forex pairs. Although the concept of such an instrument was not new, it was the first company to launch it.
“Interest since we launched Pairs CFDs has been strong, and we expect demand to keep growing as more brokers understand the simplicity of Pairs and bring this unique product to market for their own clients,” Alexander commented.
“Any initial hesitation around the introduction of Pairs as a new product quickly fades once the simplicity, benefits, and implementation process are clearly laid out—a process we’ve already guided many brokers through,” he added.
“The US 100 vs Japan 225 Has Been the Most Popular”
According to 26 Degrees, these new products provide traders with a simpler and more efficient trading experience than traditional instruments, featuring a single price ratio between the two assets. This ratio adjusts according to changes in the assets’ prices, allowing traders to manage risk through a single trade rather than two separate positions.
Additionally, these Pairs CFDs can be structured to increase or reduce volatility, depending on the instruments' correlation. According to the company, they also offer greater margin efficiency than trading each asset separately with two positions.
Revealing the most popular Pairs, Alexander said: “Among the Indices-focused Pairs, the US 100 vs Japan 225 has been the most popular, while on the Equity CFD Pairs side, Nvidia vs Oracle has attracted the most trader interest. Given the recent volatility in both the Japanese Index and Nvidia over recent months, it is unsurprising that these two Pairs have taken the top spots.”
“Since we first began discussing Pairs CFDs with clients, we’ve seen strong interest in Gold-related pairs, which has only intensified with Gold’s recent rally,” added Alexander. “We are expecting a lot of interest in the newly released US 100 vs XAU Pair with the upcoming U.S. election, so these rankings may shift in the coming weeks.”
Notably, Gold has consistently been one of the top-traded instruments. Alexander also highlighted that his company is “seeing continued growth in Equity Index volumes globally,” and the new Gold Pairs CFDs will combine these assets.
“The Retail Market in Japan Is Expanding”
Elaborating on the geographical demand for Pairs CFDs, Alexander said: “The Japanese market specifically has shown a keen interest and is a strategic focus for us.” He added: “This is evident with the number of Pairs we offer against the Japan 225 Index and, more recently, the Japan 2000 Index in Osaka.”
“The retail market in Japan is expanding to include a much broader range of instruments and asset classes,” he continued. “Although USD/JPY remains a dominant focus for traders in Japan (much like XAU does globally), we feel that a broader diversification of available instruments is hugely beneficial for both traders and the brokers that serve them.”
“Interestingly, we’ve noticed distinct regional preferences for certain types of Pairs,” he explained. “For instance, Japanese brokers have shown a keen interest in Index CFD Pairs, brokers in APAC have shown a stronger focus on Equity CFD Pairs, and Commodity Pairs, particularly those focused on Oil, are especially popular among brokers in the MENA region.”
Meanwhile, Finance Magnates earlier reported that 26 Degrees is considering to surrender its regulatory license in Cyprus. However, it is planning to keep its Limassol office open as a supporting branch for its international activities.
Arnab Shome is an electronics engineer-turned-financial editor. He holds a Bachelor of Technology from the National Institute of Technology, Agartala. He entered the retail trading industry about a decade ago, covering the cryptocurrency market for Finance Magnates, and later expanded his coverage to include forex and CFDs as well.
His work at Finance Magnates includes C-level interviews, data-driven analysis, opinion pieces, and scoops of industry exclusives. He also contributes to Finance Magnates’ quarterly industry report.
Area of coverage:
1. CFD broker-related news
2. Industry-related Regulatory updates and developments
3. New retail trading trends
4. Prop trading industry updates
5. Executive interviews
Education:
Bachelor of Technology - National Institute of Technology, Agartala (India)
Cboe Files SEC Proposal for 24x5 Trading on EDGX: Also Plans Partial-Payout Prediction Markets
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 – Nominations Now Open
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 – Nominations Now Open
The Finance Magnates Awards 2026 nominations are now open. 🏆
From fintech innovators to leading brokers, this is where the finance industry celebrates its biggest achievements.
Winners will be announced at the Cyprus Gala Dinner on November 6, 2026.
Nominate your brand now.
https://awards.financemagnates.com/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=nominations-open
#FMAwards #FinanceMagnates #FintechAwards #Fintech #FinanceIndustry
The Finance Magnates Awards 2026 nominations are now open. 🏆
From fintech innovators to leading brokers, this is where the finance industry celebrates its biggest achievements.
Winners will be announced at the Cyprus Gala Dinner on November 6, 2026.
Nominate your brand now.
https://awards.financemagnates.com/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=nominations-open
#FMAwards #FinanceMagnates #FintechAwards #Fintech #FinanceIndustry
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 | Nominations Now Open 🏆#Fintech #FMAwards #TradingIndustry
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 | Nominations Now Open 🏆#Fintech #FMAwards #TradingIndustry
Lights on. Cameras ready. 🎬
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 nominations are now open. 🏆
#FMAwards #FinanceMagnates #FintechAwards #Fintech
Lights on. Cameras ready. 🎬
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 nominations are now open. 🏆
#FMAwards #FinanceMagnates #FintechAwards #Fintech
Exness sees trust as the key theme for growth in MENA Trading Growth for 2026
Exness sees trust as the key theme for growth in MENA Trading Growth for 2026
Mohammad Amer, Regional Commercial Director at Exness, sits down to discuss the booming MENA financial trading market. Find out why Dubai is key to the company's growth strategy, how a mobile-first generation is changing expectations, and why trust will be the defining theme for traders in 2026.
In this interview, you'll learn:
* Why Dubai and the MENA region are critical growth markets for fintech and online trading.
* How Exness is addressing the demands of mobile-first, younger traders through engineering, platform stability, and transparent conditions.
* The essential role local talent plays in providing a culturally relevant and compliant user experience.
* Mohammad Amer's outlook on the future of the online trading industry and why stronger controls and systems are necessary.
* Why "trust" isn't just a brand value, but has commercial value—and why he predicts 2026 will be the "Year of Trust."
Key Takeaways:
➡️ The MENA region is rapidly shaping global financial markets.
➡️ New traders expect stability, precise execution, and transparency.
➡️ Local expertise is key to regulatory compliance and user experience.
➡️ Future success belongs to firms capable of meeting rising standards across regulation and platform consistency.
Read the full article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-sees-trust-as-the-key-theme-for-growth-in-mena-trading-growth-for-2026/
#Exness #MENA #Trading #FinTech #Dubai #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #MohammadAmer #Trust #MobileTrading
Mohammad Amer, Regional Commercial Director at Exness, sits down to discuss the booming MENA financial trading market. Find out why Dubai is key to the company's growth strategy, how a mobile-first generation is changing expectations, and why trust will be the defining theme for traders in 2026.
In this interview, you'll learn:
* Why Dubai and the MENA region are critical growth markets for fintech and online trading.
* How Exness is addressing the demands of mobile-first, younger traders through engineering, platform stability, and transparent conditions.
* The essential role local talent plays in providing a culturally relevant and compliant user experience.
* Mohammad Amer's outlook on the future of the online trading industry and why stronger controls and systems are necessary.
* Why "trust" isn't just a brand value, but has commercial value—and why he predicts 2026 will be the "Year of Trust."
Key Takeaways:
➡️ The MENA region is rapidly shaping global financial markets.
➡️ New traders expect stability, precise execution, and transparency.
➡️ Local expertise is key to regulatory compliance and user experience.
➡️ Future success belongs to firms capable of meeting rising standards across regulation and platform consistency.
Read the full article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-sees-trust-as-the-key-theme-for-growth-in-mena-trading-growth-for-2026/
#Exness #MENA #Trading #FinTech #Dubai #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #MohammadAmer #Trust #MobileTrading
Paytiko CEO Razi Salih on Why Payment Orchestration is a MUST-HAVE for Brokers in 2026
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At iFX Expo Dubai, Finance Magnates spoke with Razi Salih, CEO at Paytiko, about the evolution of the payments ecosystem and why payment orchestration has shifted from an option to a necessity for brokers, prop firms, and exchanges.
Mr. Salih explains how global expansion, the need for deep localisation, and the sheer number of new payment methods, from instant banking to stablecoins, are driving this critical infrastructure shift.
#PaymentOrchestration #Fintech #Brokerage #TradingPayments #RaziSalih #Paytiko #iFXExpoDubai #Stablecoins #AIinFintech
At iFX Expo Dubai, Finance Magnates spoke with Razi Salih, CEO at Paytiko, about the evolution of the payments ecosystem and why payment orchestration has shifted from an option to a necessity for brokers, prop firms, and exchanges.
Mr. Salih explains how global expansion, the need for deep localisation, and the sheer number of new payment methods, from instant banking to stablecoins, are driving this critical infrastructure shift.
#PaymentOrchestration #Fintech #Brokerage #TradingPayments #RaziSalih #Paytiko #iFXExpoDubai #Stablecoins #AIinFintech
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Altima CTO Sunil Jadhav sits down with Finance Magnates to discuss the core technology challenges facing CFD brokers and proprietary trading firms today.
Jadhav explains how the industry's reliance on batch processing and fragmented systems (where CRMs, risk tools, and trading platforms operate with separate 'sources of truth') leads to delayed data and inconsistent operational decisions. He argues that real-time event processing is essential for managing fast-moving trading activity and risk.
Learn how Altima's unified, event-driven architecture, connecting Altima CRM, Altima Prop, IB systems, and risk management through a single backbone, is designed to provide synchronous data and better operational coordination for modern brokerage and prop firm stacks.
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- Broker and Prop Firm Data Challenges
- The problem of delayed data processing (batch processing vs. real-time events)
- Fragmented systems and conflicting data sources
- Altima's unified, event-driven solution architecture
- The concept of a "risk-aware CRM"
- Built-in risk management in Altima Prop
#Altima #financemagnates #iFXDubai #FinTech #BrokerTech #PropFirm #CFDBroker #TradingTechnology #RealTimeData #RiskManagement #CRM #FinancialMarkets #EventDrivenArchitecture
Altima CTO Sunil Jadhav sits down with Finance Magnates to discuss the core technology challenges facing CFD brokers and proprietary trading firms today.
Jadhav explains how the industry's reliance on batch processing and fragmented systems (where CRMs, risk tools, and trading platforms operate with separate 'sources of truth') leads to delayed data and inconsistent operational decisions. He argues that real-time event processing is essential for managing fast-moving trading activity and risk.
Learn how Altima's unified, event-driven architecture, connecting Altima CRM, Altima Prop, IB systems, and risk management through a single backbone, is designed to provide synchronous data and better operational coordination for modern brokerage and prop firm stacks.
Key Topics:
- Broker and Prop Firm Data Challenges
- The problem of delayed data processing (batch processing vs. real-time events)
- Fragmented systems and conflicting data sources
- Altima's unified, event-driven solution architecture
- The concept of a "risk-aware CRM"
- Built-in risk management in Altima Prop
#Altima #financemagnates #iFXDubai #FinTech #BrokerTech #PropFirm #CFDBroker #TradingTechnology #RealTimeData #RiskManagement #CRM #FinancialMarkets #EventDrivenArchitecture