OptAxe launches an FCA-authorized multilateral trading facility for FX options in London.
The market relies heavily on voice trading and manual processes. OpteAxe wants to change that.
OptAxe, a
financial technology startup, has launched a new multilateral trading facility
(MTF) for foreign exchange options trading after receiving authorization from
the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
New FX Options Trading
Venue Launches in The UK
The
London-based company aims to address inefficiencies in the FX options market by
centralizing liquidity discovery and execution on a single platform. OptAxe's
MTF aggregates axe inventory from multiple issuers, providing traders with a
consolidated view of available liquidity in real time.
Chris Jackson, CEO and Co-Founder of OptAxe
“We
set out to bring much-needed innovation to the FX options market, improve
liquidity discovery and unlock previously untapped trading opportunities,”
said Chris Jackson, CEO and Co-Founder of OptAxe. “We automate manual,
bilateral processes and consolidate available axe inventory into a single
platform, effectively acting as a multi-issuer, not a multi-dealer platform,
RFQ-based venue.”
The FX
options market, estimated at approximately $300 billion in daily trading
volume, has traditionally relied heavily on voice trading and manual processes.
OptAxe's analysis suggests that only 25% of bank-to-client axes are
successfully distributed through conventional channels.
The new
platform aims to streamline these processes by automating axe distribution and
providing a centralized source of actionable inventory. It offers connectivity
options via web interface and APIs, including FIX and REST protocols.
“With
OptAxe, all market participants can easily access a centralized source of
actionable axe inventory with evidence-based pricing that meets the demands of
the trading community today and tomorrow,” added Yorke O'Leary, COO and Co-Founder of
OptAxe. “Securing FCA approval to operate a regulated MTF for FX options
trading is a significant milestone for OptAxe and represents a step-change in
how the industry operates.”
Yorke O'Leary, COO and Co-Founder of OptAxe
The launch
comes at a time when regulatory changes, such as Uncleared Margin Rules, have
increased the cost of running FX options businesses. OptAxe's regulated MTF
status may help market participants navigate these challenges while improving
efficiency in trading operations.
The company
spent two years in the FCA's Pathway Programme before receiving full
authorization as a trading venue. OptAxe states that its platform is now ready
for use, with all necessary technical development and integration work
completed.
Understanding FX Options
and Market Challenges
Foreign
exchange (FX) options are financial contracts that give the holder the right,
but not the obligation, to buy or sell a specific amount of currency at a
predetermined exchange rate on or before a set date. These instruments are
crucial for businesses and investors looking to manage currency risk or
speculate on exchange rate movements.
However, according
to OptAxe, a large portion of potential trades never materialize, leading to
missed opportunities for both banks and their clients.
Several
factors contribute to this inefficiency. The fragmented nature of the market
makes it challenging for participants to find the best prices and
counterparties. Additionally, reliance on manual processes can lead to
delays and errors in communication. The lack of a centralized platform for
distributing and accessing information about available trades further
exacerbates these issues.
These
inefficiencies not only limit market liquidity but also potentially increase
costs for end-users. They can also make it more difficult for companies to
effectively hedge their currency risks, which is a crucial function of the FX
options market
OptAxe, a
financial technology startup, has launched a new multilateral trading facility
(MTF) for foreign exchange options trading after receiving authorization from
the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
New FX Options Trading
Venue Launches in The UK
The
London-based company aims to address inefficiencies in the FX options market by
centralizing liquidity discovery and execution on a single platform. OptAxe's
MTF aggregates axe inventory from multiple issuers, providing traders with a
consolidated view of available liquidity in real time.
Chris Jackson, CEO and Co-Founder of OptAxe
“We
set out to bring much-needed innovation to the FX options market, improve
liquidity discovery and unlock previously untapped trading opportunities,”
said Chris Jackson, CEO and Co-Founder of OptAxe. “We automate manual,
bilateral processes and consolidate available axe inventory into a single
platform, effectively acting as a multi-issuer, not a multi-dealer platform,
RFQ-based venue.”
The FX
options market, estimated at approximately $300 billion in daily trading
volume, has traditionally relied heavily on voice trading and manual processes.
OptAxe's analysis suggests that only 25% of bank-to-client axes are
successfully distributed through conventional channels.
The new
platform aims to streamline these processes by automating axe distribution and
providing a centralized source of actionable inventory. It offers connectivity
options via web interface and APIs, including FIX and REST protocols.
“With
OptAxe, all market participants can easily access a centralized source of
actionable axe inventory with evidence-based pricing that meets the demands of
the trading community today and tomorrow,” added Yorke O'Leary, COO and Co-Founder of
OptAxe. “Securing FCA approval to operate a regulated MTF for FX options
trading is a significant milestone for OptAxe and represents a step-change in
how the industry operates.”
Yorke O'Leary, COO and Co-Founder of OptAxe
The launch
comes at a time when regulatory changes, such as Uncleared Margin Rules, have
increased the cost of running FX options businesses. OptAxe's regulated MTF
status may help market participants navigate these challenges while improving
efficiency in trading operations.
The company
spent two years in the FCA's Pathway Programme before receiving full
authorization as a trading venue. OptAxe states that its platform is now ready
for use, with all necessary technical development and integration work
completed.
Understanding FX Options
and Market Challenges
Foreign
exchange (FX) options are financial contracts that give the holder the right,
but not the obligation, to buy or sell a specific amount of currency at a
predetermined exchange rate on or before a set date. These instruments are
crucial for businesses and investors looking to manage currency risk or
speculate on exchange rate movements.
However, according
to OptAxe, a large portion of potential trades never materialize, leading to
missed opportunities for both banks and their clients.
Several
factors contribute to this inefficiency. The fragmented nature of the market
makes it challenging for participants to find the best prices and
counterparties. Additionally, reliance on manual processes can lead to
delays and errors in communication. The lack of a centralized platform for
distributing and accessing information about available trades further
exacerbates these issues.
These
inefficiencies not only limit market liquidity but also potentially increase
costs for end-users. They can also make it more difficult for companies to
effectively hedge their currency risks, which is a crucial function of the FX
options market
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.
SIX Stretches Trading Day to Nearly 14 Hours for Derivatives
Marketing in 2026 Audiences, Costs, and Smarter AI
Marketing in 2026 Audiences, Costs, and Smarter AI
As brokers eye B2B business and compete with fintechs and crypto exchanges alike, marketers need to act wisely with often limited budgets. AI can offer scalable solutions, but only if used properly.
Join seasoned marketing executives and specialists as they discuss the main challenges they identify in financial services in 2026 and how they address them.
Attendees of this session will walk away with:
- A nuts-and-bolts account of acquisition costs across platforms and geos
- Analysis of today’s multi-layered audience segments and differences in behaviour
- First-hand account of how global brokers balance consistency and local flavour
- Notes from the field about intelligently using AI and automation in marketing
Speakers:
-Yam Yehoshua, Editor-In-Chief at Finance Magnates
-Federico Paderni, Managing Director for Growth Markets in Europe at X
-Jo Benton, Chief Marketing Officer, Consulting | Fractional CMO
-Itai Levitan, Head of Strategy at investingLive
-Roberto Napolitano, CMO at Innovate Finance
-Tony Cross, Director at Monk Communications
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #FintechMarketing #AI #DigitalStrategy #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
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As brokers eye B2B business and compete with fintechs and crypto exchanges alike, marketers need to act wisely with often limited budgets. AI can offer scalable solutions, but only if used properly.
Join seasoned marketing executives and specialists as they discuss the main challenges they identify in financial services in 2026 and how they address them.
Attendees of this session will walk away with:
- A nuts-and-bolts account of acquisition costs across platforms and geos
- Analysis of today’s multi-layered audience segments and differences in behaviour
- First-hand account of how global brokers balance consistency and local flavour
- Notes from the field about intelligently using AI and automation in marketing
Speakers:
-Yam Yehoshua, Editor-In-Chief at Finance Magnates
-Federico Paderni, Managing Director for Growth Markets in Europe at X
-Jo Benton, Chief Marketing Officer, Consulting | Fractional CMO
-Itai Levitan, Head of Strategy at investingLive
-Roberto Napolitano, CMO at Innovate Finance
-Tony Cross, Director at Monk Communications
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #FintechMarketing #AI #DigitalStrategy #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Much like their traders in the market, brokers must diversify to manage risk and stay resilient. But that can get costly, clunky, and lengthy.
This candid panel brings together builders across the trading infrastructure space to uncover the shifting dynamics behind tools, interfaces, and full-stack ambitions.
Attendees will hear:
-Why platform dependency has become one of the most overlooked risks in the trading business?
-Buy vs. build: What do hybrid models look like, and why are industry graveyards filled with failed ‘killer apps’?
-How AI is already changing execution, risk, and reporting—and what’s next?
-Which features, assets, and tools gain the most traction, and where brokers should look for tech-driven retention?
Speakers:
-Stephen Miles, Chief Revenue Officer at FYNXT
-John Morris, Co-Founder at FXBlue
-Matthew Smith, Group Chair & CEO at EC Markets
-Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i
-Gil Ben Hur, Founder at 5% Group
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #Trading #Fintech #FintechInnovation #TradingTechnology #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Much like their traders in the market, brokers must diversify to manage risk and stay resilient. But that can get costly, clunky, and lengthy.
This candid panel brings together builders across the trading infrastructure space to uncover the shifting dynamics behind tools, interfaces, and full-stack ambitions.
Attendees will hear:
-Why platform dependency has become one of the most overlooked risks in the trading business?
-Buy vs. build: What do hybrid models look like, and why are industry graveyards filled with failed ‘killer apps’?
-How AI is already changing execution, risk, and reporting—and what’s next?
-Which features, assets, and tools gain the most traction, and where brokers should look for tech-driven retention?
Speakers:
-Stephen Miles, Chief Revenue Officer at FYNXT
-John Morris, Co-Founder at FXBlue
-Matthew Smith, Group Chair & CEO at EC Markets
-Tom Higgins, Founder & CEO at Gold-i
-Gil Ben Hur, Founder at 5% Group
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #Trading #Fintech #FintechInnovation #TradingTechnology #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Educators, IBs, And Other Regional Growth Drivers
Educators, IBs, And Other Regional Growth Drivers
When acquisition costs rise and AI generated reviews are exactly as useful as they sound, performing and fair partners can make or break brokers.
This session looks at how these players are shaping access, trust and user engagement, and what the most effective partnership models look like in 2025.
Key Themes:
- Building trader communities through education and local expertise
- Aligning broker incentives with long-term regional strategies
- Regional regulation and the realities of compliant acquisition
- What’s next for performance-driven partnerships in online trading
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Zander Van Der Merwe, Key Individual & Head of Sales at TD Markets
-Brunno Huertas, Regional Manager – Latin America at Tickmill
-Paul Chalmers, CEO at UK Trading Academy
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #BrokerGrowth #FintechPartnerships #RegionalMarkets
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
When acquisition costs rise and AI generated reviews are exactly as useful as they sound, performing and fair partners can make or break brokers.
This session looks at how these players are shaping access, trust and user engagement, and what the most effective partnership models look like in 2025.
Key Themes:
- Building trader communities through education and local expertise
- Aligning broker incentives with long-term regional strategies
- Regional regulation and the realities of compliant acquisition
- What’s next for performance-driven partnerships in online trading
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Zander Van Der Merwe, Key Individual & Head of Sales at TD Markets
-Brunno Huertas, Regional Manager – Latin America at Tickmill
-Paul Chalmers, CEO at UK Trading Academy
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #BrokerGrowth #FintechPartnerships #RegionalMarkets
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
The Leap to Everything App: Are Brokers There Yet?
The Leap to Everything App: Are Brokers There Yet?
As the arms race to bundle investing, personal finance, and wallets under super apps grows fiercer, brokers are caught between a rock and a hard place.
This session explores unexpected ways for industry players to collaborate as consumer habits evolve, competitors eye the traffic, and regulation becomes more nuanced.
Speakers:
-Laura McCracken,CEO | Advisory Board Member at Blackheath Advisors | The Payments Association
-Slobodan Manojlović,Vice President | Lead Software Engineer at JP Morgan Chase & Co.
-Jordan Sinclair, President at Robinhood UK
-Simon Pelletier, Head of Product at Yuh
Gerald Perez, CEO at Interactive Brokers UK
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
As the arms race to bundle investing, personal finance, and wallets under super apps grows fiercer, brokers are caught between a rock and a hard place.
This session explores unexpected ways for industry players to collaborate as consumer habits evolve, competitors eye the traffic, and regulation becomes more nuanced.
Speakers:
-Laura McCracken,CEO | Advisory Board Member at Blackheath Advisors | The Payments Association
-Slobodan Manojlović,Vice President | Lead Software Engineer at JP Morgan Chase & Co.
-Jordan Sinclair, President at Robinhood UK
-Simon Pelletier, Head of Product at Yuh
Gerald Perez, CEO at Interactive Brokers UK
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #Innovation
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
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🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
Mind The Gap: Can Retail Investors Save the UK Stock Market?
Mind The Gap: Can Retail Investors Save the UK Stock Market?
As the dire state of listing and investment in the UK goes from a financial services problem to a national challenge, the retail investing industry is taken to task.
Join a host of executives and experts for a candid conversation about the future of millions of Brits, as seen from a financial services standpoint:
-Are they happy with the Leeds Reform, in principle and in practice?
-Is it the government’s job to affect the ‘saver’ mentality? Is it doing well?
-What can brokers and fintechs do to spur UK investment?
-How can the FCA balance greater flexibility with consumer protection?
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Nicola Higgs, Partner at Latham & Watkins
-Dan Lane, Investment Content Lead at Robinhood UK
-Jack Crone, PR & Public Affairs Lead at IG
-David Belle, Founder at Fink Money
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #RetailInvesting #UKFinance
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
As the dire state of listing and investment in the UK goes from a financial services problem to a national challenge, the retail investing industry is taken to task.
Join a host of executives and experts for a candid conversation about the future of millions of Brits, as seen from a financial services standpoint:
-Are they happy with the Leeds Reform, in principle and in practice?
-Is it the government’s job to affect the ‘saver’ mentality? Is it doing well?
-What can brokers and fintechs do to spur UK investment?
-How can the FCA balance greater flexibility with consumer protection?
Speakers:
-Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst at investingLive
-Nicola Higgs, Partner at Latham & Watkins
-Dan Lane, Investment Content Lead at Robinhood UK
-Jack Crone, PR & Public Affairs Lead at IG
-David Belle, Founder at Fink Money
#fmls #fmls25 #fmevents #Brokers #FinanceLeadership #Trading #Fintech #RetailInvesting #UKFinance
Connect with us at:
🔗 LinkedIn: / financemagnates-events
👍 Facebook: / financemagnatesevents
📸 Instagram: / fmevents_official
🐦 Twitter: / f_m_events
🎥 TikTok: / fmevents_official
