Spotware CEO on Record Growth, AI Expansion and the Launch of cBridge

At iFX EXPO Dubai 2026, Finance Magnates met with Ilia Iarovitcyn, CEO of Spotware, to discuss the company’s record-breaking 2025 performance, the launch of cBridge, the rapid expansion of cTrader Store, and strategic priorities for 2026.

Spotware reported a second consecutive year of triple-digit client growth alongside new trading volume records. In the interview, Ilia addressed how AI is now embedded in Spotware’s core operations, how brokers are managing rising gold concentration in trading flows, and how the company plans to support firms facing higher acquisition costs and conversion rate pressure. He also detailed cBridge’s cost structure and explained how cTrader gives brokers the flexibility to tailor the platform around the specific needs of their business and clients.

Record Growth, Operational Stability and a Broader Product Vision

For the second consecutive year, Spotware reported triple-digit growth in new clients alongside record trading volumes. According to Ilia Iarovitcyn, this is not just a numbers story but a validation of long-term positioning.

“The year was genuinely packed with achievements. For the second year in a row, we saw a triple-digit number of new clients and set new records in trading volume along the way.”

At the core of that growth is his consistent focus on innovation and transparency. Over time, cTrader has become a benchmark for fair and ethical business practices among brokers and prop firms, a stance rooted in its TradersFirst™ vision. That trader-centric positioning has made cTrader essential for brokers: when traders see cTrader offered by a broker, they take it as a sign the broker is operating openly and honestly.

That positioning appears to be resonating with users. cTrader maintains a 4.8 Trustpilot rating based on thousands of reviews. As Ilia Iarovitcyn stated, “The ‘trader love’ isn’t something we just talk about; you can measure it.”

Operationally, one of the most significant developments in 2025 was the integration of AI into core business processes. With AI supporting daily operations and development, Spotware significantly increased both the frequency and quality of releases while minimising downtime risk across critical components. “In 2025, AI helped us accelerate delivery without compromising the quality our clients expect,”

Most importantly, 2025 marked the launch of cBridge, a move that signals Spotware’s evolution beyond a single-product company. “We clearly demonstrated to the industry that Spotware is no longer a single-product developer,” he said.

The “Gold Challenge” and Broker Growth in 2026

Looking ahead, Ilia ties Spotware’s priorities directly to broker realities.

“The challenges we see for 2026 are closely linked to the challenges brokers face, as our success depends on theirs. That’s why one of our core priorities is to make brokers grow.”

One of the most pressing structural shifts across the CFD industry is what he calls the “Gold challenge.” For many brokers, gold now accounts for more than 70% of total trading volume, while traditional FX pairs such as EURUSD have fallen down the ranking table.

This concentration risk creates pressure on margin, hedging and reporting frameworks. In response, Spotware is investing in enhanced risk-management tools and advanced reporting capabilities to help brokers manage exposure more efficiently.

At the same time, acquisition economics are tightening. Rising traffic costs are making it harder to convert leads into first-time deposits. To address this, Spotware has introduced features such as live trading ribbons, personalised push notifications, CRM integrations, single sign-on, KYC flows and in-app deposits. IB programmes have also been synchronised with partner tools like cTrader Invite.

“That’s the foundation, and we plan to build on this further in 2026,” Ilia Iarovitcyn said.

AI will remain central to that roadmap. “We’re convinced AI will set the pace in the years ahead,” he added, warning that firms slow to adopt new capabilities risk falling into catch-up mode.

cBridge: A Standalone, Platform-Agnostic Bridge

The launch of cBridge at iFX EXPO Dubai represents a strategic expansion for Spotware.

For years, cTrader offered direct connectivity to liquidity providers within the platform. However, clients increasingly requested a standalone bridge solution. “We kept hearing the same request: clients wanted a standalone bridge with added functionality beyond basic liquidity routing. So we decided to respond to that demand with cBridge,” Ilia explained.

One of cBridge's defining features is its pricing model. Unlike many bridge providers, Spotware does not charge volume-based fees.

“Brokers can significantly reduce bridge costs without volume becoming a cost driver,” he said.

Importantly, cBridge is not limited to cTrader. Built as a standalone solution, it is compatible with all major trading platforms. This reflects the company’s broader “Be Open” principle, rooted in the Open Trading Platform™ concept.

cTrader Store and the Power of Distribution

In parallel, cTrader Store has moved from the launch phase to a growth engine.

“I expected the Store to be successful, but I didn’t expect it to take off to this extent,” Ilia Iarovitcyn admitted. “In 2025, it really hit its stride.”

The Store reflects how traders behave: they search for strategies, tools, automation, copy trading and analytics within a trusted environment. By bringing together in-demand tools in one trusted environment, the Store helps brokers increase trader engagement and extend trader lifetime value. With more than 11 million active traders, the Store also serves as a discovery channel for traders and an acquisition channel for brokers. It provides free organic exposure to a large community of cTrader traders through a dedicated Brokers listing, driving up to 10,000 daily visits. For traders, it means access to brokers and prop firms that meet defined reliability criteria within the environment Ilia Iarovitcyn describes as scam-resistant.

The recognition of cTrader as Best Trading Platform at UF AWARDS MEA 2026 further reinforces that positioning.

Open Trading Platform™ as a Competitive Edge

Spotware’s Open Trading Platform™ positioning remains central to its identity.

“For us, being ‘open’ is a principle that guides our engineering decisions,” Ilia explained. In practical terms, that translates into integration flexibility. cTrader connects with more than 100 FX/CFD solutions, including CRMs, liquidity providers and reporting systems, with further integrations in progress. “This is exactly what makes the difference,” he said. “cTrader gives brokers the flexibility to shape the platform around the specific needs of their business and traders, without any limitations,” Ilia Iarovitcyn said. “With UI plugins, brokers can expand the platform’s functionality in virtually unlimited ways by building and integrating their own custom solutions.”

“Our idea is simple: build the highest-quality products and give clients real choice, so they choose you because the product delivers – not because a provider has limited the options,” Ilia Iarovitcyn added.

Spotware’s Growth Roadmap

With cBridge live and cTrader Store scaling, Spotware is positioning itself as a broader infrastructure partner rather than a single-platform provider.

As Ilia made clear, 2026 will focus on broker growth. Spotware will remain at the forefront of innovation, delivering in-demand solutions for FX/CFD businesses while staying true to TradersFirst™ and Open Trading Platform™ principles.

For brokers, liquidity providers, and fintech firms interested in learning more about Spotware’s solutions, including cTrader and cBridge, you can get in touch directly with the team below:

👉 Contact Spotware

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• Spotware at iFX EXPO Dubai 2026: cTrader's Best Trading Platform award and cBridge debut
• Introducing "Spotware talks" panel discussion series
• Spotware Doubles Trading Volume as cTrader Adds 2 Million Users