Pavel Bykov, Founder of Faunus Group, outlines the recent regulatory impact on industry affiliates
Reuters
Regulations have taken center stage in 2018, with several areas of the financial services industry being affected. This includes the crypto industry, which just underwent sweeping changes in Q1. Global regulators minced no words with their harsh treatment towards crypto advertising, leading many to search for answers.
In light of the shifts in regulations, Finance Magnates spoke with Pavel Bykov, Founder of Faunus Group, who explained the impact on industry affiliates. Will the industry continue to see a shift, or can brokers and affiliates adapt to this new playing field?
How does the ban of cryptocurrency ads by google and social media networks affects industry affiliates?
At first hand, the bans looked like a significant strike, however it's not the first time the affiliate industry in particular is facing restrictions. As a proud speaker at iFX EXPO 2017 in Cyprus I was the one who raised the fact of extreme flexibility and adjustability of affiliate community.
If you want to know which trend online is about to raise or fall – talk to affiliates! Those who sit on numbers and conversion daily. It only moved affiliates and ad buyers’ attention to alternative sources like mobile messengers, native ads, email traffic, SEO etc.
Pavel Bykov
Similarly, EU brokers are among those seeking traffic for cryptocurrency trading. Where would you recommend them to search for it in light of ESMA's new rules?
Affiliate networks, ad networks, and hardcore webmasters are still the best sources of external traffic. New rules? All of the aforementioned are used to new things and it will remain like this forever.
Who are the best performing affiliates that the trading industry should know about?
It would not be tactically correct and gentle from me to mention specific names, so let’s put it in geographical manner. There are big affiliate hubs distributed (decentralized!) around the world. Among these are a vast community of Thailand-based media buyers and email marketers, US-based "bizopp" affiliates, Russian, and Ukrainian-based media buying teams, as well as more local affiliates (out of Israel, Germany, and Scandinavia).
There are affiliates hitting 1000 and more conversions on daily basis, it's necessary to mention, that the best quality traffic is organic SEO and targeted social, with all obstacles and rumors that it brings. If you are looking for high quality traffic, look for those!
Let’s help out trading industry marketers with some benchmark figures: What do consider industry standard CPA and conversion rates in the cryptocurrency space? What is the expected lifetime of crypto traffic for trading brokers?
CPA is first of all a function of GEO. For Tier 1 traffic, regulated brokers are offering $500-600 CPA, with some being stricter at 400+ tough conditions on trading volume and KYC, while others are offering up to $1000 knowing how gold is the traffic of specific affiliate.
Overall, conversion rates dropped from 2015 with trading traffic and highly depends on traffic sources. With targeted social traffic and interesting funnel (whether trade signals or educational program) it can reach 12 percent or more on average, though can sometimes barely hit 2 percent.
For Tier 2, traffic rates are 20-35 percent lower, while conversion might be sometimes high, however the value is much lower. The average PV is the best question to ask to trading brokers, and from best of my knowledge the average user is trading a little less than three months.
This is taking into account that distribution between those withdrawing funds quickly and not trading at all and happy up-to one year traders is seriously wide.
Who are the attendees of the crypto affiliates event?
Regulations have taken center stage in 2018, with several areas of the financial services industry being affected. This includes the crypto industry, which just underwent sweeping changes in Q1. Global regulators minced no words with their harsh treatment towards crypto advertising, leading many to search for answers.
In light of the shifts in regulations, Finance Magnates spoke with Pavel Bykov, Founder of Faunus Group, who explained the impact on industry affiliates. Will the industry continue to see a shift, or can brokers and affiliates adapt to this new playing field?
How does the ban of cryptocurrency ads by google and social media networks affects industry affiliates?
At first hand, the bans looked like a significant strike, however it's not the first time the affiliate industry in particular is facing restrictions. As a proud speaker at iFX EXPO 2017 in Cyprus I was the one who raised the fact of extreme flexibility and adjustability of affiliate community.
If you want to know which trend online is about to raise or fall – talk to affiliates! Those who sit on numbers and conversion daily. It only moved affiliates and ad buyers’ attention to alternative sources like mobile messengers, native ads, email traffic, SEO etc.
Pavel Bykov
Similarly, EU brokers are among those seeking traffic for cryptocurrency trading. Where would you recommend them to search for it in light of ESMA's new rules?
Affiliate networks, ad networks, and hardcore webmasters are still the best sources of external traffic. New rules? All of the aforementioned are used to new things and it will remain like this forever.
Who are the best performing affiliates that the trading industry should know about?
It would not be tactically correct and gentle from me to mention specific names, so let’s put it in geographical manner. There are big affiliate hubs distributed (decentralized!) around the world. Among these are a vast community of Thailand-based media buyers and email marketers, US-based "bizopp" affiliates, Russian, and Ukrainian-based media buying teams, as well as more local affiliates (out of Israel, Germany, and Scandinavia).
There are affiliates hitting 1000 and more conversions on daily basis, it's necessary to mention, that the best quality traffic is organic SEO and targeted social, with all obstacles and rumors that it brings. If you are looking for high quality traffic, look for those!
Let’s help out trading industry marketers with some benchmark figures: What do consider industry standard CPA and conversion rates in the cryptocurrency space? What is the expected lifetime of crypto traffic for trading brokers?
CPA is first of all a function of GEO. For Tier 1 traffic, regulated brokers are offering $500-600 CPA, with some being stricter at 400+ tough conditions on trading volume and KYC, while others are offering up to $1000 knowing how gold is the traffic of specific affiliate.
Overall, conversion rates dropped from 2015 with trading traffic and highly depends on traffic sources. With targeted social traffic and interesting funnel (whether trade signals or educational program) it can reach 12 percent or more on average, though can sometimes barely hit 2 percent.
For Tier 2, traffic rates are 20-35 percent lower, while conversion might be sometimes high, however the value is much lower. The average PV is the best question to ask to trading brokers, and from best of my knowledge the average user is trading a little less than three months.
This is taking into account that distribution between those withdrawing funds quickly and not trading at all and happy up-to one year traders is seriously wide.
Who are the attendees of the crypto affiliates event?
Panda Trading Systems Marks Its 20th Year as a Diamond Sponsor of iFX EXPO 2026
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The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
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-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
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-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
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-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
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This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
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-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
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In this discussion, we will explore:
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-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
