The following is a guest editorial courtesy of Alex Mackinnon, CEO at Finalto Asia, an innovative prime brokerage that provides bespoke fintech and liquidity solutions. Finalto deliver best-in-class pricing, execution and prime broker solutions across multiple assets, including CFDs on Equities, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos and rolling spot FX, Precious and Base Metals, and bespoke products such as NDFs.

Regulation is often seen as a double-edged sword. For entrepreneurs, it can feel restrictive at times. Yet the facts speak for themselves: our industry, highly regulated as it is, has grown and matured. Liquidity products have become more sophisticated, trust in the sector has strengthened, and growth has accelerated. Regulation has not held us back; it has helped establish the stable foundation on which we operate.

That said, there is always room for improvement. Some rules may not fully reflect evolving market realities, and thoughtful updates can enhance efficiency without compromising safety. Even so, we can take pride in how mature and sophisticated the broker and liquidity ecosystem has become, while continuing to expand responsibly.

While this perspective may not be controversial among peers, we must also consider clients, partners, and the broader investor community. Clear communication is essential: not just about the industry’s progress, but also about the responsibilities we carry in managing risk. Operating in a complex environment, it’s important to help stakeholders understand why expectations may not always align with market realities.

As liquidity providers, we play a critical role in connecting brokers and financial institutions to global liquidity while managing operational, credit, and market risk. For our clients, some aspects of this role are very visible. They engage with us daily on pricing, execution quality, and reliable market access. Less visible is the work required behind the scenes: sustained investment in governance, capital, infrastructure, and risk controls, particularly when markets are under stress. As markets become more complex and less predictable, the role liquidity providers play in maintaining stability and continuity of access becomes even more important.

Markets today are increasingly unpredictable. Sharp swings in metals and FX, alongside geopolitical uncertainty, all affect liquidity and execution. In this context, robust protocols, careful risk management, and transparent communication are critical.

Building trust requires diligence. Transparency is a two-way street: we must act openly and fairly, while also helping clients understand why we do what we do. At the same time, we strive to provide flexibility and choice.

There is a reason Finalto operates across multiple jurisdictions, and why each of our offices works hard to remain culturally aware of clients’ needs across our international network. This enables us to deliver global access while tailoring our service to meet the specific demands of local markets.

These priorities are two sides of the same coin. Sustainable, long-term partnerships are built on clients being able to depend on us, and on us enabling responsible approaches to risk. By educating stakeholders about the complexity and responsibility inherent in our work, we not only build trust, but also create the conditions for growth that is both sustainable and resilient.

All opinions, news, research, analysis, prices or other information is provided as general market commentary and not as investment advice and all potential results discussed are not guaranteed to be achieved. The information may have been derived from publicly available sources, company reports, personal research, or surveys. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Trading carries risk of capital loss. Service available to professional clients only.