This past week’s FX and CFDs industry news stories were clearly dominated by a larger-than-usual number of senior management moves. Some driven by internal reorganization (e.g. Rostro Group), some by brokers scaling back with executives finding new homes (e.g. SquaredFinancial), and others just familiar faces in new places, which actually isn’t too unusual at the beginning of a new year.

Who did IC Markets tap to lead its prop trading unit, IC Funded?

What drove Tickmill’s 40% trading volume growth in 2025? And trading platform cTrader’s 105% volume leap?

What is Fullerton Markets founder and longtime CEO Mario Singh now doing, after leaving his formal responsibilities at the broker?

Which CFDs broker added a UAE license? Which broker lost its CySEC CIF license?

Some of the most read and commented-on FX/CFD industry news stories to appear over the past seven days on FNG included:

Top FX and CFDs industry news stories this week

Tickmill posts 40% increase in trading volumes for 2025 to $2.36 trillion. Leading Retail FX and CFDs broker Tickmill has announced that it closed 2025 with one of the strongest years in its history, reaching multiple all-time highs across trading activity, client growth, and global team expansion. Driven by rising client demand and continued investment in performance, infrastructure, and product development, the broker said that it enters 2026 with clear momentum and a roadmap built to deliver an even stronger trading and investing experience.

cTrader reports 105% volume leap in 2025 as total users top 11 million. Leading trading technology provider Spotware Systems has released some interesting data regarding its client and overall user base in 2025, which the company said was a year that marked Spotware’s shift beyond a single product. 2025 became a defining moment for Spotware. Along with its flagship trading platform cTrader, the company now also offers cBridge, a cost-efficient liquidity bridge, and cTrader Store, a central hub for traders.

CFDs broker Fortrade adds Dubai DFSA license. London based Retail FX and CFDs broker Fortrade has announced that its Dubai-based entity, Fortrade (DIFC) Limited, has been granted regulatory authorisation by the Dubai Financial Services Authority. The license places the company within the regulatory framework of the Dubai International Financial Centre.

CFDs broker HTFX renounces CySEC CIF license. Cyprus financial regulator CySEC has announced that at a meeting dated 12 January 2026, it decided to revoke the operating license of Cyprus Investment Firm with Number 332/17, HTFX (EU) Ltd, as a result of the company’s decision to expressly renounce it. The HTFX brokerage brand also operates an FCA licensed business in the UK, and an offshore (Vanuatu based) retail brokerage operation.

Mario Singh leaves Fullerton Markets roles for VC investments via Masha Ventures. Mario Singh, Founder and longtime CEO of Far East focused offshore CFDs broker Fullerton Markets, has updated his LinkedIn profile indicating that he has stepped away from his day-day-to-day roles at Fullerton, to focus on early stage investing. Mario now appears to be fully focused on Singapore based Masha Ventures, which he describes as a venture firm focused on backing transformative entrepreneurs who have the potential to drive significant positive change on the global stage.

Top FX industry executive moves this week

❑ Exclusive: IC Markets hires Petros Kalaitzis to head its prop trading unit IC Funded.

❑ Exclusive: Mitesh Vaghela promoted to COO at Rostro Group.

❑ Exclusive: Lambros Savva joins FXGlobe as Head of Operations.

❑ Equiti Group hires Noureldeen Al-Hammoury as Chief Market Strategist.

❑ Sam Steele named CSO at Rostro Group.

❑ OneRoyal hires King alum Anthony Potamitis as Chief Operations and Products Officer.

❑ Exclusive: RADEX Markets hires Hakam Thalji to head Trading and Risk.

❑ LSEG exec Adam Morrow jumps to oneZero for Sales Director role.

❑ CMC Markets institutional marketing head Victoria Paling leaves for Rabid Rat.

❑ EXANTE appoints Alex Kishchuk as Trade Desk Lead.

❑ MultiBank rehires ATFX MENA CMO Johny Giacaman for Operations role.

❑ Exclusive: eToro Money marketing head James Kassam departs.

❑ MultiBank’s MEX Exchange hires longtime 360T sales exec Keith Tebbutt.