FNG has learned that two seasoned FX and CFDs industry (and prop firm) executives, Nicolas Shamtanis (pictured above) and Stathis Xenos, are launching a new advisory firm serving both CFD brokers, prop firms, and other financial services companies called Conexus IQ.

Nicolas Shamtanis, who is based in Cyprus, and Stathis Xenos, based in Athens, worked together at the Red Acre / Netrios group in 2023-2024. (However Conexus IQ lists Dubai as its office location on its new website). Nicolas was previously CEO of CFDs broker BDSwiss, and also worked at Exness (Head of B2B Sales), and at easyMarkets (Chief Commercial Officer), in a career in the sector spanning nearly 20 years. Stathis was VP Growth at social trading platform provider ZuluTrade before joining Red Acre.

Conexus IQ describes itself as a boutique consultancy firm which helps brokers, prop firms, and financial platforms make better decisions when selecting outsourced providers.

Nicolas posted the following note on LinkedIn about the new venture.

I’m excited to officially launch Conexus IQ.

Over the past year, together with Stathis Xenos, we have been quietly testing this model of connecting brokers, prop firms and financial platforms with infrastructure providers across the fintech ecosystem.

Conexus IQ is a consultancy focused on the fintech and CFD industry. We help brokers, prop firms and financial companies make better decisions when selecting outsourced providers. The market is crowded with vendors; many claim to be the best, but only a few truly stand out.

Our role is to remove 90% of the noise.

We filter the vendor landscape and identify the solutions that actually move the needle.

In simple terms we help firms save time, avoid costly mistakes, and secure stronger commercial outcomes.

We help firms evaluate and connect with providers across payments and crypto on/off-ramping, liquidity and trading platforms, technology infrastructure such as CRM systems, bridges, plugins and integrations, risk management solutions, social and copy trading technology, as well as licensing and regulatory support and more.

If anyone in the industry is reviewing infrastructure providers or looking to optimise their setup, we would be happy to give you our insights.