In a particularly eventful week in the Forex (FX) and Contracts for Difference (CFD) sector, there were numerous notable acquisitions and executive appointments, highlighting the dynamic nature of the industry.
Among the significant happenings was the acquisition of Skilling, a Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) licensed CFD broker, by an investor group led by Marc Joppeck. This transaction, pending regulatory approval, marks a notable transition for Skilling, which has been operational since 2016, previously overseen by former Betsafe CEO André Lavold.
Equally interesting was Mitrade, an Australia-based retail FX and CFDs broker, which announced its entry into the South African market through the acquisition of Fridah Asset Managers Pty Ltd. This licensed Financial Services Provider is regulated by South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), facilitating Mitrade’s expansion into a new region.
Webull, a neobroker, is also broadening its reach in the UK market. After establishing a headquarters in Amsterdam as part of its European operations, the firm revealed that it is launching new tiers of accounts and providing access to UK shares and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) for UK clients. This move aims to cater to both casual and active traders, enhancing their service offering.
In addition to these acquisitions, the market witnessed a rise in institutional FX trading volumes, which increased by an average of 8% month-over-month in September 2025. This resurgence followed a slower summer trading season, with various platforms, including FXSpotStream and Cboe FX, reporting a rise in trading activity, and FXSpotStream even achieving record trading levels.
Amid these developments, several noteworthy executive movements occurred within the FX industry. Geraldine Goh was appointed as the Chief Marketing Officer at Pepperstone, one of Australia’s leading online brokers. Meanwhile, David Perry joined the IG Group as Chief Technology Officer, marking a significant step for both the individual and the company as they adapt to the evolving market landscape.
Other notable appointments included the hiring of James Wale and Aaron Brown at B2Prime as sales executives, emphasizing the importance of strong leadership and sales teams in driving business success. Additionally, Integral appointed Valon Sermaxhaj as Vice President of Sales for Australia, indicating a strategic focus on expanding its market presence.
DB Investing also made headlines by bringing on Reno Mindemann as Head of Growth, while ThinkMarkets appointed Yazan Taha to lead its marketing efforts across the MENA and GCC regions. This reflects a growing trend in firms seeking to enhance their marketing capabilities to better reach and engage with clients.
Furthermore, Admirals Group observed internal restructuring with shuffling of board and management roles, which often signifies a repositioning strategy aimed at fostering adaptability in a competitive market. Lastly, offshore CFDs broker Monaxa welcomed Omar Al-Janabi as the new CEO for the MENA region, a role likely aimed at capitalizing on the growth potential within that specific market segment.
Overall, this week’s developments in the Forex and CFD sector highlight a landscape marked by strategic acquisitions, executive relocations, and growing trading volumes, indicating a robust and competitive atmosphere within the industry. These actions appear to be driven by an overarching need to adapt to market trends, enhance service offerings, and expand into new geographic territories, as companies position themselves for future growth and success.