Day 2 Recap of iFX EXPO: Regulation and Marketing Trends to Define 2018

The second day of the two-day iFX EXPO in Limassol Cyprus has concluded, having seen over 3,000 attendees. With the industry’s leading executives, brokers, IBs, and personnel in attendance, the conversation shifted to several unique panel topics, including an emphasis on marketing and regulations in the FX and cryptocurrency industry.

The event was hosted by Finance Magnates and Conversion Pros along with the University of Nicosia. After a successful day one, the second and final day of the iFX EXPO focused more extensively on a combination of both marketing and regulatory discussions, workshops, and panels.

This was on full display during the first panel discussion of the day, which dealt with the rapid shift in the regulatory space in 2018. ESMA, GDPR, and MiFID II were both the main drivers, though the panel also focused on advertising bans as well and their respective impact.

Barnea & Co.’s Zvi Gabbay’s on regulation at iFX EXPO – “Technology is challenging regulation as we know it”

— Finance Magnates (@financemagnates)

Is Cyprus becoming too expensive for regulation?

With the iFX EXPO in Cyprus, the topic during the morning panel session invariably shifted to regulation in CySEC. The industry has grappled with a wide range of changes, brought on of course by ESMA’s bombshell leverage restrictions.

Coupled with GDPR as well as the long-awaited implementation of MiFID II, brokers and venues have much more compliance measures to jostle in 2018 than ever before. This was on full display during the panel discussion, though several different drivers were making their mark entirely, namely technology.

Is regulation in Cyprus becoming too expensive? “Australia is becoming the jurisdiction of choice and very lucrative”

— Finance Magnates (@financemagnates)

Marketing recap

Marketing in the financial services industry was hit with a tsunami when internet and social media giants restricted the advertising of key asset classes. With FX, CFDs, and cryptos now under greater scrutiny, a panel of marketing specialists debated what the best way forward was in a new playing field.

Where is marketing headed amidst new regulations? “We are having to look at new ways to generate content to grab attention” – Contentwork’s Creative Director, Charlotte Day

— Finance Magnates (@financemagnates)