fintechview presents Nicholas Xydas, Group Marketing Director at EC Markets, in a must-read exclusive interview. With more than ten years of global presence, EC Markets has built a reputation for strong regulatory compliance and innovative tools that empower traders worldwide.
How forex traders’ needs evolved?
Over the last decade, traders have become more sophisticated and demanding. Today’s traders are looking for more than just tight spreads and fast execution — they want a complete trading experience. This includes educational support, transparency, access to multiple asset classes, and innovative tools that allow them to trade with confidence. In particular, we see strong demand for mobile-first trading, social and copy trading features, and advanced analytics. At EC Markets, we’ve responded to this by expanding our product offering, enhancing our technology infrastructure to ensure speed, security, and reliability, and preparing to launch EC Academy this October, a dedicated educational hub designed to empower clients through structured learning and insights.
Which challenges are online trading brokers facing and expected to face in 2026?
The industry is becoming more competitive and more regulated, which presents both challenges and opportunities. One of the biggest challenges is differentiation, many brokers offer similar products, so the ability to stand out through brand, technology, and customer service is key. Another challenge is adapting to rapidly changing client expectations, especially with the integration of AI, automation, and personalised trading experiences. By 2026, we expect client acquisition costs to rise, while global regulatory requirements will continue to tighten. This means brokers must build long-term trust with traders, invest in compliance, and balance growth with sustainability. At EC Markets, we see these challenges as catalysts to strengthen our brand, build partnerships, and leverage innovation.
How is regulation changing and in which jurisdictions do you focus?
Regulation in online trading is continuously evolving, with most jurisdictions moving toward stricter standards and greater oversight. The focus is increasingly on transparency, client protection, and ensuring brokers operate responsibly. As a global broker, we pay close attention to these developments and adapt accordingly. While we monitor changes across multiple regions, our priority is always to remain fully compliant wherever we operate and to be flexible enough to grow within the frameworks that regulators establish
How the EC Markets and Liverpool FC partnership come together?
This partnership has been in the works for some time, and it wasn’t a decision we took lightly. We wanted a name that truly reflects who we are as a company. When we look at Liverpool FC, it’s more than just a big name in sport, they embody values which deeply align with EC Markets’ own principles. This shared commitment is what makes the partnership meaningful, it’s about joining forces with an organisation that lives and breathes the same core beliefs we do.
Can you give some examples of those values?
We’ve built a strong foundation based on trust, evolution, and a client-first approach in everything we do. Liverpool FC has reached global success not only through their achievements but by creating a deep connection with their supporters. That same principle drives us. We put our clients at the centre of every decision we make. From our trading platforms to the support we offer, the regulations we commit to, it’s all designed around what delivers the most value to them. This partnership is a perfect reflection of those shared commitments and ambitions. The trading world and the world of football have a surprising amount in common. Both are driven by passion, but also by discipline and patience. When you look at the kind of dedication it takes to compete at that level, whether it’s trading or playing for a top club, that’s the connection we want to highlight.
Liverpool FC has a massive and global fan base. How do you see this partnership supporting EC Markets to reach its target audiences?
The fan base is huge, yes, but what matters more is how engaged it is. We want to build bridges between our traders and the Liverpool FC global community. Many of our clients are sports fans themselves, so this partnership is about creating authentic moments where those interests overlap. It’s not about trying to change who we are, but about reinforcing our presence in markets that matter.
We’ve been a strong player in the trading space for years, and now we’re stepping up to a bigger stage. This partnership signals where we are today, bold, recognised and always looking ahead. It’s about showing our scale and ambition without losing the qualities that made us successful in the first place.
Growth is important, but it can’t come at the expense of what makes us reliable.
How does EC Markets maintain its goals and culture internally, especially with this kind of rapid expansion?
That’s something we focus on everyday. Growth is important, but it can’t come at the expense of what makes us reliable. For us, that means regulation and transparency. We’re regulated across multiple jurisdictions like FCA, ASIC, FSC, SCA, FSCA, FMA, and FSA, and that framework is central to how we operate. It’s about building trust, not just chasing scale.
We focus on giving our traders clarity and confidence. Clear pricing, strong protections for client funds, exceptional trading conditions and solid platforms, these are basics that some overlook, we make them our priority. That builds the kind of long-term relationships that help us grow sustainably.
We have a strong, clear vision that everyone believes in. That sense of shared purpose keeps the team aligned. People here understand the value of what we do, it’s about quality, trust, and growth. That drives every decision we make.
You mentioned earlier this year you partnered with Judd Trump. That feels quite different from the Liverpool FC deal. What was the idea behind that?
Judd Trump’s approach to snooker is about precision, patience, and a strategic approach. That’s what makes him one of the best snooker players today. This partnership reflects a mindset that’s important to us. Trading is about more than momentum; it’s about discipline. While these partnerships highlight different aspects of EC Markets, they both come down to our shared core values: focus, evolution, and consistency.
Looking ahead, with new partnerships and continued growth, what can your clients and partners expect from EC Markets over the next year?
We’re focused on evolving in ways that genuinely matter to our clients. That means better tools, faster platforms, stronger support, and smarter education, everything designed to make the trading experience more intuitive and impactful. The Liverpool FC partnership gives us a bigger stage to connect with a wider global community, but at the heart of it all, nothing changes: the trader comes first. Everything we do is about long-term value, not chasing quick wins or making noise just for the sake of it. And that’s why at EC Markets, we don’t just team up with anyone. We look for partners who match our mindset, who are in it for the long haul. We’ve partnered with Judd Trump, the world’s top-ranked snooker player, and now with Liverpool FC, champions of the world’s number one football league. For us, it’s more than a sponsorship. It’s about surrounding ourselves with people who understand what it takes to reach the top, and stay there. We’re proud to stand beside number 1s, and we’re just as committed to becoming one ourselves.
Read the full interview at the fintechview digital magazine issue 6 (p24)
who is who
Nicholas Xydas is a seasoned marketing executive with over 15 years of experience in the financial services and fintech industries. As the Group Marketing Director at EC Markets, Nicholas leads global brand strategy, digital marketing innovation, and client engagement initiatives across key markets in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.