Executive moves that dominated the week's news for the forex, crypto and fintech industries.
Now, in the penultimate week of the month of October, we hope for some positive changes in the forex, crypto, and fintech industries as well as in global news. Let’s review this uptick with the executives who have taken on recent roles and challenges in our executive moves roundup of the week.
Executive Moves of the Week
A Growing List of Departing Binance Executives: Cabossioras Joins the Roster
Binance
France has seen another change in its leadership as Stéphanie Cabossioras
stepped down from her position as the Executive Director. Her departure marks
yet another senior executive leaving Binance this year, adding to the leadership transitions within the cryptocurrency exchange.
David
Prinçay, the President of Binance France, confirmed Cabossioras' resignation in
a recent post on the social platform X (formerly known as Twitter). Prinçay
expressed his gratitude for Cabossioras' contributions to Binance France and
wished her the best in her future endeavors.
Validus
Risk Management has appointed Andrew Spence as a senior advisor focusing on
pension plans and asset managers. Spence brings three decades of experience in
economics, investment strategy, and risk management.
He has
previously held senior roles at Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and has been an
advisor to HM Treasury and the Bank of Canada. The appointment coincides with plans to expand Validus' services in the pension and asset management sectors.
Sarah Hall
Sarah Hall Joins Global
Trade Capital to Head Cyprus Office
Global
Trade Capital (GTC Group) welcomes Sarah Hall as the General Manager of its
new office in Cyprus. Hall, a seasoned industry veteran with over 15 years of
experience, has previously worked at Etoro, FX Pro, and Saxo Bank.
She joins
GTC from her most recent role at Axi, where she was the Global Head of Settlements.
Her expertise in risk and fraud prevention is expected to enhance GTC's
policies, ensuring high service and security standards for clients. As part of
the company's expansion plans, Hall will focus on setting up the Cyprus branch
and enhancing the customer success department.
"Sarah’s
extensive industry experience and expertise will play a crucial role in our
journey of growth and innovation in the financial services sector,” said Jack
Zheng, the CEO of GTC Group.
BJ McAndrews Joins Academy Securities as Managing
Director, Head of Securitized Product Sales
Academy Securities, a certified Disabled Veteran
Business Enterprise and Minority Business Enterprise, welcomed BJ McAndrews
as Managing Director and Head of Securitized Product Sales.
With 18 years of experience at Wells Fargo
Securities, McAndrews brings extensive knowledge in structured product sales
and trading. He is planning to strengthen Academy Securities' growing securitized
product platform, leveraging his expertise and deep client relationships.
Academy Securities is a prominent disabled
veteran-owned investment bank known for its commitment to mission-driven
initiatives and dedication to providing meaningful careers to veterans.
Kypros Zoumidou
Kypros Zoumidou Replaces Peter Hetherington as Capital.com CEO
Capital.com, owned by Viktor Prokopenya, has had its apex leadership changed through the appointment of Kypros Zoumidou as the Group Chief Executive Officer, replacing outgoing Peter Hetherington. This came as an internal hire, as Zoumidou joined the brokerage group at the beginning of last year as the UK Managing Director and later took up the additional responsibility as the Group's Chief Commercial Officer.
The official announcement today (Monday) detailed that Hetherington will continue to be with the brokerage group in an advisory role until 2026 to ensure a smooth transition and to provide strategic guidance to the company.
Tiger
Brokers (Singapore) has announced the appointment of Ian Leong as its new CEO. Leong,
who previously served as the Business Development Director for the retail part
of the company, has replaced the former CEO Eng Thiam Choon. He brings a wealth of
experience from his previous roles in the financial industry, including as the CEO
of uSMART Singapore and the Head of Dealing at Phillip Securities.
Dong Ming, the
Vice President and Co-Founder of Tiger Brokers Group, expressed his enthusiasm
for Leong's appointment. "Leong's strategic vision aligns perfectly with
our commitment to growing our presence in Singapore and expanding throughout
Southeast Asia."
The CFO, Henry
Toh welcomed Leong, highlighting his established track record and
alignment with the company's long-term goals.
OKX Hires New Head of Compliance
The crypto
exchange OKX has announced that Neil Grant has become its Head of Compliance for the
EMEA region. Previously, he served as the Compliance Officer at Crypto Facilities
and Chief Compliance Officer at B2C2 and Global Prime Partners.
"I’m
happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Head of Compliance EMEA at
OKX,” Grant commented on his LinkedIn profile.
Grant’s professional
career in finance started at CMC Markets, where he served as a Business Analyst
for two years, from 2022.
Kristina
Campbell, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Ripple, has left the
cryptocurrency payments platform to assume a similar position at the virtual
healthcare provider Maven Clinic. Campbell's departure from Ripple took place
in October.
The
departure news comes in the midst of the ongoing legal battle between Ripple
and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Campbell's
LinkedIn profile indicated that her tenure at Ripple ended abruptly after more
than two years.
The
post offered little explanation for her exit other than describing her time at
the crypto firm as "memorable." She joined Ripple in April 2021,
following more than four years as the CFO at the payments platform PayNearMe.
Chicago-based
R.J. O’Brien & Associates (RJO), the oldest independent futures brokerage
and clearing firm in the US, has promoted Matt Heidkamp to Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for its US operations. At the same time, Gemma Lloyd was promoted to COO for
the company's EMEA affiliate, R.J. O’Brien Limited.
Both
Heidkamp and Lloyd bring extensive experience to their new roles, with Heidkamp
having nearly 29 years of experience at RJO in trading and operations, and
Lloyd joining earlier this year with over 25 years in client service and sales
management roles in the listed derivatives sector.
Johnny Leon Tong
Axi Eelevates Ton to Head of
RPA
In a
separate move, Axi has informed that Jonny Leon Tong was promoted to Head of
Robotic and Programming Automation. Tong joined Axi back in 2017 as the
Head of Client Services and worked as the General Manager, Head of Financial
Operations, and Head of Global Middle Office.
“I’m happy
to share that I’m starting a new position as Head of Robotic Programming
Automation (RPA) at Axi,” Tong commented.
Oliver Haste
Oliver Haste Joins
Propellant.digital as Head of EMEA Product
Oliver
Haste has been appointed as the Head of EMEA Product at Propellant.digital, a
fintech company specializing in data analytics. Haste, who recently led
data-related projects at Goldman Sachs, is expected to enhance Propellant's
platform and client experience. Propellant's second senior appointment in five
weeks indicates the company's ambitious growth plans in the data analytics
space.
"It is
an exciting time to work in data analytics," said Oliver Haste. "Regulators
understand that data holds the key to market transparency while investors
realise that the data they need for better investment outcomes is within reach
– but organising and analysing it remains the real challenge. Propellant's
unique solution unlocks the full potential of market data and I aim to push the
boundaries of what all market participants can expect from data analytics
software."
Now, in the penultimate week of the month of October, we hope for some positive changes in the forex, crypto, and fintech industries as well as in global news. Let’s review this uptick with the executives who have taken on recent roles and challenges in our executive moves roundup of the week.
Executive Moves of the Week
A Growing List of Departing Binance Executives: Cabossioras Joins the Roster
Binance
France has seen another change in its leadership as Stéphanie Cabossioras
stepped down from her position as the Executive Director. Her departure marks
yet another senior executive leaving Binance this year, adding to the leadership transitions within the cryptocurrency exchange.
David
Prinçay, the President of Binance France, confirmed Cabossioras' resignation in
a recent post on the social platform X (formerly known as Twitter). Prinçay
expressed his gratitude for Cabossioras' contributions to Binance France and
wished her the best in her future endeavors.
Validus
Risk Management has appointed Andrew Spence as a senior advisor focusing on
pension plans and asset managers. Spence brings three decades of experience in
economics, investment strategy, and risk management.
He has
previously held senior roles at Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and has been an
advisor to HM Treasury and the Bank of Canada. The appointment coincides with plans to expand Validus' services in the pension and asset management sectors.
Sarah Hall
Sarah Hall Joins Global
Trade Capital to Head Cyprus Office
Global
Trade Capital (GTC Group) welcomes Sarah Hall as the General Manager of its
new office in Cyprus. Hall, a seasoned industry veteran with over 15 years of
experience, has previously worked at Etoro, FX Pro, and Saxo Bank.
She joins
GTC from her most recent role at Axi, where she was the Global Head of Settlements.
Her expertise in risk and fraud prevention is expected to enhance GTC's
policies, ensuring high service and security standards for clients. As part of
the company's expansion plans, Hall will focus on setting up the Cyprus branch
and enhancing the customer success department.
"Sarah’s
extensive industry experience and expertise will play a crucial role in our
journey of growth and innovation in the financial services sector,” said Jack
Zheng, the CEO of GTC Group.
BJ McAndrews Joins Academy Securities as Managing
Director, Head of Securitized Product Sales
Academy Securities, a certified Disabled Veteran
Business Enterprise and Minority Business Enterprise, welcomed BJ McAndrews
as Managing Director and Head of Securitized Product Sales.
With 18 years of experience at Wells Fargo
Securities, McAndrews brings extensive knowledge in structured product sales
and trading. He is planning to strengthen Academy Securities' growing securitized
product platform, leveraging his expertise and deep client relationships.
Academy Securities is a prominent disabled
veteran-owned investment bank known for its commitment to mission-driven
initiatives and dedication to providing meaningful careers to veterans.
Kypros Zoumidou
Kypros Zoumidou Replaces Peter Hetherington as Capital.com CEO
Capital.com, owned by Viktor Prokopenya, has had its apex leadership changed through the appointment of Kypros Zoumidou as the Group Chief Executive Officer, replacing outgoing Peter Hetherington. This came as an internal hire, as Zoumidou joined the brokerage group at the beginning of last year as the UK Managing Director and later took up the additional responsibility as the Group's Chief Commercial Officer.
The official announcement today (Monday) detailed that Hetherington will continue to be with the brokerage group in an advisory role until 2026 to ensure a smooth transition and to provide strategic guidance to the company.
Tiger
Brokers (Singapore) has announced the appointment of Ian Leong as its new CEO. Leong,
who previously served as the Business Development Director for the retail part
of the company, has replaced the former CEO Eng Thiam Choon. He brings a wealth of
experience from his previous roles in the financial industry, including as the CEO
of uSMART Singapore and the Head of Dealing at Phillip Securities.
Dong Ming, the
Vice President and Co-Founder of Tiger Brokers Group, expressed his enthusiasm
for Leong's appointment. "Leong's strategic vision aligns perfectly with
our commitment to growing our presence in Singapore and expanding throughout
Southeast Asia."
The CFO, Henry
Toh welcomed Leong, highlighting his established track record and
alignment with the company's long-term goals.
OKX Hires New Head of Compliance
The crypto
exchange OKX has announced that Neil Grant has become its Head of Compliance for the
EMEA region. Previously, he served as the Compliance Officer at Crypto Facilities
and Chief Compliance Officer at B2C2 and Global Prime Partners.
"I’m
happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Head of Compliance EMEA at
OKX,” Grant commented on his LinkedIn profile.
Grant’s professional
career in finance started at CMC Markets, where he served as a Business Analyst
for two years, from 2022.
Kristina
Campbell, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Ripple, has left the
cryptocurrency payments platform to assume a similar position at the virtual
healthcare provider Maven Clinic. Campbell's departure from Ripple took place
in October.
The
departure news comes in the midst of the ongoing legal battle between Ripple
and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Campbell's
LinkedIn profile indicated that her tenure at Ripple ended abruptly after more
than two years.
The
post offered little explanation for her exit other than describing her time at
the crypto firm as "memorable." She joined Ripple in April 2021,
following more than four years as the CFO at the payments platform PayNearMe.
Chicago-based
R.J. O’Brien & Associates (RJO), the oldest independent futures brokerage
and clearing firm in the US, has promoted Matt Heidkamp to Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for its US operations. At the same time, Gemma Lloyd was promoted to COO for
the company's EMEA affiliate, R.J. O’Brien Limited.
Both
Heidkamp and Lloyd bring extensive experience to their new roles, with Heidkamp
having nearly 29 years of experience at RJO in trading and operations, and
Lloyd joining earlier this year with over 25 years in client service and sales
management roles in the listed derivatives sector.
Johnny Leon Tong
Axi Eelevates Ton to Head of
RPA
In a
separate move, Axi has informed that Jonny Leon Tong was promoted to Head of
Robotic and Programming Automation. Tong joined Axi back in 2017 as the
Head of Client Services and worked as the General Manager, Head of Financial
Operations, and Head of Global Middle Office.
“I’m happy
to share that I’m starting a new position as Head of Robotic Programming
Automation (RPA) at Axi,” Tong commented.
Oliver Haste
Oliver Haste Joins
Propellant.digital as Head of EMEA Product
Oliver
Haste has been appointed as the Head of EMEA Product at Propellant.digital, a
fintech company specializing in data analytics. Haste, who recently led
data-related projects at Goldman Sachs, is expected to enhance Propellant's
platform and client experience. Propellant's second senior appointment in five
weeks indicates the company's ambitious growth plans in the data analytics
space.
"It is
an exciting time to work in data analytics," said Oliver Haste. "Regulators
understand that data holds the key to market transparency while investors
realise that the data they need for better investment outcomes is within reach
– but organising and analysing it remains the real challenge. Propellant's
unique solution unlocks the full potential of market data and I aim to push the
boundaries of what all market participants can expect from data analytics
software."
Coming from a background in English Education, Tom joined Finance Magnates in Autumn 2020, originally as a Content Specialist and Proofreader in his first year. Having completed three successful years with the FM News desk, he has since worked with the team as both an editor and a proofreader.
Previously, he spent almost two decades in the field of education, working around the globe at different institutions and companies, which has influenced him considerably after being immersed in various cultures and business environments.
Now fully developed in this field, he is relishing the challenge of constantly adapting to the ever-changing fintech industry and all the developments that arise.
He holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing and a higher diploma in English Teaching from Cambridge University.
With Two Stints at MultiBank, Marketing Executive Joins ANAX Capital as CMO and VP Operations
Hannah Hill on Innovation, Branding & Award-Winning Technology | Executive Interview | AXI
Hannah Hill on Innovation, Branding & Award-Winning Technology | Executive Interview | AXI
Recorded live at FMLS:25, this executive interview features Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at AXI, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following AXI’s win for Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
Recorded live at FMLS:25, this executive interview features Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at AXI, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following AXI’s win for Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25
In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide.
We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand.
We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error.
We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.
In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide.
We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand.
We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error.
We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.
Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner.
In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner.
In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates
👍 Facebook: /financemagnates
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates
🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates
▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates
👍 Facebook: /financemagnates
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates
🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates
▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
