“At Zaye Capital, we are very much focused on research, which is not only driven by an event or an activity which could be anything from geopolitics to corporate actions in terms of the price action but everything from that,” Zaye Capital Markets' CIO, Naaem Aslan said during the Finance Magnates London Summit (FMLS:24).
As the finance world gears up for 2025, industry insiders are looking at a rapidly changing landscape. Aslan shared his insights with Finance Magnates' Jonathan Fine on market opportunities, content strategies for brokers, and Dubai's role in the global finance sector.
“More importantly, the keyword that you use is education,” he emphasized. “Tell clients: What has happened? What does this mean for you if you have invested in that particular stock or in that particular derivative? If you haven't, you are about to miss out on the potential opportunity.”
Interest in Oil and Crypto
With rising interest in sectors like oil, energy, and crypto, Aslan believes that understanding market dynamics and delivering high-quality content will be important for brokers to succeed in the coming year.
Aslan highlighted the importance of delivering organic, well-researched content that can help clients make informed decisions rather than relying on automated systems like ChatGPT, which can lack the depth needed to truly educate.
“ChatGPT is great to put the meat on the bone, but you have to have a strong bone to do that right,” he commented. “So that is where the content is very important, and I think this is where our relationship with the brokerage companies as Zaye Capital is very strong.”
What Sectors Should Brokers Focus on?
While some market segments have garnered more attention in recent years, Aslan believes the opportunities are widespread. He pointed to the energy sector, including traditional oil, as an area to watch. He also acknowledged the growing interest in crypto markets, though he pointed out that no single sector will dominate.
Aslan maintains that oil prices could continue to follow a downtrend under Trump's administration. “So, Trump back in the office, I would say the oil prices are going to go to $40 barrel, perhaps below $40 as well because they're going to focus only on one thing, which is to drill. And that means a huge amount of oil is coming on the market.”
“You know where we are in terms of Brent crude oil as of today? We're trading at $65. So we are talking about an opportunity from now where oil prices will gradually continue to move to the downside, and it will allow you to have a V8 engine,” he added.
Dubai: A Global Financial Hub
Aslan also shared his thoughts on Dubai's rising prominence in the finance world. He pointed out that Dubai offers a more favorable time zone for trading US markets and access to global talent at competitive salaries.
“The thing about Dubai is the strategic location of the country, especially if you're trading stocks, and if you're trading US markets, you are based in a very good location from that particular perspective. Where you have a head start in terms of preparing for the market and in a time zone that you can easily manage.”
Although often overlooked, the city's quality of life is also a major draw for those in the financial sector. “Number one is access to talent, which is huge in Dubai and efficient. Still, very much efficient, in terms of the salaries. What you would pay for one particular analyst in London. And secondly, it's the quality of life.”
Key Takeaways for Brokers in 2025
Aslan stressed that success in the coming year will depend on the ability to activate clients through relevant, organic content and to adapt to rapidly shifting market dynamics. In summary, brokers should be ready for significant opportunities across multiple sectors, with an emphasis on education and content delivery that adds real value.
As for Dubai, its role as a growing financial hub will continue to shape the global finance landscape, offering brokers and firms a new center for growth and expansion.
