A Common Theme Emerging at the Forex Expo
Forex Expo Dubai 2025 gathered some of the brightest minds in trading, payments, and fintech, but one theme kept resurfacing in conversations across the floor: banking remains a major pain point for forex brokers.
While the event was filled with talk of AI-driven trading, automation, and global market access, many attendees agreed that the biggest challenge is access to reliable banking, particularly for offshore entities handling client deposits (C2B accounts).
For many brokers, this issue isn’t new, but what stood out this year was just how universal it has become. Conversations between brokers, liquidity providers, and technology vendors often circled back to the same concern: without stable banking infrastructure, even the most advanced trading operations face unnecessary friction.
Key Takeaways
- The Forex Expo Dubai 2025 highlighted ongoing banking challenges for forex brokers.
- Many firms still struggle to open or maintain client deposit (C2B) accounts, especially offshore.
- Lissele Pratt noted during the forex expo that even established brokers face tightening restrictions from banks.
- Traditional banks continue to view the forex sector as high-risk, despite stronger compliance standards.
- There’s a clear gap between innovation and financial infrastructure in the industry.
- Brokers need more collaboration between regulators, banks, and fintech providers to improve access.
- The forex industry’s growth depends on modernising banking relationships, not just trading technology.
Lissele Pratt’s Take on the Banking Challenge
Capitalixe co-founder, Lissele Pratt, attended the Forex Expo and noted how widespread the frustration still is when it comes to banking for forex businesses.
“Every conversation came back to the same sticking point,” she shared. “Firms are still struggling to open and maintain accounts that allow them to accept client funds, especially those registered offshore. It’s slowing down operations, adding compliance pressure, and in some cases, blocking growth entirely.”
Attendees also voiced concerns about the growing unpredictability of the banking process. Some firms have reported accounts being closed with little notice, while others spend months navigating due diligence only to be rejected at the final step. This uncertainty is making it difficult for brokers to plan their operations or maintain client trust.
Lissele explained that even well-established brokers face tightening restrictions from banks, which often view the forex sector as high-risk despite increased regulatory oversight and more sophisticated compliance practices.
A Disconnect Between Innovation and Infrastructure
What became clear at the Forex Expo is that the trading industry is moving fast, but the financial infrastructure supporting it isn’t keeping up.
While new trading technologies and platforms make cross-border operations easier than ever, many brokers are still unable to access basic banking services like multi-currency accounts or efficient client fund management.
“Technology is evolving at lightning speed,” Lissele observed, “but the banking systems serving this industry are still years behind. You can have the best trading tools in the world, but if you can’t hold or move client money efficiently, you’re stuck.”
This gap between innovation and banking accessibility has created a situation where fintech and payment service providers are becoming essential lifelines for many brokers, not just convenient add-ons.
What the Industry Needs Next
The consensus at the Forex Expo was clear: the industry needs more collaborative dialogue between regulators, banks, and forex firms to create frameworks that balance risk management with accessibility.
Several attendees suggested that collaboration, rather than stricter oversight, will be key to progress. By fostering better communication, the industry can move toward consistent standards that both protect consumers and allow brokers to operate without constant banking disruption.
Until then, brokers, particularly those with offshore structures, will continue navigating a fragmented landscape where compliance, trust, and perception often outweigh solid business fundamentals.
As Lissele put it, “The real issue is that banks still don’t fully understand how much the forex industry has evolved. Most firms are far more transparent and compliant than they’re given credit for.”
If your business is struggling to secure reliable banking, speak with our experts. We’ll help you find a solution that fits your needs.
