Executive Moves of the Week: Key Appointments Strengthen Global Trading and Crypto Operations

This week saw major executive shifts across the trading and crypto industries, with new leadership appointments aimed at driving global expansion and regulatory compliance. Key hires include Martin Kiuru as CTO at CFI Financial Group, Fred Gewirtz as Sales Director at JT Markets, and Theofanis Pantelides as CEO of Trading.com’s U.S. operations. Other notable moves include James Watson at 24 Exchange, Adam Phillips at FXTRADING.com, Stavros Vassiliades at Kraken, and Adam Judd at Coinbase Australia. These strategic appointments highlight the industry's focus on operational excellence and growth.

CFI Appoints Martin Kiuru as CTO to Drive Global Tech Growth

CFI Financial Group has appointed Martin Kiuru as its new Chief Technology Officer, a key move to enhance the firm’s global technology strategy. Kiuru, with over 20 years of experience in financial technology, joins the Dubai-based broker after serving as CTO at Libertex Group and holding senior positions at Admiral Markets, FIIZY, and Swedbank. His leadership background includes driving digital transformation and improving platform performance across Europe and the Middle East.

In his new role, Kiuru will spearhead CFI's technology roadmap, focusing on automation, data capabilities, and optimizing platform performance to meet the growing demands of global clients. His appointment aligns with CFI's continued global expansion and its commitment to building a scalable, high-performance architecture that supports its multi-market trading operations.

JT Markets Appoints Fred Gewirtz as Sales Director

JT Markets, the offshore CFDs broker founded by Jonathan Brewer, has appointed Fred Gewirtz as its new Sales Director. Gewirtz brings extensive experience in institutional liquidity and brokerage operations, having previously served as Head of Institutional Liquidity at Scandinavian Capital Markets. He also worked alongside Brewer at iSAM Securities (formerly iS Prime), leading the iS Risk Analytics sales unit.

Gewirtz’s appointment marks a strategic move for JT Markets, which is aiming to blend institutional expertise with retail and professional trader support. The firm, domiciled in Seychelles, also operates the Forex Masterclass platform for trader education. The leadership team at JT Markets includes CEO Trevor Barwell and CMO David Aspinall, both bringing significant industry experience to the growing firm.

Trading.com Appoints Theofanis Pantelides as U.S. CEO

Trading.com Markets has named Theofanis Pantelides as its new U.S. CEO, effective December 2025, following the departure of Søren Haagensen. Pantelides, previously the firm’s Chief Information Officer and COO, takes the helm at a crucial moment as the company fully transitions to meeting the stringent operational requirements of a CFTC-registered Retail Foreign Exchange Dealer (RFED).

Pantelides, who joined Trading.com in 2019, brings deep technical expertise, having played a key role in the development of the firm’s U.S. technology stack and operational controls. His prior experience includes senior roles at Integral Development Corp. and FxPro Financial Services. The leadership change reflects a strategic focus on strengthening operational discipline and compliance in the tightly regulated U.S. retail FX market.

24 Exchange Appoints James Watson as Head of OTC Market Data

24 Exchange has appointed James W. Watson as Head of OTC Market Data, a strategic move to strengthen its global trading infrastructure. Watson joins the firm’s 24X Bermuda Limited subsidiary in London, starting in December 2025, as the company gears up for broader market activity following its recent SEC approval to operate a national securities exchange on extended hours.

With over 20 years of experience in financial data and electronic trading, Watson previously led data sales at TraditionDATA and held senior roles at ADS Securities, FXall, and Morgan Stanley. His appointment underscores 24 Exchange's commitment to expanding its OTC data capabilities, particularly for FX swaps and forwards, to support its round-the-clock trading model and meet rising institutional demand.

FXTRADING.com Appoints Adam Phillips as CEO

FXTRADING.com has appointed Adam Robert Phillips as its new CEO, marking a significant leadership transition for the Sydney-based multi-asset broker. Phillips, who assumed the role in November 2025, brings over 25 years of experience in institutional trading, prime brokerage, and multi-asset investment management.

Before joining FXTRADING.com, Phillips held senior roles, including Managing Director at Yellowfin Asset Management and leadership positions at Blue Fin Capital. With a proven track record managing over USD 74 million in institutional mandates, Phillips is well-equipped to lead the broker's global expansion. His focus will be on enhancing technology, client transparency, and building resilient infrastructure as FXTRADING.com looks to extend its international presence.

Kraken Appoints Stavros Vassiliades as EU Compliance Head

Kraken has appointed Stavros Vassiliades as Head of Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering Officer (AMLCO) for its European operations, based in Cyprus. Vassiliades, who previously served as Executive Director for Pepperstone EU, brings valuable experience from the regulated brokerage sector, including roles at MPS Marketplace Securities and MAP Fintech.

This move is part of Kraken's broader strategy to strengthen its regulatory framework as it expands beyond cryptocurrency. The company is eyeing growth in the EU market, including securing brokerage licenses and bolstering its product offerings. Kraken, which recently raised $800 million in funding, is also preparing for a potential public listing in the U.S.

Coinbase Australia Appoints Adam Judd as COO

Coinbase Australia has appointed Adam Judd as its new Chief Operating Officer, marking a significant move from traditional finance to the digital asset sector. Judd, who previously led strategy and risk governance at CommSec, brings over a decade of experience from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), where he held senior roles in securities supervision, licensing, and market structure.

Judd's appointment comes at a crucial time as Australia prepares to tighten regulations for crypto platforms. With upcoming requirements for platforms to obtain an Australian Financial Services Licence, Judd will oversee the firm’s compliance and adaptation to local regulatory standards. His role will be key in supporting Coinbase's goal to lead Australia's transition to a tokenized financial system while ensuring operational excellence.