At the recent FM Singapore Summit 2026, industry executives highlighted a fundamental shift in retail trading behavior that is reshaping competitive dynamics for brokers across Asia. Edmund Lee from TradingView and Kenny Wan from Penguin Securities discussed how modern traders are increasingly self-directed, diversified, and intolerant of disjointed platform experiences, forcing brokers to prioritize connectivity and user experience alongside traditional pricing strategies.
Platform data presented at the event showed trading interest growing at differentiated rates globally, with particularly strong momentum in Southeast Asia where participation is rising alongside expectations for speed, personalization, and seamless cross-device access. Singapore exhibited the strongest growth among tracked markets. Wan noted that Penguin Securities clients now arrive well-informed and conduct independent research before allocating capital across equities, bonds, cryptocurrency, gold, and other instruments.
The rise of the multi-asset trader emerged as a central theme. Rather than concentrating on single markets, today’s retail investors are treating diversification as a core behavior, prompting platforms to evolve into integrated ecosystems that combine CFDs, equities, crypto, and futures. This trend is particularly pronounced in ASEAN markets where brokers face heightened competition for sophisticated retail clients who demand frictionless journeys from analysis to execution.
The findings suggest brokers relying solely on competitive spreads may struggle to retain clients who increasingly value integrated technology, community features, and platform cohesion.
FXnCO Insight
Brokers in growth markets must now invest in technical infrastructure and user experience as differentiators, not afterthoughts, or risk losing increasingly demanding multi-asset retail clients to more connected competitors.
Source: Finance Magnates