IC executive urges brokers to focus on client demand beyond crypto hype

Jason Hughes, General Manager at IC, said that the increasing focus on cryptocurrencies ought not to divert brokers from the markets where their clients still place trades.

Hughes was among industry executives at the iFX EXPO Asia 2026 in Hong Kong, where they debated if digital assets are fulfilling their commercial potential, and if traditional markets like gold, precious metals and major FX pairs continue to form the core of brokerage activity.

Titled “From Bitcoin to Bullion: Where Is the Real Revenue?”, the session explored a key question for brokers in Asia and further afield: as client demand, trading technology and market conditions shift, where should companies target their next investment?

Hughes stated: “For brokers, the priority is not choosing between traditional and digital assets. It is ensuring clients can access the markets they want to trade, supported by reliable infrastructure and consistent execution standards.”

Although digital assets have created fresh possibilities for brokers, the panel also questioned the commercial justification for putting money into new products and technologies, especially given that established instruments keep drawing trading volume.

The challenges of round-the-clock trading, covering liquidity provision and execution quality, along with the effects on brokers broadening their product range, were considered by the panel.

The broader question, as Hughes sees it, is how companies strike a balance between innovation and core business principles. While new products can draw interest, their lasting worth hinges on client demand and the infrastructure required to sustain trading.

Hughes also participated in a separate panel titled “Inside the Deal: The Future of Financial Brands in Sport”, which examined the commercial benefits of sports collaborations.

Citing IC's participation in motorsport and esports, he talked about why financial brands should move beyond mere sponsorship visibility and think about how partnerships further their overall business goals.

Hughes said: “The value of a sports partnership goes beyond visibility. It comes from the relationships you build, the audiences you reach and the trust you develop over time.”

He remarked that although brand awareness is still important, its direct commercial effect is hard to separate out. At IC, interactions with business partners and the chance to develop relationships are equally significant indicators of value.

IC took part in iFX EXPO Asia 2026 as part of its interaction with the global trading community, adding to conversations about brokerage strategy, market access and the commercial priorities influencing the industry.