Crypto.com
has hired Nicolò Pagliari as Global VP of Growth and Media, marking another
high-profile departure from the traditional CFD brokerage sector as
cryptocurrency exchanges and prop trading firms continue to attract seasoned
financial services executives.
Pagliari
spent seven years at Danish investment bank Saxo Bank, most recently serving as
Head of Marketing for Asia and Pacific. His move to the Singapore-based crypto
exchange adds to a pattern of talent migration that’s reshaping the competitive
landscape between traditional brokers and digital asset platforms.
“It
took one of those opportunities that you can’t say no to, in order to take the
leap and move onwards,” Pagliari wrote in a LinkedIn post announcing his
departure from Saxo Bank.
The hire
comes as Crypto.com pushes deeper into traditional financial products. The
company recently appointed former IG Group CEO Kevin Algeo as Senior Vice
President of Capital Markets and acquired Cyprus-based broker Allnew
Investments Ltd to secure a MiFID license for European operations.
Attracting
a strong CMO in the CFD industry is becoming increasingly difficult due to
rising competition. According to a recent study by FYI, 40% of brokers
currently have a vacant position after parting ways with their marketing chiefs
or losing them to competitors.
Broader Industry Shift
Pagliari’s
move reflects a wider trend of CFD industry veterans gravitating toward
cryptocurrency exchanges and proprietary trading firms. The migration has
accelerated as crypto platforms expand their product offerings and prop firms
gain market share.
The talent
flow isn’t limited to crypto exchanges. Proprietary trading firms are also
entering the brokerage space and recruiting CFD veterans to lead their
expansion efforts. Michael Kamerman was appointed CEO of FTMO’s brokerage
division, while Riana Chaili joined as Chief Operating Officer after stints at
IC Markets and TechFinancials.
Other moves
include Yassin Mismar, former SVP of Sales at Equiti Group, joining prop firm
FundingPips as Head of Sales and Retention. Zoltan Nemeth left ZuluTrade to
become Head of Business Development at FunderPro, while Andreas Andreou
departed BDSwiss to co-found thePropTrade.com.
Crypto Platforms Expand
Traditional Offerings
Crypto.com’s
hiring spree coincides with its push into conventional financial products. The
company plans to launch CFD offerings for forex and other markets in Q3 2025,
following its acquisition of the MiFID-licensed broker.
“His
extensive experience in financial services and regulated markets will be
instrumental in our mission to build a full-service and fully regulated suite
of financial products for users,” said Eric Anziani, President and Chief
Operating Officer at Crypto.com, referring to the Algeo appointment.
The
strategy mirrors moves by other major crypto exchanges. Kraken launched
regulated derivatives trading under MiFID II rules through its Payward Europe
Digital Solutions subsidiary, while Coinbase acquired derivatives exchange
Deribit to strengthen its market position.
Regulatory Arbitrage
The talent
migration reflects broader structural changes in the retail trading industry.
Crypto exchanges are acquiring regulated entities to bypass lengthy licensing
processes, while prop firms benefit from less stringent regulatory requirements
compared to traditional brokers.
CFD brokers
face increasing regulatory pressure across major markets, including leverage
restrictions and marketing limitations. Meanwhile, crypto platforms and prop
firms offer executives the opportunity to work in faster-growing segments with
fewer regulatory constraints.
Pagliari
will be based in Singapore and lead user acquisition efforts globally for
Crypto.com, which claims over 140 million customers worldwide. His role
includes campaign development, team leadership, and media partnerships across
international markets.
The
executive exodus from traditional CFD brokers shows no signs of slowing as
crypto exchanges continue expanding their product suites and prop firms gain
mainstream acceptance among retail traders.
Crypto.com
has hired Nicolò Pagliari as Global VP of Growth and Media, marking another
high-profile departure from the traditional CFD brokerage sector as
cryptocurrency exchanges and prop trading firms continue to attract seasoned
financial services executives.
Pagliari
spent seven years at Danish investment bank Saxo Bank, most recently serving as
Head of Marketing for Asia and Pacific. His move to the Singapore-based crypto
exchange adds to a pattern of talent migration that’s reshaping the competitive
landscape between traditional brokers and digital asset platforms.
“It
took one of those opportunities that you can’t say no to, in order to take the
leap and move onwards,” Pagliari wrote in a LinkedIn post announcing his
departure from Saxo Bank.
The hire
comes as Crypto.com pushes deeper into traditional financial products. The
company recently appointed former IG Group CEO Kevin Algeo as Senior Vice
President of Capital Markets and acquired Cyprus-based broker Allnew
Investments Ltd to secure a MiFID license for European operations.
Attracting
a strong CMO in the CFD industry is becoming increasingly difficult due to
rising competition. According to a recent study by FYI, 40% of brokers
currently have a vacant position after parting ways with their marketing chiefs
or losing them to competitors.
Broader Industry Shift
Pagliari’s
move reflects a wider trend of CFD industry veterans gravitating toward
cryptocurrency exchanges and proprietary trading firms. The migration has
accelerated as crypto platforms expand their product offerings and prop firms
gain market share.
The talent
flow isn’t limited to crypto exchanges. Proprietary trading firms are also
entering the brokerage space and recruiting CFD veterans to lead their
expansion efforts. Michael Kamerman was appointed CEO of FTMO’s brokerage
division, while Riana Chaili joined as Chief Operating Officer after stints at
IC Markets and TechFinancials.
Other moves
include Yassin Mismar, former SVP of Sales at Equiti Group, joining prop firm
FundingPips as Head of Sales and Retention. Zoltan Nemeth left ZuluTrade to
become Head of Business Development at FunderPro, while Andreas Andreou
departed BDSwiss to co-found thePropTrade.com.
Crypto Platforms Expand
Traditional Offerings
Crypto.com’s
hiring spree coincides with its push into conventional financial products. The
company plans to launch CFD offerings for forex and other markets in Q3 2025,
following its acquisition of the MiFID-licensed broker.
“His
extensive experience in financial services and regulated markets will be
instrumental in our mission to build a full-service and fully regulated suite
of financial products for users,” said Eric Anziani, President and Chief
Operating Officer at Crypto.com, referring to the Algeo appointment.
The
strategy mirrors moves by other major crypto exchanges. Kraken launched
regulated derivatives trading under MiFID II rules through its Payward Europe
Digital Solutions subsidiary, while Coinbase acquired derivatives exchange
Deribit to strengthen its market position.
Regulatory Arbitrage
The talent
migration reflects broader structural changes in the retail trading industry.
Crypto exchanges are acquiring regulated entities to bypass lengthy licensing
processes, while prop firms benefit from less stringent regulatory requirements
compared to traditional brokers.
CFD brokers
face increasing regulatory pressure across major markets, including leverage
restrictions and marketing limitations. Meanwhile, crypto platforms and prop
firms offer executives the opportunity to work in faster-growing segments with
fewer regulatory constraints.
Pagliari
will be based in Singapore and lead user acquisition efforts globally for
Crypto.com, which claims over 140 million customers worldwide. His role
includes campaign development, team leadership, and media partnerships across
international markets.
The
executive exodus from traditional CFD brokers shows no signs of slowing as
crypto exchanges continue expanding their product suites and prop firms gain
mainstream acceptance among retail traders.
