 
Interview with: Ziad Melhem, CEO, CFI Financial Group
The investment industry is experiencing a major shift in productivity. Early mobile platforms, access to real-time markets and the proliferation of online financial content have transformed investing from a profession once dominated by institutions and wealthy individuals into something more accessible and fast. Young investors enter the markets early, trade multiple asset classes and expect a digital experience that is accompanied by transparency and education. For trading platforms, this evolution changes the rules of competition. Technology, ethics and trust have become as important as market access, while artificial intelligence and personal data are beginning to redefine the client experience. In this interview, Ziad Melhem, CEO of CFI Financial Group, explains how investor behavior is changing globally, why local market participation is increasing in the UAE, and what the next generation of trading platforms will look like.
Has technology created a new generation of investors?
Definitely. Technology has democratized access to financial markets. What was once reserved for the elite or elite is now available to anyone with a smartphone and the motivation to learn. At CFI, we have seen this change firsthand; Our customer base has grown much smaller and more digital over the past few years. But I would go further than saying that technology just creates new investors. It has redefined what market participation looks like. People are entering the investment conversation earlier in life, with more knowledge, more analytical tools, and more confidence than any previous generation.
The gatekeepers did not disappear so much that they changed shape; The new ones are platforms in themselves, and they earn their place through transparency, principles and the quality of the information they provide. What matters now is how well the platforms serve these new audiences once they arrive.
What is driving this change in investor behavior?
Several forces converge at once. First access: barriers to entry rolled down. You no longer need a salesperson on the phone, or a small deposit valued in the thousands. The second is information: financial content is everywhere, from dedicated research forums to social communities where investors share ideas in real time. The third is the economic context: younger generations have grown up because of the financial crisis, the cycle of inflation and significant market volatility. They understand, instinctively, that leaving money idle on its own is a form of financial risk. Fourth is the developing relationship with institutions. Clients today want to interact with platforms that are transparent, well-managed, and built around their needs rather than around the interests of the platform. Those expectations are reshaping the entire industry.
How have trading platforms changed investing for younger generations?
The experience has been completely reimagined. Ten years ago, trading platforms were built by professionals; they were complex, difficult data situations that assumed the user already understood what they were doing. Today, the best platforms combine professional-grade tools with intuitive design, integrated education and responsive support.
For small investors, the platform is not just a transaction engine; their primary relationship is with the financial world. They expect personalization, mobile-first design, full transparency on fees and risk, and the ability to move between asset classes without friction. We built our build platform around those expectations. Meeting them is no longer a competitive advantage; it is the minimum standard that clients will accept.
Are investment priorities changing around the world?
Significantly, yes. We are seeing a clear shift from passive, long-term strategies to active participation, and knowledge. Young investors want to understand what they own and why; they build knowledge alongside their portfolio rather than providing decisions entirely.
What matters now is how well the platforms serve these new audiences once they arrive
What is most interesting is how this generation thinks about diversity: not as a choice between local and international, but as a deliberate combination of both. They want exposure to global indices, US stocks, commodities, and currencies, while at the same time maintaining strong confidence in their home markets. Nowhere is this more evident than in the UAE, where we are seeing a huge increase in appetite for local stock. Investors here are deeply involved in UAE-listed stocks, and that enthusiasm is only growing. It is a practice we have taken very seriously at CFI, and one of the reasons why we have made a deliberate decision to expand our product to include access to local markets; ensuring that our clients can build truly balanced portfolios without needing to go elsewhere.
Which asset classes are attracting the most interest from small investors?
Stocks remain a strong entry point, especially US tech stocks, which carry significant cultural recognition among young audiences around the world. But what we find most interesting at CFI is the desire for multi-asset participation. Young investors are not limited to one asset class; they move slowly between forex, indices, commodities and ETFs, often reacting dynamically to market events and macroeconomic developments.
Volatility, rather than being a hindrance, has become a driver of engagement in this generation. They understand that markets are moving, and they want platforms equipped with tools to help them navigate those movements intelligently. The need is not just access to more assets; it is because of the analytical infrastructure that it trades well.
How important is technology in shaping the investor experience today?
Technology no longer differentiates; it is the foundation on which everything else is built. We have invested heavily in building a trading infrastructure that gives clients a real edge: high performance quality, seamless access across the web, mobile and desktop, advanced charting, integrated risk management tools and real-time market statistics. But technology serves a deeper purpose than efficiency. It builds confidence. When a client has the right tools, clear data, and consistent information across every touchpoint, they make better decisions. That is the true measure of good technology in this industry: not how quickly the platform makes trades, but how well it equips the trader to do things clearly and confidently.
Is trust so important in the e-commerce industry?
Trust has always been a cornerstone of financial services. What has changed is how it is received and displayed. In an industry that has at times been characterized by murky pricing, unclear regulatory stances, and misleading marketing, clients are more aware than ever. They research brokers before signing up. They confirm regulatory guarantees. They read peer reviews and compare platforms carefully. At CFI, we welcome that level of scrutiny. Our regulatory framework is built on a clear principle: wherever we operate, we obtain the appropriate license, both regionally and internationally. In the UAE, we are regulated by the Capital Markets Authority. In addition, we have first-tier international licenses, including the FCA in the UK, along with CySEC in Cyprus, the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) in Bahrain, the Banco Central do Brasil in Brazil, the Central Bank of Azerbaijan in Azerbaijan, and additional licenses in all areas we serve. This multi-industry structure is not just a regulatory requirement; it's an intentional part of the way we're built, giving our clients access to a single company they can use under the rules of any market they choose to trade. Our commitment to transparency is not a marketing position; it is embedded in the way we operate, from how we communicate risk to our clients, to how we build and protect client funds. Trust in this industry is not what you want. It's something you show, consistently, over a long period of time. CFI has been doing just that for over 25 years.
What will define the next generation of trading platforms?
The leading platforms of the next decade will be those that evolve from pure transaction tools to true financial ecosystems. This means going beyond trading to provide structured education, personalized market insights, a full range of asset classes, and client information tailored to where each individual is in their financial journey. Artificial intelligence will play an important role in this evolution, not by replacing human judgment, but by supplementing it; helping clients understand their risk exposure, identify the right opportunities, and navigate complex market environments with greater clarity and less noise.
At CFI, this is the vision we build on. The next phase of our platform is exactly this: a connected environment where trading, research, education, community, and a wide set of asset classes live together within a single experience, so that each client – whether they are making their first trade or managing a complex multi-asset portfolio – feels that the platform is growing with them sincerely.
That is the standard by which the industry should be measured. It is the standard we set for ourselves.
