Big news, traders! FTMO has officially acquired OANDA, a principal global broker—this could be a game-changer for the prop trading world! With OANDA’s strong regulatory licenses and FTMO’s prop firm expertise, we might see new opportunities, better trading conditions, and an even more powerful trading ecosystem.
This move could mean lower costs, direct market access, and improved stability for traders who rely on FTMO’s funding model—exciting times ahead! FTMO has promised to keep OANDA as a standalone business, so existing traders can expect the same trusted service with potential new benefits. It’s a bold step towards the future of trading, and we can’t wait to see how this partnership shapes the industry. What do you think about this deal?
See my video:
CVC Asia Fund IV, through its holding limited partnership, has agreed to sell OANDA Global Corporation (OANDA) to FTMO Group (FTMO). According to a statement released by CVC on Monday, the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals, and the terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
About OANDA Global Corporation
- Founded: 1996
- Industry: Multi-asset trading, currency data, and analytics
- Client Base: Retail and corporate clients
- Global Presence:
- Headquarters: New York, USA
- Additional operations in Toronto, London, Warsaw, Singapore, Tokyo, and Sydney
- Offerings:
- A global digital trading platform for active traders
- Regulated entities across major financial markets
- Multi-asset class trading services
- A scalable, award-winning, mobile-first trading platform
OANDA’s Transformation Under CVC (Since 2018)
- Recruitment of a new management team led by CEO Gavin Bambury (who joined in 2019)
- Investment in new product offerings across international markets
- Establishment of a dedicated back-end operations center in Poland
- Expansion beyond foreign exchange to a fully diversified trading platform
- Strengthened regulatory compliance and customer support
About FTMO Group
- Headquartered in: Czech Republic
- Industry: Educational and training services for traders
- Business Model:
- Provides a structured trading evaluation process
- Allows traders to develop risk management skills
- Funds successful traders through proprietary trading challenges
- Strategic Vision:
- The acquisition of OANDA aligns with FTMO’s long-term goal of expanding its footprint in the retail trading market.t
- Plans to maintain OANDA as a standalone business after the acquisition
Statements from Key Executives
CVC Asia Fund IV (Seller’s Perspective)
Siddharth Patel, Managing Partner at CVC:
“It has been a privilege to support OANDA’s transition, from recruiting a new management team under Gavin Bambury to deep investment in technology, product, and operations.
The team has taken OANDA from a regional foreign exchange provider to a fully diversified offering while building upon its historic strengths in regulatory compliance and best-in-class customer support.”
OANDA Global Corporation
Gavin Bambury, Chief Executive Officer of OANDA:
“Providing world-class multi-asset trading capabilities with a client-focused mindset has been our singular purpose.
Thanks to CVC’s confidence and investment in us, OANDA has become a global leader.
We are excited to continue delivering on our strategy under FTMO’s ownership.”
FTMO Group (Buyer’s Perspective)
Otakar Šuffner, Co-founder & CEO of FTMO, and Marek Vaší?ek, Co-founder & CTO:
“The acquisition of OANDA is a key step in fulfilling FTMO’s long-term vision.
We believe this will be highly beneficial for all relevant market participants, including the existing and prospective customers of both FTMO and OANDA.
We look forward to building together a unique, comprehensive trading powerhouse group of companies that has not existed in the market until now.”
Financial and Legal Advisors
For CVC Asia Fund IV:
- Financial Advisers: Nomura & Santander
- Legal Adviser: Milbank (Hong Kong) LLP
For FTMO Group:
- Financial Adviser: J.P. Morgan
- Legal Adviser: Latham & Watkins LLP
Key Takeaways
- OANDA’s acquisition by FTMO marks asignificantr milestone in the retail and proprietary trading industries.
- FTMO aims to leverage OANDA’s regulatory expertise, global reach, and scalable trading technology while maintaining its independence.
- OANDA has evolved significantly under CVC’s ownership since 2018, transforming into a full-fledged multi-asset trading platform.
- The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, and financial terms have not been disclosed.
This acquisition positions FTMO to expand its global market presence and diversify its service offerings by integrating a regulated trading platform with its proprietary trading and trader development programs.
Why Did FTMO Acquire OANDA?
- OANDA’s Established Reputation and Regulatory Standing
- OANDA has been in the forex industry since 1996, making it one of the oldest and most trusted names.
- The broker has a global presence with offices in New York, London, Singapore, and Sydney.
- OANDA holds multiple financial licenses, including the highly restrictive US forex license, which is a significant achievement.
- FTMO, as a prop firm, did not have direct regulatory oversight before this acquisition.
- Navigating Increasing Regulatory Scrutiny on Prop Firms
- Global regulators are tightening their focus on proprietary trading firms.
- New compliance and licensing requirements could soon make operating harder for many prop firms.
- By acquiring OANDA, FTMO gains a fully regulated broker, helping them future-proof their operations.
- Example: FTMO reportedly struggled to get an Australian financial license, and buying OANDA solved this issue instantly.
- Improving Risk Management & Trader Profitability Issues
- Some prop firms struggle to manage profitable traders who consistently pass challenges and withdraw funds.
- Many prop firms operate on virtual accounts, meaning they don’t always hedge actual trades in the market.
- Without proper risk management, firms face financial strain when many traders succeed simultaneously.
- OANDA brings direct market access (DMA), allowing FTMO to hedge and balance risk exposure better.
What Does This Mean for Prop Firms?
- The Prop Trading Industry is Maturing
- The industry is evolving beyond simple trading challenges and funded accounts.
- More firms must start thinking like brokers, securing licenses, and implementing better risk models.
- FTMO sets the stage for a more regulated and sustainable prop trading environment.
- Regulatory Pressure is Increasing
- US, European, and Australian regulators are tightening restrictions on financial firms.
- Smaller prop firms without proper licenses might struggle to survive.
- Companies that fail to adapt risk being shut down or losing traders’ trust.
- Prop Firms May Merge with Brokers
- More firms might follow FTMO’s lead, buy brokerages, or partner with regulated brokers.
- The lines between proprietary trading firms and traditional brokers are blurring.
- Expect a trend of acquisitions and partnerships in the coming years.
What Does This Mean for OANDA Clients?
- OANDA will continue operating independently, as per FTMO’s official statement.
- There are no immediate changes for OANDA customers, but innovations related to prop trading may be introduced.
- FTMO may integrate prop trading features into OANDA’s platform, possibly rebranding it as OANDA Prop.
- Traders on OANDA might see new funding programs or capital allocation models.
Final Thoughts
- FTMO is boldly moving to dominate both the prop trading and brokerage space.
- Regulatory compliance, risk management, and direct market access are key reasons for this acquisition.
- Other prop firms must adapt or risk falling behind as the industry moves toward more regulation.
- Traders should consider how this deal shapes prop trading opportunities and broker models.
He is an expert in financial niche, long-term trading, and weekly technical levels.
The primary field of Igor's research is the application of machine learning in algorithmic trading.
Education: Computer Engineering and Ph.D. in machine learning.
Igor regularly publishes trading-related videos on the Fxigor Youtube channel.
To contact Igor write on:
igor@forex.in.rs
