“Locally, the prices are very much linked to geopolitical instability, they’re linked to supply and demand at global level… and money markets, currency exchange rates, which again there’s no ability for people in Northern Ireland to control,” explained Smyth.

In the vast and often turbulent ocean of the financial markets, your broker is your vessel. Choose a sturdy, well-equipped ship, and you can navigate through economic storms to reach your destination.

Choose a leaky raft, and you may find yourself sinking before you even leave the harbor. As we settle into 2026, the retail forex industry has become more competitive than ever. Hundreds of brokers are vying for your attention with flashy advertisements and promises of low spreads. However, for the serious investor, the decision must be based on rigorous due diligence rather than marketing hype. Whether you are a seasoned trader looking to switch providers or a novice taking your first steps, selecting the right partner is the single most critical decision you will make. This guide breaks down the essential criteria for choosing a broker that aligns with your financial goals and risk appetite.

1. Regulation and Safety of Funds

The first rule of trading is preservation of capital. Before you even look at spreads or trading platforms, you must verify the broker’s regulatory status. In 2026, the distinction between regulated and unregulated entities is stark.

The Importance of Tier-1 Licenses

A reputable broker will always be authorized by a top-tier regulatory body. In the UK, this is the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Other respected regulators include ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus). These bodies enforce strict standards, such as segregating client funds from the company’s operating capital. According to Wikipedia, regulatory oversight is the primary defense against fraud in the retail forex market, ensuring that brokers adhere to fair practices and maintain sufficient capital reserves.

Negative Balance Protection

Ensure your broker offers negative balance protection. This feature guarantees that you cannot lose more than your initial deposit. In a market known for its volatility, where gaps can occur over the weekend, this safety net is indispensable for managing your long-term financial health.

2. Trading Costs and Transparency

Every pip counts. Over the course of a year, the difference between a 1-pip spread and a 2-pip spread can amount to thousands of pounds in transaction costs. However, low costs should not come at the expense of execution quality.

Spreads vs. Commissions

Brokers generally operate on two models:

• Commission-Free: You pay no separate fee, but the cost is built into a slightly wider spread.
• Raw Spread/ECN: You get spreads as low as 0.0 pips but pay a fixed commission per lot traded. For high-volume traders and scalpers, the raw spread model often proves cheaper. A leading forex broker will be transparent about these costs, displaying them clearly on their website rather than hiding them in the fine print.

Hidden Fees

Be wary of non-trading fees. Some brokers charge for withdrawals, inactivity, or even currency conversion. Always check the “banking” or “funding” section of the broker’s site to ensure you won’t be penalized for moving your own money.

3. Execution Speed and Infrastructure

In 2026, technology is the great equalizer. The speed at which your order travels from your terminal to the market can determine whether you make a profit or suffer “slippage” (getting filled at a worse price than expected).

Dealing Desk (DD) vs. No Dealing Desk (NDD)

• Market Makers (DD): These brokers take the other side of your trade. While they offer stable spreads, there is an inherent conflict of interest.
• NDD/STP Brokers: These brokers route your orders directly to liquidity providers (banks, hedge funds). This model is generally preferred by professional traders as it ensures transparency and faster execution without human intervention.

Platform Stability

Does the broker offer industry-standard platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), or cTrader? Proprietary platforms can be good, but they often lack the advanced customizability of established software. Ensure the platform has a track record of stability during high-impact news events.

4. Range of Markets and Instruments

While your primary focus might be forex, a diversified portfolio is key to risk management. The best brokers in 2026 act as multi-asset gateways.

Beyond Currency Pairs

Look for a broker that offers access to:

• Commodities: Gold, Silver, Oil.
• Indices: S&P 500, FTSE 100, DAX.
• Shares: Access to global equities. Having all these assets under one roof allows you to hedge your positions. For example, if the USD weakens, you might want to long Gold. Being able to do this instantly on the same account is a massive logistical advantage.

5. Customer Support and Education

Even the best technology fails occasionally, and you will eventually have a question. When that happens, you need immediate answers.

24/7 Availability

The forex market runs 24/5, and crypto markets run 24/7. Your broker’s support should match these hours. Test their live chat before you sign up. Do they answer in seconds, or are you stuck in a queue?

Educational Resources

A broker invested in your success will provide educational tools. Look for webinars, daily market analysis, and tutorials. Furthermore, understanding risk and return is fundamental to your survival in the markets; a good broker will provide resources that help you grasp these concepts rather than just encouraging you to trade blindly.

Conclusion: Making the Final Call

Choosing a forex broker is not a decision to be rushed. It requires balancing cost, safety, and technological capability. By focusing on regulated entities that offer transparent pricing and NDD execution, you set a solid foundation for your trading career. Remember, the goal is not just to find a place to trade, but to find a partner that facilitates your growth as an investor. Take your time, test their demo accounts, and ensure they meet the high standards required for trading in 2026.

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The online casino industry has experienced remarkable growth, influencing digital business strategies globally. Technological advancements have been pivotal in driving these changes, with innovations such as AI and VR at the forefront. Businesses are adapting to these developments, integrating them into broader digital strategies to maintain competitiveness.

The rapid expansion of the online casino industry has significantly impacted digital business strategies. As these platforms continue to grow, they are incorporating cutting-edge technologies to enhance their offerings and improve user engagement. Platforms that are on the rise, like Admiral Casino, exemplify how the industry is leveraging technology to remain competitive. This article explores the technological innovations driving this sector forward and how they are reshaping the way businesses approach digital strategy.

Technological Innovations Driving the Sector Forward

The online casino industry has embraced various technological advancements that have transformed the way it operates. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most significant technologies currently being employed. AI algorithms help in personalising user experiences by analysing player behaviour and preferences, which allows platforms to tailor content and recommendations effectively. Additionally, AI assists in fraud detection and maintaining security, ensuring a safe environment for players.

Virtual Reality (VR) is another technology making waves in online casinos. VR provides an immersive experience, allowing users to feel as if they are inside a physical casino from the comfort of their own homes. This innovation enhances user engagement and offers a unique gaming experience. Blockchain technology also plays a pivotal role by ensuring transparent and secure transactions. These technologies collectively ensure that online casinos can provide innovative solutions to attract and retain users.

Enhancing User Engagement Through Personalisation

User engagement is critical for the success of online casinos, and personalisation plays a significant role in achieving this. By using data analytics, platforms can deliver customised experiences that cater to individual preferences. This tailored approach helps in keeping players engaged and encourages longer interaction with the platform. Gamification elements, such as reward systems and leaderboards, further boost engagement by providing users with a sense of achievement.

Online casinos also focus on creating interactive interfaces that enhance the gaming experience. By employing high-quality graphics and sound effects, platforms aim to replicate the atmosphere of a real casino as closely as possible. The inclusion of live dealer games brings an additional layer of authenticity, allowing players to interact with real dealers through video streaming. These strategies not only attract new players but also encourage existing ones to return for more engaging experiences.

Strategies for Expanding Market Reach and Demographics

To expand their market reach, online casinos employ diverse strategies aimed at attracting various demographics. One such approach is localising content to cater to different cultural preferences and languages. By offering games in multiple languages and tailoring themes according to regional tastes, casinos can appeal to a broader audience. Additionally, implementing marketing campaigns through social media platforms helps target specific demographics effectively.

Mobile compatibility is another crucial factor in reaching wider audiences. As mobile devices become increasingly prevalent, ensuring seamless access across all platforms is vital for attracting users who prefer gaming on-the-go. Collaborations with influential personalities or partnerships with other digital services also help in expanding market reach. These strategies highlight how online casinos adapt their approaches to remain relevant in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

The Future Impact on Broader Digital Strategies

The influence of online casino gaming extends beyond its immediate industry, impacting broader digital business strategies as well. Companies across various sectors are learning from these innovations by integrating similar technologies into their operations. The focus on user engagement through personalisation and gamification offers valuable insights for businesses looking to enhance customer interaction.

As technology continues to evolve, businesses must remain adaptable to keep pace with these changes. The lessons learned from the online casino industry can serve as a blueprint for future digital strategies across different sectors. With ongoing advancements in AI, VR and blockchain, the landscape will continue to transform, presenting new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Speaking on ET Now, Rohit Srivastava, Founder, Strike Money Analytics & Indiacharts pointed out that the current phase is marked by a narrow leadership, where isolated pockets of strength are driving gains rather than a broad-based rally.

“So, this is a very-very narrow market. We are seeing few pockets where you are getting growth. If you look at the total earning season for the quarter, it has not been that great for the Nifty 50, but M&M and earlier State Bank have been the ones that have surprised or at least done better and that is why you are seeing these stocks make new highs. But it is not an across the board event that we are seeing, so therefore it is very-very stock specific and it is not even like the entire sector doing that, so yes, M&M has done fine, but we will watch the next few days how it aligns with the sector.”

Mahindra & Mahindra’s performance, along with earlier strength in State Bank of India, has helped these counters touch new highs, even as much of the market remains under pressure. However, Srivastava cautioned that such moves should not be mistaken for a broader sectoral or market-wide uptrend.

On the outlook for other opportunities, Srivastava said the current environment calls for a more cautious and tactical approach, with investors needing to be highly selective.

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“So, we are playing it very-very cautiously. If I have to look for value, it will come in very-very vague segments of the market. For example, sugar is one of them where there is deep value but it has been an underperforming segment. But if somebody has to look for value, then I would have to look at places like that where nothing is happening.”
At the same time, he flagged continued weakness in certain areas, particularly technology stocks, where pressure may persist.“At the same time there are some very-very weak parts of the market that are still getting hammered, for example, technology, so that is where we have to completely avoid trying to buy the dip. In fact, there may be more opportunities for traders on the short side of the IT sector. So, very-very different approach that we are having to take in the type of market that we are in. We cannot always be bottom fishing. There are now a lot of opportunities on the short side as well.”

Overall, the message from the charts and earnings commentary is clear: the market is rewarding select stock-specific stories, while broad-based participation remains limited. For investors and traders alike, this environment may demand sharper stock selection, greater discipline, and a willingness to adapt strategies to both long and short opportunities.

Across Australia, more business owners are rethinking a decision to outsource customer acquisition to a marketing agency.

For years, the retainer model has been the default solution for founders who want more enquiries but don’t have the time, confidence, or internal expertise to run advertising themselves. In many cases, agencies do deliver results. But a growing number of Australian founders are finding that even when leads come in, the arrangement can leave them with limited control over the system that drives the growth. That’s why workshops have started to gain momentum as alternatives where owners learn how to build acquisition systems they can operate internally.

One example is “Where U?,” a two-day in-person workshop designed to teach Australian business owners how to generate leads using Meta and Google Ads, framed less as a “marketing hack” and more as a repeatable engine.

The Problem Is Dependency

Many business owners walk away from agencies because the dependency can become uncomfortable. When customer acquisition sits entirely outside the business, owners often feel exposed. If results drop, they may not know why. If an account manager changes, the strategy can shift. If communication slows down, decisions get delayed. Over time, a business can end up paying for outcomes it can’t clearly explain or replicate.

That’s a serious risk when customer acquisition determines revenue stability.

Even strong agencies can struggle to understand the nuances of a business the way the founder does. Business owners know the real objections customers raise, the offers that convert, the services with the highest margins, and the reasons clients choose them over competitors. Translating years of customer experience into a short onboarding call rarely captures the full picture.

Workshops appeal because they reduce that gap. Instead of outsourcing understanding, owners build it themselves.

Workshops Offer Internal Capability

The biggest difference between a workshop and a retainer isn’t cost. It’s what the business owns at the end of it. With an agency, you may get leads, but the expertise often stays with the provider.

With an in-person workshop, the goal is capability transfer. Owners leave with knowledge of how the system works and what levers move performance. They understand how targeting influences lead quality, how messaging impacts the conversion, and what metrics indicate a problem BEFORE revenue is affected.

That doesn’t mean every founder becomes a full-time marketer. But it does mean they become far more effective decision-makers.

Once a business understands the mechanics of acquisition, outsourcing becomes smarter. Instead of relying blindly on a provider, owners can hire specialists selectively while maintaining strategic control.

Why In-Person Workshops Are Gaining Traction Again

A growing number of founders are starting to treat lead generation like key infrastructure to their business.

That shift is being driven by a simple reality: referrals aren’t predictable. Reputation takes time. And in many industries, the speed of growth is limited by how consistently new customers enter the pipeline.

That’s why more owners are focusing on building systems that create repeatable demand. Systems that don’t rely on luck, seasonal spikes, or platform changes, they don’t understand.

Workshops fit this new mindset because they deliver structure. Instead of random marketing activity, owners build a process that can be measured, improved, and repeated.

“Where U?” (Founded by Brandon Willington) was one of the first Companies in Australia to push this direction with strong satisfaction and increasing demand for workshops as momentum continues to build.

Owners Want Control Over Growth

The rise of workshops is a response to the new reality of running a modern business. Growth is harder to predict. Competition is higher. Customer attention is fragmented. And when the pipeline slows, the consequences hit quickly.

Workshops are gaining popularity because they offer business owners something that outsourced lead generation often doesn’t: control. The most valuable outcome isn’t simply generating leads. It’s understanding how demand is created so it can be repeated, improved, and scaled over time.

For Australian business owners looking for stability, that shift toward ownership may become one of the defining growth strategies of the decade.

For more information about “WhereU?” Workshops, visit: https://www.whereu.com.au/

It has said it could lose the title of busiest airport

Heathrow Airport has begun the new year by smashing its previous traffic record, but has issued a stark warning that it risks losing its crown without advancement on expansion.

Approximately 6.5 million passengers passed through the airport in January, representing a 2.2 per cent rise on last year and making it the busiest January on record. The month also saw multiple peak days exceeding 250,000 passengers, surpassing the previous January’s record of 246,000.

Yet despite the fresh milestones, the airport’s leadership seized the opportunity to deliver a stark warning on expansion, as reported by City AM.

“We remain Europe’s largest airport, but latest figures show we may lose that position in 2026 and we cannot keep driving growth for the UK economy without more capacity,” chief executive Thomas Woldbye said.

“That’s why Heathrow expansion is so critical.”

Woldbye said the decision the government takes this year is “essential to enable the delivery of the UK’s flagship growth project”.

As of February 2026, the expansion scheme for Britain’s largest airport officially shifted out of its paused state and into a preparatory phase. Following the government’s formal endorsement of the Northwest Runway scheme in late 2025, the project is now working towards a series of critical regulatory hurdles this year.

Towards the end of January, the airport disclosed that mounting staff costs and the government’s controversial business rates policy were set to take a bite out of the company’s growing turnover.

The business revealed its profit had plummeted by 38 per cent during the nine months to October and highlighted higher-than-anticipated expenses, chiefly stemming from government policy.

The firm particularly pointed to “employment and business rates” putting its bottom line “under pressure”.

At the start of 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves backed the Heathrow expansion as part of the government’s flagship growth drive.

Reeves told business leaders the Heathrow expansion would “make Britain the world’s best connected place to do business”.

Historic expansion attempts have previously encountered obstacles owing to environmental concerns.

Reeves’ proposal has continued to meet resistance, including from London mayor Sadiq Khan who last year stated he “remains opposed” to a third runway.

“I remain opposed to a new runway at Heathrow airport because of the severe impact it will have on noise, air pollution and meeting our climate change targets,” the mayor said.