82% of forex brokers expect increased currency pair volumes

According to a study conducted by Acuiti and Avelacom, 29% of 68 companies surveyed are using server installations that are more than five years old.

Operational costs are the main obstacle to growth, particularly for brokers and proprietary traders.

The foreign exchange market is preparing for increased trading volumes. A new report from Acuiti, in partnership with Avelacom, shows that 82% of companies surveyed expect an increase in spot foreign exchange activity over the next year.

The study included 69 institutional firms, including banks, brokers, and proprietary trading firms. Respondents were based in Europe, the United States, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

Rising Foreign Exchange Turnover Amid Global Uncertainty
Foreign exchange turnover has grown steadily over the past decade. The BIS's triennial survey shows that over-the-counter (OTC) foreign exchange turnover increased from $5.2 trillion in 2015 to $7.4 trillion in 2023. Foreign exchange swaps accounted for the largest share of this growth. Spot trading volumes also increased, but at a slower pace.

Recent events, such as tariff tensions and geopolitical uncertainty, have already driven up volumes. For example, the CME Group's EBS Market processed $148 billion in daily spot foreign exchange volume on 4 April  2025. Other platforms also recorded record averages.

What are your forecasts for FX trading volumes over the next 12 months?

Trends in Hybrid Infrastructure and Cloud Computing
As market conditions remain volatile, many firms are focusing on technology upgrades. About a third of them built their current server infrastructure more than five years ago. These systems may not be ready to handle a surge in order flow.

Direct connectivity is becoming more popular. More than 26% of firms using third-party liquidity platforms plan to move to direct market access. Many are also moving toward cloud-based infrastructure, although on-premises and hybrid configurations are still common.

How do you think the adoption of AI and machine learning will impact FX trading in the near future?

AI and Machine Learning: Drivers of Change
AI and machine learning are expected to play a major role, with 51% of survey respondents saying these technologies will drive the most significant changes over the next three years. While 17% described them as "game-changing," concerns remain about high implementation costs and the uncertain value of some third-party tools.

Operational costs were identified as the main obstacle to growth, particularly for brokers and proprietary trading firms. These firms also cited liquidity and competition from banks as major challenges.

Which technological advances do you think will have the greatest impact on institutional foreign exchange trading over the next three years?

Demand for data analytics tools from buyers is increasing. Transaction cost analysis (TCA) and similar tools are gaining importance due to regulatory pressure and client expectations.

New trends in the foreign exchange market raise questions in the industry
Other emerging trends, such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and digital currencies, are being closely monitored. However, most firms do not yet view them as major disruptors. Only 16% believe foreign exchange ETFs will have a significant impact on the market. A larger share (28%) sees stablecoins and CBDCs as having potential, but concerns remain about credit risks.

The report shows that the market is under pressure to expand. Infrastructure, cost control, and direct access are now central themes. As uncertainty in global trade persists, foreign exchange firms are rethinking how to remain efficient and competitive.