The international technology company Tools for Brokers (TFB) has released new findings revealing how brokerages worldwide are preparing for 2026, and where the industry feels the greatest pressure. Risk management is set to become the defining challenge for brokerages in 2026, followed closely by the pressure to scale operations without increasing exposure or operational risk.
Based on a global survey of brokerage firms conducted throughout 2025, the findings show that over a 1/3 of brokers now view risk management as their primary concern, driven by higher market volatility, faster execution environments, and rising expectations around client protection. Scaling operations ranks second, as firms face growing transaction volumes and infrastructure stress while attempting to expand into new markets.
Alexey Kutsenko, CEO at TFB commented: “Over the past decade, the brokerage landscape has become materially more complex. What we are seeing in this research aligns closely with the experience of more than 200 of our clients worldwide: risk management is no longer a back-office function, but a strategic priority tied to scalability and long-term resilience. Firms moving ahead are investing in tighter execution, real-time client visibility, AI integration, and greater automation across risk workflows. This reflects a broader industry shift from manual oversight towards more intelligent, data-led operational models designed to support growth without increasing exposure.”
The research also highlights persistent structural issues within brokerage operations. Technology stack complexity and regulatory compliance continue to challenge firms, particularly those relying on fragmented systems and manual workflows. Automation and volatility management remain secondary concerns, but often act as risk multipliers when markets become unstable.
Alongside these pressures, brokerages are accelerating technology adoption. Artificial Intelligence (28.4%) and liquidity bridges (19.7%) lead investment priorities for 2026, reflecting a broader industry shift towards automation, predictive risk management, and execution optimisation. Mobile trading, data analytics, social trading, and AI-driven risk tools are also gaining traction as firms seek greater efficiency and resilience.
Regulation is emerging as a strategic rather than reactive focus. The report notes increasing emphasis on execution transparency, fraud prevention, source-of-funds verification, and audit readiness, with firms under pressure to demonstrate robust controls to regulators, banks, and liquidity partners alike.
Drawing on 16 years of work with brokerages worldwide, TFB’s experience mirrors many of the trends highlighted in the report. Through its flagship Trade Processor bridge, an execution engine built for any market condition, powered by TFB’s risk management system BBI and enriched with features for automation, risk monitoring, client management, and reporting, the company has seen how firms are addressing the dual pressures of risk management and scaling. By combining real-time risk monitoring, predictive tools, and workflow automation, brokerages are strengthening operational flexibility. These insights reflect how technology can help brokers navigate complexity and support sustainable growth, directly aligning with the priorities highlighted in the report.
The findings of the report are drawn from TFB’s 2026 brokerage market research analysis, based on insights collected at major industry events in Cyprus, the UAE, Hong Kong, and the UK. The report provides an overview of industry priorities and outlines practical steps brokerages can take to prepare for the challenges ahead.
The full report is available on request. Receive your free copy today.