Futureproof Brokerage in the GCC: API-First Infrastructure, Multi-Market Access, and What’s Next for Capital Markets

How GCC markets are scaling fast: API-first architecture, exchange connectivity, T+1 and beyond, and the shift toward multi-asset platforms.

Capital markets in the GCC are moving quickly not only because of new investors entering the region, but because the expectations around trading platforms have changed.

The conversation below is about what is forcing firms to rethink their infrastructure today. The discussion focuses on practical realities: multi-market access, settlement cycles, operational complexity, and why the traditional brokerage stack struggles to keep up.

Speakers

Host
Mohammed Al Abadla, Regional Solutions Manager, GCC, ViewTrade

Guests
Ghassan Al Masri, VP, Trading Solutions, ZagTrader
Samer Helbaoui, VP, Gulf Regional Growth, ViewTrade

What changed in “global market access”

A few years ago, brokers typically operated within a limited market scope. Each asset class often had its own platform, and expanding meant adding another system.

Today expansion works differently.
Firms are expected to offer:

• multiple markets
• multiple asset classes
• multiple currencies
• different settlement timelines

Instead of adding separate platforms, infrastructure now has to support everything together. The shift is from single-purpose systems to connected components that operate as one environment.

As Ghassan explains, the challenge is no longer connectivity; it is managing complexity without creating operational risk.

Why firms are rebuilding their platforms

Many existing brokerage systems were designed for:

• one market
• fixed trading hours
• slower settlement cycles
• mostly institutional flow

That structure becomes difficult to operate when markets expand internationally, and trading moves closer to real-time.

Samer notes that this is why so many firms are modernizing simultaneously. The issue isn’t competition; it’s that the assumptions built into older systems no longer match how markets operate.

The GCC’s next stage of growth

The region is moving from rapid development to operational maturity.

The focus is shifting toward:

• consistent liquidity
• broader product availability
• institutional participation
• cross-border participation

Changes in market accessibility, particularly in Saudi Arabia, are part of this trend. The direction is toward simpler participation and stronger integration with global markets.

Avoiding integration problems

One recurring theme in the discussion is what the speakers call “spaghetti integration” — building new connections every time a new market or product is added.

Instead, firms are moving toward:

• a single connectivity gateway
• standardized workflows
• event-driven processing
• real-time monitoring

The goal is simple: expansion should not require rebuilding the system each time.

Three practical priorities for brokers

From the conversation, three operational priorities stand out:

1. Flexible architecture
Platforms must support change without major redevelopment.

2. Operational automation
Manual processes limit scale and increase risk.

3. Multi-market readiness
Clients increasingly expect access to local and international markets from one platform.

Closing thought

The discussion makes one point clear: technology is no longer just supporting brokerage operations. The platform itself defines what a firm can offer and how quickly it can expand.

Markets will continue to evolve, but the real difference between firms will come from whether their infrastructure can adapt without constant rebuilding.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice. Availability of products/services may vary by jurisdiction and is subject to applicable regulations and approvals.