Boston, September 4, 2013 - Though specialty retail brokers, not unlike hipsters, possess a strong do-it-yourself vein, retail FX and contract-for-difference (CFD) brokers have begun to work increasingly with technology vendors in order to do much with limited resources. New to playing well with vendors, brokers must weigh platform development priorities, consider adding copy-trading capabilities, and wade through issues related to funding and regulation. And vendors seeking to engage retail FX/CFD brokers on strategic development topics must understand brokers' strategic development plans before helping to fashion tactical roadmaps that allow brokers some involvement in development.

This Impact Note by senior analyst Javier Paz reports on trading platform market share, discusses copy-trading traction, and evaluates leading liquidity vendors. It also provides tips for brokers and vendors navigating vendor relationships in retail FX. This report is based on a December 2012 and March 2013 qualitative Aite Group survey of retail FX and CFD brokers as well as an October 2012 to April 2013 Aite Group study of Web traffic patterns to broker websites.

This 30-page Impact Note contains 16 figures and four tables. Clients of Aite Group's Wealth Management service can download the report .