Why FX Brokers Should Add Cross-Border Payment Services: The Strategic Shift to Full-Service Platforms

FX brokers are missing a major revenue stream sitting right in front of them.

Every day, your brokerage clients need to make international payments—for property purchases, supplier invoices, or investment funding. Yet most brokers focus exclusively on currency conversion, leaving the actual payment transmission to banks who charge premium rates while you earn nothing.

This isn’t just about missed revenue. It’s about an incomplete client experience that weakens your position as their trusted financial advisor.

I recently spoke with an FX broker in London who calculated the opportunity cost. His firm was directing clients to banks for payment transmission after handling their currency conversion—effectively surrendering a significant revenue stream from clients they’d already acquired and serviced.

The Revenue Gap FX Brokers Miss

Traditional FX operations have focused exclusively on currency trading, creating a critical business limitation:

• You handle the conversion, earning from the spread
• Banks capture the payment transmission fees
• Your clients deal with multiple providers
• You lose visibility once funds leave your platform
• Your position as the trusted advisor weakens

The global nature of forex demands broader capabilities. Your clients are already engaged in international transactions—why not offer them a complete solution?

Why Brokers Need to Offer International Payments

The strategic case for adding payment capabilities is compelling:

1. Global Market Reality
   The forex market is inherently global. Your clients already operate internationally and need payment solutions that match this reality.
2. Client Base Expansion
   Supporting various currencies and payment methods attracts traders from diverse regions with different preferences.
3. Transaction Streamlining
   International payments can be complex. By offering specialized solutions, you can deliver faster, more efficient transactions.
4. Competitive Edge
   Full-service capabilities give you a distinct advantage in a crowded market where basic currency conversion has become commoditized.
5. Supporting Global Trade
   Your clients need to pay suppliers and receive customer payments in different currencies. Offering both conversion and transmission keeps them in your ecosystem.

A London broker who added payment capabilities told me: “This isn’t about adding a service after conversion—it’s about offering a complete solution from the start. Now we handle both parts and our clients thank us for simplifying the process.”

The Strategic Advantages Beyond Fee Revenue

Forward-thinking brokers see that payment capabilities deliver benefits beyond just capturing fees:

• Stronger Client Retention
  Clients using both services show dramatically higher loyalty rates.
• Higher Transaction Volume
  Full-service clients typically consolidate more of their FX business with a single provider.
• Complete Transaction Intelligence
  End-to-end visibility provides valuable insights into client payment patterns and needs.
• Natural Cross-Selling Opportunities
  Payment flows reveal patterns that create openings for additional FX services.

The brokerage model is evolving from transaction-focused to relationship-focused. Payment capabilities aren’t just an add-on—they complete your client offering and strengthen your position as a true financial partner.

Implementation Without Building Infrastructure

The practical question: how do you add payment capabilities without the regulatory and technical headaches?

Smart brokers use white-label payment technology that lets them:

• Launch branded payment capabilities immediately
• Process payments through established rails
• Control pricing and client experience
• Skip costly infrastructure development
• Avoid additional licensing requirements

This approach lets you focus on client relationships and FX expertise while adding substantial new revenue through a technology partnership.

How Sciopay Makes This Possible Today

Sciopay’s white-label payment platform solves these exact challenges for FX brokers. As a tech-first, FCA regulated supplier, we handle all the complex parts—payment infrastructure, compliance, banking relationships—while you maintain complete control of client relationships.

Your clients execute FX trades and send payments through your branded platform with access to 50+ currencies. You control pricing, client experience, and retain complete transaction visibility. The entire process stays within your brand, with all compliance and regulatory requirements managed behind the scenes.

Launch in as little as a day, with no code requirements and no upfront costs. Your clients get better rates and faster service while staying within your branded experience, and you capture revenue from conversations you’re already having about currency movement. While banks have traditionally profited from these payment flows, your brokerage can now claim your share of this value by providing a better solution directly under your brand.