Cyprus leads online trading sector hiring despite global recruitment decline

Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus remained the leading global hiring location for online trading firms as of July 14, 2026, with 226 vacancies, despite a sharp decline in recruitment across the sector, according to Cyprus-based marketing agency FYI.LTD.

The country accounted for 11.1 per cent of 2,030 open positions recorded at 92 crypto exchanges, CFD brokers and prop trading firms.

Global hiring figures

Cyprus had a larger share of vacancies than any other country, followed by Singapore with 9.1 per cent, Hong Kong with 6.4 per cent and the United Arab Emirates with 5.8 per cent.

Overall vacancies at the 92 companies fell from 2,772 in the second quarter to 2,030 in the third quarter, a decline of about 27 per cent.

The reduction was most pronounced among CFD brokers, where vacancies declined by about 36 per cent. Crypto-sector hiring fell more moderately, while prop trading firms increased recruitment from a relatively small base.

Demand for AI skills

The research identified a gradual shift in the skills sought by employers, with artificial intelligence increasingly appearing in job descriptions across the sector.

“Cyprus has been an operational hub for fintech companies for many years. As AI becomes more widely used, repetitive tasks and roles focused mainly on execution may come under pressure,” said Christian Görgen, founder of FYI.LTD and author of the research.

“But AI also creates new opportunities. With its experienced talent pool, international business community and relatively straightforward company setup, Cyprus has the potential to become a hub for AI start-ups,” he added.

Fintech presence

Cyprus has long been a centre for fintech and online trading companies, supported by its licensing environment, tax system and established pool of specialised workers.

The latest figures indicate that the country’s role in the sector remained strong despite the broader cooling in recruitment.