What Sponsorship Really Delivers: Insights from EC Markets at Vision Forex Forum 2026

On 19 March 2026, EC Markets took part in the Vision Forex Forum, hosted by QUBE Events, bringing together senior leaders across brokerage, technology, compliance, and marketing.

The event explored the key forces shaping the industry, from AI-driven transformation and regulatory complexity to client trust, growth, and long-term positioning.

Our Head of Brand Partnerships, Laoura Salveta, co-chaired the event, helping guide discussions across the day alongside leading voices from across the industry.

Across panels, keynotes, and discussions, one theme was clear:

The industry is shifting from visibility-driven growth to trust-driven growth.

Inside the Discussion: The Reality of Sponsorship

As part of the Vision Forex Forum agenda, EC Markets shared a behind-the-scenes perspective on one of the industry’s most discussed topics:

What does sponsorship actually deliver, and how should it be measured?

Too often, sponsorship is evaluated through the lens of performance marketing, impressions, clicks, and short-term attribution. But at this level, that framework is fundamentally flawed.

Sponsorship operates differently. Its value is not immediate or transactional. It is structural.

More Than Visibility: A Strategic Positioning Decision

Our partnership with Liverpool FC was never about visibility alone. It was about alignment.

Aligning EC Markets with one of the most recognised and successful football clubs in the world reinforces a clear position:

We operate at the highest level.

This reflects a broader strategy, working with number one, whether through global partnerships, elite athletes, or institutional-grade infrastructure.

How a Premier League Partnership Works

At this level, sponsorship is not a logo placement. It is a structured, long-term partnership built around consistency, governance, and strategic activation.

Working with Liverpool FC provides access to official club branding, IP, and player imagery, integrated across global campaigns within clearly defined approval frameworks. Every activation is aligned, controlled, and designed to protect both brands.

This is what differentiates top-tier sponsorships from standard marketing activity. It is not about presence, it is about precision.

The Cost vs. The Value

One of the biggest misconceptions in the industry is how sponsorship is measured.

The rights fee is only one part of the investment. Activation—through campaigns, content, events, and partner engagement, plays a critical role in unlocking value.

But cost alone does not define success.

The real differentiator is how effectively the partnership is used to influence perception, build credibility, and support commercial growth.

Where the Real ROI Happens

Sponsorship ROI cannot be measured in the same way as performance marketing.

It is not about clicks or short-term conversions, but about how quickly trust is established, how easily access is gained, and how effectively relationships are built.

Our partnership with Liverpool FC has reshaped how we enter new markets—accelerating trust, strengthening credibility, and enabling us to build meaningful relationships much earlier in the process.

That shift is the real return.

Sponsorship as a Trust Signal

A partnership of this scale requires rigorous validation.

Before becoming an Official Global Partner of Liverpool FC, EC Markets underwent extensive due diligence, covering corporate structure, compliance, operational standards, and reputation. This process was conducted at both club and league level.

The outcome extends beyond the partnership itself.

It signals to the market that EC Markets operates with the highest standards of credibility, transparency, and institutional integrity.

Strengthening Relationships Beyond Marketing

The impact of the partnership extends directly to partners and clients.

Through exclusive experiences, matchday access, and co-branded opportunities, we create engagement that goes beyond digital interaction. These moments strengthen relationships, reinforce loyalty, and support long-term growth.

A Long-Term Investment in Brand Equity

Sponsorship is often misunderstood because it is compared to performance marketing. But the two serve fundamentally different roles.

Performance marketing drives immediate results. Sponsorship builds long-term value.

It shapes perception, accelerates trust, and strengthens how a brand is positioned across markets.

The Takeaway

The discussions at Vision Forex Forum reinforced a clear industry shift:

👉 Growth is no longer driven by visibility alone
👉 Trust, credibility, and positioning are becoming the real competitive edge

Our partnership with Liverpool FC reflects this shift.

It is not just a marketing initiative. It is a strategic investment in how EC Markets is positioned globally, today and in the years ahead.