Designed the margin trading terminal that increased revenue and user engagement

Product Design

Research

Web

Desktop App

Designed the end-to-end UX/UI of a new trading tool for an awarded broker, from research and concept development to final implementation. ARPPU (Average revenue per paying user) increased by 17%, and MAU (Monthly active users) grew by 9%.

Designed the margin trading terminal that increased revenue and user engagement

Product Design

Research

Web

Desktop App

Designed the end-to-end UX/UI of a new trading tool for an awarded broker, from research and concept development to final implementation. ARPPU (Average revenue per paying user) increased by 17%, and MAU (Monthly active users) grew by 9%.

Designed the margin trading terminal that increased revenue and user engagement

Product Design

Research

Web

Desktop App

Designed the end-to-end UX/UI of a new trading tool for an awarded broker, from research and concept development to final implementation. ARPPU (Average revenue per paying user) increased by 17%, and MAU (Monthly active users) grew by 9%.

Designed the margin trading terminal that increased revenue and user engagement

Product Design

Research

Web

Desktop App

Designed the end-to-end UX/UI of a new trading tool for an awarded broker, from research and concept development to final implementation. ARPPU (Average revenue per paying user) increased by 17%, and MAU (Monthly active users) grew by 9%.

interface of margin trading platform

My role

As a Product Designer I was involved in every step of the product development process, from research to final implementation. This included analyzing user and business needs, designing the interface, prototyping, testing, and iterating to create a seamless trading experience. I successfully collaborated with CPO, Product Owner, Product Manager, Product Designers, Developers, QA Engineers and Data Scientists.

Skills applied

Competitor Analysis, UX Research, User Flow, Information Architecture, UX Design, Prototyping, Usability Testing, Visual Design.

Project type

B2C, Web and Desktop App

Industry

Fintech

Duration

Jan 2020 – Aug 2021

interface of margin trading platform

My role

As a Product Designer I was involved in every step of the product development process, from research to final implementation. This included analyzing user and business needs, designing the interface, prototyping, testing, and iterating to create a seamless trading experience. I successfully collaborated with CPO, Product Owner, Product Manager, Product Designers, Developers, QA Engineers and Data Scientists.

Skills applied

Competitor Analysis, UX Research, User Flow, Information Architecture, UX Design, Prototyping, Usability Testing, Visual Design.

Project type

B2C, Web and Desktop App

Industry

Fintech

Duration

Jan 2020 – Aug 2021

interface of margin trading platform

My role

As a Product Designer I was involved in every step of the product development process, from research to final implementation. This included analyzing user and business needs, designing the interface, prototyping, testing, and iterating to create a seamless trading experience. I successfully collaborated with CPO, Product Owner, Product Manager, Product Designers, Developers, QA Engineers and Data Scientists.

Skills applied

Competitor Analysis, UX Research, User Flow, Information Architecture, UX Design, Prototyping, Usability Testing, Visual Design.

Project type

B2C, Web and Desktop App

Industry

Fintech

Duration

Jan 2020 – Aug 2021

interface of margin trading platform

My role

As a Product Designer I was involved in every step of the product development process, from research to final implementation. This included analyzing user and business needs, designing the interface, prototyping, testing, and iterating to create a seamless trading experience. I successfully collaborated with CPO, Product Owner, Product Manager, Product Designers, Developers, QA Engineers and Data Scientists.

Skills applied

Competitor Analysis, UX Research, User Flow, Information Architecture, UX Design, Prototyping, Usability Testing, Visual Design.

Project type

B2C, Web and Desktop App

Industry

Fintech

Duration

Jan 2020 – Aug 2021

Introduction

IQ Option is a trading broker that has provided an awarded trading platform for Forex, CFDs (Contract For Difference) and Options since 2013. The platform is localized in 18 languages and available on Web, Desktop and Mobile.

200 +

countries available

140 000 000 +

accounts open

1 600 000 +

trades per day

Introduction

IQ Option is a trading broker that has provided an awarded trading platform for Forex, CFDs (Contract For Difference) and Options since 2013. The platform is localized in 18 languages and available on Web, Desktop and Mobile.

200 +

countries available

140 000 000 +

accounts open

1 600 000 +

trades per day

Introduction

IQ Option is a trading broker that has provided an awarded trading platform for Forex, CFDs (Contract For Difference) and Options since 2013. The platform is localized in 18 languages and available on Web, Desktop and Mobile.

200 +

countries available

140 000 000 +

accounts open

1 600 000 +

trades per day

Introduction

IQ Option is a trading broker that has provided an awarded trading platform for Forex, CFDs (Contract For Difference) and Options since 2013. The platform is localized in 18 languages and available on Web, Desktop and Mobile.

200 +

countries available

140 000 000 +

accounts open

1 600 000 +

trades per day

Problem

One of the broker’s key values is ease of use, making the platform’s trading tools accessible even to beginners. As part of a new strategic goal, the company needed to introduce a new trading tool that could expand the target audience while still maintaining the existing user base.

The platform wasn’t attractive to experienced Forex traders

The trading terminal already supported Forex and CFD trading, but in a simplified format without margin trading. This approach didn’t meet industry standards and wasn’t attractive to seasoned Forex traders, requiring a major upgrade.

The platform wasn’t attractive to experienced Forex traders

The trading terminal already supported Forex and CFD trading, but in a simplified format without margin trading. This approach didn’t meet industry standards and wasn’t attractive to seasoned Forex traders, requiring a major upgrade.

The platform wasn’t attractive to experienced Forex traders

The trading terminal already supported Forex and CFD trading, but in a simplified format without margin trading. This approach didn’t meet industry standards and wasn’t attractive to seasoned Forex traders, requiring a major upgrade.

interface of previous version of trading platform
interface of previous version of trading platform
interface of previous version of trading platform

Previous version of the Forex trading terminal

Challenge

Before starting the project, the team received several key constraints from stakeholders:

The new Forex interface must be intuitive for existing users

One of the main business requirements was to keep the margin trading interface as close as possible to the current Forex version. This would ensure a smooth transition for existing users, allowing them to adopt the new trading and balance type without friction.

The new Forex interface must be intuitive for existing users

One of the main business requirements was to keep the margin trading interface as close as possible to the current Forex version. This would ensure a smooth transition for existing users, allowing them to adopt the new trading and balance type without friction.

The new Forex interface must be intuitive for existing users

One of the main business requirements was to keep the margin trading interface as close as possible to the current Forex version. This would ensure a smooth transition for existing users, allowing them to adopt the new trading and balance type without friction.

Seamless integration with existing trading tools

The new trading tool affected several shared interface elements, including the open positions portfolio, asset selection panel, balance selection panel, and trading history. Ensuring consistency and avoiding conflicts with these elements was a critical challenge.

Seamless integration with existing trading tools

The new trading tool affected several shared interface elements, including the open positions portfolio, asset selection panel, balance selection panel, and trading history. Ensuring consistency and avoiding conflicts with these elements was a critical challenge.

Seamless integration with existing trading tools

The new trading tool affected several shared interface elements, including the open positions portfolio, asset selection panel, balance selection panel, and trading history. Ensuring consistency and avoiding conflicts with these elements was a critical challenge.

Research

1. Learning the ropes

When I started working on this project, I had already contributed to improving other trading tools on the platform and worked on a crypto wallet. However, I had no idea that the existing Forex implementation was “not quite right” compared to industry standards. So, the first step was diving deep into margin trading mechanics.

After hours of studying theory, hands-on practice with competitor trading terminals, and interviews with experts, I identified the key fears that existing platform users might face when transitioning to margin trading.

Potential fears of switching to Margin Forex:

potential fears are complexity, risk of losing money and position monitoring
potential fears are complexity, risk of losing money and position monitoring
potential fears are complexity, risk of losing money and position monitoring

2. Competitor analysis

To understand industry standards and identify user behavior patterns in margin trading, I analyzed key competitors in the market:

  • MetaTrader 4

  • MetaTrader 4

  • MetaTrader 4

  • CTrader

  • CTrader

  • CTrader

  • plus500

  • plus500

  • plus500

  • IG

  • IG

  • IG

interfaces of competitors
interfaces of competitors
interfaces of competitors

Examples of competitors' interface

Through this analysis, I mapped out the features they offer and the common user patterns that experienced margin traders are already familiar with.

Key insights from the analysis:

Complex, professional interfaces

Most competitors have overly complicated interfaces. Since IQ Option is known for its simple and intuitive design, the challenge was to adapt all necessary functionalities without making the platform overwhelming.

Complex, professional interfaces

Most competitors have overly complicated interfaces. Since IQ Option is known for its simple and intuitive design, the challenge was to adapt all necessary functionalities without making the platform overwhelming.

Complex, professional interfaces

Most competitors have overly complicated interfaces. Since IQ Option is known for its simple and intuitive design, the challenge was to adapt all necessary functionalities without making the platform overwhelming.

Portfolio as a detailed table

Margin traders are used to wide, data-rich tables where they can track positions and react quickly to market changes without switching away from price charts.

Portfolio as a detailed table

Margin traders are used to wide, data-rich tables where they can track positions and react quickly to market changes without switching away from price charts.

Portfolio as a detailed table

Margin traders are used to wide, data-rich tables where they can track positions and react quickly to market changes without switching away from price charts.

Easy trade management

Managing an open position (closing trades, adjusting risk management settings etc.) should be easily accessible both in the portfolio and directly on the chart.

Easy trade management

Managing an open position (closing trades, adjusting risk management settings etc.) should be easily accessible both in the portfolio and directly on the chart.

Easy trade management

Managing an open position (closing trades, adjusting risk management settings etc.) should be easily accessible both in the portfolio and directly on the chart.

More complex account balance structure

Margin trading requires traders to track multiple balance parameters to assess their financial standing effectively.

More complex account balance structure

Margin trading requires traders to track multiple balance parameters to assess their financial standing effectively.

More complex account balance structure

Margin trading requires traders to track multiple balance parameters to assess their financial standing effectively.

3. Interface overlap analysis

Next, I identified which interface components the new trading tool would share with other existing tools. To avoid conflicts, I held meetings with Product Owners from other teams to determine the extent of possible changes in overlapping sections.

scheme of interface overlaps. Overlap areas are portfolio, balance selector, trading history, asset selector
scheme of interface overlaps. Overlap areas are portfolio, balance selector, trading history, asset selector
scheme of interface overlaps. Overlap areas are portfolio, balance selector, trading history, asset selector

Key interface overlaps and challenges

Testing

Throughout the project, we conducted experiments, A/B tests and UX testing to refine the interface. After launching the new margin trading interface, I regularly hosted trading sessions with traders of different experience levels. This helped me identify usability issues, make necessary improvements and map out further enhancements for the future.

User flow

To map out how the tool works and structure the information properly, I created a user flow. This helped outline different user scenarios, both positive and negative, and ensured that all processes had a logical conclusion. Later, I also developed detailed user flows for specific platform features.

user flow diagram
user flow diagram

User flow diagram

User flow

To map out how the tool works and structure the information properly, I created a user flow. This helped outline different user scenarios, both positive and negative, and ensured that all processes had a logical conclusion. Later, I also developed detailed user flows for specific platform features.

user flow diagram

User flow diagram

Key features

Below you can find a brief overview of the work done on several key features of the margin trading tool.

Key features

Below you can find a brief overview of the work done on several key features of the margin trading tool.

Final solution

After multiple iterations and testing rounds, I developed the final interface that maintains continuity with the previous trading terminal, as required by stakeholders, while fully meeting margin trading standards.

The video below demonstrates the functionality of the updated interface.

Results

After launching the new margin trading tool, we received positive feedback from trial users, some of whom had previously traded on competitor platforms. Additionally, we significantly improved following key product metrics:

+17%

increase in ARPPU (average revenue per paying user)

+17%

increase in ARPPU (average revenue per paying user)

+17%

increase in ARPPU (average revenue per paying user)

+9%

increase in MAU
(monthly active users)

+9%

increase in MAU
(monthly active users)

+9%

increase in MAU
(monthly active users)

These results show a significant boost in user engagement and revenue per paying user after implementing the new trading tool. The feature has been successfully launched and is now available in all supported countries.

Takeaways

New tools, new knowledge

Working on this project significantly expanded my knowledge of finance and trading. I became quicker at identifying product issues and finding solutions, and it also helped me communicate more confidently with platform experts in their language.

New tools, new knowledge

Working on this project significantly expanded my knowledge of finance and trading. I became quicker at identifying product issues and finding solutions, and it also helped me communicate more confidently with platform experts in their language.

Collaboration with other teams is key to success

Since this tool impacted almost every part of the platform, from trading itself to deposits and withdrawals, I spent a lot of time working with different teams. Constant communication with developers, analysts, legal, customer support and marketing helped avoid many potential roadblocks on the way to release.

Collaboration with other teams is key to success

Since this tool impacted almost every part of the platform, from trading itself to deposits and withdrawals, I spent a lot of time working with different teams. Constant communication with developers, analysts, legal, customer support and marketing helped avoid many potential roadblocks on the way to release.

Big challenges, big wins

At first, the project felt massive and a bit overwhelming. But once I broke it down into smaller steps and prioritized tasks, it all started coming together. Challenges can seem intimidating, but they always lead to growth!

Big challenges, big wins

At first, the project felt massive and a bit overwhelming. But once I broke it down into smaller steps and prioritized tasks, it all started coming together. Challenges can seem intimidating, but they always lead to growth!

Takeaways

New tools, new knowledge

Working on this project significantly expanded my knowledge of finance and trading. I became quicker at identifying product issues and finding solutions, and it also helped me communicate more confidently with platform experts in their language.

Collaboration with other teams is key to success

Since this tool impacted almost every part of the platform, from trading itself to deposits and withdrawals, I spent a lot of time working with different teams. Constant communication with developers, analysts, legal, customer support and marketing helped avoid many potential roadblocks on the way to release.

Big challenges, big wins

At first, the project felt massive and a bit overwhelming. But once I broke it down into smaller steps and prioritized tasks, it all started coming together. Challenges can seem intimidating, but they always lead to growth!

  • Let's connect.

khristina.kuklina@gmail.com

Khristina Kuklina ©️ 2025

  • Let's connect.

khristina.kuklina@gmail.com

Khristina Kuklina ©️ 2025

  • Let's connect.

khristina.kuklina@gmail.com

Khristina Kuklina ©️ 2025

  • Let's connect.

khristina.kuklina@gmail.com

Khristina Kuklina ©️ 2025