Nasdaq membership enables Alpaca to connect directly to the exchange’s order book, offering clients access to a broad range of order types and the full depth of liquidity.  “Our Nasdaq membership demonstrates Alpaca’s maturity and advancement in the financial markets,” said Tony Lee, Global Head of Brokerage. The milestone follows the company’s recent approvals from the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (FICC) and the Options Clearing Corporation (OCC), as well as existing DTCC clearing status.  Together, these achievements mark Alpaca’s expansion across equities, options, and fixed income markets. “Becoming a Nasdaq member further strengthens the full-stack foundation we’re building with our in-house technology and brokerage,” said CEO and Co-Founder Yoshi Yokokawa.  The company said the move positions it to scale further as an independent market participant offering direct market access and efficient trade execution. The post Alpaca Gains Nasdaq Membership to Strengthen U.S. Market Presence appeared first on LeapRate.

The move follows Webull’s introduction of U.S. government bond trading earlier this year and marks what the company called a “key milestone” in its fixed income strategy.  With transaction spreads set at just 0.10% and a $10 minimum per trade, Webull argues that it offers one of the most cost-effective platforms for retail access to corporate bonds. “Corporate bonds are a key part of a diversified portfolio, and we’re proud to make them more accessible,” said Anthony Denier, Group President and U.S. CEO. “As more investors look to individual bonds for diversification, income, and capital preservation, we’re continuing to deliver a seamless, best-in-class experience.” The new offering includes both investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds denominated in U.S. dollars and rated by S&P.  Webull said all listed bonds must meet liquidity and credit quality standards, with the service initially available to U.S. customers before planned international expansion. Webull has been expanding aggressively into fixed income markets since early 2025, introducing fractional bond trading and access to U.S. Treasuries.  The company said predictable income streams and capital stability make corporate bonds increasingly appealing to retail investors amid volatile equity markets. The post Webull Expands into Corporate Bond Trading for U.S. Investors appeared first on LeapRate.

The extension allows CME Group to continue offering futures, options on futures, and over-the-counter cleared products based on FTSE Russell indexes, including the Russell 1000, Russell 2000, FTSE Developed Europe, and FTSE China 50. “We are very pleased to extend our licensing agreement and partnership with FTSE Russell,” said Tim McCourt, Global Head of Equities, FX and Alternative Products at CME Group.  “Our FTSE Russell futures and options have grown substantially over our decades-long partnership, offering clients deep liquidity and the potential for greater capital efficiencies when they trade across our equity complex.” Fiona Bassett, CEO of FTSE Russell, said: “The continued growth in trading volumes across FTSE Russell-linked products reflects the strength of our indexes and the value they bring to investors looking to measure performance across the global equity market.” Since their last renewal in 2015, more than 573 million FTSE Russell-linked contracts have traded on CME Group.  The exchange reported an average daily volume of 306,000 contracts this year across Russell futures and options, underscoring strong investor demand for transparent and efficient index-based exposure. The post CME Group and FTSE Russell Extend Index Derivatives Partnership to 2037 appeared first on LeapRate.

Under the deal, Corpay invested approximately $550 million for a 34% equity stake in the company, with an option to purchase the remaining shares at a later date.  The transaction, first announced in May, takes AvidXchange private as both firms aim to accelerate their growth trajectory. “We expect the transaction to be slightly accretive to the fourth quarter of 2025, and accretive to Corpay earnings in 2026,” said Ron Clarke, Chairman and CEO of Corpay. “The combined team is squarely focused on accelerating revenue and profit growth to a place where we would exercise our option to purchase the remaining equity.” John Flynn and Tim Millikin, partners at TPG, said the partnership would help “fully realise the potential within AvidXchange,” adding that Corpay’s involvement brings “additional perspective and insight” to strengthen performance. The deal positions Corpay to further expand its footprint in the rapidly growing business payments sector, where automation and digital workflows are increasingly in demand. The post Corpay and TPG Complete AvidXchange Take-Private Deal appeared first on LeapRate.

Under the deal, all issued and outstanding shares of Aplo were exchanged for newly issued ordinary shares of Coincheck Group.  The transaction marks a strategic move by Coincheck to deepen its institutional capabilities and broaden its presence in global digital asset markets. Aplo, named “Prime Broker of the Year (EMEA)” at the 2025 Hedgeweek Global Digital Asset Awards, serves more than 60 institutional clients, including hedge funds, asset managers, banks, and large corporates. All four founders will remain with the company following the acquisition. The companies plan to expand Aplo’s offerings, including cross-margining and deferred settlement to improve capital efficiency, and to extend liquidity access across jurisdictions.  They also aim to provide B2B2C solutions enabling banks to use Aplo’s trading infrastructure for client services. Coincheck said the deal would accelerate innovation in digital asset trading infrastructure and strengthen its institutional offering. Galaxy Digital Partners acted as exclusive financial adviser to Aplo, while legal counsel was provided by Squair for Aplo and De Brauw and Jeantet for Coincheck Group. The post Coincheck Group Completes Acquisition of Institutional Broker Aplo SAS appeared first on LeapRate.

The service will be provided by Euroclear, which holds over €41 trillion in assets under custody. The new model reportedly allows members to hold securities with Euroclear and use a single instruction to transfer multiple securities to LME Clear to meet margin requirements.  This is expected to replace the current manual process that requires individual transfers for each security, reducing complexity, costs, and settlement risks. Barry Gethin, LME Clear’s Head of Collateral and Liquidity Services, said: “Introducing a triparty service will allow members to reduce their operational burden and make optimal choices about the securities they provide as collateral.” Under the triparty arrangement, Euroclear will manage administration and determine whether securities meet LME Clear’s eligibility requirements, helping members optimise asset use and efficiency.  The system will also allow a wider range of acceptable securities, including U.S. and U.K. inflation-linked bonds. Sara Cescutti, Chief Commercial Officer for EMEA at Euroclear, said the partnership highlights Euroclear’s “vital role we play in supporting clients and other market infrastructures to optimise collateral allocation, minimise settlement fails, and reduce credit usage.” LME Clear also announced changes to its Offshore Renminbi (CNH) cash collateral service from 1 November, including adjustments to the interest paid on CNH to make it a more attractive option for clearing members. The post LME Clear Launches Triparty Collateral Service appeared first on LeapRate.

The move is said to expand on the company’s commitment to two of the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets. The investment builds on earlier funding rounds from Coinbase Ventures and underscores the company’s confidence in the region’s role in shaping the “future global onchain economy.” CoinDCX, which focuses on retail trading, has grown rapidly to serve over 20.4 million users. As of July 2025, it reported annualised group revenue of ₹1,179 crore ($141 million), transaction volumes of ₹13.7 lakh crore ($165 billion), and assets under custody exceeding ₹10,000 crore ($1.2 billion). The exchange has also expanded its operations across the Middle East. “With over 1.4 billion people, high tech adoption, and over 100 million crypto owners, India and the Middle East are set to play a big role in the future of crypto,” Coinbase said. Coinbase, which already operates in the region and partners with several local firms, said the move reinforces its long-term strategy to support builders and increase access to trusted digital asset infrastructure. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The post Coinbase Invests in CoinDCX to Strengthen India and Middle East Presence appeared first on LeapRate.

The New York-based broker-dealer, registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a member of FINRA, said its new retail platform, called SoloTex, will debut in the fourth quarter of 2025.  The platform will allow investors to swap stablecoins for U.S. equities such as Apple or Tesla, with each purchase represented as a “stock token” in their crypto wallet. Each token corresponds 1:1 with a share of the underlying stock, held in custody by a clearing broker, and carries full shareholder rights, including dividends and voting. SoloTex also supports extended trading hours to align with the 24-hour nature of digital asset markets. “I believe Texture Capital’s FINRA approval will pave the way to a new era of tokenised capital markets,” said Richard Johnson, CEO of Texture Capital. “SoloTex enables crypto users to reallocate from USDC and buy any stocks such as Apple or Tesla, see those assets alongside their existing crypto holdings, and still receive the protections and benefits of real share ownership.” Mike McCluskey, CEO of Sologenic, said the launch delivers on the promise to bring traditional finance to Web3. Unlike offshore or synthetic products, SoloTex offers direct exposure to regulated U.S. equities, reducing counterparty risks and ensuring full shareholder protections. The post Texture Capital Wins FINRA Approval to Trade Tokenised U.S. Stocks appeared first on LeapRate.

NVIDIA’s AI Empire: Solidifying the Moat or Building a House of Cards? Nvidia recently announced a strategic cooperation intent, planning to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI. This investment is closely linked to the deployment of at least 10 gigawatts of Nvidia systems, aimed at supporting OpenAI’s next-generation AI infrastructure, with the first phase using its Vera Rubin platform by 2026. This is not just an investment; it’s a self-reinforcing business cycle. Nvidia provides funding to OpenAI, and OpenAI then uses these funds to purchase Nvidia’s core products (GPUs, networking systems), thereby effectively securing a large and long-term order channel, injecting strong momentum into both parties’ revenue growth.  Strategically, this move also helps Nvidia defend its moat by discouraging OpenAI from developing its own chips or turning to rivals like Broadcom, which already has a $10 billion order from OpenAI. This investment can also be seen as a defensive move, aimed at preventing OpenAI from developing its own custom chips or deepening its cooperation with competitors like Broadcom, with whom OpenAI has already signed a $10 billion order. Apple’s Pragmatic Shift: From Vision to Sight Apple is reportedly pausing development of the next Vision Pro to focus on AI-powered smart glasses. The Vision Pro’s steep price, limited ecosystem, and physical constraints have curbed mass-market appeal. This pivot signals Apple’s pragmatic realization: the path to mainstream adoption lies in lighter, more accessible devices. The company is now developing two models — a simpler iPhone-linked version and a standalone display model competing directly with Meta’s Ray-Ban line. The move doesn’t abandon spatial computing; it redefines it. Apple’s challenge now is to prove it can turn “Apple Intelligence” into a truly competitive AI platform rather than a catch-up effort against Google and OpenAI. Meta’s Ambitious: Software to hardware while defending the core. Meta remains ahead in the consumer AI hardware race. Its partnership with Ray-Ban has already produced multiple smart glass generations, with the latest Ray-Ban Display priced around $800. But while it leads in innovation, Meta faces existential threats in Europe. Over 80 Spanish media companies have filed a €550 million lawsuit, joined by similar actions in France. Its “consent or pay” model also faces scrutiny under the GDPR and Digital Services Act (DSA). For Meta, hardware isn’t just a growth strategy — it’s survival. The company’s advertising-based revenue model is under attack, pushing it to build new ecosystems where it controls data rules and monetization. Smart glasses and AR platforms could become its next self-contained universe, shielding it from Europe’s tightening regulations. Microsoft’s Quiet Restructuring for the Future of its AI Center While Apple and Meta race for consumer dominance, Microsoft is fortifying its position through structural change. The company has reshuffled leadership, appointing Judson Althoff to lead commercial operations so Satya Nadella can focus on AI architecture and product innovation. Meanwhile, Pavan Davuluri now oversees all Windows engineering — a move designed to accelerate the shift toward an “Agentic OS”, an AI-driven system that performs tasks autonomously. Rather than chase new hardware, Microsoft is embedding AI deeply into its core businesses — Azure, Windows, and Microsoft 365. Its success will be measured by Azure AI consumption, Copilot subscriptions, and higher enterprise license value. It’s a defensive yet powerful approach: using AI to reinforce, not reinvent, its trillion-dollar ecosystem. USTEC reached the 100% Fibonacci Extension at around 24955 before retracing. The index awaits a potential breakout from the range of 24800-24955. If USTEC breaks above 24955, the index may test the 161% Fibonacci Extension at around 25265. Conversely, returning below 24700-24800 may lead to a retest of EMA21 and the channel’s lower bound.   Nasdaq’s Balancing Act The Nasdaq 100 recently reached the 100% Fibonacci Extension around 24,955 before retracing. The index is now consolidating between 24,800–24,955, awaiting a breakout. A move above 24,955 could open the way toward the 161% Fibonacci Extension at 25,265. A drop below 24,700–24,800 could lead to a retest of the EMA21 and the channel’s lower boundary. The index’s performance will ultimately reflect how these competing forces play out: Nvidia’s infrastructure investments fueling AI demand. Apple and Meta’s hardware rivalry defining the next consumer platform. Microsoft’s steady enterprise integration providing balance. Meta’s regulatory challenges adding idiosyncratic risk. The post The Next Tech Cycle: How AI Leaders Will Redefine the Nasdaq’s Trajectory appeared first on LeapRate.

The new futures contract, which is subject to regulatory approval, will be based on the Hang Seng Biotech Index, which tracks the 30 largest southbound Stock Connect-eligible biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies listed in Hong Kong. Gregory Yu, HKEX’s Head of Markets, said: “Driven by innovation and strong global healthcare demand, the biotech industry is one of the most exciting frontiers in capital markets today.  He added that the new Hang Seng Biotech Index Futures will expand investor access to the sector’s potential and provide a “robust hedging tool.” HKEX said the product would further support Hong Kong’s role as Asia’s leading derivatives and risk management hub, offering investors a way to manage exposure to one of the region’s most dynamic sectors. Since HKEX’s 2018 listing reforms, biotech and healthcare listings have surged. More than 260 companies are now listed in the sector, with a combined market capitalisation exceeding HK$4.8 trillion, up 400% since 2018. HKEX said margin rates and additional details will be announced ahead of the product’s launch. The post HKEX to Launch Hang Seng Biotech Index Futures in November appeared first on LeapRate.

The agreement will give Barclays access to SIX’s suite of financial information services, including real-time market data, regulatory reporting tools, and cross-asset data solutions, covering its investment banking, retail, wealth, and corporate businesses. Barclays will also collaborate with SIX on product development and the creation of new data-driven solutions.  The deal comes as the bank undertakes a strategic overhaul aimed at simplifying operations and cutting £2 billion in costs by 2026. Marion Leslie, Head of Financial Information and Executive Board Member at SIX, said the partnership “will play a pivotal role in Barclays’ impressive growth story,” adding that access to advanced data capabilities will be “essential in protecting margins and laying the foundations for growth.” Georges Lauchard, Chief Operating Officer for Global Markets and Wholesale Lending at Barclays, said: “Accelerating our digital transformation with the help of leading market data vendors like SIX is a central tenet of our expansion strategy.” The partnership also strengthens SIX’s international footprint, aligning with its recent product launches, including new fixed income and digital assets data services, as it expands its reach in key global markets such as the U.S. and Asia. The post SIX and Barclays Agree Seven-Year Strategic Partnership appeared first on LeapRate.

The new entity will operate under a licence from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Julie Winkler, Chief Commercial Officer at CME Group, said: “Surging institutional and retail participation in financial markets has fuelled demand for broader trading access in the Middle East.  Winkler added that the firm’s new office will “accelerate our ability to help clients manage risk and pursue opportunities in some of the world’s most important benchmark products.” Serge Marston, Head of EMEA, added that the Dubai base will serve as the company’s “Middle East hub,” offering clients across the region “a higher level of service than ever before.” Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, welcomed CME Group’s arrival, calling it “a testament to Dubai’s strategic role as a global financial hub.” The office will be led by Sharif Jaghman, Head of Middle East and Africa, who brings nearly two decades of financial services experience, including senior roles at the New York Stock Exchange and Euronext. CME Group offers futures, options, and cash markets across major asset classes, including interest rates, equities, FX, energy, metals, agriculture, and cryptocurrency.  Earlier this year, it launched trading in the spot U.S. Dollar/United Arab Emirates Dirham (USD/AED) pair on EBS Market, reflecting growing regional demand for local currency instruments. The post CME Group Opens Dubai Office to Expand Middle East Presence appeared first on LeapRate.

The add-on was originally applied following a 2020 investigation into governance and risk shortcomings at the bank.  Westpac subsequently entered a Court Enforceable Undertaking with APRA and established its Customer Outcomes and Risk Excellence (CORE) Programme to address the identified issues. APRA said it was satisfied that Westpac had completed its remediation work and that “the specific prudential issues identified by APRA have been addressed.” APRA Member Therese McCarthy Hockey said: “As a systemically important bank, APRA expects Westpac to hold itself to the requisite standard of prudent risk management and governance practices. Completion of this risk transformation program is a vital step in ensuring these expectations are consistently met.” The regulator first imposed a total A$1 billion capital add-on in 2019, removing half of it in July 2024 as progress was made.  With the remaining A$500 million now lifted, APRA said it expects Westpac to maintain its “unquestionably strong capital position” and continue embedding effective risk management practices. The post APRA Confirms Westpac Has Met Risk Transformation Obligations appeared first on LeapRate.

Based in Hong Kong, Chun will oversee Tradeweb’s business operations, client engagement, and strategic growth initiatives throughout Asia Pacific. Chun brings over 30 years of experience in global markets, including senior trading and portfolio management roles at HPS Investment Partners, Claren Road Asset Management, and Citigroup. Enrico Bruni, Co-Head of Global Markets, said: “Rich Chun brings extensive industry insight to help us deepen relationships and deliver even more value to the local investment community.” Chun joins at a time of strong performance for Tradeweb’s international business, which reported a 41% year-over-year revenue increase in the second quarter of 2025. “I am honoured to join Tradeweb at such a dynamic time for financial services in Asia,” Chun said. “Tradeweb has earned its reputation as a trusted partner and innovator across asset classes.” Tradeweb has offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo, and has played a pioneering role in opening China’s bond markets through initiatives such as Bond Connect and Swap Connect.  In the first three quarters of 2025, total traded volume in Yen interest rate swaps and Japanese Government Bonds rose 67.3% and 24.6% year-over-year, respectively. Troy Dixon, Co-Head of Global Markets, said Chun’s appointment reflects Tradeweb’s commitment to “investing in top talent” and scaling its regional operations. The post Tradeweb Appoints Rich Chun as Head of Asia appeared first on LeapRate.

Phillip Wu will join HKEX as Managing Director, Head of Trading Operations, on 20 October 2025. He will oversee trading operations across the cash and derivatives markets and report to Xu Liang, Head of Operations. Vanessa Lau, HKEX’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome Phillip Wu to the HKEX family. Phillip is a seasoned senior operations executive who has successfully showcased his adaptability and strategic vision in the ever-evolving financial landscape.” Wu previously served as Managing Director, Group Chief Control Officer for HSBC’s Global Operations, and spent 16 years at J.P. Morgan, rising to Managing Director. He holds a Master of Economics from the University of Hong Kong and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Commerce from the University of British Columbia. HKEX also named Sally Kwok as Managing Director, Head of Connect, effective 1 January 2026. In her new role, Kwok will lead a consolidated Connect team within the Markets Division, bringing together HKEX’s cross-border initiatives across asset classes. Gregory Yu, Head of Markets, said: “Connect is one of the Group’s most important and successful franchises, and Sally’s vision and expertise will be vital to its next chapter of growth.” Kwok, currently Co-Head of Trading, has spent over 17 years at HKEX and holds a Master of Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Oxford. The post HKEX Names New Heads of Trading Operations and Connect appeared first on LeapRate.

The move aims to enable financial institutions to securely build and deploy “agentic AI” tools within their existing workflows. Through an LSEG-managed Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, customers will be able to connect Copilot Studio with LSEG’s trusted data, including content from its Workspace and Financial Analytics products.  The integration will allow professionals to build low-code AI agents that combine human expertise with large language models, streamlining research and decision-making. “LSEG’s partnership with Microsoft is transforming access to data for financial professionals with cutting-edge, AI-driven innovation at scale,” said David Schwimmer, LSEG’s chief executive.  He added that customers can “build, deploy and scale agentic AI directly into their workflows with secure, seamless connectivity through MCP.” Microsoft’s Nick Parker, chief business officer, said the collaboration redefines the future of financial services “through secure, AI-driven innovation,” combining LSEG’s data depth with Microsoft’s AI infrastructure. The partnership is part of LSEG’s AI strategy, ‘LSEG Everywhere’, which aims to deliver more than 33 petabytes of financial data to power AI across the financial sector.  The rollout will begin with LSEG Financial Analytics, with broader access to follow, enabling a unified and secure AI ecosystem across global financial institutions. The post LSEG and Microsoft Deepen Partnership to Bring AI-Ready Financial Data Into Workflows appeared first on LeapRate.

EzyCollect, based in Sydney, serves over 1,100 small and mid-sized businesses managing A$19 billion in receivables.  The acquisition, valued at about €37 million, will expand Sidetrade’s reach across three continents, Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific,  positioning the group as a global O2C leader. Sidetrade CEO Olivier Novasque said: “With ezyCollect, Sidetrade has all the assets required to achieve its global ambitions. This proposed acquisition opens immediate access to Asia-Pacific, one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions.” Founded in 2014, ezyCollect achieved a 28% compound annual growth rate over the past three years and expects 2025 revenues of A$14 million (€8 million). EzyCollect CEO Arjun Singh called the deal “a giant leap for all mid-market companies we already help succeed,” adding that Sidetrade’s AI capabilities will bring enterprise-level efficiency to SMBs worldwide. The acquisition, Sidetrade’s largest to date, will make Asia-Pacific account for roughly 13% of group revenue from 2026. The post Sidetrade Signs Binding Agreements to Acquire ezyCollect appeared first on LeapRate.

The exchange explained that the surge was driven by heightened activity in gold and silver markets as investors sought to hedge against geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty.  The exchange’s newly launched 1-Ounce Gold futures also reached record volumes, reflecting growing retail participation. “As geopolitical and macroeconomic shifts drive uncertainty, clients from around the world are turning to our metals futures and options in record numbers,” said Jin Hennig, CME Group’s Managing Director and Global Head of Metals. Additional single-day records included 1,877,878 metals futures contracts, 741,822 Micro Gold futures, 132,584 Micro Silver futures, and 77,946 1-Ounce Gold futures. CME also saw record open interest in Micro Silver and Gold Weekly options. CME Group offers benchmark products across both precious and industrial metals, providing global investors with tools to manage exposure and price risk.  The post CME Group Metals Trading Hits Record Volume Amid Market Volatility appeared first on LeapRate.

In a press release, Euroclear said the move marked a significant step toward modernising France’s €310 billion short-term debt market through Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). The project aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and security for issuers and investors, while reducing administrative burdens in Europe’s largest short-term debt market.  The pilot phase is expected to begin at the end of 2026, in line with the Eurosystem’s Pontes project, which will support the rollout of an interconnected wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Euroclear’s DLT-based platform will prioritise interoperability, enabling seamless integration with financial infrastructures and facilitating future CBDC use. “Tokenising NEU CP is a strategic step toward building a more modern, efficient, resilient, and interconnected market infrastructure,” said Isabelle Delorme, Head of Product Strategy and Innovation at Euroclear. “This initiative will reinforce France’s position as a leading hub for short-term financing.” Emmanuelle Assouan, Director General for Financial Stability and Operations at Banque de France, added that the project “is fully in line” with the firm’s ambition of an “even more automated and transparent market” and represents “a strategic segment for deploying the Eurosystem Wholesale CBDC from 2026 onwards.” The collaboration builds on earlier innovation efforts between the two institutions, including France’s first digitally native note issued in November 2024. The post Banque de France and Euroclear to Tokenise Short-Term Debt Market in Paris appeared first on LeapRate.

Through the license, XS.com has established a new entity in the UAE. The new entity, operating under the UAE’s respected regulatory framework, is expected to enhance XS.com’s ability to serve traders in one of the world’s top financial hubs.  The firm described the approval as a strong endorsement of its transparency, compliance, and commitment to client protection. “Securing our new SCA license in UAE is a moment of pride for everyone at XS.com and a powerful validation of the credibility we have built over the years,” said Shadi Salloum, regional director for MENA. The SCA license joins XS.com’s expanding list of international authorisations, including those from ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), FSCA (South Africa), and FSC (Mauritius), among others.  The firm said the move would further cement its reputation as a “broker of trust and credibility” while positioning it for sustained expansion across the Middle East and beyond. XS.com noted that its presence in the UAE reinforces its mission to deliver regulated, technology-driven trading experiences that meet the highest global standards. The post XS.com Secures UAE SCA License appeared first on LeapRate.