According to FINRA’s Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent, the firm conducted securities business on nine occasions between November 2020 and April 2023 while below the capital levels required under U.S. securities law. Net capital deficiencies ranged from around $1,000 to $33,000, FINRA said. During the same period, Madison Global Partners took part in firm commitment offerings without first seeking approval for the material change in its business model.  Its membership agreement is said to have required a minimum net capital of $5,000 and prohibited participation in such offerings. However, the activity demanded at least $50,000 in net capital and regulatory approval, which the firm had not obtained. The breaches were identified during a FINRA examination in 2023. After being notified, Madison Global Partners corrected the shortfall and secured approval to engage in firm commitment underwritings. FINRA said the conduct violated Section 15(c)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Exchange Act Rule 15c3-1, and FINRA Rules 4110(b)(1), 1017 and 2010, which require firms to uphold high standards of commercial honour. Madison Global Partners accepted the findings without admitting or denying them and agreed to pay the fine. The post FINRA Fines Madison Global Partners $20,000 Over Capital Rule Breaches appeared first on LeapRate.

McTighe, who has chaired the online trading and investments firm since February 2020, said the time was right to pass on the role. “It has been a great honour and privilege to lead the Board over the past five years. I am grateful for the trust and support I have received from colleagues. With solid foundations laid for stronger growth, I am confident that under Breon Corcoran’s leadership, IG will go from strength to strength,” he said. Jonathan Moulds, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, paid tribute to McTighe’s contribution. “On behalf of the Board and all our colleagues at IG, I want to thank Mike for his guidance and leadership over the past five years,” Moulds said. McTighe will stand for re-election at the company’s Annual General Meeting on 17 September 2025 to ensure continuity during the succession process. IG confirmed that the search for his replacement is already under way. During McTighe’s tenure, IG strengthened its position as a leading global trading platform and oversaw strategic investments aimed at diversifying its product offering. The post IG Group Chairman Mike McTighe to Step Down by End of 2025 appeared first on LeapRate.

The swissSPTC on Friday published recommendations for a smooth transition from the current T+2 cycle, reflecting a wider global shift to faster settlement.  North America adopted T+1 in 2024, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein see the change as crucial to maintaining competitiveness, reducing counterparty risk and bolstering market stability. SIX said more than 20 organisations from across the financial ecosystem contributed to the swissSPTC’s analysis, including trading venues, clearing and settlement providers, banks, issuers and industry associations. Authorities were kept closely involved throughout. The recommendations, developed by a dedicated T+1 Task Force, are structured across six workstreams covering operational processes, international alignment, liquidity management, legal and regulatory considerations, insights from North America and stakeholder communication.  The swissSPTC said the recommendations are intended to be living guidance and could be adapted if market or regulatory conditions change before implementation. SIX, which operates the domestic market infrastructure, is incorporating the council’s requirements into its own T+1 project. The framework will apply to all transferable securities traded on Swiss venues and settled through SIX SIS, the Swiss central securities depository. SIX added that a consultation on the T+1 transition is open until 10 October, with swissSPTC and SIX set to present their plans at an industry event in Zurich on 23 September. The post SIX and swissSPTC Set Roadmap for T+1 Settlement Shift in Switzerland and Liechtenstein appeared first on LeapRate.

Under the agreement, SBI will subscribe for 390,000 new Ridge-i shares via a third-party allotment and, through its subsidiary SBI Securities, acquire 584,000 shares from Ridge-i chief executive Takashi Yanagihara.  These shares will subsequently be transferred to SBI on 30 September. Ridge-i, which operates alongside subsidiary Star Music Entertainment, develops custom AI solutions and digital marketing services, ranging from consultation to implementation.  SBI said the tie-up builds on previous collaborations, including applying Ridge-i’s AI technology to financial and non-financial data across its group companies, as well as projects in digital marketing with SBI Neo Media. SBI operates businesses spanning financial services, asset management, private equity, crypto-assets and next-generation fields such as bio-healthcare and Web3.  The company said the partnership would allow the two groups to form “a unified team that goes beyond a conventional outsourcing relationship”, aiming to accelerate AI-driven innovation across the organisation. Planned initiatives include using generative AI to boost productivity, developing new investment experiences through data-driven services, and expanding into digital marketing and Web3-enabled entertainment businesses.  The companies also intend to explore AI-based models for valuing creative talent and intellectual property, as well as joint development of financial products tailored to the media and entertainment sectors. The post SBI Holdings to Acquire Stake in Ridge-i Through Capital and Business Alliance appeared first on LeapRate.

The inclusion follows the quarterly review of the CAC family of indices by the Scientific Committee. The company, which operates regulated markets in Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris, has seen its market capitalisation rise from €1.4 billion at IPO to €14.5 billion as of August 2025. Over the same period, annual revenue has more than tripled to €1.6 billion, while adjusted EBITDA has climbed from €225.4 million to more than €1 billion. Euronext’s expansion has included the 2021 acquisition of the Borsa Italiana Group, which paved the way for its entry into the CAC Next 20, and a July 2025 announcement of plans to extend its federal model to Athens.  The group now spans the full capital markets value chain, from listing and trading to clearing, settlement, custody and technology solutions. Stéphane Boujnah, chief executive officer and chairman of the managing board, said: “Our inclusion in the CAC 40 is a testament to the remarkable journey we have undertaken since our IPO in June 2014.  “Since then, we have accelerated our growth through strategic acquisitions, geographic expansion, and diversification into new asset classes, trading and post-trade services, and SaaS solutions.” Boujnah added that the move “illustrates the resilience of our business model” and reflects the company’s “unwavering commitment to transparency, innovation and excellence.” The post Euronext to Join France’s CAC 40 Index appeared first on LeapRate.

The company said a further update on the appointment of a successor will be made in due course. No details were provided regarding the reasons behind the management change. The departure comes as the London-listed cryptocurrency mining company also confirmed an increase in its share capital following the vesting of restricted stock units. Between 6 June and 9 September 2025, 1,171,754 new ordinary shares were issued under Argo’s equity incentive plan. As of 12 September, the company’s issued share capital now stands at 720,658,568 ordinary shares with a nominal value of £0.001 each. All shares carry voting rights, and Argo confirmed that it does not hold any in treasury. The total number of voting rights in the company is therefore 720,658,568. This figure provides the denominator for shareholders to assess whether they are required to notify changes in their holdings under the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. Argo, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, operates cryptocurrency mining facilities. The company has faced operational and financial challenges over the years amid volatility in the digital asset market, with cost pressures and fluctuating bitcoin prices weighing on the sector. The post Argo Blockchain Removes CFO and Updates on Voting Rights appeared first on LeapRate.

The news was unveiled at Stripe Tour Sydney, where the firm also highlighted its advances in artificial intelligence and stablecoin-based services. The firm said Stripe Capital will provide small and medium-sized businesses with pre-approved financing directly through the Stripe platform, using payments data to assess eligibility.  Approved funds are typically available within one to two business days, with repayments linked to a business’s earnings. The company emphasised that there are no compounding interest charges, late fees or early repayment penalties. “SMBs are the backbone of the Australian economy, but around half report difficulty securing funding,” said Karl Durrance, managing director for Australia and New Zealand at Stripe. “With the cost of business rising sharply in recent years, Stripe Capital can help businesses stay resilient amid economic uncertainty.” The product will also be extended to platforms using Stripe, allowing them to offer financing to their own customers. It is expected to be available in the coming months. Research by YouGov and Stripe is said to show that 70% of Australian decision makers surveyed have already integrated AI into their operations, with businesses on Stripe ranking second globally for adoption of its agentic AI tools.  Stablecoin use is also reportedlt gaining traction, with 53% of executives either using or planning to adopt them. Stripe supports leading regional firms, including Atlassian, Canva and Xero, and processes over $1.4 trillion annually worldwide. The post Stripe to Launch Capital in Australia as Users Surpass One Million in ANZ appeared first on LeapRate.

The move follows a $23 million funding round led by Accel and the company’s recent expansion into Mexico.  OpenFX said its entry into Brazil would ease the friction businesses face when trading internationally, where settlement delays, high transaction costs and opaque pricing remain common despite the success of domestic systems such as PIX. “Brazil has built something remarkable: digital payments infrastructure that moves money instantly for 150 million people, a fintech ecosystem that rivals Silicon Valley, and industrial champions that feed and fuel the world,” said Prabhakar Reddy, founder and chief executive of OpenFX.  “Yet when these same companies reach beyond Brazil’s borders, they hit a wall, facing cross-border payments that take days, not seconds. We are making OpenFX’s solutions available in Brazil to provide the modern financial rails its businesses deserve, eliminating artificial delays that constrain growth and unlocking the nation’s full potential on the world stage.” OpenFX said its platform can extend the real-time principles of PIX to international transactions, with settlement times of under 60 minutes compared to the usual one to three business days, and cost reductions of up to 90%.  The company’s infrastructure operates continuously, providing businesses with 24/7 access to global FX markets, while its transparency and security tools are designed to ensure regulatory compliance and efficiency. The firm processed $10 billion in annualised cross-border volume over the past year. The post OpenFX Launches in Brazil to Streamline Cross-Border Payments appeared first on LeapRate.

ASIC stated that the orders, first imposed on 15 August, have now been continued until further notice.  They are said to prevent Mr Cotton and First Mutual from moving money between bank accounts or taking on new liabilities. Mr Cotton has also been directed to file affidavit evidence detailing the assets and liabilities of both himself and the company by 25 September. ASIC said it sought the extension to protect investor funds during its ongoing probe.  According to the regulator, Mr Cotton and First Mutual are suspected to have received around $53 million between March 2024 and July 2025, purportedly for investment purposes.  Regulators allege that a significant portion of the money may instead have been used for gambling, with no traceable underlying investments identified so far. ASIC confirmed that Mr Cotton is aware of its concerns. As part of its investigation, the regulator is reviewing any payments made by investors to Mr Cotton or First Mutual before March 2024. ASIC said it intends to provide investors with further updates “as soon as it is in a position to do so.” The post Australian Federal Court Freezes First Mutual Private Equity and Director’s Accounts Amid ASIC Probe appeared first on LeapRate.

Nordea has listed its first two active ETFs under the BetaPlus Enhanced Sustainable Equity range: the BetaPlus Enhanced Global Developed Sustainable Equity UCITS ETF and the BetaPlus Enhanced Global Sustainable Equity UCITS ETF.  The launch raises the total number of ETFs available on SIX to 2,076. Cristian Pappone, regional head for Switzerland and Austria at Nordea Asset Management, said: “BetaPlus is a proven strategy, with more than 15 years of successful track record and over EUR 60 billion in assets under management. With the launch of active BetaPlus ETFs – alongside our long-standing UCITS funds – and now the listing on SIX Swiss Exchange we’re making it easier for investors to access this long-standing solution with the flexibility and tradability they want.” The BetaPlus ETFs, domiciled in Ireland, apply data-driven portfolio construction and responsible investing approaches. Previously offered only through UCITS funds and mandates, the strategies are now available in a tradeable format that integrates sustainability and risk considerations. SIX noted that 224 new ETFs have been listed this year, including 76 actively managed funds – the highest number of new active ETF listings in eight years. Active ETFs now represent 10% of the total listed products on the exchange. Danielle Reischuk, senior ETFs and ETPs sales manager at SIX, said Nordea’s entry “further strengthens our position as a leading hub for sustainability-focused and innovative investment solutions.” The post Nordea Joins SIX Swiss Exchange as New ETF Issuer appeared first on LeapRate.

The move is said to be aimed at modernising the country’s financial system. The collaboration will see LSEG deploy integrated platforms to support foreign exchange trading, interbank liquidity management, domestic open market operations and market surveillance. All services will be delivered through LSEG Workspace, providing secure and transparent access for the central bank and authorised financial institutions. Edouard Normand Bigendako, governor of the BRB, said the partnership marked “a transformative moment in our financial sector”.  He added: “By automating and digitising our market operations, we are enhancing transparency, improving operational efficiency, and laying the foundation for a more resilient and inclusive financial system that supports long-term growth.” The project includes the rollout of LSEG’s FX Trading Platform, Money Market Trading for interbank liquidity, Auctions for open market operations, and Market Tracker for automated reporting and real-time oversight.  The aim is said to be to bring Burundi’s market infrastructure closer to global standards while improving domestic efficiency. Nadim Najjar, managing director for Central & Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa at LSEG, said: “We are proud to support the Central Bank of Burundi as it advances its financial market infrastructure. Through the deployment of our integrated platforms, we are enabling the transition to a more modern, transparent, and efficient financial ecosystem.” The initiative is seen as a major step in fostering long-term growth and financial inclusion across Burundi. The post LSEG Selected by Banque de la République du Burundi (BRB) to Deliver New Markets Infrastructure Solutions appeared first on LeapRate.

The fintech group said the total volume processed on the platform reached $5.9 trillion over the month, making DLR the world’s largest institutional system for settling tokenised real assets.  The platform uses distributed ledger technology to improve liquidity management, reduce costs and accelerate collateral flows. “As firms continue to embrace technology to drive digital transformation, we’ve innovated alongside our clients to scale DLR into the premier platform for tokenised real assets,” commented Horacio Barakat, head of digital innovation at Broadridge.  “Our collaboration with Kaiko will help further empower market participants in their evaluation of tokenised securities with the same confidence and rigour as they do traditional assets.” The company also announced that aggregated platform data from DLR is now available via a new application launched by Kaiko on the Canton Network.  The service provides institutional-grade access to daily and historical repo data, including par value, turnover and trade count, under SOC 2 compliance standards. Subscribers include real-world asset platform RWA.xyz. Kaiko chief executive Ambre Soubiran said the initiative marked “an important milestone” in connecting on-chain and off-chain ecosystems. Broadridge said the expansion of tokenisation and demand for trusted infrastructure would continue to drive opportunities as capital markets transition toward integrated digital and traditional systems. The post Broadridge’s Blockchain Repo Platform Processes $280bn in Daily Trades appeared first on LeapRate.

According to FINRA, between September 2009 and July 2022 Jefferies inaccurately calculated its customer and proprietary accounts of broker-dealers (PAB) reserve formula.  The errors are said to have led to 136 customer reserve deficiencies and three PAB reserve deficiencies, at times amounting to shortfalls of more than $500 million. FINRA said the failures resulted in the firm maintaining inaccurate books and records and filing incorrect regulatory reports.  The regulator added that the breaches violated the U.S. Securities Exchange Act, associated rules, and FINRA’s own standards of supervision and record-keeping. Jefferies, which has been a FINRA member since 1963 and employs around 2,400 registered representatives, was also censured for not establishing and enforcing a supervisory system capable of preventing such errors.  The regulator said the firm’s procedures failed to ensure borrowed securities collateralised by non-qualified assets were properly accounted for. The New York-based firm self-reported the issue and has since overhauled its supervisory systems.  FINRA credited Jefferies with “extraordinary cooperation,” noting it engaged an independent consultant to review historic breaches, corrected deficiencies in a timely manner and provided substantial assistance to investigators. Despite this, FINRA said the firm’s long-running failures warranted a financial penalty and public censure to underline the importance of protecting client assets. Jefferies accepted and consented to the findings by FINRA without admitting or denying them. The post Jefferies Fined $1m by FINRA Over Reserve Account Violations appeared first on LeapRate.

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Abu Dhabi Global Market, DB Investing is licensed across multiple jurisdictions and offers more than 20,000 trading instruments.  With a client base spanning the Gulf to Latin America, the firm has positioned itself as a fast-growing broker. Kupriianova brings senior marketing experience from major forex and trading institutions, including Exness and CFI.  The company said her track record of building measurable, scalable marketing strategies is expected to play a key role in strengthening DB Investing’s global brand and expanding its partnerships. DB Investing CEO Gennaro Lanza said: “What struck me wasn’t a deck or a buzzword. It was clarity. Lena spoke about growth as though it were engineering — precise, measurable, and scalable. That’s exactly what we need right now.” For Kupriianova, the priority is to ensure DB Investing’s strengths are clearly communicated.  “I don’t believe in shouting louder. I believe in saying something worth listening to — and making sure it reaches the right people. Traders, IBs, and partners are already overloaded with noise. Our job is to cut through with value and relevance, not volume,” she said. The company said her appointment reflects its focus on transparency, innovation and global expansion as it continues to build on its regulated, award-winning trading platform. The post DB Investing Appoints Elena Kupriianova as Chief Marketing Officer appeared first on LeapRate.

Benz is regarded as a veteran of the digital asset sector, with more than a decade of experience across crypto, Web3, fintech and artificial intelligence.  He has been closely involved in shaping the industry’s infrastructure, from early-stage ventures to global platforms. An early investor in Blockchain Capital, the first venture capital fund to accept Bitcoin, Benz co-developed GoCoin in 2013 with Brock Pierce.  The platform allowed international merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments during the market’s early adoption phase. He later contributed to the launch of Bitreserve (now known as Uphold) and served as chief executive of Changelly, the crypto swap exchange. Beyond commercial ventures, Benz has played a role in regulatory and policy development, founding the UK Digital Currency Association to engage with lawmakers on crypto regulation.  More recently, in 2023, he launched Flashy Finance, a Web3 infrastructure business focused on creator economies and digital identity. Benz also acts as a venture banking partner at DNA Fund and advises a portfolio of technology firms worldwide. Vaultz Capital said his appointment to the board marks a further step in its strategic evolution as it expands its Bitcoin mining and treasury operations. The move follows an earlier announcement in August confirming the company’s intention to add Benz as a director. The post Vaultz Capital Appoints CEO Eric Benz as Director appeared first on LeapRate.

The Digital Wallet Guardian Partnership is said to bring together Ant International, AlipayHK in Hong Kong and Malaysia’s TNG eWallet.  The collaboration is expected to focus on technology innovation, knowledge-sharing and stakeholder engagement, with initiatives ranging from AI-driven fraud prevention to consumer awareness campaigns. In its first phase, the partnership will roll out Alipay+ EasySafePay 360, an AI-powered solution designed to cut account takeover fraud by up to 90%.  The company explained that the system uses real-time analysis to build dynamic risk models, blocking suspicious activity before it reaches users. It also offers a Money-Back Guarantee on unauthorised transactions, with an AI approval process to speed up compensation claims. Asia Pacific leads the world in digital payment adoption, accounting for nearly two-thirds of global wallet spend, according to Ant International. However, the region also accounts for 42% of global fraud cases, with account takeover incidents rising 28% in 2023. Alan Ni, CEO of TNG Digital, said: “As TNG eWallet becomes an essential part of everyday life in Malaysia and across the region, this partnership allows us to combine advanced technologies and shared knowledge, to strengthen defences against evolving risks.” Venetia Lee, CEO of AlipayHK, added: “By advancing our multi-layered security and working with partners on risk management, we’re committed to making digital payments in Hong Kong both secure and convenient.” The post Ant International Partners with AlipayHK and TNG eWallet to Launch Security Partnership appeared first on LeapRate.

Announced at the company’s HOOD Summit in Las Vegas, Robinhood Social will create a verified community within the app where users can view live trades, follow other investors, and discuss market moves. The platform is said to be designed to address one of the biggest challenges traders face: filtering reliable information from the noise of social media.  Robinhood said all trades posted will be verified and shown live, giving users full visibility into when others buy or sell positions. “Robinhood is no longer just where you trade – it’s your financial superapp,” said CEO Vlad Tenev. The company highlighted several features: users will be able to track other traders’ real performance, including daily and one-year profit and loss; follow politicians, hedge funds and insiders based on public disclosures; and discuss strategies in real time across stocks, options, futures, crypto and prediction markets without leaving the app.  They added that all profiles will be verified through KYC checks, aiming to boost trust in the community. Robinhood Social will roll out by invitation to a select group of U.S. customers early next year, with wider availability expected later. It will be free to use. The announcement came alongside new upgrades to Robinhood Legend, the firm’s browser-based trading platform, including AI-powered custom indicators and futures trading. But the emphasis was clear: Robinhood sees community as the next frontier in active investing. The post Robinhood Launches Social Trading Platform for Active Investors appeared first on LeapRate.

The study of 10,000 investors across 12 countries found that 38% now see the U.S. as offering the strongest long-term return potential, a 12 percentage point rise from the previous quarter. At the same time, 43% of portfolios hold U.S. exposure, an eight-point increase and the highest level since eToro began tracking the data in 2023. “Earlier this year, heightened concerns around political instability and macroeconomic uncertainty in the U.S. prompted retail investors to diversify more aggressively into Europe and emerging markets,” said eToro Global Market Strategist Lale Akoner.  “Now, as confidence in the resilience of the U.S. economy improves, we’re seeing a reversal of that trend. Portfolios are once again tilting back toward the U.S., reflecting recognition that, despite global diversification, the American market remains the cornerstone of global investing.” While investors are rotating back into the U.S., enthusiasm for the so-called “Magnificent 7” tech stocks is moderating.  eToro said more respondents reported reducing exposure to companies such as Tesla, Nvidia, and Apple, citing concentration risk rather than doubts over long-term performance. The survey also highlighted strong confidence in the U.S. dollar, with 83% of retail investors expecting it to remain the global reserve currency for the next decade despite recent weakness. The findings suggest a more balanced approach among retail investors: re-engaging with the U.S. as a growth engine while managing risk through diversification. The post Retail Investors Rebuild Confidence in U.S. Market, eToro Finds appeared first on LeapRate.

The Somerville, Massachusetts-based trading technology firm said the system gives traders more control over pricing, replacing reliance on external vendors that have historically added cost and complexity.  The firm explained that by consolidating workflows into a single platform, it aims to make FX swap pricing more transparent, flexible, and cost-effective. oneZero said regional banks have typically imported FX and interest rate curves from third-party providers into their electronic trading platforms.  This process limited trader input and often forced banks into simplified or reactive pricing strategies.  The company believes its new platform addresses those shortcomings with real-time curve management, client-specific adjustments, and integrated analytics. The tool supports multiple data sources, including New Change FX Forwards365, and enables granular management of tiers, skews, and trading volumes.  Traders are said to be able to track curve evolution, supply and demand, and client flows, while reducing dependence on spreadsheets and fragmented vendor systems.  Furthermore, oneZero said the Swap Curve Manager can function as a standalone solution, integrate with oneZero’s Hub product, or connect with existing pricing engines through APIs. “We have listened to the needs of regional banks, who have long been at a disadvantage in FX swap pricing,” said Andrew Ralich, CEO and co-founder of oneZero. “With our new Swap Curve Manager, we are increasing transparency, lowering costs and putting advanced swap pricing tools directly into the hands of traders.” The post oneZero Unveils FX Swap Pricing Tool for Regional Banks appeared first on LeapRate.

The two banks plan to go live with the solution by the end of 2025. DTCC explained that the workflow standardises and automates the delivery of hedge fund trade files to prime brokers, creating a “golden copy” of transaction details once a trade match occurs between a hedge fund and an executing broker.  The firm added that this improves accuracy, accelerates communication and reduces settlement risk. Val Wotton, DTCC managing director and global head of equities solutions, said: “We are excited to have BNP Paribas and J.P. Morgan adopt CTM’s tri-party workflow as Prime Brokers.  “This is a pivotal step in further automating and accelerating settlement processes, and we anticipate it will greatly enhance automation for Prime Brokers in EMEA and globally as additional financial markets transition to a T+1 settlement cycle.” Wayne Howard, global head of prime brokerage operations client services at BNP Paribas, said: “Joining DTCC’s CTM tri-party matching workflow as a Prime Broker aligns with BNP Paribas’ continuing commitment to deliver the best in class experience for our clients.” Anthony Fraser, global head of prime financial services operations at J.P. Morgan, added: “DTCC’s initiative to incorporate CTM into the Prime Broker environment will enable our teams to optimise post-trade processes, emphasising accuracy and speed.” DTCC’s CTM service is used by over 6,000 clients in more than 89 countries. The post BNP Paribas and J.P. Morgan Join DTCC’s Tri-Party Matching Workflow appeared first on LeapRate.