The global brokerage, listed on Nasdaq under the ticker BULL, said its new hub in Amsterdam will serve as the base for Webull EU.  The Dutch subsidiary, Webull Securities (Europe) B.V., received authorisation from the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) in September 2024 and is now fully operational. The company explained that investors in the Netherlands can use the Webull app to trade European and U.S.-listed equities, fractional shares, European exchange-traded funds and U.S. options.  The platform also provides access to financial news, industry data, educational resources and advanced trading tools. Users will be able to trade during extended market hours at competitive prices. Andries van Luijk, Chief Executive Officer of Webull EU, said: “The European public is increasingly seeking low-cost and accessible investment opportunities, both within their own countries and across international markets. Webull’s strength lies in its global network and innovative mindset, which allows us to focus on delivering the best solutions for our clients while building sustainability and trust.” Anthony Denier, Group President and U.S. CEO of Webull, added: “This expansion establishes our presence in Europe and reflects our commitment to making investing more accessible worldwide.” Webull said additional EU countries will follow the Netherlands launch in the coming months. The firm added that its app is now available through Apple’s App Store and Google Play. The post Webull Launches in the Netherlands to Begin EU Expansion appeared first on LeapRate.

The cancellation, which took effect on August 11, 2025, ends more than a decade of the brokerage’s operations under its licence. AIMS, which provided forex and derivatives services, lost its authorisation after failing to submit financial statements, meet organisational competence requirements and comply with financial services law.  ASIC also said the firm had not paid mandatory industry funding levies for more than 12 months and failed to notify the regulator of changes to company details, including its addresses and officeholders. Under the Corporations Act, ASIC has the power to suspend or cancel a licence if it believes a licensee is likely to breach its obligations, which include providing services “efficiently, honestly and fairly.” AIMS held licence number 430091 from December 2012 until August 2025. It had been authorised to give financial product advice and deal in products such as derivatives, foreign exchange contracts, debentures and securities for wholesale clients. The company also operated the trading website aimsfx.com.au. ASIC’s decision removes AIMS from the list of licensed providers in Australia’s highly regulated financial services sector. However, the company retains the right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a review of the decision. The post ASIC Cancels AIMS’ Australian Financial Services Licence appeared first on LeapRate.

The collaboration enables brokers using Centroid’s multi-asset connectivity engine to incorporate Cboe’s high-fidelity data streams into their own trading platforms.  Coverage is said to include equities, options, futures, indices and foreign exchange. The company said the integration will support improved pricing, broader market reach and enhanced execution capabilities. Brokers will be able to connect through Centroid’s Bridge Engine and Trading Ecosystem, with the company emphasising the scalable and cost-effective nature of the service.  By providing access to Cboe’s feeds, Centroid said it is positioning its clients to expand into new markets and strengthen their trading performance. Cristian Vlasceanu, chief executive of Centroid Solutions, described the move as “a pivotal evolution in how clients access and interpret market intelligence.” He added: “With Cboe’s renowned U.S. equities feeds, along with its extensive European equities and derivatives datasets, brokers can utilise integrated market data directly in their trading activities. This integration is part of our continuous effort to strengthen our multi-asset connectivity, helping brokers prepare for evolving market conditions.” Centroid said the development underlines its commitment to delivering end-to-end trading and connectivity solutions for brokers worldwide, as competition among providers of market infrastructure and data services intensifies. The post Centroid Solutions Integrates Cboe Market Data into Trading Ecosystem appeared first on LeapRate.

For the six months to 30 June 2025, the fintech group posted a pre-tax loss of £980,338, compared with £238,173 a year earlier.  The company said costs rose due to development of its white-label solution and preparatory work for the Everfex deal. Fiinu’s cash balance at the period end was £643,490. In January, the group signed non-binding heads of terms with a UK bank to provide its AI-driven Banking-as-a-Service platform, including the Plugin Overdraft. The product is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2025.  The company also raised £1.25 million in February to fund development and bolster working capital. Post-period, Fiinu completed the £8 million acquisition of Everfex through a share issue, in a reverse takeover approved by shareholders in August.  Additional performance-based consideration of up to £4 million may be payable in 2026. The company has since raised a further £1.4 million in September at a 50% premium to its August subscription price, while also reaching an agreement to settle outstanding warrants with GEM. Chief executive Dr Marko Sjoblom said the first half of the year had been “a defining period,” highlighting progress on the Plugin Overdraft rollout and capital raising. He added that his objective was to grow Fiinu’s market value to £440 million within 36 months. The post Fiinu Reports Wider H1 Loss, Pushes Ahead with Plugin Overdraft Rollout and Everfex Acquisition appeared first on LeapRate.

The move marks a milestone for the company, which began in 1979 when Sony co-founder Akio Morita established the group’s life insurance business.  Today, Sony Financial Group (Sony FG) spans a wide range of services, including life and non-life insurance, online banking, nursing care and venture capital. Sony Life, the group’s founding business, remains central to its identity, operating through Lifeplanner sales specialists, insurance professionals trained under stringent requirements to provide tailored, customer-focused services.  In recent decades, Sony FG has expanded into online financial services, building a direct non-life insurance business and an online bank to meet changing consumer needs. The company said it intends to continue growing as Sony Group’s financial services arm, guided by its new vision statement: “Pursuing lives filled with emotion, together.”  Sony FG added that it aims to be a “unique financial service provider, unbound by conventional industry practices.” The Prime Market listing is expected to enhance SFGI’s visibility with both domestic and international investors, strengthening its capital base as it expands operations.  Shares of SFGI will become tradable on the Tokyo Stock Exchange from 29 September. The post Sony Financial Group Secures Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market Listing appeared first on LeapRate.

The platform, which went live on 8 September under the oversight of BaFin, the Bundesbank and the European Securities and Markets Authority, is said to enable atomic, smart contract-based matching and settlement of trades.  Settlement now takes place within two seconds, compared with traditional timescales that can stretch to days or weeks. The exchange, which already counts more than 30 participants, has attracted support from global industry players including Chainlink, Circle, Polygon and SBI Digital Markets.  Other backers include ABN Amro, Apex Group, Stellar and Tradevest. Over 100 financial instruments from leading issuers are in the pipeline. Investors can trade using stablecoins, digital cash or fiat currencies, building on 21X’s earlier primary market launch in May, which featured the first listing of a tokenised note.  The exchange is currently open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CET, with plans to expand to round-the-clock trading. Max J. Heinzle, founder and chief executive of 21X, described the launch as the “Spotify moment for capital markets”, adding: “For the very first time a security trade is settled atomically, peer-to-peer, in real time, no longer requiring central securities depositary nor clearing services.” Heinzle said the platform compresses workflows, cuts costs by more than half, and democratises access by opening participation to corporates, institutions and banks alongside traditional financial firms. The post 21X Launches World’s First Blockchain-Based Exchange for Tokenised Securities appeared first on LeapRate.

Ing has significant experience in financial services and has served as a Non-Executive Director at CMC.  She brings expertise in equity research, asset management, and corporate governance, having previously held senior roles at firms including UBS and HSBC. She is also a non-executive director at Marex. Her appointment follows a series of board and leadership changes announced earlier this year. In June, CMC confirmed that long-serving Non-Executive Chairman James Richards would step down at the 2025 annual general meeting, to be succeeded by then-Senior Independent Director Paul Wainscott.  The reshuffle also included the departure of Deputy Chief Executive Officer David Fineberg and ANZ head Matthew Lewis from the board, while Laurence Booth joined as Executive Director alongside his role as Global Head of Capital Markets. Fineberg has since taken on the newly created position of Global Head of Strategic Partnerships, focusing on institutional relationships with firms such as Revolut and StrikeX. Lewis is now leading CMC’s expansion in Australia and New Zealand, particularly in stockbroking and digital assets. The post CMC Markets Appoints Sarah Ing as Senior Independent Director appeared first on LeapRate.

The move gives the U.S.-listed payments and financial technology company full control of AIBMS, one of Ireland’s largest payment solution providers and among Europe’s leading e-commerce acquirers. Fiserv said the acquisition will accelerate its regional growth strategy, including opportunities to expand Clover, its point-of-sale and business management platform, across Europe.  Clover is described by the company as “the world’s smartest point-of-sale system” and a central part of its merchant services offering. Under the terms of the deal, AIB Group will continue to refer businesses requiring card acquiring services to Fiserv on an exclusive basis, ensuring continuity for existing clients while supporting further market penetration. Fiserv, a Fortune 500 company and member of the S&P 500 Index, said the acquisition underscores its commitment to delivering innovation and scale in merchant acquiring, payments and digital banking solutions globally. The transaction marks the latest step in Fiserv’s European expansion, as competition intensifies among payment providers seeking to capture a larger share of e-commerce and digital transactions across the continent. The post Fiserv Completes Acquisition of AIB Merchant Services Stake to Drive European Expansion appeared first on LeapRate.

S&P Dow Jones Indices announced that Robinhood (NASDAQ: HOOD) will enter the benchmark index on 22 September, alongside AppLovin and Emcor Group. They will replace MarketAxess Holdings, Caesars Entertainment and Enphase Energy.  The reshuffle coincides with S&P’s quarterly rebalancing, designed to ensure its indices remain representative of their respective market capitalisation ranges. Robinhood’s inclusion represents a major milestone for the online brokerage, which has grown from a disruptor in retail trading to a mainstream financial services firm.  The company has expanded its product offering beyond equities into options, crypto and other areas, competing more directly with established players such as Charles Schwab and Interactive Brokers. Robinhood rose to prominence during the pandemic, when a surge of individual investors drove record activity in equities and options.  Its listing in the S&P 500 not only validates its market position but could also attract significant institutional capital, as index-tracking funds and ETFs are required to hold the stock. The post Robinhood Shares Surge After S&P 500 Inclusion Announcement appeared first on LeapRate.

Average daily volume (ADV) across the company’s four U.S. options exchanges reached an all-time high of 19.2 million contracts.  This was driven by a record in multiply-listed options, which averaged 14.3 million contracts per day, up 38.5% from August 2024.  The figure also surpassed the previous record of 13.6 million contracts set in February. Index options activity also remained robust, with ADV rising 11.1% year on year to 4.9 million contracts.  Trading in S&P 500 Index (SPX) options averaged 3.8 million contracts, marking the second-strongest month on record. Zero-days-to-expiry (0DTE) SPX contracts accounted for 2.4 million of that total, a new high. Elsewhere, Cboe’s U.S. equities business also expanded, with on-exchange matched shares climbing 30.8% to 1.6 billion.  Off-exchange trading surged almost threefold to 229 million shares. European equities ADV rose 26.3% year on year to €10.7 billion, while Australian equities increased 23.6% to AUD 1.1 billion. However, futures volumes declined, with ADV falling 31.3% compared with August 2024 to 218,000 contracts. Global foreign exchange activity also slipped 4.9% to $48.8 billion. Cboe Clear Europe, the company’s clearing business, reported net settlements of 1.1 million, up 13.5% on the year. The post Cboe Posts Record U.S. Options Activity in August Despite Futures Decline appeared first on LeapRate.

The derivatives exchange highlighted particularly strong growth in cryptocurrency products, which reached a record 411,000 contracts per day, equivalent to $14.9 billion notional.  Within this segment, Micro Ether futures posted a record monthly ADV of 271,000 contracts, while Ether futures reached a record 27,000 contracts. Interest rate products continued to dominate activity, averaging 16.2 million contracts daily. Gains were led by Ultra 10-Year U.S. Treasury futures, up 10% year-on-year to 1 million contracts, and 30-Day Fed Funds futures, which rose 6% to 517,000 contracts. Equity index products averaged 6.3 million contracts, with micro-sized contracts accounting for nearly 39% of this total. Micro E-mini equity index futures and options saw an ADV of 2.5 million contracts. Agricultural markets recorded an ADV of 1.9 million contracts, with notable increases in soybean futures, up 33% to 274,000 contracts, and corn options, which rose 62% to 134,000 contracts. Metals averaged 688,000 contracts, with Micro Gold futures advancing 54% to 190,000 contracts. Energy products registered 2.2 million contracts. Repo markets also recorded new milestones. BrokerTec U.S. Repo average daily notional value rose 29% to a record $380 billion, while European Repo advanced 3% to €281.3 billion. CME said customer average collateral balances for the three months ending July 2025 stood at $132.5 billion in cash and $148.8 billion in non-cash collateral. The post CME Group Posts Second-Highest August Trading Volumes, Boosted by Crypto Records appeared first on LeapRate.

The launch marks a major step in AI-driven commerce, with Antom partnering with Mastercard and Visa in Asia Pacific to pilot tokenised card-based agentic payments.  The solution enables AI agents to complete payments flexibly, supporting both cards and a wide range of digital wallets. The firm explained that at its core, the system introduces an AI-ready payment mandate model and enhanced risk management framework.  Building on the Model Context Protocol, it allows embedded, dialogue-based payment flows. Users can pre-authorise transactions such as flash sales or set spending limits, while retaining visibility and control over how agents act. Antom has also debuted EasySafePay, which streamlines APM checkouts by linking digital wallets directly to merchant pages without redirecting users to external apps. The process integrates naturally with agent-initiated payments, offering both speed and security. Gary Liu, General Manager of Antom, said: “Agentic payment is a foundational step in allowing AI agents to generate real value in our everyday life. The rise of agentic payment calls for rethinking how payment systems are designed. We look forward to co-building the protocols and frameworks with partners across the financial, tech and commerce sectors to ensure agentic payments are smooth and reliable.” Antom said its approach combines cryptographic safeguards, intent verification, and compliance with PCI Security Standards, aiming to set a new benchmark for AI-enabled transaction security. The post Ant International’s Antom Launches Agentic Payment Solution appeared first on LeapRate.

The products, branded as BetaPro ETFs, offer Canadian investors triple leveraged (300%) and triple inverse (-300%) daily exposure to two key U.S. market segments: long-dated U.S. Treasuries and semiconductors. The BetaPro 3X US Treasury 20+ Year Daily Leveraged Bull Alternative ETF (TTLT) and the BetaPro -3X US Treasury 20+ Year Daily Leveraged Bear Alternative ETF (STLT) track the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index.  The benchmark measures sovereign debt issued in U.S. dollars by the U.S. government. Meanwhile, the BetaPro 3X Semiconductor Daily Leveraged Bull Alternative ETF (SOXL) and the BetaPro -3X Semiconductor Daily Leveraged Bear Alternative ETF (SOXS) are said to be tied to the NYSE Semiconductor Index, which captures the 30 largest U.S.-listed semiconductor companies by market capitalisation. Chris McHaney, Executive Vice President, Investment Management & Strategy at Global X, said: “We are excited to work with ICE indices for the benchmarks underlying Canada’s latest 3X leveraged and inverse ETFs.  “With a built-in currency hedge to help neutralise U.S. dollar movements, our BetaPro 3X and -3X ETFs can offer Canadian investors a more refined tool for dynamic trading and portfolio diversification.” Preston Peacock, Head of ICE Data Indices, added: “We’re pleased to work with Global X on these new ETFs, which span multiple asset classes and provide Canadian investors with tools to gain or manage exposure to U.S. market dynamics.” ICE said more than $2 trillion in assets are benchmarked to its indices globally. The post Global X Taps ICE Indices for New Leveraged and Inverse ETFs in Canada appeared first on LeapRate.

Banco Santander, BNP Paribas, Flow Traders, Goldman Sachs, Jane Street, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Susquehanna International Group signed up on 1 August, backing Eurex’s push to expand electronification and standardisation in credit markets. Eurex, part of Deutsche Börse Group, said the initiative builds on its existing Partnership Program in short-term interest rates and swaps.  The model is said to be performance-based and aligns incentives across liquidity providers and end-users to stimulate growth. Credit Index Futures, launched at Eurex in October 2021, provide a centrally cleared alternative to over-the-counter instruments such as credit default swaps and total return swaps.  Eurex said the products offer margin efficiencies across its multi-asset suite and broaden access to smaller institutions and proprietary trading firms. Matthias Graulich, Member of the Executive Board of Eurex, said: “We are thrilled to launch this program with eight leading partners, sharing a common vision to transform credit markets. By fostering liquidity in Eurex’s Credit Index Derivatives, we’re accelerating electronification and standardisation for a more efficient and accessible market.” Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan and Susquehanna all welcomed the move, citing strong client demand for listed credit products. Trading activity in Credit Index Futures has accelerated, with Eurex reporting traded notional of more than €75 billion so far this year and outstanding notional of €2.8 billion at the end of August, more than double year-earlier levels. The post Eurex launches Credit Index Derivatives Partnership with Major Banks appeared first on LeapRate.

The platform will allow clients to trade all seven of BrokerTec’s on-the-run benchmark U.S. Treasuries, offered in smaller notional sizes and tighter price increments to align with the futures market.  Access will be available through existing CME Globex connectivity, including the BrokerTec API. “With leading financial firms on board for day one on BrokerTec Chicago, trading U.S. Treasury futures and cash will be more efficient than ever before,” said Mike Dennis, CME Group Global Head of Fixed Income.  “CME Group is in a unique position to bring these markets together, unlocking value for our clients worldwide who want to more precisely hedge their risk amid record debt issuance and ongoing economic uncertainty.” BrokerTec, operated by CME Group, is already a leading venue for fixed income trading, handling U.S. Treasuries and U.S. and EU repo transactions. In the first quarter of 2025, it recorded a single-day average daily notional volume record of $1.05 trillion across its trading platforms. CME Group’s U.S. Treasury futures and options also reached record levels this year, with average daily volumes of 8.8 million contracts. BrokerTec Chicago will form part of BrokerTec Americas LLC, adding to CME Group’s global offering across futures, options, cash and OTC markets. The post CME Group Secures Major Banks for BrokerTec Chicago Launch appeared first on LeapRate.

The move significantly broadens StoneX’s global trading capabilities. Founded in 2000, Right Corporation provides trading and logistics services for independent meat packing operations, distributors, and end-users.  Under the leadership of owner Leslie Wright, the company has developed a strong reputation for customer service and long-standing industry relationships. Wright will remain with the business in a leadership role following the acquisition. “This acquisition expands StoneX into physical meat trading, secures a meaningful client base and enhances our ability to serve processors, packers, distributors and end-users with greater scale, efficiency, and value,” said Brent Grecian, CEO and President of SCS.  “We are very pleased that Leslie, the driving force behind Right Corp, has chosen to continue with StoneX in a leadership role.” Wright said the deal offered greater growth opportunities. “It provides Right Corp with greater access to capital and our clients with the institutional strength and resources of StoneX,” Wright commented.  “With our combined capabilities and the growth capital to scale, we’re excited about the opportunities ahead.” The acquisition also gives Right Corporation expanded international reach, with sourcing opportunities from Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand, complementing existing sales channels in Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. StoneX said the deal would enhance its price risk management offerings in the protein sector while supporting global supply resilience amid rising U.S. demand. The post StoneX Expands into Physical Meat Trading with Right Corp Acquisition appeared first on LeapRate.

Mr Steeves, who has served as Chairman during a period of strategic development for the international investment banking and broking firm, will not be standing for re-election as a Director.  In a release on Friday, the company expressed its appreciation for his leadership, stating it “wishes to express its gratitude to Mark for his contributions to the Company during his tenure as Chairman.” Following his departure, Mark Thompson will take over as Chairman. Thompson, a Director of VSA and associated with major shareholder Drakewood Capital Management, will assume the role immediately after the AGM. The meeting, to be held at the company’s new office premises on New Broad Street in London, will also provide shareholders the opportunity to ask questions of the Board either in person or by submitting queries in advance. The transition comes as VSA relocates to its new headquarters and secures financial support for the move through a related party loan agreement with Drakewood.  The shareholder, which holds 19.9 percent of the company’s issued share capital, has provided a £95,715 loan to cover the deposit on the new offices. The Board, excluding Thompson due to his connection with Drakewood, said the terms of the agreement were “fair and reasonable” for shareholders. The post VSA Capital Chairman to Step Down After AGM appeared first on LeapRate.

According to a report by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Justice Button ruled that Mr Mawhinney demonstrated a “willingness to adopt a reckless approach to the conduct of a financial services business,” extending the total period of restraint orders against him to 20 years.  He has been subject to interim bans since August 2020 after proceedings brought by ASIC. In her decision, Justice Button said the “operations established and run by Mr Mawhinney exposed investors to an obvious and substantial risk of loss, which risk materialised, resulting in investors suffering heavy losses.”  She added that he gave “no proper consideration of how obligations to investors would be met,” relying only on “raising more and more money from investors.” An ASIC spokesperson welcomed the ruling, saying: “This is the culmination of a matter that has taken many years and considerable resources. ASIC first acted in this matter over five years ago to protect the public.”  The spokesperson added the Court found “an unacceptable risk that Mr Mawhinney would re-enter the fray and operate in the financial services sector in a financially reckless manner.” The injunctions follow earlier findings in July that Mr Mawhinney was associated with breaches of the law committed by Mayfair 101 companies. Costs will be determined at a later date. The post Mayfair 101 director Banned for 15 Years from Financial Promotions appeared first on LeapRate.

The announcement was made at Stripe Tour Tokyo on September 3, where the company also showcased new features utilizing AI and stablecoins. Stripe Terminal includes Tap to Pay on iPhone, integration with PayPay, Japan’s largest QR code payment service with more than 70 million users, and Weixin Pay.  The new Reader S710 also enables merchants to process payments with cellular connectivity, avoiding disruptions from Wi-Fi outages. Inforich, a mobile battery sharing service with around 55,000 locations across Japan, will be among the first to adopt the new technology, according to the firm.  “Stripe is invaluable as we aim for global expansion,” said Yuuki Hashimoto, CEO of Inforich. “We were attracted to the globally unified development module and the multilingual support. The trust from our developers and Stripe’s positive reputation were decisive factors in our adoption.” Stripe also announced a push to help Japanese firms expand into South Korea by supporting local wallets such as Naver Pay, Samsung Pay and PAYCO, alongside all major domestic cards.  The company highlighted enhancements to its fraud detection tool, Stripe Radar, which has lifted authorisation rates by 25 percent, as well as Stripe Startups, a programme for early-stage, venture-backed companies. In 2024, Stripe’s payment volume in Japan rose by more than 40 percent year-on-year, while cross-border transactions grew 62 percent. Globally, Stripe processes over $1.4 trillion annually. The post Stripe Launches Terminal in Japan to Support Unified Commerce appeared first on LeapRate.

The new offering is said to build on SimCorp’s existing alternatives capabilities, already used by some of the world’s largest asset owners.  It will extend services to general partners, fund administrators, AIFMs, management companies and depositories, enabling them to automate operations, regulatory reporting and data consolidation across private equity, private debt, real estate and infrastructure. “For over 50 years, SimCorp has helped the world’s largest asset managers and asset owners simplify and scale their investment business,” said Peter Sanderson, chief executive officer of SimCorp. “The introduction of SimCorp Alternatives empowers our clients to transform their private market investments through automation, AI and cloud-native technology.” As part of the launch, SimCorp acquired 100 percent of Domos FS, a specialist in alternative investment software.  Domos’ SaaS platform supports portfolio management, fund accounting, investor relations and regulatory compliance. SimCorp had held a minority stake in the company since 2021. “This acquisition is a strong endorsement of the alternative investment market’s momentum and the strength of the Domos platform,” said Arnaud Vinciguerra, founder and CEO of Domos FS. “Together with SimCorp, we will continue investing in innovation, as they have consistently done for over 50 years.” SimCorp said the move increases the alternative assets under management on its platform to more than €6 trillion, reflecting rapid growth in private markets. The post SimCorp Expands Alternatives Offering with Domos FS Acquisition appeared first on LeapRate.