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.

The Boston-based custodian said it will use Apex’s digital custody and clearing platform to strengthen its wealth services offering.  Together, the firms plan to develop what they describe as the first global, digital wealth custody solution, combining State Street’s institutional infrastructure and client base with Apex’s API-driven technology. Apex operates a financial technology platform serving more than 200 clients and 22 million brokerage accounts holding over $200 billion in assets.  Its modular system enables wealth managers and fintech firms to scale, integrate and launch products quickly. “At State Street, our institutional investor clients look to us as an essential partner, to deliver leading investment services and platforms, data, expertise, and solutions that accelerate performance and decision making,” said John Plansky, executive vice president and head of State Street Wealth Services.  “This partnership with Apex augments our wealth services capabilities and positions us to bring the same level of focus and execution excellence.” Bill Capuzzi, chief executive officer of Apex Fintech Solutions, said: “Wealth management is on the precipice of enormous change driven by rapid market innovation and investor expectations.  “We look forward to working with State Street to drive the future of wealth management by enabling the global advisor-based market to launch, scale and innovate at unprecedented speed.” The post State Street Takes Minority Stake in Apex Fintech Solutions appeared first on LeapRate.

The European exchange operator announced the programme on 3 September, confirming that the buyback will be executed by an independent agent.  The repurchase will run from 4 September to no later than 6 October 2025. Euronext stated the programme will be conducted in line with the authorisation granted at its annual general meeting on 15 May 2025. The company added that the sole purpose of the repurchase is to fund its employee incentive arrangements. “The repurchase programme will be implemented and directed by an independent agent during the period commencing on 4 September 2025 (including) and ending no later than 6 October 2025 (including),” the company said. The move comes as Euronext continues to focus on integration across its multi-country operations, which span Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris.  Euronext did not disclose the expected cost of the buyback, which will depend on market conditions during the repurchase window. The post Euronext to Repurchase 101,000 Shares for Incentive Plan appeared first on LeapRate.

The AIM-listed company, which provides cloud computing and connectivity services to financial institutions, said the contracts cover multiple clients across different geographies.  Revenue recognition will begin in the current financial year, supporting the board’s expectations for fiscal 2026. Private Cloud is Beeks’ dedicated infrastructure platform, designed to deliver secure, high-performance and low-latency computing for individual clients.  The firm explained that, unlike public cloud services, where resources are shared, the platform is deployed within a client’s own data centre or a facility of their choosing. The latest wins build on momentum from June, when Beeks reported a record month for its Proximity Cloud business.  The company said strong August trading further demonstrates ongoing demand for its infrastructure services. “Demand for our offerings continues to build as financial institutions increasingly recognise the need for secure, high-performance infrastructure,” said Gordon McArthur, chief executive of Beeks. “These wins add meaningful contracted revenue for this year and reinforce our confidence in the Company’s ongoing growth prospects.” The announcement underscores Beeks’ strategy of expanding recurring revenue through large-scale institutional contracts. The post Beeks Financial Cloud Wins $7 Million in New Private Cloud Contracts appeared first on LeapRate.

The London-listed trading platform said it has instructed Morgan Stanley & Co. International to carry out the programme under pre-set parameters. The buyback will run from 4 September 2025 until 30 January 2026, subject to market conditions and capital requirements. Purchased shares will be held in treasury, the company confirmed. “The sole purpose of the Programme is to reduce share capital,” IG Group said. The buyback falls within the authority granted by shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting on 18 September 2024.  Under that authorisation, a maximum of 23.83 million shares remain available for repurchase. The move follows IG Group’s announcement in July that it would initiate the £125 million programme as part of its capital management strategy.  The company said the plan provides flexibility to return value to shareholders while retaining sufficient capital to support growth. The launch comes ahead of IG Group’s scheduled trading update for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, due on 25 September.  The post IG Group Commences £125 Million Share Buyback Programme appeared first on LeapRate.

The Tokyo-based brokerage acquired an additional 4.17 million shares in 3iQ on Sept. 3 through a wholly owned subsidiary.  The transaction was valued at C$45.8 million. Following the purchase, Monex now holds 12.12 million shares, representing 97.8 percent of voting rights, up from 77.2 percent before the acquisition. Monex first made 3iQ a subsidiary in April 2024. Since then, 3iQ has expanded its product line and assets under management.  The firm listed the first staking Solana exchange-traded fund in North America in April 2025, followed by an XRP ETF on the Toronto Stock Exchange in June. Assets under management rose 39 percent year-on-year to C$1.51 billion at the end of June 2025. Monex said the deal reinforces its focus on digital asset management as a growth driver. The company expects institutional demand for crypto investment products to increase globally, providing further revenue opportunities. “The Company aims to strengthen its asset management business, and through 3iQ, it anticipates to achieve higher revenue growth by capturing the crypto asset management needs of institutional investors around the world, which are expected to grow in the future,” Monex said. The post Monex Group Boosts Stake in Canadian Crypto Asset Manager 3iQ appeared first on LeapRate.

The firm said Oculon Intelligence is built with military-grade security, offering execution analytics, regulatory reporting, and multi-product surveillance across equities and options.  The platform, developed with input from leading financial institutions, aims to help firms adapt to stricter U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules, including Rule 605 on execution quality and Rule 606 on order routing disclosures. “Oculon Intelligence gives market participants the infrastructure they need to turn compliance into a competitive edge,” said Ovi Montemayor, president of Oculon Intelligence.  Montemayor, formerly of Charles Schwab, brings two decades of experience in market structure and trading operations. The platform uses agentic AI tools, enhanced with large language models, to manage high-frequency data ingestion and analytics. According to TXSE, this will allow firms to refine execution strategies while meeting new reporting obligations that significantly expand the scope of required disclosures. David Saltiel, senior vice president at Oculon Intelligence and a former acting director of the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets, said: “The competitive and regulatory environment is evolving quickly. Firms need tools that provide flexibility and the highest level of data protection. Oculon Intelligence is built to help firms adapt to this future and improve market efficiency.” Based in Dallas, Oculon Intelligence operates independently as part of TXSE Group.  The post TXSE Launches Oculon Intelligence to Bolster U.S. Market Compliance and Efficiency appeared first on LeapRate.

The initiative, titled “Life is Better With Options”, seeks to raise awareness among institutional and retail investors about how options can be used to manage risk, enhance returns and diversify portfolios. The campaign, which debuted on U.S. television on Monday, will roll out across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific in the coming months, supported by digital placements on leading financial and mainstream media sites. “Options trading has emerged as one of the most significant growth stories in global financial markets, as investors of all types increasingly turn to options to help hedge portfolio risks, enhance yield, and express their views on the market with precision,” said Catherine Clay, Global Head of Derivatives at Cboe. U.S. options trading volumes have expanded every year since 2020, with contracts reaching 12.2 billion in 2024, up 63 per cent from four years earlier.  Cboe said it has sought to meet this demand through educational initiatives, including multilingual content from its Options Institute and expanded partnerships with retail brokerages worldwide. “Cboe has launched an accompanying corporate brand campaign to highlight its heritage as the pioneer of listed U.S. options trading, along with its other landmark innovations such as the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) and S&P 500 Index (SPX) options,” the company stated.  Megan Goett, Cboe’s Chief Marketing Officer, commented: “Cboe created the world’s first U.S. options exchange more than 50 years ago, and today we continue to explore new and creative ways to showcase the potential benefits of this time-tested asset class.”  The post Cboe Launches Ad Campaign to ‘Spotlight the Power of Options’ appeared first on LeapRate.

The collaboration is seen as a significant step in Wedbush’s effort to modernise its operations and accelerate growth in the rapidly evolving clearing, wealth, and fintech markets.  The partnership is expected to help Wedbush support new asset classes, enhance client and advisor experiences, and fuel digital innovation. Wedbush’s decision to partner with Broadridge follows a comprehensive strategic evaluation.  The firm will integrate with Broadridge’s trading and post-trade capabilities, as well as its services for workflow, corporate actions, and regulatory reporting. This technology upgrade is aimed at consolidating and automating operations, enabling Wedbush to attract new talent and deepen client engagement.  According to Gary Wedbush, CEO of Wedbush Securities, the move is key to delivering next-generation wealth, clearing, and fintech solutions. “At Wedbush, our vision is to be at the forefront of delivering next-generation wealth, clearing and fintech solutions for our clients and partners, and having proven end-to-end, cutting-edge operations platforms is key to accomplishing that,” said Wedbush. ““By powering our technology evolution with Broadridge’s trusted solutions, we are taking a major step forward in consolidating and further automating our operations.” Mike Alexander, President of Wealth Management at Broadridge, stated that Wedbush’s implementation reflects a broader industry shift toward digital transformation and operational consolidation.  Broadridge’s platform offers features such as a unified wealth data layer, standardised APIs, and AI-driven insights. It also supports emerging asset classes, including fractional shares and digital assets.  The post Wedbush Selects Broadridge as Strategic Technology Platform Provider appeared first on LeapRate.

The investment targets Commune’s “community success platform,” which enables organisations to foster better communication and engagement with both customers and employees.  The strategic move is said to be aimed at supporting Commune in its mission to “Shape the future of human relationship” through rational capital allocation. Founded in 2018, Commune provides solutions that help companies build and manage communities with their customers, addressing marketing needs that traditional approaches often fail to meet.  Its platform also works to improve employee experiences and promotes a customer-centric management style by incorporating feedback directly into business decisions.  The investment from NSPI is expected to provide Commune with the capital needed to further develop these solutions and expand its reach. This collaboration brings together Nomura’s established expertise in supporting unlisted companies with Commune’s innovative approach to community building.  By leveraging Commune’s platform, companies can enhance engagement, drive customer loyalty, and create more dynamic internal and external relationships.  The post Nomura SPARX Subsidiary Invests in Community Platform Commune appeared first on LeapRate.

The changes, effective from 3 November, are designed to align the benchmark more closely with the Financial Stability Board’s recommendations for interest rate benchmarks, ensuring it meets contemporary international standards. FTSE Russell explained that the new methodology will transition away from quotes and will be grounded in VND deposit transactions for its overnight, spot-week, two-week, one-month and three-month tenors.  This shift aims to enhance the benchmark’s robustness and accuracy.  In addition to the methodology changes, FTSE Russell is launching new overnight VND VNIBOR compounded average rates and an overnight index, a move that will support the use of overnight VND VNIBOR as a risk-free rate (RFR), similar to the SOFR in the U.S. and SORA in Singapore. The administration of the reformed tenors, compounded averages and index will be handled by FTSE International Limited, which will ensure compliance with UK and EU benchmark regulations (BMR).  Jacob Rank-Broadley, Head of LIBOR Transition at FTSE Russell, stated: “These methodology changes have been developed in conjunction with the market to ensure Vietnam has an accurate and robust interbank interest rate which will support development of Vietnam’s financial markets and economy.” The post FTSE Russell Reforms Vietnamese Interest Rate Benchmark appeared first on LeapRate.

The historic transaction took place on emsTradepoint, the natural gas settlement and matching platform operated by Transpower New Zealand.  The firm said the milestone introduces a new layer of flexibility and risk management for market participants, offering a vital tool to navigate an evolving energy landscape. The inaugural deal, which was developed in collaboration with market participants to address short-term gas supply needs for major users, involved a three-month option with a fixed strike price of $15.50.  The option covered just under half a petajoule and was structured for weekly deliveries, entitling buyers to secure up to five terajoules per day.  The value of the new hedging tool was quickly underscored when, following the deal’s execution, the New Zealand spot gas market saw prices soar to $41. This prompted the option holder to exercise their right to secure guaranteed gas volumes at the predetermined strike price. According to Daniel Skipper, founder of Aotearoa Energy, the exchange option provides an important hedging mechanism for end-users, especially given the high volatility and ongoing gas shortages experienced in New Zealand last year. “With more commercial and industrial customers considering the spot market, this exchange option introduces a range of products to help both new and existing users manage risk and, importantly, ensure security of supply,” commented Skipper.  The post Aotearoa Energy Executes New Zealand’s First Exchange-Traded Gas Option appeared first on LeapRate.

The move is expected to integrate OpenPay’s subscription management, payment orchestration, and revenue analytics tools into Airwallex’s existing platform, strengthening its product suite against competitors such as Stripe Billing and Recurly.  The acquisition aims to empower Airwallex customers to automate and unlock revenue growth in an increasingly global subscription economy. The new billing capabilities are set to become available for both new and existing customers in the fourth quarter of 2025.  The addition comes as the global subscription market is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030, a trend that is driving increased demand for multicurrency billing tools.  Jack Zhang, Co-founder and CEO of Airwallex, noted that most current billing systems are not designed for a global, multi-currency environment, a gap he believes Airwallex is now closing. According to Lance Co Ting Keh, CEO of OpenPay, the partnership with Airwallex provides the global reach necessary to apply their platform at a larger scale.  “In Airwallex, we found a partner who shares our vision, our DNA, and has the global reach to apply our work at scale,” stated Ting Keh. “We are very proud of what we’ve built and excited for our next chapter as we partner with Airwallex to set a new standard, creating a paradigm shift in global payments.” The post Airwallex Acquires OpenPay to Deliver Billing, Payment, and Revenue Analytics Tools appeared first on LeapRate.

The company said it has entered into agreements to issue 9.4 million new ordinary shares at 15 pence per share.  The Subscription Shares will be placed with institutional and other investors, with admission to trading on AIM expected around 17 September 2025. The issue price represents a 50 percent premium to Fiinu’s August subscription linked to its reverse takeover of Everfex P.S.A., and matches the price of its facility settlement announced on 1 September. A significant allocation of the fundraising will be subscribed by QVP, a Luxembourg-based investment fund focused on supporting innovative businesses and scaling them internationally.  QVP has established a strong presence in Poland and other European markets, with a track record of backing growth companies in the technology sector. Fiinu stated that the proceeds will be used to provide additional working capital as the group progresses its plans following its recent corporate developments. The company highlighted that the placement had been driven by investor demand. An application will be made for the new shares to be admitted to AIM.  The post Fiinu to Raise up to £1.41 Million in Share Subscription appeared first on LeapRate.