Grant, who succeeds Florence Gallois, brings more than three decades of experience in human resources leadership and strategic talent management.  She was most recently Chief People Officer at Ubisoft, where she oversaw a transformation of the HR function during a period of significant organisational change. Prior to that, Grant held senior HR roles at Dyson, where she led an operating model transformation, and at Uber, where she played a key role in shaping leadership and culture ahead of the company’s initial public offering.  She began her career at Accenture before moving into internal HR leadership positions across Europe. Pierre-Antoine Vacheron, Chief Executive of Worldline, said: “We are pleased to welcome Anika Grant to our Executive Committee as Chief People Officer. Her extensive experience and proven track record in leading HR transformations within major international companies uniquely position her to guide Worldline through the profound changes we are undertaking.” He added his thanks to Gallois, who is leaving the company: “Florence has driven our People strategy, strengthened our HR team, and modernised our processes. We are grateful for her commitment and the solid foundation she has helped establish.” An Australian national, Grant has worked in Sydney, London, Singapore and Paris, and is fluent in English and French. She will be based in Paris and report directly to Vacheron. The post Worldline Appoints Anika Grant as Chief People Officer appeared first on LeapRate.

Seker, who brings more than two decades of legal and regulatory experience, will oversee strategy, operations, and engagement with policymakers across the Asia-Pacific region. His appointment follows AUSTRAC’s order earlier this month for Binance’s Australian business to undergo an independent audit after raising “serious concerns” over its anti-money laundering controls. Seker previously served as Senior Vice President at Crypto.com, where he managed global product development and regulatory matters across APAC and MENASA.  He has also held senior roles at Ant Group, Rothschild & Co, and Amicorp Group, as well as legal positions at the Monetary Authority of Singapore and in litigation practice in Australia. Commenting on the appointment, Binance Chief Executive Richard Teng said: “APAC has always been a key region for Binance, and Seker’s deep-rooted experience across its diverse markets makes him uniquely positioned to lead the company’s next phase of regional growth and engagement.” Seker added that he was “excited to join Binance to help shape a sustainable, innovative, and compliant future for the digital-asset ecosystem across the region.” The post Binance Appoints SB Seker as Asia-Pacific Head appeared first on LeapRate.

ASIC determined that Mr Petrovic advised clients to establish self-managed superannuation funds and direct significant portions of their retirement savings into the Global Capital Property Fund Limited (GCPF), a related property investment company which is also now in liquidation. The regulator found Mr Petrovic had not acted in his clients’ best interests, failed to provide appropriate advice, and prioritised the interests of UGC over those of his clients.  He was also found to have made misleading statements and issued defective Statements of Advice.  ASIC said that by purporting to limit his advice to “execution only” while still presenting comparative analyses, Mr Petrovic engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct. The six-year ban, which took effect on 15 January 2025, was briefly stayed in February before resuming on 26 March. Mr Petrovic has applied to the Administrative Review Tribunal for a review of the decision, with judgment reserved after hearings in June and July. ASIC urged former UGC clients to seek independent financial advice unrelated to the firm. The regulator also reiterated its warnings for consumers to remain cautious of high-pressure sales tactics and inappropriate superannuation switching advice. The post ASIC Bans Former United Global Capital Adviser for Six Years appeared first on LeapRate.

The conviction stemmed from Trevillian’s creation and distribution of forged performance verification reports, which were used to solicit investments from clients of AlphaThorn Pty Ltd.  ASIC said the conduct demonstrated serious dishonesty and warranted the strongest possible regulatory response. Under the Corporations Act 2001 and the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009, ASIC may permanently ban individuals from financial and credit services if convicted of serious fraud.  In addition to being barred from providing financial services, Trevillian is also prohibited from controlling an entity that operates in the sector or performing any related functions. The permanent ban took effect on 18 August 2025 and has been recorded on ASIC’s banned and disqualified register. Trevillian was formerly the sole director and secretary of Metal Alpha Pty Ltd and acted as investment manager for AlphaThorn Pty Ltd.  In December 2024, he was convicted of two counts of making a false document to obtain a financial advantage under the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, to be served by way of an intensive correction order. ASIC said the ban reinforced its commitment to protecting investors and upholding integrity in the financial services industry. The post ASIC Permanently Bans NSW Investment Manager Over Fraud Conviction appeared first on LeapRate.

According to the SEC’s order, between August 2020 and December 2023, Vanguard incentivised its financial advisers to enrol and retain clients in PAS, without sufficiently informing clients of the potential conflict created by this compensation structure.  While Vanguard’s official brochure acknowledged that advisers could receive bonuses tied to client enrolments, other disclosure documents and marketing materials contradicted this by claiming advisers received no additional financial incentives. The SEC found that advisers were evaluated against annual performance metrics, such as client implementation and retention rates, that directly influenced bonuses, promotions and salary increases.  The SEC said these incentives created a conflict that was not consistently or clearly communicated to clients.  The regulator concluded that Vanguard had therefore violated Sections 206(2) and 206(4) of the Investment Advisers Act and failed to implement adequate compliance policies. As part of the settlement, Vanguard has agreed to a cease-and-desist order, censure, and the establishment of a Fair Fund to return money to affected clients, as well as the $19.5m civil monetary penalty. In determining the settlement, the SEC took into account remedial actions by Vanguard, including updates to disclosures in late 2023 and the hiring of a consultant to review its conflict-management approach. Vanguard did not admit or deny the SEC’s findings. The post SEC Fines Vanguard Advisers $19.5m for Failing to Disclose Conflicts in Advisory Service appeared first on LeapRate.

The agreement is expected to see State Street deliver fund accounting, administration and custody services, deepening a relationship that dates back to the 1990s.  The firms have collaborated across multiple mandates, including support for Columbia Threadneedle’s acquisition of BMO Financial Group’s EMEA Asset Management business in 2021. As part of the expanded mandate, more than 100 Columbia Threadneedle employees in the U.S. who currently provide fund accounting and administration will transfer to comparable roles at State Street. In Europe, Columbia Threadneedle will further consolidate services for its U.K. and Luxembourg-based pooled funds with State Street, including depositary and custody functions. “We have enjoyed a successful decades-long relationship with Columbia Threadneedle and look forward to helping them continue their commitment to operational excellence and expanding our services to support the next phase of their growth,” said Joerg Ambrosius, president of Investment Services at State Street. David Logan, Head of EMEA and Global Business Operations at Columbia Threadneedle, said: “We are delighted to expand our relationship with State Street as they support our growth agenda, providing valuable and scalable expertise, capabilities and resources.” State Street said the deal underscores its ability to offer full-service solutions to leading global asset managers seeking operational scale and entry into new markets. The post State Street Expands $431 Billion Investment Services Mandate with Columbia Threadneedle appeared first on LeapRate.

The firm explained that the new feature is designed to provide clients with greater transparency and intelligence across collateral operations by leveraging anonymised peer data and key performance indicators. The tool is said to allow users to analyse transaction volumes, asset allocation, repo rates and other metrics in order to identify trends, uncover opportunities and align their strategies with market standards.  Clearstream believes the service will support strategic decision-making, improve operational efficiency and offer deeper visibility into collateral market dynamics. Among its features, Collateral Benchmarking provides peer-based performance comparisons, insights into competitive repo rate levels, and analysis across asset ratings, product categories and geographic trends.  According to Clearstream, the enhancement will also help clients optimise pricing, portfolio allocation and efficiency by highlighting areas of growth potential while reducing inefficiencies. The new capability will be accessible via the existing Collateral Insights Dashboard in Clearstream’s Xact Web Portal. Clearstream stated that the integration ensures a seamless experience for clients already using the dashboard, while adding a layer of benchmarking intelligence to support proactive management of collateral operations. Clearstream described the move as part of its commitment to providing innovative tools that improve decision-making and operational resilience in the collateral management space. The post Clearstream Introduces Collateral Benchmarking Tool to Enhance Market Insights appeared first on LeapRate.

Entercard, which provides card products and consumer loans through partnerships in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, has been co-owned by Swedbank and Barclays since 2005. It employs around 450 staff and serves 1.5 million customers. “Today we are forming the largest card business in the Nordics and Baltics,” said Tomas Hedberg, Deputy Chief Executive of Swedbank. “Through this acquisition, Swedbank continues to invest in and develop our business. This creates even greater opportunities to strengthen our customer offering.” The purchase price corresponds to 50 per cent of Entercard’s equity at the time of the transaction. In the first quarter of 2025, Entercard’s total equity was about SEK 5.2 billion. Entercard will retain its brand identity following the acquisition. Chief Executive Jan Haglund welcomed the move, stating: “For 20 years, Entercard has been on a strong growth journey. Becoming a full part of Swedbank, the leading financial group in Sweden and the Baltics, creates new business opportunities to further strengthen our operations.” The acquisition is expected to reduce Swedbank’s Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio by around 30 basis points upon completion. The bank described this as consistent with its 15/27 business plan. The post Swedbank Acquires Barclays’ Entercard Stake appeared first on LeapRate.

Expected to go live in January 2026, PlattsView will be integrated into Platts’ Market-On-Close (MOC) price assessment process for the U.S. Aluminium P1020 Midwest Transaction Premium (MWP), the industry’s benchmark for U.S. aluminium prices.  The platform will enable market participants to directly enter bids, offers and transaction data into the assessment process. CME Group will provide its CME Direct solution as the underlying technology, offering a real-time screen view of market activity. “PlattsView users will benefit from the ease of communication and the at-a-glance view of market activity,” commented Matt Thompson, Head of Platts Global Trading Solutions at S&P Global Commodity Insights. “We are excited about the enhanced transparency it will bring to the U.S. aluminium market and about our expanded work with CME Group in this important market.” Jin Hennig, Managing Director and Global Head of Metals at CME Group, added: “As regional price dynamics become increasingly important, our collaboration with PlattsView will enhance transparency for the U.S. aluminium community.” Platts said it is currently engaging with market participants and will demonstrate the new tool to the marketplace ahead of its launch. The initiative aims to deliver greater efficiency and visibility in one of the key industrial metals markets. The post Platts and CME Group to Launch Screen-Based Price Assessment Tool for US Aluminium Market appeared first on LeapRate.

The move highlights rapid growth in the global over-the-counter (OTC) crypto sector. It comes after OTC crypto trading volumes surged 112.6 percent in the first half of 2025, according to Finery Markets’ latest review.  The sector also recorded a 57.6 percent increase in total deals, cementing its position as one of the fastest-growing areas of digital finance. Through the alliance, Finery Markets’ infrastructure will power Caladan’s institutional liquidity offering, enabling access to more than 1,000 digital assets traded across 70 global exchanges.  Together, the firms aim to support a business representing an estimated $170 billion in annual trading volume. Caladan said the partnership would accelerate its ability to meet growing demand from institutional clients seeking secure and scalable access to crypto markets.  Finery Markets’ technology, known for its focus on operational efficiency and compliance, is expected to play a central role in scaling this liquidity provision. The expansion reflects a broader shift as institutional investors increasingly move into OTC trading to manage larger transactions away from public exchanges, reducing market impact and improving execution quality. Both companies described the tie-up as a step towards strengthening infrastructure for global digital asset markets.  The post Caladan and Finery Markets Join Forces to Tap OTC Crypto Surge appeared first on LeapRate.

In its 2024 assessment, FINMA confirmed that the emergency plans for Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) and Raiffeisen meet regulatory standards.  However, PostFinance’s plan remains insufficient, with the institution still lacking adequate recapitalisation capacity to absorb losses in the event of a crisis. PostFinance acknowledged the issue last year and has been raising the necessary funds since 2024, with completion expected by the end of 2025.  FINMA also criticised PostFinance’s alternative strategy, stating it does not currently guarantee the continuity of essential banking functions should restructuring prove unfeasible. By contrast, recovery plans for all three banks – PostFinance, Raiffeisen and ZKB – were approved. FINMA said its post–Credit Suisse assessment placed particular emphasis on trigger thresholds for recovery measures and scenario analysis, noting improvements across the institutions. Systemically important banks in Switzerland are required to demonstrate annually how they would preserve core functions, including deposits, payments and lending, if faced with insolvency.  They must also prove they can stabilise independently without state intervention. FINMA reiterated its support for an expanded “crisis toolkit,” as proposed by the Federal Council, to enhance the regulator’s ability to restructure or wind down troubled banks.  It said such measures would help bolster the resilience of the Swiss financial system. A separate assessment of UBS will follow later this year. The post FINMA Flags PostFinance Weakness in Emergency Planning appeared first on LeapRate.

Between June 2020 and January 2021, NBL misused more than US$68m of a client’s funds on six occasions to subscribe to shares in a Cayman fund for its own benefit, without the client’s consent. The firm retained the profits before repaying only the principal by mid-2021. The SFC also found that NBL knowingly facilitated a scheme led by Neo Ng Yu, which misappropriated around US$154m of the same client’s assets. The funds were purportedly invested in “liquidity provider units” of a sub-fund, but no such units existed. Instead, significant sums were channelled to Ng and his related entities. Investigators said NBL fabricated documents and provided false information to conceal the misuse of assets, later presenting contradictory explanations regarding the funds’ whereabouts. The SFC concluded that the misconduct was directly attributable to Lee, who personally gave false statements during the inquiry and maintained close ties with Ng. In determining the sanctions, the regulator cited the seriousness of the breaches, the loss of client funds, and the damage caused to investor confidence. NBL, which once held licences to trade securities, futures, forex and manage assets, was ordered to be wound up by Hong Kong’s High Court in 2022. The post Hong Kong Regulator Revokes Nerico Brothers Licence Over Client Asset Misuse appeared first on LeapRate.

The Swiss-based interdealer broker reported consolidated revenue, including joint ventures, of CHF 632.1 million for the six months, up 12.3% at constant exchange rates compared with the same period last year. Operating profit before depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 27.3% to CHF 114.7m, lifting the margin to 18.1% from 16.0% in 2024. Group net profit attributable to shareholders was CHF 70.2m, an increase of 20.4% at constant exchange rates, while basic earnings per share rose to CHF 9.14 from CHF 7.98. Reported revenue excluding joint ventures also advanced, climbing 10.8% at constant exchange rates to CHF 580.1m. The group highlighted growth in both its interdealer broking (IDB) business, which saw revenues climb 11.2% to CHF 607.6m, and its online forex trading operations in Japan, which surged 47.6% to CHF 24.5m. Despite foreign exchange headwinds and increased interest expenses from bond refinancing, the company maintained a robust balance sheet with net cash of CHF 278.3m as of 30 June, up 22.1% year-on-year. Looking ahead, Compagnie Financière Tradition said it would continue pursuing organic growth, with a focus on hybrid brokerage solutions, data services, and digitalisation initiatives. The group said its strong capital position leaves it well-placed to capture further opportunities amid ongoing uncertainty in global markets. The post Compagnie Financière Tradition Reports Strong First-Half Growth on Market Volatility appeared first on LeapRate.

In a release on Wednesday, IC Markets highlighted the Cypriot football club’s 2–0 victory in the opening match of the 2025–26 league season. The sponsorship agreement, extended earlier this year through 2027, reinforces IC Markets EU’s commitment to supporting both the club and the wider Limassol community.  The company described the renewal as part of a broader strategy to build connections beyond financial markets and align with institutions representing heritage, ambition and excellence. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with AEL Limassol,” said a spokesperson for IC Markets EU. “This renewal highlights our commitment not only to the club but also to the broader Limassol community. Football has the power to unite people, and we’re proud to stand alongside a team with such a storied history and loyal fanbase.” Founded in 1930, AEL Limassol is among Cyprus’s most historic and decorated football clubs, with success both domestically and internationally.  The renewed sponsorship provides the club with long-term backing as it seeks further achievements on and off the pitch during the current season. For IC Markets EU, the partnership reflects a strategy of using sport to strengthen its brand presence while engaging with communities.  The company said it looked forward to celebrating more successes with the club as the season progresses, building on the momentum of the opening victory. The post IC Markets EU Renews AEL Limassol Sponsorship appeared first on LeapRate.

The cancellation took effect on 28 July 2025 and was announced by ASIC on Thursday.  ASIC explained that under section 915B(3)(e) of the Corporations Act 2001, it has the authority to suspend or cancel an AFS licence where a licensee has not paid levies imposed under the ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Act 2017, including any associated late or shortfall penalties, for at least 12 months after the due date. BDS Accounting, which had held AFS Licence number 489230 since December 2017, was authorised to provide financial product advice and deal in superannuation, limited to self-managed superannuation funds. ASIC said the firm’s failure to settle its industry levies met the conditions for cancellation. The levies form part of the regulator’s cost recovery framework, which requires licensed entities to contribute to the cost of regulating the financial services industry. BDS Accounting has the right to seek a review of the decision by appealing to the Administrative Review Tribunal. The regulator regularly uses its powers under the Corporations Act to enforce compliance with levy obligations, viewing the timely payment of levies as essential to ensuring fair cost-sharing among market participants. The post ASIC Cancels BDS Accounting’s Licence Over Unpaid Levies appeared first on LeapRate.

The firm said on Wednesday that the products span agricultural commodities, energy, metals and freight, and are listed on the Shanghai International Energy Exchange, the Dalian Commodity Exchange and the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange.  The initiative follows Marex’s approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission to act as an Overseas Intermediary. Marex said demand for these contracts has been growing among corporates and exporters seeking to manage long-term risks and enhance price discovery in Chinese domestic commodities.  The firm added that expanding access to China Internationalised Futures Contracts supports its strategy to broaden its geographic footprint and strengthen its relevance to clients. The move comes after the opening of Marex’s new Hong Kong office earlier this year, a step that Chief Executive Officer for Asia Pacific, Arthur Fan, said underlined the firm’s regional ambitions. “We continue to look for new ways to connect our global clients to Asian markets, providing them with new options to manage their risk,” Fan said. “This access is further evidence of our commitment to invest both in Asia and in our product offering, even during uncertain times in global markets.” Chinese commodity exchange-traded derivatives have grown rapidly since international market access was introduced in 2018.  According to the Futures Industry Association, they accounted for more than half of all global commodity contracts traded in the first five months of 2025. The post Marex Offers Access to China Internationalised Futures Contracts appeared first on LeapRate.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) found that between 2021 and 2024, MWL operated a so-called “low cost advice project” using referrals from telemarketers, leading more than 750 clients to invest $155 million in Shield.  ASIC said MWL failed to act in clients’ best interests, used misleading statements of advice, and had undisclosed bonus and referral arrangements. Deputy Chair Sarah Court said: “Clients who seek advice from financial advisers should be able to trust that the advice they receive will be in their best interest. Failing to manage conflicts has the potential to cause consumers to be given financial product advice that may not suit their needs.” ASIC determined that Maikousis was the “driving force” behind the scheme and lacked adequate appreciation of the obligations owed by a financial services provider.  He has been banned from providing or controlling any financial services business until 2035. The cancellation of MWL’s licence takes effect from 25 September 2025. ASIC has directed the firm to remain a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority until August 2026, allowing clients time to lodge complaints. The regulator’s investigation into Shield continues, including proceedings against Equity Trustees over alleged due diligence failures. Since 2022, more than 5,800 consumers have invested $480 million in the fund. The post ASIC Cancels MWL’s Licence and Bans Director Over Advice Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

The bank said its new direct payment rails provide “high transaction speed and a scalable platform,” designed to reduce the number of transaction hops compared with the common PSP-driven model.  The integration aims to boost success rates while simplifying reconciliation for merchants. Through a single connection to Deutsche Bank’s Merchant Solutions platform, clients gain access to UPI alongside cards and other local methods.  The bank’s orchestration layer routes payments via selected providers, with Deutsche Bank remaining the counterparty of record. Merchants can now accept UPI through QR codes, payment links and collection requests, with real-time reporting available online. Oliver von Quadt, Deutsche Bank’s global head of merchant solutions – acceptance, said the firm sees “significant potential to continue to grow our merchant solutions business in India.”  “While still early days, we are seeing significant interest from our corporate clients and PSPs on this offering with the objective of improving the overall customer experience,” he added. UPI handled 172 billion transactions worth $2.88 trillion in 2024 and is recognised in seven other countries including Singapore, France and the UAE.  Daily UPI transactions in India are expected to reach one billion in coming years, underlining the scale of the opportunity for banks and payment providers. The post Deutsche Bank Optimises UPI Connectivity to Streamline Merchant Payments in India appeared first on LeapRate.

The move makes eToro the first non-Nordic broker to offer complimentary real-time access to Nasdaq Nordic equities data to its global retail client base. The development builds on eToro’s existing agreement with Nasdaq for U.S. equity data and underscores both firms’ efforts to broaden retail investor access to localised markets. “Since our founding in 2007, eToro has built a global investment platform serving the needs of users from 75 countries around the world,” said Yossi Brandes, VP of Execution Services at eToro. “Many retail investors still have a strong home bias and this partnership enables us to offer a broader range of local stocks as well as superior pricing data for our users investing in European companies.” Retail participation in the Nordic main market has risen steadily, increasing from 7.7% in 2018 to 10.6% in the first quarter of 2025. Nasdaq Nordic exchanges, home to companies such as Volvo, H&M, Nokia and Novo Nordisk, have also historically delivered some of the strongest long-term real returns globally. “Expanding access to real-time market data is foundational to building a more connected and informed global investor community,” said Brandon Tepper, Global Head of Data at Nasdaq. The partnership also supports eToro’s broader strategy of expanding access to local markets through collaborations with other global exchanges. The post eToro Expands Partnership with Nasdaq to Offer Nordic Equities Data appeared first on LeapRate.

The firm has adopted Centroid Bridge, an advanced connectivity, liquidity distribution and execution engine, to improve trading performance, broaden its product suite and enhance risk management.  The integration is designed to support OW Markets’ growth strategy as it seeks to deliver a more competitive service to retail and institutional clients. “At OW Markets, we are always seeking ways to enhance our services and provide our clients with the most efficient and reliable trading solutions,” said Mohammad Yaghi, Founder and CEO at OW Markets. “With Centroid’s technology stack in place, we are poised to aggressively expand our offerings and achieve even greater heights.” The partnership is expected to deliver tighter spreads, deeper market access and faster trade execution.  Centroid Bridge also offers built-in tools to monitor and manage risks in real time, alongside infrastructure designed to scale with growing demand. Cristian Vlasceanu, CEO of Centroid Solutions, said: “It’s always exciting to collaborate with brokerages that are rapidly expanding.”  “Our technology is built to perform in high-throughput environments, and we look forward to helping OW Markets achieve new milestones in efficiency and success.” By strengthening its operational backbone, OW Markets aims to combine scale with innovation, while offering more flexible liquidity solutions tailored for financial institutions. The post OW Markets Partners with Centroid Solutions to Strengthen Brokerage Operations appeared first on LeapRate.