The agreement centres on integrating SG-FORGE’s EUR and USD CoinVertible stablecoins into Deutsche Börse’s market infrastructure, positioning the tokens as payment and settlement instruments across a range of services. The move aims to support the development of a more efficient digital market ecosystem, with the initial focus on strengthening CoinVertible’s usability in collateral management and securities settlement.  Clearstream, Deutsche Börse’s post-trade arm, will embed the stablecoin within its collateral and treasury functions. The partnership will also see CoinVertible listed on Deutsche Börse’s digital trading venues to improve liquidity. Deutsche Börse said the collaboration supports the roll-out of MiCA-compliant stablecoins suited to institutional users, while enabling a broader set of use cases across its entire service portfolio.  Stephanie Eckermann, Executive Board member responsible for Post-Trading, said the agreement “fosters innovative power for European financial markets” and reflects the group’s determination to embed stablecoins “in a regulated, reliable, and trusted infrastructure.” Societe Generale described the partnership as a major step towards linking traditional capital markets with the crypto ecosystem.  Jean-Marc Stenger, CEO of SG-FORGE, said the initiative strengthens the firm’s position as “Europe’s reference stablecoin issuer” and provides a bridge between crypto-native participants and established market infrastructures. The collaboration also aligns with ongoing wholesale CBDC projects in which both groups participate, aimed at digitising issuance, settlement and custody through distributed ledger technologies. The post Deutsche Börse and SG-FORGE Partner to Advance Stablecoin Settlement in Europe appeared first on LeapRate.

The audit, conducted in 2025, found that the institution’s organisational structure, risk management processes, control functions and internal auditing did not fully meet the standards required.  BaFin subsequently issued two binding measures: an instruction to rectify organisational deficiencies and a requirement to hold additional own funds. The authority said proper business organisation is essential to ensure that credit institutions comply with regulatory obligations and operate in a way that is economically sound.  The measures against Tradegate AG became legally binding on 17 November 2025. BaFin noted that the additional capital requirement will remain in place until the firm restores full compliance with organisational standards. Tradegate AG, headquartered in Berlin, is required to take corrective action across the areas identified during the audit. The regulator emphasised that its intervention is intended to protect market integrity and ensure the stability of supervised institutions. The bank may apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal should it wish to challenge the decision. The post BaFin Tells Tradegate AG to Strengthen Governance and Hold Additional Capital appeared first on LeapRate.

Located in Chatswood, north of Sydney’s central business district, the store will host workshops, personalised app guidance and real-time tutorials from platform specialists.  Moomoo Australia and New Zealand CEO Michael McCarthy said the initiative reflects the firm’s core mission “to open the world of investing through creating community and offering accessible tools and education.” McCarthy added that the new location would support investors “of all levels” by helping them understand trading challenges and use the platform’s advanced AI-driven features more effectively.  Moomoo launched in Australia just over three years ago and has since become the nation’s most-downloaded trading app in 2025, according to the company. The broker said the store addresses demand from users who prefer a degree of face-to-face interaction in an otherwise digital trading environment. In-person support will be available for opening accounts, navigating the app and accessing the platform’s analytical tools. Moomoo described the store as a significant milestone, reinforcing its commitment to the Australian market at a time when retail investor participation remains elevated. The post Trading Platform Moomoo Opens First Retail Investment Store in Australia appeared first on LeapRate.

The company revealed that the upgrade brings end-to-end capabilities across consumer auto, wholesale and equipment finance, offering lenders a more scalable and efficient system. Steve Sabin, head of Capital Markets Lending at FIS, highlighted that the auto and asset finance sectors were facing “growing pressures from rising customer expectations, regulatory changes, increasing operational costs, and the inefficiencies of legacy systems.”  He added that FIS’s expanded solution would help lenders manage these challenges “with confidence.” The enhanced platform integrates origination, servicing, collections and remarketing in a single SaaS-based environment. FIS said the cloud-native approach improves scalability, supports compliance efforts and helps banks, captives and independent lenders streamline processes.  The company also highlighted new API-enabled configurability and digital-first functionality intended to deliver more personalised borrower experiences. The update comes as U.S. household auto loan debt remains high. Citing the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Q1 2025 data, FIS noted that auto loan balances totalled USD 1.66trn, underscoring the sector’s need for modernised technology infrastructure. Other benefits are said to include automated workflows that reduce operational overhead, built-in low-code tools for rapid adaptation, and continuous platform improvements.  FIS said it remains focused on innovation across the “money lifecycle,” helping clients maintain operational agility in a rapidly evolving lending landscape. The post FIS Expands Auto Finance Capabilities with New Cloud-Based Offering appeared first on LeapRate.

Peterson, who will report to John Hellier, Senior Managing Director and Head of Equities, will oversee supervisory and operational functions across the firm’s equity sales and trading business.  Hellier said Peterson’s “extensive background and leadership in both trading and client relationship management” would enhance Oppenheimer’s ability to offer differentiated insights and high-quality execution. Peterson brings more than 20 years of equity markets experience. He most recently served as Partner and Head of Sector Trading at William Blair, following nearly two decades at Credit Suisse in roles spanning telecommunications, media and technology sectors. He is a graduate of Cornell University. The firm added that Peterson will also serve as co-chair of its newly created Capital Markets Business Development Committee, tasked with driving collaboration between investment banking, research, sales and trading to expand platform capabilities and deepen client relationships. Peterson commented he was “excited to join Oppenheimer at such a dynamic moment for the equities business,” praising the firm’s commitment to building a best-in-class platform.  CEO Rob Lowenthal added that the appointment reflects ongoing investment in top talent to support long-term growth across capital markets. The post Oppenheimer Names Keith Peterson Head of Cash Equity Sales and Trading appeared first on LeapRate.

Collette, who joins DTCC on 17 November, will be based in Jersey City and report to Val Wotton, Managing Director and Global Head of Equities Solutions.  Wotton welcomed the appointment, saying: “Her deep industry expertise, strategic vision, and commitment to innovation will be invaluable as we continue to deliver solutions that enhance market resiliency and efficiency for our clients.” She joins from Morgan Stanley, where she held senior leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer and Head of Strategy for Reinvestment, Global Head of Sales Strategy, and Americas Head of Resource Optimisation.  Collette is also co-founder and global chair of Women in Securities Finance, a group dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion within the sector. DTCC said Collette will lead strategic planning and execution for the U.S. equities franchise, with a focus on supporting market expansion and strengthening client services.  Her role will also include developing operational efficiencies across DTCC’s post-trade infrastructure, which underpins much of the U.S. securities market. The post DTCC Appoints Arianne Collette as Head of U.S. Equities appeared first on LeapRate.

The move expands CQG’s relationship with Webull, following similar integrations with Webull Hong Kong and Webull Malaysia since 2023. Webull Singapore CEO Jonathan Man stated the firm was “very pleased to have engaged CQG to build the infrastructure supporting our new futures initiative,” noting the partnership’s “seamless” integration across the Asia-Pacific region.  He added that CQG’s extensive experience in delivering robust technology for futures trading would allow Webull to enhance the trading experience for its expanding retail and institutional client base. CQG, a long-standing global provider of trading technology, believes the partnership strengthens its presence in a market known for sophisticated and increasingly active futures traders.  Ben Soong, CQG’s President for APAC, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Webull Singapore as a long-term partner,” describing the city-state as “an especially active market of investors with a growing appetite for futures trading.” John Co, CQG’s Managing Director for Southeast Asia, commented that it had been “a tremendous honour” to support Webull across Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, emphasising the firm’s ability to deliver order routing, pre-trade risk management and immediate access to a large broker network. The post CQG Partners with Webull Singapore to Power New Futures Trading Offering appeared first on LeapRate.

Surety, the responsible entity of the Private Investment Fund, will be permitted to continue providing financial services only to the extent necessary to process redemptions and wind up the fund.  ASIC said these limited permissions are strictly confined to activities required for the orderly closure of the scheme. During the suspension, Surety must still meet key regulatory obligations, including maintaining a dispute resolution system where applicable, remaining a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, and holding professional indemnity insurance cover. Surety has held its AFS licence since 2008 under licence number 322 620. The regulator stated that the firm may apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal for a review of the suspension decision. The post ASIC Suspends AFS Licence of Surety Compliance Limited appeared first on LeapRate.

The total, which reached CHF 1,008 billion as of 18 November, represents a 6% increase so far this year. SIX said the achievement reflects strong demand for its custody services, driven in part by a global market rally and particularly robust U.S. equity performance. Across all business lines, SIX now holds CHF 7.2 trillion in assets under custody. Equity assets have been the largest contributor to growth, rising CHF 44 billion year to date, or 6%. This includes a 10% increase in Foreign Registered Shares and a 5% rise in International ETFs.  Other asset classes also posted strong gains, with bonds up 12% and warrants and structured products rising 31%. The firm noted increased client activity across its global footprint. Holdings from U.S. and German clients saw significant increases, while activity in the U.K.  The ETF market also contributed to the overall growth. Additional portfolios from new clients further supported the expansion. Rafael Moral Santiago, Head of Securities Services and Member of the Executive Board, said the milestone reflected SIX’s growth strategy and reinforced its ambition to be “the trusted custody partner” for private banks, wealth managers and institutional clients across 50 countries. The post SIX Crosses CHF 1 Trillion Milestone in International Assets Under Custody appeared first on LeapRate.

The partnership will combine Finimize’s ability to engage modern investors with Schwab’s long-established investment expertise. The initiative will produce customised educational guides and webinars for Finimize’s global community of more than 1.1 million retail investors.  Content will be hosted on dedicated Charles Schwab pages within the Finimize website, while webinar recordings will also be made available through Finimize’s YouTube channel.  The companies said the effort builds on a series of previous joint projects, including content delivered at the Modern Investor Summit in 2024. The programme seeks to address what the firms describe as a widening educational gap among retail investors. Finimize’s Q3 Modern Investor Pulse survey found that 44% of retail investors have reduced everyday spending to free up capital for investment, illustrating the appetite for more informed decision-making. Finimize CEO Carl Hazeley stated that the collaboration would support investors who are “cutting everyday spending to fund their investment goals,” adding that the combined expertise of both organisations would empower users.  Elaine Ball, Managing Director at Charles Schwab, said the firm remained committed to providing “accessible, high-quality educational resources” and that the partnership would extend its reach to a wider global audience. The post Finimize and Charles Schwab Partner to Expand Investment Education for Global Retail Investors appeared first on LeapRate.

Exness, one of the world’s largest multi-asset brokers, has officially opened its new office in Cape Town, marking a major milestone in its long-term commitment to traders and partners in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). As fintech innovation continues to accelerate across the region, South Africa has emerged as a natural hub for financial technology and digital inclusion. With one of the most advanced financial systems in Africa and a thriving ecosystem of start-ups and talent, Cape Town offers a unique blend of innovation and opportunity, making it the ideal regional hub for Exness. The new state-of-the-art office serves as the center of Exness’ operations in South Africa and across the SSA region. It will house local professionals providing local expertise and insights, ensuring that clients across the region benefit from local insight and global-standard service. Petr Valov, Exness co-founder and CEO, expressed, “The opening of our Cape Town office marks a new chapter for Exness, one that involves innovation and regional growth. We see immense potential in SSA and our investment here reflects our confidence in the region’s growth and in the incredible talent driving it.” The office’s inauguration brought together Exness executives, local partners, and media representatives to celebrate this significant milestone. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, speeches from the company’s senior management, and a reception with the regional team, underscoring Exness’ deepening roots in the region. The celebration continued with the Creators (EX)perience held at Killarney International Raceway’s Joubert Pits, where Exness hosted an adrenaline-charged event that embodied the brand’s values of precision and prestige. The day featured a supercar showcase and F1-style pit stop challenges, bringing the energy of motorsport to life. Guests also participated in a high-intensity racing simulator competition, where their reflexes were put to the test in a virtual tournament. Paul Margarites, Exness Regional Commercial Director, commented, “By building a strong local presence, we are bringing our global expertise closer to our traders. This office is more than a space; it’s a reflection of our long-term commitment to traders in the region.” By combining cutting-edge trading infrastructure with local expertise, Exness is empowering traders with access, confidence, and better-than-market conditions. Exness’ growing Sub-Saharan Africa operations are supported by its Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) license in South Africa and its Capital Markets Authority (CMA) license in Kenya, reinforcing the company’s commitment to responsible, transparent, and regulated operations across the continent. About Exness: Founded in 2008, Exness is a global multi-asset broker committed to providing traders with better-than-market conditions. Today, Exness is trusted by a global network of active traders. With a focus on transparency, innovation, and long-term partnerships, Exness delivers stability, precise execution, and instant withdrawal processing, setting the benchmark for reliability in the online trading industry. The post At the heart of Africa’s fintech evolution: Exness opens new Cape Town regional hub appeared first on LeapRate.

The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding at UBS’s Singapore office, agreeing to collaborate on blockchain-enabled settlement using UBS Digital Cash, a platform piloted in 2024.  UBS said the system will provide “greater efficiency, transparency and security” for Ant International’s global treasury operations, enabling real-time multi-currency payments unconstrained by traditional cut-off times. As part of the partnership, the two firms will explore tokenised deposits via an integrated solution that connects UBS Digital Cash with Ant’s proprietary Whale platform, its next-generation blockchain-based treasury management system.  The combined setup aims to allow Ant International’s entities to move funds instantly across markets while strengthening global liquidity management. Young Jin Yee, Co-Head UBS Global Wealth Management Asia Pacific and Country Head UBS Singapore, said the collaboration “builds on the momentum of our UBS Digital Cash pilot launch last year” and sets new standards for cross-border transparency and efficiency.  Kelvin Li, General Manager of Platform Tech at Ant International, said both companies “share a common belief in the potential of these technologies to transform cross-border payments”. The post UBS and Ant International Partner on Blockchain Settlement appeared first on LeapRate.

Mr Ang, a non-executive director of the SGX-listed company in 2019, sold more than 2.4 million shares held in his parents’ accounts on 13 November 2019 while in possession of non-public, material information.  MAS stated that at the time, he was aware that the company had defaulted on a loan repayment and that the creditor had the right to demand immediate repayment of the entire US$64 million principal. Five days later, Alpha Energy announced that the creditor had declared the full amount immediately due, a sum the authorities noted was “approximately ten times the value of current assets” held by the group as of mid-2019. Trading in the company’s shares was suspended immediately after the disclosure. MAS said Mr Ang’s trades allowed his parents to avoid losses of roughly S$54,900. He admitted to contravening section 218(2)(a) of the Securities and Futures Act and paid the penalty without court action.  He also agreed to a voluntary two-year undertaking not to serve as a director or participate in company management. The civil penalty follows a referral by Singapore Exchange Regulation and underscores regulators’ continued enforcement focus on market misconduct. The post MAS Fines Former AEHL Director S$137,000 for Insider Trading appeared first on LeapRate.

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding on 12 November at KB Securities’ headquarters, attended by senior executives, including CEO Lee Hong-gu and TipRanks CEO Uri Gruenbaum. Under the agreement, the firms will collaborate to strengthen their capabilities in providing global investment information using artificial intelligence and big data.  The goal, they said, is to deliver “customised content tailored to the latest global investment trends” for Korean retail investors. TipRanks will progressively integrate its proprietary datasets, including company-analysis news, analyst reports and its stock Smart Scores, into KB Securities’ two main trading platforms: the KB M-able mobile system and M-able Wide, its web-based counterpart. Gruenbaum stated that Korea was “an innovative market where overseas stock investors are rapidly increasing,” adding that the partnership would allow users to access global analysis data and insights.  Lee commented that “accurate and transparent investment information is a key factor in gaining customer trust,” noting that the collaboration would help provide content comparable to that available to local investors in major global markets. The partnership marks an expansion of KB Securities’ digital capabilities as competition intensifies among Korean brokerages seeking to serve increasingly globalised client bases.  The post TipRanks and KB Securities Form AI-Driven Investment Data Partnership appeared first on LeapRate.

The updates, announced on 17 November, aim to give corporate users deeper and more timely insights into Japanese listed companies. The new Share Buyback Information Data (TDnet/EDINET) offering introduces three datasets designed to provide comprehensive visibility into buyback activity across all domestic listed firms.  JPXI said the TDnet component will deliver immediate updates following company disclosures, offering details on “buyback resolutions,” monthly acquisition status, and notifications when buyback programmes conclude. Complementing this, the EDINET dataset will provide updates every 15 minutes, including daily buyback records for the previous month, which JPXI noted “are not available in the TDnet dataset.” A third dataset will track off-auction buybacks conducted via ToSTNeT-3, with notifications issued after market close and transaction results delivered the following morning. JPXI said the datasets create a “centralised source” of information and include historical data suitable for long-term analysis. In response to user demand, JPXI also added estimated earnings announcement times to its existing earnings dataset.  These estimated times are inferred using the company’s proprietary model, allowing users to categorise announcements by trading session, such as pre-market or afternoon, without additional processing.  JPXI said the enhancement would be accompanied by historical data and revised pricing under the renamed Earnings Announcement Dates & Times dataset. The post JPXI Expands J-Quants Pro With New Share Buyback and Earnings Data appeared first on LeapRate.

FIS said the move would enable institutions to adopt its cloud-based systems more easily, benefiting from faster deployment and simplified procurement via Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure.  The Treasury and Risk Manager platform, which recently won an industry award, offers AI-enabled analytics including “Treasury GPT” for real-time insight into liquidity and regulatory compliance. Meanwhile, GETPAID is an AI-powered receivables platform covering credit management, collections, invoicing and dispute resolution, designed to streamline corporate finance operations. JP James, head of Treasury and Risk Management at FIS, said launching through Microsoft Marketplace “is a major step forward in our mission to unlock financial technology to the world.” The company added that the collaboration allows global clients to access “secure, scalable and intelligent solutions”. Microsoft’s Cyril Belikoff said Marketplace helps firms “move faster, work smarter, and grow”. FIS beleives the integration will give clients high-level support, operational elasticity and the ability to upgrade infrastructure rapidly as financial processes become increasingly digital and data-driven. The post FIS Brings Treasury and Receivables Platforms to Microsoft Marketplace appeared first on LeapRate.

The affected funds are the SPDR MarketAxess Investment Grade 400 Corporate Bond ETF (LQIG), SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF (ESIX), SPDR MSCI USA Climate Paris Aligned ETF (NZUS), and the Nuveen Municipal Bond ESG ETF (MBNE). The final day for creations and redemptions will be 12 May 2026, with trading suspended at the market open on 13 May 2026 on their respective listing exchanges, which include NYSE Arca, Nasdaq and Cboe BZX.  Each ETF will liquidate its assets and distribute proceeds to shareholders on or about 18–19 May 2026. State Street gave no further detail on the rationale behind each closure but said the decision followed an ongoing review of the portfolio.  The move comes amid broader industry consolidation as issuers focus on scale, liquidity and cost efficiency. Shareholders remaining on the liquidation date will automatically receive cash distributions, while those wishing to exit earlier may sell shares on-exchange before trading suspends.  The firm emphasised that operational timelines and exchange processes would be consistent with regulatory requirements. The closures reduce State Street’s ESG-labelled ETF range, reflecting shifting investor flows after years of strong inflows into thematic and sustainable products. The post State Street to Close Four ETFs After Product Review appeared first on LeapRate.

Until the transition is complete, existing customers will continue using Alto’s platform. Alto’s technology will then be integrated into Public’s systems, making Public “one of the only platforms where customers can trade crypto in their IRAs,” according to Leif Abraham, Public’s co-CEO and co-founder. The acquisition comes amid rising retail demand for crypto, supported by improving regulatory clarity and greater institutional involvement.  Public has expanded its digital asset tools over the past year, adding more tradeable coins and enabling crypto trading via API. For Alto, the collaboration represents its first enterprise relationship under its new Custodial Infrastructure as a Service (CaaS) model.  Alto will no longer operate directly in the crypto segment but will continue to provide IRA access to private equity, private credit, real estate and infrastructure opportunities.  Alto CEO and founder Eric Satz said Public was “the right crypto distribution partner” and confirmed Alto would remain the custodian of the accounts after the handover. Crypto IRAs allow investors to trade digital assets without incurring the taxable events typically triggered in standard accounts. Earnings, as with other IRAs, can grow tax-deferred or tax-free. Once the integration is completed, former Alto CryptoIRA clients will be able to access their accounts and Public’s wider investment offerings through Public’s platform. The post Public Acquires Alto’s CryptoIRA Business appeared first on LeapRate.

A recruitment process is underway, with the bank set to confirm a permanent successor in due course. Christopher Davies, currently Deputy CEO, has been appointed Interim CEO, effective 1 January 2026.  Davies has spent 40 years with HSBC, including the past six years serving as Deputy CEO of the Continental Europe business. Chief Financial Officer Joseph Swithenbank will continue in his role and remain Deputy CEO. Michael Roberts, CEO of HSBC Bank plc and CEO of Corporate and Institutional Banking, paid tribute to Wild’s two-decade contribution to the group, stating that he had “successfully guided HSBC Continental Europe through significant change and turning around the underlying profitability.”  Roberts added that the business now stands in a “strong position for future growth.” Wild has served as CEO since 2021 and has overseen a period of restructuring and improved financial performance across HSBC’s European operations. The region continues to play a critical role in the group’s global footprint and remains central to its growth plans. HSBC Continental Europe is headquartered in Paris and is responsible for the bank’s wholesale activities across the European Union. The post HSBC Continental Europe CEO Andrew Wild to Step Down at Year-End appeared first on LeapRate.

The expansion follows the launch of a new title transfer model featuring a pledge-back mechanism designed specifically for UCITS and other beneficial owners, including sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and central banks.  The structure allows these clients to benefit from centrally cleared SFTs without posting margin or contributing to the central counterparty’s default fund, enhancing their attractiveness to borrowers and supporting liquidity in the securities lending market. Vikesh Patel, President of Cboe Clear Europe, said the development “reinforces our commitment to driving market innovation, transparency, and resilience.”  Laide Majiyagbe, BNY’s Global Head of Liquidity, Financing and Collateral, called the launch a “landmark solution” that improves collateral efficiency and liquidity. BNY already acts as a Tri-Party Collateral Agent for the service, which went live in March and is transforming the traditionally bilateral SFT process for European equities and ETFs into a centrally cleared model.  The move offers potential capital benefits, including reduced risk-weighted assets for clearing participants. Cboe Clear Europe is also offering cross-product margin offsets between cash equities and SFTs. The clearing house plans to expand the service in 2026 to additional jurisdictions and a wider range of lendable securities as it continues to scale its infrastructure. The post BNY Becomes First Agent Lender to Use Cboe Clear Europe’s Expanded SFT Service appeared first on LeapRate.