$67,822. That is where Bitcoin (BTC) trades on March 31, 2026, the final session of a quarter that erased approximately $20,000 per coin. BTC opened 2026 at $87,508 and has since fallen roughly 23%, making Q1 2026 the third-worst opening quarter since 2013. Only Q1 2018 (-49.7%) and Q1 2014 (-37.4%) produced steeper losses, and both preceded confirmed bear market cycles. The March 30 daily close came in at $66,691, already below the $67,000 level that analysts flagged as the line separating a normal correction from a structural breakdown. A red first half of 2026 is now nearly locked in: with BTC roughly 23% below its January 1 price, the coin would need a 30%+ compound rally in Q2 just to close H1 flat. That is not a recovery scenario. That is a statistical near-impossibility. This bitcoin price prediction examines where BTC goes from here, based on my over 15 years of experience as an analyst and trader.Follow me on X for real-time market analysis: @ChmielDkWhy Bitcoin Is Going Down? War, the Fed, and ETF StressThe Q1 damage was not driven by a single event but by a compounding stack of pressure. The US-Iran conflict, now in its fifth week, remains the dominant macro driver. As the earlier analysis covering Bitcoin's four-session drop below $63,000 documented, the military escalation sent capital flooding into traditional safe havens while crypto traded with equities, not against them.The Federal Reserve remains on hold at 3.5%-3.75%. Elevated oil prices from the Strait of Hormuz closure are keeping inflation expectations sticky, removing any near-term prospect of rate cuts. The dollar's strength compounds the problem for dollar-denominated risk assets. CME FedWatch pricing shows markets have pushed the first expected cut to the second half of 2026 at the earliest.Joel Kruger, crypto strategist at LMAX, described the current environment as a market "caught between lingering bearish pressure from the multi-month pullback and emerging medium-term demand from value-oriented buyers." The sentiment data reinforces that assessment. The crypto Fear & Greed Index sits at 11 as of March 31, having hit a record low of 5 on February 6. That reading exceeded the extremes seen during the Terra/Luna collapse in 2022 (which bottomed at 6), underscoring the severity of the confidence shock.ETF dynamics have shifted from tailwind to headwind. Standard Chartered's Geoff Kendrick, head of digital assets research, warned in his February 12 note that ETF investors sitting on losses are more likely to reduce exposure than accumulate. The bank cut its 2026 year-end Bitcoin forecast from $150,000 to $100,000 in that note, the second downgrade in three months. As the January bitcoin price prediction for 2026 noted, the range of institutional forecasts had already widened dramatically from the post-ATH euphoria, spanning $75,000 to $225,000.Bitcoin Technical Analysis: Bear Flag Targets $50,000My chart of BTC/USD reveals a clear bearish flag formation. The pole was drawn from mid-January through the February lows below $60,000, a sharp, high-momentum decline that set the structure. The current correction, moving upward inside a sloping regression channel, forms the flag itself. This is a textbook continuation pattern in a downtrend.For the pattern to confirm, price needs to break below the lower boundary of the regression channel, which aligns with the $63,000 area. A daily close below that level would generate a sell signal and confirm the flag breakdown, projecting further downside in the direction of the primary trend.The broader consolidation structure reinforces the bearish setup. The range has been defined by $60,000 support on the floor and $74,000-$75,000 resistance at the ceiling, a level that coincides with last year's April lows. As the February 26 analysis warned, a break of the $60,000 floor opens a direct path to $50,000, my primary bearish target and the August 2024 lows.Two exponential moving averages define the current trend dynamics. The 50 EMA sits at $71,000, pressing down from above and capping every meaningful rally attempt this quarter. The 200 EMA at $85,000 is the main trend separator, the line that divides a bull market from a bear market. Bitcoin has traded below this level since early February, and as long as it remains there, the trend is unambiguously down. Higher resistance levels, including $80,000 (November 2025 lows) and everything above, are irrelevant while price sits 20% below the 200 EMA.Kruger's technical assessment aligns with this framework. He noted that "Bitcoin needs to reclaim the $72,000 level to signal a potential shift in near-term momentum, with stronger resistance seen toward $76,000." Failure to break higher, he added, "keeps the risk tilted toward a continuation of the broader corrective phase."My directional bias is bearish. The structure favors continuation lower, and until Bitcoin reclaims the 200 EMA, rally attempts are corrective moves within a downtrend, not trend reversals. The March 16 analysis covering the $74,500 test identified the same structural risk: the eight-session winning streak was consistent with a lower high formation, not a genuine recovery.Bitcoin Price Predictions: Where Analysts See BTC HeadingThe analyst community is broadly aligned that a confirmed bottom has not been established. The debate centers on depth, not direction.Fidelity's Jurrien Timmer sees the current correction finding support in the $65,000-$75,000 range, consistent with a standard bear year within the four-year halving cycle. K33 Research is more specific, identifying $60,000 as the likely cycle bottom and projecting consolidation between $60,000 and $75,000 before any sustained recovery materializes.The bearish outliers carry institutional weight. Canary Capital's Steven McClurg warned Bitcoin could reach $50,000 by summer 2026, while Standard Chartered's Kendrick, after two consecutive forecast downgrades, now warns of a near-term drop to $50,000 before a recovery to his revised $100,000 year-end target. As the March 4 analysis established, the structural case for a sustained recovery above $88,000 requires either a Fed pivot, Clarity Act passage, or material de-escalation in Middle East tensions. None of those catalysts are imminent.On the bull side, those year-end forecasts assume H2 improvement. The Eric Trump $1 million prediction analysis from February covered the extreme upper end of the range, while the more grounded optimists cluster around $100,000-$150,000 by December, contingent on macro conditions turning favorable.Kruger offered a balanced read from the trading floor. While the "pace of downside has notably slowed, reinforcing the sense of consolidation rather than capitulation," he cautioned that depressed sentiment indicators, "from a contrarian standpoint, also suggest the balance of risks may be gradually skewing back toward the upside." That view requires patience. It is not a near-term buy signal.The 2018 Parallel: Why This Time Comparison MattersThe 2018 comparison is not just narrative convenience. Both cycles share structural DNA: a post-peak euphoria followed by relentless Q1 deleveraging, no relief rally in February, and price action that resembled a controlled collapse rather than a healthy correction. In 2018, Bitcoin fell from roughly $20,000 at its December 2017 peak to approximately $3,200 by December 2018, an 84% drawdown. The 2026 cycle peaked near $126,000 in October 2025, and the February 2026 trough hit approximately $60,000, a drawdown of 45-52% so far.As CryptoSlate's Liam Wright noted, "2026 is not in a state where unconditional seasonality should be trusted." The calendar does not reset the damage.*Ongoing; figures as of March 31, 2026.The critical difference is structural maturity. No major exchange has collapsed in 2026, no protocol has imploded, and spot Bitcoin ETFs continue to function as institutional on-ramps. The February 5 analysis of the crypto selloff to 2026 lows highlighted that BlackRock's IBIT was still absorbing hundreds of millions in single sessions even as prices crashed. This cycle's pain is macro-driven, not systemic. That distinction matters for recovery timing but does not prevent further downside in the interim.Historical data from 2016-2025 shows that years with negative first-half returns never finished positive. If that pattern holds, 2026 would need to be a clean break from every prior comparable cycle, something with zero precedent in the modern sample.Bitcoin Price Prediction FAQWhy is Bitcoin going down in 2026?Bitcoin's decline is driven by compounding macro pressures: the US-Iran conflict pushing risk-off sentiment, the Fed holding rates at 3.5%-3.75% with no near-term cut expected, a strong US dollar, and ETF investors reducing exposure rather than accumulating. Q1 2026 finished down approximately 23%, the worst opening quarter since 2018. As the January analysis of Bitcoin's six-session losing streak documented, tariff threats and geopolitical stress have driven capital away from crypto since the start of the year.How low can Bitcoin go in 2026?My technical analysis identifies $50,000 as the primary bearish target if the bear flag breakdown confirms below $63,000. That level represents the August 2024 lows. Standard Chartered and Canary Capital both project $50,000 as a plausible near-term floor, while K33 Research places the cycle bottom at $60,000. The January analysis targeting a 25% decline below $70,000 identified the 200-week EMA as a critical long-term support that has since been tested.Is Bitcoin in a bear market?By conventional definition, yes. BTC has declined over 45% from its October 2025 all-time high of $126,000 and trades well below its 200-day EMA. Q1 2026's 23% loss places it among the three worst first quarters on record, alongside confirmed bear market periods (2014 and 2018). Approximately 46% of circulating Bitcoin supply is currently underwater.What is the Bitcoin price prediction for end of 2026?Forecasts range widely. Standard Chartered targets $100,000 year-end (cut from $150,000 in February). Fidelity sees support at $65,000-$75,000 as the base for recovery. The bull case requires a Fed pivot, regulatory clarity, or geopolitical de-escalation in H2. The bear case, if $60,000 breaks, projects $50,000 or lower.Will Q2 2026 be better for Bitcoin?Historically, Q2 has delivered the opposite performance of Q1 in eight of the past thirteen years. Macro triggers to watch include Fed rate decisions, sustained ETF inflow stabilization, and whether the Fear & Greed Index can push sustainably above 20-25, the level that in prior cycles marked seller exhaustion. The March 24 analysis noted that nothing structurally changed despite weekend volatility, and the $60,000-$72,000 consolidation range remains the defining structure. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

David Barrett has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of the UK arm of Retail FX and CFDs broker EBC Financial Group, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).The change is reflected on the regulator’s register, which states: “This individual is no longer in a role that requires regulatory approval.”Executive Leads EBC, Cayman, ConsultanciesBarrett served as Director and CEO of the UK business for about six years. He also held a parallel role with the group’s Cayman entity for roughly four years.His tenure at the broker covered multiple jurisdictions and overlapping responsibilities. Both roles were listed as ongoing prior to the recent regulatory update.Alongside his work at EBC, Barrett has been active in financial consultancy. He has led Elm House Advisors Ltd for more than six years, focusing on foreign exchange, fixed income risk, and operational management.Earlier, he ran Raynehurst Advisors Ltd for about five years. Before that, he headed MKM Advisors Ltd for roughly six years.EBC Expands, IG Exits South AfricaEBC Financial Group SA has been approved by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority as an Authorised Financial Service Provider. The approval is part of the company’s plan to establish operations in South Africa, a market with around 63 million people and 76% internet penetration. The country’s fintech sector is projected to grow from USD 7.08 billion in 2023 to USD 14.86 billion by 2033. EBC cited active trading in commodities, indices, and digital assets as supporting demand for regulated market access.At the same time, IG Group is winding down its South African operations. Existing clients may continue to use accounts with the broker’s offshore entities, but no new positions will be opened. The company described the decision as “difficult” and said it intends to provide clients with a smooth transition, without disclosing a reason for the closure. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

"You have a lot of prop firms... not even allowing gold to be traded anymore,” that is how Philip H. van den Berg, co-founder and CEO of Rhodium FX, described what he says is a growing structural problem quietly spreading across the retail prop trading industry. Speaking in a Thentick podcast interview, he argued that the gold market's record-breaking run is doing something the industry never prepared for: making ordinary retail traders consistently profitable, and the economics of many prop firms simply cannot absorb it.The observation cuts to a core tension that has been building for months. As gold prices pushed to successive all-time highs, retail traders who had long struggled to pass evaluation challenges suddenly found themselves on the right side of a single, powerful trend. For prop firms whose business model depends on a majority of traders failing or churning out before reaching payout thresholds, that is a significant problem.Philip, who spent several years as COO of Dominion Markets before founding Rhodium, said the response from many firms has been blunt: simply removing gold from the list of tradeable instruments. The same volatility that prompted some prop firms to delist the metal also forced liquidity providers to act, with Scope Prime widening spreads following CME margin rule changes."We're seeing owners make money real quick and they pull a rug on the whole on the whole system," he said.You can watch the full interview on YouTube. The article continues below the video:2-5 New Prop Firms Opening Every WeekThe gold issue does not exist in isolation. Philip pointed to a market that has grown faster than its underlying infrastructure can support, with new entrants flooding in at a pace that raises serious questions about long-term viability. "There's about two to five prop firms opening up almost every week," he said. That pace of entry, he argued, has produced a landscape where most firms look identical, compete on price, and lack the operational depth to survive a sustained payout cycle.The prop firm sector has faced growing scrutiny over its business model sustainability, particularly following a string of high-profile closures and enforcement actions in 2024. Philip's comments suggest the stress has not abated. He described a pattern where firms scale quickly on challenge fee revenue, encounter a wave of funded traders, and then find themselves unable to honor the commitments that follow.The volume surge has been documented across the industry. easyMarkets reported a 240% jump in gold trading during Q4 as volatility returned to the market, a figure that helps illustrate the scale of the trend Philip says most firms were not positioned to absorb.Rhodium, he said, is trying to take a different route by designing its rules around long-term trader behavior rather than optimizing for failure rates. "Our rules... push traders to be a bit more consistent and long-term," he said, describing the goal as a "more long-term consistent successful partnership" compared to what he characterized as industry norms.Instant Funding Models Under FirePhilip was particularly direct about instant funding challenges, a product format that has gained popularity across the sector in recent years. He described them as a mechanism built around exploiting trader impatience rather than identifying genuine trading talent."These instant funding challenges... it's just a quick money-making scheme," he said. "It literally works on people's greed... people want to get instant funded. All they think about is I'm going to have the money right away, but they don't realize that these rules are so strict and so hard to actually get that first payout."Instant funding models became a major topic of debate within the industry after several firms that heavily promoted the format ran into payout difficulties. Philip argued that the format continues to attract new operators precisely because the revenue is front-loaded and visible, while the liabilities arrive later and quietly.Rhodium does not offer instant funding. Philip said the firm has seen slower growth as a result, but maintains that a two-step evaluation model with more lenient, consistent rules will produce a more stable client base over time.Pay-to-Play Reviews and the Trust ProblemOne of the more pointed moments in the interview came when Philip addressed how traders research and select prop firms. He said the review ecosystem that most traders rely on is fundamentally compromised, claiming that rankings and ratings on major comparison platforms largely reflect which firms have the biggest marketing budgets rather than which firms actually pay out reliably. According to Philip, it comes down to "who's got the biggest pocket."This creates a compounding problem for newer or smaller firms trying to compete on quality rather than spending. Philip described the challenge of converting experienced traders who have long relationships with established names, noting that even if a newer firm offers better conditions, the trust gap is difficult to bridge.The question of trader protection and review transparency has become a recurring concern across industry discussions, particularly as a number of firms that carried strong review scores were later found to have manipulated their ratings or withheld payouts.Regulation Is Coming, but Not QuicklyPhilip spoke at some length about the regulatory horizon for the prop trading sector, offering a more measured view than the alarm that has characterized some industry commentary. He said regulators are watching, but suggested they remain genuinely uncertain about how the business model works."I do think we have a bit more time, but a lot of these owners are making a lot of red flags for these regulators," he said, pointing to rug pulls and opaque financial operations as the behaviors most likely to accelerate a regulatory response.He drew a comparison to how ESMA's leverage cap on European retail brokers played out, noting that the rule, while defensible on trader protection grounds, pushed many clients toward offshore providers offering higher leverage. The lesson he drew was that regulation without a coordinated industry response often reshuffles clients rather than protecting them. The ESMA leverage rules have had lasting effects on the European retail FX market, redirecting significant volumes to less-regulated jurisdictions.On the United States specifically, Philip said Rhodium has made a deliberate decision to stay out of the market entirely. "If America hunts you down as a financial institute, they really hunt you down," he said, referencing the compliance risk posed by the Dodd-Frank Act. He warned that firms quietly accepting US clients while building out their operations are creating a legal liability that will surface the moment they try to legitimize or scale.Background: From BlackBull to Dominion to RhodiumPhilip's path to running a prop firm ran through the brokerage side of the industry. He joined BlackBull Markets in 2018, worked through account management and market analysis roles, and was later recruited by the owner of Dominion Markets to build out the sales structure. He eventually rose to COO, handling operations while the firm's founder, known publicly as Raja, remained the outward face of the business.Dominion Markets built a substantial following in the retail trading community, in part through its educational content and the high-profile social media presence of its founder. Philip described the firm's pace as intense, reflecting the founder's background as a short-timeframe trader. He said the experience gave him both the operational knowledge to run a financial company and a clearer view of what traders actually need versus what most firms offer.Rhodium FX, which is based in Dubai, is positioning itself as a longer-term, more institutionally structured alternative to the mainstream retail prop model. Philip said the firm is also exploring connections to liquidity infrastructure that would allow it to benefit directly from successful trader activity, rather than operating on a pure challenge-fee model. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

STARTRADER has launched Web STAR Copy, a browser-accessible version of its existing copy trading service, making the feature available through the company's Client Portal alongside its mobile application, the Dubai-based broker announced today (Tuesday).The feature, previously limited to the STAR-APP, lets clients choose between two roles: Signal Provider, for those looking to share and monetize their trading strategies, or Copier, for those who want to automatically replicate the trades of other participants without placing orders manually, according to the company. Copy trading has drawn a growing queue of brokers rolling out similar services as demand from retail clients rises, with the global copy trading market estimated at $2.6 billion and still expanding. Brokeree launched a cross-platform API in March that lets brokers integrate social trading across MetaTrader, cTrader, and proprietary systems, illustrating how infrastructure providers are responding to the same demand.Performance Visibility Takes Center StageStrategy pages within Web STAR Copy display performance data for each Signal Provider, including historical returns, trading activity, and the number of active Copiers following a given account, the company said. STARTRADER says this gives Copiers a data-based framework for choosing which strategies to follow, though the broker has not disclosed how the metrics are independently verified or audited."Web STAR Copy reflects our focus on building a more connected trading ecosystem, where transparency and trust support long-term participation," Peter Karsten, Chief Executive Officer of STARTRADER, said in the announcement. PU Prime, one of the more active competitors in the copy trading space, has positioned real-time performance tracking and flexible risk tools as central to its own offering, reflecting how performance transparency has become a baseline expectation across the segment.Copiers can also adjust how trades are replicated to suit their individual preferences, and built-in risk management settings allow users to cap exposure and protect capital, according to STARTRADER. Real-time positions, transaction history, and profit-sharing summaries are all accessible through the same interface, the company said.STARTRADER has been adding product features at a steady pace. The broker rolled out 24/5 trading on 20 of the most traded US stocks just days ago, joining a group of CFD brokers racing to extend their equity access beyond standard market hours.Web Access Broadens the Existing STAR Copy OfferingThe mobile-first STAR Copy service already allowed clients to follow experienced traders and replicate strategies through the STARTRADER app, with a minimum entry amount of $50 for Copiers and no additional commissions beyond standard spreads, according to the company's existing terms. The web version extends that access to users who prefer or require a desktop interface, STARTRADER said, without introducing new pricing or account structures."We are continuously evolving our offering to give traders the confidence to engage with the markets in a more structured and reliable way,” Karsten added,STARTRADER secured a partnership with the NBA in January 2026 and appointed a former MultiBank executive to lead European business development in late 2024.STARTRADER holds active licenses from five regulators, including ASIC in Australia, the FSA in Seychelles, the FSC in Mauritius, the FSCA in South Africa, and the CMA in Kenya. The broker serves both retail clients and business partners through MetaTrader platforms, the STAR-APP, and now the expanded web-based copy trading feature.The race to build out social trading features extends well beyond specialist brokers. Robinhood began beta testing its "Robinhood Social" feature in March 2026, allowing US users to share and discuss trades in a format already common in Europe, while Fortex moved to cloud-based copy trading in late 2025, removing the need for a VPS by routing position mirroring through Duplikium's cloud infrastructure. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

A senior Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) official has called for the European Union's Savings and Investment Union to explicitly prohibit the gamification of investing, warning that smartphone platforms and aggressive marketing campaigns are already steering young, inexperienced investors into speculative products they may not fully understand.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)Panikkos Vakkou, Vice Chairman of CySEC, made the argument in a piece published in the Eurofi Magazine, the policy journal of the European financial services think tank that convened its High Level Seminar in Nicosia this month. Writing for an audience of regulators and industry executives, Vakkou drew a direct line between the spread of mobile investing apps and the growing behavioural risks facing retail savers across the EU.The warning builds on a position CySEC has held for several years. In 2022, the regulator launched a dedicated investor protection campaign specifically targeting gamification and the influence of so-called finfluencers, raising concerns about younger investors being drawn into complex and risky products through social media promotion."The SIU should explicitly reject any gamification of long-term investing and demand transparency from companies about how they make money and where their incentives might work against the customer," Vakkou wrote in the Eurofi piece.Young Investors in the CrosshairsThe CySEC Vice Chairman said that while smartphones and mobile apps have genuinely widened access to financial markets, the same tools carry a darker side. "While smartphones and mobile apps have widened access to markets, they have also made risk-taking easier, sometimes pushing investors towards speculative products with little protection," he wrote, adding that investors, "often young and inexperienced," are increasingly influenced by online messaging platforms and aggressive marketing campaigns, framing them as a threat to the very investor base the SIU is designed to serve.His piece calls for clear rules on ownership and custody of investment assets, high standards for digital operational resilience, and technology that works smoothly with existing banking and payment infrastructure. On financial literacy, his position was direct: "strong consumer protection and prioritising financial literacy are non-negotiable."CySEC is far from alone in drawing attention to these risks. The FCA issued a formal warning to trading app operators in late 2022, citing research that linked extensive gamification to gambling-like behavior and potential addiction among retail users. A June 2024 FCA study went further, finding a direct link between game-like app elements and measurably riskier investing behavior among retail participants. ESMA has also spent years pushing for curbs on these practices, with its chair Verena Ross warning that gamification techniques "may cause retail investors to engage in trading behavior without understanding the risks involved", raising questions about whether the EU's existing investor protection framework is adequate for the app-first generation of market participants. The concern runs deep enough that analysts have been tracking whether a full "degamification" of retail trading is even possible without eroding the retail participation that regulators simultaneously want to grow.Europe's €10 Trillion OpportunityVakkou anchored his technology argument in a number the European Commission has made central to the SIU debate: European households currently hold more than €10 trillion in low-yield bank deposits and rarely access capital markets directly. He argued that digital platforms, tokenization, and distributed ledger technology could collectively remove the friction that has historically blocked retail participation across borders, by making long-term products easier to compare, cheaper to onboard, and more accessible without sacrificing regulatory standards.On distributed ledger technology specifically, Vakkou said faster settlement and streamlined post-trade processes could lower operational costs and reduce reconciliation errors, addressing the infrastructure layers where integration has most consistently stalled. He also pointed to RegTech as a tool for supervisors, saying CySEC's own systems allow the authority to process large data volumes, spot irregularities early, and take action before problems escalate."Technology can accelerate the SIU, but only if we're prepared for the risks," he wrote, in a formulation that captures both sides of a debate the regulator is pushing to define.CySEC highlighted the European Commission's targeted consultation on SIU capital market integration last April, inviting financial institutions to provide feedback on obstacles to cross-border investing, DLT pilot regimes, and asset tokenisation. Vakkou's Eurofi piece is the latest signal from Nicosia that the regulator intends to stay at the centre of that conversation.Cyprus Pitches Innovation With Guard RailsVakkou pointed to CySEC's Regulatory Sandbox as evidence that the jurisdiction is prepared to engage with new models rather than simply police them. The sandbox, launched in June 2024 and opened to FinTech and RegTech applications the following month, gives fintech startups and crypto service providers a supervised environment to test products before they reach the full market. Vakkou said it also gives the regulator early visibility into emerging risks, and deepens dialogue between supervisors and innovators.The point matters for the broader SIU agenda: CySEC oversees a significant share of EU-passported CFD and forex brokers through Cyprus's MiFID II framework, meaning its regulatory posture has direct implications for a large portion of the retail investment platforms operating across Europe. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

New Jersey, USA – 31 March 2026 — FXAQ LLC has entered into an agreement with Catalyst Futures to acquire the CFST®️ Exam and the Futures Education division of the firm.The transaction positions FXAQ to lead the development and global distribution of the CFST®️ certification, a professional qualification designed to validate the practical knowledge and competence of trading professionals across derivatives markets.FXAQ was founded by Fred Scala and Tom O'Reilly. Alex Chaia, CEO of Catalyst Futures, commented:“The CFST®️ program was built to reflect how derivatives are actually traded and risk-managed. FXAQ is well positioned to scale this globally.”About the CFST®️ ProgramThe CFST®️ Exam certifies professionals in FX, futures, and options markets, providing institutions with confidence that candidates possess up-to-date, practical expertise.As part of the program, candidates receive structured training materials, including a dedicated certification textbook, and are guided through a comprehensive learning path designed to prepare them for entry into the derivatives job market.• Level I: Compliance, market fundamentals, and economics — suitable across operations, compliance, sales, and trading• Level II: Valuation, risk management, and algorithmic development — designed for trading, risk, and strategy rolesHow to EnrollCandidates seeking to begin their education and certification path should now access the program directly through FXAQ.Visit FXAQ and select a plan to start the CFST®️ certification track.About FXAQ LLCFXAQ LLC is a proprietary trading firm specializing in derivatives markets, combining execution expertise with quantitative research and professional education. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

BMLL Technologies has appointed Kevin Barrett as Senior Sales Director for listed derivatives in the United States, the London-based market data firm said today (Tuesday), bringing in a futures and quantitative research specialist as it looks to build out its presence in the asset class.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)Barrett spent nearly 13 years at Quantitative Brokers in New York, where he handled the full sales cycle for the firm's futures, options, spot FX and US cash treasury execution algorithms. Earlier in his career, he logged close to a decade at Graham Capital Management in Connecticut, working across quantitative research analyst, portfolio analyst and portfolio manager roles.The Barrett hire is BMLL's second senior sales appointment since Nordic Capital completed its acquisition of the firm in October 2025, following the January appointment of Karen King as Head of Sales for Asia Pacific, where BMLL had recently added nine new exchange feeds.Futures Data Coverage Under ConstructionBMLL says it is actively building out its global futures offering, which the company says includes delivering Level 2 and Level 1 data feeds for the asset class and developing analytics to complement its existing equity suite. Barrett, speaking in a statement, drew directly on his own research background to frame the pitch: "I am incredibly excited to join BMLL as the company looks to significantly expand its product offering... Drawing on my own background in quantitative research and trading, I intimately understand the challenges market participants face when researching and developing trading strategies.”“I know firsthand the tremendous value that BMLL's harmonized high-quality data and analytics can bring to researchers and quants looking to optimize their trading strategies."Barrett’s broader background spans execution trading and research positions at Willowbridge Associates, Bengal Partners LLC and Trout Trading Management Co., as well as time at Merrill Lynch, putting his total industry experience at over 30 years. Nordic Capital Deal Fuels Expansion PushNordic Capital acquired BMLL in October 2025 in a deal that also involved existing minority shareholder Optiver, which had led a $21 million investment in the firm in October 2024. Rob Laible, Head of Americas at BMLL, said on Tuesday: "When Nordic Capital came on board, we made our intentions very clear, and we continue to deliver on this mission. We continue to invest in expanding our global venue footprint and extending our data coverage. This includes adding new asset classes such as global futures and options, and actively scaling our go-to-market teams globally."The personnel moves come alongside a run of data partnerships. In March, BMLL launched a year-long pilot with Tradefeedr aimed at extending transaction cost analysis from foreign exchange into equities. In February, the firm joined forces with Features Analytics to apply its order book records to market abuse detection across equities, ETFs, futures and US equity options.BMLL was founded in 2014 in the machine learning laboratories of the University of Cambridge. It describes itself as a provider of harmonized historical Level 3, 2 and 1 data and analytics covering global equities, ETFs, futures and US equity options, targeting banks, brokers, asset managers, hedge funds, exchange groups, academic institutions and regulators. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Wyden, the Zurich-based institutional digital asset trading platform, said today (Tuesday) it has added Wincent to its liquidity network, connecting the Gibraltar-headquartered market maker with banks and brokers using Wyden's smart order routing infrastructure.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)Wincent ranks among the top 10 global high-frequency cryptocurrency market makers, according to the company, executing roughly 500,000 trades and more than $5 billion in daily notional volume. Banks and Brokers in FocusThrough the integration, Wyden's institutional clients will be able to route orders across more than 200 digital assets and 17 global venues, with Wincent's pricing feeding into Wyden's real-time Smart Order Routing engine. Andy Flury, Founder and Board President of Wyden, said Wincent provides "the depth and reliability our institutional clients require," describing the Gibraltar firm as "a powerhouse addition to our liquidity network."Boris Sebosik, Chief Business Development Officer at Wincent, added exclusively for FinanceMagnates.com, that the tie-up was designed specifically to serve banks and brokers, noting that the company tailored its offering for retail-facing institutions with a wide symbol portfolio and tight pricing. He characterized Wincent's role not as a passive aggregator but as a liquidity enhancer, pointing to the firm's prop trading origins as a differentiator in order book depth and breadth. "By combining our high-frequency market-making capabilities with Wyden's trading infrastructure and smart order routing, we are making it easier for institutions to access deep liquidity, tighter pricing, and more efficient execution across the digital asset market," Sebosik said.CFD Brokers Also in the FrameOn the CFD side, Sebosik confirmed that institutions, including CFD retail brokers, can already trade bilaterally with Wincent through multiple access points, including Talos, Wincent's own FIX gateway, and as part of prime brokers' aggregated offerings. The integration fits into a broader effort by both firms to meet growing demand from regulated financial institutions expanding into digital assets. As FinanceMagnates.com reported in January 2025, rival crypto market maker Wintermute recorded OTC volume growth in 2024, pointing to accelerating institutional appetite for structured digital asset access.TradFi's Share of the Market Is RisingWincent processes a mix of crypto-native and traditional finance counterparties on its OTC desk, with roughly 60% of flow currently coming from crypto-native institutions, Sebosik told Finance Magnates. That balance is shifting, he said, as more banks bring new retail client bases online with digital asset offerings. "The distinction is no longer very clear in many cases, as several large institutions have been offering crypto trading for a long time and I wouldn't count them as pure tradfi brokers," Sebosik commented for FinanceMagnates.com. That view reflects a broader market reality visible across the liquidity provider landscape, where the line between crypto-native and traditional finance counterparties continues to blur.Wyden Keeps Building Its LP RosterThis is not Wyden's first integration in recent months. The firm added Crypto Finance AG, the Deutsche Börse-owned digital asset trading firm, to its network in March 2025, and followed that with Nomura-backed Laser Digital in October 2025. Nomura's digital asset arm has since faced its own challenges, with the Japanese bank partly attributing a 10% profit decline to crypto-related losses in early 2026, adding a note of caution to the otherwise expansive institutional narrative.Wyden, headquartered in Zurich with operations in Poland, Singapore, and New York, describes its platform as covering the full trade lifecycle for banks, brokers, and asset managers, including custody, core banking, and portfolio management system integration. Wincent, regulated in Gibraltar, offers access to liquidity across nearly 10,000 cryptocurrencies, including locked tokens, through voice, FIX API, GUI interfaces, and indirect access via prime brokers. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

John Austin has left Capital.com after almost two-and-a-half years, ending his tenure as Chief Strategy Officer at the retail broker. He joined the firm in late 2023 and combined the strategy role with responsibilities as Dealing Director during his time at the firm.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)Tenure at Capital.comAt Capital.com, Austin ran the group’s trading teams and set pricing and hedging policy. He also worked on strategic business development projects as the broker continued to build out its multi-asset derivatives offering. He was based in London. The change comes as Capital.com push ahead with a broader global expansion. It recently advertised a senior Risk Manager position in Singapore, where it is in the process of securing a license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The role will oversee the risk framework for a planned CMS-licensed entity and manage key exposures across market, credit, operational, liquidity and compliance risks while reporting to the local Country Head and Group Risk.More executive moves: iSAM Securities' Co-Head of eTrading Jeff Wilkins Switches to JT MarketsBefore joining Capital.com, Austin served as Chief Strategy Officer at LMAX Group up to 2023, working on exchange and MTF development, liquidity, risk management and institutional crypto projects. Senior Roles across IG, LMAXEarlier, he spent many years at IG Group in roles including Chief Analytics Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, where he sat on the executive committee and worked on initiatives such as the acquisition of DailyFX, development of the Nadex US derivatives exchange and the launch of the Spectrum trading venue.He has also served as CEO and board member of IG Group US Holdings and held senior roles at Nadex in Chicago, including interim CEO. His early career included trading and product development positions at IG and a stint in structured capital markets at Barclays Capital.In another recent executive move, Capital.com hired Prishani Maheeph-Moonsamy as its Head of Compliance for South Africa. Maheeph-Moonsamy previously worked in compliance at FXCM and IG and spent more than five years in compliance positions at Nedbank, giving her experience across banking and retail trading. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

UAE-based forex and CFD broker DB Investing has announced plans to open a new office in Mexico as part of its expansion into Latin America. The new branch will serve as the company’s regional hub for the growing market.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).The region has been attracting notable names in the brokerage space, including EC Markets. DB Investing said on Monday that it has been preparing for the move over the past months and is now ready to begin operations in the region.DB Investing is coming to Mexico. This is just the beginning. Stay close. ? #DBInvesting #ComingToMexico #MexicoCity #LatinAmericaTrading #CFDTrading #GlobalExpansion #MexicoFinance #TradingLatam #NuevoMercado pic.twitter.com/OFF6ySWzDa— DB Investing (@db_investing) March 30, 2026“A new office. A new chapter,” the company wrote in an update, highlighting its intention to engage more directly with local traders and strengthen its regional presence.Joining EC Markets, VT MarketsMexico’s developing financial market and increasing participation in online trading have attracted growing interest from global brokers. For instance, EC Markets opened its first Latin American office in Mexico City in August last year, positioning the location as a hub to serve regional forex and CFD traders with a local Spanish-speaking team. In December last year, VT Markets also inaugurated a new office in Mexico City as part of its Latin America expansion strategy, describing the move as a key step in growing its presence across the region. Mexico attracts CFD brokers because it combines strong demand growth with relatively light, indirect local rules on CFDs.Continue reading: EC Markets Opens Mexico City Office After Launching in Cyprus and MauritiusOn regulation, Mexico supervises financial markets mainly through the Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores (CNBV), the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, and Banco de México. These bodies regulate banks, broker‑dealers and derivatives markets, and issue rules that cover capital, conduct, and risk management. Light CFD Rules and Booming Online TradingHowever, CFDs themselves sit in a legal grey area: they are not explicitly banned, but CNBV does not have a dedicated CFD regime and has warned that it will not protect clients dealing with unlicensed foreign brokers.This mix means many international CFD brokers can market into Mexico on a cross‑border basis, or open representative offices, without facing the kind of product‑specific leverage caps and marketing bans seen in parts of Europe. At the same time, brokers must still navigate general securities, derivatives and consumer‑protection rules, and monitor evolving guidance from CNBV and Banco de México. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Trade Nation, a provider of spread betting and contracts for difference, reported higher revenue and profit from its United Kingdom operations for 2025. The improvement was supported by a reduction in hedging-related losses.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).Operating Profit Surges Despite Higher CostsFor 2025, Trade Nation posted turnover of £25.3 million, up from £21.7 million in 2024. Cost of sales increased slightly to £646K, compared with £569K the previous year. Net losses on hedging activities declined to £695K, down from £3.04 million in 2024, which helped lift overall profitability.[#highlighted-links#] Gross profit rose to £23.9 million, compared with £18.1 million in the prior year. Administrative expenses also increased, reaching £20.1 million, up from £17.4 million in 2024. Despite higher costs, operating profit rose to £3.81 million, compared with £636K in 2024.Profit Before Tax Climbs £4.13MProfit before tax increased to £4.13 million, up from £948K in 2024. The company recorded a tax charge of £342K, compared with a tax credit of £49K the previous year. Profit for 2025 reached £3.79 million, compared with £997K in 2024.The company stated that the figures were prepared on the basis that “all operations are continuing.”The company returned to profitability in 2024, reporting a net profit of £996K, compared with a £2.2 million loss in 2023. Revenue and gross profit both increased, while operating profit turned positive from a £2.6 million loss the previous year.Trade Nation Retires TD365 Brand PlatformSeparately, earlier this year Trade Nation consolidated the TD365 platform under its own brand, retiring the TD365 name. The company said customers will continue to trade as normal, with no impact on accounts, funds, or open positions. It noted that the change is intended to simplify the login process and accelerate the rollout of new platform features, including the ability to link accounts with TradingView. The move does not affect the company’s regulatory status in any of its jurisdictions. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

After nearly a decade at iSAM Securities, Jeff Wilkins has joined JT Markets as Partner. Wilkins confirmed the move in a LinkedIn post on Monday, marking the next step in a career spanning two decades across trading technology, brokerage operations, and risk management.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)Long Tenure at iSAM SecuritiesWilkins joined iSAM Securities in early 2017 and held several leadership roles, including Co-Head of eTrading, Head of Americas, and Managing Director of iS Risk Analytics. During his tenure, he oversaw regional strategy, client risk systems, and trading operations for the firm’s risk management division.Before joining iSAM Securities, Wilkins served as Managing Director at ThinkLiquidity, a risk management and technology provider later acquired by iS Risk Analytics. He also spent more than six years as Global Head of Risk Management at GFT Global Markets UK and began his career in financial planning and analysis at Steelcase in the United States.Industry ExperienceAt JT Markets, Wilkins will bring extensive experience in managing brokerage risk and trading infrastructure. His appointment adds to a series of senior-level industry moves this quarter as financial technology and liquidity providers continue to strengthen their leadership teams.JT Markets is an offshore-licensed CFD brokerage that offers trading in forex, commodities, indices, and other instruments via the MetaTrader 5 platform. The company is incorporated in Seychelles and holds a derivatives trading license from the Seychelles Financial Services Authority.Meanwhile, iSAM Securities (UK) Limited recently reported a sharp drop in profitability for the financial year ended 30 June 2025. Profit before tax fell to £4.5 million from £12.8 million a year earlier, a 65% decline. The result was driven by weaker core trading performance and higher operating costs, but the firm remained in the black as non-operating income offset losses from its main business lines. At the same time, turnover fell to £19.56 million from £27.04 million in 2024, a decrease of £7.48 million, or 27.7%, reflecting softer core trading activity. The company’s core operations generated a loss of £12.2 million, while a significant increase in other non-operating income, despite a 48% drop in interest income, helped lift overall pre-tax profit into positive territory. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Recently, XTB signed a high-profile sponsorship agreement with Paris La Défense Arena, Europe’s largest indoor venue. It is a bold move that raises an important question: why has one of the largest brokers in Europe chosen France as a primary target in 2026? Finance Magnates Intelligence takes a closer look at the French CFD market. Is it worth the attention of all brokers, or is it a space reserved only for the most established players?A Wealthy Powerhouse France remains the second-largest economy in the European Union and a global heavyweight. As 2026 progresses, the country continues to navigate a post-pandemic recovery. With GDP per capita projected to exceed $51,000 this year, French households hold significant investment potential. However, the macroeconomic backdrop presents a mixed picture. While inflation has stabilised at around 1.3%, the unemployment rate is approaching 8.0%, increasing the importance of diversified income streams for local investors.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)The Regulatory Fortress Entering the French market is not straightforward. The Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) is widely regarded as one of the most proactive and protective regulators globally.The Blacklist Effect: The AMF maintains a strict stance against unauthorized platforms, covering everything from Forex to so-called “miscellaneous assets” such as wine and diamonds.The MiCA Era: Since July 2024, the implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation has reshaped the digital asset space, creating a clear “comply or exit” environment for firms.The French CFD Market: Opportunity or Minefield? Is it worth entering? The French CFD market remains highly challenging due to the Sapin II law, which strictly prohibits electronic advertising for high-risk products and bans all forms of trading incentives. This has led many to conclude that the market is contracting. Despite these barriers, XTB reported a 50% increase in its French client base in 2025. Our data suggests that the broker may now have up to 12,000 active customers in the region, with monthly volumes potentially reaching $25 billion.If one broker can achieve this level of growth by shifting toward long-term savings products such as the PEA, is there room for additional competitors, or have the barriers to entry become too high for most firms? Read the full report on the Finance Magnates Intelligence Portal This article was written by Sylwester Majewski at www.financemagnates.com.

Prediction market platform Kalshi has received regulatory approval to introduce margin trading. It means, clients will be allowed trading event contracts without posting full collateral upfront. Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)The approval applies to Kalshi’s affiliated entity, Kinetic Markets, which has been registered as a Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) with the National Futures Association on March 24, 2026. Separate approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is still required for the exchange itself to allow partially collateralised trading.What Changes With Margin The introduction of margin changes how these contracts can be traded. Until now, positions on Kalshi and similar platforms had to be fully collateralised. With margin, traders can use less capital to open positions, manage portfolios across multiple contracts and increase turnover. This brings trading in event contracts closer to how derivatives are handled on traditional exchanges, where margin is a standard feature.“Institutions are very aware of the cost of capital,” said Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour during panel discussion moderated by Bloomberg News. “If you want to put a $100 hedge, you have to put $100 in the clearinghouse. That’s too expensive for an institution.”Rollout Still Pending The feature is not yet live. Kalshi still requires final approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for the rule changes that would allow partially collateralised trading. The rollout is expected to be phased, with initial access limited to institutional and professional clients and potentially focused on new product lines before expanding further. Institutional investors have already begun exploring access to these markets, with brokers working to onboard hedge fund clients.A Step Toward Broader Participation The change addresses one of the main constraints for institutional participants: capital efficiency. Lower collateral requirements make it easier for hedge funds and other professional traders to allocate capital across multiple positions, rather than tying it up in fully funded trades.“We are at an inflection point for prediction markets,” said Andy Ross, Head of Institutional at Kalshi.The timing also reflects the scale of activity on the platform. Activity on the platform has been increasing, with weekly notional volume recently exceeding $3 billion.What It Means for Brokers For brokers and fintech firms, margin trading changes how these products can be offered. It makes event contracts more comparable to other derivatives in terms of capital usage and strategy design. At the same time, it introduces additional considerations. Margin increases exposure to leverage, which can amplify both gains and losses. In markets where liquidity is uneven, this can also increase the risk of sharp price moves and forced liquidations. For firms evaluating this space, the key question is not only access, but how margin-based trading fits within existing risk frameworks and client profiles. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Bangkok, 25 March 2026: Following a strong increase in the number of introducing brokers joining the business over the past six months, Fintrix has announced plans to significantly expand its dedicated IB offering.Backed by a growing leadership presence across Southeast Asia, Fintrix is building momentum by delivering high-touch support, seamless withdrawals, and exclusive promotional opportunities for IBs, while continuing to invest in solutions designed to meet the expectations of today’s growth-focused partners.Rapid investment in dedicated IB infrastructureThe broker is actively building out a future-focused IB ecosystem that includes a broad range of professionally designed, conversion-optimised marketing assets, niche-specific promotions, personalised support, and an expanding global network of media relationships and SEO capabilities. Combined, these investments are designed to help IB partners grow in their local markets - and be rewarded for doing so.“IBs and affiliates have long been underserved by large, inefficient brokerages,” said Craig Oliver, Head of Marketing Operations at Fintrix. “We understand that IBs need promotions that resonate with their unique trader base, support that is commercially practical, and the confidence that rebates can be withdrawn quickly and reliably. Fintrix is committed to building a dedicated IB offering tailored to the needs of this audience.”Positive feedback from existing Fintrix IBsIBs and affiliates already working with Fintrix are beginning to see what sets the broker apart. Feedback from IBs suggests Fintrix is gaining attention for combining institutional-grade trading infrastructure with a more responsive, partnership-led service model. In particular, IBs have highlighted smooth withdrawals, strong local support, and access to practical, conversion-focused marketing materials as key reasons for choosing to work with the broker.The number of approved IBs has also risen by 45% since the brand launched, reflecting strong uptake and growing engagement across the network.Fintrix has continued to build momentum across its introducing broker channel, with rebates paid increasing by 1,419% between September and December 2025, followed by a further 81% increase between January and March 2026. Withdrawal performance that speaks for itselfIn an industry where speed, trust, and reliability matter, Fintrix is continuing to strengthen a fast rebate withdrawal experience that gives IBs greater confidence in the broker and makes it easier for them to run their own businesses.According to recent internal data, 55% of withdrawals are processed in under 15 minutes, while 72% are completed within one hour. This performance is supported by responsive service during business hours to help keep funds moving efficiently.As Fintrix’s client base continues to grow, this consistency in withdrawal performance reinforces one of the company’s core strengths and a key area of ongoing investment: helping IBs protect their reputation and keep their business moving by partnering with a broker built to deliver when it matters most.Upcoming Songkran promotion opportunity for interested IBsFintrix is increasing its focus on Thailand with an upcoming Songkran Water Festival promotion expected to appeal to IBs looking to partner with the broker in a more meaningful way.Introducing Brokers seeking early access to upcoming promotions, priority support, and co-branding opportunities, including participation in the Songkran Water Festival activation, are encouraged to contact marketing@fintrixmarkets.com to learn more about partnering with Fintrix.About FintrixFintrix is a global brokerage dedicated to delivering a superior trading experience for retail clients and the Introducing Brokers who serve them. With a growing footprint across Southeast Asia, a commitment to execution quality, and a platform built for stability and trust, Fintrix is emerging as a broker of choice for IBs and affiliates seeking more from their broker partnership.Media ContactFintrix Communicationsmedia@fintrixmarkets.comwww.fintrixmarkets.com This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Based on what we see across integrations and partner activity, capital is already moving as market structure evolves. And it seems like by the end of 2026, institutional investors will move quickly into digital assets as the market shifts toward greater regulation and more efficient capital use. In January 2026, the global ETP count climbed to 318 products, up from 312 in late 2025. Clearer regulations are encouraging more participation. With 65% of EU crypto businesses now MiCA compliant, the crypto market is becoming a more layered financial system. Because of this, institutions are relying more on infrastructure that supports efficient settlement and cross-border liquidity.The Shift Is ExecutionThe main issue here is not whether consumers are moving into crypto. Instead, the focus is on strict execution standards. Professional investors need deep liquidity, low slippage, strong custody solutions, solid compliance tools, and integration with prime brokers.As more institutions trade crypto, order books become deeper, and price discovery gets better. At the same time, counterparty risk goes down. Market operators like LMAX confirm that institutions want strong infrastructure for capital efficiency and secure, regulated trading. Institutions use smart order routing to reach deeper liquidity and improve trade execution.Where the Broker Stack BreaksDigital asset liquidity is spread across many separate exchanges.Top market participants want access to deep liquidity, but the broker stack struggles because the market is so fragmented. Unlike traditional markets, which have a few main venues, crypto lacks a single dominant platform for certain trading pairs or complex products.Because of this, providers have to connect with a wide range of liquidity sources in order to expand access to digital assets and deepen liquidity for institutional clients to manage the problem. Just recently, March 23, Nasdaq announced they are integrating Talos to manage collateral across fiat and crypto.But the real problem comes from the massive volume of fragmented endpoints. Connecting directly to all these markets is not practical, is technically complex, costs a lot, and does not scale well: not everyone is Talos, not everyone is Nasdaq on the market.Trading desks have to deal with separate legal agreements, disconnected compliance checks, different risk management systems, and locked-up collateral. On top of that, fragmented access to venues often means capital is split across several margin accounts on different exchanges.Rebuilding the Broker Function Through InfrastructureTo solve these problems, institutions are rebuilding the broker stack to free up trapped capital. Real market integration now depends on unified access to liquidity, collateral, execution, and settlement.Ripple Prime recently added Hyperliquid to offer on-chain derivatives within a prime brokerage setup. This setup allows cross-margining across digital assets, FX, fixed income, OTC swaps, and cleared derivatives. Deep DeFi exposure is managed within a single portfolio and risk system. Regulated market infrastructure is following this trend. For example, LMAX uses RLUSD as a main collateral asset to enable cross-collateralization and margin efficiencies across spot crypto, FX, gold, perpetual futures, and CFDs.As a result of these integrations, prime brokers now act as aggregators and risk managers, giving access to large exchange networks through one account. To get the best trade execution across different venues at once, algorithms use smart order routing.So now, digital asset infrastructure becomes a fully layered financial system, where trading, custody, credit, and settlement are closely linked. At the same time, fintech platforms are building liquidity networks, execution routing, compliance tools, and settlement systems directly into their main software.Infrastructure as a ServiceWhen we work with partners, we often hear the same question as they grow: should you build your own exchange infrastructure or use external execution layers? This is a real challenge that comes up when teams start to hit the limits of current integrations, whether in asset coverage, execution quality, or how quickly they can expand.Building from scratch might seem like a way to take back control, but it brings its own challenges. Connecting directly to different liquidity sources, managing routing, keeping up blockchain connections, and constant optimization all need dedicated teams and a lot of time. For most companies, this means slower market entry and money spent on infrastructure instead of improving the product.Meanwhile, the infrastructure market is growing up. What once meant putting together several separate systems is now coming together into integrated execution layers. These layers offer custody, connectivity, liquidity access, and settlement as one service.API-based models change things here. Instead of building everything in-house, platforms can tap into combined liquidity from different venues, advanced routing, and global markets through one integration layer. This makes it faster to launch, cuts down on operational work, and makes it easier for institutions to get started. Teams can then focus on distribution, user experience, and using capital more efficiently.If you want to see how this model works in real situations, including how routing, asset coverage, and execution are managed, you can find more details on the ChangeNOW API page.Competing vs ConnectingThe main goal for the market is strong structural connections. Commercial banks are still important. Digital infrastructure now means that fiat off-ramping happens much less often. Since capital, collateral, yield, and settlements can stay within crypto systems for longer, these assets rarely need to move through traditional clearing systems.This change shows a full convergence of infrastructure. Top institutions can now get deep decentralized liquidity while keeping strict centralized risk controls. As the technology supports more enterprise volume, the main challenge left is how fast it can be deployed. Crypto infrastructure is not replacing banks, but it does mean users need to rely on them less often. Capital can stay within crypto systems longer before moving to traditional ones.ConclusionThe next phase of crypto adoption is likely to sharpen the infrastructure question. As digital asset markets become more regulated and connected, the focus is shifting from just gaining access to improving execution quality, using capital efficiently, and speeding up deployment.Market participants don’t need to build everything themselves right away. Instead, they should figure out which parts of their systems slow things down, tie up resources, or could be handled by outside infrastructure. The industry is already heading this way, and long internal development cycles are getting harder to defend.That’s why it’s important to keep a close eye on this space. At ChangeNOW, we often see the same operational challenges where Web2 systems connect with Web3 infrastructure. As more examples come up, it’s getting easier to understand this boundary in theory, but it’s also becoming more complex in practice. We’ll keep sharing our experiences as the market evolves.BioYana MarYana oversees strategic business development at ChangeNOW, where she manages financial governance and operational efficiency. She applies her expertise in crypto finance and revenue infrastructure to drive sustainable growth through data based decision making. For over five years, she has also shared her industry insights and professional experience through the corporate blog. Her work focuses on expanding partnerships and optimizing monetization models while maintaining transparency in financial processes. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Gold is trading at $4,493 per ounce as of March 30, 2026, up $115 from the previous session but still roughly 20% below the all-time high of $5,595 set on January 29. The question of how high can gold go has rarely been more divisive. The yellow metal has shed more than $1,100 in two months, endured its worst weekly decline since March 2020, and yet every major Wall Street commodity desk has maintained or raised its year-end target. At the same time, Robert Kiyosaki, the author of "Rich Dad Poor Dad" with 2.4 million X followers, has issued his most extreme gold price prediction yet: $35,000 per ounce. The gap between that number and the institutional consensus tells you everything about the current market psychology.Follow me on X for real-time market analysis: @ChmielDkWhy Gold Dropped 20% From Its January Peak?The correction from $5,595 to below $4,100 at the worst point last Monday was driven by three converging forces, none of which changed the long-term structural picture for gold but all of which hit the market simultaneously.First, the Federal Reserve. The March FOMC dot plot trimmed 2026 rate cut projections from two to one, after February's producer price index came in at +0.7%, well above consensus. CME FedWatch now prices zero rate cuts for the remainder of 2026. Higher-for-longer rates raise the opportunity cost of holding gold, and the 10-year Treasury yield pushing to 4.40% created direct competition for safe-haven capital.Second, the US dollar. The Dollar Index climbed above 100.2, its highest since May 2025, as the Iran conflict paradoxically strengthened the greenback through safe-haven flows. A stronger dollar makes gold more expensive for buyers in non-dollar currencies, reducing global demand. Ben McMillan, Chief Investment Officer at IDX Advisors, described the longer-term backdrop on Yahoo Finance in January: "80 percent of all US dollars in existence have been printed since Covid. This is a structural tailwind behind gold, it's a fundamental repricing." That structural thesis has not changed, but the short-term monetary mechanics have swung against bullion.Third, the oil-inflation feedback loop. The partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz pushed Brent crude toward $84 per barrel. Normally, geopolitical conflict supports gold. This time, the oil spike reignited inflation fears, which in turn forced the Fed to stay hawkish, which pressured gold through the monetary channel. As I noted in my analysis of why gold was crashing last week, gold is being sold during an active conflict precisely because that conflict is making the Fed's job harder.Kiyosaki's $35,000 Gold Price Prediction: Context and CredibilityRobert Kiyosaki's March 16 post, which generated over 681,000 views on X, frames gold, silver, Bitcoin, and Ethereum as the ultimate beneficiaries of what he calls "the biggest bubble bust in history." His exact words: "I predict gold will hit $35,000 an ounce one year after the gold bubble goes pop." In the same post, he set $200 silver, $750,000 Bitcoin, and $95,000 Ethereum as post-crash targets.BIGGEST BUBBLE BUSTI do not know what pin, what event will pop the biggest bubbles in histor. What ever the event, the pin is near.It’s not IF. It’s WHEN.When the bubbles go bust I predict gold will hit $35,000 an ounce one year after the gold bubble goes pop..I predict…— Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) March 16, 2026As the Finance Magnates coverage from March 17 established, Kiyosaki's forecast differs from institutional gold price predictions in one critical way: it requires a systemic financial collapse as the catalyst. His $35,000 target represents a roughly 680% increase from current prices, which would imply either a complete collapse in the US dollar or a hyperinflationary event. The broader collection of Kiyosaki's market calls shows a consistent pattern of predicting asset prices through the lens of fiat currency failure.For context, Kiyosaki's Bitcoin prediction of $1 million by 2035 follows the same logic, as does his $200 silver call. These are not traditional market forecasts. They are conditional predictions that depend on a specific macroeconomic scenario unfolding. Investors should evaluate them accordingly.How High Can Gold Go? XAU/USDT Technical AnalysisBased on my over 15 years of experience as an analyst and trader, the technical picture on gold has not changed materially despite the dramatic correction. Price action is consolidating in a narrow channel between clearly defined support and resistance.The $4,360 support level has been actively tested since the pin bar reversal from last Monday, when price briefly dropped to $4,100 intraday before recovering sharply. That pin bar, with its long lower wick rejecting the 200-day moving average near $4,200, was the kind of session-specific signal that only shows up when you are watching the chart in real time.[#highlighted-links#] Sellers exhausted themselves at exactly the right level. On the upside, local resistance sits at approximately $4,550, defined by the historical highs from late December 2025.My chart shows the following key levels:The January 28 session high at $5,430 remains the most important resistance level on the chart. Gold briefly traded at $5,600 the following day but failed to hold that price, which means $5,430 is the confirmed structural ceiling until a sustained close above it says otherwise. As established in my comprehensive gold price prediction analysis from February, the $4,550-$5,420 range defines the noise. What matters is which boundary breaks first.My directional bias is neutral at this price. The range between $4,360 and $4,550 is too narrow for a definitive call. A break above $4,550 opens the path toward the 50 EMA at $4,800 and then the psychological $5,000 level. A break below $4,360, and particularly below $4,000, would signal that the 20% correction has further to run. As I detailed in my analysis of gold's pin bar reversal from March 25, the structural supports that drove gold from $2,600 to $5,600 remain intact. The buyers who stepped in at $4,100-$4,200 last Monday confirmed that.This week brings two catalysts that could break the range: Fed Chair Powell speaks Monday, and US Nonfarm Payrolls are released Friday, April 3. A dovish surprise from Powell or a weak jobs print below 50,000 could trigger a move toward $4,800. A hawkish tone or strong employment data may push gold back toward $4,000.Gold Price Predictions 2026: From $4,450 to $10,000The range of institutional forecasts for how high gold can go in 2026 remains remarkably wide.Natasha Kaneva, Head of Global Commodities Strategy at J.P. Morgan, stated: "We expect gold demand to push prices toward $5,000 per ounce by year-end 2026." The bank's updated target of $6,300, published February 3, rests on projected central bank purchases of 800 tonnes in 2026. As the JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank gold forecast analysis from February detailed, Deutsche Bank's Michael Hsueh maintained his $6,000 target through the crash, calling the selloff "a tactical move" rather than a structural shift.Bart Melek, Managing Director and Head of Commodity Strategy at TD Securities, put it plainly after the correction: "Fundamentally, me and the team still like gold here." His base case targets a $5,000 quarterly average with a technical ceiling around $5,455.On the bear side, Nigel Green, CEO of the deVere Group, warned of material downside risks in February: "Gold remains one of the few unleveraged sovereign assets. For governments under political or financial strain, the temptation to liquidate reserves is real." HSBC and Standard Chartered have year-end targets at $4,450 and $4,488, respectively, both of which the market has already traded through during the recent lows.The Goldman Sachs gold price prediction analysis published in January placed the bank's year-end target at $5,400, citing private-sector diversification and central bank buying momentum. Goldman's Senior Commodities Analyst Lina Thomas noted "significant upside risk to the forecast."The Wall Street consensus clusters between $5,400 and $6,300 for year-end 2026, as the Fibonacci extension analysis targeting $7,300 from February established. The 20% correction has not changed any of the major banks' year-end targets. If anything, it has made those forecasts easier to maintain.FAQ, Gold Price AnalysisHow high can gold go in 2026?Institutional forecasts for 2026 range from $4,450 (HSBC) to $6,300 (JPMorgan). The Reuters poll median of 30 analysts sits at $4,746, the highest annual consensus on record. Extreme scenarios include Saxo Bank's $10,000 and Kiyosaki's $35,000, though both require specific tail-risk events to materialize. Gold is trading at $4,493 as of March 30, 2026.Why is Robert Kiyosaki predicting $35,000 gold?Kiyosaki's March 16 prediction of $35,000 gold is conditional on what he calls "the biggest bubble bust in history." He frames gold, silver, Bitcoin, and Ethereum as beneficiaries of a systemic financial collapse. His target represents a 680% increase from current prices and requires either dollar collapse or hyperinflation, placing it far outside the Wall Street consensus of $5,400-$6,300.What is the gold price today?Gold is trading at $4,493 per ounce as of March 30, 2026. This represents a roughly 20% decline from the all-time high of $5,595 set on January 29, 2026, but remains approximately 45% above March 2025 levels when gold was near $3,100.Will gold reach $5,000 again in 2026?Most institutional analysts expect gold to reclaim $5,000. JPMorgan's Natasha Kaneva projects prices pushing toward $5,000 by year-end. Key catalysts include potential Fed rate cuts, continued central bank buying projected at 585 tonnes per quarter, and ETF inflows estimated at 250 tonnes for the year. However, a hawkish Fed and stronger dollar remain headwinds.Is gold a good investment after a 20% correction?The 20% pullback from $5,595 to below $4,100 is the largest correction in the current bull cycle. Historically, corrections of this magnitude within secular bull markets have preceded new highs. Every major Wall Street bank has maintained its year-end target through the selloff. However, short-term risks remain, including the Fed's hawkish stance, rising Treasury yields, and Middle East-driven oil inflation. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

FP Markets Chief Technology Officer Alexander Strelnikov has stepped down from his role, according to a statement he shared on LinkedIn today(Monday).Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).Strelnikov wrote, “I am open to work and ready for the next challenge.”He served as CTO at FP Markets for about two years. He was based in Cyprus and worked on-site during his tenure.FP Markets CTO Steps Down After Two YearsBefore joining FP Markets, Strelnikov spent nearly 11 years at Spotware Systems in Limassol, holding several senior roles. His most recent position there was Head of Product Development for over two years. He worked on product architecture, coordinated cross-team development, analyzed product metrics, and handled vendor negotiations and industry events.At the same time, he spent over seven years as Senior Software Architect. He oversaw system architecture, guided development teams, designed APIs, and addressed performance and security issues.Strelnikov Worked in Product and ManagementHe also worked as Senior Product Manager for three and a half years. He managed product backlogs, defined system requirements, and led development processes across teams.Earlier, Strelnikov was Chief Executive Officer at BELARTA for over one and a half years. He oversaw strategic planning, regulatory engagement, and the setup of a forex and CFD business. He began his career at Forex Club International Ltd as a Project Manager for over a year.FP Markets Adds Data-Backed Trading ToolsFP Markets has also made changes to its platform. The broker integrated trading signals from xsee, a signal provider, giving clients direct access within their accounts. The signals are vetted, and users can review historical performance and risk metrics before applying them. FP Markets said the integration responds to retail demand for data-backed trading tools.The collaboration allows clients to automate signals and access a database of professional signals, providing additional resources to support trading decisions. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Wall Street analysts are outlining scenarios in which oil prices could reach $200 per barrel if geopolitical tensions escalate. Prediction markets, however, imply a relatively low probability of that outcome.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!) This gap highlights how different tools assess risk: analysts focus on scenario outcomes, while prediction markets assign probabilities to those scenarios. Analyst Forecasts Focus on Tail Risks Several research teams have outlined how oil prices could react to a disruption in global supply, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. Most estimates point to a range of around $150 or higher if the disruption persists. The $200 level is generally described as an extreme outcome at the upper end of that scenario, rather than a base-case forecast. Macquarie analysts noted that prices could rise significantly under sustained disruption, while JPMorgan and Wood Mackenzie outlined similar ranges tied to supply constraints and demand response. These forecasts describe how the market could behave under stress, rather than assigning a probability to those outcomes.Markets Price a Lower Probability Prediction markets take a different approach by assigning probabilities to outcomes. On Polymarket, a contract for oil reaching $200 by July is trading at around 14 cents, implying a 14% probability. On Kalshi, a similar contract for year-end pricing implies roughly a 19% probability. In both cases, markets indicate that a price spike is possible but not the central expectation.14% chance oil hits $200 before July. https://t.co/nOdOJvbKGx— Polymarket (@Polymarket) March 29, 2026A Different Type of Signal For brokers and institutional investors, the divergence highlights how prediction markets can complement traditional analysis. They provide a probability-based signal that can be used alongside analyst forecasts, particularly in situations where outcomes depend on uncertain geopolitical developments. At the same time, these signals have limitations. Market pricing depends on participation, liquidity and positioning, which can affect how accurately probabilities reflect broader expectations. Using the Signal Prediction markets are better suited to assessing the likelihood of an event than estimating precise price levels during periods of stress. For market participants, the practical use is to compare scenario-based forecasts with probability-based pricing and adjust risk assumptions accordingly. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Poland's retail FX and CFD market expanded at its fastest pace in years during 2025, with the total number of active participants climbing by roughly 50% to approximately 370,000, while aggregate losses across all clients reached a record 2.68 billion zlotys, according to data released by Poland's Financial Supervision Authority (KNF).Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)The annual report from the KNF, which covers the full range of OTC derivatives traded through supervised Polish brokerages, shows that the total value of losses last year was nearly four times the total value of profits generated by winning clients. The regulator counted 102,919 active clients who ended the year in profit, compared with 266,818 who recorded a net loss, placing the share of losing traders at more than 72%.The data builds on a pattern of rapid market expansion seen in previous years, when Poland's active trader count grew by 40% in 2024 alone, already making the country one of the most active retail derivatives markets in Europe.Polish Residents Bear 1.63B Zloty HitNarrowing the lens to Polish residents only, the data shows a somewhat more concentrated picture. KNF counted 186,372 active Polish residents in the market last year, up approximately 59% from the 116,903 recorded in 2024. Their combined losses totaled 1.63 billion zlotys, a 26% increase from the 1.29 billion zlotys recorded the previous year. Net profits generated by Polish winning traders reached 439.5 million zlotys, up 44% year-on-year, but still less than a third of what losing traders gave back to the market.“Compared with the previous year, the share of clients who recorded losses increased slightly,” the KNF commented in the report seen by FinanceMagnates.com. “At the same time, the average loss among losing clients declined, while the average profit of profitable clients rose. Overall, the average result of active clients remained negative, although the loss was smaller than in the previous year.”The average loss per losing Polish resident fell from 15,749 zlotys in 2024 to 12,162 zlotys in 2025, which the KNF data attributes partly to a wider base of newer, smaller-scale participants entering the market. Average winnings among profitable Polish traders also declined slightly, from 8,778 zlotys to 8,358 zlotys. The average net result across all active Polish resident clients stood at minus 6,373 zlotys for the year, an improvement from minus 8,442 zlotys in 2024."The numbers confirm what we've been seeing in the market for some time," said Marcin Wenus, the Chairman of the Invest Cuffs Foundation. "Poland is now unambiguously one of the largest retail derivatives markets in Europe, and the pace of new entrants is accelerating. But the persistently high share of losing traders, around 72% year after year, shows that participation and profitability are growing at very different speeds."Retail Clients Remain the Dominant ForceRetail participants accounted for 99.9% of all active clients on Polish-supervised platforms last year and represented 94% of the total nominal transaction value. The KNF noted that its analysis encompasses not just currency pairs but the full spectrum of OTC derivatives, including equity CFDs, commodity contracts, and index products traded via Polish-licensed brokerages.The explosive growth in total client numbers is consistent with broader trends in the Polish brokerage industry. XTB, the Warsaw-listed fintech and one of Poland's largest retail brokers, added 441,500 new Polish brokerage accounts in 2025, pushing Poland past 2.5 million total registered securities accounts for the first time. The company's Polish clients also traded 16 billion zlotys worth of securities on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in 2025, a 76% jump year-on-year.Loss-to-Profit Ratio Holds at Near 4-to-1Despite the year-on-year moderation in individual loss sizes, the overall market structure has changed little over the five-year window covered by the KNF report. Between 2021 and 2025, the share of active clients posting a loss has ranged from 70.6% to 79.1%, with 2025 sitting at 72.2%. The absolute scale of losses, however, has grown substantially. Total losses across all clients stood at 1.16 billion zlotys in 2021 and have more than doubled in four years to 2.68 billion zlotys in 2025.The competitive dynamics in the Polish brokerage market intensified over the past year, a development that may have contributed to the influx of new, less experienced traders. Germany's Trade Republic entered Poland in 2025, triggering a broader pricing war among established local brokers, which in turn lowered the cost of entry for retail participants.KNF Reiterates Risk WarningThe KNF has historically noted that OTC derivatives are high-risk products and should only be used by investors with the relevant knowledge, experience, and an explicit acceptance of the risk of losing all invested capital. The authority has been tracking this data for years, with the structural imbalance between losers and winners remaining a consistent feature of the retail derivatives landscape across all European markets.For now, Poland's retail trading community continues to grow faster than the pool of profitable participants within it. Whether the entry of new platforms, better investor education, or regulatory pressure can shift that ratio in the years ahead remains an open question. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.