CMC Markets (LSE: CMCX), the London-listed online trading firm, launched a weekend gold trading product today (Monday), giving spread betting and CFD clients access to the precious metal when the underlying spot and futures markets are closed.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)CMC Markets Launches Weekend Gold Trading for Spread Betting and CFD ClientsThe product, listed as "Gold - Weekend," is aimed at traders who use gold for hedging and risk management and want to adjust positions without waiting for the Monday open, the company said. CMC did not disclose details on pricing, spreads or margin requirements for the weekend instrument."This launch reflects our focus on giving clients access to markets when it matters most," Laurence Booth, Global Head of Markets at CMC Markets, said. "By introducing 24/7 gold trading and expanding access to US equities during extended hours, we're reducing time constraints and giving traders greater control and flexibility in fast-moving global markets."The move arrives at a time when gold has climbed sharply, rising from around $2,640 at the start of 2025 to test levels above $5,500 before pulling back slightly, a run that has pushed precious metals volumes to the top of many brokers' flow tables. Several firms, including CMC and IG, raised maintenance margins for gold in recent months as the rally tested risk management systems across the industry.LMAX, GCEX and BingX Got There FirstCMC is not the first to spot the weekend gold gap. In February 2026, LMAX Group added gold to its perpetual futures platform, giving institutional clients continuous XAU/USD exposure around the clock and across weekends. LMAX's product uses margin-based perpetual futures with no expiry date, allowing funds and brokers to hold positions through Sunday without needing to roll or close them.GCEX also launched gold futures products targeting institutional CFD activity earlier this year, while crypto exchange BingX reported that gold contracts accounted for more than half of its $1 billion daily traditional finance trading volume in January, driven by record prices and geopolitical safe-haven demand.Extended Hours Push Stretches Across Asset ClassesThe gold launch is part of a broader effort at CMC to extend market access. The broker recently rolled out 24/5 trading on approximately 250 US shares and ETFs, giving clients the ability to trade names like Apple and Tesla outside standard exchange hours, with further expansion planned.CMC is far from alone in this push. STARTRADER opened 24/5 trading on 20 US stocks in March, joining Pepperstone, IG, BlackBull Markets and Deriv in offering US share CFDs beyond regular hours. On the direct market access side, Charles Schwab's thinkorswim platform provides 24/5 trading on more than 1,100 US stocks and ETFs, while Robinhood runs its "24 Hour Market" from Sunday evening to Friday evening.Data from eToro, which expanded its 24/5 stock offering late last year, shows that roughly one-third of all stock trading on the platform now occurs outside traditional market hours, a figure that has grown steadily since the feature launched. The broader pattern suggests that retail clients conditioned by round-the-clock crypto markets now expect similar flexibility across all asset classes.CMC's Multi-Asset Strategy Continues to ExpandThe weekend gold product slots into a wider multi-asset push at the FTSE 250 broker, which has been adding new products and partnerships at a steady pace. In March, CMC began using J.P. Morgan's Kinexys blockchain infrastructure for 24/7 cash settlement, and earlier this month signed Upvest as infrastructure provider for a multi-currency stocks and ETFs offering in Germany.The broker has also been pursuing expanded regulatory permissions in Singapore to enter the physical precious metals market, advertising a senior compliance role there related to obtaining approval under the Precious Stones and Precious Metals Act. That initiative, combined with the weekend gold CFD, suggests the company is building out its precious metals capabilities across both derivative and potentially physical formats. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Capital.com said client trading volumes on its platform reached $1.27 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, up 11.2% from $1.14 trillion in Q4 2025. The total number of trades executed rose 81% compared with the same period a year earlier, according to the company's quarterly platform update published today (Monday).Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)January was the busiest month in the broker's six-month observation window, with roughly $502 billion in volume, the company said. Gold drove the bulk of that activity, accounting for 59% of the month's total platform volume as prices hit successive record highs. Average monthly active traders increased 10.9% from the prior quarter, Capital.com reported.The numbers put Capital.com's Q1 2026 result within striking distance of its full-year 2024 figure of $1.7 trillion, reached across twelve months rather than three."Q1 2026 brought three significant market events... each event created a different kind of decision pressure for participants," Tarik Chebib, CEO Middle East at Capital.com, said. "Trading volumes of $1.27 trillion reflect those conditions."Broker Earnings Season Points to Broad-Based Trading BoomCapital.com's update lands on the same day Plus500 reported Q1 revenue of $242.1 million, up 18% year-over-year, with customer income hitting a five-year high. IG Group said in March it expects about £300 million in Q1 2026 revenue, 7% above the year-ago quarter. Both publicly listed brokers attributed the gains to elevated market volatility across commodities, equities and geopolitics.The pattern is consistent with broader industry data. Average monthly volume per 1,000 active accounts across a 52-broker sample rose 38% between Q4 2021 and Q4 2025, according to Finance Magnates Intelligence data, suggesting that trading intensity, not just headcount, is increasing across the sector. EC Markets, another fast-growing name in the space, reported $4.476 trillion in Q4 2025 trading volume, with active clients nearly doubling over the course of the year.Gold Records, Oil Spikes, Crypto Swings - Three Distinct Events Shaped the QuarterThe company's data paints a quarter defined by three separate market dislocations that each pulled different instruments to the front of the order book.In January, gold prices climbed to successive record highs fueled by central bank purchasing that the company described as being at a 25-year high, a weakening US dollar and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Silver volumes rose fivefold in the same month as traders broadened their commodity exposure, according to the company, before dropping back in February.February brought cryptocurrency volatility as regulatory changes across major jurisdictions created what Capital.com described as "structural uncertainty for participants." The broker did not specify the regulatory actions in question.March was dominated by oil. Middle East tensions drove a 275% increase in active oil traders on the platform on March 2 compared with the previous Friday, with oil trading volumes up 649% and trades up 414% in a single session, the company said. By March 24, oil volumes were still 134% above the prior Monday, with first-time oil traders up 420% on that Tuesday alone. Oil volatility reached 36.1% for the month, the highest in the six-month observation window, Capital.com reported.Those oil moves were part of a broader market reaction as sustained conflict involving Iran and supply risk across the Middle East, compounded by a surprise OPEC+ production cut, pushed WTI crude up roughly 74% in under three weeks earlier in the quarter.UAE Remains a Top-Three Market as MENA Dominance HoldsThe Middle East accounted for what the company called "a significant share" of total trading volume in Q1, with the UAE ranking among the top three markets alongside Germany and the United Kingdom. That geographic split was consistent with patterns seen in Q4 2025 and the first half of 2025, when 52% of Capital.com's trading volume came from MENA and UAE traders alone contributed 71.7% of the regional total.Capital.com holds regulatory authorizations from the FCA in the UK, CySEC in Cyprus, ASIC in Australia, the SCA in the UAE and the Securities Commission of The Bahamas. The company has been pushing into new jurisdictions, with license applications underway in Singapore, Japan, Turkey and South Africa. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

TenTrade, which operates as a contracts for differences (CFDs) broker from its offshore Seychelles base and also offers prop trading, has onboarded football legend Luis Figo as its global ambassador.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)A Campaign Already in PlaceIt appears to be a strategic pick, as the now-retired footballer wore the number 10 jersey for Real Madrid and has now launched a campaign video with the broker, “Inspiring the Next Number 10”, which also aligns with its branding.“He's a champion who redefined what was possible on the world stage, and that's exactly the standard TenTrade holds itself to,” said the three partners of TenTrade, Athos Agathocleous, Rasheed Altoun and Andreas Samatas, in a joint statement.Figo, now 53 years old, retired from football in 2009, but he still has a massive social media following: 5.2 million on Instagram, 2.1 million on Facebook, and 1.1 million on X (formerly Twitter).Read more: How Much Fancy Sport Sponsorships Actually Cost?Known as “El Paso Doble”, he played for the Portuguese national football team and also for three of the biggest clubs in Europe: Barcelona FC, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan. Although he wore the number 10 jersey for Real Madrid, his shirt number for the other clubs and the Portuguese national team was 7.Onboarding him as the brand ambassador aligns with TenTrade’s strategy to tap into the football fans of the Figo era, many of whom are now over 30.[#highlighted-links#] Brokers and Prop Firms Are Now Looking for a FaceAlthough football sponsorships are common among retail trading platforms, most opt for club sponsorships. In recent years, however, many platforms have been onboarding individual athletes, including retired ones, as ambassadors.Other brokers with active or previous brand ambassador deals include EC Markets with Judd Trump, OANDA with Robert Lewandowski, AvaTrade and XM with Usain Bolt, Tickmill with Jonty Rhodes, CFI Financial with Lewis Hamilton, and XTB with José Mourinho, Conor McGregor, and Zlatan Ibrahimović.These deals do not give brokers access to a broad stadium presence, but they can use the ambassador's face in their marketing material, both offline and online.While brokers' interest in sports marketing has been known for some time, several prop firms have also recently signed such deals. Although the number has been limited, Hola Prime onboarded NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns as its ambassador, while Tradeify signed a deal with UFC champion Israel Adesanya. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

South Florida has firmly reasserted itself as one of the most dynamic luxury real estate markets in the United States. Once viewed primarily as a lifestyle destination, the region is now a magnet for ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking long-term value, tax efficiency, and global connectivity. Recent sales figures and investor behavior suggest that the luxury segment is not only resilient but positioned for sustained growth well into 2026 and beyond.The surge reflects a broader shift in how wealth is allocated post-pandemic, with South Florida emerging as a strategic hub rather than a speculative outlier.Record-Breaking Ultra-Luxury Sales Redefine the MarketThe numbers tell a compelling story. In 2025 alone, South Florida recorded 361 residential property sales above $10 million, the highest total since 2021. Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties all contributed to this momentum, underscoring the region’s depth and diversity at the top end of the market.These transactions are not isolated anomalies. They represent a sustained appetite for waterfront estates, branded residences, and high-amenity condominiums that cater to buyers who prioritize privacy, security, and lifestyle integration. Even as inventory levels have risen in other segments of the U.S. housing market, luxury prices in South Florida have remained notably resilient.According to market insights published by MILLION Luxury, the combination of limited waterfront supply and branded residential developments continues to support pricing resilience across South Florida’s ultra-luxury segment.This performance has positioned South Florida luxury real estate as a benchmark for post-pandemic confidence among affluent buyers.Wealth Migration and Florida’s Tax AdvantageA major driver behind this growth is domestic wealth migration. High-income earners from states such as New York, California, and Illinois continue to relocate to Florida, drawn by the absence of state income tax, a business-friendly regulatory environment, and year-round livability.South Florida, in particular, has become a preferred landing point for Fortune 500 executives, hedge fund managers, and technology entrepreneurs. Miami’s transformation into a serious financial and tech center has accelerated this trend, reinforcing the idea that relocating does not require sacrificing professional networks or opportunity.For many buyers, acquiring luxury property in the region serves both as a primary residence and a strategic financial decision, allowing them to optimize long-term tax exposure while investing in a high-demand market.Global Investor Demand Remains StrongInternational capital continues to play a critical role in shaping South Florida’s luxury landscape. In 2025, approximately 15% of Miami-area home purchases were made by foreign buyers, compared to a national average of just 2%. The region once again ranked number one in the United States for international real estate investment.Buyers from Latin America and Europe are especially active, viewing South Florida as a stable, dollar-denominated safe haven. In total, foreign investors committed $4.4 billion to South Florida real estate in 2025, a 42% increase over the previous year.Political stability, strong property rights, and the ease of accessing Miami through direct international flights continue to differentiate the region from competing global markets.Luxury Development Tailored to Global DemandDevelopers have responded aggressively to this influx of capital and demand by launching a new generation of ultra-luxury projects. Across Miami and West Palm Beach, branded residences and high-end condominium towers are redefining expectations for residential living.New developments feature amenities once reserved for five-star resorts: private wellness clubs, concierge health services, exclusive dining concepts, and curated lifestyle programming. Partnerships with globally recognized brands such as Waldorf Astoria and Aman have added an additional layer of prestige and price stability.At the same time, the scarcity of prime waterfront land has created a natural supply constraint. This imbalance between limited inventory and sustained global demand has helped insulate luxury pricing, even as broader housing markets adjust to higher interest rates.Outlook for 2026 and BeyondLooking ahead, market fundamentals suggest continued strength rather than correction. Analysts forecast annual price growth of approximately 3% through 2026 and 2027 for South Florida’s luxury segment. While financing costs remain elevated, most ultra-luxury transactions are either cash-based or minimally leveraged, reducing sensitivity to rate fluctuations.The convergence of ongoing inbound migration, international investment, and South Florida’s evolving economic profile supports a long-term bullish outlook. As Miami and its surrounding markets further entrench themselves as global centers for finance, technology, and lifestyle, demand for high-end residential real estate is expected to remain structurally strong.For investors and end users alike, South Florida no longer represents a cyclical play. It has matured into a core luxury market with global relevance, positioned to sustain momentum well into the next decade. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

CFI Financial Group has named Amr Abdelbaky as chief executive officer of CFI Egypt, its locally regulated brokerage and bonds trading arm, as the Dubai-based firm tightens its focus on one of the region's largest retail investor pools.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)Abdelbaky, who was promoted from within, will run an operation authorized by Egypt's Financial Regulatory Authority. The unit gives local clients direct access to more than 200 stocks listed on the Egyptian Exchange, including Commercial International Bank, QNB ALAHLI, and Telecom Egypt, according to the company.CFI first entered Egypt at the end of 2022 through the acquisition of local broker El Mahrousa, a deal it described then as a cornerstone of its MENA strategy. The new appointment continues a busy stretch for the group, which opened a Bahrain office in October and reshuffled its top ranks last year after Ziad Melhem moved into the group CEO seat."Egypt is an important market for the Group, with solid fundamentals and growing investor participation," Melhem said in a statement. "This appointment is about strengthening our presence on the ground and staying close to the market."Rivals Close In on Egypt and the Gulf CFI is not alone in treating Egypt and its neighbors as a growth priority. Warsaw-listed XTB ran a free-share promotion across its MENA operation in October, pairing the giveaway with investor-education workshops aimed at new account holders. XS.com opened a Kuwait office last summer and signed on as official sponsor of the Smart Vision Summit in Cairo in November.Smaller names have followed similar paths. OneRoyal set up a Muscat entity in 2025 as part of what it called a deeper Gulf push, while Exness and crypto venue Bybit both secured regional licenses late last year. The Dubai Financial Services Authority said applications jumped 18% in the first nine months of 2025, prompting it to launch an automated review platform to shorten approval times.Reported activity has climbed alongside the licensing rush. Capital.com disclosed $804 billion in MENA trading volume for the first half of 2025, a 53% jump from the previous six months, while Tickmill said its regional volumes rose 54% year-over-year over a similar window. Against that backdrop, CFI's EGX-only local unit is an unusually focused bet in a field otherwise defined by offshore CFD operators.A Deliberately Narrow Cairo PlaybookUnlike CFI's offshore subsidiaries, which run the familiar multi-asset CFD model across forex, indices, and commodities, the Egyptian unit is built around domestic equities under FRA rules. That design puts it in a different lane from the CFD houses chasing Gulf expatriates.The distinction matters for positioning. EGX names like CIB have drawn renewed retail interest over the past two years as Egypt's currency reforms, IMF program, and state privatization plan have reshaped the local investment story.Abdelbaky said in the announcement that the priority was to "deliver a straightforward and dependable experience, supported by the right technology, competitive conditions, and a team that understands the market." The company did not disclose client numbers, trading volumes, or growth targets for the Egyptian business.Sponsorship Stays Central to the PitchThe Egyptian unit continues to lean on sports sponsorship, a channel the wider group has used heavily over the past three years. CFI is the official online trading partner of the Egyptian Basketball Federation, a deal that sits alongside group-level agreements with AC Milan, MI Cape Town cricket, and global brand ambassadors Lewis Hamilton and Maria Sharapova.CFI reported a record $1.51 trillion in second-quarter trading volume last year, up 18% from the previous quarter, and funded accounts rose 75% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2025, according to its own disclosures. The company did not break out what share of that activity comes from the Egyptian book. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Finding the best prop firm in 2026 is not about picking the firm with the biggest headline payout or the most aggressive marketing. What matters is whether the programme actually fits the way you trade. For some traders, that means a simpler challenge with fewer restrictions. For others, it means flexible payout cycles, platform choice, or a funded-stage model that feels sustainable over time.The best prop firms in 2026 are the ones that combine clear evaluation rules, realistic risk limits, transparent payout conditions, and strong platform access. A firm may look attractive on the surface, but the details, such as daily drawdown limits, profit targets, minimum trading days, and withdrawal rules, are what usually determine whether the programme is workable in real trading conditions.In this guide, we look at three firms that stand out in 2026: FundedNext, FundingPips, and Hola Prime. Each one offers a different type of experience. Some focus on flexible challenge models, some emphasise payout variety, and others are built around speed, platform choice, or faster access to funded-style accounts.What Makes a Prop Firm One of the Best in 2026A prop firm stands out in 2026 when its program is built for repeatable performance, not just passing a challenge once. These are the factors that usually separate a solid firm from one that looks good only on paper:1) Evaluation DesignA good programme uses targets and risk rules that reward discipline and consistency. The best firms make it clear:what the profit target is (and across how many phases),how drawdown is calculated (daily vs overall, static vs trailing),and whether open (floating) losses count.2) Low Risk LimitsEvery prop firm has loss limits, but the best ones apply them in a way that traders can realistically manage. If the daily limit is so tight that one normal losing streak fails the account, this makes it not practical for many strategies.3) Clear Payout RulesTraders benefit most when payout requirements are easy to understand:how soon you can request the first payout,how often withdrawals are available,and what conditions must be met (profit threshold, minimum days, no open trades, etc.).4) Flexible Trading Platform AccessPlatform choice matters more in 2026 because traders expect modern execution and tooling. A strong firm supports mainstream trading platforms and makes it easy to understand what’s available for each program type.5) Straightforward RulesThe best prop firms publish rules in a way that reduces misunderstandings, especially around common failure points like news trading restrictions, weekend holding, inactivity rules, copy trading, and prohibited strategies.FundedNextFundedNext offers multiple challenge models under its Stellar program, including Stellar 1-Step, Stellar 2-Step, and Stellar Lite, each built around a different balance of speed, targets, and risk limits.CFD Challenges Structure:Stellar 1-Step: a 10% profit target, with a 3% daily loss limit and a 6% maximum loss limit. FundedNext also states a minimum of 2 trading days applies.Stellar 2-Step: a two-phase evaluation with an 8% target in Phase 1 and a 5% target in Phase 2. FundedNext positions this as a more traditional evaluation route and states traders can reach a funded account after 5 trading days.Stellar Lite: a two-phase model with an 8% target in Phase 1 and a 4% target in Phase 2. FundedNext states there is a 4% daily loss limit and an 8% maximum loss limit. Similar to the Stellar 2-Step challenge, there is a 5-day minimum trading requirement.Stellar Instant: an instant funding model with no evaluation phases required. FundedNext states there is no daily loss limit, but it features a trailing maximum loss limit, meaning traders need to watch their account balance closely as it grows.Futures Challenges StructureBolt Challenge: a fast-track futures challenge built around a $3,000 profit target on a $50,000 account, with a $1,000 daily loss limit and a $2,000 maximum loss limit. FundedNext positions Bolt as a lower-cost speed model and states there are no minimum benchmark days.Rapid Challenge: a futures challenge designed as a more flexible path. FundedNext states traders must hit the profit target while following the model’s loss rules, and it highlights that Rapid has no daily loss limit; however, they have a maximum loss limit based on their account size and EOD balance.Legacy Challenge: a more structured futures challenge aimed at traders who prefer clearer discipline rules. FundedNext states Legacy includes a profit target together without daily loss limits; however, a similar maximum loss limit structure as Rapid Challenge applies with a minimum benchmark of days, making it the more rule-driven futures path compared with Rapid.Trading Platforms AccessPlatform access is listed across MT4, MT5, cTrader, and Match-Trader.Fees Breakdown:FundedNext frames trader costs and returns mainly through its challenge fee, reward-share model, and payout schedule, rather than broker-style deposits. It promotes a 15% reward from challenge phase profits in Stellar programmes, and once traders reach a FundedNext account, the standard reward share is positioned around 80%, with higher reward-share marketing shown on some plans and promotional pages.FundedNext also promotes fast payout handling, including a 24-hour payout processing promise, and states that if a payout is delayed beyond that window, traders may receive an additional compensation payment under its published terms.On challenge pricing, FundedNext’s plan page shows that fees vary by model and account size. For example, the $6K Stellar plan is shown from $59.99, the $15K plan from $119.99, and the $25K plan from $199.99, with pricing increasing by account size and challenge type.FundingPipsFundingPips is a proprietary trading firm where traders trade in a simulated environment and earn rewards by following the program rules, rather than depositing capital into a traditional broker account. It offers four main challenge models: Zero, 1-Step, 2-Step, and 2-Step Pro, giving traders different paths depending on how quickly they want to reach a funded stage and how much structure they prefer.Challenges StructureZero: a master-only route, positioned as a no-evaluation path that gives traders direct access to the funded-stage structure under FundingPips’ rules.1-Step: a single-phase evaluation model that FundingPips lists separately from its regular 2-step path. FundingPips’ terms also state a minimum of 3 trading days applies to the 1-step model.2-Step: the traditional FundingPips path built around student to practitioner to master. Step 1 (Student) targets 8% and can be modified to 10%, while Step 2 (Practitioner) targets 5%, with FundingPips presenting a 5% maximum daily loss and 10% maximum loss.2-Step Pro: an alternative two-phase route listed alongside the regular 2-Step model, with a Step 1 (Student) target of 6% and the same target for Step 2 (Practitioner). FundingPips’ terms state the 2-Step Pro minimum is 1 trading day, making it a faster-paced variation compared with the standard 2-Step model.Trading Platform AccessOn the platform side, it lists access across cTrader, MatchTrader, and MetaTraderFees Breakdown:FundingPips frames trader costs and returns mainly through its evaluation fee, reward split, and payout-cycle model, rather than broker-style deposits. The firm presents payout structures that vary by challenge type and withdrawal frequency. For its standard 1-step and 2-step style payouts, it highlights examples such as 60% weekly payouts, 80% bi-weekly, 90% on-demand, and 100% monthly.FundingPips also states that payout timing can range from the same day to up to 4 trading days, depending on where the account falls in the payout cycle. It further promotes a “Zero Payout Denial Policy” style message for eligible withdrawals made under its rules.Hola PrimeHola Prime provides simulated trading and educational tools. It offers multiple forex programme paths, including 1 Step Pro, 1-Step Prime, 2-Step Pro, 2-Step Prime, Hola Prime One and Direct account, giving traders different routes depending on whether they want a structured evaluation or faster access to a funded-style account. They also highlight fast payout, with 1-hour payouts promoted.Forex Challenges StructureOne Challenge: a single-phase forex evaluation with a 7% profit target, no daily loss limit, and a 7% maximum overall loss (trailing). 2-Step Pro Challenge: a two-phase forex evaluation with an 8% target in Phase 1 and a 5% target in Phase 2. Hola Prime states a 5% daily loss limit applies in both phases, with a 8% maximum overall loss in both phases.2-Step Prime Challenge: a two-phase forex evaluation with an 8% target in Phase 1 and a 5% target in Phase 2. Hola Prime states a 5% daily loss limit applies in both phases, with a 8% maximum overall loss in both phases.1-Step Pro Challenge: a single-phase Forex evaluation with a 10% profit target, a 3% daily loss limit, and a 6% maximum overall loss.1-Step Prime Challenge: a single-phase Forex evaluation with a 10% profit target, a 3% daily loss limit, and a 6% maximum overall loss.Direct Account: a no-evaluation Forex path with no minimum trading days and no maximum trading days. Hola Prime shows no profit target, a 3% daily loss limit, and a 5% maximum overall loss (trailing) for this challenge, positioning it as the closest route to immediate funded-stage access under its rules.Futures Challenges Structure1-Step Prime Challenge: A single-phase evaluation plan featuring a 6% profit target, a 3% trailing drawdown, weekly 80% payouts, and single access to the DX Futures trading platform.Direct Account: a no-evaluation Futures plan with no minimum trading days and no maximum trading days, no profit target, a 3% trailing drawdown, and, similar to the 1-Step Prime Challenge, a single access to the DX Futures platform and a weekly payout of 80%.Trading Platforms AccessThe firm provides access to a wide range of trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradeLocker, DXTrade, cTrader, and MatchTrader, giving traders the flexibility to choose the platform that best fits their strategies.Fees Breakdown:Hola Prime frames trader costs and returns mainly through its challenge fee, reward split, and payout cycle structure, rather than broker-style deposits. The prop firm displays reward-split examples including 80% bi-weekly and on-demand payouts; 95% monthly (depending on the challenge type and category); and Direct Plan bi-weekly up to 90%. This means the reward split is tied directly to how frequently a trader chooses to withdraw.ConclusionThe best prop firm in 2026 is not simply the one with the biggest headline payout or the lowest challenge fee. What matters more is whether the firm’s structure fits the way you actually trade. Challenge format, drawdown rules, payout timing, platform access, and account restrictions all play a much bigger role over time than any single promotional claim.A strong prop firm should make its rules clear, offer a model that feels manageable under real trading conditions, and provide a payout structure that matches your expectations. For some traders, that means a traditional multi-step evaluation. For others, it may mean a faster route, fewer time constraints, or more flexibility around withdrawals.Ultimately, the most important step is to look beyond the headline numbers and focus on the details that shape the day-to-day experience. Profit targets, loss limits, payout cycles, and platform support are usually what determine whether a prop firm is a realistic fit in practice. This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.

Plus500 (LSE: PLUS) posted $242.1 million in revenue for the first quarter, up 18% year-over-year, and told investors to expect full-year 2026 revenue and EBITDA to come in ahead of current market expectations. The London-listed multi-asset broker said higher customer engagement, a shift toward higher-value client cohorts and continued growth in its US futures and prediction markets operations drove a quarter-on-quarter revenue jump of 24%.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)Plus500 Q1 Revenue Climbs 18%EBITDA reached $95.7 million, up 19% on the quarter and 2% on the year, for a 40% margin. The company said the modest year-on-year EBITDA figure reflected a deliberate $16 million increase in customer acquisition spending, alongside roughly $4 million in additional payment processing costs tied to record deposits, which totaled $1.8 billion in the quarter. Cash on hand slipped to over $780 million from $801.6 million at year-end.The outlook upgrade reverses the tone from the same quarter last year, when Plus500 reported a 16% drop in new customer sign-ups and a 5% year-over-year revenue decline, though the company still lifted guidance then on a quarter-on-quarter basis. This time the numbers are pointing in the same direction across the board.Customer Income Hits Five-Year HighThe standout figure from the trading update was customer income of $270.6 million, a metric Plus500 describes as a leading indicator of client activity on its platforms. The number was 53% higher than a year earlier and the highest quarterly reading since 2021, a period that captured the pandemic-era retail trading boom. Customer trading performance came in at negative $38.9 million, meaning clients made money on the Group's book, which Plus500 said it expects to even out over time."Customer Income reached a five-year record high in Q1 2026, driven by the continued execution of our strategic shift toward higher-value customers, as well as heightened market volatility," CEO David Zruia said in the statement. Total customer deposits of $1.8 billion marked a record for any quarter at the firm.ARPU slipped 3% to $1,535, which the company attributed to the higher weighting of newly acquired customers in the quarter. Average user acquisition cost fell 5% quarter-over-quarter and 1% year-over-year to $1,196, even with the step-up in marketing spend.US Business Revenue Climbs 45%, Prediction Markets Go LivePlus500's US arm, built around its 2021 purchase of Cunningham Commodities, generated about $35 million in revenue in the quarter, up 21% sequentially and 45% compared with the same period a year earlier. The business now accounts for roughly 15% of group revenue and 18% of new customers, with customer funds in the non-OTC book topping $900 million at the end of 2025.The company launched a retail-facing prediction markets platform in the US in February, distributing event contracts issued by Kalshi under the Plus500 Futures brand. A next-generation version with an expanded product suite is planned for the second quarter. Plus500 also continues to act as the clearing partner for the CME Group and FanDuel event-contracts venture, which went live earlier this year.Zruia said the Group expects to announce "additional strategic partnerships" across its B2B futures and prediction markets businesses in the short to medium term, without providing specifics.Board Signals Higher FY Numbers, Stock Still Below February Peak"Reflecting the strong momentum across the business and our growing, increasingly diversified global footprint, the Board expects FY 2026 revenue and EBITDA to be ahead of current market expectations," Zruia added. Plus500 did not quantify the uplift relative to consensus. The company delivered $792.4 million in revenue and $348.1 million in EBITDA for full-year 2025.Plus500 shares have traded off their February highs after the company's three top executives, including Zruia and CFO Elad Even-Chen, sold a combined £67.1 million of stock in a block trade days after the launch of a $100 million buyback, triggering a 10% intraday drop. The stock is still up more than 200% since the start of 2024, supported by capital returns totaling roughly $2.9 billion in dividends and buybacks since the 2013 IPO. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

The prop firm trading industry is evolving rapidly, but most firms are still running on fragmented technology stacks that were never designed to scale.As trading volumes increase and business models become more complex, the limitations of legacy systems become clear: disconnected tools, manual processes, and lack of real-time visibility.Trade Tech Solutions was built to solve this problem, by providing a unified, migration-ready infrastructure that allows prop firms and brokers to launch, migrate, and scale without operational friction.A recent implementation with Tickblaze highlights what modern prop firm technology should look like.The Problem: Fragmented Systems That Don’t ScaleMost prop firms rely on multiple vendors to run their operations.CRM systems, risk tools, payment processors, dashboards, and trading infrastructure are often loosely connected through APIs, creating inefficiencies and operational risk.As firms grow, these limitations become more visible:Delayed payouts and manual verification processesLimited visibility into trader performance and risk exposureIncreased operational overheadDifficulty launching new products or scaling into new marketsFor firms operating at scale, or brokers entering the prop trading space, this setup is no longer sustainable.The Trade Tech Solutions ApproachTrade Tech Solutions replaces fragmented systems with a fully integrated infrastructure layer, designed specifically for prop firms.Instead of stitching together multiple tools, firms operate within a single environment that includes:A fully customized CRM and trader dashboardReal-time risk management systemsIntegrated KYC and payment infrastructureReward and retention systemsBack-office and analytics toolsThis unified approach reduces complexity while giving firms full visibility and control over their operations.Built for Migration and ScalabilityOne of the key advantages of Trade Tech Solutions is its migration-friendly architecture.Firms can transition from existing providers without disrupting their operations. Large-scale migrations, including those involving hundreds of thousands of accounts, can be completed in a short timeframe while preserving data integrity and user experience.At the same time, the infrastructure is designed to scale:Support for multiple asset classes (CFD, futures, crypto, sports)Modular systems that adapt to different business modelsSecure architecture capable of handling high trading volumesThis allows firms to grow without continuously rebuilding their technology stack.Key Features That Drive GrowthTrade Tech Solutions is not just about infrastructure, it’s about enabling better business outcomes.Advanced Risk ManagementMulti-layer risk controls allow firms to define rules at firm, challenge, and trader level, with automated monitoring and enforcement.Custom CRM and User DashboardsEach firm operates with a tailored dashboard, providing real-time insights into trader activity, performance, and account status.Semi-Automated Payout SystemPayout workflows are streamlined through automation while maintaining human oversight for compliance and accuracy.Integrated Reward and Retention SystemFirms can incentivize traders through customizable rewards, improving engagement and long-term retention.Built-in Affiliate and Competition SystemsGrowth tools are integrated directly into the platform, eliminating the need for third-party solutions.A Custom Solution Built for TickblazeTickblaze, an independent trading technology provider, required a solution that could support both execution and prop firm operations within a single ecosystem.Rather than deploying a standard setup, Trade Tech Solutions developed a custom infrastructure tailored specifically to Tickblaze’s platform, execution logic, and long-term roadmap.This included:Aligning CRM and risk systems directly with Tickblaze’s execution environmentEnsuring consistency between simulation and live trading workflowsReducing reliance on external toolsDesigning a system capable of supporting multi-asset operations at scaleThe result is a tightly integrated architecture where trading, risk, and operations function as a single system.The Outcome: A Scalable, Unified Prop Firm ModelThe Tickblaze deployment demonstrates what becomes possible when infrastructure is designed correctly from the beginning.Firms benefit from:Reduced operational complexityFaster time-to-marketImproved risk controlBetter trader experienceLower long-term costsMore importantly, they gain a system that can evolve with their business without requiring constant redevelopment.ConclusionAs the prop firm trading industry continues to mature, technology is becoming the defining factor between firms that scale and those that struggle.Trade Tech Solutions provides the infrastructure that modern prop firms, and brokers entering the space, need to operate efficiently and grow sustainably.The Tickblaze implementation is a practical example of how a unified, migration-ready, and fully customized technology stack can transform the way prop firms are built and scaled.Interested in building or upgrading your prop firm infrastructure?Visit Trade Tech Solutions to learn more or request a demo. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Its profit, however, more than doubled due to an increase in interest income.The trading activities of FxPro’s UK unit received a boost in 2025, with annual trading volumes rising 7 per cent to $87 billion. The broker cited “elevated market volatility stemming from ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the Gaza-Israel conflict and broader instability in the Middle East” as the driver of the rise in client activity on its platform.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).The latest Companies House filing by the broker also highlighted that client activity rose across multiple asset classes, leading to “higher transaction volumes and increased revenue.”Read more: Trading Volume on FxPro UK Jumps 70% in 2024Gold Trading Pumped the NumbersThe net notional exposure of the company remained skewed towards commodities, which covers gold trading, at £10.9 million at the end of 2025, up from the previous year’s near £2.6 million. Exposure to currency demand also increased to £9.8 million from £6.4 million.The UK unit of the global contracts for differences (CFDs) broker brand ended the year with almost £1.8 million in revenue, lower than the previous year’s more than £1.9 million.Interestingly, the company earned £32,894 from inactive accounts, while the rest of the revenue came from intercompany recharges.[#highlighted-links#] Another Profitable YearWhen it comes to profitability, the company netted £326,863, which more than doubled in the year. Despite the stagnant revenue, profitability increased due to higher bank interest on the company’s cash reserves and positive gains on foreign currency transactions.“Profit will generally stay consistent year on year as the majority of revenue is derived from FxPro Global Markets Limited and is based entirely on a 10% cost plus service agreement between the two entities,” the filing noted.Although limited in the United Kingdom, FxPro has a significant presence in Europe and offshore, where most of its business comes from. The figures only represent the numbers from its UK business.Meanwhile, the broker recently expanded its partnership with McLaren’s Formula One team, labelling it its “largest sponsorship to date.” Notably, FxPro was the first in the real trading industry to sign a Formula One deal in 2009 and spent nearly $300 million on sponsorship. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

UAE finfluencer policy and compliance testThe UAE, the first country to formally regulate financial influencers, now counts 171 registered “finfluencers” on its Capital Markets Authority (CMA) registry—just over a year after launching the framework.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).However, a FinanceMagnates.com review identified inconsistencies across the database, including broken, mismatched, and in some cases non-functional social media links, raising concerns about enforcement quality and verification standards.In response, the CMA said it would review “all available links of the financial influencers,” but did not directly address the specific discrepancies highlighted. Despite these gaps, the initiative has attracted broad participation, including regulator-affiliated influencers and CFD broker executives, with the registry continuing to expand. Still, the identified anomalies make it difficult for users to reliably verify registered finfluencers, potentially undermining the transparency the framework aims to provide.GBE brokers takes over JFD clientsMeanwhile, GBE Brokers agreed to buy a large part of the client base and partner network of JFD Group, which operates as JFD Brokers. The deal is an asset purchase and includes most of JFD’s client accounts and relationships with intermediaries. GBE Brokers is also growing internationally with a new representative office in Dubai, strengthening its presence in the Middle East and North Africa. The firm said the Dubai office complements its existing setup, which includes its headquarters in Cyprus and a branch office in Germany, as well as operations across financial centres in Europe, Africa and Asia.eToro buys Zengo to scale prediction marketsIn another case of business expansion, eToro is acquiring Israeli self-custodial wallet provider Zengo, the Nasdaq-listed broker. The deal gives eToro a ready non-custodial wallet product to support a broader digital asset strategy that it has explicitly linked to prediction markets and decentralized trading. According to the fintech giant, Zengo wallet will help facilitate tokenized assets and “emerging decentralized trading models such as prediction markets and perpetuals.” This wording aligns with a strategy the company has been outlining publicly since the start of the year.NAGA touts AI-first model as Xetra shares rebound ahead of Q1A section of brokers are eying AI for growth. NAGA, the Xetra-listed fintech behind the Naga One financial app, said that it is building its next phase of growth around AI. The company said the technology now handles most of its chat-based customer support without human agents and allows it to operate its marketing function with about 20% fewer staff. The announcement comes one week before NAGA is due to publish its unaudited first-quarter results and after a sharp rebound in its Hamburg-listed shares. NAGA reported that AI fully resolved about 66% of chat-based customer support interactions in the first quarter without any human involvement and added that it plans to roll out similar automation for email support.NAGA’s AI push comes after a highly volatile period for its stock. On Thursday, the share price extended its rebound, rising as high as €6.00 intraday and reaching €5.50 at one point, a move that represents roughly a 350% gain from the April low.Polish watchdog fines XTBNot all is matching the letter of MiFID II though. Poland’s financial regulator, the KNF, fined Warsaw-based brokerage XTB SA PLN 20 million (about $5.5 million) for breaking MiFID II and investor protection rules. In a decision dated 30 March 2026, the watchdog said XTB did not properly assess clients’ knowledge, failed to clearly define who its products were aimed at, and did not adequately explain the risks of trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs). The KNF said that between January 2022 and September 2023, XTB used client questionnaires that did not accurately measure customers’ experience with complex financial products. It added that the broker treated experience with simple instruments as sufficient for trading high-risk CFDs, which could have exposed inexperienced clients to large losses.Scaling prop firms without burning cashBuilding a scalable acquisition engine for a prop firm usually comes down to three things: the channels you use, how you segment your audience, and the creatives you run. We looked at all three, covering six key channels, a structured way to test creatives, and eight specific creative themes backed by real performance benchmarks. However, the performance metrics shared in the article are not universal and can differ by market. Copying any of the creatives directly will not guarantee results, and the examples are provided only as inspiration and for educational purposes.Kraken's $550M Bitnomial acquisition, IPO, Extortion ClaimsIn the crypto industry, Kraken is at the center of several major moves. It quietly filed for an initial public offering (IPO) late last year, co-CEO Arjun Sethi said at the Semafor World Economy event in Washington, DC. He did not disclose any details about the deal, such as the company’s valuation or how large the share sale might be.The exchange has also signed a definitive agreement to acquire Bitnomial, the only crypto-native firm in the United States that holds all three CFTC licenses required to operate a fully integrated crypto derivatives business. The deal is valued at up to $550 million, with Bitnomial’s extensive regulatory footprint seen as the key driver behind the acquisition.Not everything is smooth sailing though. Videos circulating on dark web forums have drawn Kraken into an extortion attempt, with a criminal group allegedly threatening to publish internal footage to force a ransom payment, but the exchange says no systems were breached and client funds remain safe.Kraken Security UpdateWe are currently being extorted by a criminal group threatening to release videos of our internal systems with client data shown if we do not comply with their demands. It’s important to start with the most important points: our systems were never…— Nick Percoco (@c7five) April 13, 2026Kraken disclosed that it traced the issue to two insider incidents involving limited access to support data that exposed around 2,000 accounts, about 0.02% of its client base, and added that both cases were linked to support team members whose access credentials were revoked as soon as the activity was detected.SEC clears $25k day trading limitAway from crypto, day trading in the US may get a major boost after the Securities and Exchange Commission approved a plan to scrap the Pattern Day Trader rule, which requires a minimum account balance of 25,000 dollars for active traders. The current rule also limits traders with less than that amount in their margin accounts to no more than four day trades in five days.Today, the SEC approved a major FINRA rule change that eliminates the Pattern Day Trader (PDT) rule and replaces it with a new intraday margin system.https://t.co/QB7FlwCBE6? What’s Being RemovedThe $25,000 minimum account requirement for day traders? What’s Replacing It…— Cobra Trading (@cobra_trading) April 14, 2026Instead, the regulator plans to introduce a new intraday margin system that measures risk in real time rather than simply counting trades. Under this approach, traders would need to maintain enough equity to cover their actual market exposure, potentially allowing more flexibility but also demanding tighter risk control.Do stocks beat cash, or just thanks to a few big winners?For decades, investors have been told that holding shares for the long term beats keeping money in cash or cash-like assets. Recent analysis, however, suggests that while staying invested in equities can pay off, only a small number of individual stocks are responsible for most of the market’s outperformance over safe assets like Treasury bills. An article in the Financial Times highlighted research by Professor Hendrik Bessembinder of Arizona State University, who examined the long‑term performance of individual US stocks. He found that four out of every seven common stocks in the Center for Research in Security Prices database since 1926 delivered lifetime buy‑and‑hold returns below those of one‑month US Treasuries. Over the past century, the top 4% of listed US companies accounted for the entire net wealth created by the stock market, while the remaining stocks collectively only matched the returns of Treasury bills.Executive Moves: IG, oneZero, and XTX In the executive moves, IG Group appointed Qu Zhao as Head of Japan, following the departure of Tomoharu Furuichi. Furuichi stepped down after nearly seven years as Representative Director and Chief Executive Officer of IG Japan.oneZero Financial Systems appointed Alberto Bruno as Director of Business Development, adding to its senior leadership team. The move is aimed at strengthening the firm’s Engagement Division, which focuses on helping brokers leverage marketing analytics to grow their client base and improve retention.Lastly, XTX Markets Chief Technology Officer Joshua Leahy left the firm, the company confirmed in an email to Finance Magnates. His departure brings to a close more than a decade at the quantitative trading company. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

A sudden shift in Middle East tensions sent shockwaves through global markets, pushing Bitcoin to its highest level in over two months as traders reacted to signs of a possible breakthrough between the United States and Iran.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)total crypto market capitalization rising to about 2.61 trillion dollars, up 3.16% over the past 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap. Bitcoin gained roughly 3% on the day and 6% over the week, while Ethereum added about 4% daily and 8% weekly, reinforcing the risk‑on shift in majors.XRP advanced around 3% in 24 hours and 9% over seven days, and Solana posted a more moderate 0.86% daily rise and 5% weekly gain, showing the rally was broad but still led by the largest assets.Geopolitical Shift Drives Market ReactionUS President Donald Trump said Iran had agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route that had remained disrupted for weeks. Iranian officials later confirmed the move. Trump added that both sides would cooperate to remove naval mines from the area, signaling a step toward stabilizing regional trade flows.He also outlined broader progress in negotiations. According to Trump, the US and Iran will work together to retrieve Iran’s enriched uranium, which will be transferred to the United States. He said a broader peace agreement involving Iran, the US, and Israel is “mostly complete,” with additional talks expected soon.Trump further claimed that Iran had agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely and would not regain access to frozen US-held funds.Volatility Returns Across AssetsThe geopolitical update did not only impact crypto. It introduced volatility across global financial markets, as traders recalibrated risk following weeks of uncertainty tied to the Middle East conflict.Keep reading: How High Can Bitcoin Go? eToro CEO Yoni Assia Bitcoin Price Prediction Targets $250KThe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz carries implications beyond digital assets. It signals potential stability in energy supply routes, which often influences inflation expectations and broader risk appetite.Oil prices have equally reacted to the new development. The current benchmarks show WTI crude trading at 83.23 dollars, down about 12.1% on the day, while Brent is at 90.89 dollars, lower by roughly 8.6% in the same period. On OilPrice.com’s real‑time feed, front‑month WTI is quoted at 93.53 dollars, up 2.45% on the session, and Brent at 98.18 dollars, up 3.42%, highlighting intraday volatility around the Hormuz headlines depending on which tick you anchor to. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Jim Esposito, president of Citadel Securities, has publicly said his firm is considering entering the prediction market space as a liquidity provider. Speaking at the Semafor World Economy Summit, he described a "sound industrial logic" for institutional clients to use these markets and called the firm's involvement "certainly possible." For the B2B financial industry, the more consequential story is what's being built right now to make that entry viable.Citadel Securities president says firm could enter prediction markets, eyes non-sports use caseshttps://t.co/HaK2hGlpY9— Frank Chaparro (@fintechfrank) April 17, 2026 New Infrastructure, Built for Institutions Over the past several weeks, the prediction market sector has seen a concentrated push to replace its retail-oriented plumbing with the kind of infrastructure Wall Street actually requires: Kalshi received regulatory approval for its affiliate to operate as a Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) — the first step toward offering margin trading to institutional clients. The move shifts the platform away from full collateralization and toward the capital-efficient model standard in traditional derivatives markets. Kalshi also partnered with financial infrastructure firm FIS to launch "FIS CD Prediction Clearing," a post-trade solution that lets institutional brokers clear prediction market contracts through their existing back-office systems. Separately, digital asset custodian BitGo and quantitative trading firm Susquehanna teamed up to create the first dedicated OTC desk for prediction markets, allowing institutions to execute large bilateral trades directly from custody accounts. From "If" to "When" Each of these developments targets a specific friction point that has kept large players out: the absence of margin, the lack of compatible clearing infrastructure, and no institutional-grade execution channel for block trades. Esposito was careful to draw a line between retail sports betting — which he said holds no interest for Citadel — and the use of prediction markets for institutional hedging around major events like the upcoming U.S. midterms. That distinction matters: it signals demand for a more structured, professionally regulated version of the market, not the current retail product. Thomas Texier, head of clearing at Marex, put numbers behind the trend in a separate context: "Over the last few weeks we've seen very large hedge funds coming to us and saying 'Can you give us access to these markets?'" Interest is also surfacing beyond market makers. Charles Schwab CEO Rick Wurster said the firm sees potential in prediction markets, while drawing a distinction between financial event contracts and those tied to sports, politics or entertainment. He added that the segment is not currently a priority.The question is no longer whether Wall Street will show up. It's how fast the infrastructure can be finished before the next major event cycle. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Pavel Durov has warned that the European Union’s new age-verification app could evolve into a broader system for online identity tracking, as questions continue over its security design and long-term use.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).The warning adds to tensions between Telegram and European authorities. Durov has previously faced scrutiny in France over platform compliance and moderation. The situation reflects ongoing regulatory pressure on Telegram across Europe around content oversight and cooperation with authorities.Telegram Chief Flags EU Verification RiskIn a post on X, Durov cited findings by security consultant Paul Moore, who said the EU’s age-verification app could be bypassed within minutes. The claim raised concerns over how user authentication is linked to identity data.The European Commission said the system is ready for rollout. First introduced in July 2025, it is designed to verify whether users are over 18 without exposing personal data. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described it as “completely anonymous.”The “age verification app” the EU wants to impose on the world got hacked in 2 minutes.Step 1: Present a “privacy-respecting” but hackable solution.Step 2: Get hacked (you are here).Step 3: Remove privacy to "fix" it.Result: a surveillance tool sold as “privacy-respecting”.— Pavel Durov (@durov) April 17, 2026Durov rejected that view, calling the system “hackable by design” and warning it could later be expanded into broader identity verification across online platforms. Russian Officials React to Durov CaseFollowing Durov’s detention in France, the Russian embassy in Paris said it had taken diplomatic steps to clarify the reasons for his arrest, demanding consular access and assurances over his rights, while claiming French authorities had not cooperated. The embassy later said on Telegram that it remained in contact with Durov’s legal team.The case drew wider political reaction online, with Elon Musk resharing an earlier interview of Durov under the hashtag #FreePavel.Russian officials framed the detention as part of broader concerns over free speech and governance in Europe. Lawmakers and diplomats, including Andrei Klishas and Mikhail Ulyanov, criticised the move as a sign of democratic decline. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said Durov had misjudged geopolitical realities, arguing he remained viewed through a Russian lens in Western jurisdictions. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Kraken's parent company Payward has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Bitnomial, the only crypto-native firm in the United States to hold all three CFTC licenses needed to run a vertically integrated derivatives business.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).What's in the DealThe deal is valued at up to $550 million. Bitnomial's regulatory footprint is what makes the acquisition notable. Kraken parent @Payward is acquiring @Bitnomial - the first fully CFTC-licensed derivatives company in the US built for digital assets. Built for crypto from the ground up.Spot margin, perpetuals, and options are coming to Kraken under CFTC regulation.https://t.co/IBLotDkqQF— Kraken (@krakenfx) April 17, 2026The company holds a Designated Contract Market (DCM) license for its exchange, a Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO) license for its clearinghouse, and a Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) license for its brokerage arm. Building that stack independently would have taken years and repeated regulatory engagement. Kraken bought it in one transaction. "The shape of a market is determined by its clearing infrastructure, not its front end," said Arjun Sethi, Co-CEO of Payward and Kraken"Bitnomial spent a decade building it: crypto settlement, crypto collateral, continuous 24/7 markets. These are capabilities that cannot be retrofitted onto legacy systems."That last point is central to the deal's logic. Bitnomial was built for digital assets from the start, not adapted from existing derivatives infrastructure. That origin allowed it to introduce the first U.S. perpetual futures, CFTC-regulated crypto margin collateral, and a unified order book spanning spot and derivatives — products that conventional market operators have struggled to replicate. "Joining Payward means we can now build that future at the scale it deserves," said Luke Hoersten, Bitnomial's founder and CEO.What Kraken Gets Kraken can now offer U.S. clients a regulated suite of derivatives products — spot margin, perpetual futures, and options — putting it in direct competition with Coinbase on one side and CME Group on the other. The acquisition also extends the reach of Payward Services, Kraken's B2B infrastructure platform. Partner firms — fintechs, banks, brokerages — can now connect to a fully regulated U.S. derivatives offering through a single API rather than assembling the licensing and clearing infrastructure themselves. The deal values Payward's equity at $20 billion. Combined with Kraken's existing licensed derivatives operations in the UK and EU, the Bitnomial acquisition fills the one gap that mattered most for institutional expansion. The approach itself carries a broader message for regulated markets: when the regulatory clock is a competitive constraint, acquisition of an existing licensed infrastructure often moves faster than building one. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

A Houston man has been sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for operating a cryptocurrency investment scheme that prosecutors say defrauded nearly 1,000 people.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).Robert Dunlap, 55, was convicted last year by a federal jury in the Northern District of Illinois on mail fraud charges, according to reporting by DallasExpress. He ran an investment program called the “Meta-1 Coin Trust.”Fake Picasso Gold Crypto Scheme ExposedBetween 2018 and 2023, Dunlap told investors that the digital asset was backed by large reserves of gold and high-value artwork. He claimed the backing included up to $1 billion in art and $44 billion in gold. He also said the holdings included works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Vincent Van Gogh.Prosecutors said these claims were false. They said Dunlap also told investors that an accounting firm had audited the gold holdings. Authorities said he created fake legal documents to support the claims and to conceal that he did not own the assets. The scheme caused losses of more than $20 million. Many investors lost their savings.HOUSTON MAN SENTENCED TO 23 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR $20 MILLION CRYPTOCURRENCY FRAUD SCHEMERead More: https://t.co/U9PdsS4RebRobert Dunlap, 55, was convicted of mail fraud for falsely claiming his Meta-1 Coin Trust was backed by $1 billion in art and $44 billion in gold.… pic.twitter.com/OgdSIxAztR— The Dallas Express News (@DallasExpress) April 17, 2026IRS Calls Case Beyond Financial LossU.S. District Judge LaShonda A. Hunt ordered Dunlap to pay restitution along with the prison sentence.In a sentencing memorandum, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Hasten and Paige Nutini said Dunlap misled investors over several years. They wrote that “Defendant lied to investors for years, telling them that he had created a safe investment for them,”. They also wrote that “Over the years, defendant was unrepentant, and his lies became bigger.”They added that future offenders should expect “a serious repercussion that includes loss of one’s liberty for an extended period of time.”IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes said the fraud extended beyond financial losses. No further details of his statement were included in the release. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Building a scalable acquisition engine for your prop firm most often comes down to three things: which channels you run, how you segment your audience, and what your creatives look like. This article covers all three – including the six channels worth your attention, a framework for testing creatives systematically, and eight specific creative themes with real performance benchmarks.Important "disclaimers": the performance metrics I'm sharing vary from market to market. Simply copying and pasting creatives doesn't guarantee results. The examples below are for inspirational and educational purposes only.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)The Six Channels That MatterThe prop firm acquisition landscape centers around six core channels, each serving a distinct function in your growth engine.Search campaigns through Google Ads capture traders who are already problem-aware and actively comparing options. Run branded campaigns (your firm name), generic campaigns targeting keywords like "best prop firms" and "funded account challenges," and competitor campaigns bidding on rival brand names. In my experience, search consistently delivers the highest intent traffic, with CPCs ranging from $2-3 for branded terms to $4-7 for competitive generic keywords. The problem with search is volume – if you need to go from 100 to 1,000 funded accounts monthly, you'll need additional channels.Performance Max campaigns extend your reach through banners and Gmail placements. These work particularly well once you have conversion data for Google's algorithm to optimise against. I typically recommend allocating budget here after you've established a baseline of 300+ conversions monthly.Social media (Meta, TikTok, and X) excel at visual storytelling that showcases lifestyle, payout proofs, and ease of entry. Meta delivers the highest volume and builds brand awareness at scale. TikTok brings younger demographics with higher engagement but occasionally lower conversion quality, while X works well for brand visibility within trader communities.Read more: The Great Prop Firm Shakeout: Who Survives 2026?YouTube excels at building trust through long-form content. A 15-minute breakdown of your challenge rules from a credible trading YouTuber will generate conversions for months. For your own YouTube ads, UGC-style short-form videos in square format consistently outperform static banners. The winning formula: a powerful hook in the first 3 seconds, simple messaging, and dynamic pacing.Display and native advertising through Taboola and Outbrain offer surprising value. Taboola is seriously underrated – in LATAM and parts of Asia, it delivers strong results for top-of-funnel awareness. Outbrain works particularly well for content-heavy funnels when you're running education-led journeys.Community channels like Discord and Telegram function as your retention infrastructure. Active community members show 2-3x higher lifetime value than isolated traders in every cohort analysis I've run. The referral loops that emerge from healthy communities can reduce your CAC by 20-30% over time.A System for Creative TestingBefore producing any creative asset, you need a systematic framework. The Creative Matrix prevents random experimentation and helps you identify patterns faster.The three personas that matter most are the Gambler who seeks high-risk, high-reward opportunities; the Professional who values strict rules and stability; and the Newbie who needs education and low entry barriers. Each responds to fundamentally different messaging.The matrix works by combining these elements systematically. When targeting the Gambler, your creative might show a "Turn $100 into $10k" headline over flashy lifestyle visuals. That same offer for the Professional would highlight "Institutional trading conditions" with clean, Bloomberg-style aesthetics.Eight Creative Themes Worth TestingDiscounts and coupons create urgency. The specific structure matters – "80% OFF + CODE: SAVE80 + Ends Friday" outperforms vague "limited time" language. This drives volume but can attract lower-quality traders if overused.Highlighting total payouts builds credibility. "$75M paid to traders" demonstrates scale, while "Average payout: $3,386" makes success feel achievable. Record-breaking individual payouts inspire action; aggregate numbers build credibility.Promoting large account sizes appeals to ambition. Show the path – how traders can progress from smaller accounts to larger ones. Works particularly well for the Gambler and Professional personas.UGC and video testimonials consistently outperform professionally produced content. A trader filming themselves on their phone, showing genuine emotion about a payout, carries weight scripted content cannot match. Keep these between 15-30 seconds, focusing on the emotional peak.Instant funding messaging has grown significantly because it removes the waiting period traditional challenges require. It particularly resonates with experienced traders who view evaluation phases as unnecessary barriers.Educational content positions your firm as a trusted resource. It works exceptionally well for the Newbie persona – lower immediate conversion rates but higher-quality traders with better retention.Challenge structure features (1-step or 2-step) deserve dedicated creative focus. Traders actively compare structures across firms, so making yours crystal clear reduces friction.Localization remains underutilized despite its effectiveness. This goes beyond translation – it includes local currency, regional payment methods, and cultural references. Localized creatives often outperform generic English-only campaigns by 30-40%.Where to Find Creative InspirationThe goal is to extract strategic insights, not simply copy what you see.Meta Ad Library should be your starting point. An ad that's been active for 60+ days likely indicates profitability. Look at the messaging hierarchy, visual style, and offer structure rather than just copying the asset. Google Ads Transparency Center shows search campaigns and YouTube creatives. TikTok Creative Center helps you spot trending formats and music. For systematic analysis, Foreplay.co lets you build organized swipe files before ads expire, while Adbeat tracks display and native ads.The strategic value comes from asking questions about what you observe. When a competitor runs an 80% discount for 45 days, consider whether they're boosting cash flow, testing price sensitivity, or prioritizing acquisition over margin.Next StepsIf you're just starting, focus on the six core channels and build your baseline conversion data. Once you have 300+ conversions monthly, layer in the Creative Matrix to systematize your testing. If you're already spending significantly, audit your current creative against the three personas – chances are you'll find entire audience segments you're not speaking to effectively. This article was written by Stanislav Galandzovskyi at www.financemagnates.com.

This article explains how traditional banks and digital wallet apps collaborate to process financial transactions, focusing on the significance of the cash app bank name users see during transfers and statements, and its impact on resolving disputes, ensuring compliance, and understanding account security.As wallet apps transform how people manage money, many users overlook the complexity behind their use. The cash app bank name often appears when reviewing transfer details; this reveals the banking partnership that powers a user's transactions through the app. Recognizing the shared responsibilities between wallet providers and banks helps users see why both institutions matter in each transaction.How digital wallet partnerships operate behind the scenesDigital wallet providers focus on creating an easy, attractive front-end for users, but the underlying banking services remain essential for core operations. For recordkeeping and verification, the cash app bank name can indicate which regulated banking partner is supporting financial transactions, keeping user funds secure and compliant with legal standards.The distinction in roles is important: banks handle regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering procedures, and the actual movement of funds, while wallet brands build user features and experiences. This layered partnership allows the familiar app to offer bank-backed reliability without users needing an account directly at the partner bank.The visibility of bank identities in wallet transactionsWhen users send or receive money, transaction logs, direct deposit information, and statement line items can help connect activity to the sponsoring institution. In many cases, the cash app bank name provides this clarity, signaling the role of a specific partner bank in clearing, settling, and recording payments through established financial rails, supporting regulatory and audit needs.Visibility of the sponsoring bank is critical for addressing transaction disputes, tracing the source of payments, and complying with financial safety checks. Knowing which bank stands behind an app can help users resolve issues, understand account limitations, and provide required information for regulatory verification.Benefits and tensions shaping the future of collaborationWallet providers can introduce features faster, while their banking partners carry the regulatory and risk management burdens reflected in account documentation. This arrangement increases transaction volume for banks and lets wallets target new customer segments while leveraging established infrastructure.However, as digital wallets expand into areas such as credit or business services, the collaboration faces tension. Traditional banks are responding with their own digital solutions and reviewing data-sharing arrangements with wallet apps. The responsibilities attached to the financial layer of every transfer may still be associated with an identifying label like the cash app bank name.Regulatory concerns, risk management, and what lies aheadObligations like know your customer and anti-money laundering checks are shared between wallet apps and the banks represented by sponsor relationships. The decision of a partner bank to limit accounts or close relationships can impact wallet users directly, sometimes resulting in frozen funds or unavailable services.Industry observers are watching developments in sponsor banking and regulatory oversight, especially how end users interact with the cash app bank name for compliance verification and dispute resolution. Innovations in open banking and instant payments will also shape this relationship in the future, as noted by BlockchainReporter. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Public Bitcoin miners sold more BTC in the first quarter of 2026 than in all of 2025, as low margins forced many operators to liquidate reserves to cover operating costs.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).The surge in sales comes even though Bitcoin’s price remains above the previous cycle peak, underscoring how rising difficulty and lower block rewards have squeezed profitability across the sector.Record BTC Sales as Hashprice SlumpsPublicly traded miners including Marathon, CleanSpark, Riot, Cango, Core Scientific and Bitdeer sold more than 32,000 BTC in Q1 2026, based on preliminary disclosures and data compiled by TheEnergyMag.This already exceeds total net sales for all of 2025 and surpasses the roughly 20,000 BTC miners sold in Q2 2022 during the Terra-Luna-driven market turmoil. Just over a year ago, the same group ended 2024 by adding nearly 17,600 BTC to their balance sheets, pushing combined reserves above 100,000 BTC.You may also like: EU Seeks Larger “European Champions”; CFD Brokers Already Leading the WayThe driver of the reversal is mining economics, not spot price. Hashprice, expected mining revenue per unit of computing power, has hovered in the low 30 dollars per PH/s/day, near record lows. At those levels, margins are thin or negative for operators with older machines or higher power costs, making BTC sales the fastest way to fund operations and meet debt obligations in a tougher financing environment.The industry, however, is not moving in one direction. Some firms now sell aggressively to maintain liquidity, while others continue to accumulate. American Bitcoin Corp.Bitdeer #BTC Weekly Update? BTC Holdings: 0 (pure holdings, excluding customer deposits)? BTC Output: 189.8 BTC? BTC Sold: 189.8 BTC? Net BTC Added: -943.1 BTC? Data as of February 20, 2026.#Bitcoin #BTC #BitcoinHoldings #BitcoinCommunity #BTCMining $BTDR pic.twitter.com/vtvBVEui0Q— Bitdeer (@Bitdeer) February 21, 2026ABTC, the proprietary mining arm of Hut 8, has built reserves of more than 7,000 BTC since early 2025 while ramping its proprietary hashrate to about 28 EH/s. The company reports an all-in cash cost near 55,000 dollars per bitcoin, giving it room to hold production rather than sell into weakness.Miners Split Between Sellers and AccumulatorsElsewhere, private operators with ultra-low-cost power, such as those using flared natural gas, continue to mine profitably even at current hashprice levels. At the same time, miners are increasingly turning to software tools and fleet optimization to squeeze more efficiency from existing hardware, rather than relying solely on large-scale expansions.In one classic case, Bitdeer shifted from holding Bitcoin on its balance sheet to using it primarily as a source of liquidity. In January, the Singapore-based miner produced 668 BTC, a 430% year‑on‑year increase, and pushed its self‑mining hash rate to 63.2 EH/s, with total proprietary hash rate at 65.1 EH/s. Around the same time, other miners have followed the same path, with Riot Platforms selling about 200 million dollars’ worth of Bitcoin to finance its day-to-day operations and support its expansion into artificial intelligence. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Four countries across the Middle East and Africa advanced separate digital asset regulatory frameworks in the first quarter of 2026, a new FM Intelligence analysis found, positioning the region alongside the EU's MiCA regime and Asia-Pacific licensing efforts in the global push to bring crypto under formal supervision.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)The four frameworks, covering Dubai, Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, differ widely in maturity and approach, from a fully operational licensing regime with 300 approved firms in South Africa to a six-entity pilot program in Nigeria. But taken together, they represent the broadest regulatory acceleration in the MEA crypto space to date, according to the FM Intelligence research.Dubai Writes the Region's First Crypto Derivatives RulebookDubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority published Exchange Services Rulebook Version 2.1 on March 31, introducing a 5:1 retail leverage cap for crypto derivatives. The framework covers listed futures, perpetuals, and options across the 45 firms currently holding VARA licenses, nearly double the 23 recorded in December 2024. Major licensees include Binance FZE, Crypto.com, OKX ME, Deribit, and Backpack.The 5:1 cap sits between offshore exchanges that historically offered up to 100:1 leverage and the ESMA 2:1 cap applied to crypto CFDs in the European Union. Enforcement has been running in parallel: VARA issued penalty notices against 36 firms between August 2024 and August 2025, with fines ranging from approximately $13,600 to $163,000, the analysis noted.Kenya's Capital Thresholds Draw Sharp Industry PushbackKenya's draft VASP Regulations 2026, published March 17, propose KES 500 million ($3.86 million) in capital requirements for stablecoin issuers and descending thresholds for exchanges, wallet providers, and investment advisors. The Virtual Asset Association of Kenya warned the thresholds could eliminate over 90% of the country's current operators.The stakes are high. According to Chainalysis data cited in the analysis, Kenya received $19 billion in cryptocurrency inflows between July 2024 and June 2025, ranking 21st on the Global Adoption Index, with over 6 million crypto users. Final regulations are expected between Q2 and Q3 2026.South Africa Leads with 300 Licensed Crypto FirmsSouth Africa's FSCA has built what the analysis describes as the largest regulated crypto ecosystem in the developing world. Out of 512 applications received, the regulator approved 300 by December 2025, a 59% approval rate, while opening 81 enforcement investigations into unlicensed operators. Penalties for operating without a license reach ZAR 10 million (approximately $550,000) or 10 years imprisonment.Two compliance milestones arrived in early 2026: the OECD's Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework took effect on March 1, and the Financial Intelligence Centre confirmed a zero-threshold Travel Rule for crypto transfers. South Africa exited the FATF grey list in October 2025, with crypto regulation cited among the contributing reforms. VALR, the country's largest crypto exchange, secured a derivatives license in October 2025, becoming one of the first entities licensed for crypto derivatives under the Financial Markets Act.Nigeria Shifts from Prohibition to Structured EngagementNigeria's Central Bank launched an AML supervision pilot on March 31, enrolling six entities including KuCoin, stablecoin issuer cNGN, and payment platforms Flutterwave and Paystack. The pilot requires monthly AML performance indicators, governance reviews, and FATF Travel Rule implementation plans, and follows Nigeria's removal from the FATF grey list in October 2025.The shift is notable given the country's history. Nigeria's central bank ordered banks to close crypto-related accounts in February 2021, a stance that persisted for years. The country processed $92.1 billion in crypto transactions between July 2024 and June 2025, according to PwC data cited in the analysis, nearly three times South Africa's volume.What Remains UnresolvedThe FM Intelligence analysis notes that cross-border recognition between the four jurisdictions is not formalized, and the frameworks vary in enforcement readiness. Kenya's capital thresholds, if enacted as drafted, may produce a market dominated by foreign-capitalized operators rather than local firms, the research warns, inverting the framework's stated objective of fostering domestic participation.The full analysis, including detailed regulatory comparisons, leverage cap benchmarks, and compliance timelines, is available on FM Intelligence DataLab. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Bitcoin traded at $74,300 on Thursday, April 16, 2026, sitting 41% below the $126,198 all-time high set on October 6, 2025, as the market retests resistance at the top of a consolidation range that has defined the chart since early February. Tuesday's session briefly cleared $76,000 before reversing into a bearish pin bar, the same pattern that my previous analysis flagged as the dominant technical signal this week.The bitcoin price prediction debate is being shaped by two competing forces: $411 million in single-day ETF inflows on April 15 after Goldman Sachs filed for a new Bitcoin ETF, and the mechanical reality that every rally attempt toward $75,000 has been sold since the consolidation began. Charles Schwab announced its spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading platform rollout this week, adding another institutional on-ramp. Meanwhile, eToro agreed to acquire self-custodial wallet provider Zengo for approximately $70 million, signaling that platforms generating billions from crypto are doubling down on infrastructure rather than retreating.Follow me on X for real-time market analysis: @ChmielDkHow High Can Bitcoin Go? eToro CEO BTC Price Prediction Targets $250KThe headline bitcoin price prediction this week comes from eToro CEO Yoni Assia, who spoke at Paris Blockchain Week alongside the Zengo acquisition announcement."Bitcoin is on the path eventually to $250,000, $500,000 and beyond," Assia said during a fireside chat. He expects the current slowdown to last one more quarter before an accumulation phase pushes BTC to new highs.The conviction carries weight given eToro's exposure. The platform reported total revenue and income of $13.8 billion in 2025, of which $12.98 billion came from crypto assets, making crypto roughly 94% of its business. That revenue mix explains why eToro is spending $70 million to bring Zengo's self-custody wallet technology in-house and expanding into tokenized assets, prediction markets, and yield products.Paul Howard, Senior Director at crypto market maker Wincent, frames the trajectory as more measured. "We are seeing steady growth in institutional and high-net-worth interest, which acts as a consistent catalyst for BTC, particularly through larger OTC trades and increased engagement from sophisticated counterparties," Howard said. He projects BTC could reach $100,000 by Q4 2026, though not necessarily setting a new all-time high within the year.Key drivers shaping the bitcoin price prediction:ETF-driven institutional demand absorbed $1.1 billion in weekly inflows, the strongest since JanuaryFed rate stance at 3.50-3.75% providing a floor for risk assets while keeping monetary conditions restrictiveIran ceasefire removed the geopolitical premium from oil, loosening the BTC-Nasdaq correlation tradeeToro's Zengo acquisition and Goldman Sachs ETF filing signal deepening institutional commitment to crypto infrastructureTax-season selling mechanically pressuring prices into mid-April, expected to clear by month-endETF Flows and Institutional PositioningThe institutional flow data tells a more constructive story than the price chart suggests. Bitcoin spot ETFs posted $411 million in net inflows on April 15, the day Goldman Sachs filed for its Bitcoin ETF product. BlackRock's IBIT accumulated $505 million over April 14-15 alone.Weekly inflows hit $1.1 billion for the week ending April 11, the largest weekly intake since January. IBIT captured $871 million of that total. Year-to-date flows have turned positive at $2.3 billion, and total ETF AUM reached $96.5 billion, the highest since mid-March.Adam Haeems, Head of Asset Management at Tesseract Group, identified three short-term drivers. "The Fed holding at 3.50-3.75% keeps the floor under risk assets generally. The Iran ceasefire took some of the geopolitical premium out of oil, which loosened the correlation trade that was pinning BTC to the Nasdaq through March. And tax-season liquidations are adding noise this week, that's mechanical, not directional," Haeems said.Haeems also flagged what he considers the most underappreciated structural shift. "A growing share of the $8 billion-plus in wrapped Bitcoin sitting in DeFi protocols is being actively managed rather than parked as idle collateral. That changes the holding cost calculation, which feeds back into price," he said. When allocators can generate yield on a BTC position rather than giving up the risk-free rate, they size larger and hold longer.BlackRock IBIT: $505M inflows over April 14-15, five consecutive days of positive flowsGoldman Sachs: filed for new Bitcoin ETF, joining the institutional raceMorgan Stanley MSBT: $100M+ inflows in first six trading days since launchYTD flows: positive at $2.3B after digging out of a Q1 outflow holeTotal spot ETF AUM: $96.5B, approaching the January high-water markAs I noted in my April analysis, Q1 absorbed $18.7 billion in net ETF inflows despite a 23% price decline, suggesting institutional conviction moved to lower price levels rather than disappearing.Bitcoin Price Prediction: BTC/USD Technical AnalysisBitcoin is currently pressing against the upper boundary of the consolidation range it has occupied since early February, and this range sits at the lowest price levels since November 2024. Based on my over 15 years of experience as an analyst and trader, the structure is clear.The upper boundary is defined by the $75,000 area, which coincides with the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the decline from the October 2025 ATH. This level carries additional significance because it aligns with important swing lows from April 2025 that previously acted as support. The lower boundary sits at the early February lows in the $60,400-$62,500 zone, with a local support shelf near $66,000. The 50 EMA runs at approximately $72,000, and price has reclaimed it, a necessary but insufficient condition for any bullish continuation.My chart shows that even if Bitcoin breaks above this consolidation to the upside, supply pressure does not disappear. The 200 EMA and the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement converge in the $84,000-$85,000 zone, building a strong confluence resistance that has defined the bearish trend boundary since late 2025. As I detailed in my March analysis, the 200 EMA remains the line separating corrective rallies from genuine trend reversals. Only a daily close above the $84,000-$85,000 confluence would remove the bearish pressure from Bitcoin's chart.How High Can Bitcoin Go? Price Predictions for 2026Assia is not alone in targeting $250,000. BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes and "Rich Dad Poor Dad" author Robert Kiyosaki have both issued similar calls, as the FinanceMagnates.com report from February detailed alongside even more aggressive targets. A $250,000 BTC price would imply a $5 trillion market capitalization, making Bitcoin the world's second-largest asset after gold.Howard's $100,000 Q4 target at Wincent is built on two pillars: geopolitical de-escalation and potential monetary easing in H2 2026. "I maintain my previous 2025 outlook that 2026 will be characterised by a steady uptrend for BTC, potentially reaching $100K by Q4, though not necessarily setting a new all-time high within the year," Howard said.Haeems approaches the question from a structural angle rather than a price target. "Bitcoin has been range-bound between $64,000 support and $74,000 resistance for weeks now. That range has absorbed the Hormuz shock, the March correlation squeeze, and tax-season selling without breaking in either direction," he said. He noted roughly $6 billion in short liquidation is clustered above the current range, meaning any sustained break through $74,000 gets accelerated mechanically. On the bearish side, Galaxy Digital described the year ahead as "too chaotic to predict," as the FinanceMagnates.com report noted.FAQ, Bitcoin Price PredictionHow high can Bitcoin go in 2026? eToro CEO Yoni Assia targets $250,000, which would imply a $5 trillion market cap, making BTC the world's second-largest asset after gold. Wincent's Paul Howard projects $100,000 by Q4 2026 based on steady institutional growth, while Tesseract's Adam Haeems notes $6 billion in clustered shorts above $74,000 that could accelerate a breakout.What is the Bitcoin price prediction for April 2026? Bitcoin trades at $74,300 as of April 16, 2026, testing the $75,000 upper boundary of a consolidation range that has held since February. The failed breakout above $76,000 on April 14 produced a bearish pin bar. The lower boundary sits at $60,400-$62,500. My technical analysis identifies $84,000-$85,000 as the next major resistance.Why is Bitcoin stuck below $75,000? The $75,000 level coincides with the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the decline from the October 2025 ATH of $126,198. This zone also aligns with April 2025 swing lows. Sellers have defended this level on every test since February, creating a ceiling that requires significant volume and catalyst convergence to break.Are Bitcoin ETF inflows bullish for BTC price? Spot Bitcoin ETFs absorbed $1.1 billion in weekly inflows ending April 11, the strongest since January. Total AUM reached $96.5 billion. Goldman Sachs filed for a new BTC ETF, and Morgan Stanley's MSBT attracted $100M+ in its first six trading days. These flows provide structural demand, but BTC remains range-bound, suggesting inflows are being absorbed without triggering a breakout.Will Bitcoin reach $100,000 again in 2026? Wincent's Paul Howard projects BTC could reach $100,000 by Q4 2026 but likely will not set a new ATH this year. My chart shows the 200 EMA at $84,000-$85,000 must clear first, a 14% move from current levels. Prediction markets price $100K by December 31 at roughly 38%. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.