Exness, a leading multi-asset CFD broker and liquidity provider, was honoured with the Best Trading Conditions award at the Ultimate Fintech (UF) Awards MEA 2026, held during iFX EXPO Dubai 2026. The award highlights Exness’ dedication to excellence, innovation, and transparency in the online trading industry.The UF Awards MEA serve as a regional point of reference and are evaluated in the context of one of the region’s most significant gatherings for the online trading and fintech sector. Over the course of three days, Exness engaged with industry professionals, shared insights, and contributed to discussions shaping the future of the industry.During the expo, Peter Plester, Head of B2B Sales at Exness, participated in a candid panel on identifying hidden operational risks and building a resilient trading environment for traders. Meanwhile, Alfonso Cardalda, Exness CMO, explored what sets top brokers apart and strategies for engaging high-value clients in today’s dynamic markets.Peter Plester commented, "Awards like this matter when they recognise outcomes rather than promises. For us, trading conditions are about removing friction and uncertainty from execution so traders can operate with clarity, even when markets are anything but predictable. This recognition is important because it validates the discipline and long-term focus required to deliver those outcomes consistently."About ExnessFounded in 2008, Exness is a global multi-asset broker with the mission to reshape the online trading industry. Since its inception, the company’s goal has been to create the ultimate trading experience through large-scale investment in technology and infrastructure. Their fresh approach resonates with traders worldwide, growing Exness into one of the most prominent retail brokers in the sector. With a strong balance sheet, Exness now brings its deep liquidity offering to brokers and other financial institutions. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

CFTC Chair Michael Selig has intensified a federal–state showdown over prediction markets, directing his agency to intervene in court battles and publicly asserting that the US derivatives watchdog, not state authorities, holds jurisdiction over event contracts. In a video posted Tuesday on X, Selig said the agency has filed an amicus brief to defend what he called its “exclusive jurisdiction” over prediction markets, which he equated with derivatives markets.I have some big news to announce… pic.twitter.com/3OBNTaOnIL— Mike Selig (@ChairmanSelig) February 17, 2026Selig Defends Federal Authority, Signals Policy ShiftSelig warned that state entities challenging the CFTC’s authority over event contracts “will see” the agency “in court,” framing state enforcement as an “onslaught of state-led litigation” targeting platforms including Coinbase, Crypto.com, Kalshi and Polymarket.Related: Coinbase Asks Courts to Bar States From Regulating Prediction MarketsHe said the CFTC has regulated such markets for more than two decades and argued that prediction markets allow Americans to hedge commercial risks, such as temperature or energy-price moves, and act as a check on news and information flows.Selig’s stance represents a reversal from the agency’s prior efforts to shut down some political and event contracts at firms such as Polymarket and Kalshi before Donald Trump returned to the White House. Courts resisted parts of that earlier crackdown, and the CFTC dropped its litigation after Trump’s team overhauled the agency’s leadership.Earlier, CFTC dropped a contentious plan to ban political and sports‑related prediction markets and kicked off a joint crypto rulemaking effort with the SEC to keep digital asset trading within the U.S. Selig then announced that he ordered staff to withdraw the 2024 event contracts proposal targeting those markets.States and Senators Push Back on Gambling ConcernsUtah Governor Spencer Cox publicly challenged Selig’s claims, writing on X that he did not recall the CFTC having authority over a “derivative market” for “LeBron James rebounds.”Cox called the products “gambling pure and simple,” said they harm families and young men, and pledged to use every power to “beat” the CFTC in court. Utah lawmakers are advancing a bill targeting certain sports contracts, although the state has not led the main enforcement cases.Mike, I appreciate you attempting this with a straight face, but I don’t remember the CFTC having authority over the “derivative market” of LeBron James rebounds. These prediction markets you are breathlessly defending are gambling—pure and simple. They are destroying the lives… https://t.co/Ohup2x3D8u— Governor Cox (@GovCox) February 17, 2026Meanwhile, Polymarket has sued Massachusetts, arguing only the CFTC can police its markets, while Coinbase is suing Connecticut, Illinois and Michigan over efforts to classify related products as gaming. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

BaFin has warned consumers about several online platforms that present themselves as authorised global brokers for Forex and CFDs but, according to the regulator, do not hold a license in Germany. The authority said the flagged operators provide banking and financial services without its approval and remain outside its supervision.BaFin Flags Websites and Missing LicensesThe Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) said it has identified a series of similarly designed websites that claim: “The [platform name] label holds authorization in multiple global jurisdictions and stands as a reputable online brokerage for Forex and CFDs.”BaFin stated that information available to it shows the operators provide banking business and/or financial services on these sites without the required authorization. The regulator added that it does not supervise these operators.Related: BaFin Warns of “Smarter Trading with Zero Spreads” Pitch That Could Cost You EverythingBaFin said it has so far become aware of the following websites in this context: hashxcapital(.)com, axstera(.)com, upwardstrend(.)com, finstera1(.)com and finstera2(.)com. The authority noted that the sites share similar designs.Regulator Reminds Firms and Clients of Authorisation RulesBaFin stressed that companies may only offer banking business, financial services and crypto asset services in Germany if they hold its authorization. It said some providers still offer such services without a license, which means they operate outside its oversight.Meanwhile, the watchdog sees social media and finfluencers as major market risks in 2026 because they push retail investors toward highly speculative crypto assets. This warning was recently fired as German banks prepare to roll out crypto trading services, and the regulator stresses that the main way to win new crypto clients has itself become a top supervisory concern.A recent BaFin survey of 18- to 45-year-olds shows a clear link between social media use and crypto investing. Investors who follow finfluencers are almost four times more likely to buy crypto (48% versus 13%), and in private chat groups, about half of participants said they had purchased crypto assets. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Kraken has integrated its over-the-counter (OTC) trading desk with ICE Chat, bringing crypto spot and options liquidity into a messaging platform widely used by institutional traders. The move places the crypto exchange’s OTC services directly inside an existing communications tool for trading desks across major financial centers, aiming to streamline access to crypto within established workflows.ICE Chat Integration and Institutional WorkflowsAccording to the firm, the integration allows more than 120,000 ICE Chat clients to connect with the OTC desk. Traders can contact Kraken’s team from within ICE Chat to discuss and execute OTC trades in crypto spot and options markets.“ICE Chat was designed specifically to match the custom needs of traders, and with sophisticated functionality like AI-powered Smart Text Recognition, which turns texts into actionable data, firms using Kraken can communicate using always-on, instantaneous connectivity, in an easy-to-access, fully compliant environment.” commented ICE Head of Global Data Delivery Platforms Maurisa Baumann.ICE Chat Features and Future Expansion PlansICE operates ICE Chat as part of its wider technology and data offering. The platform supports real-time, always-on connectivity between trading firms and includes tools that seek to align communications with market and regulatory expectations.Kraken also indicated that it expects to expand the ICE Chat integration over time through additional initiatives, reflecting what it sees as the increasing integration of digital assets into established financial market workflows.Kraken has lately been targeting established institutional marketplaces. Kraken-backed xStocks recently went live on 360X, giving Deutsche Börse Group clients access to tokenized versions of major equities on a regulated secondary trading venue, and marking the first significant product milestone under the partnership announced in December.You may also like: NinjaTrader Taps Ex-IG Exec Christopher Tripp as General Manager, InternationalIt allows 360X users to trade five xStocks instruments against stablecoins. It broadened institutional access to the xStocks standard and aiming to support further growth in trading volumes and unique holders.Meanwhile, institutional marketplaces are eying prediction markets. Intercontinental Exchange recently launched the Polymarket Signals and Sentiment tool to deliver prediction-market data and analytics to professional and institutional investors. Under the new offering, ICE will act as the exclusive distributor of Polymarket data for institutional capital markets. Polymarket runs one of the largest prediction markets, including contracts tied to financial and commodity themes, giving institutions structured access to this emerging data source. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

NinjaTrader Group has appointed Christopher Tripp as General Manager, International as the futures trading platform accelerates its push into Europe. The Kraken-owned platform recently entered the European market and plans to use the new role to coordinate its international strategy, including wider access to its platform, pricing and trader education outside the United States.Focus on European Rollout and Futures DemandIn his new position, Tripp will lead efforts to grow NinjaTrader’s presence in overseas markets and support the rollout of its platform across the European Union and the United Kingdom.The platform is currently available in the Netherlands and Germany, with broader EU and UK access expected later this year. CEO Martin Franchi said the appointment provides important leadership to scale the business and meet growing global demand for futures trading.“His robust industry expertise showcases our commitment to delivering a strong, futures-native offering that aligns with the evolving global market structure and positions NinjaTrader alongside the world's leading global brokers.”Read more: Following NinjaTrader Acquisition, Kraken Opens Access to CME-Listed Crypto FuturesHe described Tripp’s industry background as a fit for the company’s aim to deliver a futures‑focused offering that reflects changes in global market structure.Tripp’s Background at IG and tastytradeTripp brings extensive experience in international and retail trading. He most recently served as UK Commercial Director at IG Group and earlier as Head of Trading Products (UK). Before that, he worked at tastytrade as Head of International Expansion and previously held senior roles in North America, including Chief Strategy Officer at tastytrade and Chief Commercial Officer for IG North America.His earlier career at IG covered positions such as Chief of Staff to the Group CEO, Business Change Manager, Global Head of Onboarding and Account Opening, Client Operations Manager, Trading Services Manager and Sales Trader. He will be based in the UK as he supports NinjaTrader’s global growth plans.Recently, NinjaTrader expanded into proptrading with the launch of two dedicated platforms, NinjaTrader Prop and Tradovate Prop. The offerings build on the company’s futures trading services, providing prop traders with a complete set of tools for their trading. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

easyMarkets has been awarded Customer Support Excellence by TradingView, as the global CFD broker marks 25 Years at Your Service.The recognition from TradingView, highlights easyMarkets’ long-standing commitment to delivering reliable, human customer support in an increasingly complex and fast-moving trading environment.Customer support has been a core part of the easyMarkets offering since the company’s launch, supporting traders through multiple market cycles, periods of volatility, and major shifts in trading technology. The award reflects a consistent focus on clarity, accessibility, and trust, values that have underpinned the broker’s operations for more than two decades.The TradingView recognition acknowledges a support model designed to simplify the trading experience and provide timely assistance when it matters most. easyMarkets Customer Support team assists traders with platform use, account queries, and operational guidance, helping them navigate markets with greater confidence.“This award from TradingView is a meaningful recognition of the role customer support has played in our business for 25 years, said Koula Lamprou, CEO of easyMarkets. Trust is built through consistency, and our focus has always been on providing clear, dependable, and human support to traders worldwide.”easyMarkets provides multilingual customer support to serve its global client base, enabling traders to communicate in their preferred language. This approach helps reduce friction, improve response times, and support more effective decision-making, particularly during periods of heightened market activity.As the company enters its 25th year, the TradingView Customer Support Excellence award reinforces easyMarkets’ long-term commitment to show up with clear, reliable and human support.If you haven’t yet explored what easyMarkets has to offer, now is the perfect time. Trade with easyMarketsFor more information, please contact:Georgia Kyriakou, Digital PR Manager, easyMarkets ? support@easy-markets.com | ☎ +357 25 828899 About easyMarkets easyMarkets, founded in 2001, is an award-winning global broker. One of the first to offer an online experience with innovative risk management tools, including Guaranteed Stop Loss with No Slippage* and easyTrade. easyMarkets provides its sizeable clientele with a streamlined, accessible, and flexible trading experience. Offering over 275 tradeable instruments, tight fixed spreads, and 24/5 dedicated support to traders around the world, easyMarkets continues to revolutionize the trading sector by providing unparalleled security and safeguards for client funds and consistently prioritizing client commitment and satisfaction This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Pred, a peer-to-peer sports prediction exchange, announced a $2.5 million funding round led by Accel, with participation from BEF by Coinbase Ventures and Reverie. The capital will support team expansion, liquidity development, and global user onboarding as Pred builds exchange-grade infrastructure for sports prediction markets. The platform is live in private beta, with traders being onboarded through an invite-only program ahead of broader public access.Pred is building the fastest sports prediction exchange on Base, Coinbase’s layer-2 blockchain network. The platform lets traders buy and sell positions on sports outcomes with 200-millisecond execution and spreads under 2 percent. It is designed for traders who approach sports markets with the same analytical discipline used in financial markets, emphasising transparent order books, market-driven pricing, and on-chain settlement."Prediction markets have proven their value for episodic events, but sports represent an entirely different scale of opportunity, continuous, global, and deeply liquid. Pred is building purpose-built infrastructure for this market rather than retrofitting general-purpose tools. That's the kind of focused execution we back." - Prayank Swaroop, Partner at Accel.While prediction markets have historically demonstrated strong forecasting accuracy, most applications have been limited to episodic events such as elections or macroeconomic outcomes. Sports present a fundamentally different environment, with continuous global demand, frequent events, and a natural fit for high-speed trading strategies. Despite the scale of the global sports betting economy, the majority of volume remains concentrated within house-controlled sportsbooks that set prices and manage risk internally.Pred takes a different approach by applying an exchange model to sports predictions, allowing participants to trade directly with one another. Prices emerge through real supply and demand, reflecting collective market sentiment rather than fixed odds. By removing the house from the equation, Pred aims to create a more efficient, transparent, and trader-driven marketplace for sports outcomes.“Sports prediction is a $500B global industry still running on infrastructure that punishes winners. We built Pred to change that, a decentralised exchange where speed, transparency, and skill are rewarded, not penalised.” - Amit Mahensaria, CEO and Co-Founder.Pred will use the funding to build out its team with talent from financial and sports sectors, deepen market liquidity through institutional partnerships, and drive the trader growth needed to sustain a high-velocity exchange. The goal: become the premier global destination for sports prediction trading.About PredPred is building a sports prediction exchange that lets traders buy and sell positions on sports outcomes with 200ms execution and spreads under 2%. Unlike traditional sportsbooks that limit or ban winning users, Pred operates as a peer-to-peer exchange where skilled traders are welcome.*Disclaimer: Pred does not operate in India, Singapore, the US, or OFAC-sanctioned countries. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Retail forex deposits across major US platforms edged up 0.8% in December 2025, rising to $499.9 million from November's $495.7 million as the industry snapped a three-month decline that started in September.The modest recovery pushed total deposits back toward the $500 million threshold but remained well below the $530.1 million peak reached in March 2025. Year-over-year, deposits grew 2% from December 2024's $491.3 million, suggesting retail currency traders faced persistent headwinds throughout the year despite isolated spurts of growth.Interactive Brokers Posts Sharp RecoveryInteractive Brokers delivered December's most dramatic turnaround, jumping 20.8% to $32.5 million from November's $25.7 million. The $6.8 million monthly gain reversed the broker's steep November pullback and marked its strongest month-over-month percentage increase in recent periods.The rebound coincided with broader momentum at the electronic broker. Interactive Brokers reported fourth-quarter 2025 revenue of $1.64 billion and earnings per share of $0.65, surpassing analyst expectations. Trading volume in options, futures, and stocks increased by 27%, 22%, and 16% respectively during the quarter.Total customer accounts on the platform jumped 32% year-over-year to 4.4 million in the fourth quarter, while customer equity increased 37% to $779.9 billion. The firm also rolled out stablecoin funding for US clients, cutting account funding time to near instant.Year-over-year, Interactive Brokers forex deposits climbed 8% from December 2024's $29.8 million, extending the platform's longer-term client acquisition momentum despite volatile monthly swings.Schwab Recovers Ground After Sustained DeclineCharles Schwab posted the second-largest monthly gain in dollar terms, climbing 5.4% to $61.8 million from November's $58.5 million. The $3.3 million increase represented Schwab's strongest monthly performance since August and halted a slide that began in October.The institutional broker added forex trading capabilities to its thinkorswim platform in April 2024, offering commission-free access to over 65 currency pairs. Schwab also expanded 24-hour trading access to retail clients in February 2025, joining an industry push toward round-the-clock market accessibility.Despite the December gain, Schwab's deposits remained 3% higher than December 2024's $59.7 million, marking one of the more modest year-over-year increases among major platforms. The broker shed roughly $6.7 million in deposits during the final three months of 2025 as retail forex trading remained subdued.Market Leader Faces Client Fund OutflowsGAIN Capital recorded December's largest monthly decline in dollar terms, dropping 1.9% to $211.8 million from November's $215.8 million. The $4.0 million outflow marked the broker's fourth consecutive monthly decrease and extended a pattern of client fund withdrawals that began in September.Despite the recent slide, GAIN Capital maintained its position as the largest US retail forex broker by client funds and posted a 7% year-over-year gain from December 2024's $197.9 million. The platform held nearly 43% of total US retail forex deposits at year-end, though its market share has eroded from earlier peaks above 44%.Smaller Brokers Show Mixed Resultstastyfx, the US brand of UK-based IG Group, declined 2.6% to $46.3 million from November's $47.5 million, shedding $1.2 million during the month. The pullback snapped two months of gains and brought deposits below the broker's September level.Year-over-year, tastyfx posted a 13% increase from December 2024's $40.1 million, reflecting strong longer-term growth. The broker launched Prime accounts in September targeting professional traders with 6% promotional yields and reduced trading costs. Parent company IG Group reported record revenue of $50.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, up 30% year-over-year.Trading.com slipped 4.7% to $2.9 million from November's $3.0 million, posting a $136,000 monthly decline. Despite the December setback, the platform showed the fastest annual growth rate among tracked brokers with deposits up 27% from December 2024's $2.1 million. Trading.com, part of the Trading Point Group that also operates XM, secured US regulatory approval as a retail forex dealer in April 2020.OANDA Holds Steady Amid Ownership TransitionOANDA edged down 0.4% to $144.6 million from November's $145.2 million, slipping $614,000 during the month. The marginal decline extended the broker's losing streak to six consecutive months and marked its lowest deposit level since December 2024.The December data arrived as prop trading firm FTMO completed its acquisition of OANDA from private equity firm CVC Asia Fund IV. The transaction, announced earlier in 2025, received final regulatory approval in November after an eight-month process involving five separate regulators. FTMO has indicated plans to maintain OANDA as a standalone business.The figures reported monthly by US forex brokers represent "Total Retail Forex Obligations" rather than simple customer deposits. These obligations reflect the total amount brokers owe to retail forex customers, combining initial cash deposits with unrealized profits or losses on open positions plus other payable balances like margin excess and account credits. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

While traditional banks and brokers have often treated stablecoins as a high-risk niche, new research indicates that crypto adopters are using them for practical financial needs rather than solely for speculation. The Stablecoin Utility Report 2026 by BVNK and YouGov finds that stablecoins play a growing role in cross-border payments and savings, highlighting new opportunities for regulated financial institutions. The report draws on an online survey of more than 4,600 respondents across 15 countries. All participants either currently hold or have held cryptocurrency within the past 12 months, or plan to acquire crypto in the coming year. The findings, therefore, reflect behavior within crypto-active populations rather than the general public. The survey also excludes several major markets, including China, Russia, and Canada. Within this user base, practical use cases now appear to drive stablecoin adoption. However, the segment is dominated by crypto-native platforms, while most banks, brokers, and payment providers have so far stayed on the sidelines. Freelancers and gig workers now receive 35% of their income in stablecoins. 73% say this improves work with international clients. In Africa, 79% of surveyed crypto users hold stablecoins. Of these, 92% cite their country’s economy as a driving factor. Merchant acceptance also influences consumer decisions, as more than half (52%) of stablecoin holders surveyed say they have made a purchase from a business specifically because it accepted stablecoin payments. The Opportunity for Banks and Fintechs The survey suggests that traditional financial institutions have yet to capture much of this activity. Crypto users primarily manage stablecoins on centralised exchanges. Despite that, trust in established financial brands remains strong. Around 77% of respondents say they would likely open a stablecoin wallet if their personal bank or fintech app offered one. In low- and middle-income economies, that figure rises to 83%. These results indicate that exchanges currently dominate stablecoin services not because of superior brand trust, but because many regulated institutions have not yet introduced comparable products. Users Want Mainstream Behaviour, Not Crypto Complexity Even among regular users, friction remains. Respondents identify irreversible payments (30%) and process complexity (22%) as their main concerns. Users say they want stablecoins to function more like familiar payment systems. Their top requests include broader merchant acceptance, clearer consumer protections such as refund mechanisms, and a simpler user experience. For the B2B financial industry, the report signals growing engagement with stablecoins among crypto-active users and suggests that demand for regulated, integrated services could expand. Whether traditional institutions enter this segment — and how they structure their offerings — will influence how stablecoin usage develops from here. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Gold prices tumbled over 2.5% on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, with silver falling by a steeper 4% margin, marking the weakest levels in 11 days as both metals test critical support zones following their brief recovery from the catastrophic January 31 selloff.The yellow metal drew intraday lows at $4,858 before recovering slightly to trade at $4,911 per ounce, while silver crashed below $73 during Asian hours before stabilizing around $74. This renewed weakness comes despite ANZ Bank's upgraded forecast projecting gold will reach $5,800 per ounce in Q2 2026, up from their previous $5,400 target.In this article, I explain why gold and silver are falling again, what ANZ's bullish forecast means for precious metals, and why Ron Paul's $20,000 gold price prediction remains intact despite extreme short-term volatility.Follow me on X for more gold and silver market analysis: @ChmielDkWhy Gold And Silver Are Going Down Today?Recovery Tested After Historic CrashFebruary 17 marks a critical test for precious metals bulls. After staging a powerful recovery from the January 31 crash lows, gold and silver are retesting support levels that could determine whether the correction deepens or the bull market resumes.Gold peaked at $5,608 on January 30, then crashed to $4,745 the next day before recovering to the $4,750-4,800 range by February 2. The metal traded as high as $5,120 on February 11, suggesting the worst was over. But Tuesday's selloff pushed gold back toward $4,850, down 2.6% intraday, raising questions about whether another leg down is imminent.Gold's Current Price Action:Current: $4,911 per ounceIntraday low: $4,858 (Feb 17)Recent high: $5,120 (Feb 11)Key support: $4,850-4,600Resistance: $5,000-5,100Silver's Current Price Action:Current: $74 per ounceIntraday low: Under $73 (Feb 17)Recent recovery high: $83 (Feb 2)Key support: $70, then $55Resistance: $80, then $100-120Despite the renewed weakness, gold remains up 6.5% over the past month and a remarkable 67% year-over-year. Silver still shows monthly gains of 4% and annual returns exceeding 155%, underscoring that this remains a secular bull market experiencing violent corrections rather than a trend reversal.Dilin Wu, Research Strategist at Pepperstone, notes: "If short-term bears dominate, the lower boundary of the February upward channel near $4,900, and further down at $4,640, may provide support. Conversely, a sustained break above $5,100 could open the way toward $5,180-$5,200, representing key resistance levels before challenging new highs."Technical Analysis: Critical Support TestedGold's Chart SetupGold's price action on February 17 shows the metal falling 2.6% with intraday lows at $4,858 before recovering to trade slightly above $4,911 per ounce. The price is moving within a support zone between $4,850-$4,900, marked by the psychological $5,000 level above and critical support at $4,600 below.According to my chart, the 50 exponential moving average (50 EMA) has been tested multiple times since the January 31 crash, with gold bouncing off this level on February 2 before rallying to $5,120 on February 11. Tuesday's weakness brings the metal back toward this critical technical level, which could determine the next directional move.Key support levels include the current $4,850-4,900 zone, followed by $4,640 (identified by Pepperstone's Dilin Wu as highly important), and then the major support zone at $3,900-4,000 where the 200 EMA and November 2025 lows converge.On the upside, resistance sits at $5,000-5,100, with a sustained break above that level potentially opening the path toward $5,180-5,200 before challenging the January 30 all-time high of $5,608. The trend remains officially bullish based on long-term moving average alignment, meaning any moves down to support should be treated as buying opportunities for those betting on a return to higher levels.Silver's Volatile PatternSilver's chart shows even more dramatic swings. According to my technical analysis, the white metal is down over 4% on February 17, testing lows under $73 per ounce (11-day lows) before recovering slightly to trade around $74. Direct support sits at the round $70 level, while major support lies at $55 where the 200 EMA currently resides.This $55 level coincides with historical highs from October 2024, making it a critical zone for bulls to defend if selling pressure intensifies. A break below $55 would signal bears have significantly shifted the balance of power on the chart.Resistance for silver is found at $80 (the 50 EMA, which is positioned horizontally since late January), with the next barrier at the round $100 level and ultimately historical highs above $120 tested in late January. The long-term trend remains bullish based on the 200 EMA slope, meaning pullbacks to support zones should theoretically attract buyers looking to position for the next leg higher.If Tuesday's session closes near current levels without further deterioration, silver will add another lower wick to recent price action, potentially forming a base from which to launch the next rally phase. But a close below $70 would raise concerns that another violent leg down could be in progress.Gold Price Prediction: ANZ Raises Forecast to $5,800 Target for Q2 2026While traders panic over daily price swings, ANZ Bank upgraded its gold forecast on February 13, projecting the metal will reach $5,800 per ounce in Q2 2026, up from the previous $5,400 target. This represents 18% upside from current levels and suggests the bank views recent weakness as a buying opportunity rather than a trend change.ANZ analysts Soni Kumari and Daniel Hynes emphasized that "the rally is not yet mature enough to reverse anytime soon." They argue the backdrop for gold in 2026 differs fundamentally from previous peak periods in 1980 and 2013.The key differences: easy U.S. monetary policy, escalating geopolitical tensions, ongoing policy uncertainty, and a weakening dollar create an environment where appetite for diversification is intensifying. Unlike past peaks that ended in sustained bear markets, current structural factors suggest dips should be bought."We believe gold remains an insurance asset against a plethora of uncertainties, and the recent correction presents an opportunity for fresh investment," the ANZ team wrote. They noted that market focus is increasingly turning to potential tariff effects, which haven't yet shown up in economic or inflation data but pose significant risks.In the meantime, Congressman and Liberty Report host Ron Paul maintains his ultra-bullish long-term forecast that many dismissed as extreme when first announced.In a January 27 interview with The David Lin Report, just days before the crash, Paul warned: "The fiat monetary system is dying" and predicted gold could reach $20,000 or even $100,000 as the dollar collapses and trust in currency evaporates.Gold and Silver Price Analysis FAQWhy are gold and silver falling today?Gold fell 2.6% to $4,911 and silver crashed 4% to $74 on February 17, 2026, testing recovery levels reached after the historic January 31 crash. The renewed weakness comes despite ANZ Bank raising its Q2 2026 gold forecast to $5,800, suggesting markets remain nervous about Kevin Warsh's Fed Chair nomination and potential monetary policy tightening.What is the gold price forecast for 2026?ANZ Bank upgraded its gold price forecast to $5,800 per ounce for Q2 2026, up from the previous $5,400 target. The bank views recent corrections as buying opportunities rather than trend reversals, citing easy monetary policy, geopolitical tensions, ongoing uncertainty, and a weakening dollar as structural support factors that differ from previous peak periods in 1980 and 2013.Will gold and silver continue falling?Technical analysis shows gold testing critical support at $4,850-$4,900 with key levels at $4,640 (Pepperstone's Dilin Wu calls this "highly important") and $3,900-$4,000 (200 EMA zone). Silver is testing $70-$74 support with major support at $55. Central bank buying (755+ tonnes expected in 2026) provides a structural floor, while Ron Paul maintains $20,000-$100,000 long-term targets based on fiat system collapse thesis.Is this a good time to buy gold and silver?Both metals are testing support levels after violent corrections (gold from $5,608 to $4,850, silver from $122 to $74). ANZ characterizes this as an "opportunity for fresh investment" with $5,800 upside target. However, extreme volatility persists with multi-percent daily swings. Central bank buying at 755+ tonnes annually and industrial silver demand (680 million ounces) provide structural support, but bears could push prices lower if $4,600 gold and $70 silver break. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

The Binance app has disappeared from the Philippine version of the Google Play Store as the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission intensifies scrutiny of the cryptocurrency exchange.In 2023, the SEC warned that Binance operates without local authorization. It noted that entities promoting the exchange could face up to 21 years in prison. The regulator said Binance "has been actively employing promotional campaigns on various social media platforms," but does not hold a license to operate in the country.Philippine Users Report Binance Access IssuesMultiple users said searches for “Binance” no longer return the main application. Results instead redirect to local platforms such as Coins.ph or to region-specific Binance apps for Thailand and Turkey. On Reddit, a user questioned whether the disappearance was “a technical glitch or a deliberate move tied to the Binance Philippines ban.” Screenshots and error messages circulated in local crypto communities, illustrating access issues.Reports indicate difficulties extend beyond the app store. Several users said they could not load Binance’s main website, encountering browser warnings such as “Privacy Error” and “Site can’t be reached.” The combined app and website issues suggest regulators may be actively enforcing restrictions.SEC Blocks Binance App and WebsiteThe SEC has repeatedly warned foreign crypto platforms against operating without local authorization. In late 2024, it asked Google and Apple to remove the Binance app. The SEC alleged that Binance offered unregistered securities and acted as an unlicensed broker. The National Telecommunications Commission also ordered internet service providers to block Binance’s website nationwide.Existing users with the app installed may retain limited access, but updates and security patches could become unavailable. A Binance spokesperson previously said the company is “committed to working with regulators globally.” Whether that approach applies to the Philippines is not clear.The Binance Philippines ban highlights risks of relying on offshore platforms without local approval. The move may also strengthen domestic exchanges. With app removals and access restrictions now visible, enforcement has moved from warnings to action, leaving users uncertain about the next steps. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

The Trading Pit has opened a Seychelles-regulated brokerage called TTP Markets, becoming the latest prop firm to enter the CFD brokerage space amid a wave of similar moves across the industry.The firm is starting with a restricted rollout, onboarding only a limited number of what it calls "hand-picked successful retail and corporate prop traders" from its existing community. According to the press release, the launch doesn't represent a broad commercial push into retail brokerage but rather a test bed for regulatory infrastructure, the firm says it needs for long-term international expansion."Throughout my career in the financial markets, I've seen that sustainable growth comes from building the right foundations early,” Illimar Mattus, founder of The Trading Pit, said. “Establishing TTP Markets allows us to shape our own regulatory path and prepare the business for the next phase of global development."Prop Firms Double Down on Brokerage OperationsThe Trading Pit's move follows a pattern that has accelerated over the past year. FTMO acquired OANDA in December 2025, while The5ers' founders launched TSG, a CySEC-licensed brokerage, around the same time. TTT Markets also entered the CFD brokerage business in January 2026, operating on MT5 and proprietary technology.The Trading Pit's choice of Seychelles places it somewhere between the more established European regulatory frameworks and the lighter-touch offshore jurisdictions. The Seychelles Financial Services Authority, established in 2013, oversees non-bank financial services and requires brokers to maintain local offices and appoint qualified directors.In the meantime, many firms have pursued offshore licenses primarily to secure direct MetaTrader access from MetaQuotes, which tightened its licensing policies for prop firms. FundedNext sought licenses in Dubai and Mauritius while initially operating under a Comoros license. City Traders Imperium also established a Comoros entity to launch in-house MT5 capabilities.Controlled Expansion Tied to Product RolloutThe firm said TTP Markets will expand "as new products and services are rolled out for prop traders," suggesting the brokerage isn't meant to operate as a standalone retail business in the near term. The Trading Pit, which operates simulated trading challenges across futures, CFDs, stocks, and crypto, has previously integrated cTrader for its Prime CFDs challenges with liquidity from Tickmill."TTP Markets gives us the regulatory infrastructure needed to expand in a controlled and responsible way,” Daniela Egli, the firm's CEO, added. “By taking a phased approach and prioritizing governance, we are ensuring that future growth is both scalable and compliant across jurisdictions."Multi-Jurisdictional AmbitionsThe Trading Pit, headquartered in Liechtenstein with offices in Spain and Cyprus, said it plans to "extend regulatory coverage into additional jurisdictions" over time. The firm offers traders profit shares of up to 80% on simulated trading performance and operates in over 160 countries with partnerships across multiple institutional liquidity providers.The brokerage initiative reflects what the company called an "institutional mindset" and a focus on building "a diversified and resilient regulatory base." Whether that translates into broader retail brokerage services or remains primarily a tool for its prop trading operations will become clearer as the firm moves through its phased rollout. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Viktor Nebehaj announced on LinkedIn that he will step down as CEO of Freetrade this summer. He wrote, “After nearly ten years of building, it feels like the right time for me to step back and take a proper break. There’s never a perfect moment, and if I don’t choose one, I’d probably just keep doing this forever.”Last year, IG Group agreed to acquire Freetrade for £160 million. The deal is funded from IG’s existing capital. Freetrade will continue to operate as a standalone business, with Nebehaj remaining as CEO. The acquisition gives IG access to the UK direct investment market and broadens its existing trading and investment offerings.Former Freetrade COO, CMO, GrowthNebehaj has been with Freetrade since its early days, co-founding the company and holding multiple leadership roles. He served as COO for two years and four months, as CMO for three years and seven months, and as Head of Growth for one year and four months.Before joining Freetrade, Nebehaj worked at Notey as Head of Growth for one year and six months in Hong Kong, and at Cliqz as Head of Assessment for one year and three months in Munich, Germany. He also held roles at iProspect as Regional Digital Operations Manager / Head of SEO for nine months in Hong Kong.Freetrade Raised $69 Million CapitalHe spent seven years at Google in Dublin, Ireland, where he worked as an Online Operations Manager for EMEA for three years and two months, and as a Search Quality Analyst for nearly four years.Freetrade is a London-based stock trading app that has raised capital, including a $69 million funding round.Freetrade Faces Investor Backlash After AcquisitionFollowing the acquisition by IG, Freetrade has faced criticism from early investors, as the £160 million cash deal was more than a quarter below its previous fundraising valuation. While the company reported that early investors received 15 times their investment on average, questions over valuation gaps have emerged. Freetrade became profitable in the first half of 2024, reporting a £12.3 million gross profit and a small operating profit. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Plus500 (LSE: PLUS) executives completed a £67.1 million share sale today (Tuesday), triggering a sharp selloff that erased up to 10% of the company's market value before stocks recovered slightly to trade down 6% at 4,430 pence.CEO David Zruia, CFO Elad Even-Chen and CMO Nir Zats sold a combined 1.5 million shares at £44.78 each to Goldman Sachs International as principal, with Panmure Liberum intermediating the transaction. The block represents 2.14% of Plus500's issued share capital.Just last month, Zruia and Even-Chen each received Plus500 shares worth £8.5 million under the company's 2026 deferred bonus scheme. Now they're liquidating positions they've held since the broker's 2013 IPO, their first-ever sales in 13 years.Even-Chen offloaded the largest block at 940,000 shares, reducing his stake from 2.2 shares to 1.3. Zruia sold almost 451,000 shares, cutting his holdings to the same 1.3 million-share position. Zats disposed of 109,000 shares, leaving him with 131,000 shares representing 0.2% of the company.Shares Jumped 20% in 2026The executives' timing becomes more striking when examining what happened to their bonus shares. According to Finance Magnates Intelligence estimates, the company’s shares rose roughly 20% between the grant date and Tuesday's sale.That means Zruia and Even-Chen each saw their £8.5 million bonus awards grow to approximately £10.2 million before the selloff, a gain of £1.7 million each in under a month. Zats watched his £120,000 award climb to around £144,000.These remain paper gains; the bonus shares are subject to vesting restrictions and can't be sold immediately. Still, the numbers show how much value just this portion of their holdings accumulated in a single month, driven by favorable market conditions and Plus500's strong performance.Lockup Doesn't Calm MarketsThe three executives agreed not to sell additional shares for 365 days following the transaction, subject to waiver by Panmure Liberum. That lockup period hasn't reassured investors.The stock has climbed over 200% since 2024 and remains up 22% year-to-date despite Tuesday's decline. Shares opened down 10% before trimming losses, though the chart now shows a sizeable downward gap.The sale occurred just days after Plus500 launched a $100 million share buyback program as part of $187.5 million in total shareholder returns announced with its 2025 results. The company reported record performance, with average customer deposits more than doubling to $26,900 and its non-OTC business crossing $100 million in revenue.Zruia and Even-Chen each earned $4.97 million in total compensation for the last financial year, including $1.09 million in fixed salary and $3.9 million in variable pay. The bonus shares they received in January pushed their total recent compensation higher.Expansion ContinuesPlus500 has been executing an expansion beyond its core CFD business. The company recently launched prediction markets in the US offering Kalshi's event contracts under its Plus500 Futures brand, completed a $20 million acquisition of Mehta Equities in India, and acquired an Indonesian broker.The London-listed company reported in January that half its revenue now comes from customers trading over five years, demonstrating improved customer retention. It posted earnings of $792 million and EBITDA of $348 million for 2025, both ahead of analyst expectations.BlackRock holds approximately 6% of Plus500 shares, making it the largest shareholder, while JPMorgan owns 5.1%. Artemis Investment Management and Capital Group have also taken stakes above 5%.The company held approximately $800 million in cash on its balance sheet as of December 31, 2025, providing capital for both the buyback program and continued geographic expansion. Whether that financial strength will offset insider selling concerns remains unclear as the stock digests Tuesday's decline. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Currency.com has brought on Alexander Kravets as its U.S. chief executive, handing him responsibility for operations in a market where crypto platforms still face a patchwork of state-level licensing requirements.Kravets spent over 25 years building and running regulated trading businesses, including stints leading U.S. divisions at CEX.IO and Symbridge crypto exchanges. At CEX.IO, helped to secure money transmitter licenses in over 30 states. The hire comes as Currency.com works through the state-by-state licensing grind that crypto exchanges face in the U.S. In October 2025, the platform secured its 32nd money transmitter license, marking progress toward full coverage across all 50 states. Getting to that finish line typically takes crypto firms years and millions in application fees, surety bonds, and compliance costs.License Accumulation Remains Slow ProcessCurrency.com still needs licenses in roughly 18 jurisdictions to operate nationwide. Each state sets its own rules, bond requirements, and processing timelines, with some applications dragging out for 12 to 24 months. New York's BitLicense remains among the toughest to obtain, while California's new Digital Financial Assets Law takes effect in July 2026, adding another layer of compliance work.Kravets brings direct experience navigating that maze. Before his CEO roles, he co-founded XTRD (now Axon Trade), an institutional-grade order execution management system for digital asset trading. His technical background spans trading systems, execution infrastructure, and risk management across both traditional finance and crypto markets."Alex brings an exceptional combination of regulatory experience, operational leadership, and technical depth to the table," said Konstantin Anissimov, Currency.com's global CEO. "His track record in building compliant U.S. crypto businesses aligns perfectly with our goals of responsible scaling in the American market."Institutional Focus Drives Expansion PushCurrency.com has been positioning itself for institutional clients, with recent backing from N7 Capital signaling a push into that segment. The platform also partnered with OpenPayd to add multi-currency payment rails and foreign exchange liquidity across 30 additional currencies.Kravets will oversee the buildout of U.S. infrastructure as the company chases more licenses. "The U.S. market requires discipline, transparency, and strong execution," he said. "Currency.com's strength lies in its clear long-term vision, and I'm excited to contribute to its delivery. As the company continues to build institutional-grade infrastructure, my focus will be to ensure U.S. operations are aligned with regulatory expectations and market demand."The broader U.S. crypto regulatory picture remains in flux. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently urged Congress to pass federal crypto legislation, though state licensing requirements will persist regardless of any federal framework. Platforms operating across state lines need both federal registration with FinCEN and individual state money transmitter licenses to stay compliant.Kravets currently runs AK Solutions, an advisory firm focused on real-world assets, digital asset trading, DeFi yields, and derivative strategies. The press release about his appointment as Currency.com's U.S. CEO did not specify whether he will continue actively developing this project. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

The cryptocurrency market continues its February consolidation on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, with mixed signals across major assets. Bitcoin trades at $68,362, down 0.74%, while Ethereum falls 0.85% to $1981. The market remains 50% below all-time highs, with historic velocity in the January-February decline creating what one analyst calls "genuine distress" across the sector.In this article, I am examining why crypto is falling across major assets, analyzing Bitcoin, XRP, Ethereum, and Dogecoin charts based on my over a decade of experience as an analyst and trader.Follow me on X for more crypto market analysis:@ChmielDkBitcoin Price Analysis: $60K-62K Support CriticalBitcoin's (BTC) price is losing about 1% during Tuesday's session, falling to the $68,250 level. According to my analysis, the cryptocurrency is currently using a local support level that coincides with the lows from November 2024. However, in my view, the main support is located at this year's lows in the range of $60,000-62,000.As I see it, Bitcoin needs solid consolidation between this level and the resistance zone of $74,000-76,000. This zone was, according to my analysis, the target range for declines that I mentioned back in November. As you can see, momentum has since pulled the price decidedly lower.For Bitcoin to return to growth, it would need to pull back above at least $80,000 where the 50-day EMA runs, and ideally return above the resistance zone of $82,000-84,000, the November lows broken at the end of January this year. The cryptocurrency will finally catch its breath around the $94,000 level by breaking above the 200-day moving average.As you can see, Bitcoin's chart has moved significantly away from its long-term moving averages. The current drawdown stands at 47.5% from peak to trough, marking one of the worst 7-day declines (−22.2%) in Bitcoin's history, worse than 98.9% of all historical 7-day periods.XRP Price: Bearish Pin Bar Targets $1.26XRP trades at $1.49 on Tuesday, February 17, down about 1% and testing the $1.47 level. According to my analysis, Sunday's chart showed a bearish pin bar with a very long upper wick and short body, a clear sell signal that I wrote about in my previous article.While the downward impulse hasn't fully materialized yet, this doesn't change the fact that I'm still targeting declines toward at least $1.26-1.27, the flash crash lows from October. Ultimately, I'm looking at a level of just under $1.13, representing this year's lows from February 5-6.In a very bearish scenario, I don't rule out a decline of several dozen percent toward just $0.53, where the price stood in November 2024 and where the 100% Fibonacci extension falls. My earlier analysis correctly predicted XRP's $1.25 target as the token struggles below both its 50 EMA ($1.81) and 200 EMA ($2.54).Ethereum Analysis: Trapped Below $2,000 Psychological LevelEthereum (ETH) is losing about 1% today and falling back below the round $2,000 level, trading at $1,997-2,000. According to my analysis, the cryptocurrency has been moving in consolidation since the beginning of February between $2,100 and $1,800, the lowest levels since May of last year.The lower limit of this consolidation is marked by lows from almost a year ago (May 2024), while the upper boundary represents local peaks from that period before Ethereum went on a stronger offensive and in subsequent months climbed toward a summer high near $5,000. Now those levels seem very distant.For Ethereum to even think about removing selling pressure from its shoulders, it would need to rise above the 50 EMA around $2,600 and return above the resistance zone marked by the November-December lows at $2,750. The next important resistance is around $3,000-3,100 in conjunction with the 200 EMA.Dogecoin Price: Third Consecutive Session of LossesDogecoin (DOGE) price is falling for the third consecutive session, losing 1.58% on Tuesday and testing the $0.10 level at $0.1010. According to my analysis, the cryptocurrency rose on Sunday to approximately two-week highs, but the increase stopped at just under $0.12 (reaching $0.111 on February 15.This level represents the upper limit of the current consolidation, marked by the lows from early 2026 in conjunction with the 50-day moving average. If the current local support doesn't hold, Dogecoin opens the way to test this year's lows from just under two weeks ago at just under $0.08 ($0.0885 on February 6). This is simultaneously the lowest value since August 2024.Dogecoin has plummeted 61.95% from one year ago when it traded at $0.2655, reflecting the broader altcoin carnage that has characterized the February 2026 correction.Multi-Asset Comparison: Key Levels to WatchHow Low Can Crypto Go? Key Catalyst Friday"Macro news has remained closely correlated with crypto's risk profile over the past 12 months," Paul Howard, Director at Wincent, noted. As he added about upcoming catalysts, "the more significant catalyst for crypto is likely to be the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court ruling on tariffs, expected Friday, 20 February" The Supreme Court's decision on tariffs imposed by President Trump using emergency powers could inject significant volatility into risk assets. When the court delayed a similar ruling in early January, Bitcoin surged more than $2,000 in under an hour, briefly trading near $92,000, while roughly $39 million in short positions were liquidated."Current expectations suggest macro data will stay soft, reinforcing a risk-off trading environment," Howard continued. However, he noted that "at present, relatively low prices alone are not sufficient to drive renewed investor enthusiasm. As a result, this week's Fed minutes and inflation reports are unlikely to meaningfully influence market direction.”A decisive shift could attract "hot money" back into crypto, particularly from AI and commodities, which have dominated capital flows in recent months [user-provided quote]. However, crypto still has work to do in re-establishing itself as a compelling asset class.FAQ: Crypto Market Questions AnsweredWhy is crypto falling today?The crypto market is consolidating after historic January-February declines, with Bitcoin down 47.5%, Ethereum down 60.7%, and continued distance from long-term moving averages. According to my analysis, Bitcoin needs to hold $60K-62K support, Ethereum struggles below $2,000, XRP shows bearish pin bar patterns, and Dogecoin tests $0.10 support.What are key Bitcoin support levels?According to my technical analysis, Bitcoin's main support is at this year's lows of $60,000-62,000, with local support at current November 2024 levels around $68,000. For bullish reversal, Bitcoin needs to reclaim $80,000 (50 EMA), then $82K-84K (November lows), and finally $94,000 (200 MA).Will crypto continue declining?The market awaits the U.S. Supreme Court tariff ruling on Friday, February 20, which could trigger significant volatility. Paul Howard of Wincent notes that crypto needs a "decisive shift" to attract capital back from AI and commodities. Technical indicators suggest consolidation between key support and resistance zones across all major assets. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

iFOREX Financial Trading Holdings Ltd. has confirmed that its planned initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange has restarted.The company had previously postponed its IPO in June 2025. At the time, iFOREX cited the need to complete a routine compliance inspection in the British Virgin Islands. The firm described the review as a “routine thematic review” and said it expected the inspection to conclude soon, calling the delay “brief” and clearing the way for the IPO.Company Plans London IPO Late FebruaryiFOREX said the IPO process is now at an “advanced stage”. It intends to apply for admission to trading on the London Stock Exchange, with admission expected in late February 2026. The company stated it will make further announcements as appropriate.The announcement clarified that it is not a prospectus or an offer of securities for sale in any jurisdiction, including the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, or Japan. iFOREX emphasized that investors should only purchase shares based on information contained in a final prospectus, if and when it is published.Investors Advised Risks Uncertain iFOREX IPOShore Capital is acting as sponsor and sole bookrunner for the IPO. iFOREX’s public relations advisers are Camarco.The company also noted that forward-looking statements in the announcement involve risks and uncertainties. It warned that actual results may differ materially from expectations, and that past performance is not indicative of future outcomes.The firm cautioned that the IPO may not proceed, and potential investors should not base financial decisions solely on the announcement.Other Business UpdatesSeparately, last year iFOREX Europe signed a jersey sponsorship agreement with Ferencvárosi TC, Hungary’s most successful football club and then-current league champions. The Cyprus-based trading platform became the official back-of-shirt sponsor as the club prepared for another European campaign. Ferencváros had qualified for continental competition for six consecutive seasons. Around the same time, iFOREX expanded its product range by adding CFDs on Saudi Arabian and South Korean shares, broadening the broker’s equity offering to additional Asian and Middle Eastern markets. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Nexo has re-entered the United States market three years after its exit, launching a new suite of digital asset services built around the infrastructure support from U.S.-based Bakkt. In a Monday announcement, the firm presented the move as a fresh start in a market it once left, this time emphasizing compliance, risk management, and long-term growth instead of aggressive product rollout.Nexo returns to the United States.The official relaunch is being executed with regulated partners, providing a U.S.-compliant framework for our investment and credit product offerings. ? pic.twitter.com/pt0A4ETRdt— Nexo (@Nexo) February 16, 2026Nexo originally withdrew from the U.S. in 2022 after clashes with state and federal regulators over its Earn Interest Product. It described the negotiations at the time as a "dead end" and the operating environment as "impossible," following multiple enforcement actions, including those from California and New York.Product Lineup Targets Yield and LiquidityThe relaunched U.S. platform now runs through partnerships with regulated entities and uses Bakkt to provide its digital asset trading infrastructure, aligning the offering with institutional risk and compliance standards.Continue reading: Crypto Firm Nexo Launches Forex and Commodities CFDs Through MT5Nexo’s U.S. lineup includes fixed and flexible yield programs, an integrated crypto exchange, and crypto-backed credit lines aimed at users who want to access liquidity without selling their digital assets. The company also supports fiat on- and off-ramps via ACH and wire transfers and adds a loyalty program to keep users within its ecosystem.Inside a Broader Global ExpansionFinance Magnates recently reported that Nexo had expanded its platform by introducing Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on assets such as gold, silver, oil, leading equity indices, and a range of key currency pairs, with leverage available on selected instruments.This expansion was enabled through a partnership with MetaTrader 5, giving the crypto firm users access to advanced trading tools used by institutions.Additionally, Nexo’s Dubai-based entity obtained the approval in the region to provide lending, borrowing, investment, and broker-dealer services for virtual assets. It marked the firm’s first step into Dubai’s growing crypto marketBesides geographical and product expansion, the crypto lender recently made strides in sports sponsorship deals. Audi Revolut F1 Team recently entered into a multi-year partnership with the platform, marking Nexo as the team’s first official digital asset partner. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Nearly two years after tightening its grip on Cyprus Investment Firm Veles International, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has moved to end its oversight measures. The regulator concluded that new evidence showed Dmitry Vitalyevich Bugayenko, the firm’s sole shareholder, no longer posed a risk to the company’s effective management. This decision clears Bugayenko of the earlier accusations that his influence undermined the governance of the CIF.Background of the DecisionCySEC’s latest ruling, announced on Monday, followed a board decision made a week earlier on February 9. The action reverses measures first imposed in 2024 and later amended in June the same year. Notably, those sanctions suspended Bugayenko’s voting rights and temporarily barred him from management activities in the company. Bugayenko is the sole direct shareholder of Veles International and serves as a non‑executive director on its board.CySEC Decision for Influence exercised by Dmitry Vitalyevich Bugayenko to the sound and prudent management of the CIF Veles International Ltd - Termination of measureshttps://t.co/W3FU7bIIMK— CySEC - Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (@CySEC_official) February 16, 2026The move aimed to restore confidence in the broker’s management structure and protect investor interests while CySEC conducted further monitoring.Veles International is a Cyprus‑licensed investment firm, authorized by CySEC since 2006 to provide investment services such as reception, transmission and execution of client orders, along with ancillary services including safekeeping, client credit and related FX services.Related: CySEC Bans Broker Directors for 2 YearsAccording to CySEC, recently uncovered facts changed its assessment of the situation at Veles International. Upon reviewing the updated information, the watchdog determined that Bugayenko’s participation no longer hinders the firm’s governance. As a result, CySEC terminated all measures related to him and confirmed that the company can now operate without those restrictions.CySEC Steps Up Disclosure StandardsThe termination of these measures came as Cyprus tightens its rules on how financial firms share information with the European Union. The latest development aims to make it easier for regulators and investors to access details about how firms operate. As recently announced by the watchdog, large investment firms and asset managers will be required to submit more of their core disclosures to a central EU database over the next few years.CySEC said that it has amended its Financial Conglomerates Directive to connect Cyprus to the European Single Access Point, the EU’s new online platform for financial and sustainability data. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

While intermediaries continue to be the primary fund distribution channel in Singapore, digital platforms are democratising access.According to Crisil Coalition Greenwich research based on interviews with some of the largest fund distributors in Singapore, fund distribution platforms have reported positive net asset growth across equities, fixed income and multi-asset funds for the first time since 2022.Fund distributors are optimistic that these favourable conditions will continue - platforms expect to see positive net inflows across the vast majority of fund types and strategies, and distributors are projecting the strongest demand for investment grade bonds and multi-asset funds. They also expect to see a surge in demand for private assets.Gatekeepers and the Platform-Ready EcosystemAccording to Killian Lonergan, head of distribution intelligence at BBH, private banks dominate flows in Singapore, particularly for offshore funds. “Retail banks and platforms matter for scale but margins are thinner and access is more selective,” he says. “Direct-to-consumer distribution is minimal for foreign fund managers unless they have a strong brand, local onshore presence or ETF-style simplicity.”Lonergan adds that such a gatekeeper-driven ecosystem - where commercial success is less about regulatory approval and more about being ‘platform-ready’ - is often underestimated by managers.“Singapore distributors increasingly behave like asset allocators, not just sales platforms,” he says. “They actively curate product shelves and remove funds that lack momentum, underperform peers or create operational complexity. As a result, shelf life can be as short as 12 months.”An additional nuance to the market is that Singapore acts as a regional booking centre, not just a domestic market. Investors may be Southeast Asian, North Asian or Middle Eastern, but assets are often booked in Singapore.Banks Remain Core, Digital Channels ExpandTimothy Liew, head of investments at OCBC, agrees that banks and independent financial advisory firms remain the primary avenue through which retail investors access funds, mainly due to established client relationships and advisory support.“Online self-service channels have increased accessibility for retail investors by lowering entry barriers, both in terms of minimum investment amounts and convenience, which has attracted a new cohort of younger, more self-directed investors and expanded our investor base,” he says.In 2025, OCBC saw a 90% year-on-year increase in sales volume from funds invested through digital channels.“That said, many customers still prefer advisory-led channels when building more comprehensive or holistic portfolios,” adds Liew.Online distributors encompass a broad spectrum of intermediaries, including fund supermarkets, robo advisors, digital brokerages and other technology-enabled platforms.Mobile Access and Regulatory SupportDirect mobile access to funds provides tangible benefits to investors, including lower minimum investment amounts and transaction fees, 24-hour access and reduced time for execution, observes Elaine Tan, head of asset owners & asset managers client lines for Asia Pacific, Securities Services, BNP Paribas.“These benefits have been amplified by a wave of financial industry innovation and a supportive regulatory evolution focusing on investor protection and transparency,” she says. “If this trend continues, the fund industry will need to roll out inclusive solutions that bridge the digital divide, ensuring less digitally proficient investors enjoy the same access as their tech-savvy counterparts.”As online platforms, mobile apps and robo-advisors from both new digital-first entrants and established intermediaries enhance their own digital and mobile capabilities and continue to mature, Justin Christopher, head of Asia at Calastone, also expects direct and digital channels to account for a growing share of fund flows.“We are seeing both the emergence of new mobile-first platforms and a strong focus across the industry on delivering better investor experiences and broader investment capabilities,” he adds. “As access to products such as private market funds continues to expand, digital and mobile-based models will be well positioned to respond quickly and provide investors with greater choice and access.”Direct-to-Consumer Models Gain TractionOne of the most interesting players in the business-to-consumer space is FSMOne (formerly Fundsupermart.com), which enables retail investors to directly select and purchase from more than 2,400 funds across various asset classes.“Traditional channels such as banks and advisers often provide personalised investment advice, but they may come with higher fees including sales charges and wrap fees,” says Joshua Chim, general manager FSMOne Singapore. “There is a growing retail demand for cost-effective, self-directed investing as a result of rising financial literacy among investors.”The Case for a Hybrid Advisory ModelHuman-led channels provide tailored advice, long-term relationships and curated portfolios, which are particularly valued by affluent and mass affluent investors seeking confidence in their financial decisions.That is the view of Luke Lim, managing director Phillip Securities, who acknowledges that digital platforms have helped shift expectations around access, cost and usability.“However, we have also seen the continued need for trusted advice when navigating life stage planning, risk management and broader financial goals,” he says. “As investor needs evolve, a hybrid ‘high tech, high touch’ approach is emerging as the most sustainable path forward. This means combining strong digital infrastructure with the trusted guidance of technology-enabled financial advisers who understand an individual’s priorities, life goals and emotional comfort with risk.”Digital Pressure on Private Banking ModelsLonergan recognises that digital distribution options have shifted Singapore’s retail investing landscape and that their influence on shaping price transparency expectations, promoting clean share classes and accelerating demand for lower-cost institutional-style products is increasing.This has indirect implications for private banking distribution, where there is a growing disconnect between traditional distributor retrocession models and investor expectations. As a result, managers are feeling the pressure to maintain parallel share class structures, differentiated fee models and more sophisticated operational setups.Singapore is an amazing city and it’s going to be plenty busy in future just serving as the regional finance center for SE Asia - the world’s fastest growing economic area with the worlds largest group of aspiring middle class citizens. So don’t worry about that. However,… https://t.co/kPJBqK9a4x— Mitch Presnick 柏力 (@mitchpresnick) March 2, 2024However, Lonergan argues that their impact has been somewhat overstated.“While digital investment platforms and robo advisors have rapidly gained traction among individual investors, they have not disintermediated traditional advisory channels so much as expanded the front door for retail engagement,” he says, referring to industry analysis suggesting that around 85% of Singapore investors have used digital wealth services and nearly 60% use robo advisory platforms as part of their investment journey.“They have not displaced private banks for meaningful AUM accumulation,” he adds. “Many investors begin on apps but still turn to human advisers for broader planning, risk profiling and long-term allocation decisions.” This article was written by Paul Golden at www.financemagnates.com.