Christopher Nelson-Smith has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer at Blueberry Markets. He shared the update on LinkedIn today (Friday). He previously served as Head of Trading and Operations at Blueberry Markets for one year and seven months.Join IG, CMC, and Robinhood in London’s leading trading industry event!He wrote on his post: “I’ve officially stepped into the role of Chief Operating Officer at Blueberry Markets.”Former Vantage Executive Joins Blueberry MarketsBefore joining Blueberry, Nelson-Smith spent about eight years at Vantage. He held several positions, including Director for nearly a year, overseeing liquidity, corporate relations, and compliance management. He also served as Global Head of Risk for nearly eight years, responsible for risk management, trading operations, and internal controls. He briefly worked as a Senior Trader for four months.Leadership Roles Held at VT MarketsNelson-Smith also held leadership roles at VT Markets as Director for almost four years, focusing on client relations, operational efficiency, and risk management in Australia. Earlier, he worked at GAIN Capital as Senior Market Maker for just over four years, managing market-making processes and risk across FX, equities, commodities, and other instruments. He began his career at City Index as a Dealer for over four years in London.Blueberry Integrates cTrader Platform Following RebrandBlueberry has partnered with Spotware to integrate the cTrader platform into its offering. The move is part of a broader multi-platform strategy, following a recent rebrand that included a new logo, updated typography, and redesigned websites. The refreshed design will extend across trading platforms, educational content, and social media.The cTrader platform offers features for manual, copy, and algorithmic trading, including cBots, cloud execution, and API access. It also supports Level II pricing, order protection, trade receipts, and advanced charting. The platform is available on web, desktop, Mac, and mobile in 23 languages. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Hantec Trader, global broker-backed prop trading firm, has introduced two newly upgradedprop trading programs—EnhancedX and Instant Lite—as part of its expanding product portfolio. Alongside these new offerings, the company has also revamped its payout cycle, ensuring traders receive their earnings more quickly and conveniently to further boost their prop trading experience. In response to increasing demand, Hantec Trader has introduced two new trader-first prop programs designed to lower the barriers to entry, offering an easier and more flexible way for traders to access funded accounts. The updates align with Hantec Trader’s mission to make funded trading accessible and adaptable for all, featuring lower profit targets for uninterrupted trading and even greater flexibility.Alongside these new programs, Hantec Trader has also revamped its payout structure, now enabling traders to access accelerated payouts. Now, payouts occur every 14 days (down from 30), or every 7 days with an add-on option. Additionally, first payout on demand is available for select programs, providing even more flexibility for traders to access their rewards faster.“EnhancedX and Instant Lite are designed with one goal in mind: to make funded trading more accessible and rewarding for traders at every level. These programs reflect our commitment to removing entry barriers to funded trading and providing prop traders with the tools they need to succeed,” Bashaar Gokal, Director of Operations at Hantec Trader said. He added, “The feedback we've received from our community has been invaluable. Traders have expressed a desire for faster payouts, lower profit targets and more straightforward paths to funding. By listening to their needs and continuously evolving our offerings, we aim to provide flexible, trader-first solutions that can help our community unlock their full potential and achieve their trading goals.”Both the newly introduced programs and faster payouts are now live for prop traders to avail.About Hantec TraderHantec Trader is a proprietary trading firm providing access to a range of different prop or funded trading programs. The firm enables traders to trade balances up to $200,000 with market-like execution, and earn up to 90% reward split, without having to risk their own capital. Hantec Trader is a broker-backed prop firm and part of the global and multi-regulated conglomerate Hantec Group. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Donald Trump’s pardon of Changpeng Zhao (aka “CZ”) signals more than forgiveness, it broadcasts a new era of crypto-friendliness and raises questions about influence.The Pardon: A Clean Slate for CZYesterday, the White House announced that President Trump had granted a full pardon to Changpeng Zhao, CZ, founder of the mega-exchange Binance. Zhao had pleaded guilty in 2023 to failing to maintain an effective anti-money-laundering program. As Reuters noted, “In a statement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said [Trump] had ‘exercised his constitutional authority by issuing a pardon for Mr Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency.’” Binance paid about $4.3 billion to resolve U.S. Justice Department claims.Zhao also personally served nearly four months in prison. In his post-pardon remarks, Zhao wrote: “Deeply grateful … to President Trump … Will do everything we can to help make America the Capital of Crypto.”Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao has received a pardon from President Donald Trump after he went to jail for failing to safeguard the world’s largest crypto exchange against money laundering https://t.co/dpQnCmiwBu— Bloomberg (@business) October 23, 2025Trump’s Crypto Narrative: What He’s Saying and WhyTrump frames the pardon as a correction of regulatory overreach. The White House line: Zhao was targeted unfairly, the previous administration was hostile to crypto, and now the “war on crypto is over.” This plays well with a key audience: cryptocurrency firms, digital-asset investors and business allies who felt under siege.The pardon fits into a broader trend of Trump granting clemency to high-profile business figures. Earlier in 2025, he pardoned the founders of crypto exchange BitMEX, who faced anti-money-laundering charges, and Nikola’s founder, convicted of fraud. He also commuted the sentence of a former executive from the defunct media company Ozy Media. But there’s a second layer: the connections between Zhao, Binance and Trump’s own crypto-adjacent ventures. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump’s own crypto initiatives were being administered by Binance. Bottom line: it’s not only a pardon, it’s a policy pivot, packaged with spectacle and what seems like a case of “You help me, I’ll help you”.Criticisms of the PardonCriticism of the pardon has been swift and pointed. Senator Elizabeth Warren blasted the move as evidence of corruption, saying that allowing Changpeng Zhao to receive a full pardon sends the wrong message about accountability in the crypto industry. She flagged concerns that the pardon undermines trust in the rule of law and raises troubling questions about whether the powerful and well-connected are held to different standards.Changpeng Zhao is comically corrupt. And he just successfully won a pardon from Trump by boosting the Trump family crypto coin. I mean, this is a months-long scandal in any other normal administration. pic.twitter.com/zMsN8VDZo9— Isaac Saul (@Ike_Saul) October 23, 2025What It Might Mean for the Crypto IndustryOpportunity Knocks?With the conviction removed, Zhao, and by extension Binance, may face fewer barriers to re-engagement in the U.S. market. The conviction was a major strategic obstacle. The signal to industry: “We’re open for business, big business.” The ruling could ease licensing, banking relations and regulatory friction.Regulatory Loosening?The move might foreshadow a lighter touch from regulators. If the top target gets a pardon, what does that say about policy posture? Crypto firms may interpret this as a green light to accelerate growth, less wary of enforcement.Accountability QuestionsOf course, the flip side: when a convicted executive gets off, what does enforcement mean? Critics will ask: Are rules still rules? Or is it now about who you know? Trust in the system may take a hit if pardons look selective.What It Says About Trump’s StrategyThis isn’t just about crypto, it’s about power, alliances and branding. By pardoning CZ, Trump demonstrates that major business figures can become allies. He signals to donors and sectors that support him: you align with me, I align with you. Also, it reinforces his image as unconventional, willing to overturn conventions. For better or worse.Tech Valley and its team extend their warmest congratulations to Mr. Changpeng Zhao @cz_binance on receiving a Presidential Pardon from His Excellency President Donald Trump.This milestone marks a historic turning point in the evolution of the digital assets industry restoring… pic.twitter.com/wzHT5ZjZLl— Tech Valley (@TechValleyUAE) October 23, 2025What to Watch NextA U.S. push: Will Binance roll out new services, re-entry strategies or major partnerships now that Zhao’s legal cloud is lifted?Regulator movement: Will this signal a wave of reduced enforcement? Will other crypto executives assume pardons or leniency is on the table?Market reaction: Look out for increased volatility in crypto as participants recalibrate around regulation risk.Political optics & conflict of interest: Given the overlap of business, politics and regulation, will critics dig into the timing, the connections and the precedent?Federal enforcement doctrine: Is this a one-off gesture or part of a broader regulatory philosophy shift?Final TakeThe pardon of Changpeng Zhao by President Trump is more than a legal reset—it’s a power move. It tells the crypto industry: you matter. It tells regulators: the enforcement era has changed. And it tells observers: business, politics and innovation are converging in bold, messy ways. Whether that convergence leads to sustainable growth or unchecked risk remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: the rules of the crypto game might just be changing.For more stories around the edges of crypto and fintech, visit our Trending pages. This article was written by Louis Parks at www.financemagnates.com.

Cryptocurrency moves at speed, with news, sentiment and speculation able to attract significant price swings in minutes, traders and analysts are always seeking early signs of the next bull run. Another metric that is gaining ground is search interest volume - in particular, via tools such as Google Trends. Will the surges in search volume for keywords such as Bitcoin price, cryptocurrency prices, or even more general finance-related topics indicate a market boom before it even occurs? It is a great concept, and the one that is worth exploring.Measuring Market Sentiment Through Search DataThe data snapshots offer a crucial understanding of how he retail market thinks. When focus evolves into a time-sensitive action, there is a tendency to record ‘search volume’ spikes, which denote a certain level of thrill, panic, or purchasing intent. In August, for instance, the cryptocurrency market dipped in value by 1.7% because of an unexpected increase in the Producer Price Index, while Bitcoin dropped to 57.3% dominance and Ethereum surged above 14.2%, suggesting a shift to altcoins on optimism of a possible Fed rate cut, according to Binance. Ethereum continues to be the most acquired digital asset by Corporate Treasuries, with a total of 4.44 million Ether, representing 3.67% of the total supply. All of these data points lead to certain patterns in ‘search behavior,’ as retail participants seemed to respond to these active market shifts. Retail participants used to be able to see these patterns first, and then Google Trends would temporarily spike because of the price change. The data is highly correlated, but the relationship is very inaccurate; moves in interest rates or expectations for the market do not guarantee price rebounds, and the data available is more about the behavior of the market than what the market is actually doing.Is Search Data Even Reliable?Various searches come with several caveats to search trends as a forecasting tool. Negative headlines might cause just as much increase in search volume as positive sentiment, perhaps irrelevant fear-promoting rumours, hacks, or regulatory crackdowns. These reactive surges can be associated with price declines as opposed to price peaks. In addition, search data are not granular; Google Trends provides relative scores instead of absolute volumes, and demographics or geographies can bias the image. That is not the start of the rabbit hole; even algorithm modifications, events in the world, or even memes spreading like a virus can all distort search behaviour in a manner that bears little to do with real market fundamentals.Search Data and Market SignalsSo, how do we reconcile the two? That's something we'll look into further now. Consider Google Trends as a two-way flow system, not the most effective one, but sensitive about creating awareness. An abrupt increase in search interest can lead traders to take a closer look, which could prove whether new momentum can be recharged. But true confidence is when these signals come together; a rise in the volume of search is accompanied by the rising ETF flows, institutional treasury activity, or even good regulation, which provides a more comprehensive view.The Limits of Prediction and Need for ContextIt is imperative to keep in mind that no one point in the data set is able to project the next move of the market perfectly. The beauty of the search data is that it is immediate, and at the same time, it is noisy and can overreact. The danger with traders who need to make purely search-driven moves is that they are likely to fall into hype and turn quickly. The wiser bet is to regard search data as a canary--not a roadmap--and put significant weight on data derived on the basis of financial flows and market structure, such as those frequently synthesised through platforms such as Binance.A Moderate Approach to ForecastingThere is potential and danger in the dynamic between Google Trends and Bitcoin. Search data gives us an observation of what constitutes the mass mind, that which is, in a way, prophetic, but in general, is lagging. Combined with substantive indicators, ETF flows, treasury distributions, and macro liquidity patterns, the picture can be discerned. The bill run in the future might well be heralded by a network of indicators: the characteristic harsh whisper of increasing searches, which are justified and magnified by the flows of capital and structural changes.Although search interest does not clearly foresee the next bull run, it is still a useful fragment of the puzzle. When used carefully and in combination with data provided by reputable sources such as the Binance Insights Hub, it may be able to assist in shedding some light on the early foundations of the possible turning points of the market. Context is king in the constantly shifting world of crypto, and signals are best seen when they converge. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Dubai, UAE – October 2025 – Kama Capital, a leading global brokerage firm, will be showcasing its advanced institutional solutions and liquidity offerings at iFX EXPO Asia 2025, one of the most influential gatherings in the global financial and fintech calendar. With the theme “Where Liquidity Meets Power,” Kama Capital will highlight its commitment to delivering institutional-grade liquidity, advanced connectivity, and robust trading infrastructure designed to meet the evolving needs of brokers, hedge funds, and professional traders worldwide. “Our focus remains on building precision and speed into every aspect of institutional trading,” said Razan Assaf, Deputy CEO of Kama Capital. “At iFX EXPO Asia 2025, we aim to connect with key partners and showcase how our liquidity and technology infrastructure empower institutions to scale with confidence.” Expanding Institutional Capabilities Kama Capital’s participation in the event marks a significant step in its regional and global expansion strategy. The firm continues to strengthen its position as a trusted brokerage partner with multi-asset liquidity across FX, commodities, indices, equities, and crypto CFDs – all powered by advanced FIX API integrations and ultra-low latency execution. The company’s institutional services also emphasize customized liquidity solutions, risk management tools, and AI-powered analytics to help clients make smarter, faster decisions in dynamic market conditions.Regulatory Confidence and Global Reach Headquartered in UAE, Kama Capital operates under multiple regulatory frameworks including the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the Financial Services Commission (Mauritius), and the Financial Services Authority (SVG) – combining regional strength with international reach. This ensures that every partnership is built on a foundation of trust, compliance, and transparency. Commitment to Innovation In addition to institutional offerings, Kama Capital continues to invest in cutting-edge trading technologies and market insights, enhancing user experience through multilingual support and localized engagement. The company’s participation in iFX EXPO Asia 2025 reinforces its mission to connect liquidity with power – merging speed, technology, and precision under trusted brand. “At Kama Capital, we believe in building partnerships, not just platforms,” said Dane Baker, Chief Commercial Officer at Kama Capital. “iFX EXPO Asia is a key opportunity for us to connect with institutional traders, brokers, and industry leaders – sharing our insights on liquidity management, execution technology and how innovation continues to redefine institutional trading.” Visit Kama Capital at Booth 34 Attendees of iFX EXPO Asia 2025 are invited to visit Kama Capital’s Booth 34 to meet the team and explore the firm’s institutional services, liquidity solutions, and partnership programs. About Kama Capital Kama Capital is a global brokerage partner offering institutional and retail client’s access to multi-asset trading, advanced technology, and transparent execution under one roof. The company provides liquidity and technology infrastructure tailored to brokers, hedge funds, and professional traders seeking reliability, innovation, and growth. Where Liquidity Meets Power This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Polymarket traders have raised the probability of former FTX Chief Executive Sam Bankman-Fried receiving a presidential pardon this year to 12%. The shift follows the recent decision to pardon Binance Chief Executive Changpeng Zhao.Digital assets meet tradfi in London at the fmls25Trump defended Zhao’s pardon, saying he had been informed that the Binance founder’s conduct “was not even a crime” and that he had been “persecuted by the Biden administration.”Polymarket Bets Double on Bankman-Fried PardonData from Polymarket shows that odds in the market titled “Who will Trump pardon in 2025” climbed from 5.6% to 12% within half a day. The total amount wagered in that market has surpassed $6.5 million, with roughly $302,000 staked on Bankman-Fried, Cointelegraph reported.Sam Bankman-Freed? pic.twitter.com/caNQ5udKBz— Polymarket (@Polymarket) October 23, 2025In a separate Polymarket contract on whether Bankman-Fried will be “Released from custody in 2025,” expectations briefly rose from 4.3% to 19.1% before stabilizing around 15.5%.Bankman-Fried is serving a 25-year sentence for fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. His appeal remains pending, but legal experts say no major ruling is expected this year. As a result, a presidential pardon is seen as his only potential avenue for early release before January.Trump justified his pardon of @cz_binance, stating his belief that Zhao "wasn't guilty" and was a victim of political "persecution by the Biden administration." https://t.co/iXTlKH5lKb pic.twitter.com/5Ijme3iqbg— Karan Singh Arora (@thisisksa) October 24, 2025Comparisons Emerge Between Zhao and Bankman-FriedZhao’s pardon has prompted debate over whether Bankman-Fried should receive similar leniency. Observers have compared their cases, noting that Zhao’s offenses involved breaches of U.S. Anti-Money Laundering laws, while Bankman-Fried was convicted of misappropriating billions in customer funds. Zhao received a four-month sentence, whereas Bankman-Fried was handed a 25-year term in 2024.Crypto attorney Jake Chervinsky said he would be “truly shocked” if the Trump administration granted clemency to Bankman-Fried, citing his role as a “Democratic mega-donor” before FTX collapsed in late 2022. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

With Cross River’s industry-leading infrastructure, Transak scales its fiat-to-crypto on/off ramp services.Transak, the global payments infrastructure provider for crypto and stablecoins, today announced a strategic agreement with Cross River Bank (“Cross River”), a technology infrastructure provider that offers embedded financial solutions, to leverage Cross River’s fiat payment capabilities, scaling Transak’s fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat on/off ramp services.Through this collaboration, Cross River will facilitate fiat payment processing for Transak, including ACH, wire transfers, and instant payment rails such as RTP and FedNow. Transak also utilizes real-time transaction visibility via Cross River’s fully routable, subledgers. By integrating these services, Transak can deliver faster settlement times, greater reliability, and innovative payment experiences for millions of users worldwide.“This is a foundational step toward making stablecoin and crypto access as intuitive and compliant as online banking,” said Sami Start, Co-founder and CEO of Transak. “Cross River’s API-first infrastructure and regulatory footprint perfectly complement Transak’s global reach and crypto-native compliance systems.”As a leader in instant payments, Cross River is among the top processors of RTP and FedNow transactions and continues to pioneer new capabilities, including Request for Payment (RfP). More broadly, the Bank has powered over 1 billion payment transactions across its platform since inception, underscoring its scale and reliability.“Cross River has always been at the forefront of embedded finance, shaping how money moves in a digital-first world,” said Adam Goller, Chief Fintech Officer at Cross River. “Our collaboration with Transak brings together regulated banking rails and modern crypto infrastructure, underscoring our mission to advance financial services through innovation, compliance, and scale. As a leader in instant payments, we’re proud to leverage our proven infrastructure to power Transak’s efforts to onboard the next generation of crypto users.”Transak’s infrastructure, already integrated with 450+ applications, including MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Ledger Live, and many others, is one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly crypto onboarding infrastructures. Through this collaboration with Cross River, Transak brings deep crypto-native compliance (including user KYC, wallet KYB, and AML checks), while Cross River powers the fiat payment integration with its API-driven, compliant banking core. Together, the companies are empowering businesses, developers, and end-users to interact with crypto confidently and efficiently.Transak holds Money Transmitter Licenses (MTLs) across the U.S., and is licensed or registered in Canada, UK, EU, Australia, and India, with UAE and Hong Kong next in line. The company is now positioned to serve as the stablecoin on/off-ramp infrastructure for cross-border platforms, wallets, and financial apps.About TransakTransak is the payments infrastructure for stablecoins and crypto. With its Virtual Account APIs and compliance-ready rails, Transak enables apps to onboard users, facilitate cross-border payments, and support multi-party payment flows, natively within their platforms.Integrated by 450+ apps and used by over 10 million users globally, Transak powers fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat transactions through bank transfers, cards, local payment methods, and stablecoins.Transak operates globally, with a base in Miami and offices in London, Bengaluru, Dubai, and Hong Kong.Learn more at https://transak.com or follow us on X and LinkedIn. About Cross RiverCross River provides technology infrastructure powering the future of financial services. Leveraging its proprietary real-time banking core, Cross River delivers innovative and scalable embedded payments, cards, lending, and crypto solutions to millions of consumers and businesses. Cross River is backed by leading investors and serves the world’s most essential fintech and technology companies. Leading the industry, Cross River is reshaping global finance and financial inclusion. Member FDIC. Find out more at https://www.crossriver.com. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Investors in Belgium are facing renewed scam attempts as fraudsters refine their tactics and pose as legitimate financial firms to lure victims into risky or fake investments.Join IG, CMC, and Robinhood at London’s leading trading industry event!The Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) has issued a fresh warning to the public after detecting new unauthorized activity targeting Belgian residents.FSMA Flags Two Suspected Boiler RoomsThe FSMA flagged North Star Management Japan and Part Capital as firms approaching Belgian consumers without authorization to provide investment services. The watchdog urged the public to avoid engaging with these entities and not to transfer any funds linked to them.According to the FSMA, both companies display characteristics of boiler rooms – operations that contact individuals without prior request, often with the promise of lucrative investment opportunities.Boiler rooms usually reach potential victims by phone or email, pitching shares and other investments that allegedly generate fast returns. The schemes have diversified in recent years, now extending to investment advice, managed accounts, term deposits, and crowdfunding-style products.Victims often see early gains on small initial investments, only to be pressured into increasing the amounts. When they later request withdrawals, access to funds becomes conditional on further payments or the investments suddenly “lose value.” In most cases, the money is never recovered.You may also find interesting: FSMA Reports €15.9 Million in H2 Fraud Losses and 297 Warnings in 2024The tactic of applying psychological pressure to secure more payments is what inspired the term “boiler room.”Red Flags and How to Stay SafeThe FSMA reminded consumers that professional-looking websites or documentation do not guarantee legitimacy. Many scams imitate licensed firms or clone their identities, including email formats and branding.The regulator advised investors to verify a provider’s authorization status through the FSMA’s “Check your provider” tool. A lack of a warning on the FSMA website does not confirm a firm’s legitimacy, as some fraudulent operators avoid detection for a period and frequently rebrand.The FSMA highlighted the need for caution when: receiving unsolicited investment proposals, being asked to transfer funds abroad with no clear business link, and being confronted with unusually high return promises or payout conditions tied to extra fees or “taxes.”Anyone uncertain about the legitimacy of an investment offer is encouraged to contact the regulator via its consumer contact form. The FSMA also welcomes reports of suspicious firms that have not yet appeared on its warning list. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

B2C2, the institutional crypto liquidity provider acquired by Japanese SBI, has launched a new platform designed to simplify cross-chain stablecoin transfers and reduce operational risks. The aim is to provide continuous liquidity across major digital assets through the new offering. Join buy-side heads of FX in London at fmls25 PENNY Targets Stablecoin FragmentationAccording to the company, the growing number of stablecoins and blockchains has made liquidity management complex for banks, payment firms, and exchanges. Dubbed PENNY, the new service allows institutions to swap stablecoins instantly, reportedly without fees. It supports automatic swaps between six major stablecoins, USDT, USDC, USDG, RLUSD, PYUSD, and AUSD, on Ethereum, Tron, Solana, and Layer-2 networks.The platform executes trades and settles them simultaneously on-chain, cutting counterparty and operational risks. It runs 24/7 and plans to add support for additional stablecoins based on market demand."PENNY is a strategic step forward for B2C2," commented Thomas Restout, Group CEO. "Stablecoins have outgrown the crypto trading use case. As traditional financial institutions and corporates increasingly adopt stablecoin payment rails, PENNY offers them valuable infrastructure for real-time execution and settlement, without the risks of network fragmentation or the friction and high costs of trading on exchanges."B2C2’s Market RoleRegulatory clarity in the US, EU, and Asia has encouraged banks and fintechs to explore stablecoins for payments and treasury operations. Citigroup projects the market could rise from $300 billion in 2025 to $4 trillion by 2030.You may also like: RADEX MARKETS Names Scope Markets’ Alum Ahmad Aljebouri as Chief Technology OfficerFounded in 2015, B2C2 has facilitated $2 trillion in digital asset trading and processes $1 billion in stablecoins daily. Its global network spans regulated entities across the Americas, Europe, and APAC. The majority of the firm is owned by the Japanese financial group SBI, which provides 24/7 execution and institutional-grade pricing.PENNY positions B2C2 to support a growing institutional demand for fast, low-risk stablecoin transfers and cross-chain liquidity. More recently, Japan’s SBI Securities introduced cryptocurrency contracts for difference (CFDs), marking its first crypto offering on the platform. The broker, traditionally focused on mainstream assets, now provides CFDs on major digital currencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Dogecoin, with trading available over the weekend.To support the new service, SBI Securities appointed B2C2 as its primary liquidity provider for crypto CFDs. SBI Securities is part of the wider SBI Group, which owns a 90% stake in B2C2. Crypto CFDs allow traders to speculate on price movements with leverage, taking long or short positions without owning the underlying assets, eliminating the need for custody. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Cryptocurrency use in the United States has grown over the past year, but concerns over fraud and trust continue to dominate. New research from Sumsub, a global verification and anti-fraud firm, shows that one in three Americans have either experienced or know someone affected by crypto-related scams.Widespread Adoption, Persistent RiskAccording to Sumsub’s survey, 36% of U.S. adults used or interacted with cryptocurrency in the past 12 months. Younger users are leading this adoption but also face higher exposure to scams. Nearly half of Gen Z, at 46%, and Millennials, at 49%, reported direct or indirect experience with fraud.Digital assets meet tradfi in London at the fmls25The most common schemes include social engineering, Ponzi schemes, and fake giveaways, each cited by about 30% of respondents. Phishing, impersonation, fake airdrops, wallet draining, and rug pulls were also frequently reported. Synthetic identity fraud, often involving AI-generated deepfakes or forged documents, affected 35% of respondents, with nearly one in five personally targeted.Sumsub’s internal data shows that synthetic identity document fraud in the U.S. increased by more than 300% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Deepfake-related fraud rose by 700% during the same timeframe.Financial Impact and AccountabilityAmong those affected by online or crypto scams, the average loss from the most severe incident was about 3,300 dollars. When asked who should be responsible for recovering the funds, 33% said platforms should bear the cost, while 20% believed individuals should absorb the losses themselves.Declining Trust and Demand for OversightDespite growing participation, trust in cryptocurrency platforms remains low compared to traditional financial institutions. Only 26% of respondents expressed greater confidence in crypto services, while 54% said they trust them less, including 41% who said much less.Most respondents support stronger regulatory measures. Three in five favor government regulation of crypto platforms, including proposed laws such as the GENIUS Act and the Clarity for Payment Stablecoins Act. Both bills aim to create clear frameworks for stablecoin issuance and enhance consumer protection against fraud. Support for these measures is highest among people who have encountered scams.AI-Related ConcernsFraud driven by artificial intelligence has also drawn public attention. About 69% of respondents agreed that companies developing generative AI should be held accountable if their technology is misused to commit fraud. This survey of 2,000 U.S. adults was conducted during the first week of September this year. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

US President Donald Trump has granted a pardon to Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, a White House official confirmed today (Thursday), Reuters reported.The pardon allows Zhao to return to the business he created. He has served a four-month prison sentence as ordered by a US judge. It remains unclear whether Zhao will actually return to Binance or take a different path in the crypto industry.Digital assets meet tradfi in London at the fmls25White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Trump had "exercised his constitutional authority by issuing a pardon for Mr. Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency."Binance Ends Multi-Year Misconduct InvestigationZhao, who founded Binance in 2017, previously stepped down as chief executive when the company reached a $4.3 billion settlement with US authorities. The settlement concluded a multi-year investigation into alleged misconduct at Binance, then the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.BREAKING: Donald Trump has pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, whose crypto exchange has been boosting the Trump family’s own crypto venture, WSJ reports.The most corrupt president in history. pic.twitter.com/llQieMuzYs— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) October 23, 2025Executives Receive Pardons Under Trump AdministrationThis decision is part of a broader pattern of pardons issued by Trump to executives convicted of crimes. Earlier in 2025, he pardoned the founders of crypto exchange BitMEX over anti-money laundering violations and the founder of Nikola, who had been convicted of fraud. He also commuted the sentence of a former executive of the now-defunct media company Ozy Media.Our whitelist is already a massive success! Thousands of people have joined, and we’re just getting started. Don’t miss your chance to be part of something revolutionary. https://t.co/SG2ui5XCyB pic.twitter.com/ZdLsqZ8eyH— WLFI (@worldlibertyfi) October 1, 2024Binance in Talks with Trump Family Crypto VentureBinance is reportedly in discussions to list a dollar-pegged stablecoin linked to the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial venture. Representatives of the exchange have also met with US Treasury officials to discuss oversight matters.While neither Binance nor Zhao have confirmed any business deal, earlier reports indicated that Trump family representatives explored acquiring a stake in Binance.US. Key figures in World Liberty Financial include Donald Trump and his sons, who hold advisory and promotional roles in the project. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Seychelles-based brokerage firm RADEX MARKETS has appointed Ahmad Aljebouri as its Chief Technology Officer. Aljebouri has more than 12 years of experience in financial technology and trading system development.Join IG, CMC, and Robinhood at London’s leading trading industry eventFocus on System Architecture and Security He has held senior technology positions across the brokerage and fintech sector, leading teams responsible for building and maintaining trading infrastructure. As CTO, he will reportedly oversee the broker’s global technology strategy, including developing system architecture, improving security frameworks, and advancing the firm’s digital initiatives.More recently, Aljebouri served as the Head of Operations at Zeal Group, the company operating the ZFX and Traze online brokerage brands. Based in Cyprus, Aljebouri spent nearly two years at Zeal Group. Before joining the firm, he worked at Scope Markets for almost six years, first as the Head of Operations and later serving as the Group Head of Front Office Operations.Extensive Experience in the Trading Technology SpacePraising his achievements, Henry Huang, Director and Head of Marketing at RADEX MARKETS, commented: “His proven track record in financial technology and his deep understanding of trading systems make him the ideal leader to guide our technology vision forward. Ahmad's expertise will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and expand our technological capabilities.”You may also find interesting: B2Prime Appoints Emanuel Georgouras as CRO, Bringing Two Decades of FX ExperienceRADEX MARKETS is a Seychelles-based forex and CFD broker operating under GO Markets International Ltd. It offers access to forex, metals, indices, and share CFDs.In another executive move involving Scope Markets, Jacob Plattner, former CEO of the brokerage brand until 2023, recently co-founded a new brokerage firm called Azul Markets. The company operates under a license from the Financial Services Commission in Mauritius. Plattner’s return to the brokerage industry with this new venture is notable, given his previous leadership role at Scope Markets.Azul Markets focuses on providing direct market access and trading instruments tailored for professional clients. Its target audience includes brokerages, fund managers, liquidity providers, and institutional traders. The project team also includes Andrzej Draniewicz, who has held executive positions at FXPRIMUS and XM. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Starting as a new Chief Compliance Officer is like being handed the keys to a complex machine that’s already running at full speed—though perhaps in the wrong direction. You must quickly learn how every part functions, identify what needs fixing, and adjust course without shutting down the operation or losing momentum. The pressure is immediate, and a single misstep can undermine months of relationship-building.Those first 90 days don’t just shape your compliance program—they define how the entire organization views compliance itself. Move too fast, too rigidly, or without context, and you risk being labeled as the “department of no” before you’ve even earned a seat at the table.Join IG, CMC, and Robinhood in London’s leading trading industry event!Through conversations with experienced CCOs across advisory, private equity, and asset management firms, five recurring pitfalls emerge—each with lessons from those who’ve learned to navigate them effectively.Pitfall #1: Racing to Make Changes Without Understanding the BusinessThe urge to take immediate action is strong. After all, you were hired to strengthen compliance. But diving into audits, rewriting policies, or replacing systems before understanding how the business truly operates is the fastest route to confusion and resistance.Every firm has its own informal hierarchies, communication habits, and cultural norms. Failing to grasp these can turn well-intended reforms into operational bottlenecks—or worse, alienate the very people whose cooperation you need.The fix: Slow down and listen first. Spend the first month observing how things actually get done. Understand who the key influencers are and what the existing compliance culture looks like. The goal isn’t to delay action—it’s to ensure that when you act, it’s aligned with the business reality you’re stepping into.Pitfall #2: Treating Compliance as a Solo MissionCompliance may sit under your name, but it can’t succeed in isolation. Some new CCOs focus solely on crafting impeccable policies or perfecting oversight frameworks while overlooking the human side—relationship-building, trust, and internal advocacy.Without allies, compliance becomes something people tolerate rather than support. The absence of buy-in ensures that even the most robust program will struggle in practice.The fix: Frame compliance as partnership, not policing. Build early credibility by helping other teams achieve their goals safely. As one CCO put it, “It always circles back to taking care of our clients.” When people see compliance as essential to that shared mission, cooperation follows naturally.Pitfall #3: Assuming What Worked Before Will Work AgainEach firm is a unique ecosystem. Strategies that worked in your previous role might not translate to the new one. Relying on old playbooks can blind you to specific risks or cultural nuances that require fresh thinking.Compliance is inherently adaptive—it must evolve alongside shifting regulations, technologies, and business models. Bringing a rigid mindset into a dynamic environment risks both oversight gaps and missed opportunities.The fix: Stay curious and flexible. Use your experience as a guide, not a template. Ask open questions, test assumptions, and look for blind spots. The best compliance programs are not imported—they’re built, layer by layer, to fit the contours of each organization.Pitfall #4: Overlooking the Technology FoundationManual monitoring and fragmented systems can quickly overwhelm even the most capable compliance teams. Yet, many CCOs delay technology assessments, seeing them as secondary to “more urgent” tasks.That’s a costly mistake. Firms today manage sprawling communication networks—Slack, WhatsApp, Teams, Signal, text, social media, and more. Without integrated surveillance and automation tools, data review becomes unmanageable, and critical red flags can slip through.The fix: Make technology evaluation a Day 1 priority. Whether it’s automated supervision, intelligent risk detection, or unified message capture, the right systems multiply your effectiveness. They free up bandwidth for strategic oversight instead of manual firefighting.Pitfall #5: Swinging Too Far Toward Either ExtremeIt’s easy to overcorrect—either by enforcing rigid rules that choke productivity or by being overly lenient to avoid friction. Both extremes create long-term vulnerabilities.The best compliance leaders understand that control and flexibility aren’t opposites; they coexist. Sustainable compliance frameworks protect the firm while supporting its people and goals.The fix: Find balance. Strong oversight doesn’t have to mean red tape. The aim is not to slow the business down, but to ensure it can move forward safely. Compliance should be an enabler of growth, not a barrier to it.The Path ForwardThese pitfalls are not inevitable. The CCOs who thrive share key traits: they listen before acting, collaborate instead of dictating, tailor strategies to their environment, invest in technology early, and keep the bigger purpose in view.Ultimately, compliance leadership isn’t about policy enforcement—it’s about cultural transformation. Your first 90 days are your chance to set that tone, to demonstrate that compliance can be both strategic and supportive.As regulations tighten and technologies evolve, the complexity will only increase. But the mission remains the same: building a culture where compliance strengthens, rather than hinders, business success. This article was written by Jamie Hoyle at www.financemagnates.com.

Polymarket, a prediction market platform, is holding early discussions with investors about a potential funding round. The startup could be valued between $12 billion and $15 billion, up sharply from four months ago, Bloomberg reported. Digital assets meet tradfi in London at the fmls25Polymarket’s main competitor, Kalshi, is also attracting investor interest. Offers could value Kalshi at over $10 billion, more than doubling its prior valuation. Both companies have seen rising trading volumes. During the week ending Oct. 19, combined trading surpassed $2 billion, exceeding the previous peak during last year’s US presidential election.Previous Funding and InvestmentsIn June, it raised $200 million in a round led by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, valuing the company at $1 billion. Earlier this month, Intercontinental Exchange Inc. said it would invest up to $2 billion at a valuation of about $8 billion. Polymarket declined to comment on the latest talks.?BREAKING:POLYMARKET IS SEEKING FUNDING AT A VALUATION OF UP TO $15B! pic.twitter.com/wsbsrOCAG0— Crypto Rover (@cryptorover) October 23, 2025Partnerships and Market ExpansionWall Street firms and gambling companies have shown interest in the platforms. Polymarket will act as a clearinghouse for DraftKings in its entry into prediction markets. The National Hockey League has signed multiyear deals with Polymarket and Kalshi, becoming the first major US sports league to partner with the platforms.Regulatory UncertaintyRegulatory uncertainty remains. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has allowed Kalshi to open new markets. State gaming regulators have challenged some activities in court. Legal questions remain over market manipulation and insider trading.Polymarket and Kalshi Draw Investor InterestKalshi has become the largest player in regulated prediction markets, accounting for about 62–65% of sector trading volume in mid-October, according to Dune Analytics. During the same period, Polymarket held roughly 35–37% of volume. Kalshi’s markets see faster turnover, while Polymarket’s positions tend to remain open longer. Differences reflect each platform’s structure and regulatory environment, with Kalshi operating under US oversight and Polymarket primarily serving international users through blockchain-based contracts. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Prop trading firm targeting institutional clients, Raen Trading, has launched a worldwide trader recruitment program and chosen the Trading Technologies platform as the core system for its open tryouts, giving aspiring traders access to tools used on professional trading desks.Join buy-side heads of FX in London at fmls25Program Targets Undiscovered Trading TalentThe firm’s Talent Scouting program invites individuals from any location to demonstrate their ability in futures markets and compete for a place at the proprietary trading firm. Participants will reportedly train and trade on the same platform that Raen’s professionals use, offering a direct route into a structured trading environment.The program invites traders worldwide to compete for a place at the proprietary firm. Raen Trading wants to spot promising individuals early and give them tools that match real-world trading desks. Participants will train and trade on the same platform that the firm’s professionals already use.The format resembles a global audition. Anyone who believes they can trade futures markets can join, operate on institutional-grade software, and be assessed on performance, the announcement noted. Raen Trading aims to smooth the transition from at-home trading to a structured professional environment.Keep reading: Trading Technologies Enables Access to UK Crypto Derivatives Exchange GFO-XRyan Wright, Chief Executive of Raen Trading, explained the rationale for building the initiative around the TT platform. "TT sets the standard for professional trading infrastructure. It's what we rely on at Raen Trading, and it's the natural choice for the open tryouts. If we're serious about developing world-class traders, they need access to the same institutional platform our team uses," he said. Elevating the Path to the Trading DeskTT delivers execution, order management, data, analytics, surveillance, and risk tools across more than 100 markets. In 2024, the platform processed over 2.8 billion transactions, reflecting its presence in banks, brokers, funds, and proprietary trading firms.Raen Trading sees the initiative as an on-ramp for traders who lack institutional access. The partnership narrows the gap between independent trading and structured prop-firm careers by offering technology normally reserved for larger financial players.The launch aligns with a broader shift in the industry, where prop firms are increasingly seeking new ways to source, test, and develop talent beyond traditional recruitment channels.More recently, following the platform's official launch, Trading Technologies enabled client access to GFO-X, the UK’s regulated and centrally cleared digital asset derivatives exchange. The exchange targets institutional users and operates under a regulated framework with central clearing. Trading Technologies integrated its global platform with GFO-X. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

FBS, a leading global broker, has released a new market analysis highlighting how financial markets are adapting to the ongoing US government shutdown that began in early October 2025. With key economic data, including CPI, NFP, and inflation reports, temporarily frozen, the Federal Reserve is operating without its usual indicators, leaving traders to interpret markets on their own. According to FBS analysts, this rare information blackout hasn’t removed liquidity, it has only made it invisible. The global M2 liquidity index remains elevated across the US, Europe, Japan, China, and the UK, but it is increasingly disconnected from official policy communication. As a result, investors are turning to Bitcoin, gold, and bond yields as live proxies for the missing economic signals. “Liquidity hasn’t disappeared — it’s just gone unmeasured,” FBS analysts explain. “With the Fed silent, the market has become its own data feed.” Bitcoin moves with liquidity, not behind it FBS data shows that Bitcoin, which historically trailed the global M2 index by several weeks, is now moving in sync with liquidity, a sign that the market has internalized the flow of capital even in the absence of policy guidance. Following two massive liquidation events totaling over $24 billion, one of which was the largest single-session liquidation in crypto history, Bitcoin has reset its leverage structure and now stands at a decisive point. FBS identifies $102 000 as the key decisive level — the point that could determine whether Bitcoin extends its bull cycle or enters a new corrective phase. Stagflation risks and institutional reaction With inflation remaining high and growth slowing, stagflation fears are resurfacing. Several Fed officials, including Neel Kashkari and Mary Daly, have warned that prices are rising for the wrong reasons — primarily supply issues rather than demand. In this uncertain policy environment, investors are seeking alternatives like gold and Bitcoin as hedges against fiat instability. Ethereum’s critical retest FBS analysts also highlight Ethereum’s technical setup. After breaking below its long-term upward trendline, ETH is now retesting that level from below — a pivotal moment that could determine whether the move was a temporary shakeout or the start of a deeper decline. The next major liquidity zone lies near $3200–$3400, while reclaiming $4300–$4500 would signal renewed strength. A market that moves first FBS concludes that the fourth quarter of 2025 has become a test of the market’s independence. Even without policy direction, liquidity continues to shape prices, proving that the market no longer waits for the Fed; it moves first, and the data follows. Users can read the full analysis here. Disclaimer: This material does not constitute trading advice or investment recommendations. It is provided for informational purposes only. About FBS FBS https://fbs.com/ is a global brand that unites several independent brokerage companies under the licenses of FSC (Belize), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia). With 16 years of experience and over 100 international awards, FBS is steadily developing as one of the market’s most trusted brokers. Today, FBS serves over 27 000 000 traders and more than 700 000 partners around the globe. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Hong Kong, October 2025 – ZFX, the global multi-asset broker and part of Zeal Group, is set to participate in the upcoming iFX EXPO Asia 2025 in Hong Kong, underlining its unwavering commitment to the Asia market.ZFX’s Chief Marketing Officer, Afshin Setoudeh, will take to the stage with two thought-provoking panel sessions that address some of the most pressing questions shaping the financial markets: how will we navigate an AI-centric future, as well as metal trading in the age of crypto.ZFX's Commitment to the Asia MarketHong Kong continues to position itself as a global hub for digital assets and fintech regulation, making it a natural stage for ZFX to connect with industry peers, clients, and partners. With rising interest in precious metals, AI-driven trading tools, and tokenised assets, ZFX aims to showcase its innovation in delivering secure, transparent, and scalable trading experiences.“As one of the most dynamic regions for financial innovation, Asia is critical to ZFX’s growth strategy,” said Setoudeh. “Events like iFX EXPO allow us to engage directly with market participants and demonstrate how ZFX is empowering traders to navigate the intersection of traditional and digital finance.”Throughout the event, ZFX will welcome attendees at Booth No 1, where the team will:Showcase ZFX’s multi-asset platform and liquidity solutions.Demonstrate tools designed to enhance trader confidence and resilience.Explore partnership opportunities with brokers, fintechs, and institutional players across Asia.Visitors can also learn more about ZFX’s mission to blend transparent pricing, secure infrastructures, and continuous trader education.iFX EXPO Asia 2025, which takes place 26–28 October 2025, will gather leading brokers, fintech providers, liquidity specialists, and institutional players from across Asia and beyond.About Zeal Group / ZFXZeal group of companies (collectively Zeal Group) is a business portfolio comprising regulated financial institutions (trading as ZFX) and fintech companies specializing in multi-asset liquidity solutions in regulated markets backed by proprietary technology, with a presence in all major global locations.Founded by a group of veteran traders with decades-long experience in the industry, who not only share appreciation for the complexity the world of financial trading itself may present, but also have the expertise and commitment to change the industry for the better, ZFX has set its goal to deliver the next level of multi-asset trading services to retail and institutional investors alike.Learn more at www.zfx.com This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Global multi-asset broker introduces seamless cryptocurrency fund deposit solution for Asian marketsEBC (https://www.ebc.com) Financial Group (EBC) has announced a strategic partnership with Match2Pay to offer clients direct cryptocurrency deposit capabilities across its trading platforms. Asia leads global crypto adoption, with Japan reporting 12 million exchange accounts and Thailand launching its government-backed crypto payment programmes. In light of these encouraging developments, the collaboration addresses a critical infrastructure gap in Asia's rapidly maturing crypto ecosystem: where millions hold digital assets but face barriers to deploying them into financial markets.Through Match2Pay's integrated payment gateway, EBC clients can now fund trading accounts using multiple cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, with conversions completing in minutes. The system operates 24/7, eliminating traditional banking delays while maintaining complete transaction transparency through blockchain verification. The solution particularly benefits Asia's mobile-first populations, where smartphone penetration exceeds 80% in many Southeast Asian markets and stablecoins serve as practical hedges against currency volatility."At the heart of helping our clients to rule the markets with EBC, we adapt our services to their needs. By enabling direct crypto deposits, we are making our platform more accessible and flexible. This isn't just about adding a new payment method; it's about building trust and demonstrating that we are committed to providing the most efficient and secure trading infrastructure for the modern investor." said David Barrett, CEO, EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd. "Our partnership with Match2Pay ensures our infrastructure matches this reality, giving traders the flexibility to deploy capital when markets move."Key features include 1:1 USDT-to-USD conversion with zero markup, instant Bitcoin confirmations, enhanced five-layer security protocols, and real-time transaction tracking. Importantly, EBC never holds client crypto directly - Match2Pay's secure gateway handles all conversions, eliminating custody concerns.Match2Pay will demonstrate the EBC integration at the upcoming iFX Expo Hong Kong, with team members available to provide answers to all your questions.Disclaimer: This material is for information only and does not constitute a recommendation or advice from EBC Financial Group and all its entities (“EBC”). Trading Forex and Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Losses may exceed deposited funds. Before trading, it is important to carefully consider the trading objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and consult an independent financial advisor if necessary. Statistics or past investment performance are not a guarantee of future performance. EBC is not liable for any damages arising from reliance on this information.About EBC Financial GroupEBC Financial Group, established in London, is a comprehensive financial services group offering brokerage, asset management, and investment immigration services. With a global presence, EBC has branches and offices in major financial hubs such as Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The management team brings over 30 years of experience in global financial markets.About Match2PayMatch2Payprovides secure cryptocurrency payment processing infrastructure through integrated gateway solutions. The platform offers custodial and non-custodial payment processing, dedicated blockchain nodes, and comprehensive transaction management tools designed for seamless crypto-to-fiat conversions. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Market analysis written by Eric Chia, Financial Markets Strategist at Exness.The Euro’s outlook has become a study in contradiction: robust inflation data colliding with economic deterioration. For traders, it’s a market defined by divergence, between a cautious Federal Reserve and a cornered European Central Bank, between resilient rhetoric and weakening fundamentals.The core conflict facing the Euro is that the ECB remains trapped by stubborn price pressures while the region’s economic fundamentals continue to erode. The tension is amplified by policy divergence, with the Fed turning dovish amid concerns about the labor market, while the ECB remains reluctant to ease. Internal risks with the Eurozone, from France’s fiscal challenges to Germany’s deepening slowdown, add another layer of fragility. Externally, rising geopolitical tensions, particularly the renewed US-China trade dispute, further darket the outlook. Market sentiment, meanwhile, remains cautiously optimistic. Speculative positioning suggests a bullish stance of the Euro, indicating that much of the positive narrative, including policy divergence, may already be priced in. That makes the single currency increasingly vulnerable to negative surprises in economic data. Snapshot of Key Macroeconomic Indicators (as of October 21, 2025)The stickiness of core inflation is almost entirely driven by the services sector, where inflation edged up from 3.1% to 3.2%.Services inflation is a closely watched indicator by the ECB. It is closely linked to domestic demand and wage growth, is less susceptible to global factors, and is harder to control through monetary policy.In contrast, non-energy industrial goods inflation remains subdued, holding steady at 0.8% 2, indicating continued weak demand in the manufacturing sector. This internal structural divergence – hot services and cold industrial goods – makes the ECB's policy decisions exceptionally complex.Inflation trends in the Eurozone vary considerably across its member states.Germany, as the largest economy in the Eurozone, saw its inflation rate unexpectedly rise to 2.4%, mainly driven by strong services CPI. Meanwhile, France's inflation was much milder, at only 1.1%. This divergence poses a significant challenge to the ECB "one-size-fits-all" monetary policy. Tightening policies to curb inflation in Germany could cause unnecessary harm to lower-inflation economies like France.The combination of above-target headline inflation and accelerating core inflation has effectively closed the door to another ECB rate cut in 2025. The central bank is now locked into a data-dependent decision-making mode, and current data clearly indicates that "inflation has not yet been defeated." This solidifies its hawkish policy stance, which alone is beneficial for the Euro. Recent remarks by ECB President Christine Lagarde have also repeatedly emphasized the determination to bring inflation back to target, further reinforcing this message.The latest German ZEW survey shows that the economic current situation index has fallen to a deep abyss of -80.0, indicating that the economy is under immense pressure. ECB is forced to prioritize fighting stubborn service sector inflation, even if it means bringing more pain to Germany and the entire Eurozone economy. This creates a dangerous divergence between policy and the economy: monetary policy is tightening (or remaining tight), while the economy is crying out for stimulus.This "trap" means that the risk of policy missteps is sharply rising, and the likelihood of a "hard landing" for the Eurozone economy is also increasing. In the long run, regardless of interest rate differentials, an economy in recession will ultimately have a negative impact on the Euro.Widening Policy Gap Between the US and EuropeThis widening divergence in monetary policy paths is becoming the primary driver of the EUR/USD strength.In a key speech on October 14th, Federal Reserve Chairman Powell explicitly pointed to "rising downside risks to employment" and "a sharp slowdown in hiring activity." This was a significant shift in tone. He noted that despite the ongoing US government shutdown leading to a lack of official economic data, existing private sector data indicated a weakening labor market. This statement was an almost direct confirmation of market expectations that the Fed would soon cut interest rates.Powell's remarks significantly reinforced market expectations for further Fed rate cuts, likely at the October and December meetings. He was effectively signaling that the Fed's focus was shifting from solely combating inflation to a more balanced strategy, with increasing attention on its employment mandate. The immediate market reaction was a corresponding decline in the Dollar Index (DXY).A seemingly contradictory phenomenon is that the US government shutdown has actually intensified the Fed's dovish stance, indirectly supporting the Euro. Due to the government shutdown, the Fed is unable to obtain official data on employment and inflation, leaving its decision-making like "flying blind." In uncertain environments, central banks typically choose to act cautiously.For a Fed already concerned about a slowing labor market, this uncertainty increases its motivation for "precautionary" rate cuts to guard against an unexpectedly sharp economic downturn. Powell's speech confirmed this, as he relied on "existing evidence" and "private sector data" to justify his dovish stance.Therefore, the longer the government shutdown persists, the more entrenched the Fed's cautious/dovish stance becomes, putting pressure on the Dollar. This creates a direct but counter-intuitive positive external effect for the Euro, as the EUR/USD currency pair is primarily driven by relative policy stances. US political dysfunction is, in the short term, becoming a bullish factor for the Euro.External Pressures and Internal TensionsBeyond monetary policy, the Euro also faces non-monetary risks. Internal political divisions and external geopolitical threats together constitute headwinds that could undermine the Euro's stability.French Fiscal Concerns: A key indicator measuring internal pressure is the spread between French 10-year government bonds (OATs) and German Bunds. This spread has recently widened to approximately 80 basis points, up from 65 basis points in the summer. The widening spread reflects market concerns about France's fiscal situation, indicating a rising "political risk premium." France's budget deficit is 5.8% of GDP, almost double the EU's 3% limit. While recent political maneuvering may have temporarily eased market panic, underlying fiscal vulnerability remains a weak point for the Euro.Escalating US-China Trade War: The global environment is becoming more hostile. The Trump administration is escalating its trade conflict with China ahead of an upcoming meeting with Chinese leaders during the APEC summit. US President Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on Chinese goods to 155% if no deal is reached.Ripple Effects on Europe: A full-blown trade war would bring tremendous uncertainty to the global economy. In such a "risk-off" environment, capital typically flows to assets perceived as safe havens, primarily the US dollar. The Euro, often used as a funding currency in carry trades, tends to underperform in this scenario. Furthermore, the highly export-dependent Eurozone economy (especially Germany) would be directly impacted by a global trade slowdown, which would exacerbate its existing economic weakness.On technical perspective, after reaching the Double Bottom pattern target, EURUSD retreated toward both EMAs. The price still sustains its uptrend without breaking the structure, showing potential bullish extension.If EURUSD returns above both EMAs, the price may retest the resistance at 1.1700.On the contrary, staying below both EMAs may lead to a retest of the support at 1.1600.Building on the analysis above, a multi-layered outlook can be outlined. The future path of the Euro is not a straight line, but a struggle between a clear and favorable monetary policy divergence and a deeply troubled domestic economic and political landscape.Reasons for a bullish Euro:Continued dovish Fed: Persistently weak US labor and inflation data forces the Fed to deliver on its rate cut expectations, thereby weighing on the dollar.Resilient core inflation: Stubbornly high Eurozone services inflation forces the ECB to maintain its hawkish rhetoric and high interest rates, thereby widening the favorable interest rate differential.Political risks contained: France's fiscal issues are well-managed, avoiding an uncontrolled OAT-Bund spread and preventing the outbreak of a fragmentation crisis.Reasons for a bearish Euro:German economic collapse: Dire ZEW current conditions readings translate into a sharp contraction in German GDP, forcing the market to price in an eventual ECB policy reversal.Rising global risk aversion: An escalating US-China trade war triggers a flight to safety towards the dollar and harms the export-dependent Eurozone economy.Overcrowded positioning: There is a large net long speculative position in the current Euro futures market, meaning that if any bullish factors fail to materialize, the Euro will be vulnerable to a sharp sell-off, triggering a chain reaction of long liquidations. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Axi, an online Forex and CFD broker, has confirmed that John Stones, Manchester City and England defender, will continue as its Global Brand Ambassador. Stones has represented the broker since the start of the 2023/24 season. He will continue to feature in Axi’s global marketing activities.Join IG, CMC, and Robinhood in London’s leading trading industry event!The announcement follows Axi’s launch of fiat-settled crypto perpetual contracts. The contracts allow traders to access crypto derivatives without converting funds into stablecoins.Axi Expands Partnerships Across Football ClubsIn addition to Stones, Axi maintains partnerships with several football clubs. The broker is the Official Online Trading Partner of Manchester City, Manchester City Women, Brazilian club Esporte Clube Bahia, and LaLiga side Girona FC, where it serves as the Official LATAM Online Trading Partner. These agreements form part of Axi’s wider sports sponsorship strategy.[#highlighted-links#] Fiat Settlement Reduces Risk, Boosts TransparencyAccording to the company, settling in fiat reduces counterparty risk and provides clearer tracking of balances and performance. The launch comes as regulators increase scrutiny of transparency and investor protection in crypto markets. Stuart Cooke, Head of New Business at Axi, said the product aims to address concerns about opaque trading environments.Funded Trader Program and Crypto Derivatives Growth at AxiAxi has expanded its crypto perpetuals offerings, adding over 150 contracts across major and emerging digital assets. Perpetual futures now account for the majority of crypto trading, representing nearly 70% of Bitcoin volume and 76% of derivatives activity globally.Separately, Axi has added the MT5 platform to its funded trader program, Axi Select, allowing participants to choose between MT4 or MT5. The program provides access to live trading capital ranging from $5,000 to US$1 million, without evaluation fees, demo account requirements, or time limits. The prop trading industry has faced regulatory scrutiny in recent years, with changes from MetaQuotes in 2024 affecting the market. A survey indicated that 70% of traders support increased oversight. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.