ACCM, a contracts for differences (CFD) broker focused on emerging markets, has entered motor racing, but not through the usual Formula 1 deals. Instead, it has become a multi-year sponsor of the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP team.Is MotoGP Going to Be the Next F1 for CFD Brokers?Although a handful of other retail brokers have marketed their brands around top two-wheeler racing, it has yet to become mainstream like Formula 1. This also suggests that brokers can secure MotoGP sponsorship deals at a much lower cost than Formula 1 ones.Although none of the Formula One teams or the brokers have officially revealed the financial terms of their deals, Libertex’s Chief Marketing Officer, Marios Chailis, said that the lowest-tier F1 sponsorship deal costs about $5 million.Read more: “Official Fintech Partner” - FX Firms Found Value in Sports Beyond Just Branding“Partnering with Prima Pramac Yamaha allows us to connect our brand with a sport that reflects how modern trading works: fast-moving, data-driven, and powered by innovation,” said Tien Ching, CEO of ACCM, in a statement. This also highlights how the target customers of CFD brokers often align with motor racing fans.Getting Exposure Is the GoalACCM operates under regulatory licences in Australia and South Africa, along with offshore licences in Seychelles and Vanuatu. According to SimilarWeb data, most of the brokerage’s website traffic comes from Vietnam and Thailand.The latest sponsorship deal has made the broker the MotoGP team’s “Official Partner”, allowing it to place its branding across team assets and digital platforms. The broker will also gain access to a “range of other significant rights”.The Pramac Yamaha MotoGP team also has a large social media following, with 560,000 followers on Instagram and another 560,000 on Facebook, meaning any promotion of the broker would reach a wide audience worldwide.In addition, sponsor brands can gain visibility on MotoGP’s wider channels if placed well. These channels have more than 17.9 million followers on Instagram and over 7 million subscribers on YouTube.While football and Formula 1 remain the top sports marketing choices for CFD brokers, many are now turning to niche local sports to better target their key markets. The number of broker deals with individuals and teams in mixed martial arts, cricket, rugby, and other niche sports continues to grow. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

The trading industry has become increasingly focused on what is visible to the end user. AI-powered assistants, automated insights, and increasingly sophisticated interfaces now dominate product launches and marketing narratives. Innovation is often judged by the features traders touch, rather than by the systems that determine what actually happens when an order hits the market.This creates a blind spot. In calm conditions, many platforms look capable. Prices move smoothly, orders are filled without friction, and spreads behave as expected. But calm markets can disguise meaningful differences in how trading platforms are built, supported, and engineered for scale.When markets stop behaving calmly, those differences stop being theoretical. Surprise data releases, geopolitical developments, and sudden shifts in liquidity place very different demands on technology. Trading engines can look identical on the surface, but their behavior under stress depends on what sits behind them: capacity, execution locations, redundancy, and failover design. In those moments, innovation is experienced less through features and more through pricing coherence and execution quality. This is why the industry focus is gradually shifting. The question is no longer which platform looks most advanced. It is which systems remain most predictable when markets accelerate.Technology that disappears into the experienceIn many fields, the most effective technology is often the least visible. When something works perfectly, it fades into the background. The user doesn’t notice the engineering; they notice the absence of friction. In trading, we follow a similar logic.Some traders may experiment with AI-generated insights or predictive tools. But what matters most in real trading conditions is simpler: execution that behaves consistently, prices that make sense, and systems that remain stable when markets become chaotic. This is where technology delivers its greatest value: beneath the surface, in how systems are designed, monitored, and refined over time. At Exness, improvements to pricing behavior, liquidity handling, and execution stability are initiated and shaped by people, engineers, product specialists, and analysts, who understand how markets behave under stress.Data analytics and automation help teams stress-test behaviour, detect anomalies earlier, and refine execution logic over time. But accountability remains human-led. Someone designs it, someone monitors it, and someone owns the outcome.Calm markets can hide a weak trading engineQuiet markets allow fragile systems to operate without drawing attention to their limitations. Under these conditions, many platforms appear competent.Take a trader entering a silver trade right after a high-impact event. With one broker, spreads widen to reduce broker risk, execution slows as liquidity deteriorates, and the order is filled meaningfully away from the intended level. With another, spreads stay tight, execution remains fast, and sufficient volume is available at the displayed prices to support clean fills. The trade idea may be identical, but the outcome diverges as the platforms behave differently under stress. This is what volatility reveals. Spreads may widen unexpectedly, execution can become inconsistent, liquidity may thin, and prices can gap. Orders that are usually executed predictably may deviate from expectations through slippage or delayed execution. Traders may interpret these outcomes as failure of discipline or strategy. In practice, the cause can be structural. When a trading platform degrades under pressure, even well-considered decisions can produce distorted results. Why trust is the real competitive layerAs trading technology grows more capable, trust becomes both more fragile and complex. Faster systems and increased automation can improve efficiency, but they can also make outcomes harder to interpret.Many of these improvements are rarely visible. Execution safeguards and stability mechanisms are often understated. Their impact is felt indirectly: fewer disruptions, more predictable costs, and outcomes that better align with intent.In this environment, trust is formed through experience rather than promises. Traders observe how execution behaves during volatility, how trading costs evolve under stress, and whether platform behaviour remains consistent when conditions change. Over time, predictability becomes a practical advantage.Performance under stress is not only a technical question but also a commercial one. In volatile moments, brokers and liquidity providers face a choice: maintain competitive conditions and take on more risk, or degrade conditions defensively and reduce it. Traders experience this through spread behaviour and execution quality. The drivers sit deeper: risk posture, liquidity access, and the platform’s ability to handle stress.Some market participants, like Exness, place more emphasis on how their systems behave under pressure than on surface-level features with limited impact on traders’ experience. This reflects a wider industry discussion: features matter less when they do not translate into better execution, more reliable pricing, or lower friction.The most valuable uses, including AI, are those that reduce a user’s cognitive and production load. In other words, they strengthen understanding, not substitute judgment. Technology is at its most effective when it simplifies the complex and reinforces autonomy, rather than overriding it. Ultimately, the value of any tool must be measured by its outcome: does it lead to more reliable pricing, lower friction, and a more resilient decision-making process?.The structural foundations of execution under stressDesigning systems for volatile conditions requires a different architectural focus. One priority is the integration of pricing and execution. When quoting and order routing operate as one coherent mechanism, prices are more likely to reflect tradable conditions and execution is more likely to align with what traders expect at entry.Another is liquidity at scale. Depth becomes most visible when volatility increases and order sizes grow. A platform that can absorb larger trades without amplifying market impact helps preserve pricing integrity under stress.A third consideration is resilience and monitoring. Reliability is built into the architecture: geographically distributed execution locations to reduce latency, redundant routes to avoid single points of failure, and automated failover so the platform can keep operating even if one component degrades. But architecture alone is not enough. Continuous monitoring is what makes reliability operational, tracking server loads, latency, rejection rates, slippage, and price behaviour so stress is detected early and capacity can be rebalanced before it shows up for traders as wider spreads, delayed fills, or inconsistent pricing.Finally, there is a structural divide between platforms that are largely outsourced and those engineered in-house. Many brokers rely on ready-made third-party systems: fast to implement, easy to integrate, sufficient in normal conditions. But the trade-off is flexibility to improve. Performance depends on how the external solution handles routing, liquidity access, and volatility.Brokers with scale often invest in in-house technology to retain control over those key components. It allows them to fine-tune behaviour under volatility and maintain consistent performance when conditions stop being predictable.Build for the moments that matterMany visible AI features are designed for stable conditions, where execution quality is treated as given. In calm environments, speed and convenience are a given. But when volatility rises, assumptions break: spreads degrade, liquidity thins, and execution becomes the differentiator.At that point, real innovation is less about what the interface claims to do and more about whether the platform maintains coherent pricing and predictable fills when the market accelerates.As the industry integrates increasingly powerful tools, the question becomes less about whether AI is present and more about how it is applied. A trading platform designed with stress in mind does not eliminate uncertainty, but it can change how that uncertainty is experienced. Over time, that distinction will shape how traders evaluate platforms, and how trust is earned. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Dubai, UAE – February 2026 — Meet GTCFX at Booth 6 at iFX EXPO Dubai 2026, taking place from 10–12 February at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event will welcome 10,000+ trading professionals from 130+ countries to connect, collaborate, and help shape the future of the global forex and fintech industries.GTCFX, a globally trusted and multi-regulated forex broker, has confirmed its participation as an Elite Sponsor of the region’s most influential trading industry exhibition. iFX EXPO Dubai provides a strategic platform to engage with brokers, introducing brokers (IBs), fintech firms, and institutional investors seeking long-term collaboration within a regulated environment—supported by institutional-grade liquidity solutions and access to top-tier global banking providers.Serving Retail, Partners, and Institutions Under One EcosystemGTCFX delivers a complete trading infrastructure designed to support retail traders, partnership networks, and institutional clients through one unified, high-performance environment. Clients benefit from deep liquidity, stable multi-asset trading platforms, secure and ultra-fast execution, and instant deposit and withdrawal capabilities.The brokerage also offers one of the market’s most competitive introducing broker and partnership programs, enhanced by its exclusive GTC VIP Loyalty Program—rewarding high-volume traders and long-term partners with premium rebates, priority service, and tailored account privileges.A Partnership-Driven Brokerage ModelWhile tight spreads and fast execution have become industry standards, sustainable growth depends on transparent partnership structures and predictable economics. GTCFX has built its business around long-term collaboration, offering multi-tier partnership models, flexible rebate structures, and regional business support that enable partners to scale with confidence.This partnership-first strategy has helped GTCFX grow to nearly one million clients worldwide, supported by strong regulatory governance and a clear commitment to transparency and trust.Institutional-Grade Liquidity Designed for ScaleGTCFX has invested heavily in its liquidity infrastructure to support brokers and professional traders as their trading volumes and operational needs expand.The brokerage provides:• Deep global liquidity pools• Direct connectivity to top-tier liquidity providers• Up to 10 levels of market depth• Ultra-low latency pricing environmentsPartners who outgrow traditional introducing broker models can seamlessly transition into tailored institutional liquidity solutions within the same regulated framework—ensuring continuity, scalability, and operational stability.More details:https://www.gtcfx.com/liquidity-technologyMeet GTCFX at Booth 6Visitors are invited to connect with the GTCFX team at Booth 6 throughout iFX EXPO Dubai 2026. The booth will welcome:• Professional traders• Introducing brokers and affiliates• Brokerages seeking deep and reliable liquidity• Institutional firms looking for regulated trading infrastructureConversations will focus on real business priorities—from partnership economics and regional expansion to liquidity access, risk management, and operational scalability.Thought Leadership on Leverage and RiskAs part of the official iFX EXPO Dubai 2026 agenda, Jameel Ahmad, Chief Analyst at GTCFX, will moderate a professional trading session:Margin Optimization: Leverage That Works for YouTraders Arena | Thursday, 12 February 2026 | 14:00 – 14:30The session will explore how leverage functions in real trading environments, how to manage margin effectively, and how traders can balance opportunity with responsible risk control.Dubai as a Global Trading HubDubai continues to strengthen its position as a global financial gateway connecting MENA, Asia, and Europe. With strong regulatory frameworks, advanced infrastructure, and international connectivity, the city offers an ideal base for global trading operations.For GTCFX, Dubai remains a strategic hub for expanding liquidity networks, strengthening partnerships, and supporting clients across multiple regions.Building for the Long TermGTCFX’s Elite Sponsorship at iFX EXPO Dubai 2026 reflects a long-term commitment to transparent partnerships, institutional-grade liquidity, and regulated trading structures that businesses and traders can rely on.Market participants are invited to meet the GTCFX team at Booth 6 and explore partnership, liquidity, and trading solutions designed for sustainable growth.For more information: https://www.gtcfx.com This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Zoe Gralinska-Sakai has joined XTB online investing as Head of Regional Marketing for the UK, France and Italy, according to an update on her LinkedIn profile. She is based in Warsaw, where the Polish-founded brokerage is growing its international footprint.Joining XTB amid Expanding European FootprintShe joins the broker amid an ongoing expansion push, with XTB expecting to serve more than 2 million users globally through its multi-asset investment app."Turning the page! Excited to share I've joined XTB online investing as Head of Regional Marketing for the UK, France and Italy," she mentioned. "Focused on growth, strengthening local relevance, and delivering a mission of enabling financial freedom by making investing more accessible."Gralinska-Sakai moves to XTB after more than three years at Revolut, where she held several senior marketing roles in Poland and remotely. Most recently, she served as Global Brand Marketing Manager, following a previous position as Creative Marketing Manager focused on regional growth in Central and Eastern Europe.Related: XTB Shares Surge 12% on Margin Trading and 24/5 MarketsAd Spend Soars and Margins TightenThe latest appointment comes as XTB rapidly scales its marketing activity, with 2025 spending on promotion and branding surging by PLN 240.2 million year‑on‑year to PLN 585 million. It comes as the group roll out broad multi‑market campaigns and sponsorships, including its largest‑ever global branding push in the second half. The push delivered a sharp expansion in the client base, with total clients jumping to 2,164,867 in 2025 from 1,361,564 a year earlier, supported by 864,286 new client additions, a 73% increase versus 2024. However, the marketing‑led expansion has weighed on profitability, contributing to a 24% drop in net profit to PLN 643.8 million and a 15% decline in EBIT to PLN 834.3 million in 2025, even as total operating income rose 15% to PLN 2,146.8 million. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Tradeweb Markets and MarketAxess posted record-breaking volumes in January, reflecting heightened institutional activity across rates and credit markets.Tradeweb reported total trading volume of $65.5 trillion for the month, with average daily volume reaching $3.1 trillion, up 26.2% year-over-year. Meanwhile, MarketAxess logged record average daily volume of $18.6 billion in total credit, a 28% jump from January 2025. The company's rates business grew 19% year-over-year, bringing total platform ADV to $47.7 billion, up 23%.“In January, we delivered 28% growth year-over-year in total credit on record ADV of $18.6 billion, and 19% growth in total rates,” said Chris Concannon, CEO of MarketAxess. “In credit, our emerging markets ADV increased 50% to a record $5.5 billion, almost 30% above the previous monthly record set last year.”Credit Markets Lead GrowthBoth platforms saw particularly strong growth in credit markets. Tradeweb's fully electronic U.S. credit ADV rose 24.4% year-over-year to $9.4 billion, while European credit jumped 44% to $3.5 billion. The company captured 17.5% market share of fully electronic U.S. high-grade TRACE and 7.1% of high-yield TRACE.MarketAxess posted U.S. high-grade ADV of $8.4 billion, up 20% from the prior year. The company's emerging markets business stood out, with ADV climbing 50% to $5.5 billion, nearly 30% above the previous monthly record. Hard currency volumes rose 28% while local markets surged 94%. BlackRock and MarketAxess have deepened their collaboration to optimize global credit markets, which may be contributing to the strong institutional flows.Rates Trading Surges on Policy UncertaintyGovernment trading picked up momentum as political tensions and shifting inflation expectations drove positioning. Tradeweb's U.S. government ADV increased 15.3% to $267.7 billion, while European government volumes surged 36% to $79.4 billion.Interest rate derivatives showed the sharpest gains on Tradeweb's platform. Swaps and swaptions with maturities of one year or longer climbed 34.6% to $591 billion in daily volume, while total rates derivatives ADV surged 51.1% to $1.2 trillion.Tradeweb's mortgage trading hit an all-time high, with ADV up 16.7% to $310.1 billion. Tradeweb's year-end trading volume hit $63 trillion in December, showing the momentum has carried into the new year.New Protocols Gain GroundMarketAxess highlighted growth in newer execution methods. Block trading ADV jumped 56% year-over-year, with U.S. credit block volumes up 35% and emerging markets block trading doubling to $2.5 billion. Portfolio trading volumes more than doubled, rising 126% to $2 billion in daily volume.Dealer-initiated activity increased 13% to $1.8 billion, with Mid-X trading volume hitting a record $6.9 billion, up 383%. Tradeweb reported record European credit volumes driven by increased adoption of its Automated Intelligent Execution tool.Meanwhile, institutional FX volumes eased in December after a three-month rally, but the fixed-income platforms showed no signs of cooling as 2026 began. The January results suggest electronic trading continues to capture share from traditional voice-based execution, particularly in credit and emerging market products. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Secure Digital Markets (SDM) has completed a $1 million Bitcoin transaction over the Lightning Network in a pilot settlement with cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, marking what the firms say is the largest publicly reported Lightning payment to date. The transaction, executed on Jan. 28 and valued at $1 million at the time, reportedly settled nearly instantly and with minimal fees.According to the official announcement, it was facilitated using enterprise Lightning infrastructure from Voltage, a Bitcoin payments and infrastructure provider focused on institutional clients. Lightning is often viewed as experimental. It’s time to see it in production.We successfully sent $1,000,000 over the network.Here’s what that execution looked like.Big thanks to @krakenfx & @voltage_cloud pic.twitter.com/MoeBMDeRHV— Secure Digital Markets (@SD_Markets) February 5, 2026Pointing to Faster Settlement for Institutions“We have moved past the era of questioning Bitcoin's institutional capacity. Now, the only remaining variable is how quickly lagging institutions will abandon legacy systems,” said Mostafa Al-Mashita, Co-Founder and Director of Sales & Trading at SDM.While the network has been widely used for small consumer payments, its suitability for large institutional settlements has remained an open question.Traditional Bitcoin transactions can take minutes or longer to confirm and are subject to fluctuating fees, factors that complicate treasury operations and inter-institution settlements. SDM said the pilot demonstrated that Lightning could support use cases such as internal treasury movements, large-value settlements, and transfers between trading venues without the delays associated with on-chain settlement.Read more: Bitcoin Hit $74K and This BTC Price Prediction Suggests It Will Now Rebound to ATHKraken, one of the longest-operating crypto exchanges, has supported Lightning for retail payments for several years. The firm said the transaction reflects growing demand from institutional clients for faster settlement options.Cutting Reliance on Legacy Payment RailsThe transaction relied on Voltage’s managed Lightning infrastructure, which provides liquidity management, node uptime, and operational guarantees designed to meet institutional requirements. Revolut Launches Bitcoin Lightning Payments in European MarketsDigital bank Revolut announced that it will cooperate with Lightspark to launch a payment function based on the Bitcoin Lightning Network in the UK and some European Economic Area countries. This move aims to use …— Bpay News (@bpaynews) May 7, 2025Lightning is a second-layer network built on Bitcoin that enables faster and cheaper payments by moving transactions off the base blockchain.The network is getting a boost giant fintech firms. Last year, Revolut announced a collaboration with Lightspark to enable payments over the Bitcoin-based Lightning Network, aiming to streamline crypto transfers for users in the UK and selected European markets.Lightspark, founded by former PayPal executive David Marcus, positions itself as a gateway to the “Money Grid,” a decentralized network for instant global payments. Through this infrastructure, Revolut aims to upgrade its crypto services by enabling smoother Bitcoin transfers. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

A new venture called Lumina Markets has begun advertising for marketing and legal staff ahead of a planned launch of a prediction-markets platform. The job listings, which appeared on LinkedIn last week, describe the firm as being “backed by a billionaire pioneer of electronic trading”. According to Business Insider, they were posted by an employee of Interactive Brokers, the brokerage founded by Thomas Peterffy.Corporate filings appear to add further colour. Registration documents reviewed by Business Insider show that Lumina Markets was incorporated by an in-house lawyer at Interactive Brokers, while its CEO is another attorney who has worked closely with both the firm and Peterffy. Neither Interactive Brokers nor Peterffy has publicly confirmed any involvement.Still, the overlap is suggestive rather than coincidental.Not Their First Outing If Lumina does turn out to be linked to Interactive Brokers, it would not mark the broker’s first venture into prediction markets. In 2024, it launched ForecastEx, a platform allowing users to trade yes-or-no contracts tied to economic data, political outcomes, climate events and other real-world developments. At the time, management was careful to draw limits. During earnings calls in Q3 2025, Peterffy stressed that the firm had no intention of entering sports-related contracts, which faced regulatory headwinds. That position, however, has since softened: sports events are now among the contracts available on ForecastEx.What remains unclear is how Lumina Markets would distinguish itself from its apparent sibling. The Regulatory Winds Shift Prediction markets occupy an awkward space in America’s legal architecture. They are overseen not by gambling regulators but by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which classifies such platforms as designated contract markets. The distinction is interesting, to say the least. In traditional sports betting, people bet against a bookmaker, which sets odds and pockets losses. In prediction markets, participants trade contracts with one another, while the platform takes a fee for matching buyers and sellers. On paper, at least, this makes them financial exchanges rather than gambling operators.That distinction is being tested. Kalshi, the sector’s largest player, has faced lawsuits from several states, including Massachusetts and Nevada, arguing that its sports-related contracts amount to illegal gambling, lacking age restrictions and other safeguards required by gaming laws. Kalshi counters that it offers financial instruments, not bets.The regulatory winds, though, appear to be shifting in the industry’s favour. In 2026, the new head of the CFTC, Michael Selig, reportedly instructed the agency to withdraw a proposed 2024 rule that would have barred trading on sports and political outcomes. He also moved to rescind a 2025 advisory urging caution over sports contracts. Everyone Wants a Slice The industry is expanding at breakneck speed. Industry estimates suggest trading volumes on prediction market platforms rose from roughly US$9 billion in 2024 to around US$40 billion in 2025. Some forecasts now place annual volumes near US$1 trillion by the end of the decade.Prediction markets have even seeped into popular culture: At the 2026 Grammy Awards, the host Trevor Noah joked that anyone who had bet on him saying “potato” on Polymarket would have won big.What is happening???? pic.twitter.com/xMxwrueqTD— Polymarket (@Polymarket) February 2, 2026Established brokers have taken note. Robinhood launched a prediction-markets hub in March 2025; by year’s end, it had become one of the app’s fastest-growing products, generating around US$100 million in annualised revenue. Plus500 followed suit in 2026. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just around the corner, interest is unlikely to fade. This article was written by Adonis Adoni at www.financemagnates.com.

Luis Raposo dos Santos is now the Chief Executive Officer for Portugal at Trade Nation, according to an update on his LinkedIn profile. He will be based in Lisbon, where the broker is building a dedicated local presence.Last year, Trade Nation established a new entity in the region, announcing recruitment for several key positions to support the operation. The advertised roles were largely compliance-focused, including a Head of Compliance, Risk Manager, and System Administrator.Trade Nation Strengthens EU PresenceBefore joining Trade Nation, dos Santos was Sales Director, LATAM at Finalto, based in London. He previously served as Global Business Development Head at Markets.com and Head of Partnerships at Vida Markets. Earlier in his career, he was UK Head of Client Services & On-Boarding at Trading 212 and also held roles at IG Group.Trade Nation has been strengthening its leadership in the recent past through several high-profile appointments. Philippe Capelle joined as Chief Marketing Officer. Other hires include Kypros Zoumidou, who joined as Managing Director, and Chief Executive Officer Jon Noble, both of whom previously held senior roles at the London-listed broker IG. Commenting on the hires, Noble mentioned that “we have some ambitious strategic plans to develop Trade Nation, and having Kyp on board will really help us move the business to the next level.”Trade Nation Swings Back to Profit in the UKIn the UK the broker recently reported a return to profitability in its operations, posting a net profit of £996,766 for the financial year ending 30 November 2024, compared with a net loss of £2.2 million a year earlier. This turnaround was underpinned by a rise in revenue to £21.7 million from £13.4 million, while gross profit increased to £18.1 million from £13.1 million despite sales and hedging-related costs.Operating profit reached £636,136, a significant improvement on the £2.6 million operating loss recorded in the previous year. The bottom line was further supported by a reduction in the tax charge to £48,778, down from £332,867 in 2023. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Tomoharu Furuichi has "resigned" from his role as Representative Director and CEO of IG Japan. He posted the news on LinkedIn today (Thursday). He held the role for nearly seven years.Separately, IG Securities, the Japanese arm of IG Group, has stopped offering cryptocurrency ETF CFDs. The decision follows guidance from Japan’s Financial Services Agency clarifying that derivatives based on overseas crypto ETFs are treated as crypto-related products and fall under domestic regulations, since the creation and sale of such ETFs is currently prohibited in Japan.IG Japan CEO Resigns After GrowthIn the post, Furuichi said: “IG Japan has become several times bigger than it used to be. It has become the largest foreign-branded retail broker in Japan, despite operating in a smaller segment, OTC derivatives. I have given all I could, and time has come for a new leader.”Furuichi has held senior roles in both financial and consumer sectors in Japan. He was CEO of GILT Groupe K.K., an online luxury retail company with around 130 employees, for about one and a half years. He oversaw a change program covering strategy, organization, and operations, which led to profitability and revenue growth. He left after the parent company sold the business.Furuichi’s Career Spans Finance and RetailBefore that, Furuichi spent nearly six years as a director and board member at Samantha Thavasa Japan Limited, overseeing store operations, production and logistics, IT, HR, e-commerce, and overseas business, while leading corporate change initiatives.Earlier in his career, he worked for almost three years as a senior director at AlixPartners in the Greater Tokyo Area.New Client Discount Program ConcludesIG Japan’s subsidiary discontinued its introductory trading program for new clients. The program, which allowed reduced minimum trading during the first two weeks after account opening, was phased out.IG Japan said the decision followed earlier changes to product sizes, which created a “more comfortable trading environment” and reduced the need for incentives. Accounts opened before the termination date continued to receive the program benefits until it ended. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

iSAM Securities has launched CFDs on futures to meet what it describes as growing client demand for futures-style exposure with simpler handling. The CFDs include an auto-rolling feature that aims to remove the need for clients to monitor and switch contracts at expiry while keeping continuous exposure to the underlying futures market.More CFD brokers are showing interest in the futures space. Recently, NinjaTrader expanded its futures offering into Europe through Payward Europe Digital Solutions, a MiFID-regulated investment firm, initially covering the Netherlands and Germany.The brokers are increasingly adding futures and options in what is seen as a response to tighter regulatory restrictions on over-the-counter derivatives. A survey by Acuiti for CME Group indicating that four in five firms not currently offering listed products are planning or evaluating such a move.Integration with Existing InfrastructureiSAM Securities says this structure offers exposure to futures prices while keeping the operational model in a familiar CFD format for brokers and professional traders. The futures CFDs sit alongside iSAM Securities’ current liquidity and execution services, which use in-house pricing technology.According to the company, the online trading firm positions the new instruments as an extension of its existing liquidity suite. Clients can access the CFDs on futures through their current accounts, so they do not need additional operational setups to trade the product.The firm offers CFDs through entities regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in the United States, as well as a Cayman Islands Monetary Authority registered entity.The firm has in parallel invested in risk and analytics tools, including its RADAR real-time risk dashboard and Surge analytics platform, which it distributes directly and through integrations such as the cTrader link with Spotware. Volatility Highlights Demand for Consistent PricingiSAM Securities notes that recent weeks of elevated market volatility have highlighted the importance of consistent pricing, strong risk controls and reliable trading counterparties.Recently, iSAM relocated to a new London headquarters to support the expansion of its operations and growing global demand for its services. It follows its opening of a Cyprus office in Limassol last May and its move to a larger office in Hong Kong in June.The Limassol office was established to support clients in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The group also maintains offices in the United States and the Cayman Islands. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Capital Index UK Limited, a UK-based CFD broker, has changed its legal name to Vantos Markets UK Limited, according to filings published by Companies House.The rebrand follows a period of financial pressure for the UK arm of the broker. Capital Index UK reduced its losses in 2024, returning to a pre-tax profit position, although it remained loss-making after tax amid a challenging retail trading environment.Companies House Confirms Broker Name ChangeThe name change was registered today (Thursday), following a special resolution passed by the company’s members a day earlier. The company remains incorporated in England and Wales as a private company limited by shares and continues to operate under the same company number.Companies House issued a new certificate of incorporation reflecting the updated name under the Companies Act. The filing indicates that the change was authenticated electronically by the Registrar of Companies and does not reference any amendments to the firm’s corporate structure or ownership.CFD Broker Rebrands Without Regulatory ChangesCapital Index has operated as an FCA-regulated provider of contracts for difference, offering leveraged trading across multiple asset classes. The Companies House documents do not suggest that the rebrand is accompanied by changes to the firm’s regulatory permissions or business activities.The company has not publicly disclosed the rationale behind the rebranding, and no further details were provided in the filing.UK CFD Broker Reports Net LossFor the year ended 31 December 2024, the company reported a pre-tax profit of £23,678, compared with a pre-tax loss of £207,006 a year earlier. However, it still recorded a net loss of £18,247 after tax, marking a second consecutive year without net profitability. Turnover declined by more than 17% year-on-year, while administrative costs continued to outweigh gross profit, with directors citing cost-of-living pressures and weaker client activity in the UK market. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

The Financial Commission has approved Monstrade as its newest Member. Monstrade was founded by a group of asset managers with experience in Dubai’s financial sector. The company initially provided data services to large institutions, financial support to fintech start-ups, and liquidity solutions to institutional counterparties. It has since grown into a forex broker.The move follows the Commission’s recent certification of trading technology provider iTech Software. The certification confirmed that its systems meet standards for brokers and traders. iTech provides technology solutions for Forex, CFD, crypto, and NFT brokerages, including web trader platforms, back-office infrastructure, and live support with monitoring and risk management.Financial Commission Provides €20K Complaint ProtectionAs an Approved Broker Member, Monstrade and its customers can access a range of services offered by the Financial Commission. These include protection for up to €20,000 per complaint, supported by the Commission’s Compensation Fund.The Financial Commission serves as an independent third-party mediation platform. It resolves complaints when parties cannot reach an agreement directly. For members operating in CFDs, forex, and cryptocurrency markets, the platform offers a faster and simpler alternative to arbitration or local courts.Commission Warns Against Impersonation Scam ActivityIn a separate update, the Financial Commission confirmed RA Prime as a member. The brokerage provides foreign exchange and CFD products globally. Other recent additions to the organization include FP Markets, OneRoyal, FXON, GTCFX, and Neex, an online brokerage offering access to Forex, indices, and commodities.The Commission also provided an update on an investigation into individuals falsely claiming to represent the organization. These imposters targeted traders reporting losses or blocked withdrawals from brokers such as Umarkets and TPG Deals. They offered purported fund recovery or chargeback services in exchange for fees and issued counterfeit guarantee letters through entities claiming to be legal firms, including Orbital Limited and AK Law. The scammers also used fake contact details resembling legitimate digital wallet providers to mislead victims. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Spotware launches “Spotware Talks” – a new panel discussion series on the company’s YouTube channel. The series will run regularly and deliver practical, B2B-focused discussions for brokers and prop firms, sharing deep expertise on running and growing a trading business in today’s market. The panels will feature senior executives discussing how they approach strategy, technology, risk and operations.The first Spotware Talks panel, “Gold gone wild: brokers’ survival guide – managing risk under extreme market conditions”, will go live on 26 February at 17:00 (GMT+2). It will be valuable for specialists in dealing and risk management, as well as founders and executives at FX/CFD brokerages. The session will bring together Angus Walker, Global Head of Trading at IC Markets, and Drew Niv, Chief Strategy Officer at ATFX. With decades of combined experience, the guests will share practice-based perspectives on securing stable operations when markets become increasingly unpredictable. David Kimberley, a recognised forex media expert, will host the discussion. Subscribe to the Spotware YouTube channel so you don’t miss this discussion.This panel examines how brokers can control risk in extreme market conditions. The speakers will share the proven ways to maintain steady processes while keeping trading conditions fair and consistent. Using real volatility scenarios, the session will outline the operational steps brokers can take to stay resilient when markets turn erratic. With gold trading in increasingly wide ranges and volatility remaining elevated, this discussion serves as a practical guide for brokers seeking to protect execution standards without constraining client activity.Roman Snegirev, CMO at Spotware, said: “With the launch of ‘Spotware Talks’, we’re introducing a new, regular panel series on our YouTube channel – a format designed to support our clients through valuable, B2B-focused discussions. In each session, we bring senior industry professionals to the table to set out the operational realities of successful CFD businesses.”You can become a part of the first discussion – submit your question. The invited experts will answer your questions during the session. Join us and learn how to stay afloat when market moves get unpredictable. About Spotware SystemsSpotware Systemsis a fintech company founded in 2010, based in Limassol, Cyprus, with a global team of 200+ professionals. It designs and delivers innovative trading technology and custom solutions for brokers worldwide, supporting long-term growth and scalability. Spotware’s solutions include cTrader, the flagship trading platform, and cBridge, a highly cost-efficient liquidity bridge for all platforms that eliminates volume fees and hidden charges entirely. Spotware’s expertise is consistently recognised with multiple international industry awards, including Best Trading Platform, Best Services for Partners and Best Mobile Trading App. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Startale Group and SBI Holdings have launched a blockchain that provides exchange infrastructure for tokenized securities and real-world asset (RWA) trading in Asia. Dubbed Strium, the new platform is built to support trading and settlement of tokenized equities and RWA-linked instruments in both spot and derivatives markets. It plans to operate 24/7 and focuses on securities-linked products rather than crypto-native perpetual contracts. Strium also separates its exchange architecture from direct asset issuance or custody to stay compatible with existing financial systems.Exchange Layer for Tokenized SecuritiesThe venture builds on a partnership between Startale and SBI last year that targeted the growing market for tokenized assets and onchain capital markets. With Strium, the partners aim to position the network as a core exchange layer for Asia’s onchain securities market.“Building on the August 2025 partnership announcement, which positioned the alliance at the forefront of the $18.9 trillion tokenized asset market opportunity, Strium addresses a fundamental shift now underway in institutional and professional markets,” Startale announced.You may also like: SBI Holdings Invests in U.S. Prime Broker Clear Street, Plans Japan Joint VentureThe launch of the Strium brand comes alongside proofs of concept that test the network’s exchange architecture, settlement efficiency and interoperability. The PoC work focuses on performance under high-load conditions and connectivity with traditional financial infrastructure and other blockchain networks.The two firms earlier collaborated to develop a fully regulated yen‑denominated stablecoin aimed at global settlement use. The project seeks to merge traditional financial infrastructure with blockchain‑based payment systems. It includes the creation of a tokenized yen tailored for enterprise applications and cross‑border transactions. The initiative aligns with Japan’s push for digital currency frameworks.SBI Steps Up US PushSBI recently acquired a minority stake in US brokerage Clear Street through its American subsidiary, SBI Holdings USA, in a $50 million deal. The investment represents less than 1% of the New York-based firm, which is preparing for an initial public offering on Nasdaq.Alongside the capital injection, SBI and Clear Street agreed to pursue a partnership that will establish a joint venture in Japan. The new entity will initially concentrate on asset management services, with plans to expand into equities trading, prime brokerage, and digital asset-related businesses as the collaboration evolves. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

The cryptocurrency market plunged for the third consecutive session on Thursday, February 5, 2026, with Bitcoin dropping 3.5% to test $70,000, the lowest level since November 2024, before recovering slightly to $71,340. XRP crashed over 7% below $1.40, Ethereum fell to $2,068 (lowest since May 2025), and Dogecoin battles support at $0.10 as $775 million in leveraged positions were liquidated. In this article I analyze XRP/USDT, BTC/USD, ETH/USDT and DOGE/USDT charts, answering the question of why crypto is going down today.Why Bitcoin Is Going Down? Breaking Through $74K Opens Path to $68KBitcoin's price fell for the third straight session, dropping 3.5% to test $70,052, the lowest since November 2024, before recovering to $71,340, down 1.5%. This represents a decisive break below my target range of $74,000 that I've been discussing since November.While I forecasted a potential bounce at $74,000, I practice reactive analysis rather than wishful thinking analysis, which means I was prepared for this scenario as well. With the breakdown confirmed, I'm now targeting $68,000, where the 200-week exponential moving average (200 WMA) runs on the weekly chart. That's where I'll expect a demand reaction.If that level also fails to hold, I have my long-term ultra-bearish target around $52,000, where the 100% Fibonacci extension based on the current trend lands. One thing is certain: pressure on cryptocurrencies continues to persist.Bitcoin is now approximately 45% below its October peak near $126,000, with the recent drawdown accelerating as expectations that BTC would never revisit sub-$100K levels were shattered.Joel Kruger, crypto strategist at LMAX, offers perspective on the brutal selloff while identifying potential bottoming signals."Price action across crypto has been undeniably heavy over the past 24 hours, with bitcoin acting as the primary drag on broader sentiment and ETH following suit," Kruger notes. However, he points to emerging signs of exhaustion.Follow me on X for more crypto market analysis: @ChmielDkXRP Price Analysis: Testing $1.40 Opens Path to $1.25 or $0.53XRP is also falling for the third consecutive session, and today is one of the strongest declines this year, losing over 7% and testing levels below $1.40. If we exclude October's flash crash, this is the lowest value since November 2024.Breaking the local support defined by April 2025 lows opens the path toward targets in the $1.25-1.26 range, the minimums from the aforementioned flash crash. If this level also fails to hold, I'm targeting just $0.53 on the XRP chart.What would need to happen for me to change my bearish stance? Such scenarios are really far away, XRP would need to return above $2.20, where the 200-day EMA currently sits.Dogecoin Price Analysis: Fighting $0.10 SupportDogecoin (DOGE), like BTC and XRP, is falling for the third consecutive session and is fighting with local support around the round level of $0.10, which coincides with the lowest levels since September 2024.Doge already broke its important support at the end of January, located just below $0.12, and is currently in short-term consolidation at medium-term lows. Bearish pressure remains strong here, and breaking this level will open the path to declines toward 2024 minimums around $0.08.To relieve pressure from Dogecoin's shoulders, we would need to wait until around $0.16, where the 200 EMA sits.Ethereum Price Analysis: $2,068 Tests June 2025 SupportEthereum's price, unlike the three charts mentioned above, is also falling for the third consecutive session, deepening this year's lows on Thursday to $2,068—the lowest value since May 2025.Support designated by June 2024 lows around $2,100 continues to hold price in check, and today we also see a reaction at this level. As a result, ETH is currently losing only 0.7% and changing hands at $2,132.Although bearish pressure persists, even if the current support breaks, the next support sits around $1,760 (March 2025 lows), and the final ultimate level around $1,400 (April 2024 yearly lows).According to my technical analysis, Ethereum prices could fall to $1,725 or lower in February, aligning with the inverted cup and handle downside target, which historically achieves its expected target with an 82% success rate.I'll abandon bearish scenarios when ETH returns at least to the consolidation range drawn from November to the end of January, between $2,750 and $3,430.Why Is Crypto Crashing Today?$775 Million Liquidation CascadeThursday's crypto crash triggered a massive $775 million liquidation event across major exchanges as Bitcoin plunged to $70,000. What began as a minor technical correction "accelerated into a mass capitulation of long positions," according to market analysis.The violent flush caught leverage traders off guard, with open interest ballooning to unsustainable levels over the past week driven by retail FOMO and aggressive perpetual positioning. When the floor gave way, algorithmic selling pressure was instantaneous.Recent data shows over $800 million in leveraged liquidations impacting around 165,000 traders, with the majority coming from long positions. This follows the February 1 "Black Sunday II" event that saw $2.2 billion liquidated in 24 hours, the largest single-day wipeout since October 2025.Hawkish Federal Reserve Policy"The recent downturn in the cryptocurrency market has been swift and severe, with analysts attributing the decline to the appointment of Kevin Warsh as the prospective chair of the Federal Reserve, amid expectations that he might reduce the Fed's balance sheet," according to Reuters.Signs of ongoing high interest rates have pushed the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) above 97.5, making investors less interested in riskier assets like Bitcoin. The Fed's January 28 hold at 3.50-3.75% with Powell stating he's "not in a hurry to cut" continued to weigh on risk assets, with real yields remaining elevated.Institutional Outflows AccelerateBig investors such as BlackRock have sold large amounts of Bitcoin, with $373.8 million leaving spot BTC ETFs recently. Bitcoin ETFs have continued bleeding with cumulative multi-billion dollar outflows since mid-January, removing spot bid support and forcing correlated selling in leveraged products.Technical Targets TableWith clear breaks below key support levels across major cryptocurrencies, here are my next technical targets:Crypto Price Analysis, FAQWhy is crypto falling today?Crypto crashed for the third consecutive session on February 5, 2026, with Bitcoin testing $70,000 (lowest since Nov 2024), triggering $775 million in liquidations. Kevin Warsh's Fed Chair appointment raised expectations for balance sheet reduction and hawkish policy, pushing DXY above 97.5 and making risk assets less attractive. How low can Bitcoin go?Bitcoin broke my November target of $74,000 and tested $70,052 before recovering to $71,340. The next technical target is $68,000 where the 200-week EMA provides critical support, with an ultra-bearish scenario targeting $52,000 (100% Fibonacci extension). Analysts Peter Brandt and Michael Burry identify support levels at $60,176 and $47,824 if $70,000 breaks. LMAX's Joel Kruger notes Bitcoin is "roughly 45% below its October peak" with "hallmarks of capitulation now in place."Why is XRP crashing?XRP crashed over 7% on Thursday to below $1.40—the lowest since November 2024 excluding October's flash crash. Breaking April 2025 local support opens the path to $1.25-1.26 (October flash crash lows), with the long-term ultra-bearish target at $0.53. Bull invalidation requires a return above $2.20 where the 200-day EMA currently sits, representing a 57% rally from current levels. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

If the Cap Fits, Why Not Reap the Dividend?UK mid-caps have had a hard time over recent years, weighed down by negative sentiment around the domestic economy and investor preference for large-cap stocks and international equities.Historically, mid-cap stocks tended to offer higher growth potential but at the expense of dividends. Now this situation has reversed and, for the first time since the early years of the 21st century, there are a large number of mid-cap companies trading on lower valuations and offering significantly higher dividend yields than large caps.Are you attending iFX Expo Dubai? Do not miss the first-ever Trading Festival.With the UK economy showing tentative signs of growth and the government seemingly getting a handle on inflation, this segment of the market is starting to look more attractive, especially when valuations are taken into account.The FTSE 250 is trading at not much more than two-thirds of its long-term average price-to-earnings ratio.According to AJ Bell, the highest-yielding stock among mid-cap companies in the UK market is Ithaca Energy at 11.4%. However, the firm’s head of markets cautions that any yield above 9% would need extra investigation by potential investors to make sure it is not a one-off payout, as companies are not normally that generous with dividends.The second-highest dividend payer in the FTSE 250 is Lancashire, a speciality insurer focusing on risks in areas including property, energy, marine and aviation, which has a strong history of paying high dividends due to the nature of its business.Other generous dividend payers in the FTSE 250 include various investment trusts in the renewable energy and property sectors.Gains in Spain Lead to Market OvervaluationThe suggestion that Europe offers equity investors better value than the US is not a new one, as discussed previously, with European stock markets starting last year significantly undervalued.However, when looking at individual countries, a more uneven pattern emerges. While the Morningstar Europe Index gained more than 19.4% in 2025, compared with 8.7% in 2024 and 15.5% in 2023, there was a large gap between Spain, which returned more than 57%, and France, where the stock market gained a more modest 13%. Italy was the other strong performer, gaining more than 37%.European stocks continue to outperform the US, with the STOXX 600 up over 4% YTD versus a 1.9% gain for the S&P 500 and riding a seven-month winning streak. Within Europe, France is the only country lagging behind the S&P.Read today's Morning Lineup at https://t.co/StU33FFeZV pic.twitter.com/HTbYgxxmAJ— Bespoke (@bespokeinvest) February 3, 2026Unsurprisingly, the extent to which European markets are undervalued has decreased over the past 12 months. Only seven markets had a price-to-fair-value ratio below 1 at the end of 2025, and overall values were at their highest level for three years.Spain was the most overvalued market, followed by Italy and Belgium, where values increased even faster than in Spain last year.Another factor in the narrowing gap between European and US equities was the rise in fair values for some large companies in the US index, including NVIDIA, Apple, Amazon and Alphabet, which reduced the valuation of the market as a whole.Fernando Luque, a senior financial analyst at Morningstar, noted that the financial services sector was the most expensive in valuation terms, followed by utilities, where the three largest companies in the sector ended the year with very different valuations. Spain’s Iberdrola was overvalued by 20% and Italy’s Enel by 10%, while the UK’s National Grid was undervalued by 6%.Apart from real estate, one of the cheapest sectors was consumer cyclical. Although most European sectors saw their price-to-fair-value estimates increase during 2025, this was not the case for the technology, industrials and communication services sectors, with technology failing to see an increase despite the rise in ASML Holding.Why Emerging Markets Could Build on Earnings ExpectationsAnalysis conducted by investment firm Redwheel indicates that 2025 marked the first year emerging markets outperformed the US since 2017. Long-term supporters of non-US markets hope this marks a new period of stronger performance, similar to the first decade of the millennium, when emerging markets outperformed every year except 2008.In the 2000s, emerging market performance was driven by higher commodity prices and a weaker US dollar. By 2025, similar conditions were in place, supported by falling rates, attractive valuations, reform momentum and shifting capital flows.European stocks continue to outperform the US, with the STOXX 600 up over 4% YTD versus a 1.9% gain for the S&P 500 and riding a seven-month winning streak. Within Europe, France is the only country lagging behind the S&P.Read today's Morning Lineup at https://t.co/StU33FFeZV pic.twitter.com/HTbYgxxmAJ— Bespoke (@bespokeinvest) February 3, 2026While US equities rely on earnings growth and maintaining higher valuations, international equities have stronger return potential from a re-rating of valuations to narrow the gap with the US, as well as currency gains against the US dollar. Markets outside the US began to close the valuation gap in 2025, and earnings outside the US, although more volatile, are improving and are expected to match the US growth rate through 2026.Interest rates are expected to be the most important economic driver of global equity performance this year, with the Federal Reserve setting the pace. The easing cycle that began in late 2024 resumed later last year and is likely to continue in 2026, with futures pricing indicating that the US will cut its policy rate twice more in 2026, reaching a level of 3–3.25% by the end of the year.Looser US monetary policy allows emerging market central banks to lower interest rates, which are currently very tight given how quickly inflation has fallen.Meanwhile, the dollar is expected to face many of the same pressures this year as in 2025, including larger US fiscal deficits and rising government debt without a clear plan for fiscal control. Markets have also shown concern about erratic US economic and trade policy, as well as the potential weakening of the independence of key institutions such as the Federal Reserve. This article was written by Paul Golden at www.financemagnates.com.

Sydney, Australia, 5 February 2026 —Amid heightened volatility in global precious metals markets ,VT Markets has proven the strength of its trading infrastructure, maintaining stable execution and uninterrupted access during periods of intense market stress.During the recent market volatility, VT Markets recorded USD1.5 trillion in gold trading volume in January, underscoring strong client engagement and sustained confidence in its trading environment. Notably, 20% of gold traders were new to the platform, highlighting VT Markets’ ability to attract new traders eager to seize opportunities amid heightened market fluctuations.The platform experienced its highest gold trading volume on 29 January 2026, a day when global gold markets saw dramatic price swings-gold futures surging past $5,500 per ounce and then exhibiting sharp intraday volatility amid geopolitical and macroeconomic pressures. Crucially, VT Markets’ deep and diversified liquidity pool enabled the platform to maintain consistent pricing and high order fill rates, even during peak volatility. Average spreads on gold and silver remained competitive, while execution stability was preserved during fast-market conditions that challenged liquidity across the industry.Ross Maxwell, Global Strategy Operation at VT Markets shares: “Volatile conditions inevitably test market infrastructure. While some platforms pulled back to manage their own risk, our systems performed exactly as designed- keeping gold and silver trading open and accessible for clients. That ability to stay operational during extreme conditions is what sets us apart from other brokers." This performance underscores VT Markets’ commitment to providing traders with dependable market access when it matters most. In volatile conditions where execution speed, liquidity depth, and platform resilience are critical, VT Markets has demonstrated its capability to perform under pressure- turning market uncertainty into opportunity for its global trading community. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

XTB doesn't see limits to how fast it can grow, even after adding more clients last year than it accumulated in its first 20 years of operation.Omar Arnaout, the broker's chief executive, told Polish financial daily Parkiet that bringing in two million new accounts annually "is completely realistic" within a few years. The Warsaw-listed company pulled in 864,000 clients during 2025, a 73 percent jump that pushed its total base past 2.16 million."It took us 20 years to have a million clients," Arnaout said in the interview published this week. "In 2025, we acquired over 860,000 clients. So in one year we did practically what took 20 years."When asked where the ceiling is for client acquisition growth, Arnaout was blunt: "We still don't see that ceiling."XTB reported record fourth-quarter revenue of 610.1 million złoty ($173 million) and net profit of 180.5 million złoty in preliminary results released last month. For the full year, the company posted 644 million złoty in net profit, falling short of the billion-złoty threshold that analysts have floated as the next psychological milestone.Flat Markets Masked Client Growth ImpactArnaout blamed sideways price action across most assets for keeping results below what the expanding client base could have delivered. He said 2025 stood out for how many instruments traded in tight ranges, limiting the volatility that typically drives trading volume at contracts-for-difference brokers like XTB."If conditions had been favorable, I think that billion really would have been broken," the CEO told Parkiet. The number of active clients climbed 70 percent during the year, reaching 1.19 million, but many of those traders sat on the sidelines when markets stalled.XTB added 117,000 clients in the first 28 days of January alone, according to company disclosures. Arnaout wouldn't discuss specific monthly performance but said his personal goal for 2026 includes crossing the billion-złoty profit mark. The company has publicly committed to signing up one million new clients this year, which would work out to roughly 250,000 per quarter at minimum."That's the minimum," Arnaout said. "Our aspirations are definitely bigger."Crypto License Opens New Revenue StreamThe broker secured approval from Cyprus regulators in December to offer spot cryptocurrency trading under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets framework. That authorization came after months of legislative gridlock in Poland, where President Karol Nawrocki vetoed crypto legislation that parliament had passed.Arnaout sees crypto as an entirely separate market from the stock and CFD traders XTB already serves. Poland has more than two million brokerage accounts but an estimated three million people who own cryptocurrencies, he noted. Unlike the broker's zero-commission stock and ETF products, crypto and options will carry transaction fees."If we add cryptocurrencies to the offer, we're entering an entirely new business, we're starting a completely different competitive battle," Arnaout explained. "That's a completely new client base, so I don't see that ceiling."XTB plans to launch spot crypto trading in Cyprus first, then roll out to other markets once it clears regulatory hurdles in each jurisdiction. The company is waiting to see how Poland's legislative process plays out but won't delay indefinitely. Arnaout said XTB will make a decision by the second quarter, or third quarter at the latest, on how to proceed.The crypto push fits into Arnaout's broader vision of building what he described last year as a "super app" that handles everything from investing to payments. That strategy has already reshaped the company's customer mix, with only 7 percent of new clients now choosing CFDs as their first transaction, down from 80 percent in 2019.Options Already Live in CyprusThe broker began offering options trading to Cypriot clients late last year and expects to extend the service to at least one other European branch during the first quarter of 2026. Like crypto, options represent a fee-generating product that could reduce XTB's dependence on CFD spreads for revenue."If the client base grows dynamically and interest in CFDs is maintained, that will positively impact our business," Arnaout said. But he acknowledged that XTB's stock and ETF products, along with interest paid on idle cash, don't yet produce meaningful income because the user base remains too small. Crypto and options could change that math by adding paid services to the platform.The company also announced plans last week to introduce margin lending for stock purchases and extend trading hours to 24 hours a day, five days a week. Those announcements sent XTB shares up 12 percent in the biggest single-day jump since 2021, even as full-year profit dropped 25 percent.Competition Heats Up in Polish MarketPoland continues to drive a disproportionate share of XTB's growth, even as the broker operates across multiple countries. Brand recognition has reached a point where XTB is often the first choice for Polish investors opening new accounts, Arnaout said.But rivals are circling. German fintech Trade Republic entered Poland last year, launching a direct challenge to XTB's market leadership. ING Bank Securities, the country's fourth-largest brokerage, is preparing its own offensive with tax-sheltered retirement accounts and expanded foreign market access."I would like to be able to say that we will have much greater diversification, but at this pace of business development in Poland, it still seems unrealistic for now, although foreign branches are also developing very quickly," Arnaout told Parkiet.The CEO said XTB won't sacrifice profitability to chase expansion in 2026. Marketing budgets will stay aggressive because becoming Europe's largest retail broker requires sustained ad spending, but other costs face tighter controls. Headcount is budgeted to rise just one percent this year, the slowest pace in company history, though total personnel expenses will climb about 16 to 17 percent due to raises and other compensation adjustments."Approaching the budget for this year, for the first time we were very cautious," Arnaout said. "If I'm talking about my goals, I would like to exceed that billion złoty profit this year."Client assets held at XTB reached approximately 10.8 billion euros by the end of 2025. The average cost to acquire each new account held steady at 700 złoty for the full year and 600 złoty in the fourth quarter. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

LMAX Group has integrated MetaQuotes' Ultency Matching Engine into its trading infrastructure, giving institutional clients faster execution and tighter connectivity across its MetaTrader 5 offering.The London-based cross-asset exchange handles over $40 billion in daily spot FX and digital asset flow. Brokers accessing that liquidity through MT5 will now route orders through Ultency, MetaQuotes' low-latency aggregation and matching system.LMAX also expanded its digital asset derivatives in recent months, and the Ultency integration arrives as the firm adds 19 new tokens to its perpetual futures lineup. The exchange initially launched 100x leverage crypto perpetuals in September targeting institutional demand for leveraged digital asset exposure."Integrating MetaQuotes' Ultency Matching Engine enhances the existing seamless functionality our broker and institutional clients expect across our trading venues," said Jenna Wright, Managing Director of Digital Assets at LMAX Group.[#highlighted-links#] "It strengthens execution quality, improves performance and enables clients to trade effortlessly across the full suite of LMAX products, including our expanding range of perpetual futures, offering a substantial market opportunity for institutions."Execution Speed Becomes Competitive FactorUltency functions as a built-in matching engine within MetaTrader 5, eliminating the need for brokers to maintain separate liquidity bridges. MetaQuotes introduced Ultency at FMLS:25, positioning it as an alternative to third-party bridge providers that have historically connected MT5 brokers to external liquidity sources.Order processing speed matters for firms trading perpetual futures, where funding rates reset every eight hours and price movements can trigger rapid position adjustments. LMAX clients trading through MT5 will route executions through Ultency's aggregation layer rather than external middleware."Their reputation for delivering transparent, high‑performance liquidity aligns perfectly with our commitment to advancing institutional‑grade trading technology," Renat Fatkhullin, CEO of MetaQuotes, added. "This integration enables MT5 participants to access faster execution, deeper liquidity and greater operational resilience."Perpetual Futures Offering ExpandsLMAX also has added Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, XRP, Solana, TRON, Dogecoin, Cardano, Uniswap, Chainlink, Aave, Aptos, BNB, Toncoin, Sui, Avalanche, Polkadot, Internet Computer, Hedera, and Near to its perpetual futures contracts. The exchange started with Bitcoin and Ethereum pairs when it entered the perpetuals market last September.GMG Prime adopted Ultency in January to connect institutional liquidity to MT5, becoming one of the first liquidity providers to implement MetaQuotes' matching technology. LMAX follows a similar path, though it operates regulated execution venues rather than serving purely as a liquidity provider.The firm's infrastructure includes FCA and CySEC-regulated brokers, an FCA-regulated multilateral trading facility, and a Gibraltar-licensed digital asset venue. LMAX secured 150 million dollars from Ripple in January to support RLUSD stablecoin trading and cross-asset CFD products.LMAX operates matching centers in London, New York, Tokyo, and Singapore, serving funds, banks, and brokerages in more than 100 countries. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Scope Prime, the institutional liquidity brand under the Rostro Group, has expanded its offering beyond its core contracts for differences (CFDs) and launched a futures and options trading service.Direct Access to On-Exchange LiquidityAnnounced today (Thursday), the platform will now offer professional market participants direct access to on-exchange liquidity across multiple global exchanges, including the CME, Eurex, ICE, and CBOT.“We know market participants are becoming more sensitive to execution quality, pricing transparency, and counterparty risk management,” said Saul Knapp, Managing Director, Futures & Options, at Rostro Group.“Our futures and options offering complements our established OTC suite by providing direct market access to regulated, on-exchange liquidity, offering an alternative to traditional broker-delivered OTC execution.”Scope Prime is offering futures and options trading through three platforms: MT5, CQG, and Trading Technologies (TT).[#highlighted-links#] Futures Is the Future?The popularity of futures and options instruments among existing CFD brokers has been growing for several years. London-listed IG Group entered the United States after acquiring tastytrade for $1 billion in 2021. Plus500 followed a similar path, acquiring a US-based derivatives broker, and now generates a significant share of revenue from its non-OTC offerings.Other large CFD broker brands offering futures and options include AvaTrade, XTB, and Saxo.Although CFDs differ from futures and options, the latter reduce counterparty risk for institutional clients placing larger orders. They also remove the overnight financing fees linked to CFD trading.“Our role is to make it accessible, commercially viable, and operationally practical for professional clients by providing access to level 2 pricing, connecting clients directly to the central limit order book, and ensuring orders are filled at the best available market price,” Knapp added. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.