GCEX appointed Carmen Tan as Managing Director for its MENA operations, placing the former CoinW Exchange executive at the center of the firm's expansion across Middle Eastern and Asian institutional markets. Based in Dubai, Tan will oversee the company's VARA-regulated entity while simultaneously driving business development in Asia.Track Record Across Exchanges and Prime BrokersTan joins from CoinW Exchange in Dubai, where she most recently served as Chief Communications Officer after initially managing institutional growth as Global Strategy & Growth Manager. "Carmen has delivered impressive results and built very strong networks in both the MENA and Asia regions," said Lars Holst, founder and CEO of GCEX."We are delighted to welcome her to the team to help us deliver our ambitious growth plans and strengthen our position as a trusted, regulated digital prime broker for institutional and professional clients worldwide."Before CoinW, Tan spent nearly two years at MultiBank Group, finishing as Regional Marketing & Growth Lead. She previously worked at Emirates for nearly six years before transitioning into financial services in 2020.Tan said she first encountered GCEX while working at MultiBank. "My focus will be on governance and growth, working closely with Lars to build a dynamic, scalable team and position GCEX as a market leading digital asset prime broker in the regio,” Tan added.The hire marks GCEX's latest personnel move after recruiting three senior executives in 2025, including former Saxo Bank and CBOE director Steve Thomas, 35-year FX veteran Kevin Gillespie, and ex-Finalto COO Stanislav Bunimovich. Competing for Institutional FlowGCEX competes in a market where crypto exchanges increasingly offer traditional finance products to institutional clients. The firm recently launched gold futures CFDs targeting rising institutional activity in commodities. Rival platforms like Binance and BingX have rolled out perpetual contracts on precious metals and forex pairs, with BingX reporting that gold futures contracts generate over $500 million in daily volume.GCEX operates under licenses from the UK Financial Conduct Authority, Denmark's Finanstilsynet as a MiCA-compliant crypto asset service provider, and Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. The firm received its VARA license in November 2023 after initially securing a preparatory license in February 2023. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Brendan Gunn, a former executive who led major CFD and forex brokerages in Australia, pleaded guilty today (Tuesday) to dealing with more than AUD 181,000 suspected to be proceeds from investment scams.Gunn admitted in court that he handled two bank cheques containing funds from victim investors who had deposited money for cryptocurrency conversions and other investment opportunities. The 53-year-old Brisbane resident served as finance director of Mormarkets Pty Ltd when the alleged offenses occurred between March and May 2020.The guilty plea follows charges filed by ASIC in March 2025 after a lengthy investigation into suspected international scams targeting Australians. Gunn appeared at the Downing Centre Local Court, where he and prosecutors agreed to handle sentencing at the local level rather than in district court.Banks Shut Down Accounts RepeatedlyBanks closed multiple Mormarkets accounts due to fraud concerns while Gunn was directing the company. Despite receiving repeated notifications about suspicious activity, Gunn continued opening new accounts to receive and transfer deposits.When two Mormarkets bank accounts were shuttered in early 2020, Gunn received the bank cheques totaling AUD 181,000 from four separate investment amounts made by three victims. He then sent those cheques to an associate, according to his admission in court.The company promoted itself as providing cryptocurrency conversions and access to overseas investment opportunities for Australian depositors. ASIC's investigation found the funds were linked to suspected cross-border scams.CFD Industry LinksGunn built a career in Australia's CFD and forex industry before his involvement with Mormarkets. He spent six years at GAIN Capital's Forex.com brand, serving as Director of Global Client Services for the Asia-Pacific region from 2006 to 2013.In 2013, Japanese broker Invast Securities tapped Gunn to establish and lead its Australian subsidiary. As CEO of Invast Financial Services, he secured the company's AFSL license from ASIC and built a sales team of more than 25 professionals. The firm grew into one of the region's larger retail trading operations during his tenure, which lasted until 2015.After leaving Invast, Gunn founded advisory services and later took on the role of director at Mormarkets starting in 2019.In 2018, he was also briefly associated with GMT Markets, which launched retail trading services that year.Sentencing Looms Next MonthGunn faces a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment, a fine of AUD 12,600, or both under local court sentencing guidelines. The matter returns to Downing Centre Local Court on February 10 to schedule a sentencing date.The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is handling the case following the investigation by ASIC. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Eightcap, a global leading derivatives broker, has announced a major move in the retail trading industry. Eightcap is the first CFD broker regulated in multiple jurisdictions to offer the TradeLocker platform. This partnership highlights Eightcap’s commitment to delivering a whole new world of trading for various types of traders. To celebrate the launch, new clients signing up for a TradeLocker account through Eightcap will receive an exclusive trading credit and rebate offer* via the official launch page. “Eightcap’s focus has always been to give traders choice and access to the tools they need to navigate the markets.” said Michael Clifton-Jones, Group Chief Commercial Officer at Eightcap. “TradeLocker has built strong traction with traders, and now Eightcap is taking itfurther by being the first broker to integrate it into a regulated CFD environment. We are expanding our platform suite to support a diverse array of trading styles.” “Our mission has always been to build a trading platform that truly meets the needs of today’s traders,” said Dom Bradley, CEO of TradeLocker. “Through our partnership with Eightcap, we’re bringing TradeLocker’s next-gen features to a wider community of CFD traders who are ready for something new: a platform that combines an intuitive interface with powerful tools for everyday trading.” The addition of TradeLocker complements Eightcap’s existing platform suite, which already includes MetaTrader 4 and 5, and TradingView for charting and social traders. This ensures Eightcap clients can choose the platform that best fits their trading style, whether they value automation, charting depth, or advanced risk management. TradeLocker Features & Benefits ● Intuitive user interface: A streamlined design that eases onboarding for new traders and enhances usability for experienced ones. ● Advanced charting by TradingView: Full access to world-class charting tools and technical indicators. ● One-click & on-chart trading: Enabling rapid execution in volatile market conditions directly on the chart. ● Advanced risk management: Including SL/TP calculator, risk calculator, and trailing stop loss. ● Community-driven innovation: A platform that constantly evolves with your needs, where updates are prioritised based on direct feedback from the trading community. ● Mobile, desktop & web trading: TradeLocker is available on all devices, with your layouts and settings always in sync.Eightcap invites eligible traders to be among the first to experience TradeLocker with a regulated CFD broker. Visit theofficial launch pageto learn more and sign up for the exclusive promotion*.. *This promotion is not available to clients in Australia, the UK, or Cyprus. Full terms and conditions apply. About Eightcap Eightcap is a global online trading company dedicated to delivering a user-centric trading experience and innovative solutions. With multiple trading platforms, a wide range of assets, and a focus on accessible information, Eightcap empowers traders across the world in navigating the markets. About TradeLocker TradeLocker is a next-generation trading platform designed for the modern trader. Built with a focus on speed, precision, and community feedback, TradeLocker integrates seamlessly with TradingView to offer advanced charting and a highly customisable interface. It is rapidly becoming the platform of choice for traders seeking a modern alternative to traditional trading software. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Trading 212, a disruptor in Europe’s retail brokerage sector, sold cryptocurrency-linked products in the United Kingdom without the proper authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which requires separate approval for offering such “high-risk investment products.”Offering Crypto Products without PermissionAccording to a Financial Times report, the retail brokerage platform allowed traders on its platform to purchase crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) from October 2025, right after the UK regulator overturned its blanket ban on such products, which was put in place in 2021.ETNs track the value of the underlying asset, cryptocurrency in this case, but unlike popular exchange-traded funds (ETFs), investors in these products hold a debt note linked to the price of the asset rather than a stake in the fund itself.Trading 212, however, applied for the necessary FCA approval to offer the crypto products last week, the report stated, following regulatory officials’ intervention. It received approval on Monday.[#highlighted-links#] Notably, Trading 212 has held FCA authorisation since 2014, which allows the broker to offer financial products, including forex and contracts for difference (CFDs), but not crypto products.A now-deleted post on Trading 212’s website mentioned a couple of weeks ago that it had “briefly paused” the offering of complex instruments, including crypto ETNs, to new customers in order to upgrade its “internal systems and onboarding flows,” the FT report highlighted.The platform continued to advertise crypto ETNs, but during the order review stage, a message appeared stating that “we’re making improvements… we expect to be back online soon — thank you for your patience!”The review prompt disappeared on Monday after the platform received the necessary approval.Trading 212’s Crypto BetFinanceMagnates.com earlier reported that Trading 212 launched crypto trading under its Cypriot unit last October. The broker established a dedicated crypto entity in Cyprus in 2024 and also obtained a crypto asset service provider (CASP) licence from the regulator on the Mediterranean island.As a group, Trading 212 ended 2024 with a net profit of £43.7 million on revenue of £194.1 million. Its UK operations remained its main revenue source, adding £150 million to the total figure, while the Cypriot business brought in £42.2 million despite doubling its figures within a year. Germany’s FXFlat, following its acquisition, added over £1 million.In the UK, the broker is also moving away from CFDs towards stockbroking.Despite the reported breach in the UK, it remains unclear whether the FCA will take any action against the retail brokerage. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

The UK-registered arm of Capital Markets Elite Group, a broker providing access to equities and contracts for difference (CFDs), reported another loss in its latest financial year, but the gap narrowed sharply as revenue grew to more than £559,000 and costs moved lower. The company generated turnover of £559,005 for the year ended 31 May 2025, up 11% from £502,699 a year earlier. Cost of sales dropped to £199,250 from £264,514, which lifted gross profit to £359,755, compared with £238,185 in the prior year.Operating Loss Shrinks but Remains SignificantAdministrative expenses, which cover overheads such as staff and office costs, fell to £870,814 from £1,055,386. This reduction helped narrow the operating loss to £511,059, down from £817,201 in 2024.After booking £6,019 in interest receivable and a small interest charge in the previous year, the loss before tax stood at £505,040, versus £811,811 a year earlier. The company’s loss for the financial year matched this figure at £505,040, reflecting a material but still incomplete improvement in its bottom line.CM Elite Group (UK) provides execution services for both unleveraged and margined US equities, as well as CFDs across several major financial instruments. It serves retail and institutional clients and earns fees for giving access to a mix of third-party and proprietary trading platforms.The business operates on an execution-only model, with fee income driven by trading activity and platform usage rather than advisory work. Cost Base and HeadcountThe accounts highlight a smaller team as part of the cost adjustment. The average number of employees fell to four in 2025 from six in 2024. A reduced headcount likely contributed to the £184,572 drop in administrative expenses and the £306,142 improvement in operating loss.You may also like: Saxo Bank Fined Nearly $50 Million in Denmark, Its Largest Penalty in Recent YearsThe shift to a leaner structure indicated efforts to align ongoing costs with current revenue levels while still maintaining the infrastructure required to support equity and CFD execution.The move from an £811,811 loss to a £505,040 loss, alongside a rise in turnover of more than £56,000 and an increase in gross profit of over £121,000, showed a gradual progress toward a more sustainable operation. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

IC Markets has appointed blockchain technology expert Jaser Mahmoud as Chief Technology Officer, adding an experienced digital asset infrastructure expert to its leadership team. The move highlights the broker’s focus on emerging technology as it strengthens the infrastructure behind its trading services.Veteran Technologist Joins IC MarketsMahmoud will oversee the company’s technology strategy and the development of its core systems. He brings more than 20 years of experience in technology roles. He has worked across financial services and related sectors, with a focus on architecture and complex platforms.Mahmoud joins IC Markets from crypto-focused technology firm R3, where he served as Chief Architect. In that role, he worked on the design of large-scale systems that support distributed and digital asset infrastructure.Background at R3 and ADSSIC Markets is also tapping someone with expertise in the UAE's regulatory space in matters digital infrastructure. He has reportedly worked closely with central banks, regulators, and other key players to turn policy and business goals into clear technical plans. According to his profile, his efforts made sure the platform was safe, reliable, and able to work smoothly with other systems at both national and international levels.Keep reading: IC Markets Becomes Haas F1 Team Sponsor at Season's End, Drops “Markets” From NameHeadquartered in London, R3 develops enterprise blockchain software for regulated financial institutions through its Corda platform, which supports digital assets, tokenization and other distributed ledger use cases across global markets. He also spent nearly two years as Head of Enterprise Architecture at ADSS.Recently, IC Markets also appointed Petros Kalaitzis as General Manager of its proprietary trading division. Before joining IC Markets, Kalaitzis served as Deputy CEO and Chief Strategy Officer at FunderPro. He previously held senior roles at Tools for Brokers, including Managing Director.Elsewhere, the broker signed a sponsorship deal with Australian tennis player Alexei Popyrin early this month, ahead of the 2026 season. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

TTT Markets is the latest prop trading firm to launch a contracts-for-difference (CFD) trading business. The Saint Lucia-registered firm has announced a limited rollout to selected user as it prepares to open live trading access more broadly. The move shifts the company from a pure evaluation and funding model toward a combined prop and CFD offering built around MetaTrader 5 and in-house technology.Transition from Evaluations to Live CFDsSpeaking exclusively to Finance Magnates, Archie Cade, TTT Markets’ Founder and Director, said: “Our plan for the brokerage is that we want to build long lasting and meaningful relationships with clients. To help people trade for the long term.”Although prop trading offers a great opportunity for traders to learn and practice sound risk management, according to Cade, many treat it less seriously than trading with their own capital.“Whilst prop trading is a brilliant offering and can be brilliant for many traders to learn and educate themselves on good risk management - it is often treated by people less seriously than their own trading capital.”Continue reading: Prop Trading Meets the Octagon: Tradeify Signs UFC Champion Israel AdesanyaTTT Markets currently runs funding programs for traders who pass its evaluation challenges and has reportedly grown to more than 20,000 users in over 120 countries since late 2022.According to the company, the new line represents the next step in expanding its trading ecosystem after scaling its prop user base. The firm positions the CFD unit as a way for existing and future clients to trade markets without relying solely on evaluation-based funded accounts.Limited “Inner-Circle” RolloutTTT Markets has begun the CFD launch with a controlled rollout to a small group of inner-circle partners rather than opening access immediately to all users. The firm plans to extend live trading to a wider audience once it completes this initial phase. All CFD trading accounts will reportedly run on MetaTrader 5 under TTT Markets Ltd’s international licensing framework. “It’s also a mission for us to provide a full offering, for a long time we have been requested by traders to have brokerage services. As traders like our models but prop trading doesn’t suit everyone,” Cade added. Prop trading firms are no longer content with just selling challenges – a growing number are now standing up full CFD brokerage arms, turning a niche funding model into hybrid prop‑plus‑broker businesses.Towards the end of last year, the founders of leading prop-trading firm The5ers moved into the contracts‑for‑difference (CFD) brokerage business with a new Cyprus‑regulated brand, TSG. Additionally, CVC Asia Fund IV agreed to sell OANDA Global Corporation to FTMO Group. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Prishani Maheeph-Moonsamy has joined Capital.com as Head of Compliance for South Africa. She disclosed the appointment in a LinkedIn post shared today (Monday). In the post, she said she was “pleased to share that I’ve put down professional roots at Capital.com as Head of Compliance (South Africa).”Her appointment follows IG Group’s decision last year to wind down its onshore business in South Africa. The broker informed local clients that rand-denominated domestic trading accounts would be discontinued, while offshore accounts would remain available. The company did not disclose the reasons for the move.South African Compliance Executive Joins Capital.comMaheeph-Moonsamy spent more than two years at IG Group, where she served as Head of Compliance for two years and nine months. The role was based in Johannesburg and focused on regulatory and financial crime compliance.Before joining IG Group, she held senior compliance roles at FXCM. She worked as Head of Compliance for South Africa and Australia for nine months and previously served as Compliance Associate and Country Head for eleven months.Earlier in her career, she spent five and a half years at Nedbank. She worked as Compliance Manager in Business Banking for one year and seven months and was approved by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority under Phase One and Phase Two. Prior roles at the bank included Market Conduct Compliance Specialist for just over three years and Compliance Officer for eleven months.CFD Brokers Enter South African MarketEarlier, Capital.com applied for a licence in South Africa. The broker is also pursuing licences in Japan and Turkey and hiring executives for Brazil and Chile. Founded in 2017 by Viktor Prokopenya, Capital.com offers CFDs under regulatory authorisation in the UK, Australia, Cyprus, the UAE, and the Bahamas.The company’s South African plans come as the local CFD market continues to expand. Several brokers have recently secured OTC Derivatives Products licences to operate in the country. These include EBC Financial, Mitrade, and Monaxa, alongside CFI and XS. Exness also opened a regional hub in Cape Town as part of its local operations. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Saxo Bank faces a DKK 313,000,000 (49.7 million) administrative fine from Denmark’s financial watchdog after supervisors flagged anti-money laundering weaknesses in its institutional operations. The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority issued the fine after finding that Saxo Bank breached its regulations between 2021 and 2023. “The administrative fine is based on the company's failure to comply with the requirements for obtaining information regarding the purpose and intended nature of a number of customer relationships, as well as compliance with the requirements for ongoing monitoring for White Label Clients,” the regulator mentioned in the official announcement, as translated to English.Systemic Deficiencies in ControlsThe regulator concluded that the bank failed to obtain sufficient information about the purpose and intended nature of certain customer relationships, in particular those linked to white-label partners.Under the white-label model, Saxo Bank provides its trading platform to partner institutions, whose clients then access markets through Saxo’s infrastructure. Although the FSA did not identify specific cases or signs of money laundering, it concluded that the systemic deficiencies in controls justified a substantial response. The fine is framed as a reaction to risk management failures, not evidence of criminal activity.Read more: Saxo Bank Fined €1.6 Million for Violations by Now-Merged BinckBankAccording to the decision, an initial calculation pointed to a higher penalty, but the FSA applied a reduction after Saxo Bank actively cooperated with the investigation and took immediate steps to restore compliance. Also this month, Hong Kong’s financial regulator reprimanded and fined the local unit of Saxo Bank HK$4 million (about US$514,000) for offering 32 crypto products intended only for professional investors to retail clients, a move that follows the bank’s closure of its Hong Kong office and subsequent shutdown of operations in the jurisdiction a year earlier.Saxo Bank SpeaksSaxo Bank has accepted the administrative fine, signaling that it will not challenge the FSA’s conclusions. Chief executive and founder Kim Fournais said the bank has launched “a number of strategic and operational initiatives” and invested heavily to strengthen defenses against money laundering. “Since the inspection in May 2023, Saxo Bank has taken a number of strategic and operational initiatives and invested significantly in the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, including improving processes, procedures and reporting in a wide range of areas. Compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in the markets in which Saxo Bank operates is of the highest priority,” Fournais said. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

On 11–12 February, Spotware Systems will attend iFX EXPO Dubai 2026 as a multi-product developer, marking a clear step beyond a single-product focus. The Spotware team will showcase cBridge, a cost-efficient liquidity bridge, alongside cTrader, the company’s flagship trading platform. We look forward to meeting brokers, prop firms and partners in Dubai.At iFX EXPO Dubai, the visitors will be able to explore cBridge, Spotware’s new standalone solution which can operate independently of cTrader. Designed to remove volume-based fees and hidden charges entirely, cBridge connects multiple trading platforms to several liquidity providers while applying intuitive routing logic. Its scalable, modular architecture and workflow-first design place a strong emphasis on operational safety, including cross-setting validation and rule-set health checks.Alongside cBridge, the team will highlight recent cTrader enhancements that continue to support broker and prop firm growth. In 2025, more than two million new traders joined cTrader, bringing the total user base to over 11 million, while trading volume on cTrader increased by 105%. This growth reflects cTrader’s growing popularity across the industry. Built around Traders First™ approach, the platform sets a benchmark for fair and transparent trading, helping brokers and prop firms powered by cTrader demonstrate credibility and trust to their trading communities.Among traders of all levels, cTrader has built a strong reputation, as reflected in more than 1,200 Trustpilot reviews with an Excellent rating. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to get started for those taking their first steps in trading, while advanced features support more experienced users. Users frequently highlight the flawless performance of cTrader Mobile, which was recently awarded Best Mobile Trading App. Trusted by more than 300 broker clients worldwide, cTrader, as an Open Trading Platform™, enables brokers and prop firms to strengthen their market positioning by offering access to over 100 FX and CFD solutions across CRM, liquidity, risk management and signal services. Spotware team will also walk visitors through cTrader Store, which has evolved into a central hub for traders, offering bots, indicators, copy strategies, prop challenges and plugins. With free cloud execution, cTrader enables cBots and copy strategies to run without a VPS or keeping a device online. Secure transactions and one-click installation simplify access to trading tools, while native Python support has made the development of trading algorithms and indicators more accessible. For algo developers, cTrader ensures the full security of intellectual property, as the source code never leaves the developer’s control in an unencrypted state. For brokers and prop firms, cTrader Store significantly increases visibility among prospective traders through dedicated Brokers, Props and Prop Challenges sections, driving up to 10,000 daily visits. The Store also provides an additional revenue stream through affiliate partnership.Throughout the expo, our team will demonstrate how Spotware’s innovative solutions can support growth, strengthen operations and unlock new opportunities.Dubai World Trade Centre, Booth #84, 11–12Feb 2026Book a meeting with the Spotware sales team! This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Retail forex deposits across major US platforms slipped 0.8% in November 2025, falling to $495.7 million from October's $499.9 million as the industry posted its third consecutive monthly decline.The slide extended a losing streak that began in September and pushed total deposits below the $500 million mark for the first time in months. Year-over-year, the industry shed 3% from November 2024's $509.7 million, reflecting persistent headwinds facing currency traders despite pockets of growth at smaller platforms.Interactive Brokers Suffers Sharp PullbackInteractive Brokers recorded the month's steepest decline, plunging 20% to $25.7 million from October's $31.0 million. The $5.2 million outflow marked the broker's worst monthly performance in recent periods and wiped out gains accumulated earlier in the year.Despite the November setback, Interactive Brokers posted a modest 1% year-over-year gain from November 2024's $25.6 million, suggesting the platform retained some longer-term client acquisition momentum even as short-term flows reversed.Charles Schwab declined 2.4% to $58.5 million from $59.9 million, shedding $1.4 million during the month. The institutional broker faced steeper annual pressure with deposits down 10% from November 2024's $64.4 million, marking one of the sharper year-over-year declines among major platforms.Smaller Platforms Buck Industry Weaknesstastyfx emerged as November's strongest performer among major brokers, jumping 2.8% to $47.5 million from October's $46.2 million. The $1.3 million monthly gain bucked the broader downtrend and extended the platform's recovery from earlier weakness. Year-over-year, tastyfx posted a 10% gain from November 2024's $42.8 million.Trading.com delivered the month's most impressive performance with a 16.4% surge to $3.0 million from October's $2.5 million. The $498,000 monthly gain represented the highest percentage increase among tracked brokers. The platform showed even stronger annual momentum with deposits up 37% from November 2024's $1.9 million, marking the fastest growth rate in the industry.Market Leaders Show Mixed ResultsGAIN Capital held steady with a marginal 0.1% increase to $215.8 million from October's $215.4 million, adding just $316,000 in new deposits. The platform maintained its position as the largest US retail forex broker by client funds. Year-over-year, GAIN Capital posted a 5% gain from November 2024's $204.6 million, demonstrating resilience amid industry-wide pressure.OANDA inched up 0.2% to $145.2 million from October's $144.9 million, gaining $325,000 during the month. However, the broker faced steeper annual headwinds with deposits down 17% from November 2024's $170.4 million, reflecting sustained client fund outflows over the past year.The November decline continued a pattern that began in September when deposits first turned negative after a brief summer recovery. The three-month slide has now erased gains posted during mid-2025 as traders pulled back from currency positions amid shifting market conditions. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

FCA-regulated spread betting and contracts for difference provider Trade Nation is bringing TD365 under its brand. The TD365 name will be retired, and customers will access trading accounts under the Trade Nation brand.The development follows Trade Nation’s recent strengthening of its senior management team. Philippe Capelle joined as Chief Marketing Officer. Other recent appointments include Kypros Zoumidou, Managing Director, and Chief Executive Officer Jon Noble, both previously holding senior roles at London-listed broker IG Group. Zoumidou later served as Chief Executive Officer of Capital.com.TD365 Consolidation Speeds Platform Feature RolloutAndrew Merry, Chief Commercial Officer at Trade Nation, said: "This is only an incremental brand change that will have no impact on our award-winning trading services and will deliver greater clarity for our customers globally."Trade Nation said the consolidation is intended to simplify the login process. Customers will continue to trade as normal, with no impact on accounts, funds, or open positions. The company added that new platform features, including the ability to link accounts with TradingView, will be introduced more quickly.Regulatory Status Unchanged Across Multiple JurisdictionsThe move does not affect regulatory status. Trade Nation remains authorised and regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the Securities Commission of the Bahamas, the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles, and South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority.Trade Nation Returns to Profit in UK OperationsThe operational changes and management appointments coincide with Trade Nation’s return to profitability in its UK operations for the year ending 30 November 2024. The firm reported a net profit of £996,766, compared with a £2.2 million loss in 2023. Revenue increased to £21.7 million from £13.4 million, and gross profit rose to £18.1 million. Operating profit reached £636,136, up from a £2.6 million loss the previous year. Lower tax charges, controlled administrative expenses, higher interest income, and the absence of prior hedging losses supported the improvement. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Bitcoin price lost nearly 3% over the weekend and although it attempted a bounce on Monday, January 26, 2026, gaining 1.3%, it still trades at just $87,665. BTC is holding below last week's local lows, beneath the moving average grid, and opening a direct path to test the lower boundary of the two-month consolidation range between $85,000 and $82,000. According to my technical analysis, in the medium term Bitcoin continues to target last year's April lows around $74,000, or as low as $68,000 on the weekly chart where the 200-week exponential moving average currently runs.However, the ultra bearish Bitcoin price predictions suggest, that the oldest crypto token can move even lower, below $53,000, testing the lows from September 2024. It would mean a correction of up to 40% from recent peaks.Why Bitcoin Is Going Down Today?Why Bitcoin is going down today boils down to a mix of deteriorating global risk sentiment, renewed carry-trade unwind fears, unpredictable US policy volatility, and sustained institutional outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs. Bitcoin came under notable pressure over the weekend, with Joel Kruger, the LMAX strategist explaining that crypto markets "bore the brunt of deteriorating global risk sentiment following Friday's close" as concerns around "the unpredictability of the US administration, renewed fears of an unwind in the yen carry trade, and broader implications for global growth drove defensive positioning".He adds that "in the absence of liquid participation from traditional markets, the 24/7 nature of crypto amplified the move, accelerating downside momentum through Saturday and Sunday". This weekend cascade saw Bitcoin plunge nearly $4,000 in a two-hour window amid heavy derivatives selling, wiping out more than $500 million in leveraged long positions in roughly an hour.The selloff extended into the new week, with Bitcoin briefly dipping below $90,000. Simon Peters from eToro notes that Bitcoin is going down “as general market sentiment remains cautious amid geopolitical tensions between the US and NATO, fresh tariff threats on Canadian imports and macroeconomic uncertainty", while Japanese bond yields surged to multi-decade highs.Bitcoin Technical AnalysisOn my Bitcoin chart, the structure is clear: price is below the moving average grid, consolidation support is being tested, and three distinct downside targets are now in play depending on how deeply the correction runs.Current Bitcoin price: $87,665 (Monday, January 26, 2026) Weekend low: $86,500 (nearly 3% Sunday loss)Recent peak: $98,000 (mid-January, down ~10.5% since) Position: Below 50 EMA and 200 EMA, confirming downtrend structureFor real-time Bitcoin technical analysis as my chart tests the $82,000-$85,000 consolidation lower band with medium-term $74,000 and extreme $53,000 targets active, follow me on X (Twitter) @ChmielDk. I provide moving average updates, Fibonacci projections, and ETF flow insights on why Bitcoin is going down and how low it can go.How Low Can Bitcoin Go? 3 TargetsShort-Term Target: $82,000-$85,000 Consolidation Lower BandAs you can see on my chart, Bitcoin has been locked in a two-month consolidation range with the lower boundary between $82,000 and $85,000. Price is currently holding just above this zone at $87,665, but the moving average structure (below both 50 and 200 EMA) and sustained selling pressure have opened a direct path to test this lower band.Prediction markets reflect this scenario, with the highest probability (46%) assigned to Bitcoin finishing in the $86,000-$88,000 range, followed by 36% for $88,000-$90,000, and 10.5% for $84,000-$86,000, meaning traders see a roughly 56% chance Bitcoin tests or breaks below $88,000 in the very near term.According to my technical analysis, if the $85,000-$82,000 zone breaks, Bitcoin moves immediately into the medium-term target range.Medium-Term Target: $74,000 April Lows or $68,000 (200-Week EMA)From my conducted technical analysis, in the medium term Bitcoin continues to aim for last year's April lows around $74,000, which represents a decline of roughly 15.6% from current levels. This zone marked the 2025 cycle low and serves as a major historical support area that has not been retested since spring.Alternatively, on weekly chart, I identify another critical medium-term target at $68,000, where the 200-week exponential moving average currently runs. This moving average is the classic long-term bull/bear dividing line; a test of this level would represent a 22.4% decline from current prices but would still technically preserve the longer-term uptrend structure if it holds.Extreme Bearish Target: $53,000 (-40% Fibonacci Extension)If on my current Bitcoin chart I stretch the Fibonacci extension grid, measuring the downtrend from October to November and then the attempted correction in the following weeks, the picture becomes more sobering.The 100% Fibonacci extension level falls near $53,000, which would test the lows from September 2024 and represent a correction of up to 40% from the January peak near $98,000.This is the same extreme downside scenario I outlined in my earlier technical breakdown, where I warned of a potential 40% slump to the $50,000 zone based on Fibonacci extensions. While this is a tail-risk outcome, it remains technically valid if macro conditions worsen, ETF outflows accelerate further, and derivatives deleveraging intensifies.My Bitcoin Downside RoadmapDespite the bearish near-term setup, not all analysts see the current correction as the start of a structural bear market. Paul Howard, Director at Wicent argues that while "the whiplash from the Trump administration's macro (tariff) policy continues to drive volatility in the digital assets world" and short-term pricing remains under pressure, "zoom out and looking longer term, there are a greater range of institutional products than ever before".He continues: "Legislation and frameworks that will enhance adoption and use cases for cryptocurrency have been put in place that position the sector well for the mid-long term. So whilst there will be further consolidation with almost daily policy changes on this front, I expect longer term average BTC price action will be almost inevitable to the upside".FAQ: Bitcoin Price AnalysisWhy is Bitcoin going down today?Bitcoin is going down today due to deteriorating global risk sentiment, renewed yen carry-trade unwind fears, and Trump administration tariff policy whiplash. LMAX strategist notes crypto markets "bore the brunt of deteriorating global risk sentiment" as "unpredictability of the US administration, renewed fears of an unwind in the yen carry trade, and broader implications for global growth drove defensive positioning". How low can Bitcoin go?According to my technical analysis, Bitcoin has three downside targets: short-term $82,000-$85,000 (consolidation lower band, -3% to -6%), medium-term $74,000 (April lows, -15.6%) or $68,000 (200-week EMA, -22.4%), and extreme $53,000 (100% Fibonacci extension, -40% correction). What is Bitcoin price prediction for 2026?My Bitcoin price prediction: near-term test of $82,000-$85,000 consolidation lower band likely within days, followed by decision point. If macro worsens and Fed stays hawkish Wednesday, medium-term targets $74,000 (April lows) or $68,000 (200-week EMA) activate on my chart. Why is Bitcoin falling after hitting $98,000?Bitcoin falling from $98,000 peak due to macro headwinds overwhelming bullish fundamentals. Bitcoin now $87,665 (-10.5% from highs), lost nearly 3% over weekend as "24/7 nature of crypto amplified the move, accelerating downside momentum through Saturday and Sunday" per LMAX. Is Bitcoin going to $50,000?According to my technical analysis, Bitcoin could fall to around $53,000 (close to $50,000 zone) in an extreme bearish scenario. If I stretch Fibonacci extension grid on my Bitcoin chart, measuring October-November downtrend and subsequent correction, 100% extension falls near $53,000, testing September 2024 lows. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Transcrypt, a European crypto payments provider, has officially rebranded as Transacta while simultaneously expanding its operations into the U.S. market. Over the past year, the company has undergone a comprehensive transformation, significantly expanding its regulatory and operational footprint across Estonia, Canada, and Switzerland. This includes a recent partnership with Swiss-regulated Rocket Soft AG (a FINMA-supervised SRO member) and a strategic partnership with zerohash, a leading crypto and stablecoin infrastructure provider serving some of the world’s most trusted institutions.According to Transacta, the rebrand and U.S. expansion — alongside the launch of new payment solutions tailored for luxury retailers — mark a significant moment for the Estonian company as it looks to become a truly global payment provider. “Outgrowing our original brand”Following several years of infrastructure and compliance development,the company is now expanding beyond Europe. The rebrand reflects more than a visual update and marks the next stage of Transacta’s growth, which the company describes as “outgrowing the place where it all started.”Dmitrijs Maceraliks, CEO of Transacta, commented: “Although we have maintained a relatively low public profile, we began privately onboarding merchants in luxury and high-value industries in 2019. By 2023, we had surpassed €1 billion in processed transaction volume. This allowed us to accumulate the operational knowledge and regulatory expertise required to execute a full-scale rebrand by the end of 2025.”Alongside its crypto payment infrastructure, Transacta has also launched card processing services for businesses and plans to actively expand its suite of payment solutions. The company offers processing services and a broad range of local payment methods, tailored to the regulatory and operational requirements of different markets — reinforcing its position as a multi-rail payments provider serving international merchants.The Expertise that Transacta Brings to the U.S.Founded in 2019, Transcrypt — now Transacta — has built a strong client base among luxury retailers operating in complex, high-value markets. While maintaining a discreet public presence, the company has long supported sectors where transaction size, privacy, and regulatory precision are critical — including private aviation, yachting, fine art, luxury retail, and international real estate.The expertise Transacta brings to the U.S. market has been shaped by years of navigating multi-jurisdictional compliance, international client verification, and settlement flows that must remain both fast and fully auditable. The company provides the infrastructure enabling merchants to accept cryptocurrency from verified buyers while receiving same-day fiat settlement in EUR, USD, GBP, and CHF — expertise shaped by years of supporting high-value transactions.Partnership with zerohash further strengthens its regulatory base, enabling the company to expand services and increase its footprint in the U.S. market.Dmitrijs Maceraliks, CEO of Transacta, adds: “Integrating with an infrastructure provider like zerohash required full legal and regulatory alignment across multiple U.S. states and international jurisdictions.”Crypto in Luxury Commerce: What Matters MostLuxury retailers are increasingly adapting to the evolving payment preferences of their high-net-worth customers, many of whom now expect cryptocurrency to be offered alongside traditional payment methods. Crypto is no longer speculative or niche wealth — it has become part of the global capital distribution. Today, there are an estimated 560 million crypto holders worldwide, with adoption growing fastest in luxury-driven markets. As a result, many businesses are now taking serious steps to integrate cryptocurrency to attract crypto-affluent buyers. However, the luxury segment introduces challenges that many payment providers underestimate. High-value transactions demand enhanced security checks, advanced client verification, and strict AML controls. Luxury goods and art markets are consistently cited among the top sectors exposed to financial crime risks, requiring transaction monitoring and documentation.Merchants depend on payment providers to manage transaction monitoring, asset custody, and regulatory reporting — allowing businesses to settle funds quickly without direct exposure to crypto market volatility. In this context, choosing a provider with proven experience in high-value, cross-border transactions becomes critical.Built to be a Reliable PartnerWhile the company’s name has changed, its strategic focus remains consistent. Transacta aims to deliver payment solutions tailored to international merchants handling high-value transactions and operating under bespoke client requirements.“Our core value has always been the merchants we work with. Seven years ago, we deliberately focused on building close, long-term partnerships in industries where trust and security are the most important. That commitment to reliability continues to shape how Transacta operates today and into the future.”— Dmitrijs Maceraliks, CEO of TransactaFounded in Estonia in 2018 as Transcrypt OÜ, Transacta provides a regulated payment infrastructure that enables merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments with instant fiat settlement. The company also offers online card processing, access to over 100 local payment methods worldwide, crypto exchange services, wallet functionality, and on- and off-ramp solutions. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

LUGANO, SWITZERLAND – January 26, 2026– Telcoin Association announced today that its TEL token is now listed on Kraken, one of the world's largest and most established cryptocurrency exchanges. With over 13 million registered users across 190+ countries, Kraken provides TEL with immediate access to a global trading community on regulated infrastructure spanning the United States, Europe, and major markets worldwide.TEL is the native token of Telcoin Network, the telecommunications blockchain standard. By aligning GSMA mobile operators around the same blockchain and token, Telcoin harnesses their global reach to connect billions of users through shared infrastructure for the next generation of money, capital markets, and finance.The listing connects two platforms building regulated bridges between traditional finance and blockchain. Kraken was the first cryptocurrency exchange to receive a U.S. bank charter and holds licenses under FinCEN, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority, and European regulators through MiCA. In parallel with the Telcoin Association's work uniting telecoms around blockchain, Telcoin Digital Asset Bank, a subsidiary of Telcoin, received the first Digital Asset Depository Institution charter in U.S. history in November and issued eUSD, the first bank-issued stablecoin, in December.Users can now buy, sell, and hold TEL directly on Kraken. Deposits and withdrawals are enabled on Polygon Network, with trading live against USD and EUR."Kraken has spent over a decade proving that regulated exchanges can operate at global scale," said Parker Spann, Founder of Telcoin Association. "Telcoin Network is proving that mobile operators can run blockchain as a network service, unifying telecoms and their subscribers around shared infrastructure. This listing gives Kraken's traders access to the Internet of Money, and gives our community access to one of the most trusted platforms in the industry."The listing arrives as Telcoin Network prepares for mainnet launch in 2026, with mobile network operators activating as validators across multiple continents. This expanded exchange access builds liquidity and community reach in advance of full network deployment, positioning TEL holders to participate as the network transitions from development to live operations.About Telcoin AssociationTelcoin Association governs Telcoin Network and TEL, establishing the blockchain and token standard for the global telecommunications industry. By coordinating infrastructure deployment and validation by mobile network operators and the GSMA consortium, Telcoin Network connects blockchain services to every mobile phone globally. The Association operates as a Swiss Verein, providing democratic governance through four Miner Groups and five specialized Councils.About KrakenFounded in 2011, Kraken is one of the world's largest and longest-operating cryptocurrency exchanges. The first cryptocurrency company to receive a U.S. bank charter, Kraken serves over 13 million users across 190+ countries under regulatory oversight including FinCEN, the UK Financial Conduct Authority, and European authorities through MiCA. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

UK-based contracts for differences (CFDs) broker One Global Market (OGM) reported a modest recovery in its financial position for the year ended 30 September 2025. According to the company’s latest Companies House filing, OGM generated £424,270 in turnover in FY25, down from £521,342 a year earlier. The decline reflects a year of reduced client activity, as the broker voluntarily paused trading operations during a 13-month platform migration aimed at strengthening its long-term infrastructure and regulatory footing. Profitability Maintained Despite Lower Revenue Despite the drop in revenue, OGM remained profitable. The company posted a pre-tax profit of £25,015 for FY25, compared with £41,273 in the prior year. Administrative expenses rose only marginally to £410,213, indicating tight cost control during a period of lower turnover. The financials show that while headline earnings softened, the firm avoided a return to losses and preserved its operational base, including its experienced management team and client relationships, during the transition period. Cash Flow Turns Sharply Positive The most significant shift came on the cash-flow side. OGM generated £411,579 in net cash from operating activities in FY25, a sharp reversal from a £710,469 cash outflow in the previous year. As a result, cash and cash equivalents increased to £613,443 at year-end, up from £200,071 a year earlier. The improvement was driven primarily by changes in working capital, including movements in amounts owed by group companies, rather than by higher trading income.Restructuring Year Sets Stage for 2026 In its strategic report, OGM said it completed the platform migration while maintaining regulatory compliance and securing continued funding support from its group. Client trading was paused from September 2024 through the end of FY25 to allow for a controlled transition, during which the firm retained all 41 client relationships. Looking ahead, the broker said it is positioned to resume operations in 2026 with a focus on UK-based, sophisticated and professional clients, supported by upgraded infrastructure and capital backing. OGM’s FY25 results reflect a stabilisation phase rather than a growth cycle. Revenue remained subdued, but profitability was preserved and liquidity strengthened following a year of deliberate operational pause. For the broker, the coming year will test whether the infrastructure investments and strategic reset can translate into renewed client activity and sustainable revenue growth under tighter regulatory and market conditions. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

ADSS said it has entered into a partnership with SGX FX to strengthen its market-making capabilities and expand its presence across the EMEA region.The move follows recent activity by SGX FX to add new liquidity providers to its platform. BBVA recently partnered with SGX FX to support trading in Latin American currencies by placing its pricing on the exchange’s FX network. The Spanish bank deployed a distribution engine at the NY4 data centre in New York, giving traders access to prices in major regional currency pairs. Its liquidity sits alongside other providers serving banks, asset managers and hedge funds.ADSS Expands FX Reach Across MENAADSS said the agreement will allow it to use SGX FX’s trading technology and regional network to meet rising demand for foreign exchange trading in the Middle East. The broker described SGX FX as its preferred partner for this activity.Dan Squires, chief commercial officer at ADSS, said the MENA region, “particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi,” has been seeing “explosive growth in the financial sector.” He said the partnership reflects ADSS’s focus on staying active in the market and serving institutional clients.Expands Market-Making, Buy-Side Roles RegionallyUnder the arrangement, ADSS will act as a market maker on SGX FX platforms, including MaxxTrader and BidFX. It will also join the platform as a buy-side taker. The companies said this structure is intended to broaden ADSS’s role in regional FX markets.Roger Lee, global head of sales at SGX FX, said the firm is partnering with ADSS, “a leader in the UAE’s brokerage industry.” He said the companies share a focus on “driving innovation and growth in the MENA region’s rapidly expanding financial markets,” as well as across EMEA. He added that the aim is to deliver FX trading services across both “making and taking paradigms” for institutional clients. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Gold price exploded past the psychologically significant $5,000 barrier on Monday, January 26, 2026, reaching an intraday high of $5,111 per ounce and marking the sixth consecutive session of gains. Silver mirrored this explosive momentum, breaking through the $100 threshold and currently trading near $110 per ounce after establishing session highs above $109.The white metal is rising much more dynamically, pushing the gold-to-silver ratio down to the lowest point in 15 years. In this article, I analyze the XAU/USD, XAG/USD, and XAU/XAG charts and answer the question of how high gold and silver prices could go.Why Gold Is Surging Today? Record-Breaking Rally ContinuesAccording to my technical analysis, gold has been rising for six consecutive sessions and has tested the highest levels in two months while simultaneously approaching the all-time highs tested on October 20. As shown on my chart, gold is up 18% year-to-date in 2026, adding to the remarkable 65% surge recorded throughout 2025. Moreover, this represents the sixth consecutive month of gold price increases.The rally has been fueled by multiple converging factors including Federal Reserve rate cut expectations, escalating geopolitical tensions around Greenland and Trump's tariff threats, dollar weakness, and massive central bank diversification away from US Treasuries."Gold emphatically broke through the psychological barrier of $5,000 per ounce,” Jakub Bartoszek, CEO of Cashify Gold, described the breakthrough. “This is a ‘safe haven’ in a completely new form." He noted that "this record is a direct response from the world to signals from Davos," explaining that "investors are pricing in risks related to Donald Trump's announcements: both plans to establish a Peace Council, which could shake the foundations of the UN, and the proposal to purchase Greenland."Record gold prices are making the metal the dominant asset in trading activity at a growing number of CFD brokers. Last week, Australian broker Axi confirmed this trend through its market analyst, Thiago Duarte, who said that “interest in gold trading has more than doubled, firmly keeping XAU as the most traded instrument across the platform.”Major Bank Gold Price PredictionsGoldman Sachs raised its December 2026 gold price target to $5,400 per ounce, up $500 from the previous forecast of $4,900, citing continued private-sector diversification and sustained central bank buying at approximately 60 tonnes per month. The investment bank's analysts assume that private investors who bought gold as a hedge against macro policy risks will maintain these positions through year-end.Even more bullish, Bank of America projects gold could reach $6,000 per ounce by spring 2026, representing a potential 20% increase from current all-time highs. Their analysis notes that "the average increase in gold during four upward cycles was about 300% over 43 months".Among the 28 analysts surveyed by the London Bullion Market Association, 22 expect gold to reach highs above $5,000 in 2026, five forecast prices breaking through $6,000, and one prediction sees gold as high as $7,000 per ounce.Gold Price (XAU/USD) Technical AnalysisAs shown on my chart, the previous resistance level at $4,850 has now transformed into new support, and if the current momentum continues, the psychologically significant $5,000 level will immediately become the new floor. Since we are in a price discovery phase, it's difficult to predict what comes next for gold.Key support zones I've identified:Primary support: $4,360 to $4,550 (October-December peaks zone)50-day EMA support: Approximately $4,115 per ounceCritical breakdown level: $3,800 (200-day EMA)According to my analysis, if gold were to correct. and such a correction would certainly be healthy, the zone between $4,360 and $4,550 per ounce is where we can expect at least part of the accumulated buy limit orders to materialize. This support zone is additionally reinforced by the 50-day exponential moving average, which currently sits around $4,115 per ounce.In reality, gold could fall as much as 25% from current levels and, although media headlines would certainly declare it a catastrophe, looking at the level where the 200-day exponential moving average sits, the dividing line between uptrend and downtrend, such a deep correction could develop. The 200 EMA currently falls at the $3,800 level.Ray Youssef, founder of NoOnes, explained gold's current appeal: "Gold is the primary beneficiary of this market environment. With global debt expanding, yield rates compressing, and central banks still stacking up the precious metal in their reserves, gold's uptrend remains structurally supported."For retail traders, the challenge is less about identifying the target and more about execution: sizing, drawdown tolerance, and timing entries in volatile conditions. These execution-level questions are increasingly being addressed in live environments, including trader-focused sessions at Dubai’s Trading Festival, where strategies are dissected beyond headline price targetsSilver Price Surges to $110: Industrial Demand Drives Historic RallySilver has dramatically outpaced gold's already-impressive performance, currently trading near $107.50-$110 per ounce after testing resistance above $109. According to my technical analysis, silver has gained 53% year-to-date in 2026, following a 50% surge in 2025, marking the ninth consecutive month of increases for this precious metal.For context, when this rally started in May 2025, silver was trading at just $33 per ounce, meaning prices have more than tripled in less than nine months."Silver breaking through the $100 barrier is not an ordinary price correction, but the result of a global 'short squeeze' on physical metal," added Bartoszek. He emphasized that "today, silver is becoming for the AI era what oil was for the combustion era, essential and irreplaceable fuel." Bartoszek noted the "drastic drainage of LBMA and COMEX vaults" and concluded that "this is a market breakthrough that has overtaken forecasts by entire years."How High Can Silver Go?Industrial demand remains the primary structural support for silver prices, with consumption reaching 680 million ounces in 2024, accounting for approximately 60% of total global silver demand. Looking ahead, energy transition projects are forecast to drive substantial consumption:Solar PV capacity: Expected to reach 665 GW in 2026, supporting 120-125 million ounces of demandElectric vehicle production: Forecast at 14-15 million units, adding 70-75 million ouncesGrid infrastructure and data centers: Contributing an additional 15-20 million ouncesAccording to my technical analysis of the daily chart, after very strong strengthening at the end of last week of over 7%, on Monday silver prices rose by another 6%, establishing intraday highs at nearly $110 per ounce. As I observe on my chart, the situation closely resembles what we see on gold, with an important support zone formed by the highs from the turn of this year and last year, between the $70-81 per ounce range, extending through $74 per ounce where the 50 EMA falls.The psychological $100 level was conquered last Friday with prices closing above it, so it should now provide a floor for further increases. Meanwhile, the 200 EMA still requires several dozen percent gains, as this average is only around $52 per ounce, a level we last paid for silver at the end of November, which already seemed very high at the time, yet current prices have more than doubled.Some analysts are currently targeting $200, or even $375 per ounce.Please also check the previous gold and silver price articles written by me:Gold-Silver Ratio Hits 15-Year LowsThe pace of silver's strengthening has decisively outpaced gold, which is particularly evident in the popular gold-silver ratio chart. According to my analysis, this ratio reached its peak in April of last year and has been declining very dynamically since then.Just six months ago, one ounce of gold could purchase approximately 120 ounces of silver, whereas today we can buy only 46 ounces of silver per ounce of gold, the lowest value since 2011, or 15 years. The dynamics of the decline in recent months is perfectly illustrated by the monthly chart.Current Gold-Silver Ratio Metrics:Current ratio: 46:1 (15-year low)April 2025 peak: 120:1Historical low (March 2011): 32:1Decline timeframe: 9 months of compressionThe gold-silver ratio has compressed sharply from above 100:1 in April 2025 to approximately 48.3:1 currently. If this momentum continues, we could soon test the level of just 32 ounces, last observed in March 2011.Kathleen Brooks, Research Director at XTB, posed a provocative question: "Is gold the ultimate anti-Trump trade?" She noted that "the dollar is the weakest currency in the G10 FX space so far this year" while "the gold price has rallied more than 17%, and is now above $5,000 per ounce." Brooks concluded that "if the US's radical policy positions are feeding demand for gold, then the yellow metal could become the ultimate anti-Trump trade."For real-time gold and silver analysis follow me on X (Twitter) @ChmielDk. I provide technical breakdowns, Fibonacci projections, institutional forecasts, and trading insights on precious metals and crypto markets.FAQ: Gold and Silver PriceWhy is gold going up today?Gold is rising due to multiple converging factors including Federal Reserve rate cut expectations (150 basis points projected for 2026), geopolitical tensions around Trump's tariff threats and Greenland proposals, dollar weakness, and sustained central bank buying that has pushed foreign US Treasury holdings to 2013 lows.How high can gold go in 2026?Major banks forecast gold reaching $5,400 to $6,000 per ounce by late 2026, with Goldman Sachs targeting $5,400, Bank of America projecting $6,000 by spring, and OCBC Bank forecasting $5,600 by year-end. Some analysts even see potential for $7,000 in extended scenarios.Why is silver surging faster than gold?Silver is surging due to industrial demand from AI infrastructure, solar panels (120-125 million ounces), electric vehicles (70-75 million ounces), and supply constraints since 70% of silver is produced as a by-product of other mining. This has created a "short squeeze" on physical metal as LBMA and COMEX inventories drain.Should I buy gold or silver now?This depends on your investment objectives and risk tolerance. Gold provides safe-haven protection and central bank demand support, while silver offers higher volatility with industrial demand drivers. According to my technical analysis, both metals have key support levels (gold at $4,360-$4,550, silver at $70-81) that could provide entry points on corrections. Will gold continue rising in 2026?Institutional forecasts suggest continued upside, with Goldman Sachs projecting 60 tonnes per month of central bank buying and private investors maintaining hedge positions through year-end. Key risks include Fed policy changes, geopolitical resolution, or dollar strength that could temporarily pause the rally. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

It’s paradoxical that in today's digital era, sending money abroad still feels like a chore because a single transfer from Africa to Europe, for example, might still detour through an intermediary bank in the United States, adding days of delay and extra fees. In all of this, smaller companies and individual remitters feel the pain, often having their funds frozen in transit for days, while paying multiple layers of transaction fees.Not only that, senders have little insight into where their money is (and in some cases what the final charges will be), due to convoluted, opaque routing that makes tracking nearly impossible. Coupled with the fact that traditional networks operate mainly on weekday business hours, means that weekends and holidays can halt cross-border payments entirely, compounding delays further.To solve these issues, the industry at large has been pursuing two paths, i.e., upgrading traditional payment rails and embracing digital assets. On one hand, banks and payment networks have deployed domestic real-time networks (like Faster Payments in the UK or SEPA Instant in Europe), showing that money can move quickly within a single region. However, those gains often evaporate at the border because transfers might settle in seconds domestically yet still crawl internationally, since separate national systems don’t sync up.On the other hand, blockchain tech has enabled a new class of borderless, always-on money movement with stablecoins shuttling value across the globe 24/7, often within seconds. However, they still represent only a small fraction of global flows (though that share is growing fast) because many institutions are still waiting for clearer rules and reliable bridges between crypto and traditional finance. As a result, “rail-agnostic” payment infrastructures have emerged and gained massive traction since the end-users don't need to know which route is used, all while allowing them to receive the money quickly and securely. In short, rather than ripping out the existing system, this approach improves the roads that money travels by leveraging every available option and eliminating unnecessary detours.Toward a Unified Financial InfrastructureThis vision of a frictionless global finance ecosystem is already in the offing with OpenPayd leading the way. Conjured to be a universal financial infrastructure for the digital economy, through a single API, it offers businesses multi-currency accounts, foreign exchange, global payment processing, and even stablecoin connectivity, all under one umbrella. In effect, a company can move funds in whatever form makes sense (euros, dollars, or tokenized dollars) without juggling multiple bank portals or crypto wallets. The platform bridges conventional banking networks and blockchain networks seamlessly, meaning that a transfer might go out via the regular banking system or via crypto rails, but to the business and its users, it looks the same.The benefits of this unified approach are already evident with businesses using OpenPayd having reported much faster settlement times and fewer operational headaches. For instance, the platform enables clients to assign virtual IBANs (unique bank account numbers) to end-users for automatic reconciliation of incoming payments, eliminating manual tracking. Not only that, since OpenPayd is fully licensed, even crypto transactions are handled with bank-grade compliance. This is not just hearsay, as the platform has already processed over €130 billion in annual transaction volume for 800+ businesses, proving that their core USP works at scale.A shape of things to come?The significance of this kind of rail-agnostic infrastructure is that it removes old frictions without forcing users to change how they do business, meaning that an entrepreneur in one country can reach customers worldwide through a single integration. A global online marketplace can pay out sellers around the world in minutes, improving trust and cash flow. Even consumers benefit as these advances filter down into everyday apps (from quicker e-commerce refunds to instant family remittances).Therefore, as demand for instant, affordable global payments reaches new highs every passing day, the antiquated delays of correspondent banking are becoming relics of the past. In their place, a new universal financial infrastructure is emerging, one where moving money across borders is as seamless as sending a text. In this regard, OpenPayd has shown that when payment rails become interoperable and invisible, commerce can run at internet-like speed. This shift not only boosts efficiency but also lays the groundwork for a more inclusive global economy. Interesting times ahead, to say the least! This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

The head of prediction market platform Kalshi thinks his company is creating an entirely new professional category, putting full-time event bettors in the same league as Instagram influencers and Airbnb hosts.Tarek Mansour, Kalshi's CEO, drew parallels between his platform and consumer tech giants that birthed novel occupations over the past two decades. Instagram created content creators, Airbnb turned spare bedrooms into income generators, and Uber transformed idle cars into money-makers, he argued in a LinkedIn post responding to a New York Times (NYT) profile of professional prediction market traders.“Kalshi: prediction market traders,” Mansour wrote, listing his platform alongside the tech companies that “succeeded by unlocking an underutilized asset and building the rails to make it productive.”Turning Hunches Into IncomeMansour's thesis centers on information as an untapped resource. Before prediction markets scaled up, someone with deep knowledge of FDA approval timelines or baseball statistics could do little more than “win a debate with your uncle on Thanksgiving,” he wrote.Now that expertise can generate income. The New York Times piece profiled traders like Domer, a pseudonymous bettor quoted by the NYT who made $2.6 million on Polymarket since January 2022, and Joel Holsinger, 26, who quit his corporate accounting job to trade full time and crossed $144,000 in profits.These sharps, as top traders call themselves, study everything from congressional floor vote attendance to climate models. Some knocked on a thousand doors during California's 2021 recall election to gauge sentiment. Others built custom dashboards to predict Rotten Tomatoes scores.The work pays. Jonathan Zubkoff, a Long Island trader, said he made over $1 million in 2025. Another trader called Iabvek pulled in $2.5 million since November 2024, despite losing $350,000 on a single bet about Romania's presidential election.But this elite group represents a tiny fraction of participants. Analysis of 1.7 million Polymarket addresses showed 70% of traders lose money, mirroring the dismal win rates seen in retail CFD trading where casual participants subsidize sophisticated players.Volume Surge Attracts MoneyKalshi recently crossed $100 billion in annualized trading volume, according to Mansour. Polymarket recorded 491,000 active monthly traders last month, per data from The Block. The sector hit a record $702 million in daily volume earlier this month, with platforms posting all-time highs despite facing regulatory headwinds.The trader influx includes naive money from sports bettors and casual gamblers, creating opportunities for sophisticated players. “Right now, my mentality is just, ‘I need to go,’” Holsinger told the Times, fueled by Zyn pouches and Celsius energy drinks.But the comparison to gig economy jobs cuts both ways. While Airbnb hosts and Uber drivers created legitimate income streams, they also faced criticism for low earnings and lack of protections. Prediction markets carry similar risks, with most users losing money.Concerns About Problem GamblingHowever, an academic study published last month found correlations between easy sports gambling access and declining credit scores, rising bankruptcies, and missed loan payments.Insider trading concerns also plague the industry. Domer estimated there was an “85–90 percent” chance a Polymarket user who made over $1 million in 24 hours betting on Venezuela's political situation had inside information. He put the probability at “98–99 percent” for another trader who won over $400,000 on a Google search trends bet.The insider trading issue has exposed a sharp divide between regulated platforms like Kalshi and offshore competitors like Polymarket, with competition shifting away from product features toward governance and institutional credibility.“If I made $2.5 million last year, someone else lost that,” Domer said, explaining why many successful traders operate pseudonymously to avoid attention from the IRS or angry opponents.Kalshi itself faces court battles, with a Massachusetts ruling threatening the platform's sports contracts even as the sector posts record fee revenue exceeding $2.7 million.“Millions of people now actively rely on prediction markets, whether they are arbitraging price inefficiencies to make the market more accurate, or utilizing the forecasts as a complement to their news feed,” Mansour wrote, thanking the Times for spotlighting the traders who “made prediction markets what they are today.” This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.