FTMO has introduced an institutional-grade Know Your Business (KYB) framework for onboarding corporate clients, signaling a move towards infrastructure typically seen at licensed brokers. Integrating iDenfy’s KYB solution enables FTMO to automate verification of corporate entities, ownership, and UBOs—common for brokers, but rare and notable for a prop firm. From Retail-Focused Prop Model to Broader Financial Infrastructure FTMO has historically positioned itself as a trading education and simulation platform, catering primarily to individual traders. Introducing full KYB capabilities goes beyond the compliance needs of that core audience and suggests preparation for more complex counterparties, including corporate partners, affiliates, and B2B relationships. This development is consistent with FTMO’s broader strategic direction, exemplified by its partnership with multi-asset broker OANDA. Gaining a regulated brokerage arm places greater emphasis on institutional-grade onboarding and ongoing compliance as foundational requirements. For licensed brokers, KYB is a regulatory requirement. For a prop firm, adopting these standards is a strategic choice that signals FTMO’s intention to broaden its operational scope to include more diverse business models while future-proofing compliance. Compliance as a Strategic Choice, Not a Regulatory Obligation FTMO cites flexibility and auditability as key considerations in selecting the KYB solution. “The ability to customise our KYB flow to match internal procedures was a decisive factor,” said Pavel Dusek, COO of FTMO, pointing to the need for a scalable system capable of supporting future growth. The iDenfy solution automates verification of corporate documentation across more than 180 company registries globally. Brokers handling international corporate accounts and cross-border partnerships typically use this functionality. From the vendor’s perspective, the integration reflects a broader trend among fast-growing financial firms. “FTMO operates at scale in a dynamic environment,” said Domantas Ciulde, CEO of iDenfy. “Automated KYB allows firms to verify corporate clients efficiently while maintaining transparency.” This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Hong Kong’s financial market regulator has reprimanded and fined the local unit of Saxo Bank HK$4 million (approximately US$514,000) for offering retail customers 32 crypto products meant only for professionals.This comes a year after Saxo closed its office in Hong Kong and subsequently shut down operations in the jurisdiction.Saxo’s Big Lapse in Hong KongAnnounced today (Tuesday), the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) said that Saxo Capital Markets HK offered unauthorised virtual asset products on its online platform between 1 November 2018 and 25 November 2022.According to the regulator, the local Saxo unit did not realise the deficiencies in its crypto product offering until its Danish parent notified it in November 2022.“These products should only be offered to professional investors (PIs) according to two SFC circulars to intermediaries which were effective at the material time,” the regulator stated.The regulatory investigation revealed that the broker executed 1,446 transactions involving 32 virtual asset products for six individual professional investors and 130 retail clients. It also stressed that “all of them were complex products, including 21 exchange-traded derivative products (exchange-traded derivative VA products).”[#highlighted-links#] No Customer Knowledge AssessmentHong Kong’s SFC is alleging that the Saxo unit “did not assess whether the clients had knowledge of investing in virtual asset products, nor did it provide them with sufficient information and warning statements specific to virtual assets.”Specifically, the regulator found that the broker failed to assess the knowledge of 87 Saxo Hong Kong clients, including 82 retail clients, who traded the 21 exchange-traded crypto derivatives.The company allegedly did not have any specific procedures in place for conducting product due diligence on virtual assets during the period of breach.“It relied on certain protocols established on a group-wide basis by its parent company to identify instruments with VA exposure,” the SFC added. “Due to deficiencies in the protocols, the 32 VA products were not identified as such.”Saxo, which failed to go public despite inking a deal with a blank cheque firm in 2022, is reportedly attempting a sale. Investors, including Altor Equity Partners, Centerbridge Partners, and Interactive Brokers Group, have shown interest in the Danish broker.Meanwhile, Saxo also consolidated operations in Asia Pacific, apart from the closure of its Hong Kong and Shanghai offices. It sold over 80 per cent stake of its Aussie unit last year to a South African tech provider. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

StoneX Digital has received a Crypto-Asset Service Provider licence under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation. The licence was granted by the Central Bank of Ireland.StoneX Group also operates the retail trading brand Forex.com. The platform became part of the group after StoneX acquired GAIN Capital in 2020. Forex.com provides foreign exchange and CFD trading services to retail clients through locally regulated entities in several jurisdictions.StoneX Enables Institutional Crypto Execution EUStoneX Digital launched in June 2022. The authorisation allows the firm to provide digital asset execution and custody services across the European Union. These services will operate under the MiCA regulatory framework.[#highlighted-links#] Brian Mulcahy, Chief Executive Officer of StoneX Digital, said the firm aims “to enable our institutional and corporate investor base to integrate new products and new technologies into their existing investment lifecycle.” He said the company focuses on “reducing the friction” between traditional finance and digital assets.StoneX Digital has operated as a Virtual Asset Service Provider for more than a year. With the new licence, it can expand its regulated activities within the EU. The business serves institutional and corporate clients.StoneX Digital Expands EU Crypto OperationsStuart Davison, Chief Operating Officer of StoneX Group Inc., said the authorisation supports the group’s long-term strategy. He said it helps clients integrate “new products and technologies into their existing operating and investment frameworks.” He also referred to building “regulated, scalable infrastructure.”StoneX Expands Retail Trading, India OperationsEarlier, StoneX Group reported growth in its FX and CFD trading business, showing strength in its broader operations alongside the expansion of StoneX Digital into crypto. Q4 revenues rose 7% to $84.7 million, and FY24 revenues increased 21% to $316 million. Retail trading volumes remained steady, and revenue per million traded rose 8%.Overall net income for the quarter was $76.7 million, up 51% year-on-year. In October, StoneX expanded in India with new offices and IIBX membership, and made a $480 million takeover offer for UK-listed CAB Payments. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

How much did prop firms pay traders in 2025? Although these payout figures are often debated, Prop Firm Match tracked that these companies paid a total of almost $325 million to traders last year.The prop firm review and rating website published the figures based on its payout tracker.In 2025, $324,963,316 in payouts were tracked on Prop Firm Match ?Top Firms by Payout Volume:? @FundedNext – $107,794,710? @fundingpips – $97,088,576? @fnfutures – $46,917,040The firms with payout tracking implemented are included in this list. pic.twitter.com/opAdgHqwcN— Prop Firm Match (@PropFirmMatch) January 5, 2026FundedNext Topped the ListDubai-based FundedNext ranked at the top, paying out almost $108 million. FundingPips and FundedNext Futures, the futures prop unit of FundedNext, followed with $97 million and $46 million, respectively.Top One Futures and E8 Markets, two other futures prop platforms, paid out almost $21 million and $19 million, respectively, to traders.Related: Can You Trust Prop Firms' “Total Payouts” Claims?Prop Firm Match’s payout tracker sources individual payout data directly from prop firms.“It offers a clear view of trading performance and is shared directly by firms, allowing traders to see how payouts are spread across the industry,” Prop Firm Match said.[#highlighted-links#] Missing Leaders?Despite the large figure, major firms such as FTMO and The5ers are missing from the Prop Firm Match payout tracker.Although The5ers has never shared its payout figures publicly, FTMO’s founder and CEO, Otakar Šuffner, revealed last September that his company has paid out more than $450 million to traders since launch.While FundingPips made it to the top of Prop Firm Match’s 2025 payout list, FundingTicks, a futures prop platform owned by the same group, recently faced strong backlash after changing its trading rules. These changes included a minimum one-minute trade hold time and a reduction in the profit split, applied with retroactive effect, which affected trader payouts and profitability. The platform later reversed the retroactive application of the rules.Prop firms often advertise payout figures to build trust in their brand, especially in an unregulated industry. However, such claims are often questioned by many over their accuracy. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

LHCM, the UK-regulated brand of the Exante Group, has suspended the onboarding of new clients and has also stopped accepting deposits from existing clients. According to a notice on LHCM’s website, the move is “voluntary” and in agreement with the Financial Conduct Authority.Another Broker Limiting Its UK Presence?The company explained that the suspension includes restrictions relating to “monies or assets under the client assets regime, title transfer collateral arrangements, delivery versus payment transactions, matched principal transactions or otherwise”.Furthermore, the broker said that the service suspension may affect the opening of new trades.It should be noted that the UK unit was not accepting retail clients even before the latest suspension of client onboarding.The suspension took effect on 22 December 2025, but the company did not mention any plans for the resumption of full services.“We want to reassure you that your interests remain our highest priority and most services continue as normal,” the notice added.FinanceMagnates.com reached out to Exante to understand its plans in the UK, but did not receive a response as of press time.Shifting Focus in Other MarketsApart from the UK, Exante is also regulated in Cyprus and is onboarding clients under that unit. It also has a presence in Malta and Hong Kong.Last year, the brokerage group also expanded by opening a new office in Dubai.Meanwhile, Exante is not the only broker to suspend client onboarding. Admirals, a retail contracts for differences (CFDs) broker brand, halted onboarding in the European Union in early 2024, but resumed the service about a year later.However, several established brands are also leaving the UK market. Recently, FinanceMagnates.com reported that Gain Capital, which operates Forex.com, plans to surrender its FCA licence after shifting services to its Dubai base.Hirose and AETOS are two other brands that have stopped offering retail services in the UK and some other markets. Both brokers now have a limited presence only in their core markets — Japan for Hirose and Australia for AETOS. While AETOS surrendered its FCA licence, Hirose is now only offering services to institutions under it. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are now in US custody and face federal charges in New York that include narco-terrorism conspiracy and weapons offenses. Meanwhile, Public data sets that track sovereign and corporate Bitcoin treasuries attribute around 240 BTC to the Venezuelan state, valued in the tens of millions of dollars at recent prices. Separate reports, however, claim that the Maduro government may have accumulated a much larger, undisclosed Bitcoin position while under US sanctions. According to Whale Hunting, the total holdings could reach up to 600,000 BTC, implying a notional value of about 60 billion dollars at current market levels, although these figures remain unconfirmed and rely on indirect evidence.If those estimates are correct, the alleged reserve would represent close to 3% of Bitcoin’s circulating supply and place Venezuela among the largest known holders.Alleged Accumulation via Gold SalesSources cited in recent analyses link the rumored reserve to steps Venezuela allegedly took to obtain hard currency while cut off from much of the global financial system.According to these accounts, the government sold physical gold from the Orinoco Mining Arc and used some of the proceeds to buy Bitcoin, with one tranche estimated at roughly 2 billion dollars executed at an average price near 5,000 dollars per coin.JUST IN: ???? US government could seize Venezuela's Bitcoin & crypto reserves, CNBC says. pic.twitter.com/B6NN05qJFi— Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) January 5, 2026Additional reports say Venezuela’s state oil company asked some buyers to pay in Tether (USDT) rather than using the traditional banking system to avoid sanctions-related blocks.Related: Why Oil Prices Are Falling? Brent and WTI Slip after Maduro Capture in Venezuela as Gold SurgesThis alleged reserve-building aligns with domestic policy shifts. In May 2024, Venezuelan authorities banned Bitcoin mining and seized thousands of ASIC machines, citing energy concerns, while also discontinuing the state-backed Petro token.Everyone’s focused on the oil… But here’s what’s being missed ?Venezuela is reportedly among largest Bitcoin holders… Over 600,000 $BTCWorth $55+ BILLION at current pricesThis isn’t just an energy story.It’s a sovereign Bitcoin narrative.And the market hasn’t priced… pic.twitter.com/C5K94i8nfG— cryptothedoggy (@cryptothedoggy) January 5, 2026If US investigators identify and secure wallets linked to Venezuelan state Bitcoin holdings, the coins could become subject to a complex legal process rather than immediate sale.A New Focus on Undisclosed Sovereign BTC ExposureFor the Bitcoin market, that kind of freeze would remove a large block of supply from active circulation and delay any significant liquidation risk linked to Venezuela. According to market analysts risk sentiment remain strong.“Overall, risk sentiment is strong and events in Venezuela did not weigh on positive momentum. However, this does not mean that the recent events in Venezuela have been dismissed by traders,” according to Kathleen Brooks, Research Director at XTB “Instead, they could keep upward pressure on defense stocks as investors assess who could be the next target for the US, and as Russia and China get emboldened to violate UN law to meet their own foreign policy goals.”US forces transferred the couple from Venezuela to the USS Iwo Jima and then to New York, where they entered not-guilty pleas before a federal judge. Their detention marks a major escalation in US action against Venezuela’s former leadership after years of sanctions and diplomatic confrontation.In 2019, Maduro directed Banco de Venezuela, the nation’s largest bank, to accept deposits of the Petro, Venezuela’s state-backed cryptocurrency. The directive mandated its use across all its branches, according an announcement from the country’s Finance Ministry. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Zeke Vince said on LinkedIn today (Monday) that he is starting at Robinhood as the Global Head of BD for Institutional Crypto.The move comes as Robinhood reported quarterly results in February last year that exceeded market expectations. Revenue reached $1.01 billion, above the consensus estimate of $849.06 million.At that time, the company said quarterly net revenue more than doubled from a year earlier. Cryptocurrency generated $358 million in revenue and was the largest contributor to transaction-based revenue of $672 million. This was higher than options revenue of $222 million. Equity trading revenue also increased and reached $61 million.Robinhood Hires Vince for Institutional CryptoVince joins Robinhood after more than three years at B2C2. He joined the firm in late summer and served for about three and a half years. During that time, he held the role of Head of Sales and Managing Director.Before B2C2, Vince worked at Bank of America Merrill Lynch for more than five years. He spent about three years as Global Head of eFX and Algo Sales. Earlier, he served for around two and a half years as Head of Americas eFX and Algo Sales, Director.Earlier in his career, Vince spent just over five years at J.P. Morgan in New York. He began as an Associate in eFX Sales and later spent more than three years as Vice President eFX Sales.He started his career at Credit Suisse. He worked there for about one and a half years as an Associate in eFX, based in the Greater New York City Area.Florida Investigates Robinhood Crypto Over Low-Cost Trading ClaimsRobinhood is also facing regulatory scrutiny. The company is under investigation by Florida’s Attorney General over claims that it offers crypto trading “at the lowest cost on average.” The state has issued a subpoena seeking internal documents. Authorities said Robinhood Crypto may be violating the state’s Deceptive and Unfair Practices Act. The investigation also examines the platform’s payment-for-order-flow model. Robinhood stated that it discloses all relevant pricing and fees to users. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Polymarket and Parcl are moving real estate into onchain prediction markets, creating a new venue where traders can speculate on the direction of housing prices without touching physical property or long-term mortgages. The integration links Polymarket’s event-based markets with Parcl’s independently published, daily home price indices, reportedly enabling faster, rules-based settlement of contracts tied to major U.S. housing markets.Under the partnership, Polymarket will list and operate a new suite of housing-focused prediction markets, while Parcl will supply the independent index data and final settlement values.Real Estate Markets are officially live on @Polymarket ?Predict home values, exclusively powered by Parcl data. pic.twitter.com/AGj1WKUGRC— Parcl (@Parcl) January 5, 2026The indices, produced by Parcl Labs, track home prices in near real time and serve as the objective reference point for determining whether a market resolves higher or lower over a given period.How the New Markets Will WorkAccording to the official announcement, the first wave of markets will focus on major U.S. cities, with contracts framed around the movement of Parcl’s city-level home price indices over set timeframes.“Prediction markets work best when the data is clear, and the outcome can be verified without debate,” commented Matthew Modabber, the CMO of Polymarket. “Parcl’s daily housing indices give us a strong foundation to launch housing markets that settle transparently and consistently.”Typical structures will ask whether a given city index finishes a month, quarter, or year up or down, or whether it crosses specific price thresholds by a stated date.Each market will link to a dedicated Parcl resolution page that shows the final settlement value, historical index context, and the methodology used to calculate the index. By using published indices instead of discretionary judgments, the partners aim to reduce ambiguity around resolutions and to lower the risk of settlement disputes.Keep reading: Polymarket Rolls Out U.S. App After CFTC Green Light, Starting With Sports EventsReal estate remains the world’s largest asset class, yet investors often need to navigate property-level complexity, leverage, and long holding periods to express even a simple view on price direction.Why It Matters for Housing and CryptoBy combining daily index data with Polymarket’s event-market structure, the new product offers a more direct way to trade housing outcomes, with clear rules and public, auditable resolution data.Parcl operates a real-time housing data and onchain real estate platform, delivering indices and analytics that allow users to gain long or short exposure to home price movements.Meanwhile, Blockchain analyst defioasis.eth recently released data showing that roughly 70% of Polymarket’s 1.7 million trading addresses have realized losses, mirroring loss rates long observed among retail CFD traders in traditional markets. The analysis covered Polymarket’s entire trading history through December 28, examining realized profit and loss for 1,733,785 unique addresses.A separate report also showed that Polymarket is outperforming most decentralized finance projects in keeping users active. According to Dune and Keyrock, Polymarket maintained stronger month-to-month user activity than 85% of the platforms analyzed. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

In a recent podcast with Money Majlis, Kim Fournais, Founder and CEO of Saxo Bank, discussed trends in banking, fintech, and investments for 2026. He highlighted artificial intelligence, embedded finance, real-time payments, digital assets, stricter regulations, and more inclusive banking.Artificial Intelligence in BankingFournais said AI will move from assisting to making decisions in banking. “There’ll be no job, no function, nothing that won't be affected by AI,” he said. He added that banks combining data with oversight will benefit most.On embedded finance, Fournais described loans and insurance being offered inside apps without visiting banks. He called it “banking as a service,” allowing banks to work behind the scenes while non-financial brands interact with customers.Digital Assets and TokenizationHe also discussed digital assets. “Crypto is real. It'll be used by all of us to facilitate better transactions,” he said, noting the tokenization of property and commodities and faster, cheaper cross-border payments.Saxo’s Origins and GrowthReflecting on Saxo Bank’s origins in 1992 with €7,000 in capital, Fournais said transparency, service, and product diversification motivated him to start the company. The bank launched its first online platform in 1998, offering clients real-time trading access. He described this approach as “common sense is not that common.”He also cited regulatory and cultural challenges. “You have to build really strong relationships with your employees, with your clients, with your partners and literally build trust,” he said.Today, Saxo serves nearly 1.5 million clients, manages about $140 billion in assets, and has over 120 white-label partners. Fournais said technology, culture, and client focus are key to balancing innovation with accessibility.Personalized Investing and Client FocusOn personalized investing, Saxo uses AI to tailor solutions without acting as an asset manager. “By applying AI and technology, you can create something completely outstanding,” he said, highlighting the convergence of human advisors and digital platforms.He added that energy is becoming a technology rather than a commodity. “Solar power, wind power, battery technology will reduce the cost of energy production and create more independence,” he said. “If we spoke in 10 years’ time, you’re going to see a different world than we see today when it comes to energy.”Describing Saxo’s client-first approach, he said: “We are 100% focused on what we need to do for the clients. Creating happy clients is one component, but we also need to pay the bills and make revenues. It’s an ecosystem.”On risk-taking, he reflected on early decisions: “Starting the business was a big risk. Moving onto the internet and spending a ton of money on technology with no revenue, many people thought we were completely crazy.”Democratizing Financial MarketsFournais said Saxo aims to democratize financial markets. “Let’s face it, when you get lured into being short-term greedy and maybe a little bit long-term stupid, it can completely undermine the whole notion of investing,” he warned. He stressed that while “now anyone who wants it can basically open up a multi-asset investment account... what’s lacking is a little more education. A lot of people are uninformed and get lured by influencers.”Regarding the Middle East and North Africa, he noted Saxo sees “a huge opportunity. We will focus on delivering much more local products but also having both the local and the global approach. The region is flourishing.”On a recent investment by J. Safra Sarasin, he said: “Saxo will be what Saxo is… with some very professional, strongly capitalized long-term owners… clients and partners are only going to see benefits from this.”True Wealth Means Meaningful RelationsLooking ahead, Fournais emphasized technology and AI. “We are uniquely positioned. Combining relationship managers with proper technology, more traditional players will have to get onto this and partnerships will be stronger,” he said.He described his personal ethos of “honest capitalism”: “It is important how you make your money, how you spend your money, how you invest your money… on my island, Vero, we produce energy, grow food, and operate independently. It’s a microcosmos of what the world could look like.”On wealth, he said: “True wealth is that you are happy in your heart with your loved ones and that you’re a healthy person meaningful work and meaningful relations.”Fournais concluded: “There’s a big move forward in people’s ability to invest in the right initiatives. We are here to get curious people invested in the world. It’s actually pretty promising.” This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

There is a huge gap in forex services for sports clubs. For instance, English Premier League clubs lost about £22 million in FX fees in only last player transfer window. This has opened the door for forex payments companies like Ebury, Airwallex and Corpay to ink a unique promotional deal with sports teams, including football.The New Found Value in Sports DealsWhile sports sponsorships have long been a preferred marketing channel for financial services firms, payments firms are adding a new angle to it — they are easing FX transfers for sports teams.These companies are becoming “FX partners” or similar for sports clubs, helping them with their foreign exchange transactions. These deals are more than branding, as they also bring real value to the clubs’ operations.You maybe also like: How Much Fancy Sport Sponsorships Actually Cost?In football, where many players are bought, sold and transferred across clubs worldwide, millions of dollars in cross-border transactions are involved.English Premier League clubs alone spent more than £1.7 billion on players from leagues operating in the Eurozone last transfer season. These transactions involve legacy FX brokers exchanging GBP for EUR through FX brokerages to support moves from European leagues such as the Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A.A study by currency platform Glyde showed that legacy FX brokers skimmed the Premier League for more than £22 million on European transfers, with the 10 worst-hit clubs losing almost £17 million in just 89 days.Skimming or FX scalping involves brokers adding hidden mark-ups to exchange rates.These so-called FX partners are using their transparency around these skimming tactics — which the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority has called poor practice — to the benefit of sports clubs.“Football transfers are negotiated down to the last detail, but what clubs don’t see is the hidden cost eating away at their budgets when they move money across borders,” said Ellis Taylor, CEO and Co-Founder of Glyde.Companies like Wise have built a strong business by offering transparency around these practices of legacy players.[#highlighted-links#] Handling the FX Payments during TransfersSports business is massive and involves clubs to handle payments in many areas, which include ticket sales to merchandise. When it comes to FX firms’ partnerships with sports teams, the term “payment” is clearly defined and involves only foreign exchange transactions.“‘Payments’ [for these clubs] generally refers to corporate FX and international transactions,” explained Matt House, CEO of sports deal broker SportQuake, “for example, the transfer of funds by wire, ACH, SEPA or similar systems involving multiple currencies.”He added that in the deal between TransferMate and Haas Formula 1, where SportQuake was involved, the term “payments” was defined as international currency transfers across multiple markets.House also noted that “these deals are often exclusive, meaning the FX/payment firm becomes the sole provider of international payment services to the club, though the exact definition and rights can vary from club to club.”The value of such sports partnerships can also be seen in the fact that Ebury, which is expected to become a public company as well, has a dedicated payment solution for sports clubs.The strategy seems to have worked, as Ebury has partnered with several football clubs, including Aston Villa, Southampton, Rangers and PSV Eindhoven. It also has deals with other sports teams.A look at the partnership announcements shows that Ebury offers its “online payments platform, currency exchange solutions and money transfer services” to the clubs.No Deal Template: Negotiation Comes in HandyHowever, the partnerships are not limited to FX transfers — these payment companies also negotiate branding deals.Labelled as “Official Foreign Exchange Payments Supplier” or even “Official Fintech Partner”, branding for these payments companies also appears across the infrastructure of sports venues.Due to the branding angle, the payment companies also pay sponsorship fees to the sports clubs.“Fees for these deals are directly linked to the amount of FX flow the sports org has,” House added. “Deals are typically funded out of FX margin.”Read more: CFDs Sport Sponsorships Go beyond FootballThese deals can also be structured based on the needs of the payment firm and the sports organisation. The payment can be simple, and its size depends on how much the FX firm is willing to invest in the FX flow or the partnership with the sports organisation. In such cases, the FX firm may aim to make a profit on the sports organisation’s FX flow or may break even, or even take a loss, due to the value of the marketing rights received in return.In another case, the FX company might offer the sports organisation the best possible rate and not pay any extra sponsorship fee. There can also be a hybrid model, which combines competitive FX fees and sponsorship fees.“Nowadays, the big global sports organisations that generate significant FX flow are generally more switched on about how to manage their FX needs, including securing the best rates, so FX providers can’t beat rates in the old way,” the SportQuake CEO added. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

A new survey shows that retail trading platforms may have a bigger addressable market than they realize, as UK adults increasingly consider investing small amounts but dramatically overestimate how much money they need to get started.One in five UK adults says they're likely to begin investing between £10 and £50 monthly in 2026, according to research from the Investment Association published in December 2025. The figure jumps to 41% among Gen Z and 33% among Millennials, signaling appetite among demographics that trading platforms have aggressively targeted in recent years.But there's a catch. The average Briton thinks they need around £41,300 to start investing, with 18- to 30-year-olds estimating even higher at £58,000. Only 22% of respondents knew they could begin with less than £50, despite the fact that most retail platforms now support fractional shares and micro-deposits.Miranda Seath, Director of Market Insights at the Investment Association, said younger investors can benefit particularly from small, regular investments given their longer time horizons. "Potential investors don't need thousands to start – with as little as £1, anyone can take the first step towards building their financial future," she said.Fractional Shares Close the Gap?The disconnect between perception and reality has created an opening for brokers willing to educate and simplify. In the UK market, a growing number of firms already operate with low entry thresholds and could benefit from this trend highlighted in the latest Investment Association study.XTB launched a zero-fee ISA in December 2024, targeting the £400 billion UK ISA market with fractional share access and a 4.75% yield on uninvested cash. The Warsaw-based broker also has rolled out an Autoinvest feature to enable regular, automated investing, exactly the "little and often" behavior the Investment Association survey identified.Webull UK partnered with infrastructure provider Upvest in June 2025 to bring LSE-listed stocks and ETFs to its platform with a £1 minimum for fractional shares. Revolut launched a Stocks and Shares ISA in July 2025, also with a £1 entry point, while eToro has been expanding its ISA offerings and introduced stock lending to UK clients in December 2025 to help retail investors earn passive income.Trading 212 and Freetrade have become popular among lower-income households, offering fractional shares across most supported securities. In the meantime, former Trading 212 COO Stefan Sotirov launched Investing.one in November 2025, adding yet another platform with fractional shares from €1 and commission-free trading.Cash vs. Equities Debate IntensifiesThe Investment Association data arrives as UK policymakers and brokers clash over how to shift savers into riskier assets. IG launched its "Save Our Stock Market" campaign, arguing that tax-advantaged Cash ISAs weaken domestic equity markets and proposing restrictions on new Cash ISA accounts. eToro countered in November 2025 by launching a Cash ISA with a 4.67% rate, framing it as a product for savers waiting for the right investment opportunity.The UK government introduced the "Leeds Reforms" to encourage retail participation in higher-return products, citing data that over 29 million adults hold money in low-interest accounts while equities have averaged around 9% annual returns over the past decade. If £50 per month had been invested into a typical global equity fund over the last five years, it would be worth £3,906 today, over £900 more than cash in a bank account, the Investment Association calculated.Younger Investors Drive DemandGen Z and Millennials are leading adoption of mobile-first platforms. Finder data shows 68% of Gen Z have invested at some point, the highest percentage across all generations, while 65% of Millennials have done so. That compares to just 48% of Gen X and 36% of baby boomers.About a third of UK adults received extra money over the Christmas period, with 23% getting cash gifts and 11% receiving workplace bonuses. Nearly half of recipients said they plan to save the funds, while one in five are considering investing them. Interest in investing was notably higher among younger groups, rising to 40% for Gen Z and 33% for Millennials. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Bitcoin (BTC) price surged past $93,000 on Monday, January 5, 2026, marking the fifth consecutive session of gains across major cryptocurrencies. Ethereum climbed to $3,162, XRP tested $2.14, and Dogecoin rallied following a breakout from its bearish channel. The total crypto market capitalization climbed above $3.01 trillion, driven by stronger investor sentiment, slowing ETF outflows, and renewed interest from institutional players. This early-2026 momentum shows a stark reversal from the disappointing fourth-quarter performance that saw excessive leverage unwound and sentiment reset.Why are cryptocurrencies rising today? What are the latest price forecasts, and what does technical analysis show for the BTC/USDT, XRP/USDT, ETH/USDT, and DOGE/USDT charts? This article takes a closer look.Why Crypto Is Going Up Today?Year-Ahead Positioning Drives Rally"Cryptocurrency markets are in the green as investors add digital gold to their portfolios amid positioning for the year ahead," explains Petr Kozyakov, Co-Founder and CEO at Mercuryo. The payment infrastructure leader notes that Bitcoin's push past $92,000 has led the market higher alongside gains in Ethereum and Solana.Kozyakov highlights a notable shift in market dynamics: "A shift in mood across the digital token space has been underlined by a resurgence in interest in the meme coin sector, with Shiba Inu and Pepe making a loud entry to 2026." Beyond meme coin speculation, the cryptocurrency industry is experiencing a broader transformation as market structure reform and legislative architecture take precedence over pure price action, with stablecoin capitalization hitting $312.63 billion in December 2025.Despite the severe drop in sentiment during the final months of 2025, he emphasizes that "fundamentals in the sector remain strong as the underlying infrastructure evolves with assets such as stablecoins continuing to attract increasing levels of liquidity."Joel Kruger, crypto strategist at LMAX, provides important context for the recovery. "The crypto market delivered an undeniably disappointing fourth-quarter performance," he acknowledges, noting frustration given that Bitcoin and ETH had already reached fresh record highs earlier in 2025 alongside significant regulatory and adoption progress.However, Kruger views the pullback constructively: "The weaker headline performance can also be viewed as a healthy reset. The pullback helped unwind overleveraged positions and clear excess froth, a necessary process that often improves market structure and supports more sustainable upside over time."It’s also certainly relevant what’s happening in Venezuela and Donald Trump’s “war on oil.” But what do the charts say?Bitcoin Price Tests Critical $93,000 ResistanceBitcoin briefly touched $93,000 on Monday, with Yahoo Finance data showing an intraday high of $93,155 and closing at $92,798. The world's largest cryptocurrency is trading at its highest level in nearly one month, up over 2% in the last 24 hours. However, my technical analysis reveals Bitcoin remains trapped in a nearly two-month consolidation between $84,000 and $94,000.Why Bitcoin price is going up today? Source: Tradingview.comKey Bitcoin Technical LevelsThe price action shows Bitcoin testing the upper boundary of its range, defined by the 50-day moving average and 100% Fibonacci extension near $92,000-$94,000. On the daily chart, Bitcoin continues moving in an increasingly narrowing wedge pattern, with the lower boundary rising since mid-December from around $80,500."BTC has been respecting a descending trendline for weeks. Price recently tested this trendline near 94,800 and showed a reaction," observes Areeb Khan from Traders' Hub. He identifies several key technical observations:Khan's Technical Breakdown:Long-term downtrend resistance still activePrice holding above recent higher lowsRSI near mid-zone (50) with room for expansion, no extreme yetKhan provides specific levels to monitor: "Resistance: 94,800-95,500. Support: 92,000 going down to 90,000. Major downside invalidation below 88,000." He warns that "a clean breakout and hold above the trendline could shift short-term structure bullish. Rejection here keeps BTC in a range-to-bearish continuation setup."Despite the bullish momentum, Bitcoin remains below its 200-day exponential moving average, which resides above $103,000 and represents the separator between uptrend and downtrend. My bearish scenario targets $74,000, representing 2025 yearly lows last tested in April and confirmed by the 161.8% Fibonacci extension.If you like my work, please also check previous crypto analyses and follow me on X:Ethereum Tests Key $3,200 Fibonacci LevelEthereum (ETH) gained 0.7% on Monday to reach $3,168, with CoinGecko data showing current trading at $3,162. The second-largest cryptocurrency is testing its fifth consecutive rising session and three-week highs, breaking above its 50-day exponential moving average for the first time in nearly a month. Below is how I see it.Why Ethereum price is going up today? Source: Tradingview.comEthereum's Technical Position:Current price: $3,168 (+0.7% Monday)Immediate resistance: $3,200 (50% Fibonacci retracement, early November lows)Major resistance zone: $3,350-$3,400 (untouched since correction began)Support range: $2,650-$2,800 (November-December lows, 61.8% Fibonacci)Death cross status: Active since late November (50 MA below 200 MA)The price has stopped at local resistance around the 50% Fibonacci retracement level near $3,200, which coincides with resistance formed by local lows from early November. This represents a critical juncture, as Ethereum briefly traded close to $3,010 at the start of 2026 before accelerating higher.However, medium-term technical factors remain bearish. Both moving averages formed a death cross pattern in late November, and the price continues moving below the 200-day EMA. The main resistance zone between $3,350 and $3,400 remains untouched, representing a formidable barrier for bulls.Ethereum is consolidating between this upper resistance zone and support defined by November-December lows in the $2,650-$2,800 range, reinforced by the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement.In a sideways movement, price can move both up and down, but the overall my chart structure suggesting continuation of declines targets June lows at $2,200 and ultimately 2025 yearly minimums around $1,400 last tested in April.XRP Breaks Bearish Channel, Tests $2.14XRP is trading at $2.14, marking its fifth consecutive rising session and the highest value since early December. The cryptocurrency gained over 2% during Monday's session, with intraday highs testing $2.16 before pulling back slightly.Why XRP price is going up today? Source: Tradingview.comThe positive development for XRP is its breakout from the bearish regression channel drawn from July highs, which had been tested multiple times from both below and above. This dynamic breakout saw the price distance itself significantly from the channel, providing technical confirmation that selling pressure may be exhausting.XRP Critical Levels for Breakout ConfirmationHowever, caution is warranted. A similar breakout was observed in early October, but the price subsequently returned to the channel range. The ultimate confirmation of the breakout requires XRP to return above the resistance zone between $2.20 and $2.30, and most importantly above the 200 EMA at $2.35.XRP remains in a trend structure similar to Bitcoin and Ethereum, moving below the 200 EMA (downtrend) and in a consolidation drawn since late November at medium-term lows.Until the breakout is confirmed, the possibility remains of a return to the lower consolidation boundary with support at $1.80-$1.83.If you want to trade Bitcoin, XRP and others, check out the 5 best CFD crypto brokers in 2026.Dogecoin Rallies But Faces Resistance at $0.15Dogecoin (DOGE) experienced four consecutive days of gains, testing the highest level since late November before pulling back 1.2% to $0.1477 at the time of writing.The meme coin has stopped at the upper boundary of its current consolidation at the lowest levels since October 2024.Why Dogecoin price is going up today? Source: Tradingview.comDogecoin Technical Structure:✓ Broke bearish regression channel from October (positive development)✓ Four consecutive rising sessions (momentum building)✗ Death cross pattern intact (bearish structure)✗ Large distance to 200 EMA (downtrend confirmed)? Testing consolidation ceiling at $0.15 (decision point)This resistance level coincides with the 50 EMA and minimums from June, April, and March 2025. The lower consolidation boundary is defined by lows from the turn of 2025/2026 around $0.11-$0.12.The meme coin resurgence extends beyond Dogecoin. Market data shows renewed interest in Shiba Inu and Pepe, with the broader meme coin sector experiencing a retail-driven rally in early 2026 after languishing through much of 2025. If current resistance at $0.15 holds, my favored scenario is a downward movement and retest of the $0.11 area, or even $0.10 representing 2025 yearly minimums from the October flash crash.FAQ: Crypto Price QuestionsWhy is crypto going up today?Crypto is surging due to year-ahead portfolio positioning, Q4 2025 sentiment reset completion (deleveraging and excess froth clearing), meme coin sector resurgence, strong fundamentals in infrastructure evolution, and stablecoin liquidity growth. Kozyakov from Mercuryo notes investors are adding "digital gold" to portfolios amid 2026 positioning. Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP and Dogecoin all posted fifth consecutive rising sessions on January 5, 2026.Why is Bitcoin surging for the fifth straight session?Bitcoin tested $93,155 intraday, representing one-month highs, as traders positioned for 2026 amid improved sentiment. The rally tests critical resistance at $94,800-$95,000 where descending trendline and 50 MA converge, according to Areeb Khan from Traders' Hub. Joel Kruger identifies sustained hold above $95,000 as key technical signal for broader uptrend resumption toward record highs.Why is Ethereum testing resistance at $3,200?Ethereum's fifth rising session brought price to $3,168, testing 50% Fibonacci retracement at $3,200 after breaking above 50 EMA for first time in nearly a month. However, death cross remains active since late November, and major resistance zone at $3,350-$3,400 stays untouched.Why is XRP price surging above $2?XRP gained over 2% to test $2.16 intraday (fifth consecutive rising session), reaching highest levels since early December after breaking bearish regression channel from July highs. However, confirmation requires sustained move above $2.20-$2.30 resistance and 200 EMA at $2.35, as similar October breakout proved false.Why is Dogecoin rallying after breakout?Dogecoin broke bearish regression channel dynamically, testing $0.1477 at upper consolidation boundary representing late November highs. Mercuryo's Kozyakov notes meme coin sector experiencing resurgence with Shiba Inu and Pepe leading 2026 entry. However, resistance at $0.15 (50 EMA) remains untested with risk of return to $0.11-$0.12 support zone.Is the crypto bear market over?Technical analysis shows Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP still in consolidation below 200 EMAs with death crosses active for Bitcoin and Ethereum since late November. Kruger from LMAX characterizes the Q4 pullback as a "healthy reset" that unwound overleveraged positions and improved market structure, but sustained breakouts above key resistance levels are needed for trend reversal confirmation. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

The capture and arrest of the sitting Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, on 3 January has created a stir in global politics, especially around international law. However, another area that has drawn attention is Venezuela’s massive oil reserve.World’s Largest Oil Reserve Is Now Under US ControlAlthough US President Donald Trump stated that his country will take over Venezuela’s oil reserve, experts pointed out the details behind the country’s vast oil reserve – and the key word here is “reserve”.Read the impact of the Venezuela situation on the markets: Why Oil Prices Are Falling? Brent and WTI Slip after Maduro Capture in Venezuela as Gold Surges Venezuela is sitting on the world’s largest proven oil reserves, exceeding 300 billion barrels, Arne Lohmann Rasmussen, Chief Analyst and Head of Research at Global Risk Management, pointed out. However, the country is currently producing only around 1 million barrels per day.He further noted that production has been rising over the past five years after falling below half a million barrels per day in 2020, when oil prices collapsed. Even so, output remains well below levels seen 20 to 25 years ago, when production was around 2.5 million barrels per day.Despite sanctions, Venezuela continues to export roughly half of its oil production. The US company Chevron is also a major producer in the country.Related: Venezuela Crisis Turns Crypto into a Global Market of Last Resort, Exposing New Risk for BrokersBefore 2018, Venezuela’s oil trade was highly centralised around a small group of large buyers, most notably the United States and several Atlantic-facing partners. The United States imported $13 billion worth of oil, with Colombia a distant second at $0.57 billion, according to UN Comtrade data.After the 2018 break, recovery has taken place through diversification rather than replacement. The United States remains the largest partner, but at a much lower level of $3.1 billion. India has emerged as the second-largest destination with $0.98 billion. Exports to China, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates have also increased sharply.“In a worst-case scenario, up to half a million barrels per day of Venezuelan oil exports could disappear,” Rasmussen said, adding that “it is far from certain that this will actually happen”.“Even under normal conditions, a disruption of this size is manageable for the market. In particular, forecasts point to a clear oversupply in the first quarter, driven by seasonally weak demand and OPEC+ production increases.”Venezuela’s Crude Oil Is HeavyAnother factor limiting higher Venezuelan oil production is the quality of its crude. The country produces a very heavy and sulphur-rich crude oil, which not all global refineries can process.“Venezuela’s Orinoco Belt is, on the one hand, a geological marvel but, commercially, a serious problem,” said Cyril Widdershoven, a geopolitical strategist focused on energy markets. “A large share of its output is heavy to extra-heavy crude that often requires blending with lighter hydrocarbons.”He also noted that “due to factors such as sanctions restrictions, tighter shipping insurance, and traders’ fear of secondary exposure, these barrels are stranded rather than discounted” at present. The country’s crude oil system is not only under-funded but also poorly connected to wider markets.Widdershoven added that Venezuela’s oil industry is capital-intensive. Any Orinoco production at scale requires steady investment in field operations, including steam and diluent supply chains, as well as critical infrastructure. In addition, Orinoco crude operations need upgraders that convert extra-heavy crude into synthetic crude suitable for a wider range of refineries.“The main question now is why the media and politicians are still using the ‘war for oil’ narrative if oil is not the near-term payoff,” Widdershoven said. “For Trump and others, it appears that access and control could solve high prices. That view is wrong. This is no longer the oil market of the Iraq era. At the same time, largely due to shale oil and renewables, the US is not energy-starved in the same way.”Industry Recovery Will Be ChallengingIvan Sandrea, founder and CEO of Westlawn Americas Offshore, believes the recovery of Venezuela’s oil industry will depend on four factors:The type of government transitionWillingness of existing in-country players to invest in the short termMacro conditionsExecution of a structural reset to reposition the oil and gas industryAccording to him, Venezuelan oil production from the current base level could be:• 0.85–1.0 mbd: status quo / low output • 1.1–1.3 mbd: operational stabilisation (incremental repairs) – 12 to 18 months • Around 2.0 mbd: pre-sanctions recovery (stage one repair spending) – 24 to 36 months • Around 2.5 mbd sustained: structural reset with major spending; offshore adds longer-term upsideDepending on the type of transition, production could still fall to between 0 and 0.5 mbd before recovering. A transition that supports existing leaders would only delay any recovery.“For shipping and energy markets, the main issue in the coming period will be risk premium,” Widdershoven added. “Any military escalation in an oil-producing state directly affects global supply risks. This remains the case even if the volumes involved are not large at first. US actions have added uncertainty around sanctions and disrupted trade flows. If this situation leads to long-term instability, those limits will become firmer.” This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

The crypto market staged a surprise rally of more than $100 billion following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela. With traditional financial markets closed at the time, digital assets became the primary venue where global risk was repriced in real time. The episode provided a rare, real-world stress test for the crypto market and delivered a clear signal to traditional brokers: the transition to genuinely 24/7 trading is no longer a competitive differentiator, but an operational requirement. While many analysts expected a classic flight to safety amid heightened geopolitical tension in Latin America, the market reacted in the opposite direction. Bitcoin surged past $90,000, while short liquidations exceeded $130 million within the first 12 hours after the events unfolded.BREAKING:?? US is attacking Venezuela.And it's happening exactly when crypto is trying to recover.F*cking tired of this shit now.— Ash Crypto (@AshCrypto) January 3, 2026Timing was a decisive factor. The military operation took place while traditional markets were shut. As news broke and investors sought to reassess global risk exposure, cryptocurrency markets were effectively the only venue available for immediate capital reallocation.In that moment, crypto functioned less as a speculative asset class and more as an always-on liquidity layer during a major geopolitical shock.A Nation Already Running on Crypto For years, Venezuela has served as a real-world sandbox for cryptocurrency adoption, driven by necessity rather than speculation. Prolonged hyperinflation and U.S. sanctions pushed both citizens and state-linked entities to turn to digital assets as a financial workaround. According to Chainalysis, Venezuela consistently ranks among the world’s top countries for grassroots crypto adoption, with digital assets deeply embedded in everyday commerce. Local fintech firms have launched crypto wallets tailored for retail payments, allowing merchants to accept digital currencies without specialised point-of-sale infrastructure. Stablecoins such as USDT are widely used to preserve purchasing power amid the bolívar’s collapse and to receive remittances from abroad. Even the state-owned oil company PDVSA has reportedly turned to Tether to settle payments for crude exports, seeking to reduce reliance on the traditional banking system under sanctions pressure. This deep, pre-existing integration of crypto into Venezuela’s economic fabric helps explain the market’s unusual — and counterintuitive — reaction to the political shock.Sputnik Moment for Brokers For the brokerage industry, the implications are significant, as the episode exposed how geopolitical risk can be repriced entirely outside traditional trading hours.The End of “Off-Hours.” Geopolitical risk does not follow a Monday-to-Friday schedule. For brokers offering crypto alongside traditional assets, risk and liquidity management can no longer pause over weekends or holidays. 24/7 Infrastructure Under Strain. Crypto-native exchanges, OTC desks and market makers saw a sharp surge in activity, highlighting the operational stress placed on platforms when they become the market of last resort. A New Risk Model for TradFi. Banks, custodians and multi-asset brokers integrating crypto must update their risk frameworks to account for scenarios in which major geopolitical events occur outside traditional trading hours, triggering large and potentially one-sided flows into or out of digital assets. The rally also produced irrational side effects that underscored the market’s unique dynamics. The token of Convex Finance (CVX) jumped more than 40% simply because its ticker matched that of oil major Chevron (CVX), which some traders believed could benefit from the political developments.Ultimately, the Venezuela crisis highlighted crypto’s role as a global, continuously open liquidity layer. For the traditional brokerage world, it served as a clear wake-up call: markets no longer sleep, and the risks of a 24/7 trading environment can no longer be treated as peripheral. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Europe's securities regulator kicked off the search for a company to aggregate over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives trading data across the continent, launching what it calls the first Consolidated Tape Provider selection for this asset class.ESMA Opens Applications for OTC Derivatives Data Provider RoleThe European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) opened applications today (Monday) for entities interested in running the data consolidation service. Interested parties have until February 11 to register and submit participation requests through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.The role involves collecting post-trade data from trading venues and other contributors, then packaging it into a single electronic feed.While the service targets all market participants, CFD brokers will become key consumers of this data as they navigate the new reporting requirements ESMA finalized in December.Data Consolidation Arrives as Broker Rules TightenThe consolidated tape launches alongside transparency standards that directly affect how retail trading providers hedge positions and report trades. CFD brokers that use EU venues for risk management will need accurate, real-time derivatives data to comply with reporting obligations starting in 2027."The CTP aims to enhance market transparency and efficiency by consolidating post-trade data from data contributors, such as trading venues, into a single and continuous electronic stream," ESMA stated in its announcement.For brokers, the consolidated feed could simplify data sourcing compared to buying separate feeds from multiple venues. The service promises a unified view of OTC derivatives activity that firms currently piece together from fragmented sources.European policymakers have framed the data consolidation project as supporting the Savings and Investment Union initiative, arguing that improved access to data leads to more accurate pricing and more efficient markets.Cost and Access Questions Remain OpenESMA hasn't disclosed pricing models for the consolidated tape, leaving brokers uncertain about whether the service will reduce or increase their market data expenses. The regulator will likely address commercial terms during the selection process.Brokers already face rising compliance costs from the December transparency rules, which expand reporting obligations for derivatives trades. The consolidated tape adds another vendor relationship to manage, though it could offset costs if it replaces multiple venue feeds.The winning applicant will operate the consolidated tape for five years and must apply for authorization from ESMA. Once authorized, the provider will fall under ESMA's direct supervision throughout the contract period.Five-Year Contract With July DecisionESMA plans to review applications against exclusion and selection criteria, then invite qualified candidates to submit full proposals. The regulator expects to make a final selection by early July 2026.Questions from applicants during the process will be addressed through the EU funding portal, where procurement documents are currently available. The February deadline gives potential providers just over five weeks to prepare participation requests.The timeline aligns with the broader 2027 implementation date for ESMA's derivatives transparency overhaul. Brokers will need to adapt their systems and data feeds in parallel with the consolidated tape launch, creating pressure to coordinate technology upgrades across multiple regulatory changes. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Oil markets opened Monday, 5 January 2025, trading in negative territory, with Brent crude falling 0.4% to $60.54 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropping 0.5% to $57.04. Traders assessed the implications of the United States' dramatic weekend operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The muted market reaction reflects a fundamental disconnect between political headlines and near-term supply realities in an already oversupplied global oil market.​ The market, however, fell while precious metals rebounded. As a result, I am looking for answers to why oil is falling. I review the latest oil price predictions and conduct a technical analysis of crude oil charts, drawing on my more than 10 years of experience as an analyst and trader.Why Are Oil Prices Falling Today?Due to the dramatic geopolitical developments in Venezuela over the weekend, oil prices slipped lower as markets confronted a more complex reality than simple supply disruption narratives suggest.President Donald Trump announced the US would maintain its embargo on Venezuelan oil in full effect, while simultaneously stating that American companies are prepared to return and invest in the country's struggling oil sector.Nicolas Maduro had his chance — until he didn’t.The Trump Admin will always defend American citizens against all threats, foreign and domestic. ??? pic.twitter.com/eov3GbBXf4— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 4, 2026The bearish price action stems from several converging factors:Massive oversupply: Global oil supplies currently exceed demand by approximately 3.85 million barrels per day, representing nearly 4% of worldwide consumptionUnchanged forecasts: Goldman Sachs maintained its 2026 price forecasts at $56 for Brent and $52 for WTI, signaling limited immediate impactOPEC+ inaction: The cartel decided to maintain current output levels, effectively acknowledging its limited ability to support pricesKyle Rodda, senior market analyst at Capital.com in Melbourne, explained that "the implications are limited in the short-term and relatively contained to the energy complex." The market's tepid response underscores how Venezuela's production has already been constrained for years due to mismanagement, sanctions, and deteriorated infrastructure.Trading crude oil, including Brent and WTI, is available through many CFD brokers, which provide exposure to this market via derivative instruments.Venezuela's Oil Recovery: Years, Not MonthsThe Orinoco ChallengeContrary to simplistic "war for oil" narratives circulating in international media, the path to meaningful Venezuelan production increases faces substantial obstacles. The country's Orinoco Belt contains heavy-to-extra-heavy crude that requires diluents, upgrading capacity, stable logistics, and massive reinvestment after years of decline.Cyril Widdershoven, a geopolitical strategist specializing in energy markets, noted that "international media is reaching—again—for the most straightforward explanation of Washington's strike on Venezuela: 'war for oil.' It's a convenient narrative. It's also analytically weak."He emphasized that "even under highly optimistic assumptions, meaningful incremental barrels take years, and truly transformative volumes take a decade+."Production Timeline ProjectionsJPMorgan analysts project Venezuela could raise oil production to 1.3-1.4 million barrels per day within two years, potentially reaching 2.5 million bpd over the next decade. However, this optimistic scenario depends on political stability, clear governance frameworks, and billions in capital investment that oil majors are hesitant to commit without regulatory certainty.The Investment DilemmaThe White House has reportedly told US oil executives including ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips that they would need to front investment capital themselves to rebuild Venezuela's oil industry as a precondition for recovering debts from past expropriations. ConocoPhillips alone seeks to recover some $12 billion from the Chavez-era nationalization of its Venezuela assets, while Exxon Mobil filed international arbitration cases trying to recover $1.65 billion.This is absolutely insane:Venezuela currently has 303 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, which Trump says the US now controls.Oil prices are trading at ~$57/barrel, making Venezuela's total reserves worth $17.3 TRILLION.Even if the US sells this oil for HALF of the…— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) January 3, 2026Oil Price PredictionsDownside Risks Dominate 2026 OutlookMultiple forecasts point to sustained pressure on oil prices throughout 2026. The US Energy Information Administration projects Brent at $55 per barrel for Q1 2026 persisting through the year, while bear case scenarios suggest prices could dip below $50 mid-year if oversupply pressures intensify.JPMorgan analysts estimate a $4 per barrel downside to 2030 oil prices in a scenario where Venezuelan crude production rises to 2 million bpd. Helal Naeem, country manager at OneRoyal, observed that "markets do not price headlines. They price scenarios," adding that the smart money is watching whether oil exports are actually disrupted, how sanctions evolve, and whether there's a clear political roadmap or power vacuum in Caracas.Technical Analysis: Support Levels Under PressureCurrent Chart SetupAccording to my technical analysis, Brent crude's chart shows little change in the overall bearish structure. The commodity is trading below $61 per barrel but remains within a critical support zone established by early 2025 lows and tested in the first half of December in the $60-59 range, coinciding with the lowest levels in five years since January 2021.What I see on the Brent chart currently:Moving averages: The shorter 50-period exponential moving average serves as dynamic resistance, creating the upper boundary of a regression channelImmediate resistance: $63.70 per barrel, aligning with local lows from JuneSecondary resistance: $65.50 converging with the 200 EMAMajor resistance zones: $70 and $72, marked by 2023 lows and second-half 2024 lowsDownside TargetsIf current support fails to hold, the next significant level lies at $50 per barrel, corresponding to the lows from the turn of 2018-2019. At current prices, drawing further upside ranges seems unjustified given that oil appears more likely to decline than appreciate.Commodities Markets React: Gold and Silver SurgeWhile oil prices declined, precious metals rallied strongly on Monday as safe-haven demand returned following the weekend's geopolitical shock.Monday's Commodity Performance:Gold: +1.0% to $4,420 per ounceSilver: +3.5% to $75.32 per ouncePlatinum: +3.26% to $2,214 per ouncePalladium: +2.41% to $1,657 per ounceCopper: +2.86% to $5.85 per poundKyle Rodda noted that "we are definitely seeing a response in precious metals though and that's the market front-running governments and upping their exposure to non-dollar (and non-fiat) alternatives."Precious Metals' Remarkable 2025 RunSilver extended its remarkable run that saw the white metal reach an all-time high of $83.62 earlier in the week. Both platinum and palladium posted record-breaking performances in 2025, with platinum surging 127% and palladium gaining 76%, its best showing in 15 years.Copper traded around $5.85 per pound, up on the day but still below its July 2025 all-time high of $5.94. Industrial metals are receiving support from persistent supply constraints and demand expectations, though economic concerns continue weighing on sentiment.Market Implications: Political Risk Premium ReturnsThe Venezuelan situation reintroduces political risk premiums that had been largely absent from commodity markets during the extended period of oversupply. However, this premium manifests differently across asset classes. Oil markets are treating the development as a potential long-term supply addition that could depress prices, while precious metals are responding to the geopolitical uncertainty itself.Cyril Widdershoven emphasized that "the real market impact is not immediate relief but a risk premium, legal uncertainty, sanctions whiplash, trade-flow distortions, and higher friction for tankers, insurers, and refiners." He added that "governance and licensing durability will decide whether Venezuela's 'oil prize' ever becomes investable again."Regional Instability ConcernsTrump raised the possibility of further US military interventions in Latin America on Sunday, suggesting Colombia and Mexico could face military action if they do not reduce the flow of illicit drugs to the United States. These threats add another layer of regional instability that markets will need to monitor, particularly given the potential impacts on energy infrastructure and trade flows.Venezuelan interim government officials, led by acting president Delcy Rodríguez, initially denounced Maduro's capture as a kidnapping before striking a more conciliatory tone. Rodríguez extended an invitation to the US government to work together on a cooperation agenda, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would watch her actions more than her rhetoric.The entire world is talking about Venezuela’s oil.Nobody is talking about the gold.161 metric tons.$22.5 billion at today’s prices.The largest gold reserves in Latin America.Every $100 gold rises, these holdings gain $518 million.And that’s just what’s in the vaults.… pic.twitter.com/CylZRSSj1y— Shanaka Anslem Perera ⚡ (@shanaka86) January 4, 2026Oil Prices and Venezuela Impact, FAQWhy are oil prices going down today?Oil prices fell on Monday despite Venezuela's political upheaval because global markets are already oversupplied by nearly 4 million barrels per day. Traders recognize that meaningful Venezuelan production increases will take years, not months, to materialize due to infrastructure damage and the need for billions in new investment.Why is oil stock going up when crude prices fall?While crude prices declined Monday, some oil stocks may rise on expectations of long-term opportunities in Venezuela. Major oil companies like ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips could potentially recover billions in debts and gain access to massive reserves if they invest in rebuilding Venezuela's production capacity.Will oil prices rise in 2026?Most analysts expect oil prices to remain under pressure throughout 2026. Goldman Sachs forecasts Brent at $56 per barrel, while JPMorgan warns that successful Venezuelan production recovery could add $4 per barrel in downside risk through 2030. The global oversupply situation suggests limited upside potential.Why are gold and silver prices rising if oil is falling?Gold and silver are rising as safe-haven assets in response to geopolitical uncertainty from the Venezuela situation. Investors are hedging against political risk and potential dollar weakness, with gold up over 1% and silver surging 3.5% on Monday. This divergence shows markets pricing different aspects of the same event.What does Venezuela's situation mean for gas prices?The immediate impact on gas prices is minimal because Venezuela's current production of around 800,000 barrels per day represents only 1% of global output. US sanctions remain in place, and any production increases would take years to materialize, limiting near-term effects at the pump. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Gain Capital, the operator of Forex.com and City Index, plans to surrender its United Kingdom licence from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which it will do “in the fullness of time”.Leaving London for DubaiAs mentioned in the latest Companies House filing, the process of surrendering the FCA licence will begin when StoneX Financial Ltd receives a Dubai operating licence. However, the timing remains “uncertain”.FinanceMagnates.com earlier reported that the UK-registered Gain Capital already received a Category 5 licence from Dubai’s Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). Now, it appears that the company plans to transfer that licence to another entity.“[Gain Capital UK] obtained a Dubai operating licence in August 2025; however, it must operate under this licence for a number of months before applying to transfer it to StoneX Financial Ltd,” the filing said.It also appears that Gain Capital is no longer directly involved in trading operations within the UK. It is not reporting any direct turnover from its UK business and is only earning income from operating a representative office in Dubai, which supports other group activities.A New Strategy for Forex.comStoneX owns Gain Capital, which it bought in 2020 for $236 million to enter the retail forex and CFD trading markets. The acquisition also involved some drama, as most Gain shareholders initially opposed the deal, and an insider trading scandal later followed.Following the acquisition, StoneX more than doubled the number of active retail accounts on its platform globally to 295,000. The platform now has more than 400,000 retail accounts worldwide.Gain entered Dubai after the Forex.com brand launched services from its new Singapore base earlier this year.Dubai is attracting many large and small CFD brokers. While brands such as Plus500, XTB, Deriv and RoboMarkets have received a full brokerage licence there, others, including major players like XM, have opted for a promotional Category 5 licence.The Category 5 licence, which has become very popular, allows brokers to promote CFDs and direct clients to their non-UAE entities. However, they cannot hold client money or execute trades locally. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

Topstep, a US-based futures prop trading firm, has informed “some users” that their personal information, including name and Social Security number, may have been leaked during a cyberattack last September.DDoS Attack Exposed Users’ Data?A letter sent to affected Topstep customers pointed out that the data compromise was linked to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack that the prop platform experienced on 8 September 2025.The prop firm, in the letter, mentioned that after “an extensive internal review”, on 3 December last year, it discovered that between 8 September 2025 and 16 October 2025, “certain files” containing users’ “personally identifiable information may have been subject to unauthorised access or acquisition.”?Breaking: @Topstep notifies customers that between September 8th and October 16th their personal information may have been subject to unauthorized access. pic.twitter.com/3yYLfn7YsB— Jmu (@jmutrades) January 3, 2026However, Topstep’s support team later took a U-turn and blamed the information breach on non-Topstep sites.“This did NOT involve a breach of Topstep systems,” the prop firm highlighted in an X post. “It involved a small number of traders linked to reusing their passwords from non-Topstep sites that were exposed to data breaches.”Some traders may have received a notice about a recent cybersecurity incident. This did NOT involve a breach of Topstep systems. It involved a small number of traders linked to reusing their passwords from non-Topstep sites that were exposed to data breaches.Protecting your…— Topstep Support (@AskTopstep) January 4, 2026According to the letter circulating on social media, Topstep is providing access to credit monitoring services to affected customers free of charge.DDoS attacks are a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal traffic of a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming the target infrastructure with a flood of internet traffic.Many brokers and prop firms have become targets of such cyberattacks in recent years. FinanceMagnates.com earlier reported that E8 Markets and Founding Pips were among the victims of DDoS attacks.Read more: How to Survive a DDoS Attack (and Save Millions)Popular, but ControversialTopstep is one of the leading futures prop platforms in the US. It was founded and is run by Michael Patak. It has also onboarded London-listed Plus500, a contracts for differences (CFD) broker, as its technology provider.Recently, the prop platform faced backlash on social media due to repeated outages and issues on its only trading platform. Some traders said they were unable to open or close positions, while others claimed their accounts were blown up because of the outages. One trader said that Topstep did not always acknowledge the outages.Topstep offers trading on only one platform, TopstepX, which is a rebranded version of ProjectX. Although many claim a link between Topstep and ProjectX, neither company has officially confirmed it.Patak, the CEO of the prop trading platform, also acknowledged the outages and stated that “in January, we will be making things right.” This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

Ilya Lichtenstein, who hacked crypto exchange Bitfinex and stole nearly 120,000 Bitcoin, said he has been freed from prison early. Lichtenstein said he was being released thanks to the First Step Act, the bipartisan prison-reform law signed by President Donald Trump.Lichtenstein’s wife, Heather Morgan, who also pleaded guilty as part of the bitcoin laundering scheme, celebrated her husband’s apparent release.Thanks to President Trump's First Step Act, I have been released from prison early. I remain committed to making a positive impact in cybersecurity as soon as I can.To the supporters, thank you for everything.To the haters, I look forward to proving you wrong.— Ilya Lichtenstein (@cipherstein) January 2, 2026The Russian-U.S. national who hacked crypto exchange Bitfinex and stole nearly 120,000 bitcoin said he has been freed from prison early thanks to the bipartisan prison-reform law signed by President Donald Trump.Early Exit After 2024 SentencingLichtenstein, 38, had been sentenced in November 2024 to five years in prison after pleading guilty to a money laundering conspiracy charge and admitting to the hack of crypto assets now valued in the billions of dollars.But late Thursday night, a post on Lichtenstein’s official X account declared, “Thanks to President Trump’s First Step Act, I have been released from prison early.”“I remain committed to making a positive impact in cybersecurity as soon as I can,” Lichtenstein’s post said. “To the supporters, thank you for everything. To the haters, I look forward to proving you wrong.”Keep reading: Hackers Drain Hundreds of Crypto Wallets, Targeting Accounts Under $2,000: ReportAccording to CNBC, a Trump administration official told the publication that Lichtenstein “has served significant time on his sentence and is currently on home confinement consistent with statute and Bureau of Prisons policies.”Trump Law at the CenterLichtenstein’s wife, Heather Morgan — who also pleaded guilty to helping launder the stolen funds — shared Lichtenstein’s message on her own X account, saying, “The best New Years present I could get was finally having my husband home after 4 years of being apart.”Morgan’s tweet, posted two minutes after Lichtenstein’s, included a photo of the couple smiling for a selfie. Lichtenstein’s sentence included credit for time he already served in custody following his arrest in 2022, more than five years after Bitfinex was hacked.Lichtenstein was sentenced to five years in prison last year. In addition to the massive crypto heist, Lichtenstein was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering and will face three years of supervised release after completing his prison term.The sentencing comes after Lichtenstein and his wife, Heather Morgan, who also played a central role in the scheme, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. Morgan’s sentencing is set for November 18. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Interactive Brokers Group said its clients outperformed the S&P 500 Index in 2025, according to figures released by the company. The automated electronic broker reported that individual clients achieved an average return of 19.20% during the year. The S&P 500 Index returned 17.9% over the same period.Retail Clients Drive Growth at IBKRRetail clients remained active in December, generating 3.384 million daily average revenue trades, up 4% from last year. Client accounts reached 4.399 million, a 32% increase year-on-year, with ending equity of $779.9 billion and margin loans of $90.2 billion.[#highlighted-links#] In November, the broker reported 4.27 million DARTs, up 29% from a year earlier. During the month, it added the Taipei Exchange, expanding access to Taiwan equities, ETFs, and depositary receipts across more than 160 venues.IBKR Hedge Fund Clients Post Higher ReturnsIn 2025, Hedge fund clients posted stronger results. Their average return reached 28.91%, outperforming the benchmark by about 11 percentage points.The company linked client performance to lower trading costs, execution quality, and access to global markets. It said these factors supported returns over time.Thomas Peterffy, Founder and Chairman of Interactive Brokers, said returns depend on more than trade selection. He said they are influenced by “the costs you pay, the prices you get, and how efficiently your capital is put to work.” He added that when investors “pay less in fees and trade with efficient execution,” the benefits “add up and compound over time.”Clients Earn Interest, Margin Rates LowDuring the year, clients earned interest on uninvested cash balances. The broker said rates reached up to 3.14% on eligible cash.Interactive Brokers also pointed to its margin and financing terms. It said margin rates were as low as 4.14%, which it said were below industry averages.The firm offers trading in stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds through a single platform. It said it serves more than four million clients worldwide and holds over $750 billion in client assets. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.