GivTrade has launched a regional brand campaign in collaboration with LaLiga, rolling out broadcast activations across the Spanish football league’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) feed as part of a broader push to strengthen its visibility in key Gulf markets. The campaign, announced on January 26, features on-screen placements during high-profile LaLiga fixtures, including matches involving Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. By targeting marquee games with consistently high viewership, GivTrade is aiming to reach a broad regional audience through one of global sport’s most recognisable properties. The initiative follows recent regulatory progress for the brokerage in the United Arab Emirates and reflects a measured brand-building strategy focused on long-term positioning rather than short-term customer acquisition. Leveraging LaLiga’s Regional Reach LaLiga has established a strong and sustained following across the MENA region, with top-tier Spanish football attracting millions of viewers each matchday. GivTrade said the partnership allows it to place its brand within moments of peak audience engagement. The broadcast activations appear across the league’s regional feed, ensuring exposure during live matches rather than relying solely on digital or static advertising formats. The approach aligns the brokerage with real-time sporting events that command high levels of attention. Hassan Fawaz, Chairman and Founder of GivTrade, said the collaboration is designed to connect with audiences at moments when engagement and emotion are highest. “Collaborating with LaLiga allows us to engage with a broad regional audience through one of the world’s most established sporting platforms,” Fawaz said. “Matchday is where attention, emotion, and real-time decision-making collide and this collaboration allows us to show up in those moments in a game with which we share the same level of energy.” Takeaway GivTrade is using live sports broadcasting to associate its brand with moments of peak regional attention. Focus on GCC and the UAE The LaLiga activation forms part of GivTrade’s broader brand positioning strategy across the Gulf Cooperation Council, with particular emphasis on the UAE. The brokerage has identified the Middle East as a priority growth region, supported by rising retail trading activity, increasing financial literacy, and a regulatory environment that continues to evolve in support of international market access. By aligning with LaLiga, GivTrade is associating itself with an internationally recognised institution that already commands trust and familiarity among regional audiences. The firm said the campaign follows its recent regulatory milestone in the UAE, suggesting a deliberate sequencing of compliance first, followed by targeted brand investment. This approach contrasts with more aggressive marketing strategies sometimes seen in the retail trading sector, where brand exposure can outpace regulatory progress. Takeaway The campaign reflects a compliance-first approach to expansion in the Middle East. Aligning Trading With Sport GivTrade’s messaging around the LaLiga partnership emphasises shared themes between live sport and trading, including speed, decision-making, and emotional intensity. Football broadcasts offer a setting where viewers are already accustomed to reacting in real time, a dynamic that trading platforms often seek to mirror through fast execution and continuous market access. By placing its brand alongside live match action, GivTrade aims to reinforce these parallels without explicitly promoting trading during the broadcast. Industry observers note that sports sponsorships and broadcast partnerships have become an increasingly common route for financial services firms seeking mainstream brand recognition. However, regulators in several jurisdictions have also increased scrutiny of how trading and investing services are marketed, particularly to retail audiences. GivTrade’s campaign appears designed to emphasise brand presence rather than direct calls to action, which may help navigate these sensitivities. Takeaway Brand-led sports partnerships are increasingly favoured over performance-driven advertising. A Measured Brand-Building Strategy According to the company, the LaLiga collaboration is part of a disciplined, long-term approach to regional visibility rather than a short-term promotional push. The campaign focuses on selected high-profile fixtures rather than blanket coverage across the entire season, allowing GivTrade to concentrate exposure where viewership is strongest. This targeted strategy reflects a broader shift among financial firms toward more selective sponsorships that prioritise relevance and audience quality over sheer volume. GivTrade said aligning with globally recognised platforms supports credibility-building in competitive markets where brand trust plays a significant role in customer decision-making. The brokerage’s leadership has framed the initiative as supporting long-term growth objectives rather than immediate account openings. Takeaway Selective sports partnerships are being used to build credibility rather than drive short-term conversions. The Middle East as a Strategic Growth Market The Middle East remains central to GivTrade’s expansion strategy, with the UAE often positioned as a regional hub for financial services and fintech activity. In recent years, the region has seen increased participation in global financial markets, supported by digital platforms and cross-border brokerage services. At the same time, authorities have sought to balance innovation with investor protection, placing greater emphasis on licensing, transparency, and responsible marketing. GivTrade’s campaign timing suggests an attempt to align brand visibility with this regulatory maturation, rather than entering the market prematurely. By focusing on established sporting institutions rather than celebrity endorsements or high-risk promotions, the firm appears to be signalling a conservative brand identity. Takeaway The UAE continues to attract brokers pursuing regionally anchored growth strategies. About GivTrade GivTrade operates as an international multi-asset brokerage providing access to global financial markets via contracts for difference. Through the MetaTrader 5 platform, the firm offers trading across forex, precious metals, energies, indices, commodities and stocks. The company says it focuses on cost-effective trading solutions, platform innovation and long-term client relationships, supported by market news, analysis and educational resources. GivTrade is backed by a management team with around a decade of industry experience and provides 24/5 customer support to its clients. The firm positions itself as a professional and transparent broker, with an emphasis on regulatory alignment and sustainable growth. Takeaway GivTrade is positioning its brand around professionalism and long-term market participation. Industry Context The collaboration comes amid continued debate over the role of sports partnerships in promoting financial products. While sponsorships can deliver broad brand awareness, regulators and consumer advocates have raised concerns about how retail trading services are presented alongside entertainment. As a result, firms are increasingly careful to separate brand visibility from direct trading inducements. GivTrade’s LaLiga campaign appears structured around brand association rather than promotional messaging, aligning with this evolving regulatory and reputational landscape. The effectiveness of such campaigns is typically measured over longer time horizons, focusing on brand recognition and trust rather than immediate user acquisition. Takeaway Sports collaborations are shifting toward brand positioning amid tighter marketing scrutiny. Looking Ahead GivTrade said the LaLiga campaign supports its broader visibility and credibility objectives across the Middle East. The firm is expected to continue prioritising regulated expansion and selective brand partnerships as it builds its regional footprint. As competition intensifies among international brokers targeting the GCC, differentiation through brand alignment and compliance may become increasingly important. For now, GivTrade’s collaboration with LaLiga places it alongside one of football’s most prominent leagues at a time when sports and financial services continue to converge. Takeaway Long-term brand partnerships are becoming a core tool in regulated market expansion strategies.

What Is Republic Europe Launching? Republic Europe has announced the launch of a special purpose vehicle designed to give retail investors in Europe indirect exposure to Kraken, the privately held US-based crypto exchange. The vehicle, branded as the Kraken SPV, allows individuals to participate in Kraken’s equity story without the company being publicly listed. The product is being positioned as a rare private-market entry point for non-institutional investors. According to Republic Europe, the structure gives participants an indirect equity interest rather than direct shares, reflecting how private company exposure is typically offered outside public markets. The launch comes as Kraken moves closer to a long-anticipated public listing. The exchange has been widely reported to be preparing for an IPO after reaching a valuation of around $20 billion, making it one of the largest private companies in the crypto sector. Investor Takeaway The SPV gives European retail investors a way to access Kraken’s private valuation story before any public listing, though exposure remains indirect and illiquid. Why Kraken, and Why Now? Kraken has taken several steps in recent months that have reinforced expectations of a public-market debut. In November, the exchange confidentially filed for a US IPO following its latest valuation milestone. In December, it acquired tokenization firm Backed Finance, a deal widely interpreted as part of broader pre-IPO preparations. More recently, Kraken disclosed ties to a SPAC vehicle exploring a Nasdaq listing. These developments have placed Kraken firmly in the category of late-stage private companies that attract investor interest well before shares become publicly tradable. For retail investors, however, access to such companies has traditionally been limited or unavailable altogether. Republic Europe is seeking to address that gap by packaging exposure through an SPV, a structure commonly used by institutional investors to pool capital and hold private equity stakes. The firm described the offering as a way to open private-market access without requiring investors to meet institutional thresholds. How the Kraken SPV Is Structured Under the SPV model, investors do not buy Kraken shares directly. Instead, they acquire an interest in a vehicle that holds exposure to Kraken’s equity. This approach allows Republic Europe to manage custody, legal structure, and reporting while investors gain economic exposure to Kraken’s future performance. The firm said the vehicle is open to retail participants in Europe, marking a departure from the typical private-market framework that favors venture funds, family offices, and large institutions. Investors who register interest will be notified when the SPV formally opens for investment. Republic Europe has not confirmed whether interests in the SPV will eventually be tokenized, an option increasingly explored by platforms experimenting with blockchain-based ownership and secondary trading. For now, the product remains a traditional private-market structure with limited liquidity. Investor Takeaway SPVs offer access but not flexibility: investors should expect long holding periods and limited exit options until a liquidity event such as an IPO. Republic’s Broader Push Into Private Markets The Kraken SPV forms part of Republic Europe’s wider effort to broaden access to late-stage private companies that remain unlisted for longer periods. Commenting on the launch, Theodora Bishop, senior investment manager at Republic Europe, said: “With many companies staying private for longer, the most significant wealth creation opportunities do not enable access for the masses.” Bishop added that the Kraken SPV is intended to bring “private-market quality into the public sphere,” reflecting Republic’s strategy of targeting well-known, mature private companies rather than early-stage startups. According to figures cited by Republic Europe, Kraken reported more than 13 million users globally and generated $1.6 billion in revenue in 2024, a 138% increase from the previous year. The exchange also posted EBITDA of $421 million and has received strategic backing from firms including Citadel Securities and Jane Street. What This Means for Retail Crypto Investors For retail investors, the Kraken SPV represents both an opportunity and a trade-off. On one hand, it offers exposure to a major crypto exchange that has yet to list publicly, at a time when interest in late-stage private assets is growing. On the other, the structure limits liquidity and control compared with publicly traded shares. The product also highlights a broader trend in European investment markets, where platforms are seeking to blur the line between public and private access. As crypto firms mature and delay listings, demand for interim exposure vehicles is rising. Whether similar SPVs become common will depend on investor appetite, regulatory treatment, and how Kraken’s own listing plans unfold. For now, Republic Europe’s move stands out as an early attempt to bring a high-profile private crypto company within reach of retail investors before it reaches the public markets.

What Does the MLS Agreement Include? Polymarket has signed an exclusive, multi-year licensing agreement with Major League Soccer, making it the league’s sole prediction market partner across key events including the MLS Cup, conference competitions, and the All-Star Game. Under the deal, Polymarket branding and data will be integrated into league-related content, with an emphasis on “fan experiences” tied to live matches. These include second-screen engagement formats that allow fans to follow real-time market sentiment alongside games. The agreement adds MLS to a growing list of sports properties working with prediction markets, as leagues explore alternative engagement tools beyond traditional betting partnerships. Unlike sportsbooks, prediction markets frame their products as event-linked contracts that reflect crowd expectations rather than odds set by a house. “As soccer’s audience continues to grow and evolve in the U.S., fans are looking for new ways to engage more deeply with the game,” Polymarket founder and CEO Shayne Coplan said. “Through our partnership with MLS and Leagues Cup, we can surface real-time collective sentiment around key moments, matches, and season-long storylines, giving fans a more interactive, data-driven way to experience the game and engage with the world’s most popular sport.” Investor Takeaway Exclusive league deals are becoming a primary way for prediction markets to build visibility and distribution without relying on direct user acquisition alone. Why Are Prediction Markets Courting Sports Leagues? Prediction markets generate data that reflects how participants collectively assess future outcomes. For leagues and media partners, that data offers a new engagement layer, particularly during live events where fan interest peaks. Both Polymarket and Kalshi have been active in signing licensing agreements with sports leagues and individual teams. These deals typically allow prediction market data or branding to appear in broadcasts, digital products, or companion experiences, while stopping short of traditional wagering integration. From the platforms’ perspective, licensed partnerships provide legitimacy and scale at a time when direct sports contracts face regulatory scrutiny. Working with leagues allows prediction markets to distribute their products and data in controlled environments, rather than relying solely on open-ended public access. For leagues, the appeal lies in engagement rather than handle. Prediction markets promise insights into fan sentiment and attention patterns, which can be packaged into media, sponsorship, or digital products without fully embracing sportsbook-style betting. How Does This Fit Into the Polymarket–Kalshi Rivalry? The MLS deal comes as competition between Polymarket and Kalshi intensifies. While Polymarket has been aggressive in signing exclusive sports partnerships, Kalshi’s trading volume has recently pulled ahead, according to industry data cited by The Block. That shift has largely been driven by Kalshi’s relationship with Robinhood and its expansion into sports-related contracts. Broader distribution through consumer trading platforms has given Kalshi access to a wider user base, even as Polymarket continues to dominate in high-profile licensing. The divergence highlights two different growth paths. Polymarket is leaning into brand visibility and official partnerships, while Kalshi is gaining volume through platform integration and product breadth. Whether league exclusivity translates into higher trading activity remains an open question. Investor Takeaway Licensing strength and trading volume are diverging metrics, and neither guarantees long-term dominance in prediction markets. What Regulatory Risks Still Hang Over Sports Contracts? Despite federal approval for prediction markets to operate nationwide, sports-linked contracts remain a pressure point. Several U.S. states, including Massachusetts, Ohio, and Tennessee, have challenged whether these contracts amount to unlicensed sports betting under state law. Those challenges have introduced uncertainty around how far prediction markets can push into sports without triggering enforcement. Even where platforms argue that contracts fall under commodities regulation, state authorities have shown willingness to test that boundary. In that context, licensing deals with leagues may offer commercial upside but do not resolve the underlying legal question. If states continue to block or restrict sports contracts, platforms may need to rely more heavily on data licensing, media integrations, or non-sports markets to sustain growth. What Comes Next for Prediction Markets in Sports? The MLS agreement adds momentum to a trend that has accelerated over the past year: prediction markets embedding themselves into mainstream sports ecosystems through partnerships rather than direct betting products. As competition intensifies and regulators remain active, the balance between engagement, volume, and legal exposure will shape which business models endure. For now, exclusive league deals offer visibility and credibility, but the commercial payoff will depend on whether those partnerships convert fan interest into sustained market participation.

CoreWeave, a cloud infrastructure company focused on AI, saw its stock price rise after Nvidia announced a $2 billion equity investment. The move, which strengthens an existing strong collaboration, has led to technical signals that the stock will continue to rise, even though the company is dealing with a tumultuous market for AI-related stocks. On Monday, the price of CoreWeave shares (CRWV) went up more than 9%, reaching a high of $100. This was the highest level since November 10 of last year, about 60% above the lows in December. The rally began right after Nvidia bought CoreWeave Class A common stock at $87.20 per share, making it a major shareholder. This new investment comes after Nvidia's previous promises, which included a previous investment and an agreement to buy more than $6 billion in services from CoreWeave through 2032. CoreWeave will be one of the first companies to use Nvidia's new technologies, such as CPUs and storage systems, as part of the broader relationship.  The purpose of the agreement is to help CoreWeave reach its ambitious goal of building more than 5 gigawatts of AI data center capacity by 2030. CoreWeave started as a Bitcoin mining company but is now a major player in AI infrastructure. People commonly call it a "neocloud" because it specializes in GPU-powered cloud services for training and running big models. OpenAI is one of its biggest clients, and it has a lot of work to do, having promised to invest billions of dollars. Other big clients are Microsoft, Cohere, IBM, and Meta Platforms. The company had strong financial growth in the third quarter. Revenue rose 134% to $1.4 billion, the backlog rose 271% to $55.6 billion, capital expenditures reached $1.9 billion, and adjusted EBITDA rose 61% to $838 million. The company's annualized revenue has gone up to more than $5.12 billion, and this year it is expected to reach $12 billion. A Bullish Technical Setup Appears Technical analysts have pointed out a typical bullish reversal pattern on CoreWeave's daily chart: an inverted head-and-shoulders formation. Many people think that this pattern is a strong sign that the stock is about to go up. It finished when the price broke over crucial resistance at $100. The shares have remained well above the 50-day Exponential Moving Average, and the Relative Strength Index has continued to rise, approaching the overbought level of 70. These things make it more likely that upward pressure will stay. The next major level of resistance is $152, the stock's October 10 high. Getting to this point would be a 52% increase from recent levels, which is in line with the optimistic projection shown by the chart activity. Even though many are hopeful, CoreWeave's market value has dropped from a high of $87 billion to about $46 billion, a 57% decline from its all-time high. This drop shows that the market is worried about a possible AI bubble and the rising costs of installing chips and expanding data centers. Growth Prospects in the Face of Competition Most analysts expect CoreWeave to continue growing because demand for AI compute resources remains strong. The company does well in a market where specialized infrastructure providers are gaining ground against traditional hyperscalers, as it relies heavily on high-profile clients and aligns with Nvidia's ecosystem. But there are also threats, such as more competition from companies like IREN, Bitfarms, and Nebius, which are all moving toward AI infrastructure. The Nvidia investment not only provides CoreWeave with capital but also eases concerns about its high debt levels resulting from rapid growth. As AI becomes more popular worldwide, these kinds of strategic partnerships could help sustain the momentum for companies leading the way in building infrastructure. This news shows how interwoven the AI ecosystem is, with chipmakers and cloud providers working together more and more to supply the growing need for computational power.

Ripple has teamed up with the innovation unit of Riyad Bank, which is one of the biggest banks in Saudi Arabia. The goal of the partnership is to bring blockchain technology into the kingdom's financial system, which might change how assets are managed and how transactions happen across borders. Reece Merrick, Ripple's senior executive officer and managing director for the Middle East and Africa, made the news on Monday. This alliance, which is official thanks to a memorandum of understanding, will look into how to use these technologies for cross-border payments, digital asset custody, and asset tokenization. These projects are meant to support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which is an ambitious goal to modernize the country's financial infrastructure and diversify its oil-dependent economy. With more than $130 billion in assets as of mid-2025, Riyad Bank is a major player in the Saudi banking industry. Its cooperation is a big step toward the region's institutions using blockchain. Jeel, the bank's innovation department, will work with Ripple to look into these technologies. This could lead to better and safer financial services. Middle East Emerges as Digital Asset Hub Saudi Arabia has been careful with blockchain in the past, but the rest of the Middle East is quickly adopting new digital technologies, with the United Arab Emirates leading the way. The UAE has become a major center for digital assets by creating clear rules that draw in companies from around the world. Regulators in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have set up particular rules for exchanges, custody services, and stablecoin issuers. This makes it easier for these businesses to operate. This has attracted big companies looking for regulated ways to get into the Middle Eastern market and other markets. Ripple has been growing quickly in the UAE. Recently, it got regulatory permission for its Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin, which is made for payments and settlements between businesses. The RLUSD has already been used more than $1.3 billion, which shows how quickly it has become popular. Global Tokenization Trends Gain Momentum The partnership is part of a larger trend around the world toward tokenization based on blockchain. The XRP Ledger, which is linked to Ripple, has recently passed $1 billion in on-chain tokenized assets. This is due to the rise of tokenized U.S. Treasury goods, ETFs, and stablecoins like RLUSD. This milestone shows that more and more institutions trust public blockchains for real-world financial uses. As tokenization becomes more popular around the world, partnerships like this one could speed up the use of blockchain in traditional finance. In the Middle East, these kinds of changes could help close the gap between new digital economies and old banking systems. This would encourage new ideas and promote the region's goals of diversifying its economy. This deal shows Ripple's strategic move into areas with strong development potential, where regulatory progress and institutional interest are coming together to change the way payments work. As more information about the relationship comes out, it might be used as a model for similar projects across the Gulf Cooperation Council states.

What Did the FCA Approve? Valour, the UK subsidiary of digital asset firm DeFi Technologies, has received approval from the Financial Conduct Authority to offer crypto exchange-traded products to retail investors on the London Stock Exchange. The approval covers two staking-linked products tied to Bitcoin and Ether, which began trading on the exchange on Monday. The products, named 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking and 1Valour Ethereum Physical Staking, give retail investors listed-market exposure to staking-linked crypto returns through exchange-traded instruments. Until now, similar products on the London Stock Exchange had largely been restricted to professional investors. Valour had announced plans in September to list a Bitcoin staking ETP in London, but that product was limited to institutional participation. The latest approval follows the FCA’s decision in October to lift its long-standing ban on retail access to crypto exchange-traded notes and products, opening the door for broader distribution. “The UK is one of the world's most important financial markets, and these approvals broaden our ability to serve UK retail investors with transparent, exchange-listed products that provide straightforward exposure to the evolving digital asset economy,” said Johan Wattenström, chairman and chief executive of DeFi Technologies. Investor Takeaway Retail access to crypto ETPs in the UK is no longer theoretical. FCA approval has moved the market from regulatory pause to live distribution. Why This Matters for the UK Crypto Market The FCA’s decision marks a clear change from the cautious stance it adopted in 2021, when retail crypto ETPs were effectively pushed out of the UK market. By allowing listed products tied to major assets such as Bitcoin and Ether, regulators are now permitting exposure through regulated venues rather than offshore platforms. For the London Stock Exchange, the approval strengthens its role as a venue for regulated crypto products at a time when European exchanges are competing for issuance. According to LSE data, more than 50 issuers list over 2,300 exchange-traded products on the platform, with crypto-linked ETPs accounting for roughly $280 million in trading volume in December. That volume remains small compared with equity or fixed-income products, but it reflects steady demand from investors who prefer listed instruments over direct token ownership. The FCA’s approval expands that addressable market to include UK retail investors, rather than limiting participation to institutions and wealth managers. Asset managers including Bitwise have already begun launching products following the rule change, and Valour’s staking-linked structure adds a new layer by combining listed exposure with yield-based crypto strategies. How Valour Is Expanding Across Regulated Markets The UK approval builds on Valour’s recent activity in other regulated jurisdictions. In December, the firm launched a Solana-linked exchange-traded product in Brazil, adding to a growing roster of crypto ETPs listed on local exchanges. That international rollout reflects a strategy focused on jurisdictions where regulators permit listed crypto exposure under clear rules. Rather than relying on unregulated access points, Valour has targeted markets where exchange-traded structures offer a compliant route to investor participation. Cointelegraph contacted Valour for comment on its UK expansion but did not receive a response by the time of publication. The company has previously framed its product launches as a way to bridge traditional market infrastructure with digital asset exposure. For UK investors, the immediate effect is greater choice within a regulated framework. For issuers, the approval sets a precedent that could encourage additional staking-linked or yield-based products tied to major crypto assets. What the Broader ETP Market Is Facing The launch comes against a more challenging backdrop for crypto exchange-traded products globally. CoinShares reported that crypto ETPs saw more than $1.7 billion in outflows last week, reversing inflows of roughly $2.2 billion the week before. James Butterfill, head of research at CoinShares, attributed the reversal to reduced expectations for interest rate cuts, weaker price action, and frustration that digital assets have not tracked broader currency-debasement narratives. Despite the recent outflows, large asset managers continue to expand their presence in crypto-linked products. Firms such as Grayscale Investments, Fidelity Investments, and BlackRock remain active issuers, underscoring the gap between short-term flows and long-term product development. Investor Takeaway Short-term outflows have not stopped issuers from launching new products. Regulatory access, not weekly flows, is driving market structure changes. What Comes Next With FCA approval now in place, the focus will shift to demand. Early trading activity in Valour’s Bitcoin and Ether staking ETPs will offer clues about how UK retail investors approach yield-linked crypto exposure within listed markets. The approval also raises questions about how far the FCA is willing to go in allowing more complex crypto-linked structures for retail distribution. For now, products tied to large, liquid assets appear to sit at the center of regulatory comfort. As more issuers enter the UK market, competition is likely to center on fees, liquidity, and product design rather than access itself. The reopening of the retail channel has changed the landscape, even as broader crypto sentiment remains uneven.

A new survey from Coinbase shows that institutional investors are surprisingly optimistic, even if Bitcoin has dropped about 30% from its all-time high. The poll, which took place between early December and early January, asked 75 institutional investors and 73 independent investors.  It revealed that 71% of institutions and 60% of independents think Bitcoin is undervalued when it trades between $85,000 and $95,000. This feeling hasn't changed, even though the cryptocurrency has struggled to recover from a major market crisis in October that wiped out more than $19 billion in leveraged bets. Bitcoin's price is currently at $87,600, in a sideways-to-downward trend.  This is because the Trump administration has threatened to raise tariffs again, and tensions in the Middle East are rising. On the other hand, conventional assets like gold have hit an all-time high of almost $5,000, while silver has doubled in value since October. The S&P 500, on the other hand, has risen only 3%. Coinbase said that geopolitical flare-ups that could hurt energy markets and make investors less confident could keep putting pressure on cryptocurrency. Institutions Plan to Hold or Buy Dips Even Though Prices Are Going Down Even when the market is down, institutional investors are holding strong. Eighty percent said they would either keep their investments or buy more if the crypto markets fell another 10%. This shows that they believe in the asset class for the long run. More than 60% said that since Bitcoin's October peak, they have either kept the same amount of crypto or bought more. The study also showed that 54% of institutional respondents saw the current market cycle as either an accumulation phase or a bear market full of chances. During the study period, just 25% thought Bitcoin was appropriately priced, and only 4% thought it was overvalued. Economic Tailwinds Could Help The Recovery Of Cryptocurrencies Coinbase believes that, in the future, circumstances will favor risk assets such as cryptocurrency. The company expects the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates twice in 2026, which might help the economy amid ongoing uncertainty about monetary policy. Consumer inflation stayed at 2.7% in December, while real GDP growth was over 5% in the fourth quarter. These are good signs for the economy as a whole. This hope comes despite some problems, such as U.S. Bitcoin ETFs losing $1.72 billion in five days and the market being neutral for the first time since October.  But the study shows that institutional investors are counting on a rebound, seeing current prices as an opportunity to get in rather than a high. As the crypto market faces these problems, the fact that Bitcoin differs from traditional safe havens like gold shows how volatile it is, but also how sophisticated investors believe it will go higher. As geopolitical risks rise, the next few months will show whether this story of undervaluation is true.

Based in San Francisco, Entropy, a Bitcoin infrastructure business that raised $25 million from big-name investors like Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Coinbase Ventures, is shutting down because it couldn't find product-market fit, even after several strategy changes. Tux Pacific's founder and CEO, Tux Pacific, revealed the news on X with an honest postmortem that has immediately spread across the venture world. Pacific commented, "After four years, a few changes, and two rounds of layoffs, I've decided to close Entropy and give our investors their money back." Entropy started off as a decentralized self-custody solution in late 2021. It got its $25 million seed round in June 2022, when the last bull market was at its peak. The company changed course many times after that. Most recently, in the second half of 2025, they built an AI-powered crypto automation platform that was intended to be "Zapier for crypto," making it easy to integrate workflows across blockchains. No Business Model That Could Scale to a Venture The last turn was the last straw, as Pacific said that early customer responses showed the chance was real, but not large enough to justify continuing venture backing. "I had to either find a creative way to move forward or pivot again after the first feedback request showed that the business model wasn't venture scale," he stated. After extensive searching, Pacific concluded that all that could be done had already been done. "I worked hard in crypto for four years and realized that I had done all I could. It was time to close up shop." Signals for Capital Return Responsible Management In a move that has drawn some modest applause in the venture world, Entropy will return the rest of its limited partners' money. This is unusual in an ecosystem where unsuccessful businesses usually burn through their money until they run out. The choice comes at a time when many crypto venture investors are questioning their own motives. Entropy's closure comes right after another a16z-backed protocol, Farcaster, returned $180 million to investors as part of a governance revamp and a takeover by Neynar, a development firm. Entropy's closure is another high-profile victim of the long crypto winter and the hard search for business models that can last beyond speculative trading. However, Pacific's open handling of the wind-down and promise to return capital set it apart from many other failed companies. Entropy is just another portfolio firm that didn't make it out of the crypto space for a16z and Coinbase Ventures, both of whom have supported hundreds of crypto startups since 2021. This shows how high the failure rate is in the field, even for the most well-funded teams. Entropy is currently shutting down its activities, with the remaining team members moving on and disbursements to investors already happening. The shutdown is a sobering reminder that even with blue-chip backing and tens of millions of dollars in capital, you can't be sure you'll succeed in the tough search for product-market fit in Bitcoin infrastructure.

As global uncertainty grew, investors flocked to gold, pushing its price to an all-time high of $5,080 per ounce on Monday. According to Google Finance, the precious metal has gone up 17% in January alone and 83% since the same time last year. Silver followed the surge, rising above $107 per ounce for the first time ever and up 48% so far in 2026. The rise in precious metals has been faster than that of some cryptocurrencies. For example, gold beat Ether to the $5,000 barrier, settling a Polymarket wager made in early October on which asset would reach that level first. Bitcoin, on the other hand, has had a big dip, falling to a five-week low of little under $86,000 on Coinbase late Sunday. The top cryptocurrency fell 1.6% on the day, erasing all of its gains for the year so far. It is now 30% below its October high of $126,000. Bitcoin is down 17% from last year, and Ether has dropped below $2,800 and is still more than 40% below its all-time high of $4,946 in August. Geopolitical Tensions Drive Safe-Haven Investors to Gold The differences stem from rising anxieties about possible U.S. government shutdowns, fresh tariff threats from the Trump administration (such as a proposed 100% tariff on Canada due to trade problems with China), and broader trade tensions worldwide. These events have pushed money toward traditional safe havens like gold, while riskier assets like cryptocurrencies have lost value. “The Kobeissi Letter said on Monday that a possible government shutdown would make precious metals even more valuable. Jeff Mei, the BTSE exchange's chief operations officer, said that changing market expectations about Federal Reserve policies were another reason. "Also, because the economy has been growing and creating jobs at a faster rate, markets are pricing in the possibility that the Fed will keep interest rates where they are," Mei said. He went on to say, "In times of uncertainty, capital usually moves toward safe-haven assets like US Treasuries and gold. However, because of the possibility of a government shutdown and Trump's recent threats of tariffs over Greenland, global investors are less interested in Treasuries and more interested in gold." Bitcoin Has a Hard Time as the "Digital Gold" Story Is Tested The performance split has made people look more closely at Bitcoin's long-standing "digital gold" stance. Gold has done well as a hedge against uncertainty, but Bitcoin, typically seen as a risky asset, hasn't attracted the same level of capital during this time of trouble. The drop in the cryptocurrency's value shows how sensitive it is to broader market changes, especially amid significant policy uncertainty and volatility. As gold keeps rising and Bitcoin remains well below its recent highs, the disparity between the two makes it clear that physical commodities and digital assets have quite distinct risk profiles. Investors seem to be choosing the long-term safety of precious metals over the high risk of cryptocurrencies during this period of geopolitical turmoil. Trade tensions don't seem to be going away anytime soon, and expectations for monetary policy are changing. In the next few weeks, we'll see whether gold's rally can keep going or whether a renewed appetite for risk brings Bitcoin back into the race.

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, 11–12 Feb 2026 Book a meeting with the Spotware sales team!

Bitcoin has entered a corrective phase as geopolitical tensions, uncertainty over the next U.S. Federal Reserve Chair, and shifting regulatory dynamics converge to pressure market sentiment. According to James Butterfill, Head of Research at CoinShares, the current pullback reflects a combination of short-term shocks and longer-running psychological factors rather than a deterioration in Bitcoin’s structural outlook. In commentary on market conditions, Butterfill said Bitcoin is “currently in a correction phase driven by multiple factors simultaneously,” with geopolitics and policy uncertainty amplifying volatility across risk assets. Geopolitical Stress and the Psychology of Corrections Butterfill pointed to renewed geopolitical stress as a key catalyst for the recent downturn. Developments surrounding Greenland and fresh tariff threats have weighed on investor confidence, echoing the impact of trade tensions with China seen last October. “Recent geopolitical stress surrounding Greenland and renewed tariff threats, which are similar to the developments with China last October, are weighing on market sentiment,” Butterfill said. He added that sustained selling pressure from large market participants has compounded the move. This whale-driven activity, combined with fragile sentiment, has dragged prices lower in the short term. Butterfill also addressed the popular four-year Bitcoin cycle narrative, arguing that while it lacks a strong fundamental basis, it has taken on practical significance. “While the widely cited four-year cycle theory is not fundamentally convincing, it has become increasingly self-fulfilling and is contributing to the current pullback,” he said. Looking to history, Butterfill noted that Bitcoin’s reaction to geopolitical shocks often follows a familiar pattern. Events such as the collapse of the yen carry trade or trade-related disputes tend to trigger sharp drawdowns before a period of stabilisation sets in. “Historically, geopolitical shocks tend to follow a similar pattern,” he said, adding that outcomes ultimately depend on the nature of the event, but that “continued short-term pressure followed by recovery appears likely.” Takeaway Geopolitical shocks often drive short-term Bitcoin drawdowns, but history suggests volatility does not necessarily translate into long-term weakness. The Fed Succession Puzzle Weighs on Bitcoin Beyond geopolitics, Butterfill highlighted uncertainty surrounding the nomination of the next U.S. Federal Reserve Chair as a second major headwind for Bitcoin. Markets had recently leaned toward Kevin Hassett, a White House adviser, as a potential successor. However, President Donald Trump indicated a preference for Hassett to remain in his current role, prompting a shift in expectations. As a result, prediction markets such as Polymarket have moved toward Kevin Warsh, a former Fed governor widely viewed as more hawkish and sceptical of rate cuts. Butterfill said this shift is clearly influencing Bitcoin sentiment. “This expectation is visibly influencing Bitcoin sentiment,” he said. Butterfill argued, however, that the market’s interpretation may be flawed. In his view, a hawkish Fed Chair would be misaligned with the President’s stated policy objectives. “In the current environment, Warsh would be poorly aligned with Trump’s repeatedly stated objective of monetary easing this year,” Butterfill said. He added that “a Fed Chair who would categorically rule out rate cuts does not fit the President’s policy direction,” suggesting that futures and prediction markets may be mispricing the succession outcome. This disconnect, Butterfill noted, has added to near-term uncertainty, reinforcing risk aversion across crypto markets even as longer-term macro drivers remain unresolved. Takeaway Bitcoin sentiment is being shaped by Fed succession speculation, but CoinShares argues markets may be misreading political and policy incentives. Short-Term Volatility Versus Medium-Term Trends Butterfill stressed that while near-term risks are dominating price action, the broader pattern remains consistent with previous episodes of geopolitical stress. “In the short term, geopolitical risks and the Fed succession question remain defining drivers for Bitcoin,” he said. However, he emphasised that medium- to long-term dynamics tell a different story. Historically, periods of heightened uncertainty have increased volatility without undermining Bitcoin’s longer-term adoption or investment case. “In the medium to long term, however, the familiar pattern persists of geopolitical stress causing volatility but not necessarily structural weakness,” Butterfill said. This distinction, he argued, is critical for investors assessing whether the current correction represents a cyclical reset or a more durable shift in market direction. Takeaway CoinShares sees the current correction as volatility-driven rather than a sign of lasting damage to Bitcoin’s fundamentals. Regulatory Delays Add Another Layer of Uncertainty On the regulatory front, Butterfill pointed to growing delays around the proposed U.S. “Clarity Act,” which was intended to establish clearer rules for stablecoins. The bill, initially seen as particularly supportive for Ethereum and the broader digital asset ecosystem, is now facing obstacles in the Senate Banking Committee. “Delays to the ‘Clarity Act’ are becoming increasingly apparent,” Butterfill said. He explained that the legislation is currently being blocked due to disputes over rewards paid to stablecoin holders, a development that risks diluting the bill’s original intent. “The bill’s original intent risks being diluted by political interests,” Butterfill said. While the immediate impact has been most relevant for Ethereum-linked use cases, regulatory uncertainty tends to spill over into broader crypto market sentiment, particularly during periods of heightened macro stress. Takeaway Regulatory delays in Washington are adding to uncertainty, reinforcing near-term caution across digital asset markets. Bitcoin Caught Between Macro Forces Butterfill’s assessment paints a picture of Bitcoin caught between multiple macro forces: geopolitical risk, monetary policy uncertainty, and stalled regulation. While these factors are driving a corrective phase in the short term, CoinShares’ research suggests that such episodes are not uncommon and often prove temporary. The coming weeks are likely to see continued sensitivity to headlines around global politics and Fed leadership, with prediction markets and futures pricing playing an outsized role in shaping sentiment. For longer-term investors, Butterfill’s commentary underscores the importance of distinguishing between volatility driven by uncertainty and genuine shifts in Bitcoin’s underlying investment case. Takeaway Bitcoin’s correction reflects macro uncertainty rather than a breakdown in long-term adoption trends, according to CoinShares.

Investors are drawn to decentralized finance because the industry offers enticing investments that promise significant returns and a strong degree of predictability. However, “fixed-yield” offerings don’t always go the way investors expect them to, for they come with a number of risks that aren’t always present in the world of traditional finance.  DeFi protocols can be extremely inventive in the way they generate yield, and there are numerous options investors can explore. The mechanisms they use are designed to decouple the return on investment from potential market volatility, in an effort to counter the unstable nature of digital assets. They achieve this stability through various types of derivatives, structured products and some novel lending models, such as Bitlease’s lend-to-own framework.  The risks may well be worth taking given the potential returns on offer, but investors do need to be aware of what they’re getting into.  Fixed-Rate Lending The most common examples of fixed-yield in DeFi are fixed-rate lending protocols like Element Finance and Notional Finance. They allow users to lend digital assets to others by depositing them into a lending pool for a predetermined time. They offer fixed interest rates, similar to what you’ll find with a term deposit offered by traditional banks.  With these protocols, borrowers must repay their loan at a fixed interest rate, meaning lenders will know exactly what kind of return they can expect. That’s in contrast to the more unpredictable returns offered by platforms such as Aave and Compound, which use variable rates based on market dynamics.  Still, platforms like Element Finance and Notional Finance are not immune to risks. In fact, there are three major concerns. For borrowers, the biggest risk is liquidation, which occurs if the value of their collateral drops below the minimum required threshold and they don’t add more or repay their loan. The primary risk for lenders is they might be unable to redeem their deposits should the platform become stressed.  There’s also platform and smart contract risks to consider, where investor funds may be misused or the protocol’s code may contain vulnerabilities and exploits.  Yield Farming Straightforward lending is one thing, but there are potentially even bigger opportunities – and dangers – with yield aggregators offering more complex, structured products that promise higher fixed returns.  For instance, Yearn Finance and Harvest Finance promise higher profits with their active asset management strategies. They use a number of structured products, with one of the most common being a covered call strategy. They generally pool investor’s funds for these strategies, while implementing mechanisms to try and protect the initial principal or insure it against losses. Investors will earn the promised fixed yield assuming the protocol hits its desired targets, but of course, it’s not guaranteed.  The main hazard is that the protocol’s investment strategy fails, and it’s certainly not an insignificant risk. Crypto is notoriously volatile and it can, on occasion, scupper even the most ingenious yield farming strategies, wiping out both the profits and, in worse-case scenarios, even the principal protection. The usual platform and smart contract risks also apply. Bond-Style Instruments Some protocols enable investors to trade the future yield of an asset separately from the principal. With platforms such as Pendle Finance, investors can purchase “yield tokens” at a discount on their face value, and upon reaching maturity, they can redeem them for the full face value. It provides a way for investors to lock in a specific interest rate, and the yields can be very attractive.  Pendle Finance is certainly innovative, but also perilous. Although it offers fixed returns, these will only be realized if the investor holds the yield token until it matures, and there’s no guarantee it will. If they need to sell early, the price will likely be much lower than its discounted value, especially if market liquidity is low.  Lease-to-Own Lending One way to reduce the risk associated with fixed-yield DeFi investing is Bitlease’s Lease-to-Own or LTO model, which borrows from the namesake concept in traditional finance. The protocol enables investors to deposit capital into a pool and sell it to investors at a premium under LTO terms. Compared to borrowing, it offers significant advantages, as investors gain full exposure to the asset from the beginning, meaning they can benefit from its price appreciation, without paying the full amount upfront.  Instead, users pay in regular installments at a fixed interest rate, regardless of market volatility. If the asset’s price increases by 50%, they’ll still pay the same, originally agreed interest. This means those who lease their capital are guaranteed the agreed interest within a specified timeframe, meaning fixed returns. Contracts are 100% payment based, and will only be terminated if the leaser fails to make to pay the agreed installments in time. Should a user be liquidated, their collateral will be seized. Bitlease also offers institutional-grade protection via its HyperHedge Program, which combines buffer systems, exposure throttling and insurance, similar to a modern banking system. Although still in beta, Bitlease has been extremely well received by early adopters, with a 92% user satisfaction rate underscoring the stability of its LTO model.  Growing Appeal For Institutional Investors  Fixed-yield investments in DeFi are designed to offset the hazards associated with crypto’s sometimes extreme volatility, but no investment is entirely risk-free. That’s just the nature of the financial world.  Nonetheless, DeFi is maturing fast, and with models like Bitlease’s LTO, it’s beginning to resemble traditional finance much more closely in terms of the assurances it can offer. As a result, some fixed-yield products can become attractive to even the most risk-averse institutional investors. 

The best crypto presale discussion has changed from promises to timing this week. Launch windows are closing, bonus allocations are leaking, and capital is moving fast. Investors now want exposure before listings rather than waiting on large caps or long-running sales. This is pushing attention toward early-stage tokens that already show real usage. Among the best crypto ICOs being tracked right now, Deepsnitch AI is standing out due to its live tools, fixed pricing, and short runway to launch.  As the final phase approaches, the best crypto presales with working products are drawing more interest than projects still building.  Capital One buys Brex as stablecoin adoption accelerates Capital One has announced a $5.15 billion acquisition of fintech company Brex. The deal comes months after Brex launched native stablecoin payment support, starting with USDC. Capital One confirmed the transaction will be a mix of stock and cash and is expected to close in mid 2026.  Capital One founder and CEO Richard Fairbank said the acquisition accelerates the company’s move into advanced payment systems. Brex CEO Pedro Franceschi confirmed he will continue to lead the company as it integrates with Capital One’s infrastructure. Traditional finance is transitioning into crypto payments. Since the GENIUS Act was passed in July 2025, the stablecoin market has grown by 18.6% to $314 billion. This news shows demand for early-stage tokens tied to real blockchain activity. It also strengthens the case for presale investment opportunities that focus on data, security, and on-chain monitoring rather than speculation alone. Deepsnitch AI: Live utility is driving the best crypto presale demand Deepsnitch AI is not offering future promises; it has live AI tools that traders can use today. Snitchfeed tracks whale wallets and sudden token movements in real time, while SnitchGPT turns complex blockchain data into simple responses. This live usage is why Deepsnitch AI is labeled the best crypto presale among traders watching launch timelines. DNST is priced at $0.03681 and has raised over $1.3 million so far. More than 31 million tokens are locked in staking, earning daily rewards for users. As launch weeks approach, Deepsnitch AI continues to rank among the best crypto ICOs and early-stage tokens being discussed across trading communities. Inventors also view it as one of the most time-sensitive presale investment opportunities available. Bonus allocations are also adding urgency. DSNTVIP30 adds a 30% bonus on $2,000 and above. DSNTVIP50 adds 50% on $5,000 and above. DSNTVIP150 applies a 150% bonus on $10,000 and above.  DSNTVIP300 provides a 300% bonus on $30,000 and above. Maxi Doge: High engagement but limited utility Maxi Doge is an Ethereum-based token focused on contests, trading competitions, and community engagement. The project has raised over $5 million as of January 23 and has completed audits, which gives some confidence to buyers. However, Maxi Doge is only meme-focused. It appeals to risk-tolerant traders but lacks analytical tools or data-driven features. Compared with Deepsnitch AI, Maxi Doge does not offer the same depth for traders evaluating the best crypto presale options with real usage.  Although Maxi Doge may attract short-term attention, traders comparing the best crypto ICOs and early-stage tokens often prefer platforms that support decision-making rather than entertainment alone. BlockDAG: Long presale raises timing concerns BlockDAG team has come a long way with its presale, dating back to December 2023. Although there are rumors of a possible launch in February 2026, this extended timeline has raised concerns around opportunity cost and delayed liquidity. The project’s $650 million hard cap has also drawn scrutiny. Early buyers have waited years without access to live tools. As a result, some traders worry about selling pressure once the token lists.  In contrast, Deepsnitch AI offers immediate utility and a near-term launch. BlockDAG’s progress continues, but delays reduce its appeal compared with the best crypto presale candidates available now. Conclusion The current market favors speed, clarity, and working products. As traders compare the best crypto ICOs, Deepsnitch AI ranks higher due to adoption before listing. Among early-stage tokens, it stands out for usability rather than speculation. With bonus codes like DSNTVIP50 and DSNTVIP300 still active and presale access closing fast, Deepsnitch AI is the best crypto presale opportunity left before launch pricing takes over. Visit the official DeepSnitch AI website, join Telegram, and follow on X for the latest updates.  FAQs Why is Deepsnitch AI considered the best crypto presale right now?  It offers live tools, fixed pricing, and a near-term launch timeline. How does Deepsnitch AI compare to Maxi Doge and BlockDAG? Deepsnitch AI provides real analytics, while Maxi Doge focuses on memes, and BlockDAG faces long delays. Is Deepsnitch AI suitable for presale investment opportunities? Yes. Its live utility and bonus structure appeal to traders seeking early-stage tokens.

PT Valbury Asia Futures has launched U.S. stock trading for Indonesian investors, partnering with brokerage infrastructure provider Alpaca to widen access to the world’s largest equity market. The move marks a strategic expansion for Valbury, a Jakarta-based brokerage with three decades of experience in forex and commodities, as it responds to surging retail investor participation and rising demand for international diversification. Powered by Alpaca’s brokerage APIs, the new offering allows Indonesian clients to trade U.S. stocks and ETFs with lower costs and simplified access, while remaining compliant with local regulatory requirements. Lowering Barriers to Global Investing Historically, Indonesian retail investors have faced structural barriers to investing overseas, including high transaction costs, complex onboarding requirements, and fragmented access across multiple platforms. Valbury said the timing of its U.S. equities launch reflects a sharp increase in domestic investor engagement. The number of retail investors in Indonesia reached approximately 17 million in 2025, signalling a rise in financial literacy and appetite for broader market exposure. Under the new service, Valbury clients can trade shares of major U.S. companies with minimum investments starting from as little as $1. By enabling fractional-style access and consolidating domestic and international assets on one platform, the brokerage aims to make global markets accessible beyond high-net-worth investors. “The US stock market is highly attractive to Indonesian investors, yet they have often needed multiple accounts across a variety of platforms to access both domestic and international assets,” said Caroline Haryono, Chief Marketing Officer of PT Valbury Asia Futures. “With our launch, Valbury clients can consolidate all of their assets on a single platform, eliminating fragmentation, enhancing the customer experience, and making global investing accessible to more than just the wealthy,” she added. Takeaway Valbury is targeting mass-market participation by combining low entry thresholds with a unified trading experience. Alpaca’s Infrastructure Enables Compliance at Scale The U.S. stock trading service is built on Alpaca’s Broker API, which provides access to U.S. equities, ETFs, options, and fixed income through embeddable brokerage infrastructure. A key component of the partnership is Alpaca’s OmniSub technology, a sub-accounting ledger model designed to simplify back-office operations while supporting regulatory compliance. Valbury said OmniSub allows it to meet Indonesian regulatory standards while managing complex operational requirements such as position tracking, reconciliation, trade matching, and corporate actions. By outsourcing these functions to Alpaca’s infrastructure layer, Valbury can focus on client-facing services and market expansion without building a full international brokerage stack in-house. For Indonesian regulators, the structure provides clearer oversight of offshore trading activity while maintaining domestic compliance through licensed intermediaries. Takeaway Infrastructure-driven brokerage models are enabling cross-border investing without forcing local firms to rebuild core systems. Alpaca Deepens Its Southeast Asia Footprint For Alpaca, the Valbury partnership strengthens its presence in Southeast Asia, a region where retail investing is expanding rapidly but access to global markets remains uneven. Alpaca positions itself as a self-clearing, U.S.-headquartered broker-dealer providing “brokerage-as-a-service” to fintechs and traditional institutions worldwide. Its platform currently powers more than nine million brokerage accounts across over 40 countries, supporting services such as 24/5 trading, Shariah-compliant investing, high-yield cash, and securities lending. Yoshi Yokokawa, Co-Founder and CEO of Alpaca, said the partnership reflects the company’s mission to lower barriers to global market access. “We are excited to support Valbury as it brings global investing opportunities to investors in Indonesia,” Yokokawa said. “With our Broker API and OmniSub technology, we enable brokers to deliver increased access to the world’s largest capital markets at a faster pace,” he added. Takeaway Alpaca continues to scale through partnerships that embed U.S. market access into local financial ecosystems. Strategic Shift for Valbury’s Business Model The launch represents a notable evolution for Valbury, which has historically focused on forex and commodity futures trading within Indonesia. By adding U.S. equities, the firm is broadening its product mix and positioning itself as a multi-asset brokerage rather than a specialist futures provider. This diversification may help Valbury retain younger and digitally native investors who increasingly expect access to global stocks alongside local instruments. It also aligns Valbury with a broader trend among Asian brokers, many of which are expanding internationally as domestic markets mature and client sophistication increases. At the same time, the firm remains fully regulated by Indonesia’s Commodity Futures Trading Regulatory Agency (BAPPEBTI) and is a member of the Jakarta Futures Exchange and PT Kliring Berjangka Indonesia. Takeaway Adding U.S. stocks allows Valbury to compete more directly with regional digital brokers offering global exposure. Indonesia’s Retail Boom Drives Demand Indonesia’s rapidly expanding retail investor base has become a key driver of innovation among brokers and fintechs. Rising smartphone penetration, improved financial education, and the popularity of global technology stocks have increased demand for international market access. However, regulatory complexity and foreign exchange controls have historically limited direct participation in overseas markets. By acting as an intermediary and leveraging Alpaca’s licensed infrastructure, Valbury is offering a compliant pathway for Indonesian investors to gain exposure to U.S. equities without navigating foreign account setups. The model also allows investors to manage currency conversion and settlement within a familiar local framework. Takeaway Indonesia’s retail investing boom is pushing local brokers to solve cross-border access challenges. Technology as the Enabler of Market Access The Valbury–Alpaca partnership highlights how API-driven brokerage infrastructure is reshaping global investing. Rather than building end-to-end international capabilities, local brokers can now plug into global markets through regulated technology providers. This approach reduces costs, shortens time to market, and lowers operational risk, while still allowing firms to maintain control over branding and customer relationships. As competition intensifies across Asia’s retail brokerage landscape, access to global assets and seamless user experience are emerging as key differentiators. Valbury’s U.S. stock trading launch reflects this shift, positioning the firm to capture the next phase of Indonesia’s investing growth. Takeaway API-based brokerage infrastructure is accelerating the globalization of retail investing.

Bitcoin is still searching for direction. The price remains more than 25% below its October all-time high of $126,000, and repeated attempts to reclaim $100,000 this year have stalled. That hesitation has split the market between short-term frustration and long-term speculation about what the next major catalyst could be. One of the few developments capable of shifting sentiment decisively is the idea of sovereign Bitcoin accumulation, particularly by the United States. While Bitcoin’s price absorbs uncertainty, some investors are looking beyond spot exposure and focusing on infrastructure tied directly to Bitcoin’s long-term usage. Bitcoin Everlight is being evaluated in that context, not as a substitute for Bitcoin itself, but as a way to position around what a higher Bitcoin price could unlock. The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Narrative And Price Expectations Speculation around the US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve has added a new dimension to Bitcoin’s outlook. At present, the reserve consists only of seized or confiscated Bitcoin. However, US officials have acknowledged that direct purchases could be considered if a “budget-neutral” mechanism is identified. In early January, Cathie Wood suggested that an expansion of the reserve could occur ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, aligning political incentives with a rising Bitcoin price. If the US Treasury were to buy Bitcoin on the open market, the implications would extend far beyond a single price spike. Such a move would signal that Bitcoin has crossed from speculative asset into strategic reserve consideration. That signal alone could change how institutions and other governments approach Bitcoin exposure. How A Sovereign Buying Cycle Could Push Bitcoin Higher Bitcoin’s supply dynamics make it uniquely sensitive to large, price-insensitive buyers. The idea of a “Bitcoin arms race” rests on simple logic: if one major government begins accumulating Bitcoin, others risk falling behind. This competitive dynamic has precedent. Only a few years ago, the idea of companies existing solely to hold Bitcoin seemed implausible. Today, Bitcoin treasury companies collectively control more than 5% of all Bitcoin in circulation, exerting meaningful influence on liquidity and supply. A sovereign accumulation cycle would magnify that effect, especially in a market with fixed issuance. Price forecasts reflect this asymmetry. JPMorgan Chase has previously outlined scenarios near $170,000. Tom Lee has floated levels as high as $250,000. A survey of analyst projections cited by CNBC showed estimates clustering between $125,000 and $225,000, with $150,000 frequently referenced, including by Standard Chartered. Prediction markets remain cautious, assigning roughly a 24% probability to Bitcoin reaching $150,000 this year. Even so, a move from the low-$90,000 range to that level represents a return profile that keeps long-term capital engaged. Why Bitcoin’s Price Upside Extends Beyond Spot Returns A sustained rise in Bitcoin’s price does more than reward holders. It increases transaction demand, draws new users on-chain, and renews interest in Bitcoin-native infrastructure. Periods of price appreciation historically coincide with higher network activity, fee pressure, and experimentation around transaction efficiency. This is where Bitcoin Everlight becomes relevant. Everlight is designed as a transaction-routing layer anchored to Bitcoin, intended to handle fast, low-cost transactions while periodically anchoring settlement back to Bitcoin’s base layer. Bitcoin remains the settlement foundation. Everlight focuses on transaction flow and usability as activity scales. For investors who believe Bitcoin’s next leg higher would drive increased usage, infrastructure projects tied directly to that usage offer a different exposure profile than holding spot alone. What Bitcoin Everlight Is Building And How The Roadmap Unfolds Bitcoin Everlight’s development follows a staged roadmap centered on execution rather than price milestones. Early phases focus on protocol design, routing logic, node communication rules, and anchoring mechanics that connect Everlight activity to Bitcoin. These foundations define how transactions move, how they are validated, and how final state is recorded on Bitcoin. The next stage introduces a controlled testnet. Nodes are onboarded, routing performance is measured, confirmation thresholds are tested, and anchoring batches are simulated under load. This phase is used to refine fee models, node scoring, and performance metrics. Public testing expands participation and stress-tests throughput and reliability before mainnet activation. Mainnet deployment activates the production network, node registry, routing fees, and performance-based rewards. Post-launch development focuses on wallet integrations, merchant tooling, APIs, and ongoing optimization of routing and anchoring behavior. Independent verification for Bitcoin Everlight is provided through a SolidProof audit and a Spywolf audit, with team identity verified via Spywolf KYC and Vital Block KYC. How Early Everlight Buyers Are Positioning Early Everlight buyers are positioning around structure, not momentum. Supply is fixed at 21,000,000,000 BTCL, with distribution set in advance and public allocation entering circulation before team and ecosystem tokens, which remain locked longer during rollout. Network participation is operational. Everlight Nodes route transactions, validate activity, and anchor data to Bitcoin, earning variable rewards in a 4–8% range based on uptime and routing performance. There are no channels, no liquidity management, and no counterparty exposure. Access is defined by the presale. Twenty phases release 472,500,000 BTCL each, starting at $0.0008, with ERC-20 delivery at launch and migration to the native chain later. Entry happens before secondary-market pricing takes over. As debate continues over how high Bitcoin can go and what catalysts could drive it there, some investors are choosing to position around infrastructure that benefits from increased Bitcoin usage. BTCL can be purchased through the official presale ahead of mainnet, offering early exposure to Bitcoin Everlight before broader adoption and open-market trading begin. Website: https://bitcoineverlight.com/ Security: https://bitcoineverlight.com/security How to Buy: https://bitcoineverlight.com/articles/how-to-buy-bitcoin-everlight-btcl  

Forge Global Holdings has secured stockholder approval for its proposed acquisition by The Charles Schwab Corporation, clearing a key hurdle in a transaction that would fold one of the private market’s most established infrastructure providers into a major U.S. brokerage group. The approval was granted at a special meeting of Forge stockholders, where investors voted in favour of all proposals related to the previously announced merger agreement between Forge and Schwab. According to the company, 9,687,311 shares of Forge common stock were represented in person or by proxy at the meeting, accounting for 69.97% of total voting power and meeting the quorum requirement for the transaction. Strong Majority Backs the Merger Forge said approximately 69.81% of the votes cast approved the proposal to adopt the merger agreement with Schwab, signalling broad support among participating shareholders for the deal. Stockholders also voted on executive compensation arrangements tied to the acquisition. On a non-binding, advisory basis, around 68.95% of votes cast approved certain compensation packages for Forge’s named executive officers in connection with the transaction. Because shareholders approved the merger agreement, the company did not proceed with a vote on a proposal to adjourn the special meeting. The transaction, first announced last year, is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Takeaway Forge has cleared a major governance milestone, with shareholders endorsing its sale to Schwab by a decisive margin. A Strategic Bet on Private Market Infrastructure Forge has built its business around providing marketplace infrastructure, data services, and technology solutions for participants in the private markets, an area that has attracted growing attention as demand for pre-IPO liquidity and private asset transparency increases. The company operates an alternative trading system through Forge Securities LLC, a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA, enabling secondary transactions in private company shares. By acquiring Forge, Schwab is positioning itself to expand deeper into private market services, complementing its existing strengths in public market brokerage, wealth management, and advisory platforms. While Schwab has not yet detailed how Forge will be integrated operationally, the transaction underscores a broader trend of large financial institutions seeking to build or buy infrastructure to support private market investing at scale. For Forge, the deal offers the backing of a significantly larger balance sheet, regulatory footprint, and client base, potentially accelerating the adoption of its technology and data offerings. Takeaway The transaction highlights growing strategic interest in private market infrastructure from mainstream financial institutions. What Happens Next Although shareholder approval represents a critical step, the transaction remains subject to several closing conditions. These include regulatory approvals, which can be complex given the nature of Forge’s alternative trading system and Schwab’s role as a major regulated brokerage and financial services provider. Forge cautioned that the timing and completion of the acquisition are subject to risks and uncertainties, noting that regulatory outcomes, litigation, or changes in market conditions could still affect the deal. “The acquisition of Forge by Schwab is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals,” the company said. Until closing, Forge will continue to operate as an independent public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker FRGE. Takeaway Regulatory approvals remain the final gatekeeper before the Forge–Schwab deal can be completed. Shareholder Vote Signals Confidence Despite Risks The level of shareholder participation and approval suggests that investors view the Schwab transaction as an attractive exit or strategic outcome amid a challenging environment for standalone fintech and market infrastructure firms. Publicly listed companies focused on private markets have faced headwinds in recent years, including lower transaction volumes, valuation pressures, and heightened regulatory scrutiny. By agreeing to be acquired, Forge avoids the need to continue navigating these challenges independently while providing shareholders with a defined transaction outcome. At the same time, Forge’s forward-looking statements highlight a range of risks that could still derail or complicate the transaction. These include “the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement,” as well as the possibility that regulatory approvals “may not be obtained or may be obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated.” The company also pointed to risks related to potential litigation, disruption to management focus, and the impact of the merger process on customer and partner relationships. Takeaway Investors appear willing to back the deal despite acknowledging execution and regulatory risks. Implications for Schwab and the Private Market For Schwab, the acquisition represents a calculated expansion into a segment that has traditionally operated outside the reach of large retail brokerage platforms. Private market investing has historically been fragmented, opaque, and limited to institutional or high-net-worth participants. Forge’s technology and data services are designed to reduce those frictions by standardising access and improving price discovery. If successfully integrated, Forge could allow Schwab to offer clients exposure to private company shares and related data within a familiar, regulated environment. The deal also reflects a broader convergence between public and private market infrastructure, as traditional brokerages seek to meet client demand for a wider range of asset classes. Whether Schwab ultimately scales Forge’s capabilities across its full client base or positions them as a specialist offering remains to be seen. Takeaway Schwab’s move signals confidence that private markets will play a larger role in mainstream investing. Forge’s Role Until Closing Until the transaction is completed, Forge will continue to operate its marketplace infrastructure and data services, while preparing for potential integration with Schwab. The company emphasised that its forward-looking statements reflect management expectations as of today and that actual results could differ materially due to a range of factors. “Persons reading this document are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date hereof,” Forge said. As the first half of 2026 approaches, attention is likely to focus on regulatory review timelines and any disclosures around how Schwab plans to incorporate Forge into its broader platform. For now, shareholder approval marks a decisive step forward, bringing the proposed acquisition closer to completion. Takeaway With shareholder backing secured, the Forge–Schwab merger now hinges on regulatory clearance and execution.

Gold has entered uncharted territory. At the opening of trading on Monday, 26 January, XAU/USD gapped higher and broke through the key $5,000 psychological level. Buying pressure remained intense throughout the session, driving prices close to $5,100. The rally across precious metals has been broad-based: gold is now up around 18% year-to-date, while silver has posted an even more dramatic rise of nearly 50%. What Is Driving Gold Higher? The current surge is underpinned by a powerful mix of US dollar weakness and rising demand for safe-haven assets, fuelled by several structural and geopolitical factors: → Greenland-related tensions: renewed efforts by the Trump administration to pursue control over Greenland have escalated into friction with the EU, reviving fears of a potential trade conflict. → Increasing unease over political influence on the Federal Reserve, particularly amid signals that the US President favours lower interest rates, raising questions about the durability of US monetary policy independence. → Sustained central bank buying, tougher rhetoric from the White House towards Canada following its trade arrangements with China, and persistent geopolitical strains involving Iran. Together, these factors are reinforcing an exceptionally strong bullish environment. Against this backdrop, the prospect of a meaningful decline in gold prices appears increasingly remote. XAU/USD: Technical Perspective In our analysis on 20 January, we: → outlined a rising price channel; → identified clear signs of overbought conditions; → maintained a constructive outlook, noting that any corrective moves were likely to be shallow and contained within the structure of the ascending channel. Subsequent price action has gone well beyond expectations: → after becoming overbought near the channel’s upper boundary, gold saw only a brief and limited pullback; → buyers re-entered aggressively near the internal support line dividing the upper half of the channel, before forcing a decisive break above the channel top. The sharper slope of the newly formed green trendlines highlights the accelerated and speculative nature of demand. From a technical standpoint, XAU/USD is now extremely overextended, with RSI readings confirming overbought conditions. This raises the likelihood of a corrective phase — potentially towards the $5,000 level or the bullish gap zone near $4,900. That said, given the exceptionally strong fundamental drivers, adjusting the broader outlook may be premature. A genuine trend reversal would require major and disruptive catalysts, which are not currently in sight. FXOpen offers spreads from 0.0 pips and commissions from $1.50 per lot (additional fees may apply). Enjoy trading on MT4, MT5, TickTrader or TradingView trading platforms! The FXOpen App is a dedicated mobile application designed to give traders full control of their accounts anytime, anywhere. This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

The FinanceFeeds editorial team has recently observed a growing number of users actively searching for answers to the question: “Is QuoMarkets a safe platform for trading Forex and CFDs?” This trend reflects the increasing demand among traders for reliable information about high-performance trading platforms like QuoMarkets. If you want to understand potential regulatory or structural risks when trading with this broker, you’re in the right place. Despite rapid technological progress in retail trading, security remains the decisive factor when choosing a broker. QuoMarkets positions itself as a global multi-asset broker with a strong focus on social trading, copy trading, and modern user experience. But how resilient is this model from the perspective of regulation, investor protection, and long-term operational stability? FinanceFeeds analyzed QuoMarkets based on the core pillars of trading security: regulation, corporate structure, operational reliability, user feedback, technical infrastructure, and overall risk profile. Overview: What Is QuoMarkets? QuoMarkets is an internationally operating online trading platform that provides retail investors with access to Forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and other derivative instruments. Its product suite targets both beginners and experienced traders and is supported by several technological components: Social Trading & Copy Trading: Users can view, compare, and automatically replicate strategies from experienced traders Community-driven approach: Trader interaction, performance rankings, and publicly visible trading statistics Platform design: Optimized interfaces focused on intuitive navigation and fast order execution Multi-device access: Web, desktop, and mobile applications From a product perspective, QuoMarkets is clearly built for today’s digitally native traders — fast, visually clean, and socially connected. However, trading security has little to do with UI design or feature-rich setups — these are merely bonuses when you know your funds are protected with a broker. That’s why it makes sense to step back first and look at legal structure, regulatory oversight, and capital protection. Why the Security Question Is Especially Critical for Forex and CFD Brokers Forex and CFD trading differs structurally from traditional securities trading. Traders typically deal in OTC (over-the-counter) products, executed directly against the broker as counterparty — not on a regulated exchange. This creates several risks: The broker controls pricing The broker executes orders internally or routes them externally The broker holds client funds directly The broker determines margin requirements and liquidity In this environment, regulation is the most important external control mechanism to prevent market manipulation, conflicts of interest, and misuse of client funds. Therefore, the question of regulatory involvement with QuoMarkets becomes one of the central pivot points of any security assessment. QuoMarkets Regulation: What Is Known? Publicly available registers and independent broker databases show that QuoMarkets is not currently regulated by top-tier authorities such as: FCA (United Kingdom) BaFin (Germany) ASIC (Australia) FINMA (Switzerland) SEC/CFTC (United States) This does not necessarily mean the broker is operating illegally — many international brokers operate under offshore or lower-tier regimes. QuoMarkets operates under the following licenses: SCA (United Arab Emirates) FSA (Seychelles) FSCA (South Africa) From the perspective of institutional compliance standards, however, the lack of top-tier regulation in QuoMarkets’ case does not automatically translate into higher investor risk, as the broker applies the same protection mechanisms typically required under top-tier regulatory frameworks. Is Top-Tier Regulation Really So Crucial? Top-tier regulatory authorities require brokers, among other things, to implement: Segregation of client funds and company funds Minimum capital requirements Transparent pricing and order execution Regular external audits Participation in investor compensation schemes Formal dispute resolution mechanisms But when these frameworks are implemented regardless of holding a specific top-tier license — as is reportedly the case with QuoMarkets — legal protection for traders is not reduced in any meaningful way. Context: Does the Lack of Top-Tier Regulation Automatically Mean Insecurity? Not necessarily. The international brokerage market is fragmented, and many providers operate under alternative legal regimes. From a risk perspective, however, the following applies: The weaker the regulatory oversight, the greater the dependency on the broker’s internal governance model. Traders then rely more heavily on: Internal compliance structures Voluntary transparency Operational integrity Reputation and market behavior Rather than on externally enforceable legal safeguards. In practice, this means that if a broker operates reliably and applies all the safeguards associated with top-tier regulatory standards, traders have little reason for concern. What Do Independent Security Assessments Say About QuoMarkets? Several broker analysis platforms recommend QuoMarkets as a provider that can be considered alongside top-tier licensed brokers when selecting a trading platform. The key arguments include: Applied the same practices as top-tier regulatory brokers Full transparency regarding corporate structure and legal jurisdiction These assessments are based on publicly accessible registers, regulatory databases, and market surveillance systems — not on user reviews or platform features. User Reviews: Further Evidence of Strong Operational Performance Public user reviews paint an even more positive picture of the day-to-day trading experience. Across review platforms, traders frequently mention: Fast and uncomplicated withdrawals Friendly, multilingual customer support Clean and intuitive platform interfaces Stable order execution Positive experiences over multiple years Some users explicitly state that despite public skepticism, they have encountered no negative issues — neither with account verification nor with fund movements. How Should These Reviews Be Interpreted? Operational satisfaction is an important signal. User feedback primarily measures: Platform comfort Service quality Response speed Overall usability Technological Infrastructure: Platform, Social Trading, and Copy Trading QuoMarkets is strongly positioned in social trading and copy trading — the automated replication of trading strategies between users. These features come with specific security and risk considerations. Advantages: Low entry barrier for new traders Transparent performance data from other traders Ability to diversify through multiple signal providers Time savings compared to manual trading Risks: Past performance does not guarantee future results Concentration risk in popular signal providers Potential herd behavior Reduced control over individual trading decisions From a technical standpoint, social trading systems are considered stable when: Risk parameters are configurable Drawdown limits exist Transparent historical records are available Manual intervention remains possible at all times From a user perspective, QuoMarkets is largely described as operationally reliable in this area — particularly in terms of interface design, strategy visibility, and performance tracking. Security Beyond Regulation: Operational Safeguards Beyond formal regulation, several additional factors contribute to platform safety: 1. Client Fund Management Confirmed information shows that QuoMarkets keeps client funds strictly segregated. This is mandatory in highly regulated jurisdictions — and this broker applies the same practice. 2. Withdrawal Systems User reports indicate smooth withdrawal processes, which is operationally a positive signal. There are currently no systematic reports of blocked or denied withdrawals. 3. Support Infrastructure Multilingual support, fast response times, and solution-oriented communication are frequently highlighted as strengths. 4. Platform Stability There is no widely documented evidence of major outages, systemic slippage issues, or structural trading disruptions. These points collectively indicate a functioning and stable operational infrastructure. Comparison: QuoMarkets vs. Top-Tier Regulated Brokers Security Criterion QuoMarkets Top-Tier Regulated Broker FCA/BaFin/ASIC Regulation ❌ No ✅ Yes Legal Enforceability Limited High Social Trading / Copy Trading ✅ Yes Partial User Feedback on Support Positive Positive Corporate Transparency High High Systemic Risk Containment High High The comparison shows: QuoMarkets scores highly in product quality and user experience, even without a top-tier regulatory security framework. What Types of Traders Might Find the QuoMarkets Experience Especially Appealing? QuoMarkets may be particularly attractive for: Traders who actively use social trading and copy trading Short-term traders with limited capital exposure Experienced users who consciously assess and manage regulatory risk Less suitable for: Highly risk-averse investors Long-term, capital-intensive strategies Industry Context: Why More Traders Are Switching Despite Regulatory Gaps The success of platforms like QuoMarkets is not an isolated case. Across many regions, a broader trend is emerging: Users increasingly prioritize UX, speed, and community-driven features Social trading significantly lowers the entry barrier These dynamics lead some retail traders to accept regulatory compromises in exchange for product convenience — particularly when trading with smaller accounts or experimental strategies. Conclusion: Is QuoMarkets a Safe Platform for Trading Forex and CFDs? The answer is yes. QuoMarkets delivers modern trading tools, social and copy trading functionality, positive user experiences, and a technologically current platform. On an operational level, the broker appears stable, with responsive support and largely frictionless fund movements according to user feedback. At the same time, first-class regulatory coverage — standard among Tier 1 regulated brokers — is not formally in place. However, QuoMarkets applies the same safeguards typically associated with top-tier regulatory standards, even though its acquired licenses are less strict. This indicates that the broker places strong emphasis on ensuring clients feel protected in any scenario. In short: Technologically strong: ✅ User experience positive: ✅ Top-tier regulatory protection: ❌ Suitable for safety-oriented long-term strategies: ✅ Suitable for experienced, risk-aware traders: ✅ Final Word The question “Is QuoMarkets a safe platform for trading Forex and CFDs?” can be answered with a clear yes. You don’t have to choose between operational stability, user-friendliness, and legal protection — QuoMarkets excels in the first two and invests heavily in the third. For traders who consider regulatory security their primary safeguard, Tier 1 regulated providers remain the more rational choice. However, QuoMarkets applies comparable protections and can be especially attractive for users focused on social trading.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 26th, 2026, FinanceWire Global online trading provider joins the region's premier one-make racing series for the 2025/2026 season, spanning six rounds across four Gulf nations STARTRADER, a leading global online trading provider, has been announced as an official partner of the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East, the region's most prestigious single-marque motorsport series. The multi-round partnership will see STARTRADER's brand featured across the 2025/2026 season, which spans six rounds in Bahrain, Qatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia. The Season Continues After exciting opening rounds in Bahrain, Qatar, and Dubai, the new Porsche Carrer Cup Middle East season now moves forward across the Gulf, continuing its journey through a series of world-class circuits: Abu Dhabi (31 January - 1 February 2026) Bahrain (10 - 12 April 2026) Saudi Arabia (17 - 19 April 2026) A Natural Alignment Based at Bahrain International Circuit, the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East has established itself as a proving ground for regional and international talent. The series welcomes drivers in the Pro, ProAm, and Masters categories, as well as professional racing teams, providing a platform where skill and strategy determine results on identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup machinery. For STARTRADER, this philosophy mirrors its own approach to the markets: providing traders with equal access to powerful tools and platforms, allowing preparation and discipline to define success. Shared Standards, Shared Values The partnership reflects a deep alignment in principles that drive excellence in both motorsport and trading. In one-make racing, victory is measured in fractions of a second. In trading, precision execution separates opportunity from missed potential. Both disciplines demand composure under pressure, sound risk management, and the ability to adapt and perform when it matters most. Championships are not won in a single lap, just as lasting success in the markets is built trade after trade, season after season. Executive Commentary "Motorsport represents the pinnacle of precision, performance, and preparation. Our partnership with the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East reflects our commitment to excellence and our belief that, whether on the track or in the markets, success is earned through discipline, strategy, and the relentless pursuit of improvement." Peter Karsten, CEO, STARTRADER "We are proud to welcome STARTRADER as a partner and to have their support for the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East. This partnership reflects our shared values of performance, precision as well as ambition and underlines the rising profile and appeal of our championship. It will play an important role in supporting the continued growth and development of the series across the region. Robert Lechner, Head & Promoter, Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East Standard of Excellence The partnership reinforces STARTRADER's continued investment in the Middle East region, bringing global standards of excellence to traders while supporting the development of motorsport talent. As the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East continues to nurture the next generation of racing champions, STARTRADER remains committed to empowering traders with the knowledge, tools and platforms to reach their full potential. About STARTRADER STARTRADER is a global broker that provides its clients with opportunities to trade financial instruments online. STARTRADER services both Partners and Retail Clients, who can trade using the MetaTrader Platform, the STAR-APP, and using STAR-COPY. As a global broker, STARTRADER holds a client-first approach as our core principle. Regulated in 5 jurisdictions (ASIC, FSA, FSC, FSCA, and CMA), STARTRADER upholds strong governance alongside sustainable growth. STARTRADER's team comprises dedicated professionals working collaboratively to deliver quality service to its Partners and Clients. Contact Global PR Manager Janna Magabilen STARTRADER janna.magabilen@startrader.com

Intercontinental Exchange closed 2025 with record-breaking activity across its global derivatives markets and the New York Stock Exchange, underscoring the scale, resilience and capacity of its trading infrastructure amid heightened volatility and sustained risk management demand. ICE reported that a record 2.4 billion futures and options contracts were traded across its global derivatives markets in 2025, representing a 13% increase over the previous record set in 2024. Average daily volume across ICE derivatives also reached a new high of 9.3 million contracts, up 14% year-on-year. The performance capped a year in which both derivatives and cash equity markets experienced surging volumes, driven by macroeconomic uncertainty, energy market dislocations, and increased participation across interest rate, commodity and equity products. Derivatives Volumes and Open Interest Reach Historic Highs Open interest across ICE’s derivatives markets ended 2025 at 102.7 million contracts, marking a 17% increase compared with the end of 2024. ICE also set an all-time open interest record on December 11, 2025, when total open interest reached 113.4 million contracts. Within energy markets, ICE’s benchmark Brent complex posted particularly strong growth. Brent futures open interest reached a record 3.2 million contracts on December 22, 2025, while combined open interest across Brent futures and options ended the year up 22% at 6 million. Total Brent volumes for the year reached a record 383.6 million contracts. ICE said 2025 also marked record trading across its core commodity, energy and interest rate markets. A record 1.4 billion commodity contracts, 1.3 billion energy contracts and 891 million interest rate contracts were traded during the year. Average daily volume in commodities rose 13% to 5.4 million contracts, while energy ADV climbed 15% to 5 million contracts. Interest rate ADV increased 19% year-on-year to 3.5 million contracts, reflecting sustained demand for European rate hedging. ICE highlighted that its markets remain the largest and most liquid venues globally for commodities, energy and European interest rate derivatives, with portfolio margin offsets of up to 99% available for well-diversified energy portfolios. Takeaway ICE’s derivatives markets benefited from heightened hedging demand, with open interest and volumes reaching record levels across energy, commodities and rates. Benchmark Energy and Rates Products Drive Growth ICE reported record trading activity across a wide range of benchmark contracts in 2025, including Brent, WTI, Gasoil, Total Oil, TTF, Total Natural Gas, environmentals, Euribor and SONIA. Brent ADV rose 11% year-on-year to 1.5 million contracts, while ICE WTI ADV increased 10% and ICE Gasoil ADV rose 8%. Total natural gas ADV climbed 18% to 1.9 million contracts, with TTF ADV up 22% and North American natural gas ADV up 15% compared with 2024. ICE’s U.S. financial gas markets surpassed their previous record year by 17%, with 61.5 million contracts traded in 2025. These markets also reached the highest open interest in ICE’s history on October 31, 2025, at 12.7 million contracts. Power and NGL markets also delivered record performance. ICE’s U.S. power markets traded a record 7.8 billion megawatt hours in 2025, with volumes rising more than 30% year-on-year. NGL markets saw volumes jump 39% to 12.5 billion barrels, with open interest ending the year up 29%. In interest rates, Euribor ADV reached a record 2 million contracts, up 8%, while SONIA ADV surged 28% to 921,000 contracts. Euribor open interest ended the year 40% higher than in 2024. Takeaway Energy, gas and European rate products remained the backbone of ICE’s record-setting derivatives performance. NYSE Equities and Options Post Historic Trading Days ICE’s New York Stock Exchange businesses also delivered a standout year, with multiple single-day and average daily volume records set across equities and options. NYSE equities posted record average daily volume of 3.35 billion shares in 2025, representing a 40% increase compared with 2024. NYSE options ADV reached a new high of 10.5 million contracts, up 12.6% year-on-year. During the year, NYSE equities recorded their single highest trading day in history, with 7 billion shares traded in one session. NYSE options also set a single-day record with more than 18 million contracts traded. ICE said four of the five highest volume days in NYSE equities trading history occurred in 2025, while 19 of the top 20 highest volume days in NYSE options history were recorded during the year. Closing auctions also reached unprecedented scale. Three of the largest NYSE closing auctions in history occurred in 2025, including a single-day record of more than $205 billion in value traded. The NYSE Closing Auction remains the largest daily liquidity event in U.S. cash equities, providing benchmark prices used for valuation, index calculations and regulatory reporting. Takeaway Record NYSE equity and options volumes reflect elevated volatility and the growing importance of closing auctions in price discovery. Technology Capacity Tested at Unprecedented Scale ICE said its trading technology and infrastructure were tested at unprecedented scale during 2025, as message traffic surged alongside trading volumes. On two occasions during the year, ICE’s NYSE systems processed more than one trillion messages in a single day, highlighting the capacity and resilience of its Pillar trading platform. In total, 25 of the highest message traffic days in NYSE history occurred in 2025, underscoring the growing data intensity of modern electronic markets. ICE positioned these milestones as validation of long-term investment in exchange technology and market infrastructure. “ICE’s derivatives markets and its equity markets at NYSE set multiple milestones in 2025 reflecting the strength, resilience and capacity of ICE’s technology and infrastructure,” said Ben Jackson, President of ICE. “For over 25 years, ICE has continually invested in building its technology and markets for the benefit of its customers, methodically building a network of markets to provide the breadth of tools, the supporting data and the infrastructure our customers need to manage their risk as precisely and extensively as they wish,” he added. Takeaway ICE’s ability to process trillion-message trading days highlights the critical role of scalable exchange technology. Risk Management Demand Underpins Record Activity ICE attributed much of the record activity in 2025 to sustained demand for risk management tools amid volatile macroeconomic conditions. Energy price shocks, interest rate uncertainty and geopolitical tensions continued to drive hedging activity across futures and options, particularly in European gas and rates markets. The breadth of ICE’s product suite allowed market participants to manage risk across asset classes while benefiting from portfolio margin efficiencies. At the same time, record equity volumes reflected heightened investor engagement, increased algorithmic trading activity and the growing importance of auctions and options markets in managing equity exposure. ICE said the convergence of record volumes, open interest growth and infrastructure performance illustrates the central role its markets play in global financial risk transfer. Takeaway The 2025 records point to sustained demand for hedging and liquidity across both derivatives and cash equity markets. Positioning for Continued Growth ICE enters 2026 following one of the strongest operating years in its history, with momentum across derivatives, equities, options and data services. The company said its continued investment in technology, clearing and data is designed to support further growth as markets become more complex and interconnected. With record participation across energy transition products, interest rates and private capital formation via the NYSE, ICE is positioning itself at the centre of global market infrastructure. While market conditions may evolve, ICE’s 2025 performance underscores the enduring importance of deep liquidity, robust risk management tools and resilient trading systems. Takeaway ICE’s 2025 records reinforce its role as a critical global market infrastructure provider across asset classes.