The global payments industry has increasingly focused on reducing friction in cross-border transactions, particularly for businesses that operate across multiple regions but rely on local currency settlement. Traditional international wire systems, while effective for large transfers, are often associated with longer settlement times, higher costs, and limited transparency when used for routine regional payments.In response, fintech providers have expanded the use of domestic payment rails that allow funds to be sent and received locally within specific jurisdictions, even when the underlying business activity spans borders. This approach has gained traction among enterprises seeking faster settlement cycles and clearer reconciliation for regional payables and receivables.Shift toward domestic settlement infrastructureLocal payment rails enable transactions to be processed within national or regional clearing systems, such as domestic real-time or batch payment networks. By routing payments through these systems rather than international correspondent banking channels, providers aim to reduce reliance on cross-border wires for everyday transactions.This model has become particularly relevant in regions with high volumes of international trade and service activity, including Europe, North America, and the Middle East. For finance teams managing suppliers, payroll, and collections across jurisdictions, local settlement infrastructure can simplify operational workflows while maintaining regulatory alignment in each market.Breinrock expands multi-region payment capabilitiesOne firm operating within this segment is Breinrock, a Cyprus-headquartered global fintech company established in 2021. The company has developed a payment network designed to support domestic settlement within multiple regions while integrating with its broader account and financial services platform.The Breinrock Payment Network supports local currency transactions in several major currencies, including AED, USD, CAD, GBP, and EUR, within jurisdictions such as the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, and the United States. Payments are processed using local payment rails within each region, allowing clients to execute transfers as domestic transactions rather than international wires.Integration with broader financial servicesThe payment network operates as part of Breinrock’s wider product offering, which includes multi-currency business accounts, dedicated corporate IBANs, foreign exchange services, prepaid cards, and Banking-as-a-Service capabilities. This integration allows clients to manage balances, collections, and payouts across regions within a single operational environment.According to the company, the network is intended to support both corporate and individual clients who require access to multiple currencies and jurisdictions while maintaining compliance with local regulatory frameworks.Regulatory footprint and geographic presenceBreinrock maintains regulatory authorizations in several financial centers, including the United Kingdom, Canada, the Czech Republic, and the Dubai International Financial Centre. These licenses enable participation in domestic payment ecosystems while adhering to local supervisory requirements.The firm operates from offices in cities such as London, Dubai, Prague, Toronto, Zug, and Limassol. This regional presence supports its operational model by providing localized compliance, onboarding, and account support across its active markets.Human-supported operational modelWhile many fintech payment providers emphasize fully automated onboarding and support, some firms continue to combine automated infrastructure with relationship-based service models. Breinrock allocates dedicated relationship managers to clients, alongside local operational teams in its core regions.This approach reflects a broader segmentation within the fintech sector, where providers differentiate between fully self-service platforms and models that incorporate direct human support for complex transaction flows and compliance requirements.Position within the evolving payments landscapeThe expansion of local payment rail networks highlights a broader industry trend toward regionalization within global finance. As businesses continue to operate internationally while transacting locally, payment infrastructure providers are adapting to support faster, more predictable settlement models alongside traditional cross-border systems.Breinrock’s payment network represents one example of how fintech firms are addressing this demand by combining domestic settlement access with multi-currency account infrastructure. As adoption of local-rail models continues, such networks are likely to play an increasing role in cross-border financial operations, particularly for enterprises managing high-frequency regional payments. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Trust Bank Singapore has launched trading of US stocks and exchange-traded funds for retail customers through its Trust App, in partnership with Saxo. The bank is the first in Singapore to offer fractional trading, allowing investors to buy portions of companies such as Tesla and Meta for as little as US$10. This enables retail clients to start with smaller amounts while building a diversified portfolio.This follows Saxo’s expansion in Singapore last year, when it launched standalone margin lending accounts for retail clients. The accounts allow traders to manage borrowed-money positions separately from their regular portfolios. The broker also introduced dedicated accounts for leveraged trades, updated collateral rates on medium-risk stocks and ETFs, and shifted from full to partial liquidations when positions fall below required margins.Earlier, Saxo had introduced fractional share trading across more than 1,000 instruments, allowing clients to buy portions of higher-priced stocks with smaller amounts of capital.Trust App Enables Fractional US TradingMahesh Sethuraman, Singapore CEO of Saxo, said the partnership with Trust Bank aims to “open the investing landscape even wider” and deliver what he described as “a positive impact at scale.”Since opening early access in November 2025, the Trust App platform has attracted 10,000 customers, with 45% making fractional trades. Account opening takes less than a minute and is completed entirely within the app.Dwaipayan Sadhu, CEO of Trust Bank, said, “With TrustInvest, customers can now trade US stocks and ETFs right from the Trust App, backed by Saxo’s world-class platform.”Trust Bank partners Saxo to launch fractional trading of US stocks and ETFs https://t.co/Ci8bF4u0Sc— The Edge Singapore (@readtheedge_sg) January 20, 2026Singapore Becomes Saxo’s Asia-Pacific HubSaxo’s focus on Singapore follows its exit from other Asia-Pacific markets. In 2024, the bank closed its offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai, citing changes in the business environment. It continued operations from Singapore, which has since become the hub for its regional expansion. From Singapore, Saxo has launched fractional trading and standalone margin accounts for retail clients, strengthening its local presence. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Silver price surged to a new all-time high of $95.34 per ounce on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, rising 6.54% as gold simultaneously broke through $4,731, driven by President Trump's escalating tariff threats over Greenland that triggered a massive flight to safe-haven assets. The white metal is outperforming gold on a percentage basis, extending its extraordinary rally that has seen silver gain over 185% in the past year.Macroeconomic strategist Tom Bradshaw predicts silver could reach $375 per ounce by 2028, while gold may hit $9,000, warning that the precious metals rally signals not prosperity but "alarm that the fiat currency system is under enormous pressure". In the meantime, major banks forecast gold reaching $5,000-$6,000 in 2026, with silver expected to break $100 as supply deficits deepen.​ Let’s check together how high can silver price go and what are the newest gold price prediction for 2026 and beyond.Why Silver Is Surging? Trump's Greenland Tariffs Trigger $95 Record"Silver extends its record-breaking rally, supported by trade and geopolitical uncertainty as President Trump escalates his efforts to take control of Greenland," notes Nikos Tzabouras, Senior Market Analyst at Tradu.com.Trump announced plans to impose 10% tariffs on eight European countries, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, starting February 1, 2026, escalating to 25% by June 1 if Greenland is not sold to the United States. "The announcement unsettled European markets and prompted discussions among EU nations over potential retaliatory measures," explains Maria Agustina Patti, Financial Markets Strategist at Exness.Michael Brown, Senior Research Strategist at Pepperstone, characterized Monday's trading as "predictable" with "European equities underperforming, havens such as gold in demand, and the dollar facing headwinds".However, Marek Rogalski, lead analyst at BossaFX, notes "markets reacted schematically to new geopolitical tensions - friction over Greenland has transitioned into economic warfare between the USA and the European Union."Silver Technical Analysis: $100 Target as Metal Breaks $95Silver's price opened with a bullish gap on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, rising nearly 6% and testing $95.50 per ounce. According to my technical analysis, previous local highs from last week around $93.50 will now serve as new support, which Monday's long lower wick on the daily candle already defended.My earlier ambitious target of 161.8% Fibonacci extension has been achieved with significant surplus. The ultimate target now appears to be the psychological $100 level, a milestone that would represent quadruple-digit percentage gains from 2024 lows.While finding resistance in the price discovery phase is difficult, identifying support is much easier. As I show on my chart, key support levels include:Key Silver Technical LevelsCurrent price: $95.34 (new ATH, Jan 20, 2026)Immediate support: $93.50 (previous week's highs)Support zone 1: $84 (December 29 highs)Support zone 2: $72-$68 (large price accumulation, 50 EMA at $64)Major support: $54-$47 (October-November range, 200 EMA at $48)Psychological level: $50 (round number, aligns with 200 EMA)Next target: $100 (psychological milestone)2028 extreme target: $375 (Tom Bradshaw forecast)Overextension risk: 47% above 200 EMAAccording to my technical analysis, silver has distanced itself from the 200-day exponential moving average by 47%, making any technical or structural correction more than expected. However, currently pushing prices higher are uncertainty and risk-off sentiment, so it's not certain this correction will occur immediately."The metal is essential to the AI boom and the build-out of data centres, the clean energy transition, and the defence industry amid rising military budgets," Tzabouras explains, highlighting structural demand drivers beyond geopolitical factors.Gold Technical Analysis: $5,000 Next Target, $3,800 Still BullishGold price rose 3% on Tuesday to $4,737 per ounce, opening with a clear bullish gap in reaction to the latest political tensions. According to my technical analysis, Tuesday's session opened with a pronounced gap up, and historical maximums drawn in recent days around $4,600-$4,640 will serve as new support.The key support level for me remains the zone from October highs around $4,360, which at this moment almost ideally overlaps with the 50-day exponential moving average (50 EMA). Gold has also moved very far from the main 200 EMA, which separates the downtrend from the uptrend.As a result, gold could fall below the psychological $4,000 level and drop to just $3,800, and I would still remain a structural bull, using all these declines to buy back. Only a decline below the 200 EMA would suggest to me that gold may correct much more decisively.Key Gold Technical LevelsCurrent price: $4,737 (gap-up open, Jan 20, 2026)New support: $4,640-$4,600 (recent ATH zone)Key support: $4,360 (October highs, coincides with 50 EMA)Psychological support: $4,000 (round number)Bull invalidation: $3,730 (200 EMA - bearish only below)Wide support zone: $3,440-$3,270 (structural accumulation)Next target: $5,000 (100% Fibonacci extension, bank consensus)Distance from 200 EMA: Gold extremely extended, 20% correction possibleTrend status: Bullish since early 2024, uninterruptedAt the same time, on my chart I have a wide support zone between $3,440 and $3,270, whose test would still not be the end of the world, although fundamentally it's hard to imagine the realization of such a scenario for now. A 20% correction is quite possible, meaning a drop to the 200 EMA, and although this will probably cause media panic, technically and structurally it will only be a reaction after the uninterrupted uptrend observed since the beginning of 2024."Nonetheless, gold remains susceptible to volatility as speculative positions build, leaving it vulnerable to profit-taking following the new highs," warns Tzabouras from Tradu.com. "At the same time, the Fed may struggle to deliver multiple rate cuts amid ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, which could limit further strength in bullion."Expert Gold Price Predictions: $5,000-$9,000 TargetsMajor financial institutions and expert analysts have released updated gold price forecasts for 2026, with most clustering around the $5,000 level that my Fibonacci analysis targets.Major Bank Gold ForecastsGoldman Sachs forecasts gold reaching approximately $4,900 per ounce by the end of 2026, driven by continued central bank purchases. JPMorgan Chase presents an even more bullish outlook, predicting gold will average $5,055 in Q4 2026, with potential peaks reaching $5,200-$5,300 per ounce, calling gold their "highest conviction long" bet due to strong central bank buying and persistent inflation.Bank of America raised its 2026 gold price forecast to $5,000, with an annual average of $4,400. Deutsche Bank increased its average 2026 forecast from $4,000 to $4,450 per ounce, citing continued diversification of reserves by central banks.Extreme Scenario: $6,000 Per OuncePeter Schiff, economist and founder of Schiff Gold, predicts gold could reach $6,000 in 2026, particularly in extreme geopolitical scenarios such as escalating Greenland tensions. Goldman Sachs warns that gold may exceed $5,000 if the Federal Reserve's independence is compromised.The bullish precious metals forecasts are already reshaping trading infrastructure across financial markets. Crypto exchange BingX reported its traditional finance trading product surpassed $1 billion in 24-hour volume, with gold futures contracts alone generating over $500 million as prices tested record highs above 4,700 dol. per ounce. The surge in gold volatility has forced market participants to adapt quickly: CME Group switched its margin system for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium futures from fixed dollar amounts to percentage-based requirements, while liquidity provider Scope Prime adjusted spreads in response to sustained price increases. Tom Bradshaw's $9,000 GoldMacroeconomic strategist Tom Bradshaw warned in an interview with Daniela Cambone on ITM Trading that the gold market is sending signals that have historically almost always preceded deep economic crises. His forecast is unequivocal: gold may rise to $9,000 per ounce, and silver to $375 by 2028."When gold changes its value by 38% or more in a year, the American economy experienced serious economic crises," Bradshaw explained. "Gold has reached this threshold in 11 of the last 15 months. Recession may therefore be inevitable, if it's not already underway".We have kicked the can down the road for too long.After 16 years of ultra low interest rates and soaring debt, Tom Bradshaw warns the next downturn could rival the 1970s or worse. https://t.co/3qROiyEJO5#economy #gold #silver #money #usd @DanielaCambone pic.twitter.com/dQDotjtyCV— ITM Trading (@ITMTrading) January 13, 2026According to data cited by the expert, a similar pattern was observed before the 1973-75 recession, the double recession of the early 1980s, and before the 2008 crisis and the European debt crisis of 2010-2011."This is a classic signal of deflationary, not inflationary slowdown. Gold doesn't tell us about hyperinflation - only about economic cooling and a sharp drop in confidence in debt," Bradshaw compares the current situation to an epochal turning point.In 2025, gold outperformed the S&P 500 by 49%, and silver by as much as 132% - a rotation of capital from the stock market to metals seen only four times in history: in 1931, 1971, 2002, and 2025.You may also like my previous gold and silver price predictions articles:Silver Price Predictions: $100-$375 TargetsPeter Schiff forecasts silver hitting $100 per ounce by 2026, stating "I think $100 is a very realistic target for silver in 2026. It could end up being quite a bit north of that." In a recent interview, Schiff urged investors: "Do not wait for a pullback," emphasizing that silver's breakout above $50-$70 has set a new floor.GoldSilver's Lead Analyst Alan Hibbard expects silver to trade above $100 in 2026 as supply deficits deepen and industrial demand accelerates. DeVere Group analysts project silver could reach $200 per troy ounce by the end of 2026.Famous Investor PredictionsRobert Kiyosaki, author of "Rich Dad Poor Dad," predicts silver will potentially reach $200 by 2026, emphasizing silver as "the best and the safest" investment amid what he calls the "biggest crash in world history".Mike Maloney, precious metals expert at GoldSilver, made his boldest prediction yet: "I'm betting on at least $200 an ounce, but we could see a spike that goes up toward quadruple digits." Maloney argues that silver, when adjusted for true inflation, would need to reach $200 just to match its previous inflation-adjusted highs.Tom Bradshaw's $375 Silver Forecast"Silver is an interesting case because it's half industrial, half precious. My models say it's currently overvalued by 86%, reminiscent of 2011 and 1982 levels - periods after which 75-80% corrections occurred," Bradshaw explains.Despite a possible short-term decline, Bradshaw remains a long-term optimist. As he points out, the market has broken a 45-year "cup and handle" formation trend, opening the way for further increases."We are very early in this bull market. I expect a 40-45% correction, then a return to growth and finally - silver reaching around $375 per ounce in 2028".For retail traders, the challenge is less about identifying the target and more about execution: sizing, drawdown tolerance, and timing entries in volatile conditions. These execution-level questions are increasingly being addressed in live environments, including trader-focused sessions at Dubai’s Trading Festival, where strategies are dissected beyond headline price targets.How High Can Silver Go? Industrial Demand Meets Safe-Haven Flows"Silver can rise more than gold this year, especially since the growth parity hasn't been filled yet and governments haven't stockpiled silver" like they have with gold, explains Tzabouras from Tradu.com.According to my technical analysis, silver's immediate target is the psychological $100 level, representing a 5% gain from current $95.34 prices. Beyond that:Near-term realistic: $100 (psychological milestone, 2026 consensus)Optimistic 2026: $200 (Kiyosaki, Maloney, DeVere Group)Extreme 2028: $375 (Tom Bradshaw, requires 40-45% correction first)"However, a pullback could occur as Trump's decision to hold off import duties on critical minerals eases tightness concerns," warns Tzabouras. "In addition, global economic headwinds from tariffs could dampen consumption, creating a mixed supply-demand picture."The dominance of industrial demand distinguishes silver from gold. The metal is essential to AI data centers, clean energy transition (solar panels), and defense industry amid rising military budgets. This creates structural deficit conditions even as prices soar.For real-time gold and silver technical analysis as prices target $100 silver and $5,000 gold amid Greenland tariff crisis, follow me on X (Twitter) @ChmielDk. I provide regression channel analysis, Fibonacci projections, and geopolitical impact insights on precious metals.FAQ: Why Gold and Silver Are SurgingWhy is silver surging today?Silver surged to $95.34 all-time high on January 20, 2026, driven by Trump's Greenland tariff threats imposing 10% duties on eight European nations (escalating to 25% by June) and Fed independence concerns. According to my technical analysis, silver opened with bullish gap targeting $100 psychological level with support at $93.50 and $84. Industrial demand from AI data centers, clean energy, and defense compounds safe-haven flows.Why is gold going up?Gold hit $4,737 on January 20, 2026, opening with gap-up after reaching $4,731 ATH, driven by geopolitical uncertainty over Greenland acquisition and US-Europe trade war. According to my chart analysis, gold targets $5,000 (100% Fibonacci extension, bank consensus) with support at $4,360 and 200 EMA at $3,730. Tom Bradshaw warns gold's 65% rally in 15 months historically preceded deep recessions.How high can silver go in 2026?According to my technical analysis, immediate target is $100 (psychological milestone, 5% from current $95.34). Expert forecasts: Peter Schiff $100+, Alan Hibbard (GoldSilver) above $100, DeVere Group $200, Robert Kiyosaki $200, Mike Maloney "quadruple digits." Tom Bradshaw predicts $375 by 2028 after 40-45% correction, citing 45-year cup-and-handle breakout.How high can gold go in 2026?Major bank forecasts: Goldman Sachs $4,900 year-end, JPMorgan $5,055-$5,300, Bank of America $5,000, Deutsche Bank $4,450 average. According to my Fibonacci analysis, $5,000 is next target (100% extension). Extreme scenarios: Peter Schiff $6,000 (Greenland escalation), Tom Bradshaw $9,000 by 2028 (deflationary crisis signal). Gold currently $4,737 entering price discovery phase.Should I buy gold and silver now?According to my technical analysis, both metals are 47% (silver) and significantly extended from 200 EMA, making 20% corrections structurally expected though not guaranteed amid risk-off flows. Peter Schiff urges "do not wait for pullback" as silver broke above $50-$70 floor. Tom Bradshaw is bullish short-term, cautious mid-term (recession drop likely), bullish long-term to 2028. Consider dollar-cost averaging given volatility risk from profit-taking after new ATHs. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Bermuda will move its entire national economy onto blockchain by partnering with Circle and Coinbase, making the island a real-world testbed for a fully "on-chain" financial system. The announcement, made at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, is viewed as a significant development in integrating digital assets into a sovereign nation's infrastructure. Bermuda's plan addresses high fees and limits from traditional payment systems. Circle's USDC will become a primary payment method for faster, cheaper, dollar-based transactions.From Regulation to Live TestingThe partnership will involve Circle and Coinbase providing their infrastructure and tools to local banks, insurers, and businesses, with the goal of creating an on-chain financial ecosystem. The plan builds on Bermuda's role in digital asset regulation. The country introduced its Digital Asset Business Act in 2018, and both Circle and Coinbase were among the first global firms to be licensed under the regime.“Bermuda has always believed that responsible innovation is best achieved through partnership between government, regulators, and industry,” said Premier E. David Burt. “With the support of Circle and Coinbase, two of the world’s most trusted digital finance companies, we are accelerating our vision to enable digital finance at the national level.” For the global financial industry, Bermuda is viewed as a case study. The project will examine whether an on-chain economy can deliver on its stated goals of lower transaction costs, greater financial inclusion, and enhanced economic resilience at a national scale. "Bermuda has participated in digital asset development and continues to explore blockchain innovation at a national scale,” said Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong added, “Bermuda’s leadership shows what’s possible when clear rules are paired with strong public-private collaboration.”Huge. An entire country is coming onchain, using USDC and @base.Excited to support Bermuda’s transition toward an onchain economy that empowers the people, local businesses, and institutions ?Open financial systems will drive economic freedom. https://t.co/lDqFUIb9qe— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) January 19, 2026The initiative will see government agencies pilot stablecoin-based payments, while local financial institutions begin integrating tokenization tools. Together, these steps will provide a real-world reference for how other countries might introduce blockchain-based infrastructure gradually. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Rakuten Securities, Inc. said it will expand its US stock trading to include pre-market and after-hours sessions. The change allows Japanese investors to trade US equities outside the regular US market session, increasing “flexibility” and enabling quicker responses to news, economic data, and corporate earnings.The expansion follows Rakuten Securities Holdings’ investment in 24X US Holdings, a Delaware-based fintech developing the first 24-hour stock exchange in the United States. The investment allows Rakuten Securities to offer extended trading hours to Japanese and other international investors. 24X’s subsidiary, 24X National Exchange, received SEC approval to operate 23-hour trading on weekdays.Raku-Raku Shinbin Enables Beginner Margin TradingThe broker will also launch “Raku-Raku Shinbin”, enabling customers with no prior stock experience to engage in risk-reduced margin trading. Leverage is limited to 1x of their own funds, with a maximum tradeable amount of 5 million yen. The service supports short selling, repeated trades with the same funds, and a gradual transition to regular margin accounts for beginners.Dividends Automatically ReinvestedRakuten Securities is introducing a service to automatically reinvest dividends and proceeds from US stocks into US dollar-denominated money market funds. The broker said this eliminates the usual delay between receiving funds and making new investments, allowing for more efficient management of assets in US dollars.The company is also enhancing its investment information offering. It plans to provide AI-driven research on thousands of Japanese and US stocks to give customers access to insights from diverse perspectives.Retail Investors Engage with Automated InsightsIn addition to trading and investment services, Rakuten Securities has expanded its AI-driven research offerings. Within 24 hours of accessing the new tools, customers generated over 3 million investment reports, showing strong engagement with automated stock insights. The platform, provided through BridgeWise’s StockWise system, covers more than 7,100 Japanese and U.S. stocks and is integrated across web, desktop, and mobile interfaces. It processes company filings and earnings reports to produce fundamental ratings, target prices, industry comparisons, and post-earnings metrics. The early uptake highlights demand for AI-based research and reflects Rakuten Securities’ ongoing efforts to enhance technology-driven services for retail investors. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

GCEX Group has added Gold Futures CFDs to its product range. The regulated digital prime broker serves institutional and professional clients in the UK, the EU, and the UAE.The launch comes as institutional participation in the CFD market continues to grow. Brokers are expanding product coverage to meet demand for diversification and hedging. Data from Finance Magnates Intelligence show that CFD trading volumes remain strong, particularly in metals and commodities. Industry analysis has also pointed to institutional services as a strategic focus for many firms.Gold Futures CFDs Join GCEX PortfolioGCEX said the launch expands its multi-asset offering. The company said additional Futures CFDs are planned. These products are intended to broaden its coverage across traditional and digital asset classes.The new instruments offer an alternative to rolling spot products and non-expiring CFDs. They provide exposure through contracts with a defined term. The initial release includes the GCG26 contract, which references the February 2026 Gold Future. The CFDs are priced against underlying exchange-listed futures.XplorTrader Supports Gold Futures TradingFutures CFDs have a fixed expiry date, which is shown on GCEX’s XplorTrader platform. Pricing follows the futures curve. The contract structure embeds cost-of-carry elements and removes overnight financing charges. Clients must close positions before expiry. If positions remain open, GCEX will close them at the final settlement price.GCEX provides access to CFDs on digital assets and foreign exchange. It also offers spot trading and digital asset conversion. The group supplies brokerage and technology services through its XplorDigital suite.GCEX Gains Institutional-Grade Product ExpansionLars Holst, chief executive of GCEX, said the launch reflects ongoing product development. He said the focus is on “offering institutional-grade instruments” supported by “robust regulatory governance across all GCEX entities.”GCEX is headquartered in London and operates offices globally. It is regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. It is authorised as a crypto-asset service provider under the EU’s MiCA framework. It also holds a virtual asset service provider licence from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. True Global Ventures is an investor in the company. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Cryptocurrency payments have long been discussed as an alternative to traditional financial systems, but their adoption in everyday B2B operations remains limited. While many businesses experiment with accepting crypto for single transactions, structured use cases such as invoicing, subscriptions, and recurring billing have proven far more difficult to implement. Finunion aims to address this gap with its B2B crypto payments platform, which is already live and being used by early merchants. The platform is designed for companies that bill clients on a regular basis and need a predictable way to accept cryptocurrency payments without overhauling existing processes. Simplifying Crypto Payments for Businesses One of the main barriers to crypto adoption in business payments is operational complexity. Wallet management, technical integrations, and accounting considerations often make crypto more difficult to use than traditional payment methods. Finunion’s platform is built around simplicity. Businesses can issue invoices directly from the dashboard, either as one-time payment requests or as recurring invoices for subscription-based models. Once an invoice is created, the system generates a payment link that can be shared with the client.Clients access the link, review the invoice, and complete the payment in cryptocurrency on a hosted payment page. From the client’s perspective, the process is similar to paying a standard invoice, with no additional technical steps required. On the merchant side, incoming payments are credited to the company’s crypto balance. All invoices, transactions, and payment statuses are displayed in a single interface, allowing finance teams to track activity without relying on multiple tools. Supporting Recurring Billing and Cross-Border Payments Recurring billing remains one of the more challenging areas for crypto payments. Subscription services and SaaS companies require reliable billing cycles, clear visibility into unpaid invoices, and predictable cash flow. Finunion supports automated recurring invoicing, enabling businesses to bill customers on a predefined schedule. Unpaid invoices can be monitored, and payment history is available in real time. This functionality is particularly relevant for companies operating internationally, where traditional cross-border payments can be slow and costly. By focusing on invoicing rather than one-off transactions, the platform adapts crypto payments to established business practices instead of requiring businesses to change how they operate. Bridging Crypto and Fiat The platform is designed to support both crypto and traditional financial operations. While payments are received in cryptocurrency, businesses are not required to hold digital assets indefinitely. Funds can be withdrawn to euro-denominated bank accounts when needed. This approach reflects how many companies manage their finances today. Crypto may be used for receiving payments, while fiat remains essential for payroll, taxes, and operational expenses. Keeping both options within a single platform reduces operational friction and simplifies financial management. Built in Response to Market Demand According to the founder of Finunion, Vladyslav Savchenko, the platform was developed after repeated requests from businesses that were already accepting crypto but lacked suitable tools for B2B invoicing and recurring payments. Rather than introducing experimental features, the company focused on core functionality: invoice creation, payment links, recurring billing, transaction tracking, and fiat withdrawals. These elements form the foundation of most B2B payment workflows.A More Practical Direction for B2B Crypto Finunion’s launch reflects a broader shift in the crypto sector toward practical infrastructure rather than speculative use cases. As adoption matures, businesses are looking for tools that integrate smoothly with existing workflows. By aligning crypto payments with familiar invoicing and billing processes, Finunion positions its platform as a functional layer between digital assets and traditional business operations. This approach may prove essential for wider adoption of crypto in B2B environments, where reliability and clarity often matter more than innovation alone. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Swissquote has launched joint trading accounts that let two people invest together across stocks, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, bonds, forex and CFDs. The Swiss online bank said the accounts address a gap in digital banking, where most joint offerings focus on spending rather than wealth building.The timing puts Swissquote just ahead of Valentine's Day on February 14, when couples typically exchange flowers and chocolates. They can now turn it into shared access to global financial marketsSwissquote Joint Trading Accounts Spans 3 Million Financial ProductsThe joint accounts tap into Swissquote's existing infrastructure, giving users access to the same range of products available to individual account holders. This includes securities, crypto assets, funds, structured products and derivatives traded across more than 50 global exchanges."We looked at other joint solutions, and all of them offer ways to spend your shared money—but what about ways to grow it?" said Arjeta Haskaj, Head of Product Strategy at Swissquote, in a LinkedIn post announcing the feature.Finally, a partner to share the blame when trades go south. But jokes aside, both account holders get separate login credentials and equal rights to manage the shared portfolio. The setup works through an "either-or-survivor" structure, meaning each person can independently execute trades and transactions without requiring the other's approval.Each joint account comes with multi-currency debit cards that support 13 different currencies. The cards work with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and TWINT for digital payments.The launch comes after Swissquote reported better-than-expected 2025 results, with revenue reaching at least CHF 720 million and pre-tax profit approaching CHF 420 million. Client assets on the platform neared CHF 89 billion by year-end.Onboarding Limited to Same-Country ResidentsTo open a joint account, both parties must already hold individual Swissquote trading accounts as beneficial owners. The two people also need to live in the same country, a requirement tied to regulatory and compliance rules.One person initiates the process through their dashboard and sends an invitation to the other account holder. The entire onboarding happens digitally without paperwork. Customers can open up to four joint accounts, though only one invitation can be sent at a time.Swissquote doesn't charge extra fees for joint accounts beyond the standard costs that apply to individual accounts. There are no minimum balance requirements.The accounts aren't available to minors or institutional customers. At launch, Swissquote is limiting joint accounts to two holders.Competitors Roll Out Similar FeaturesThe joint account rollout at Swissquote comes as other digital banking platforms explore similar offerings. Robinhood introduced joint investing accounts for families and partners to manage investments together, while Revolut launched joint accounts in its mobile app for users in the European Economic Area.N26 expanded joint account availability to 21 European countries in 2024, offering features for tracking expenses and monitoring joint budgets. Yuh, the mobile-first neobank that Swissquote now fully owns after buying out PostFinance's stake, has also been developing its own joint account feature.Joint investment accounts let multiple people pool funds and make collective decisions, potentially accelerating portfolio growth through larger regular contributions. The structure also cuts down on duplicate fees that would otherwise apply to separate accounts.Recent data shows that married couples in the US are moving away from traditional joint accounts, with 23% maintaining completely separate finances in 2023 compared to 15% in 1996. However, financial advisors have pointed to joint investment accounts as practical Valentine's Day gifts that support long-term wealth building.Swissquote continues to expand its operations globally, recently searching for a CEO to lead its South African business in Cape Town. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

ThinkMarkets, a global leader in online CFD trading, recently received the Best Trading App award from CompareForexBrokers.com for its proprietary platform, ThinkTrader. This award recognises ThinkTrader, and the people behind it, for delivering cutting-edge technology and advanced tools for traders. CompareForexBrokers.com’s annual awards assess 34 leading forex brokers with ASIC, FCA or MAS tier-1 regulation, recognising those that stand out for their trading conditions, performance and innovation. Commenting on the award, Nauman Anees, CEO and co-founder of ThinkMarkets, said the following: “We’re delighted to have received another award recognising our ThinkTrader platform. This award reflects our long-term focus on building proprietary technology that puts traders first. ThinkTrader was designed to combine powerful analysis, robust execution and intuitive usability across web and mobile, giving traders access to the tools they need wherever they trade. Recognition like this reinforces our commitment to continuously improving the trading experience for our clients. I’d like to thank our dedicated team for building and shaping ThinkTrader, as well as our loyal clients for their continued support.” About ThinkMarketsThinkMarkets is a global, multi-regulated online brokerage established in 2010 offering clients quick and easy access to 4,000 CFD instruments across FX, indices, commodities, stocks, and more. ThinkMarkets has offices in London and Melbourne, along with hubs in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and South Africa. It also operates under several financial licences around the globe and delivers some of the industry's most recognised trading platforms, including its award-winning platform, ThinkTrader. For more information, users can visit the ThinkMarkets website https://www.thinkmarkets.com/en/ This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Crypto exchange BingX reported its traditional finance trading product surpassed $1 billion in 24-hour volume, with gold contracts accounting for more than half the total as the precious metal extended gains to test a record $4,722 per ounce.BingX TradFi Volume Hits $1 Billion as Gold Trading SurgesGold trading on the platform exceeded $500 million within the 24-hour period, driven by heightened demand as geopolitical tensions pushed the metal up 2.6% on Tuesday. The rally came after President Trump threatened additional tariffs on European nations over control of Greenland, reigniting safe-haven buying across markets.BingX launched its TradFi product earlier this month, offering perpetual futures contracts tied to more than 50 traditional financial assets. The platform uses perpetual futures, or "perps," which have no expiration date and settle in USDT, operating 24/7 like crypto markets."As the demand for TradFi continues growing, we remain at the forefront of delivering robust products and services that adapt to our users' evolving needs." Vivien Lin, Chief Product Officer at BingX, commented. "Our expanded suite of offerings provides traders with greater choice and broader market access, unlocking new opportunities in a dynamic environment.”Unlike contracts-for-difference offered by regulated brokers, these instruments fall under crypto exchange infrastructure and offer leverage up to 500x.Volume Concentration Mirrors Precious Metals RallyGold's dominant share of BingX's TradFi volume reflects the metal's explosive performance over the past year. Prices climbed roughly 65% in 2025 and added another 9% in the first three weeks of 2026. The January surge accelerated after a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell sparked concerns about central bank independence, with some analysts projecting targets as high as $6,000 for 2026.Volatility in precious metals has also affected traditional market infrastructure. CME Group shifted gold, silver, platinum, and palladium futures margins from fixed amounts to percentage-based requirements earlier this month, while liquidity providers like Scope Prime adjusted spreads in response to price swings.BingX’s copy trading feature for traditional assets reached a single-day peak of $51.84 million within 15 days of launch, according to company data. Crypto Exchanges Push Into Broker TerritoryBingX joins rival platforms Binance and Bitget in expanding beyond digital assets. Binance introduced perpetual contracts on commodities like gold and silver, settling them against USDT under Abu Dhabi Global Market oversight, though stablecoin settlement may limit EU availability.Bitget rolled out derivatives on gold, forex, metals, indices, and stock-based contracts under Mauritius Financial Services Commission oversight. The moves blur lines between crypto platforms and retail brokers, with exchanges leveraging round-the-clock trading and stablecoin settlement to bypass traditional brokerage friction.Crypto.com purchased Cyprus-based broker Allnew Investments in mid-2025 to obtain a MiFID license, though planned CFD offerings have not yet materialized.Other platforms like XBO.com launched tokenized stocks, linking major equities with crypto markets. The convergence, however, flows both ways. CFD broker Axi expanded to over 150 crypto contracts last year as perpetual futures captured 76% of crypto derivatives volume. BingX serves over 40 million users globally and ranks among the top five crypto derivatives exchanges. The exchange sponsors Chelsea FC and became the first official crypto exchange partner of Scuderia Ferrari HP in 2026. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

CME Group hit Tanius Technology with a $150,000 fine after finding the proprietary trading firm entered outsized orders in Treasury futures markets that exceeded its ability to cover the trades if executed immediately.CME Fines Proprietary Trading Firm Tanius Technology $150,000The Chicago Board of Trade Business Conduct Committee panel determined Tanius violated exchange rules between January 2020 and December 2022 by stacking multiple maximum-quantity orders at top price levels in 2-Year, 5-Year, and 10-Year Treasury spread order books during roll periods. The strategy exploited pro-rata matching algorithms to grab a bigger share of fills relative to other passive traders.Had all the firm's resting orders executed at once, the required margin payment would have surpassed the net liquidation value in Tanius' accounts at that time. The panel ruled this conduct violated CBOT rules prohibiting behavior "inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade" and actions "detrimental to the interest or welfare of the Exchange".Different Species of Prop TradingInstitutional prop firms like Tanius trade their own capital directly on exchanges and face CME Group's market conduct rules. They shouldn't be confused with retail-focused prop trading platforms such as FTMO or FundedNext, which operate evaluation programs where individual traders compete for access to funded accounts.FTMO recently adopted institutional-grade Know Your Business protocols, pointing to a broader B2B strategy beyond retail prop trading .According to the newest research, prop firms targeting retail traders can break even in about one month in South Asia, compared to six months in the US market, with peak return on ad spend touching 12x in some regions . Moreover, retail prop firms tracked roughly $325 million in payouts to traders in 2025, according to Prop Firm Match's monitoring data, though that figure excluded several major brands.Second Strike for California FirmTanius settled the charges without admitting or denying wrongdoing, but the penalty marks its second run-in with CME Group regulators in less than two years. In May 2025, the firm paid a $95,000 fine for wash trading violations after its automated systems repeatedly matched opposing buy and sell orders in Treasury futures contracts.That earlier case found Tanius developed anti-wash trade functionality but failed to implement it consistently across trading strategies or communicate it adequately to traders. Between March and October 2023, the firm's algorithms self-matched "on more than an incidental basis" in 10-Year T-Note, Ultra 10-Year, and Treasury Bond futures.CME has also expanded into new market segments, including a partnership with FanDuel to offer event contracts on sports outcomes alongside traditional financial products . That move arrived amid regulatory questions about whether such contracts constitute gambling. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

The Australian financial market regulator has secured about AU$40 million (around US$27 million) in refunds for more than 38,000 retail contracts for difference (CFD) investors following a sector-wide review. Announced today (Tuesday), the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) found that more than half of the CFD brokers operating in the country were offering “margin discounts” to retail clients.Industry-Wide Lapses in Following Mandatory RulesAccording to the Aussie regulator, there were “widespread weaknesses” in CFD brokers’ design and distribution obligations (DDO), the regulator’s CFD product intervention order (PIO), and regulatory reporting requirements.The “margin discounts” offered to retail traders also breached the regulator’s PIO rules for CFD products.The regulator said that 68 per cent of retail CFD investors in Australia lost money in 2024, totalling more than AU$458 million (US$308.3 million), including AU$73 million (US$49.1 million) in fees.The action followed ASIC’s review of 52 licensed CFD issuers. However, the regulator did not name any CFD brokers that breached local regulations or issued the refunds.During the review, ASIC issued a temporary stop order against the Aussie FXCM operator last month after the company failed to respond to concerns about deficiencies in its target market determination. The regulator later revoked the stop order after FXCM addressed the concerns and amended its target market determinations.The Aussie regulator also issued similar orders against several brokers, including Saxo and Mitrade. These companies corrected the issues and continued offering their services. Only one broker was taken to court over similar breaches, and the case is still ongoing.“Each year, thousands of Australians lose money trading CFDs, and through our review, we have helped put $40 million back in the pockets of more than 38,000 investors,” said ASIC Commissioner Simone Constant.“These are complex, high-risk products where most investors face losses, and even profitable trades can be fully eroded by trading costs.”The High-Risk Industry Is Improving, but Lapses RemainShe added that direct regulatory intervention improved the CFD industry’s target market determinations, client onboarding questionnaires, reporting compliance, and monitoring of client trading outcomes.The regulator said that 39 CFD issuers made changes to their target markets, 46 improved website content, and 44 improved client onboarding questionnaires. In addition, 42 Aussie CFD issuers introduced new processes for monitoring client trading, and 48 made changes to meet OTC derivative transaction reporting requirements.ASIC’s action also led to a 127 per cent increase in the number of reported situations lodged.“While the CFD industry has made important changes, there is still work to do,” Constant added. “Issuers must continually monitor, adapt, and strengthen their compliance practices, and we urge Australians to pay close attention to what they are being offered.” This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

Plus500 has stopped offering new CFD trading accounts to residents of Spain, tightening access to leveraged products in a market where regulators already restrict advertising and distribution to retail investors. The decision comes as Spain continues to apply some of the toughest rules in Europe on how firms can market and sell CFDs to non-professional clients.Plus500 Changes Onboarding for SpainPlus500 now blocks new CFD account openings for users resident in Spain, according to information on the company’s registration page. Spain’s securities regulator, the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores, rolled out a new set of rules for the CFD space in 2023.The measures prohibit the marketing of CFDs to retail clients in Spain and extend to banning introducing-broker and influencer-style promotion, as well as advertising through events or using celebrities to endorse the services.​Continue reading: Plus500 Reports Half Its Revenue Now Comes From Customers Trading Over Five YearsThe framework aimed to curb the ways firms promote leveraged trading to the public rather than outlawing CFDs themselves. While the rules set formal limits on how providers reach retail investors, their practical impact depends on how firms interpret and apply them in day-to-day operations.​The tight regulations is behind the decline in the region's leveraged trading space. The space shrunk to a fraction of its 2021 peak, with the number of active FX and CFD traders dropping another 10% to around 35,000 as of early last year, according to a report by Investment Trends.ESMA Rules and Spain’s Stricter LineESMA rules created a baseline for investor protection but allowed national regulators to adopt stricter measures where they saw additional risks.Read more: Spain’s Expanded Restrictions on CFDs Set for July 20, Gets ESMA BackingThe measures apply to all firms authorized to provide investment services in Spain, regardless of where the firm is based or whether it operates through a branch or cross-border passporting. ESMA summarized the effect by stating that marketing, distribution and sale of CFDs by means of advertising communications aimed at retail investors in Spain is prohibited.For Spanish residents, Plus500 now focuses on non-leveraged equity trading through its Invest platform, which allows access to real stocks in Spain and other markets. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

The New York Stock Exchange plans to launch a tokenized securities platform that will enable 24/7 trading in U.S.-listed equities and ETFs with on-chain settlement and immediate funding. According to the platform, the initiative extends the exchange’s market model into blockchain-based infrastructure while keeping traditional shareholder rights and regulatory safeguards in place.Part of Intercontinental Exchange, the NYSE has started developing a platform for trading and on-chain settlement of tokenized securities and will seek regulatory approvals before launch.Today, NYSE is proud to announce the development of a platform for trading and on-chain settlement of tokenized securities. NYSE’s new digital platform will enable tokenized trading experiences, including 24/7 operations, instant settlement, orders sized in dollar amounts, and…— NYSE ? (@NYSE) January 19, 2026NYSE Plans Tokenized Trading VenueThe planned venue will support tokenized shares that are fungible with traditionally issued securities, as well as securities issued directly in token form. Token holders will retain access to dividends and governance rights under the existing corporate framework.It combines the NYSE’s Pillar matching engine with blockchain-based post-trade systems to support continuous, around-the-clock operations. The platform will allow fractional share trading via dollar-denominated order sizes and will use stablecoin-based funding, with the ability to support multiple blockchains for settlement and custody.The new venue will follow established market structure principles and will distribute access through qualified broker-dealers on a non-discriminatory basis.You may also find interesting: Revolut Files for Peru Banking License in Fresh LATAM PushThe model aims to maintain alignment between the tokenized venue and existing NYSE markets, limiting liquidity fragmentation between traditional and on-chain trading.By keeping tokenized securities fungible with their conventional counterparts, the exchange seeks to extend trading hours and settlement options without departing from current standards on investor protection and oversight.Part of ICE’s Wider Digital PushThe initiative forms part of a broader digital strategy at Intercontinental Exchange, which operates six clearing houses worldwide. ICE is preparing its clearing infrastructure to support 24/7 trading and to accommodate tokenized collateral in margin and settlement workflows.ICE is working with banks including BNY and Citi to support tokenized deposits across its clearinghouses. The effort aims to let clearing members move funds outside traditional banking hours, meet margin obligations in different time zones and manage funding across jurisdictions using tokenized capital. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Frontbroker has integrated Spotware’s cTrader platform into its trading offering, giving its CFD traders access to the multi-asset interface across live and demo accounts. The Mauritius-based broker links the move to a focus on order transparency and platform controls that target trading manipulation risks.cTrader Integration at FrontbrokerFrontbroker now offers cTrader as a core trading platform option to its client base. The broker states that trader trust sits at the center of its model and points to cTrader’s design, which aims to provide a transparent trading environment with safeguards against interference in order execution.“Partnering with cTrader helps us advance that commitment through a platform built around a trader-oriented approach, bringing a premium trading experience and advanced tools designed for traders at every level,” commented Shakeel Bhatoo, the Director of Frontbroker.In the prop trading space, Spotware partnered with UK-based proprietary trading firm OneFunded last year, enabling its clients to access the cTrader platform on web, desktop, and mobile devices.Keep reading: Spotware Puts Prop Challenges Front and Center for “10,000 Daily Users”The latest addition of cTrader is presented as a signal that transparency forms a key part of how the firm structures its service. With the rollout, Frontbroker supports a mobile-first trading setup via cTrader Mobile.Open Trading Stack and Third-Party ToolscTrader willreportedly connects Frontbroker to more than 100 FX/CFD-related solutions. These span CRM systems, liquidity provision, risk management tools and signal services. Recently, Spotware rolled out version 5.6 of its mobile app, introducing several updates designed to enhance transparency, usability, and visual clarity. The version added an equity chart to the account dashboard, allowing users to monitor how trading activity, deposits, and withdrawals impact overall account equity over time. It also included a candle countdown feature and a redesigned landscape view, giving traders greater control and clearer visuals when analyzing market performance on mobile devices.Spotware also integrated with iSAM Securities, a technology provider specializing in broker-focused risk and execution management solutions. The partnership gives the platform's brokers access to iSAM’s Surge and Radar tools, broadening their risk and execution management options.iSAM Securities also recently launched a real-time risk analytics dashboard aimed at dealing desks, risk managers, and CEOs. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

An alleged crypto laundering scheme that pushed more than $100 million through South Korean bank accounts now sits with prosecutors. Officials say the network hid behind everyday-looking bills for cosmetic surgery and overseas studies while it moved large volumes of digital assets into Korean won.Three Chinese Nationals Face ProsecutionSouth Korea’s customs service said on Monday that it has referred three Chinese nationals to prosecutors on suspicion of laundering about 148.9 billion won, or roughly $107 million, in cryptocurrency, according to local media outlet Yonhap News Agency.The agency alleges that the group used an unauthorized foreign exchange channel in violation of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act.Investigators say the activity ran from September 2021 to June of last year and relied on a network of domestic and overseas cryptocurrency accounts and South Korean bank accounts.Keep reading: He Promised 1,200% Returns on $10M - Then Used Photoshop to Hide the TruthAccording to customs officials, the suspects booked transfers as if they covered cosmetic surgery for foreign nationals in South Korea or study-abroad costs for students.According to Yonhap News, South Korea’s Korea Customs Service said it uncovered an international ring accused of laundering about 150 billion won ($101.7 million) in cryptocurrency through unauthorized FX schemes, with three Chinese nationals referred to prosecutors for using…— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) January 19, 2026By doing so, they allegedly made repeated high-value transactions resemble routine cross-border payments that banks see in sectors such as healthcare and education.Alleged Laundering Method and Use of Front ExpensesThe authorities say the ring bought cryptocurrency in several countries, sent it to digital wallets in South Korea, converted it into Korean won and then dispersed the proceeds across numerous domestic bank accounts.The case occurs as South Korea continues to debate a comprehensive framework for its crypto market, even as digital assets have become a common investment for local households.Towards the end of last year, South Korea tightened oversight of cryptocurrency transactions, unveiling plans to expand its anti-money laundering framework. The government announced that the Travel Rule, a key compliance measure requiring information sharing on crypto transfers, will soon apply to transactions below 1 million won (approximately $680). The initiative introduced bans on insider trading, market manipulation, and other illicit practices while strengthening regulators’ oversight powers. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

The second full week of January in the financial markets was relatively quiet in comparison to the first week. Volumes were muted across the board, as stocks, and metals have entered consolidation areas. The series of events within the week included the US CPI report and earnings reports of financial companies from the US.So far, the data hasn’t added anything: the CPI report was slightly softer than expected (2.5% vs 2.6% anticipated), though probabilities of the interest rate kept unchanged for two upcoming meetings of FOMC have increased. Despite that, yields of 30-year bonds of the US have declined displaying some safe haven demand.30-year bond yields for the US. Source: https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/US30YThe main intrigue within the week, however, was not the interest rate. It was a geopolitical factor: the unrest in Iran and the related threat from the US president Donald Trump to Iran’s authorities, has created a speculation for Crude oil. Despite the softening rethorics, there’s still a possibility of a strike from the US towards Iran. Markets, however, seem to not bet on any escalation, as volatility dropped across the board, with Gold keeping in the tight trading range, indices shaking within the range, and Crude oil erasing most of the week’s rally.Tech stocks back in playNasdaq was lagging behind Russell2000 and S&P500 during the first two weeks of January, as basic material, industrial, and oil stocks were moving in a bullish rally.The spread between tech and industrial stocks has reached the lower band of the Bollinger Bands (which stands for 2 standard deviations from the 20-day moving average).Usually, that is a moment for rotation, and Nasdaq might fuel up the rally at the 2nd part of January.XLK/XLI spread: it indicates the ratio between two ETFs representing tech and industrial sectors respectively. If the spread reaches the supposed bottom of the trading range, it’s expected to bounce, which usually means acceleration of the sector in the numerator. Source: Tradingview.comThe CNN’s fear-and-greed index also flashes a “greed” mode, having good strength and momentum, whereas breadth (i.e. the stability of the flow) is neutral, but not negative.Next week, traders will await the publication of the PCE index on Thursday (also known as “FED’s inflation”). The World economic forum in Davos will take place between 19 and 23th of January, and traders will also focus on statements and speeches of politicians and central bankers,Now, let’s dive into the performance of Nasdaq and Gold, and try to figure out the possible track for the upcoming period.Gold (XAUUSD)Gold has reached the new all-time-high, not being able to keep the momentum and having locked in a consolidation for several days, as demand for safe haven assets. Volume and open was rising for Gold futures according to the data from Chicago Mercantile Exchange, but the price action didn’t confirm the follow-through.That skews probability for some correction, as the market would need to deleverage before resuming the uptrend. From a technical standpoint, the price is locked in a very narrow trading range (coil), and if the new peak won’t be achieved early in the week, the possibility of a correction would increase: that might push the price towards the $4500 area as shown at the chart.Gold (XAUUSD), D1. Source: Exness.comNasdaqNasdaq might be completing the consolidation phase before making another leg up. Technical and financial sectors were lagging behind other sectors (basic materials, industrial, energy sectors), but should the bull market continue, the rotation of sectors might start and drive Nasdaq from the trading range as shown at the chart.The market is entering the earnings season, and many big tech companies were in a drawdown (AAPL, NVDA, PLTR) dragging the Nasdaq down. If the buying activity will get back to techs, we might observe another round of buying for the US tech sector.Nasdaq (USTEC), D1. Source: Exness.com This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

“I cannot even begin to put my family’s struggles during this time into words. When the CFTC did what it did, the effect was devastating. I went for seven months without a single penny to my name.”For the first time since My Forex Funds was abruptly shut down in August 2023, its founder and CEO, Murtuza Kazmi, is speaking publicly about the chain of events that followed - an enforcement action that erased one of the prop trading industry’s largest firms overnight and triggered a legal battle. That fight ended with the case dismissed with prejudice, after a US Court found that key facts had been misrepresented by the CFTC in bad faith in order to obtain an asset freeze.In the interview, Kazmi walks through how the investigation began without warning, how corporate and personal accounts were frozen within hours, and how the fallout rippled through employees and traders awaiting payouts. He also outlines what comes next: with assets and systems now gradually being restored, My Forex Funds is signalling a potential return to the market, even as key questions remain unresolved.“We Were Blindsided”According to Kazmi, it all started as one big shock: "We were blindsided by the CFTC’s discreet investigation".The CFTC initially charged My Forex Funds and Kazmi with fraud. According to the regulator, MFF acted as a counterparty in settling traders against its customers and terminated customers' accounts under false pretences. The platform was also accused of using manipulative software to execute customers' orders at the worst possible prices.The regulator at the time said that the company generated at least $310 million in fees through its prop trading business. However, Kazmi now highlights that “it was a bit more than what the CFTC alleged.” He further revealed that MFF had close to half a million users since its inception and paid out over $290 million to traders by 2023.Important Notice ?Yesterday we learned that, without prior notice or discussion, a provincial securities regulator in Canada and the commodities regulator in the United States issued orders preventing us from trading securities or accessing funds in our bank accounts.Until… pic.twitter.com/dKpxmx5axT— MyForexFunds (@MyForexFunds) September 1, 2023“Nightmare for Our Staff”Along with the accusations, the regulatory agency obtained a temporary restraining order and asset freeze against My Forex Funds and Kazmi, which shuttered the prop trading services overnight. The asset freeze not only impacted the firm’s assets, but it also barred Kazmi from accessing his own money.Recalling the struggles, he said: “I had to beg and borrow funds from family and friends. From getting gas for the car to buying groceries to paying for medication, all had to be done on borrowed funds.”"The hardest moments were the ones involving my children. Explaining to my seven-year-old son why we couldn't hold a birthday party because our resources were unjustly taken was a low point I wouldn't wish on anyone.“My family, my MFF family, community, and I always knew and believed that we didn’t do anything wrong. This is one of the main ways we coped with this situation.”When asked about his breaking points, he said that “there were a lot of tears.”“When we had to let go of our amazing global workforce, everyone had their own struggles, and when they lost their income, it hurt in a way that I cannot put into words. Some newly married couples, some buying homes, others who were caring for their elderly parents, all were stripped of their future. Their messages, their cries still resonate in my mind.”He also emphasised that the MFF staff “were aware that MFF was being wrongfully accused and knew that we would eventually overcome the stressful times,” adding: “However, losing a job without much explanation and due to no fault of their own must have been a nightmare for our staff.”“They Chose Speed Over Accuracy”It later came to light that CFTC representatives had “deliberately” mischaracterised the company's tax payment as a personal payment to Kazmi to obtain the freeze order. After a legal challenge by the defence, the court lifted most of the asset freeze on Kazmi’s holdings.“They chose to prioritise speed over accuracy, as they did not take the time to understand either the business or the industry in which we operated,” Kazmi claims. “The agency’s failure to interview our team or investigate the industry led to the false portrayal of legitimate tax payments as 'missing' funds. They spoke to only one of our vendor analysts, who wasn’t aware of the full scope of the business. No team members were interviewed, no customer complaints were filed, and there was no missing money, as the CFTC initially portrayed to get a freeze order from the district court.”“This lack of due diligence, combined with what the court found to be a willful disregard for the truth, resulted in a significant miscarriage of justice.”In August 2023, MyForexFunds was wrongfully shut down. The CFTC’s case in USA has been dismissed and the unwinding process of Receivership in Canada is still ongoing. Thank you to our community for your support and strength during this time.Please see an update from our CEO… pic.twitter.com/p4Dyi3cHVL— MyForexFunds (@MyForexFunds) October 9, 2025The Commissioner DramaLater, the lapses in CFTC's investigations also came to light in open court through statements and filings. The lead investigator in the case even gave false testimony in court to hide the procedural lapses.The defence lawyers sought a sanctions order against the agency. “I found out that the CFTC had possibly made a mistake within the first 2-3 days,” Kazmi said. “We all make mistakes, and I thought they did as well.” “However, as we went back and forth, it became clear that prior to filing their application, the CFTC had received an email from the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) confirming that these transfers were tax payments made to the Canada Revenue Agency.”“I cannot comment on why the investigator made false testimony. What I understand is that the US District Court judge explained that the action was intended to secure a tactical advantage by freezing the company’s assets and restricting my financial resources, while still expecting me to fight on equal terms.”The agency faced another massive setback when, in the middle of the court battle, one of its then-Commissioners, Caroline Pham, officially criticised its enforcement division, saying: “This type of behaviour cannot be tolerated at a law enforcement agency.”Read more: CFTC Commissioner Drama and My Forex Funds Case - "Government Lawyers Can't Afford to Slip"Following her intervention, a US Senator took up the issue, without naming MFF, and sent a set of questionnaires to the CFTC Chair, asking him to clarify the agency’s “processes and procedures.”A Bloomberg report later claimed that multiple attorneys involved with the MFF case, along with investigators, were put on “administrative leave”.Notably, the CFTC’s lead attorney for the MFF case admitted in court that the investigations were “careless and sloppy”.“I would say that the agency’s enforcement division had its own issues, not the CFTC,” the MFF founder continued. “The agency’s leadership, i.e., the commissioners, were not even aware of what was going on till we had filed an official sanctions motion.”He also believes that “administrative leave seems like an insufficient response to the scale of the damage caused,” adding that “there must be a fundamental systemic change to prevent those in powerful positions from misusing their authority to destroy livelihoods and businesses based on false pretences.”When asked if he or any of the MFF representatives spoke to Pham, he said: “We neither approached her nor were we ever able to speak with her directly.”Although the court dismissed the CFTC’s case against MFF and Kazmi, it was not necessarily because the regulator could not prove the original allegations. Rather, it was because of deliberate procedural misconduct.Kazmi, however, believes that if the case were to continue, MFF “would have won the case regardless.”“We were fully prepared to demonstrate that our business was lawful, transparent, and consistent with industry standards and practices,” he continued. “At the end of the day, whether due to improper handling, which essentially amounted to misleading the court, or on merit itself, I am confident the outcome would have been the same: MFF’s victory.”Interestingly, the CFTC and MFF were also discussing a settlement, but they were “unable to reach terms”, according to Kazmi.“Today, Anyone with Instagram can Start a Prop Firm”At its peak, MFF was one of the largest prop trading venues. Since its collapse the industry has undergone significant changes. “The industry certainly changed, but I am not sure whether it was for the better or for the worse,” Kazmi stressed. “I have continued to observe the prop trading industry closely. It pains me to say that the industry has not moved in a positive direction.”“During the 'MFF era,' most prop firms were run by experienced professionals with strong technical and trading backgrounds. Today, it seems that anyone with an Instagram account and a small amount of capital can start a prop firm. This shift has negatively affected the industry and, more importantly, the end users. The rise in payout denials, along with unnecessary and unclear rules designed to deny payouts, clearly reflects the downward spiral the prop industry is currently experiencing.”“Recovering Everything That Rightfully Belongs to Us”Now, MFF is also teasing a comeback to the industry. Although it did not confirm a relaunch, it is now in the process of getting back its assets and data.Related: My Forex Funds Clone Targets Traders While the Prop Trading Firm Battles CFTC at CourtKazmi also highlighted that the present state of the prop trading industry “presents an opportunity for us and for true industry leaders to make things right again.”“I believe we can bring the industry back to its prior glory by launching some ideas that will require participation from both the market at large and from three or four of our biggest competitors.”Dear MFF Family and Prop Community,Our roadmap is more than just a plan; it’s a journey we’re taking together with our community. We’re opening the doors to transparency - keeping you informed of each step, challenge, and achievement along the way. From early victories to… pic.twitter.com/hNGC9yTFwv— MyForexFunds (@MyForexFunds) November 6, 2025He further stressed that relaunching MFF presents challenges, as the company, which has recently regained access to its assets, must rebuild a team to conduct proper analysis.“Then, we need to recover data from various vendors, some of whom may not be cooperative,” Kazmi added. “Once the data and teams are in place, we can begin analysing and determining what the future holds for MFF. For now, my utmost priority is recovering everything that rightfully belonged to us.”However, it remains unclear what happened to the MFF traders who were entitled to a payout at the time of the shutdown. Kazmi did not give a straight answer to the fate of those traders, but said: “We are just starting to gain access back to these systems and the data inside them, with court-ordered restoration in progress, along with putting together a team to conduct analysis. Once the analysis is complete, I will be in a better position to provide more information and answer this.”Another talking point in the prop industry is the prospect of new regulations. The industry today remains unregulated, but regulators are already taking an interest in the sector. FinanceMagnats.com earlier reported that the pan-European regulator ran an initial check and also discussed possible regulations.“Regulation will likely evolve as the industry continues to grow and becomes more mainstream,” Kazmi believes. “As for how that regulation should take shape, we have ideas and are open to discussions with all relevant regulatory bodies, as appropriate.”Arnab Shome contributed to this article. This article was written by Yam Yehoshua at www.financemagnates.com.

Crypto Fund Trader (CFT), the first proprietary trading firm built specifically for crypto traders, today announced that it has paid more than $18 million to traders, marking a key milestone in the development of crypto proprietary trading.Founded as a crypto-native firm from the outset, CFT was not created as an adaptation of traditional prop trading models. Instead, it was built around the structural realities of digital asset markets, including blockchain-based infrastructure, continuous trading hours, and elevated volatility.This foundation positioned Crypto Fund Trader as a pioneer in a category that did not previously exist. Today, that early vision continues to translate into sustained leadership.From the Pioneer to Leader in the Crypto Prop Trading IndustryThe announcement of more than $18 million distributed to traders reflects the maturity and scale of Crypto Fund Trader’s operating model. In an industry where growth is often uneven and credibility must be earned over time, consistent payouts based on real trading performance remain a clear indicator of stability.CFT has developed infrastructure capable of supporting a growing global trader base while maintaining disciplined risk management and reliable execution across volatile market conditions. This ability to scale without sacrificing consistency has positioned Crypto Fund Trader as a reference point for crypto prop trading.Trust Built on TransparencyTrust in financial markets is demonstrated through transparency. Crypto Fund Trader operates with Proof of Reserves, making it the only crypto prop firm that publicly and transparently demonstrates it has the funds to back its traders.By introducing verifiable accountability into a segment where opacity has often been common, CFT sets a higher standard for the industry. Proof of Reserves is treated not as a differentiator, but as an operational requirement that reinforces confidence and raises expectations across the crypto prop trading landscape.Execution, Scale, and ConsistencyCFT’s leadership is reflected in its day-to-day operations rather than in feature lists or comparisons. In crypto markets, reliable execution is essential, particularly during periods of heightened volatility. Infrastructure must also be capable of scaling without introducing instability.Consistency plays a central role as well. Predictable rules, stable systems, and timely payouts allow traders to focus on performance while relying on the firm’s underlying structure. Crypto Fund Trader integrates execution, scale, and consistency into a single operating framework designed exclusively for cryptocurrency trading.Trading With a Broader PurposeThrough Ascend, Crypto Fund Trader reinforces a long-term vision that extends beyond short-term individual profit. Ascend reflects the firm’s commitment to sustainability, responsibility, and meaningful impact within the broader crypto ecosystem.By incorporating this perspective into its identity, CFT positions itself not only as a proprietary trading firm, but as a company aligned with the long-term evolution of digital asset markets.Setting the Industry StandardCrypto Fund Trader was created for crypto traders at a time when no true crypto-native prop firm existed. By establishing standards tailored specifically to digital asset markets, the firm helped define how crypto proprietary trading could operate at scale.The announcement of more than $18 million paid to traders reinforces that position. Through verifiable results, transparent Proof of Reserves, and consistent execution, Crypto Fund Trader continues to demonstrate what leadership looks like as the crypto prop trading industry matures.About Crypto Fund TraderCrypto Fund Trader https://cryptofundtrader.com is a next-generation prop firm, offering traders the opportunity to prove their skills and earn real rewards through simulated capital. Specialized in the evaluation of crypto, forex, indices, commodities, and stock traders through a performance-based model. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

A survey conducted by CMC Markets indicates that UK investors are cautious about the trading outlook for 2026. The results show a broadly pessimistic view of domestic markets and a preference for opportunities abroad.The survey asked participants to rate the UK trading landscape on a scale from one, meaning overwhelmingly negative, to 10, meaning overwhelmingly positive. Respondents gave an average score of 4.3, reflecting slight pessimism about trading in the UK next year.UK Trading Outlook Weak, Uncertainty PersistsLaurence Booth, Global Head of Markets at CMC Markets, said 2025 was “another challenging year for the UK trading landscape,” and investors “do not anticipate that things will change significantly in the year ahead.” He added that following the November 2025 Autumn Budget, investors are “viewing the UK markets sceptically and turning their attention abroad,” which could affect economic growth.Nearly a quarter of respondents, 22 percent, gave scores of one or two, signalling strong pessimism. Only 2 percent scored nine or 10. Almost half, 48 percent, gave middle-range scores of four, five, or six, suggesting uncertainty about the 2026 outlook.Tax Pressures Weigh on UK Trading SentimentThe survey also asked about expectations for global markets. More than two fifths of respondents, 43 percent, predicted the US would be the best-performing market in 2026. The Far East, excluding Japan, was next at 26 percent, followed by Japan at 11 percent.Few investors expect strong performance from the UK or continental Europe. Only 3 percent named the UK as a top market, the same proportion as South America. Continental Europe was chosen by 10 percent of respondents.Booth said tax measures are weighing on investor sentiment. “Higher rates of tax and a frozen income tax threshold” are “further dampen[ing] the mood towards trading in the UK,” he said, adding that this is shaping trading behaviour. He concluded that while there is hope for “better performance in 2026,” investors “require further convincing.” This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.