Large financial institutions are beginning to address how existing compliance frameworks apply to prediction markets, marking one of the first clear signs that the sector is entering the scope of formal corporate policy. JPMorgan Chase is among the first to review its internal rules on employee participation in event-based trading. According to Barron’s, citing sources familiar with the matter, the bank is considering whether to issue more explicit guidance for its roughly 320,000 employees on the use of platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket. The review does not signal a move into prediction markets as a business line. Instead, it highlights a more immediate issue: how established rules — particularly around insider trading and the use of confidential information — extend to a new type of asset.Extending Existing Rules to a New Asset Class In practice, this means applying existing standards to unfamiliar ground. If adopted, such guidance would make it explicit that employees cannot use material non-public information when trading event contracts, just as they cannot in equities or derivatives. This effectively brings prediction markets into the same compliance perimeter as traditional financial instruments. This is one of the first institutional responses to prediction markets as a category rather than a curiosity. Until recently, activity on these platforms largely sat outside formal corporate policies. The shift also reflects a broader alignment between corporate compliance and regulatory thinking. The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has already indicated that insider trading rules can apply to prediction markets, particularly in cases involving misappropriation of confidential information. Lawmakers have also begun to examine whether additional restrictions are needed for trading tied to sensitive events.Why This Is Becoming a Compliance Issue Recent market activity has made these questions harder to ignore. Contracts linked to geopolitical developments, corporate events, and economic outcomes create scenarios where informational advantages can exist — even if proving misuse remains complex. At the same time, prediction markets are increasingly used as a source of alternative data and sentiment signals. This creates a tension for institutions: the same markets that provide useful information may also introduce new compliance risks. JPMorgan’s review is an early example of how that tension is being addressed. More broadly, it suggests that prediction markets are moving into a phase where both regulators and corporations are beginning to treat them as part of the financial system’s existing rule set, rather than as a separate category. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Gold did something unusual on Monday: it dropped toward $4,900, its lowest level in a month, during an active Middle East conflict in which the Strait of Hormuz is partially blocked and oil is trading near $84 per barrel. By Tuesday March 17, it has bounced back above the $5,000 psychological level and is trading at $5,016 per ounce, but the Monday move exposed a fragility in the gold rally that the precious metals community cannot ignore. The same forces that drove gold from $2,600 to over $5,400 in twelve months - dollar weakness, dovish Fed expectations, central bank buying - are now running in reverse, at least temporarily.In this article, I will break down why gold and silver are falling, examine technical analysis of both XAU/USD and XAG/USD charts, and compile the most significant price predictions for 2026, including Robert Kiyosaki's extraordinary new forecast. Based on my over 15 years of experience as an analyst and retail investor, here is what I am watching.Follow me on X for real-time gold and silver market analysis: @ChmielDkWhy Gold Is Going Down? The Dollar, Rates, and the Oil ParadoxGold initially spiked from $5,296 to $5,423 when Iran threatened the Strait of Hormuz - the instinctive safe-haven reaction. It then reversed hard, losing more than 6% from that intraday high in a matter of sessions. The Dollar Index has recovered sharply, climbing above 100.2 - its highest level since May 2025 - making gold significantly more expensive for buyers using non-dollar currencies. As Linh Tran, Market Analyst at XS.com, explains: "A stronger greenback makes gold more expensive for investors holding other currencies, thereby exerting downward pressure on the precious metal."The dollar recovery is itself a consequence of oil: the Hormuz closure has pushed Brent toward $84, reigniting inflation fears that reduce the probability of Fed rate cuts in June from 57% just weeks ago to below 49% today.The 10-year Treasury yield sitting at 4.2-4.3% creates the second layer of pressure. As Tran puts it, "when bond yields rise, the opportunity cost of holding gold increases, which tends to reduce the appeal of the non-yielding asset." Gold rallied from $2,600 to $5,400 largely on the expectation that yields would fall as the Fed cut rates. That thesis is now in question, and gold is repricing accordingly.Kevin Warsh's nomination as the next Fed Chair in early February added a structural dimension to the selling. Markets read Warsh as more hawkish on inflation than his predecessor, and the CME subsequently raised margin requirements on metal futures - triggering the same forced liquidation cascade that hit silver in January.Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026, which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC.Why Silver Is Falling?Silver's situation mirrors gold's but with added volatility from its industrial character. Monday marked the fourth consecutive session of losses, with silver dropping to $77 per ounce - its lowest level in a month - before bouncing to close barely positive, up just 0.2%. Tuesday is so far producing more of the same: silver is losing 0.15% and trading just above the $80 critical support level.Rania Gule, Senior Market Analyst at XS.com, identifies the primary driver: "The current decline in silver is not merely a temporary correction, but a deeper repricing of market expectations regarding the path of U.S. interest rates - the most influential factor in the short term for non-yielding assets." She notes that fading rate cut expectations "reshape investor behaviour toward alternative assets, as the opportunity cost of holding the white metal rises in a monetary environment that still offers relatively stable or positive real yields."The December 2025 analysis covering Kiyosaki's original $200 silver prediction noted this exact risk - the precious metals rally was built partly on dovish Fed assumptions that could reverse. The January surge analysis projecting $6,000 gold and the $375 silver forecast were both predicated on continued dollar weakness and easing. That assumption has been tested hard in March.Gold Technical Analysis: XAU/USD Consolidating Near HighsAs my chart shows, gold is still consolidating near its historical highs set in late January around $5,600. The structure is a defined range with clear boundaries. The lower boundary sits around $4,850-$4,900, where the 50-day MA runs and where the February lows formed. The upper boundary is the January 28 peak at $5,400, retested at the beginning of March. At $5,016 on Tuesday, we are in the middle of this channel - the white metal is consolidating, not collapsing.The Monday dip to $4,900 was alarming as an intraday event but the key question is whether it becomes the beginning of a more sustained selloff or simply a liquidity flush of the kind described above. If the consolidation breaks downward, my chart shows a sequence of meaningful supports: $4,550 (the late 2025 historical highs), then $4,360, and ultimately $4,200 - the 200-day MA, which for me is the level that separates a bull trend from a bear trend. As long as gold holds above $4,200, the structural uptrend that began in late 2024 remains intact.Only a sustained break below $4,200 would force a fundamental reassessment of the bull case. Above $5,400 - the January high - and gold opens the path toward new all-time highs and the analyst targets above $6,000.Silver at a Pivotal LevelSilver's chart tells the same story as gold's but with higher stakes at the current price. As my analysis shows, silver has been trading in a defined consolidation range for over a month. The upper boundary is $90-$94 - last tested in late February. The lower boundary is $70 - the December and early February lows. At $80, we are exactly in the middle of this range.The $80 level is not simply the midpoint. It is also the site of the 50-day EMA and the December 2025 historical highs - two independent technical forces converging at the same price. Silver has bounced from this level three separate times since early March, which gives it credibility as support. Crucially, the price is currently sitting just below the 50 EMA - a level it needs to reclaim on a closing basis to ease the near-term selling pressure.Below the consolidation, the 200-day MA sits just above $60-$62, and the ultimate structural support is the October 2025 historical highs at $54 per ounce - a 33% decline from current levels. That is the extreme bear case. The bull case is the mirror image: a break above $94 reopens the path to the all-time high at $120, with no meaningful technical resistance between those two levels.Kiyosaki's $35,000 Gold Price Prediction: The Bubble Bust ThesisRobert Kiyosaki's latest forecast, posted to his 2.4 million X followers on March 16 and generating over 407,000 views, is his most dramatic yet. "I predict gold will hit $35,000 an ounce one year after the gold bubble goes pop," he wrote, framing it around what he calls "the biggest bubble bust in history." In the same post he set $200 silver, $750,000 Bitcoin, and $95,000 Ethereum as the one-year-post-crash targets.BIGGEST BUBBLE BUSTI do not know what pin, what event will pop the biggest bubbles in histor. What ever the event, the pin is near.It’s not IF. It’s WHEN.When the bubbles go bust I predict gold will hit $35,000 an ounce one year after the gold bubble goes pop..I predict…— Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) March 16, 2026The internal logic of Kiyosaki's thesis is consistent with his previous calls, even if the numbers are extraordinary. He has long argued that fiat currency debasement, fiscal deficits, and unsustainable debt levels will ultimately produce a global financial crisis that destroys paper assets and hyperinflates real ones. The December 2025 FinanceMagnates.com analysis covering his $200 silver call noted his track record of directionally correct but temporally imprecise forecasts - he was right that silver would reach $80, then $100, then $120, but the timing of each target slipped. A $35,000 gold price implies a roughly 6x rally from current levels and a market capitalization for gold above $175 trillion, exceeding the total value of all global equities.The "when not if" framing matters here. Kiyosaki is not making a 2026 price call. He is making a structural argument that the current monetary system produces a crisis, and that precious metals benefit enormously in the aftermath. Whether that crisis arrives in 2026, 2028, or 2032 is the variable his forecast does not pin down.Gold Price Predictions 2026: The Institutional RangeThe Wall Street consensus for gold in 2026 remains broadly bullish despite the March correction, with most forecasts clustering in the $5,000-$6,500 range for year-end. Goldman Sachs has maintained its $6,000 target, citing continued central bank buying and dollar weakness as structural tailwinds. UBS and Citigroup have published similar forecasts, with Citi flagging $6,000 as achievable if the Fed cuts twice before year-end.The bear cases are less publicized but not absent. AInvest notes that "a hawkish pivot from the Fed at the March 18 meeting - removing rate cuts from 2026 projections - could trigger significant volatility" and a test of the lower consolidation boundary at $4,850-$4,900. A break below $4,200 (200 MA) would represent a structural breakdown that no major institution is currently forecasting but that my chart identifies as the level to watch.FAQWhy is gold going down in March 2026?Gold is falling because the dollar has strengthened to its highest level since May 2025, with the DXY climbing above 100.2, making gold more expensive for non-dollar buyers. Simultaneously, the 10-year Treasury yield is sitting at 4.2-4.3%, raising the opportunity cost of holding a non-yielding asset. How high can gold go in 2026?As shown on my chart, a break above the $5,400 upper consolidation boundary - the January 28 all-time high - reopens the path toward Goldman Sachs' $6,000 target and Citigroup's $6,000+ scenario, both requiring two Fed cuts before year-end. Robert Kiyosaki's extreme scenario puts gold at $35,000 one year after what he calls the biggest bubble bust in history.How low can gold go before the bull trend breaks?As shown on my chart, the sequence of supports below the current $5,016 price runs through $4,550 (late 2025 historical highs), then $4,360, and ultimately the 200-day EMA at $4,200 - the level I identify as the dividing line between bull and bear trend. As long as gold holds above $4,200, the structural uptrend that began in late 2024 remains intact. A sustained close below that level would be the first genuine signal of a trend reversal.Why is silver falling alongside gold?Silver is under the same dollar and rates pressure as gold, but faces the additional headwind of fading industrial demand expectations as growth forecasts are revised lower. Rania Gule of XS.com identifies "fading expectations of near-term rate cuts" as the primary driver, noting the shift in Fed tone "from easing to caution" raises the opportunity cost of holding silver. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Spotware Systems said today (Tuesday) it recently launched cBridge, a standalone liquidity bridge designed to connect brokers to multiple liquidity providers across different trading platforms. The company claims the product can reduce bridge costs by up to 80% for high-volume brokers by replacing per-trade billing with a flat infrastructure pricing model.Under the existing industry norm, brokers typically pay bridge fees that scale with trading volume, meaning costs climb as client activity grows. Spotware says cBridge upends that model by charging based on the number of servers and connections involved, keeping expenses consistent regardless of how much business flows through the system. The company argues the benefit compounds as broker volumes rise, since margins expand rather than being absorbed by rising vendor fees."For years, brokers have taken for granted that bridge costs rise with volume, and that managing routing rules means dealing with disconnected tables spread across multiple screens," said Ilia Iarovitcyn, CEO of Spotware Systems. Platform-Agnostic Design Targets MT4 and MT5 UsersOne of the product's central claims is platform neutrality. cBridge is built to connect cTrader alongside MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and FIX API environments to multiple liquidity providers through a single interface, according to the company. Unified quote pricing and routing rules apply across all connected servers, Spotware said, with ready integrations and protocol coverage across trading, pricing and reporting functions.This cross-platform approach matters in a broker landscape that remains heavily fragmented. The MetaTrader ecosystem still commands a large share of retail and institutional broker infrastructure, while cTrader has been gaining ground, particularly among prop trading firms and tech-focused brokers. By positioning cBridge as compatible with all major platforms, Spotware appears to be pitching the product to a wider addressable market than its own client base, and competing more directly with dedicated bridge providers such as TakeProfitTech, whose MT5 bridge technology has seen growing adoption among offshore broker clients."cBridge brings fixed infrastructure-based pricing and an operations-first interface, because as a broker grows, its margins should improve - not its vendor's revenue."Spotware frames the design philosophy under what it calls a "Be Open" principle, aimed at giving brokers more flexibility in how they build their technology stack. Whether that translates into broader adoption beyond existing cTrader clients remains to be seen.Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026, which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC.Routing Logic Gets a Visual OverhaulManaging order routing is one of the more labor-intensive tasks in broker operations, and Spotware says cBridge includes several interface features aimed at reducing that burden. Color-coded validation lets dealing teams scan complex rule sets more quickly, the company said, while inactive rules are flagged within the routing grid. Hovering over any rule is claimed to surface the underlying issue directly, whether a deleted symbol, a conflicting parameter, or an entry overridden by a higher-priority rule.The system also runs cross-setting validation checks across symbols, streams and routing rules, including what Spotware describes as the bridge-to-platform boundary, where configuration conflicts can go undetected during initial setup. Spotware's broader infrastructure push has been telegraphed for some time. CEO Iarovitcyn discussed the cBridge launch in a February interview with FinanceMagnates.com, alongside the company's record 2025 growth figures and AI integration plans, signaling that the product had been in development as part of a wider expansion of Spotware's broker services.A Broader Shift in Spotware's StrategyThe cBridge launch comes as Spotware has been reporting rapid growth across its core business. The company said in January that cTrader trading volumes doubled year-on-year in 2025, adding roughly 2 million new users to the platform. That growth has coincided with an expansion of partnerships, including a deal with iSAM Securities to give retail brokers access to risk management and execution tools directly through the cTrader ecosystem.With cBridge, Spotware is making an explicit move beyond its identity as a single-platform vendor. The product is marketed to any broker running MT4 or MT5 infrastructure, not just existing cTrader clients, which represents a meaningful shift in the company's go-to-market positioning. Spotware was founded in 2010 and employs more than 200 people. The company said brokers can request a demo through the cbridge.com website. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Loyal Primus, the global multi-asset brokerage firm, today announced a significant milestone in its corporate journey following its acquisition by a newly structured institutional management group with a strong background in financial services governance, compliance, and capital markets.The strategic transaction marks a transformational chapter for Loyal Primus, positioning the company under leadership with enhanced regulatory expertise, strengthened capital structure, and institutional-grade operational oversight.A Strategic Transition, Not Just a Change in OwnershipThe acquisition reflects a broader vision: to elevate Loyal Primus from a fast-growing brokerage brand into a globally recognised financial services institution built on governance, transparency, and long-term sustainability.The new controlling management group brings:Extensive experience in regulated financial marketsStrengthened compliance infrastructureInstitutional risk management frameworksCapital backing to support long-term expansionThis transition reinforces Loyal Primus’ commitment to responsible growth in an increasingly regulated and sophisticated trading environment.Strengthening Governance and Market ConfidenceUnder the new ownership structure, Loyal Primus will implement enhanced internal governance standards, focusing on:Risk oversight and capital adequacy managementRegulatory alignment across operating jurisdictionsStrengthened client fund safeguarding protocolsInstitutional-level operational controlsThe company emphasised that client accounts, trading conditions, and daily operations remain uninterrupted, with improvements focused primarily on governance and strategic expansion.Positioning for the Next Phase of Global ExpansionWith a reinforced capital structure and experienced leadership team, Loyal Primus aims to accelerate:Regulatory footprint enhancementTechnology infrastructure upgradesInstitutional partnerships Regional market expansionThe new management group’s mandate is clear: transform Loyal Primus into a benchmark brokerage brand that balances innovation with discipline.A Message to Clients and Partners“This transaction represents more than a change in ownership, it is a commitment to building a stronger, more resilient Loyal Primus,” said a spokesperson from the newly appointed management team. “Our focus is credibility, sustainability, and delivering long-term value to our clients and partners.” This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

DIGITEC, the Hamburg-based FX Swaps and NDF pricing technology company, has appointed Jessica Roberts as Head of Revenue Operations and Enablement, the firm announced today (Tuesday), adding a veteran of CME Group and EBS BrokerTec to its expanding London presence.Roberts joins from CME, where she spent more than seven years across two senior roles, most recently as Senior Director of Sales Operations and Enablement. In her new position, she will oversee revenue strategy and execution, with responsibility for aligning sales, marketing, and customer success functions across the business, the company said.Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026, which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC.Fifteen Years Across Institutional FX MarketsRoberts' career cuts across some of the most established names in institutional FX infrastructure. She started at EBS BrokerTec in 2011 in emerging markets sales before rising to lead the platform's off-SEF NDF desk and its CNH currency business.[#highlighted-links#] She later served as business manager for the COO at NEX Optimisation, the post-trade services division of NEX Group, before transitioning into CME Group as part of that company's absorption of NEX in 2018. Trading Technologies later integrated EBS Market into its platform in 2025, extending retail and professional access to spot FX, precious metals, and NDFs through the same infrastructure Roberts once helped run.Roberts Steps into an Expanding London OperationDIGITEC opened its London office in 2021, when the firm brought in Stephan von Massenbach as Chief Revenue Officer to lead commercial efforts from what the company described as the world's primary FX hub. That hire was followed by Peer Joost's elevation to CEO in January 2022, as the firm pushed to deepen its commercial footprint beyond its core German banking clients.Joost said Roberts "brings extensive experience in revenue operations, combined with knowledge of Emerging Markets FX and NDFs, and many senior industry relationships." Von Massenbach framed the hire around the firm's expansion ambitions, saying, "As the market evolves to a more electronic structure the demand for FX Swaps and NDF trading technology solutions is increasing. Jessica will play a key role in creating the structure required to support this market demand and our ambitious growth plans."Electronification of Swaps Accelerates Across the IndustryThe push toward automated FX Swaps infrastructure has picked up pace across multiple venues and providers. BGC Group launched a fully electronic platform for U.S. dollar swaps in late 2025, which the brokerage said would improve speed and transparency for institutional participants. On the NDF side, LMAX Group launched NDF trading in the Asia-Pacific region in 2024, citing data showing global NDF volumes had roughly doubled between 2016 and 2022. The broader shift away from voice-brokered execution in both product classes sits at the heart of DIGITEC's commercial case.Roberts echoed that framing in her statement, describing the company as recognized as "the leader in FX Swaps and NDF technology, adding new bank clients and growing revenues as these markets evolve," and saying she was "excited to be joining the firm during a period of growth and innovation as new services are launched to capture opportunities from the increasingly automated FX Swaps workflows."A Client Base Weighted Toward Major DealersDIGITEC claims that more than half of the world's 50 largest FX trading firms rely on its technology. Its core products include the D3 Pricing engine, D3 Order Management System, and the Swaps Data Feed, co-developed with 360T, the FX subsidiary of Deutsche Börse. A Precious Metals Data Feed rounds out the data offering. 24 Exchange introduced FX Non-Deliverable Swaps for institutional clients in 2025, an example of the widening competitive field for NDF-related flow, which firms like DIGITEC say they are positioned to support through pricing and workflow infrastructure rather than execution itself. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Upvest, a Berlin-based provider of API-based investment infrastructure for banks and fintechs, said today (Tuesday) it has raised $125 million in a new funding round, with the deal valuing the company at €640 million, up from €360 million when it last raised money in December 2024.The round consists of $90 million in equity, led by Sapphire Ventures and Tencent Holdings, with participation from existing investors including BlackRock and Bessemer Venture Partners. The company said it is also in the final stages of securing a $35 million debt facility, which would bring the total financing to $125 million.Upvest Valuation Nearly Doubles in 15 MonthsThe valuation jump follows a period of rapid growth for Upvest, which said it processed more than 100 million investment orders on behalf of clients in 2025. The firm's client roster now includes over 30 financial institutions, among them DKB, Revolut, N26, and Santander's Openbank, which switched to Upvest's API infrastructure for fractional stock and ETF trading in Germany last year. CEO Martin Kassing told Bloomberg the company aims to reach more than €100 million in annualized revenue and profitability within the next 24 months."Banks, brokers, and wealth managers choose Upvest for the infrastructure needed to grow their investment propositions profitably and at scale for a new generation of investors," Kassing added in the official press release.[#highlighted-links#] "The $125m round, just 12 months after our Series C, underscores our momentum to be the top choice for financial institutions launching and scaling best-in-class investment experiences at lightspeed in Europe."Pension Products and AI Drive Expansion PlansUpvest said it plans to use the new capital to roll out localized pension products, including Germany's Altersvorsorgedepot and the UK's Self-Invested Personal Pensions, which it says will allow financial institutions to bring pension offerings to market in months rather than years. The firm is also building out AI-supported investment tools, which it says will enable banks and developers to offer hyper-personalized advisory services to retail customers.The UK has been a growing priority for the company. Upvest hired a former Starling Bank executive last year to lead its push into the British market, targeting what it described as an underpenetrated retail investment opportunity. More recently, the firm added 2.5 million derivatives instruments through a partnership with Boerse Stuttgart in January, broadening the product range available to its banking clients.Banks Now the Primary Growth TargetKassing signaled a shift in where he expects future revenue to come from. "We are onboarding additional retail banks, wealth managers and private banks," he told Bloomberg. "The majority of our sales will come from banks and less than a third from fintechs."That mix has been shifting for some time. While Upvest built much of its early profile through partnerships with neobanks, the company has been adding traditional lenders and brokers to its client base. IG Group signed on to use Upvest's infrastructure to offer stock trading in France last November, and UK digital lender Zopa adopted Upvest's platform to launch stocks and shares ISAs for its 1.6 million customers, sitting alongside Revolut, which also runs on the same underlying infrastructure.Andreas Weiskam, partner at Sapphire Ventures, said the firm sees Upvest's growth as tied directly to broader retail investing trends across the continent. "With retail investing accelerating across Europe, Upvest is expanding into new assets, local tax wrappers, and AI-enabled capabilities, powering the next generation of personalized investing," he said.Series D Follows Quick Succession of RoundsThis latest raise is Upvest's second major funding event in roughly 15 months. The company closed a €100 million Series C in December 2024, at the time citing plans to scale its infrastructure across Europe. The pace of fundraising reflects a broader appetite among investors for B2B fintech infrastructure plays in Europe, where retail investing penetration still lags the United States. Founded in Berlin in 2017, Upvest now employs 280 people and holds regulatory status as a securities institution in both Europe and the UK. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

IG Group-owned crypto exchange Independent Reserve is going to add payment capabilities and yield products for corporate customers across the Asia Pacific. Announced today (Tuesday), the new products will be part of its “next phase of regional expansion” and are slated to launch in the second half of 2026.New Corporate-Centric Crypto ProductsAlthough the new products are subject to regulatory approvals, they will be built on the exchange’s existing regulated infrastructure.“We’re seeing stronger demand from corporates and institutions for infrastructure that is regulated, scalable, and built for long-term participation,” said Lasanka Perera, CEO of Independent Reserve Singapore. “These new products are an extension of how we’ve been evolving our platform as we continue to build on the governance and compliance discipline we’re known for.”IG closed its acquisition of Independent Reserve earlier this year. The London-listed giant, which recently entered the FTSE 100 index, previously revealed its plans to launch “a crypto proposition” for its customers in Singapore, Australia, and the UAE in the second half of 2026 following the deal.Independent Reserve also highlighted that IG, as its parent, would bring global scale, institutional expertise, and platform capabilities to support its next phase of growth.An APAC-Focused Crypto ExchangeHeadquartered in Australia, the crypto exchange generated A$35.3 million in revenue in FY25, a sharp increase from A$18.8 million in the previous year. It also reported EBITDA of A$9.9 million, with a 28.2 per cent margin.At the time of its sale to IG, it had 129,400 funded accounts, A$1.7 billion in assets under custody, and an average of 116,000 monthly active customers.The initial enterprise value of the deal was set at A$178 million. It was valued at five times its annual revenue for the last financial year.IG initially acquired the crypto exchange for A$109.6 million. A further contingent payment of A$15 million will be made based on the performance of the Australian company in FY26. The UK broker also has a call option to purchase the 30 per cent stake it will not own at closing, with the valuation based on performance in FY27 and FY28.“Singapore is a core market for IG,” added Matt Macklin, Managing Director of APAC and ME at IG Group, “with Independent Reserve playing a central role in our digital assets strategy and serving as a springboard for regional growth.” This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

Kraken Pro has introduced 70 traditional finance futures markets for eligible EU clients, giving them access to equity indices, commodities, and FX contracts alongside more than 290 existing crypto perpetuals.Kraken Pro Expands Futures Access for EU TradersAccording to Monday's announcement, the expansion lets users trade short or long positions on assets such as the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, gold, oil, and major currency pairs on the same interface used for digital assets. The contracts follow the CME Group’s extended 23-hour trading schedule, available from Sunday evening to Friday afternoon ET.The launch means Kraken, ranked #14 in daily volumes on CoinMarketCap, is turning into a more full‑service trading venue for European clients by letting them trade major equity indices, commodities and FX futures on the same platform they already use for crypto.You may also like: Maven Joins Wave of Prop Firms Launching Crypto Funded-Trader PlatformsThe products are offered through Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Limited, Kraken’s Cyprus-based investment firm regulated by CySEC. Traders must complete an eligibility assessment before activating derivatives trading on Kraken Pro. Funded accounts receive free real-time Level 1 data, with optional Level 2 for deeper market insight.Macro traders, this one's for you ?TradFi futures are now live on Kraken Pro.Trade S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, gold, oil, FX and more directly on Kraken Pro alongside crypto.Global markets. One terminal.Get started ?https://t.co/iDprZ0UHrs pic.twitter.com/264XzyjYpu— Kraken Pro (@krakenpro) March 16, 2026CySEC-Regulated Offering This launch builds on Kraken’s 2025 rollout of regulated crypto futures in Europe and marks another step toward a unified multi-asset platform. EU traders can now act on global market events across both traditional and digital assets without leaving the exchange’s environment.In recent months, Kraken has laid the groundwork for this move with a series of EU‑focused initiatives. The exchange secured an EU MiFID license via the acquisition of a CySEC‑regulated Cyprus investment firm, paving the way for regulated crypto derivatives across the bloc. Kraken has also deepened its push to blur the lines between digital and traditional assets, extending 24/7 access to tokenized equities and equity‑linked perpetual futures via its xStocks product and it also entered a collaboration with Deutsche Börse aimed at unified trading, custody and settlement across crypto, stocks and futures.On the futures side, Coinbase is the clearest peer moving in a similar direction to Kraken. The exchange recently launched regulated crypto and equity‑index futures across 26 European countries via its CySEC‑licensed MiFID entity. It offers leveraged contracts and index products to eligible users on the same Coinbase Advanced interface they use for spot trading. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Prop trading firm Maven has rolled out a new crypto-focused proprietary trading brand that runs entirely on simulated trading. Dubbed WenCrypto, the platform operates under the Maven Trading brand and targets traders who want to trade crypto without using real deposits or accessing live markets.WenCrypto is here. ?A prop firm where crypto gets the spotlight it deserves. Built by the Maven Trading team. Fast, structured, and designed for people who want momentum. https://t.co/Tt41Km8Gpb pic.twitter.com/RQTwYOrpKD— WenCrypto (@WenCryptoTrade) March 16, 2026Crypto Prop Push In crypto prop trading a firm backs traders to trade with the firm’s capital and infrastructure in return for a share of any profits. Traders focus on strategies in spot and derivatives, while the firm handles risk limits, platforms, and funding. This setup attracts traders who want a professional environment without running their own fund or managing outside clients.In the past year, more firms have entered this space, including teams with a background in major banks. In Hong Kong, former executives from JP Morgan and Dresdner Kleinwort recently launched a dedicated crypto prop venture that targets professional and semi-professional traders. You may also like: TTT Markets Joins Prop Firms Expanding into CFD BrokerageAs new players arrive, competition in crypto prop trading increases. Established crypto shops now face rivals backed by people with experience from global banks and hedge funds. That push raises expectations around risk management, compliance awareness, and trading technology, even when firms focus on training, simulations, or non-broker structures instead of direct market access.Prop Firms Diversify into Crypto and BrokerageSeveral other firms have moved into crypto-focused prop trading. Crypto Fund Trader has positioned itself as a crypto-native prop platform and recently disclosed that it has paid about $18 million to traders, underscoring demand for funded-style crypto programs. Retail prop firms that started in forex and indices are also adding crypto. Besides its crypto prop launch, Maven is one of the prop firms now in the brokerage space. Last year, it secured a brokerage license to restore MetaTrader 5 access for its traders. It launched Maven Trade Ltd in Saint Lucia, allowing it to offer MT5 under its own authorization after MetaQuotes’ earlier crackdown on grey-label setups forced many prop firms, including Maven, to remove the platform. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Polymarket has generated 62.3 billion dollars in notional trading volume over the past three years, giving it a 54.5% share of the 114.4 billion‑dollar prediction markets segment tracked by Token Terminal. Kalshi ranks second with 52 billion dollars in three‑year notional volume, underscoring how the two venues now dominate on‑chain and regulated event trading.According to Token Terminal’s market breakdown, prediction markets as a whole have cleared more than 114 billion dollars in notional flow over the same three‑year period, with Polymarket sitting at the top of the category by cumulative volume. Most of this activity on Polymarket has settled on Polygon, which remains the primary chain for its event contracts over the observed timeframe.Iran-linked event contracts drive record trading volumes as US regulators and lawmakers move to tighten oversight of prediction markets.CFTC Advances Rules on Event ContractsUS regulators have started to formalize how they treat these products. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has issued guidance that categorizes event contracts as a financial asset class and launched a rulemaking process to determine how the Commodity Exchange Act applies to prediction markets.CFTC chair Michael Selig has argued that the agency holds exclusive jurisdiction over these venues, though a recent Ohio court ruling questioned whether federal law fully preempts state gambling statutes in some cases.At the same time, lawmakers are targeting war-related contracts. Senator Adam Schiff has introduced the DEATH BETS Act, which would amend the Commodity Exchange Act to bar CFTC-regulated venues from listing markets tied to war, terrorism, assassination and individual deaths.Read more: Can Your Platform Launch Prediction Markets? A CFTC Compliance ChecklistPrediction markets tied to the escalating US–Iran conflict have pushed trading activity on Polymarket and Kalshi to record levels, even as Washington moves to restrict some of the most controversial contracts. Weekly notional volume on both platforms recently hit new highs, while aggregate prediction market activity has climbed to tens of billions of dollars in notional terms and millions of users.Schiff Bill Targets War and Assassination MarketsThe proposal followed reports that several Polymarket traders earned about 1 million dollars by correctly positioning for a US strike on Iran, and that Israeli authorities arrested two people accused of using confidential information about an Israeli strike to trade on the platform.No injuries are reported in Iran's latest ballistic missile attack on Israel, the fourth today.One missile struck an open area just outside Beit Shemesh, first responders say and footage shows.Sirens had sounded across the Jerusalem area, the West Bank, and parts of southern… pic.twitter.com/j6sovAsDwz— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) March 10, 2026Meanwhile, an Israeli war correspondent says he has received death threats from online gamblers who tried to pressure him into changing a Times of Israel report on an Iranian missile impact so they could win a high‑stakes bet on prediction platform Polymarket. In an account published on Monday, Times of Israel military reporter described a coordinated campaign of emails, social media messages and WhatsApp calls demanding that he amend his description of a March 10 ballistic missile strike near Beit Shemesh from a direct hit to “interceptor debris.”According to the correspondent, anonymous bettors posing as concerned readers, sources and even a lawyer escalated from polite requests and fabricated email screenshots to explicit threats to “finish” him and his family if he did not correct his reporting, claiming they stood to lose around 900,000 dollars if the market resolved against them. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

The Financial Commission has approved FP Trading as its newest member, the organization announced today (Monday).The Financial Commission recently added RA Prime as a member. Other firms that have joined the organization include FP Markets, OneRoyal, FXON, and GTCFX. Neex, which provides trading in forex, indices, and commodities, has also joined the commission.Separately, the commission certified iTech Software, confirming that its technology meets the organization’s trading infrastructure standards. The company provides solutions for forex, CFD, crypto, and NFT brokerages.Commission Offers €20,000 Protection Per ComplaintWith its approval, FP Trading and its clients gain access to the commission’s dispute resolution services, including protection of up to €20,000 per complaint through the Compensation Fund.The Financial Commission operates as an independent dispute resolution body for the financial trading industry. It offers mediation when brokers and clients cannot resolve complaints directly. For participants in CFDs, foreign exchange, and cryptocurrency markets, the commission says its third-party process can be faster and simpler than arbitration or local courts.Broker FP Trading Gains Access to Mediation ServicesFP Trading is an online brokerage providing access to global financial markets, including forex and CFD instruments. The company states it offers trading tools, pricing structures, and order execution systems for both new and experienced market participants, with a focus on technology, transparent conditions, and customer support.By joining the Financial Commission, FP Trading becomes part of a network of brokerages and independent service providers that use the organization’s mediation services as part of their client dispute handling process.Traders Targeted by Fake Commission RepresentativesSeparately, the Commission provided an update on a scam involving individuals falsely claiming to represent the organization. The imposters targeted traders who experienced losses or blocked withdrawals from non-licensed brokers, offering funds recovery and chargeback services for a fee. Some issued letters of guarantee through fictitious companies and falsified contact details resembling legitimate digital wallet providers.The Commission reiterated that it does not offer recovery services, charge fees, send unsolicited messages, or issue guarantees. Traders should consult the official member list, use the Dispute Resolution Form for inquiries, and verify all communications directly with the organization. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

What began as a tool for crowdsourced forecasting is rapidly evolving into a contest of speed, automation, and trading infrastructure.Automation is beginning to reshape prediction markets in much the same way it transformed forex and crypto trading. As volumes surge on platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi, bots are exploiting latency and arbitrage opportunities faster than human traders can react. In the global FX market, algorithmic trading already accounts for roughly 70–80% of spot activity, according to estimates from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS, 2022). High-frequency traders, execution algorithms, and quantitative strategies now dominate price discovery and liquidity. Prediction markets may be moving in the same direction. Evidence of this shift is starting to appear in trader data. A simple review of Polymarket’s public leaderboard found that 14 of the 20 most profitable wallets are bots.14/20 most profitable traders on @Polymarket are bots.The team that builds a proper agentic infrastructure layer for prediction markets will easily be a billion-dollar project. pic.twitter.com/HXYY2aRcaJ— Stacy Muur (@stacy_muur) March 16, 2026 If the pattern continues, prediction markets may follow a trajectory familiar from forex and crypto exchanges: a transition from human speculation toward machine-driven liquidity and price formation. Bots Do Not Need to Predict the Future One widely discussed example illustrates how the edge works. Wallet 0x8dxd reportedly turned roughly $300 into more than $400,000 within a month trading ultra-short crypto prediction contracts. The system did not outperform humans by forecasting outcomes better. It won because it reacted faster. The bot traded 15-minute BTC, ETH and SOL contracts, exploiting latency arbitrage between Polymarket and crypto exchanges such as Binance and Coinbase. When probabilities on Polymarket lagged behind real-time signals from those markets, the system bought the mispricing instantly. Research suggests such strategies can be highly profitable. The paper “Unravelling the Probabilistic Forest” (August 2025) estimates that arbitrage traders extracted roughly $40 million from Polymarket between April 2024 and April 2025 by exploiting structural pricing inefficiencies. The advantage came from execution speed rather than predictive accuracy. The Arbitrage Playbook Most automated trading in prediction markets relies on structural arbitrage rather than superior predictions. Bots exploit simple pricing inconsistencies: buying YES and NO contracts when their combined price drops below $1, capturing price differences between platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi, or identifying logical mismatches between related contracts. Because these strategies depend on speed rather than insight, automated systems can execute them far more effectively than human traders. Why Humans Are Losing the Game For human traders, the disadvantage is structural. Bots operate 24/7, monitor hundreds of markets simultaneously and execute trades without hesitation or emotion. More importantly, they exploit a layer of the market many participants rarely see: data feeds, latency, order routing and cross-venue price differences. In many cases, opportunities exist only for milliseconds — the gap between two systems updating at different speeds.The dynamic is becoming visible across prediction markets. “You have human participants in prediction markets alongside many machines,” said David Minarsch, co-founder of Valory AG in an interview with CoinDesk. “So humans are already in a battle with machines.” Some analyses suggest that only 7–8% of wallets consistently generate profits, a pattern common in speculative markets where most participants lose money over time. However, automation’s dominance is not uniform across all prediction markets. Ultra-short crypto contracts, where outcomes resolve within minutes, are especially vulnerable to latency strategies. Longer-dated markets — such as elections or sports outcomes — still leave more room for human judgment and sentiment analysis. The Rise of Agentic Infrastructure Automation is also creating a new layer of fintech infrastructure around prediction markets. The opportunity is no longer simply building profitable bots. It is building the tools and rails those bots rely on: real-time data aggregation, arbitrage scanners, analytics dashboards, execution engines and automated strategy platforms.Some platforms are already experimenting with autonomous trading agents. “In a nutshell, Polystrat is an autonomous AI agent that trades on Polymarket 24/7 on behalf of its human user,” said Minarsch.Around that core layer, a broader ecosystem is emerging: whale-tracking tools, mispricing detection platforms, arbitrage scanners and institutional-style trading terminals.In effect, prediction markets are developing an algorithmic trading stack similar to the infrastructure that already underpins forex and crypto markets. In financial markets, trading strategies rarely remain profitable forever, but infrastructure often scales much further — supporting thousands of automated participants at once. Who Owns the Bots? Prediction markets were originally designed to aggregate human judgment about future events. But as automation spreads, the crowd increasingly competes with machines. If automated systems already dominate many of the most profitable wallets, the long-term question may no longer be whether humans can outperform prediction markets. The real question is who controls the infrastructure — and the bots — that shape them. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Andreas Pilavakis has left FunderPro to take the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at GOAT Funded Futures, the futures-focused division of prop trading firm GOAT Funded Trader, FinanceMagnates.com has learned.Pilavakis served as head of operations at FunderPro for roughly 19 months before departing in March. His new role, which he is performing remotely from Limassol, marks his first C-suite appointment after a four-year career built almost entirely within Cyprus-based prop firms.From Prop Firm’s Support Desk to C-SuitePilavakis's path into prop firm leadership started in May 2022, when he joined The Trading Pit as a customer support manager. Over the following two and a half years, he rose to head of customer support and later moved into an operations manager role before leaving the firm in August 2024.Within weeks, he joined FunderPro as operations manager, a brand owned by Red Acre, the Malta-based technology company behind trading platform TradeLocker. At the time, Pilavakis said his goal was to achieve "operational excellence and efficiency, driving scalability, and positioning the company as an industry leader by 2025." His title was later upgraded to head of operations before his departure this month."After nearly five years leading prop firm projects and building operational frameworks in the industry, I felt ready for a new challenge," Pilavakis told FinanceMagnates.com. "Moving into a position where ownership and responsibility are core expectations, not just nice-to-have traits, felt like the natural next step."GOAT Funded Trader Builds Out Futures InfrastructureGOAT Funded Futures is the dedicated futures arm of GOAT Funded Trader, a challenge-based prop firm registered in Saint Lucia with a presence in Hong Kong. The parent company has been moving quickly on multiple fronts over the past year, launching its own brokerage to restore official MetaTrader 5 access after licensing restrictions disrupted several rival platforms. By September 2025, the company said it had surpassed $10 million in total payouts to traders.The futures division, launched roughly a year ago, focuses exclusively on regulated futures markets including CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX. The firm says it offers funding of up to $750,000 and uses an end-of-day drawdown model, which it claims is more forgiving than the intraday trailing drawdowns common at competing firms. Pilavakis said he is looking to put his operational track record to work at the new firm. "I'm excited to contribute my experience to help streamline operations and support the company's next stage of growth," he said.Competition Closes In on U.S. Futures LeadersGOAT Funded Futures has entered a segment that has grown considerably more crowded in recent months. TradersYard launched futures-specific challenge programs in January 2026, with its CEO arguing that applying forex-style rules to futures instruments creates confusion among traders and undermines performance. Just weeks later, The5ers rolled out futures prop offerings worldwide, including in the United States, expanding into territory long held by American incumbents like TopStep, Apex, and MyFundedFutures.For the GOAT Funded Trader, hiring an operations executive who has hands-on experience scaling prop firm infrastructure appears consistent with efforts to build the futures division into a competitive product, rather than a secondary offering. Whether Pilavakis's background in CFD-based prop firm operations translates cleanly into futures, a structurally different business, is a question the firm will now need to answer in practice. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

HTFX is moving to dismantle its regulated European footprint, having applied to cancel its Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) license on January 7, 2026. The move follows the official renouncement of its CySEC license earlier this month.The broker's ownership structure also appears to have significantly changed in recent years. Corporate records indicate that before October 2023, the firm was controlled by Lijun Li, alongside an offshore company, both holding authority from August 2022 until the most recent change in governance. Control now rests with Stephen Williams and Levy Benarroch, who serve as director and CEO, respectively, at the UK entity.The dual exit from two of the world’s most prominent regulatory hubs marks a definitive retreat for the broker. In a further sign of the wind-down, the company’s HFTX.eu domain (it belonged to the Cyprus entity) is parked free on GoDaddy, usually a placeholder for something soon to be on sale. It remains unclear what prompted the withdrawal from both jurisdictions; it had been operating in Cyprus and the UK for 7 and 9 years, respectively.Under the terms of its license cancellations, the broker must now fulfill all remaining legal obligations, including the orderly notification of clients and the completion of wind-down procedures for its regulated activities.Cyprus' Rising Costs of Doing Business HTFX’s departure from Cyprus comes amid a broader regulatory overhaul on the Mediterranean island, joining a growing list of brokers that have relinquished their CySEC licenses over the past yearCySEC has recently moved to adjust the cost of doing regulated investment business, proposing a new fee structure in early 2026 that significantly increases application and annual levies for Cyprus Investment Firms (CIFs). This article was written by Adonis Adoni at www.financemagnates.com.

Crypto exchange MEXC has launched a prediction market platform with zero trading and settlement fees, entering a sector that until recently was dominated by specialised venues such as Kalshi and Polymarket. The move adds to a growing trend of large exchanges integrating event-based contracts into their trading ecosystems, potentially increasing competition in a market that has expanded rapidly over the past year. The launch comes as activity in prediction markets has increased significantly over the past year. Industry data suggests that leading platforms processed more than $18 billion in trading volume in February, highlighting rising interest in the format. MEXC said the new product will run on its existing exchange infrastructure. According to the company, the platform uses the same low-latency trading systems that support its spot and derivatives markets. “The next frontier of trading isn’t just assets, it’s outcomes,” said MEXC Chief Operating Officer Vugar Usi. “At MEXC, we’re transforming global events into real-time probability signals traders can act on instantly.” Big step for us today!Prediction Markets Beta is now live on MEXC — the first crypto CEX to launch it.We build with a user-centric mindset, always exploring new products that traders actually want.Try it out, share your feedback in the comments, and join the giveaway ?… pic.twitter.com/5Ye8zMKbTW— MEXC Product | Jamie (@Jamie_MEXC) March 16, 2026Competing on Fees and Infrastructure Prediction markets have so far been dominated by a small number of specialized platforms. However, large trading venues are beginning to integrate event contracts into broader trading ecosystems. Coinbase launched regulated prediction markets in January 2026 through a partnership with Kalshi, allowing U.S. users to trade contracts tied to political and economic outcomes. Crypto.com has also introduced a CFTC-regulated prediction product through its North American derivatives unit. Other platforms are preparing similar launches. Kraken has said it plans to add prediction markets to its trading lineup, while Robinhood is developing event-based derivatives through the MIAXdx exchange. Against this backdrop, MEXC’s decision to introduce zero trading fees suggests an attempt to compete on pricing and infrastructure rather than market exclusivity. Implications for the Market The entry of large crypto exchanges could change how prediction markets develop. Platforms with existing trading infrastructure and large user bases may be able to launch event-based products quickly and experiment with different pricing models. For trading platforms and brokers watching the sector, the development highlights how prediction markets are beginning to spread beyond specialized venues into broader multi-asset trading ecosystems. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Bitcoin (BTC) price is doing something it has not done since October 2025: rising for eight consecutive sessions. On Monday, March 16, it is testing $74,500 per coin, the highest price since February 4, nearly a month and a half ago, and the move has cleared both the upper boundary of the six-week consolidation and the 50-day EMA in the process. This is the most constructive technical development of 2026 so far, and it deserves to be taken seriously. It also deserves to be contextualized honestly, because the main trend on the Bitcoin chart remains down, the 200 EMA is still 20% away, and the Fibonacci extension from this year's declines is pointing somewhere very uncomfortable.In this article, I will break down BTC/USDT technical analysis, examine what the breakout means and what it does not mean, and compile the most relevant Bitcoin price predictions for the rest of 2026. Based on my over 15 years of experience as an analyst and retail investor, here is what I am watching.Follow me on X for real-time crypto market analysis: @ChmielDkWhy Bitcoin Is Going Up? The Breakout MechanicsSunday's 2.2% gain was the move that mattered. It pushed Bitcoin above the $70,000-$72,000 upper boundary of the consolidation range that had capped every rally attempt since early February, and Monday's follow-through above the 50 EMA confirmed the breakout rather than dismissing it as a wick. The gains throughout this eight-session run have been modest individually - this is not the kind of explosive move that gets breathless coverage - but the cumulative effect is what counts. Bitcoin has quietly climbed from the $66,000 lows of the Iran war selloff to $74,500 without a single red session.The catalyst mix is a familiar one. As the earlier analysis covering Bitcoin's $72K surge noted, the combination of deeply negative funding rates being flushed out, recovering ETF inflows, and Clarity Act regulatory optimism has driven each of Bitcoin's meaningful bounces in 2026. The same cocktail is present now, with the added technical tailwind of a clean consolidation break providing momentum for systematic buyers and algo strategies to add exposure.Paul Howard, Senior Director at Wincent, frames the broader context precisely: "If geopolitical tensions such as the conflicts in Iran or Ukraine were to ease and commodities like oil and gold begin to stabilise, Bitcoin could enter a particularly strong phase in the second half of the year." Under those conditions, he believes "risk assets would likely be reintroduced into portfolios, potentially pushing Bitcoin toward the psychologically significant $100,000 level." The second half caveat is important - Howard is not calling this rally the beginning of a new bull market, but he is identifying the conditions that could make one possible.BTC Technical Analysis: What the Breakout Actually MeansAs my chart shows, Bitcoin has broken above the $70,000-$72,000 zone - the upper boundary of the consolidation that has defined this market since early February. The simultaneous clearance of the 50-day EMA gives the move technical validity and should, according to the principle of polarity change, see that zone now act as support on any retest from above.If Bitcoin holds above $70,000-$72,000 on such a retest - and that is still an "if" - the path opens toward my next key target: $82,000-$84,000. That zone marked the late 2025 lows, formed a significant floor on the chart during the late stages of last year's bull run, and now functions as meaningful overhead resistance that accumulated sellers need to be absorbed. A clean break through $82,000-$84,000 would then set up the test that matters most on my entire chart: the 200-day EMA near $88,000.That level is the one I have been watching as the dividing line between bull and bear territory since this correction began. We are still 20% away from it. Until Bitcoin reclaims $88,000, this is a correction within a downtrend, not a trend reversal. The February 26 analysis calling for $88,000 as the confirmation level remains unchanged.The Fibonacci extension is the part of my analysis that tempers enthusiasm most directly. Measuring from this year's peak-to-trough decline and the current corrective bounce, the 100% extension falls at $36,000 - the lowest Bitcoin prices since November 2023. That level becomes relevant only if the corrective rally fails and selling resumes with new force, but it sits on my chart as an honest structural target that the market's own mathematics is producing.The Case for Caution: This Is Still a Counter-Trend Move@CryptoSpotter05 puts the crowd sentiment problem cleanly: "A lot of influencers are now calling for BTC to reach $80K. Those same influencers were calling for $40K not long ago." The speed with which the narrative flips from maximum bearishness to $80K targets is itself a cautionary signal. He adds that he "still feels the worst may not be over" and that the current move may be forming a lower high within the broader bearish structure - precisely the scenario my Fibonacci extension supports.? $BTC Update & A ReminderI know a lot of influencers are now calling for $BTC to reach $80K. Funny enough, those same influencers were calling for $40K not long ago. Now suddenly the tone has changed.But remember, I shared this idea a month ago on Feb 11, when the market… https://t.co/q8hx3C1svC pic.twitter.com/3nXL4jwIXi— Crypto Spotter (@CryptoSpotter05) March 13, 2026@DaitoCrypto aggregates several institutional bear views worth noting. Fidelity Global Macro director Jurrien Timmer says "the bear cycle isn't over and Bitcoin's bottom may be near $60,000." Tech analyst Crypto Patel warns of more downside with average realised buys at $54,400, a level that functions as a gravitational centre if the market revisits where most holders are underwater. Fidelity Global Macro director Jurrien Timmer says the bear cycle isn't over and Bitcoin's bottom may be near $60,000. Tech analyst Crypto Patel warns of more downside with average realized buys at $54,400. CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost projects the next BTC ATH in early Feb 2028.— Daito (@DaitoCrypto) March 14, 2026CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost delivers the most structurally bearish long-term view, projecting the next Bitcoin all-time high in early February 2028 - meaning over 18 months of further consolidation or decline before the cycle truly turns.Bloomberg Intelligence's Mike McGlone, cited by @iamalijandro, sits at the extreme end: he is "reiterating his pessimistic forecast that Bitcoin could fall below $10,000 amid a macroeconomic reassessment of risk assets." ?️ Mike McGlone, Senior Commodity Strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, reiterated his pessimistic forecast, suggesting that $Bitcoin could fall below $10,000 amid a macroeconomic reassessment of risk assets.However, several market analysts disagree with this scenario, arguing…— Alijandro (@iamalijandro) March 14, 2026That scenario requires a simultaneous collapse in risk appetite, institutional exit, and regulatory reversal that is not the base case of any mainstream analyst, but it underscores how wide the range of credible outcomes remains for Bitcoin in 2026.Paul Howard of Wincent adds the important nuance that underpins the cautious middle ground: "My personal view remains that Bitcoin is unlikely to reach a new all-time high in 2026." That is a measured statement from someone with a constructive medium-term view, and it aligns with my own reading of the chart. A recovery to $88,000-$100,000 by year-end is possible. A new all-time high above $126,000 in 2026 requires a sequence of events - Fed pivot, Clarity Act, geopolitical stabilisation, and ETF flow resumption - that is asking a lot from a single calendar year.Bitcoin Price Predictions 2026: Where Analysts StandThe institutional consensus for 2026 has shifted materially since October's all-time high, with most credible forecasts now clustering in the $60,000-$100,000 range rather than the $150,000-$200,000 targets that populated research notes last year.At the bullish end, Standard Chartered's Geoff Kendrick maintains a $200,000 target for this cycle but has pushed the timeline out. VanEck's Matthew Sigel sees $180,000 as achievable before the cycle ends, while Bernstein targets $200,000 by end of 2025 - a forecast that has already been proven wrong, suggesting the timeline needs adjustment. Paul Howard of Wincent represents the institutional middle ground, seeing $100,000 as achievable in H2 2026 under the right macro conditions but doubting a new all-time high this year.At the bearish end, the earlier analysis covering the $50,000 primary bear target remains structurally valid as long as Bitcoin trades below the 200 EMA. My own Fibonacci extension at $36,000 sits below even JP Morgan's bear case and requires a genuine macro dislocation to activate.The earlier piece on how high Bitcoin can go noted that large wallets accumulated 53,000 BTC on-chain during the February lows, that accumulation zone at $60,000-$67,000 is now well below the market. Those holders are sitting on paper gains and provide a floor of conviction that was absent during the initial selloff. The question is whether institutional ETF flows return with enough force to sustain the breakout above $72,000, or whether Monday's high at $74,500 becomes the lower high that @CryptoSpotter05 warned about a month before anyone else was watching for it.FAQ, Bitcoin Price AnalysisWhy is Bitcoin going up today?Bitcoin is rising for the eighth consecutive session, testing $74,500 after Sunday's 2.2% move broke the six-week consolidation above the $70,000-$72,000 upper boundary and cleared the 50-day EMA. The technical breakout triggered systematic buying as momentum strategies added exposure, while recovering ETF inflows and Clarity Act optimism provide the fundamental backdrop. How high can Bitcoin go from here?As shown on my chart, the immediate target following the consolidation break is $82,000-$84,000, the late 2025 lows that acted as a significant floor and now represent overhead resistance. Beyond that, $88,000 (200 EMA) is the level I need to see broken for any conviction about a genuine trend reversal - we are currently 20% below it. How low can Bitcoin still go?Despite the eight-session winning streak, the main trend remains down. My Fibonacci extension from this year's decline projects $36,000 as the 100% extension - the lowest Bitcoin price since November 2023 - if the current corrective rally fails. Fidelity's Jurrien Timmer sees the bear cycle bottom near $60,000, while Crypto Patel warns of more downside with average realised buys at $54,400 as a gravitational centre. Is this the start of Bitcoin's recovery or a dead-cat bounce?My chart shows it is too early to call this a recovery. The consolidation break and 50 EMA clearance are genuine technical positives - the first in over six weeks. But as @CryptoSpotter05 correctly warned a month ago when predicting exactly this setup, the current structure is consistent with a lower high formation within a broader downtrend. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

As FX trading volumes in Singapore continue to grow, market participants are confident that the connectivity and trading infrastructure are in place to support current and future market requirements.FX Volumes Surge in SingaporeThe most recent triennial central bank survey of the global FX and OTC derivatives market, conducted by the Bank for International Settlements, found that average daily FX trading volumes in Singapore increased by 60% between April 2022 and April 2025, driven by robust growth in US dollar, Japanese yen, and euro trading.Volumes in FX spot, forwards, and swaps (which together accounted for 90% of Singapore’s turnover) rose by between 42% and 61%.Singapore strengthened its position as the third largest FX centre in the world after the UK and the US, with its share of global FX volumes rising to 11.8% and accounting for almost $1 trillion of FX trading every day.MAS Highlights Liquidity RoleThe executive director of the financial markets development department at MAS refers to deeper liquidity in the Asian time zone to support economic and hedging needs in the region as a key factor in this increase and highlighted Singapore’s role as an efficient price discovery hub.Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026, which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC.Banks Anchor Regional FX TeamsWith all of the top five global banks housing their regional FX sales and trading teams in Singapore, the city-state offers a deep and liquid market for the trading and hedging of G10 currencies, as well as Asian emerging market currencies.Electronic Trading Demands RiseAs more trading shifts to electronic platforms, the demands on infrastructure naturally increase—especially during volatile periods when activity spikes. That is the view of Jean-Philippe Malé, CEO SGX FX, who is satisfied that infrastructure development has kept pace with the development of the FX market.“The market continues to function smoothly, and that speaks to the depth of investment in infrastructure in Singapore,” he says. “We operate from Singapore to connect global participants to Asian currency risk with our on-premise and cloud-based environments to support trading at scale.”Infrastructure Supports FX ExpansionSingapore is a highly advanced economy with world-class digital infrastructure and ubiquitous internet access, and Interactive Brokers sees growth in domestic clients using its institutional-grade FX rates in support of their trading of overseas assets.“From our perspective, data centre capacity and trading bandwidth has not been an issue, and we are confident that the local infrastructure is more than capable of supporting future growth,” says Yujun Lin, CEO of Interactive Brokers Singapore.Chaitanya Peddada, chief operating officer of Spark Systems (a Singapore-based fintech that develops ultra-low latency FX trading platforms and technology solutions), also observes that Singapore’s data centre infrastructure has broadly kept pace with the growth in electronic FX trading, particularly as the market has moved towards more continuous, automated execution.Shift to Localised ProcessingA key shift has been the move to localised processing and matching, which has reduced reliance on offshore infrastructure and improved latency for institutional participants.“FX trading has become significantly more data-intensive,” he says. “Platforms are processing large volumes of market data, orders, and trade information on a near-continuous basis, placing increasing demands on infrastructure. As a result, the focus is on delivering consistent, sub-millisecond performance, resilience, and the ability to scale without introducing latency.”Singapore Positioned for FX GrowthWith strong global connectivity, sub-millisecond performance, and scalable infrastructure in place, Peddada reckons Singapore is well-positioned to support its continued expansion as a leading global FX trading hub.From a sell-side perspective, Singapore’s data centres have on the whole kept up with demand, suggests Philip Huang, chief risk officer at Orient Futures Singapore.“The infrastructure is stable and capable of supporting electronic FX trading,” he says. “That said, most liquidity in Asia is still concentrated in Tokyo (TY3), which remains the main price discovery centre. While Singapore (SG1) has strong CNH liquidity, broader G10 and regional FX liquidity is still largely anchored in Tokyo, New York, and London.”MAS Builds E-Trading InfrastructureOver the last few years, MAS has been working with banks and trading platforms to build up Singapore's e-trading infrastructure. The regulator hopes this will improve price discovery and FX trade execution in the region and provide market participants with reduced latency, better pricing, and liquidity.According to Malé, Singapore already has the fundamentals it needs to support its future electronic FX ambitions in the form of deep liquidity, global participation, and strong regulatory oversight.“That is why it consistently ranks among the top FX centres globally,” he says. “What is changing now is how firms trade, as more risk is managed across asset classes. For us, FX is part of our broader multi-asset platform, which allows participants to manage currency exposure alongside equities, rates, and commodities. That integrated set-up strengthens Singapore’s role in a market that is becoming more electronic and interconnected.”Connectivity and Matching EnginesSingapore’s rise as a major global FX centre has been closely linked to improvements in connectivity and trading infrastructure, and the city-state now benefits from strong regional and international network links, local matching capabilities, and an increasingly sophisticated institutional ecosystem—all of which support low-latency electronic trading, explains Peddada.“From our perspective, the ability to operate local matching engines across key FX centres—including Singapore, Tokyo, London, and New York—plays an important role in mitigating latency in a global market,” he says. “By matching trades closer to end users, participants can access liquidity more efficiently without relying solely on offshore infrastructure.”South East Asia Colocation Data Center Portfolio Report 2025: Singapore Dominates the Existing Market with a Power Capacity of More Than 780 MW - https://t.co/guyiBA7QmK https://t.co/7YkMcocVyc pic.twitter.com/OrYIF0TofQ— Latest News from Business Wire (@NewsFromBW) January 6, 2026Future Electronic FX ChallengesGiven Singapore’s status as a fast-growing and systemically important FX hub, Peddada believes the combination of low-latency infrastructure, deep connectivity, and institutional participation positions the market to play a leading role in the next phase of electronic FX development.Huang also agrees that Singapore has the connectivity and technical infrastructure needed to support further growth in electronic FX trading, although he acknowledges that other challenges remain.“The bigger issue is where pricing is generated,” he concludes. “Many liquidity providers still run their main pricing engines in other regional hubs. For Singapore to strengthen its position as an electronic FX hub, more liquidity providers would need to originate pricing directly from SG1 rather than simply distribute prices from other regional centres.” This article was written by Paul Golden at www.financemagnates.com.

Saxo Bank executive Casper Andreas Solbakken is stepping down after more than 20 years at the company.The departure comes shortly after ownership changes at Saxo Bank. Earlier this month, J. Safra Sarasin Group completed its acquisition of a majority stake in the Danish trading platform and installed Daniel Belfer as chief executive.Saxo Executive Solbakken Steps DownSolbakken announced his departure in a LinkedIn post on Monday. He wrote that “after 20 incredible years at Saxo Bank, the time has come for me to start a new chapter.”He said his time at the company “shaped me profoundly,” adding that it strengthened his leadership and broadened his perspective. He also said the experience reinforced his belief in “disciplined execution, strategic clarity, and strong collaboration across teams and functions.”Solbakken most recently served as Global Head of Commercial Offering & Experience at Saxo Bank. He assumed the role in May 2024.Before that, he held several senior leadership roles at the company. He served for around 10 months as Global Head of Products, Pricing and Platforms, and for almost two years as Global Head of Products and Services.From Student Assistant to Executive: ExitsHis earlier roles at Saxo Bank included Head of Equities for over two years. Prior to that, he worked for about 10 months as a Product Specialist for equities. Solbakken joined Saxo Bank as a quantitative trader and remained in the role for more than a decade.Before becoming a trader, he worked for over two years as a student assistant in the equities and derivatives division. Prior to joining Saxo Bank, he worked for just over two years as a student assistant at Nykredit.Ownership Deal Completes After Yearlong ApprovalAs Saxo Bank is now part of a new ownership structure, the combined entity will oversee more than $460 billion in client assets. J. Safra Sarasin manages over $460 billion and has around 5,000 employees across more than 35 locations. Its parent, the J. Safra Group, controls $590 billion in assets and operates in over 230 locations globally. The deal, approved by FINMA and Denmark’s FSA, took about a year to complete. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Finance Magnates announces the opening of nominations for the Finance Magnates Annual Awards 2026, marking the third edition of its annual awards programme, which recognises leading brands across online trading, fintech, payments, and related services. Nominations open today, March 16, 2026, and winners will be revealed live at the Gala Dinner in Limassol, Cyprus, on Friday, November 6, 2026.In an industry where trust can shape every decision, awards mean far more than a trophy. They show the market that a brand has earned attention, respect, and confidence. For nominees and winners, this kind of recognition can help build stronger brand awareness, create new business opportunities, and give clients and partners one more reason to believe in who they choose to work with.Why the Finance Magnates awards matterThe Finance Magnates Awards are designed to reflect real market input, not closed-door decisions. The process combines:Community voting (50%) through Finance Magnates channels for B2B categories, and investingLive channels for B2C categoriesExpert panel scoring (50%) by a panel of industry specialistsThis approach helps ensure winners are recognised for impact and reputation, supported by both community feedback and expert assessment.Awards 2026 timelineNominations phase (6-month window)Nominations open: March 16, 2026Nominations close: September 11, 2026Voting phase (21-day period)Voting opens: September 28, 2026Voting closes: October 16, 2026Gala Dinner and winners announcementAwards ceremony and winners announced: Friday, November 6, 2026 How the Awards workThe Awards follow three main stages:1) Open call for nominationsIndustry peers and supporters can nominate brands during the nominations period. Brands may veto nominations, but each participating brand must enter at least two categories based on its business type and activities.2) Voting (50/50)Community vote (50%)B2B categories: Finance Magnates channelsB2C categories: investingLive channelsExpert panel (50%)Each brand is recognised in the single award category where it achieves its highest final vote total.3) Gala Dinner winners revealWinners will be revealed at the Gala Dinner in Cyprus on Friday, 6th of November 2026, where trophies will bepresented on stage.Award groups for 2026 (B2B and B2C)The 2026 Awards are structured into B2B and B2C groups:B2C groups (Brokerage Brands)GlobalRegionalNationalB2B groups (Fintech Brands)Institutional TradingServices for BrokersTech for BrokersWinner exposure packages (available on request)Alongside the awards process, Finance Magnates offers optional winner-exposure packages designed to help brands communicate their nominations and results throughout the year.➡️Discover the Exclusive Exposure OpportunitiesThese options may include, depending on the nominated group :Pre-awards visibility for nominated brands (such as nominee announcements and social content)Gala Dinner attendance and on-site networking opportunitiesPost-awards winner announcements across Finance Magnates channelsWinner PR coverage and editorial formatsVisibility placements are linked to the winning category for the following yearBrand placement on the FM Awards winners' website for 12 monthsFor selected groups, winner interviews and directory listing supportBrands can submit a nomination and request the Awards information pack to receive full details on categories and exposure options.Gala Dinner: Friday, November 6, 2026, CyprusThe Finance Magnates Annual Awards will be celebrated at the Gala Dinner in Cyprus on Friday, November 6, 2026, bringing finalists, partners, and winners together for an in-person celebration and trophy presentation.How to be part of the Finance Magnates Awards 2026Nominations open on March 16, 2026 and run through September 11, 2026. Companies and industry professionals can nominate brands they believe have delivered strong results across products and services over the past year.Submit a nomination and request the Finance Magnates Awards 2026 information pack to get full details on categories, voting, and winner exposure options.Reflecting on Success: 2025 Award WinnersLast year, the Finance Magnates Annual Awards showcased a remarkable array of talent and innovation across the financial industry. We celebrated outstanding contributions from leaders in brokerage, fintech and payments sectors. By reflecting on their success, you can find inspiration for your entries in the upcoming 2025 awards.Relive the Finance Magnates Awards 2025 with our official video highlights. This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.

Beeks Financial Cloud Group (LSE: BKS) swung to a statutory pre-tax loss in the first half of its fiscal year after a structural change in how it prices Exchange Cloud contracts and a cluster of delayed deployments held back revenue recognition, the AIM-listed provider said today (Monday).Revenue for the six months ended December 31, 2025 fell 7% to £14.65 million from £15.79 million a year earlier. The company reported a statutory pre-tax loss of £1.87 million, reversing a £0.46 million profit in the same period of fiscal 2025. Gross profit slid 25% to £4.50 million as gross margin narrowed to 30% from 38%.Revenue-Share Model Pressures Near-Term MarginsThe financial weakness is tied to timing and model design, the company said, rather than any loss of clients or competitive pressure. Under Beeks' older fixed-price Exchange Cloud contracts, the company collected sizeable deployment fees upfront. Under the newer revenue-sharing arrangement, income builds gradually as exchanges and their participants generate transaction volumes, meaning infrastructure costs land on the books well before matching revenue arrives.The scale of the timing mismatch is significant. The prior-year first half included £3.30 million in upfront revenue from three deployments. The current period produced just £0.57 million in equivalent recognition. Over half of the 8-percentage-point gross margin decline can be attributed to that gap alone, according to the company.Underlying EBITDA, which strips out amortization, share-based payments, and one-off items, dropped 28% to £4.12 million, pulling the underlying EBITDA margin to 28% from 36%. On an underlying basis, the pre-tax result shifted to a loss of £0.69 million from a £1.89 million profit a year ago. Underlying diluted earnings per share came in at -0.68 pence, compared with a positive 2.61 pence in H1 fiscal 2025.Exchange Cloud Roster Grows to Seven VenuesDespite the earnings slide, Beeks added two exchange clients during the half: TMX Datalinx, part of Canada's TMX Group which operates the Toronto Stock Exchange among other venues, and nuam, the regional holding company consolidating the stock exchanges of Santiago, Bogotá, and Lima. Both signed under the revenue-sharing model and are expected to go live in the second half of the financial year.The company first announced its TMX tie-up in September 2025 as a means of simplifying access for traders seeking to connect to Canadian markets. The nuam deal, announced in December, extended Beeks' footprint across three South American national markets under a single agreement. The Exchange Cloud roster now stands at seven signed exchanges globally, with four on the revenue-sharing arrangement.Clients secured in fiscal 2025 are progressing. Kraken - the company's first crypto exchange - went live and reached monthly profitability in March 2026, ahead of schedule. The Australian Securities Exchange also went live in H1 as planned. Mexico's Grupo Bolsa Mexicana completed its initial deployment phase, with the remaining work expected to conclude in H2.Contract Wins Climb 23%, Final Month SurgesNew contract wins totalled £11.9 million in total contract value during the half, up 23% from £9.7 million a year earlier. Beeks' annualized committed monthly recurring revenue grew 15% to £32.80 million from £28.50 million in H1 fiscal 2025, reflecting an expanding contracted base.The final month of the period was particularly busy. Beeks said it signed £7 million in total contract value during December 2025 alone, including £6 million in Proximity Cloud agreements. Around half of that is expected to contribute to H2 revenue. The company also extended a deal with a large FX broker and signed an agreement with a major South African bank, alongside supporting the Johannesburg Stock Exchange's Colo 2.0 service.In December 2025, Beeks announced a £4 million five-year FX broker deal alongside a Canadian bank contract, with revenue from both expected to begin this half. A February trading update had already flagged the revenue shortfall and the revenue-share explanation, noting that the company had secured record contract volumes while booking less income, Monday's full interim results confirm those preliminary figures.AI Analytics Product Enters Early Commercial StageBeeks introduced Market Edge Intelligence during the half, an analytics platform it describes as delivering AI-powered insights and predictive alerts directly at the colocation edge. The company claims the product targets Tier 1 and Tier 2 financial organisations and can function as a standalone platform or sit alongside existing infrastructure. An unnamed Tier 1 global bank completed a proof-of-concept engagement and is now in contractual discussions, the company said.Beeks also made a minority investment of £0.8 million in Liquid-Mark, a networking technology firm, the company said, securing exclusive access to ultra-low-latency capabilities for use within its managed infrastructure platform.Full-Year Outlook Unchanged as H2 Backlog BuildsChief Executive Gordon McArthur pointed to the H2 pipeline to reassure investors. "We enter the second half with strong momentum and a customer base comprising some of the world's largest financial institutions, each with significant expansion opportunity," he said. "While the timing of contract wins and increasing prevalence of revenue share contracts means the impact of this sales momentum was not reflected in our financial performance in the first half, it lays the foundation for significant and enhanced profitable revenue growth in the years ahead. We remain focused on fulfilling our growth potential, bolstered by a robust pipeline, while maintaining strict financial discipline to support our long-term ambitions."The company said the second half will be supported by approximately £4.5 million in revenue recognition from contracts signed at the close of H1, along with the final Grupo Bolsa Mexicana deployment and the scheduled go-lives for TMX and nuam. The board said full-year performance remains on track with its expectations.The company posted 180% underlying profit growth a year earlier when fixed-price upfront deals dominated the mix. That comparative period also marked Kraken's entry as the first crypto exchange partner - the deployment of which now serves as the company's first live proof that the revenue-share model can reach profitability ahead of schedule. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.