The company said the move marks a key step in its regional growth strategy and commitment to regulatory excellence. The new Amman office strengthens Exness’ local presence and underscores Jordan’s growing importance as a financial hub.  “This launch reflects our deep commitment to the Jordanian market and to traders across the region,” said Mohammad Amer, CEO of Exness Jordan. The company celebrated the launch with a two-day event attended by senior management, partners, clients, and local industry figures, culminating in a gala dinner for over 100 guests. Exness’ Chief Business Development Officer Artem Seledtsov said the expansion reflects the company’s long-term vision to be ”part of the region’s future and to deliver world-class trading conditions backed by transparency and innovation.” With the JSC license secured, Exness becomes one of the few fully regulated brokers operating in Jordan, distinguishing itself from unlicensed competitors.  The company said the move highlights its mission to promote trust, superior trading conditions, and high standards of compliance across the region’s financial industry. The post Exness Opens First MENA Office in Jordan After Securing Operating License appeared first on LeapRate.

The FCA-registered platform combines TP ICAP’s trading expertise with independent custodial infrastructure and diversified liquidity from top-tier market makers.  “The digital asset landscape is at a critical inflection point, evolving from a niche asset class into a core component of the global financial ecosystem,” said Simon Forster, Global Co-Head of Digital Assets.  “This transition, driven by more sophisticated trading participants, requires institutional-grade infrastructure built on the foundations of liquidity, transparency, and trust – precisely what we’ve built with Fusion Digital Assets.” The exchange plans to expand access to TP ICAP’s global client base, with its APIs designed to be asset-agnostic and support future on-chain assets such as stablecoins.  Forster said the firm also expects strong opportunities from the tokenisation of traditional assets, an area where TP ICAP already has a significant market presence. The milestone follows a surge in institutional interest in compliant, operationally efficient crypto infrastructure. Fusion’s design mirrors traditional markets, providing the governance and safeguards institutions expect.  The post TP ICAP’s Fusion Digital Assets Hits $1 Billion in Monthly Volume appeared first on LeapRate.

According to a FINRA letter of acceptance, waiver, and consent, the lapses occurred between September 2016 and November 2022, when technical and coding errors led to the loss of emails and messages concerning trade executions, fund transfers, and account activity.  The failures are said to have violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and FINRA rules requiring firms to maintain complete and accurate business records. The regulator also found that Ally’s written supervisory procedures were inadequate, leaving more than 521,000 communications unreviewed and undermining the firm’s compliance systems.  These deficiencies, FINRA said, hindered Ally’s ability to respond to 39 regulatory inquiries from both the Securities and Exchange Commission and FINRA itself. Despite the breaches, FINRA credited Ally for its “extraordinary cooperation”, noting that the firm self-identified and reported the issues before detection by regulators. Ally has since corrected the system failures, reviewed its recordkeeping infrastructure, and implemented broader procedural improvements. Ally, a FINRA member since 2005, operates primarily as an online broker-dealer from its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, with more than 200 registered representatives. The settlement resolves the matter without Ally admitting or denying FINRA’s findings. The sanctions will take effect on a date to be determined by the regulator. The post FINRA Fines Ally Invest $850,000 for Failing to Preserve Millions of Business Communications appeared first on LeapRate.

The merger combines Payroc’s direct acquiring network with BlueSnap’s API-first orchestration technology, delivering a single integration for cross-border, card-not-present transactions and automated billing.  The transaction, announced in July, officially closed on 9 October. “This close marks an important milestone for Payroc,” said Jim Oberman, chief executive officer of Payroc. “With BlueSnap’s orchestration layer integrated into our acquiring network, we can deliver enterprise-grade global CNP coverage and automated receivables at scale.” Gavin Cicchinelli, president of BlueSnap, said the acquisition was “a game-changer” for customers, who would now benefit from “scaled distribution and enhanced resources to accelerate global innovation.” The combined company aims to simplify payment complexity and reduce time-to-market for merchants and software providers expanding internationally.  Customers will gain access to local acquiring in key markets, unified reconciliation workflows, and improved developer tools. Payroc said the integration marks a significant step in redefining global payments, positioning the company to deliver embedded payments and automation at enterprise scale for businesses worldwide. The post Payroc Completes Acquisition of BlueSnap to Boost Global Payments Capabilities appeared first on LeapRate.

The company said the new 14,500-square-metre site will serve as one of two global headquarters alongside San Francisco. The opening ceremony was attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who praised Stripe as “a true Irish success story.” He said, “We are committed to ensuring Ireland remains competitive on a global stage and an attractive home for businesses like Stripe to thrive in the long term.” Stripe cofounder John Collison said the move underscored the company’s confidence in Ireland’s digital future. “The Irish internet economy is sucking diesel, and this new headquarters will help us support growth for businesses all across Europe,” he said. Stripe now serves 70,000 Irish businesses and solopreneurs, adding 2,000 new users each month.  Since 2016, Irish payment volumes processed via Stripe have increased 100-fold, with 70% of users now selling internationally. The company said the new Dublin office will expand its engineering, product, operations, and sales teams, while supporting users in adopting frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence and stablecoins. IDA Ireland’s chief executive, Michael Lohan, said the expansion “reinforces Ireland’s position as a leading destination for global technology companies” and reflects strong confidence in the nation’s talent and innovation. The post Stripe Opens New Dublin Headquarters appeared first on LeapRate.

The roadmap’s top priority is to implement an automated expiry process and shift from American-style to European-style options, with a market consultation expected later this year.  The LME aims to deliver the automation upgrade in the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory approval. In parallel, the exchange plans to launch electronic premium-quoted options (PQO) on its LMEselect v10 platform, which went live earlier this year.  The initial rollout is expected to include mass quoting functionality, market maker protections and a liquidity provider programme to enhance on-screen activity. The roadmap is said to be “grounded in stakeholder feedback and reflects our commitment to iterative delivery,” said the LME. Subsequent enhancements will include complex strategy tools, variable tick sizes and an updated closing price methodology.  The LME is also exploring potential market structure changes, such as block trade thresholds and short-dated options, though no immediate plans have been set. The initiative aims to make the LME’s options market more accessible, transparent and competitive with global peers, as options volumes remain relatively low compared with futures trading. The post LME Publishes Roadmap to Modernise Options Market appeared first on LeapRate.

The upgrade extends Tradeweb’s dealer algo suite, allowing asset managers, hedge funds and institutional investors to execute orders over a defined period while maintaining relationships with bank counterparties.  The new functionality brings J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley onto the platform as early adopters, with more dealers expected to follow. “This new offering creates an environment where clients can choose from sophisticated algo execution strategies,” said Bhas Nalabothula, Managing Director and Head of U.S. Institutional Rates at Tradeweb.  “Tradeweb offers clients access to both dealer (bank) algos and proprietary algos, delivering a holistic approach for clients seeking greater flexibility.” J.P. Morgan’s Liyan Yu said the collaboration provides “broader investor access to our leading U.S. Treasury algo strategies,” while Morgan Stanley’s Reed Staub described the initiative as “a flexible tool that helps achieve best execution in a rapidly evolving market.” Tradeweb said the expansion aligns with its long-term goal of building a unified, multi-asset platform where algorithmic execution converges with its proprietary data offerings. The post Tradeweb Expands Algorithmic Execution for U.S. Treasuries appeared first on LeapRate.

Attended by tens of thousands of professionals, brokers, fintech companies, and investors from around the world; Forex Expo Dubai is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious gatherings in global finance. As an Elite Sponsor, Exness played an active role across the two-day event, showcasing its better-than-market trading conditions and engaging with global traders and partners. Exness leaders also contributed to some of the Expo’s most anticipated discussions. Alfonso Cardalda, CMO, spoke in the headline panel: Global Visionaries: Forex Without Borders: Attracting the Next Billion Traders. Wael Makarem, Financial Markets Strategists Lead, participated in two forward-looking discussions: AI in Market Sentiments and News Analysis, and AI-Powered Forex Trading–Tools and Strategies. These sessions underlined Exness’ thought leadership and its commitment to shaping conversations about the future of trading. “Being named ‘Most Client-oriented Broker’ is a powerful validation of what we stand for,” said Mohammad Amer, Exness Jordan CEO. “Our mission has always been to create an environment where traders feel secure, confident, and supported. This award confirms that our focus on transparency, stability, and reliability is recognized globally.” “But recognition is not the end goal,” Amer added. “The real measure of success is how consistently we listen to our clients and adapt to their needs. Dubai has shown us once again the importance of staying connected with global traders and partners, and we are more motivated than ever to keep raising the bar.” About Exness Founded in 2008, Exness is a global multi-asset broker that uses a unique combination of technology and ethics to create a favorable market for traders and raise the industry benchmark. Exness’s ethos and vision focus on offering its clients a frictionless trading journey, where financial markets are brought to life in the way they should be experienced. The post Exness named “Most Client-Oriented Broker” at Forex Expo Dubai 2025 appeared first on LeapRate.

The digital bank now employs around 600 staff in the North East and said the move reinforces its long-term commitment to the region.  The new multi-million-pound office is designed to support Atom’s hybrid working model and its pioneering four-day working week. Chief Executive Mark Mullen said: “Our move to the Pattern Shop isn’t just a change of address; it’s a bold statement about our future and our belief in the North East.” The Grade II-listed Pattern Shop, once home to Robert Stephenson & Co., has been restored into a low-carbon, tech-enabled workspace blending industrial heritage with modern design. The relocation is part of Atom’s strategy to expand sustainably while nurturing local talent.  The company is recruiting across engineering, data, and customer support, and continues to invest in regional education through its Early Careers Programme, Atom Futures Fund, and partnerships with Durham University. “This is hundreds of well-paying jobs being brought into the heart of our city,” said Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council, praising Atom’s contribution to local growth and innovation. The post Atom Bank Moves Headquarters to Newcastle appeared first on LeapRate.

Set to debut in 2026, Roughrider Coin will operate on Fiserv’s digital asset platform, aiming to modernise interbank transactions, enhance global payments, and encourage merchant adoption across the state.  The coin will be accessible to North Dakota’s banks and credit unions, helping them navigate what officials described as a “new financial frontier.” “As one of the first states to issue our own stablecoin backed by real money, North Dakota is taking a cutting-edge approach to creating a secure and efficient financial ecosystem,” said Governor Kelly Armstrong. The initiative builds on Fiserv’s existing infrastructure, which supports 10,000 financial institutions and six million merchant locations, processing over 90 billion transactions annually.  Roughrider Coin will leverage the company’s FIUSD stablecoin platform, ensuring interoperability and efficiency across digital payment systems. “We’re bringing together the reliability of traditional finance and the innovation of blockchain,” said Takis Georgakopoulos, Fiserv’s Chief Operating Officer. The coin was named in honour of Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and will aim to increase bank-to-bank transactions, encourage global money movement, and drive merchant adoption. The post North Dakota Partners with Fiserv to Launch State-Backed ‘Roughrider Coin’ appeared first on LeapRate.

The investment marks a major move in PayPay’s evolution from a cashless payments app into a broader digital financial platform. The two companies plan to integrate services that will allow users to buy cryptocurrencies directly within the Binance app using PayPay Money, and to withdraw funds back into PayPay accounts.  The collaboration aims to combine Binance’s digital asset expertise with PayPay’s vast domestic user base to make crypto trading more accessible to everyday consumers in Japan. “Through its continued evolution from a cashless payments business into a digital financial platform, PayPay will strive to deliver new value to users while contributing to the advancement of Japan’s financial infrastructure,” the company said in a statement. The partnership also signals a growing convergence between Japan’s fintech and cryptocurrency sectors, as regulators and financial institutions push for innovation within secure and compliant frameworks.  The move reinforces PayPay’s ambition to become a one-stop digital finance platform, supporting payments, investments, and crypto services through its ecosystem. The post PayPay Takes 40% Stake in Binance Japan to Expand Digital Finance Offering appeared first on LeapRate.

HSBC currently owns about 63% of Hang Seng and plans to acquire the remaining shares at HK$155 per share, representing a 33% premium over the bank’s 30-day average price of HK$116.50.  If approved, Hang Seng would become a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Asia Pacific and be delisted from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. “Our offer is an exciting opportunity to grow both Hang Seng and HSBC,” said Georges Elhedery, HSBC Group Chief Executive.  “We will preserve Hang Seng’s brand, heritage, distinct customer proposition and a branch network, while investing to unlock new strengths in products, services, and technology to deliver more choice and innovation for customers.” Elhedery said the proposal aligns with HSBC’s strategy to consolidate leadership in key growth markets and reflects its long-term commitment to Hong Kong as a global financial centre and gateway to mainland China. The transaction will require approval from Hang Seng shareholders and sanction by the Hong Kong High Court.  If successful, HSBC said the integration would strengthen its presence in Hong Kong and drive greater value for customers and shareholders alike. The post HSBC Proposes to Privatise Hang Seng Bank in HK$106 Billion Deal appeared first on LeapRate.

Pedro Rodeia joins as Group Executive, Australia Retail; Christine Palmer becomes Group Chief Risk Officer; and Donald Patra assumes the role of Group Chief Information Officer. All three will report to Chief Executive Officer Nuno Matos. “I am very pleased to appoint three world-class executives to these critical roles,” Matos said.  “The deep experience they each bring will ensure ANZ will deliver better outcomes for our customers, further strengthen our risk management capabilities and continue to build best-in-class technology.” Rodeia, a former Senior Partner at McKinsey & Co., has more than 30 years’ global experience in retail banking and has advised Australian banks for over a decade. He will start on 17 November 2025. Palmer joins from Santander UK, where she served as Chief Risk Officer since 2020, bringing extensive experience in governance and enterprise risk management. She begins on 1 December 2025. Patra, who most recently served as CIO for HSBC UK and Europe, brings over 30 years in financial technology leadership, having driven global digital transformation and AI initiatives across multiple regions. He starts on 24 November 2025. The post ANZ Names 3 New Executives appeared first on LeapRate.

The acquired firm will be renamed Mitrade Markets Pty Ltd, marking Mitrade’s fifth licence globally. The move strengthens Mitrade’s long-term growth strategy across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, as it seeks to capture rising retail participation in emerging markets.  Mitrade noted that trading activity in regions such as MENA and LATAM has been increasing, reflecting growing demand for mobile-first trading platforms. “In a volatile macroeconomic climate, building resilient infrastructure across licensed jurisdictions is how we scale sustainably,” said Kevin Lai, Vice President of Mitrade.  “This acquisition forms part of a broader strategy to promote inclusivity by expanding access to credible, regulated brokers across regions like LATAM and MENA.” Mitrade already holds licences from ASIC in Australia, CIMA in the Cayman Islands, FSC in Mauritius, and CySEC in Cyprus.  The new FSCA licence will allow the broker to offer seamless access to over 800 financial instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, ETFs, and shares, while enhancing regulatory oversight and local market credibility. The acquisition underscores Mitrade’s aim to position itself as a trusted, multi-region trading provider offering secure, intuitive platforms to global investors. The post Mitrade Expands with South African Licence Acquisition appeared first on LeapRate.

Despite the absence of official data from the US labor market, investors maintain a mildly positive sentiment as private sector indicators show rather a consolidation of hiring and new payrolls, than their growth or decline. That hasn’t boosted volatility, and markets in general kept the momentum, with S&P 500 closing the week in green. Bitcoin has rallied and established a new all-time high at around $125000, while Crude oil has slided down to almost $60. The new decision of OPEC+ on Sunday, Oct 5th, was to modestly increase the production, which might be considered as a soft outcome for Crude oil, as one of the options was to increase it twice from the current level. That is still a bearish factor, along with the latest development about Hamas-Israeli talks in Egypt. The general warning from the US president Donald Trump to Hamas made the markets wobble, with Nasdaq closing the day in red, and VIX having grown to above 16, which is still quite far from any real volatility. Crude oil futures stayed in a bearish direction despite all concerning factors. Traders will look forward to the end of the government shutdown this week and the news from Israeli-Hamas talks.  Among important economic publications, traders will look forward to the FOMC minutes publication on Wednesday and Michigan consumer sentiment index on Friday. Now, let’s go through basic scenarios for Crude oil and S&P500 index for the upcoming week. USOIL Crude oil moves down accelerating the momentum near the bottom of the 20-day Bollinger Bands. The next possible support would be located around the $59-60 area, as the breakout of the $60 area may trigger some short selling and liquidations of leveraged long positions. As the market enters the highly volatile seasonal period, we might observe wide swings in both directions after completion of the mentioned target. USOIL, daily chart : Source, Exness.com S&P500   The S&P500 index is positioned above the upper line of the Bollinger Bands (20) indicator, showing weakening momentum. Market breadth is slowly decreasing, as the tech sector has got under pressure on Friday. That might be a normal sector rotation mechanism within a bullish market, or a precursor of a wider correction. Anyways, the bullish trend might persist, but upside breakouts might be vulnerable to profit taking and corrections as the upside rally reaches the plateau. US500. Source: Exness.com The post Oil is pushed down as OPEC+ raises production appeared first on LeapRate.

The company said the integration consolidates Finalto’s previously fragmented compliance tools into a single platform, designed to improve the detection of suspicious activity, enhance reporting accuracy, and streamline compliance operations.  The system will also strengthen Finalto’s adherence to MiFID II regulations, while reducing the operational workload for its compliance teams. Finalto said its decision was driven by the reliability and comprehensive functionality of eflow’s technology, which supports large-scale regulatory operations and automates complex workflows.  The platform enables the firm to consolidate multiple data files into one workflow, improving efficiency and providing better visibility across its trading activity. “As a market leader serving clients worldwide and providing liquidity in thousands of financial markets, Finalto is strengthening its surveillance and execution oversight with eflow’s cloud-based platform,” said Paul Groves, CEO of Finalto.  He added that it delivers “advanced trade surveillance and analytics with robust MiFID II controls and comprehensive records.” Ben Parker, CEO of eflow Global, said Finalto’s global reach and operational sophistication make it a natural fit for eflow’s technology.  “By consolidating all of Finalto’s trade surveillance and best execution processes into a single, integrated platform, we’re helping the firm manage vast amounts of data with precision and ensure compliance with stringent regulatory requirements,” Parker said. The post Finalto Adopts eflow Global Technology to Boost Trade Surveillance and Compliance appeared first on LeapRate.

The company explained that the move enables global businesses to send, receive and convert pesos without routing through the U.S. dollar, reducing transaction fees by up to 90 percent and settlement times from days to under an hour. Despite being Latin America’s third-largest economy, Colombia’s foreign exchange market has long been hampered by inefficiencies and complex regulations.  OpenFX said its proprietary payment rails will “free companies from the constraints of outdated market structure.” “Colombia is in the midst of a remarkable digital transformation,” said Prabhakar Reddy, Founder and CEO of OpenFX. “The country’s global ambitions deserve a financial network that supports innovation.” The expansion marks OpenFX’s fourth entry into Latin America this year, following launches in Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. The fintech, backed by a USD 23 million Accel-led funding round, has processed more than USD 16 billion in annualised cross-border volume. The new infrastructure offers 24/7 availability, real-time APIs, and advanced settlement technology for transparency and compliance.  OpenFX said the addition of the peso strengthens its mission to modernise cross-border finance and eliminate costly intermediaries in emerging markets. The post OpenFX Adds Colombian Peso to Cross-Border Payments Network appeared first on LeapRate.

The service, unveiled in San Jose, gives small merchants the ability to host and manage digital ads directly through their PayPal Merchant Portal, creating new income streams at no upfront cost.  PayPal said businesses can integrate an SDK within minutes and start earning ad revenue from non-competing brands. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, but they’ve been locked out of the retail media revolution,” said Mark Grether, Senior Vice President and General Manager of PayPal Ads. “PayPal Ads Manager changes that equation entirely.” The tool is said to leverage PayPal’s 25 years of transaction data, allowing advertisers to target high-purchase intent shoppers based on real buying behaviour rather than browsing history.  Small businesses can also use AI-powered creative tools to design ad campaigns and manage cross-channel promotions across PayPal’s network and social media. Retail media has become one of the fastest-growing segments in digital advertising, but participation has been largely limited to large retailers. PayPal’s move aims to democratise access to this multibillion-dollar market. PayPal Ads Manager will launch in early 2026 in the United States, followed by the United Kingdom and Germany.  The post PayPal Launches Ads Manager to Help Small Businesses Tap Retail Media Boom appeared first on LeapRate.

Hoornweg, who previously served as Co-Head of CIB, will continue overseeing markets in the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.  Oversight of ASEAN and South Asia will transition to Judy Hsu, who will retain her roles as CEO of Wealth and Retail Banking and Head of Greater China and North Asia. Hoornweg has over 30 years of experience in global banking. He joined Standard Chartered in 2017 as Global Head of Financial Markets, leading key businesses across fixed income, currencies and commodities.  He previously held senior roles at Brevan Howard, UBS and Morgan Stanley. Meanwhile, Kaushal’s long tenure included major leadership roles across Africa, the Middle East and Asia, where he spearheaded digital banking initiatives and expanded the bank’s regional footprint, including in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Morocco. “I would like to thank Sunil for his significant contribution to the Group over nearly three decades,” said Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive.  “I likewise wish to congratulate Roberto, who has played a significant part in CIB’s growth in recent years, on stepping into the CEO role as we continue to deliver our cross-border strategy.” The post Standard Chartered Names Roberto Hoornweg CEO of Corporate & Investment Banking appeared first on LeapRate.

The collaboration will initially introduce contracts for fat-filled milk powder and high-protein whey, before expanding to other dairy products.  The instruments will be available on StoneX Plus, allowing users to trade directly using Expana’s benchmarks and gain greater insight into market pricing and volatility. “This collaboration marks a major milestone for the dairy industry,” said Spencer Wicks, CEO of Expana.  “By combining Expana’s independent IOSCO-assured benchmarks with StoneX’s unmatched leadership in OTC and futures dairy markets, we are building the tools that will underpin more effective and transparent dairy risk management for years to come.” Liam Fenton, Global Head of Dairy & Food Group at StoneX, said the partnership will provide clients with reliable, independent benchmarks to improve liquidity and pricing visibility. The firms said the new offering supports a more efficient global dairy market, helping producers, processors, and investors hedge against price fluctuations amid rising demand and volatile commodity costs. The post StoneX and Expana to Launch OTC Dairy Derivatives appeared first on LeapRate.