IG Group, a UK-based online trading platform, will use Upvest's technology infrastructure to offer stock and exchange-traded fund (ETF) trading to customers in France, the companies announced this week.IG Taps Upvest to Power French Stock Trading ExpansionThe arrangement gives IG access to Upvest's Investment API, a modular system that handles trading infrastructure and back-office operations. IG plans to use the technology to expand beyond France into other European markets, though the company didn't specify which countries or when those launches might occur."We selected Upvest because of its proven ability to deliver modern investment infrastructure with the speed and flexibility we need," Esteve Jane, Managing Director of IG Europe, said in a statement.The deal comes as online brokers face pressure to attract younger retail investors who expect mobile-first platforms and commission-free trading. IG, which has historically focused on contracts-for-difference (CFDs) and foreign exchange (FX) trading, has been broadening its product lineup to compete with newer entrants like Trade Republic and Revolut that have gained ground in European markets.For example, the London-based neobank wants to invest more than €1 billion in France and seek a local banking license.European Retail Platforms Battle for Market ShareIG currently offers access to roughly 19,000 financial markets and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: IGG) with a market capitalization that places it in the FTSE 250 index. The company hasn't disclosed how many active customers it serves in France or what trading volumes it expects from the new stock and ETF offering.Upvest, founded in 2017, provides the technological backbone for several consumer finance apps including Revolut, N26, and bunq. The Berlin-based company says it processes more than 100 million orders annually and employs about 250 people. It remains privately held with backing from venture capital firms Earlybird and Bessemer Venture Partners."We can onboard multiple clients in parallel while maintaining the reliability and speed expected from a leading investment infrastructure provider," Jonathan Brander, Chief Operating Officer at Upvest, said.The companies didn't disclose financial terms of the partnership or whether IG will pay licensing fees, transaction-based charges, or both for access to Upvest's technology.Recently, Webull UK also announced a similar partnership with Upvest, adding London-listed shares to its offering and cutting commissions amid an ongoing fee battle.Infrastructure Providers Gain TractionTraditional brokers increasingly rely on third-party technology providers to avoid building proprietary systems from scratch. This approach lets them launch new products faster but also creates dependencies on vendors that serve competitors.IG Group has recently focused heavily on expanding its offerings in Singapore, targeting the Asian market and the cryptocurrency sector to align with emerging market trends. Now, however, it appears the company is shifting its attention back to Europe.Upvest competes with firms like DriveWealth and Saxo Bank, which also sell trading infrastructure to financial institutions. The sector has attracted investor attention as more banks and fintechs look to add investment products without obtaining separate securities licenses or building custody capabilities.The French market for online stock trading has grown as local regulations encourage retail participation in equity markets through tax-advantaged accounts like the Plan d'Épargne en Actions. However, French investors have historically favored domestic banks over foreign online brokers, presenting a challenge for UK-based platforms trying to expand their footprint. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Changelly is bringing Black Friday to the crypto market with its 2025 campaign, offering users record-low crypto purchase fees and exclusive rewards. The campaign is powered by Topper by Uphold, featuring the guaranteed lowest fees of 2025. Until November 30, users can buy crypto with up to 75% lower fees and enter a giveaway to win one of ten iPhone 17 Pro devices—all via the smart fiat on-ramp aggregator on Changelly’s website or in its mobile app.Black Friday Meets Crypto: Up to 75% Off Purchase FeesRunning through November 30 (11:59 PM UTCGMT+0), the campaign brings the Black Friday experience to crypto users worldwide, turning a traditionally retail-driven event into two weeks of savings and rewards in digital finance. In collaboration with Topper by Uphold, this year’s exclusive partner, Changelly offers users up to 75% off crypto purchase fees and automatic entry into the Black Friday giveaway, where ten active participants will receive a new iPhone 17 Pro. “Changelly was among the first to turn Black Friday into a crypto tradition, and this year we’re going bigger than ever,” said Zifa Mae, Head of Product at Changelly. “With broader partner support and larger rewards, we’re making sure this event becomes a highlight for users across the crypto community.”Known for helping users find the best price on every crypto purchase, Changelly’s aggregator brings live rates from top fiat providers into one simple interface. Now, during Black Friday, those rates to buy crypto drop up to 75%—with exclusive discounts and partner promotions making crypto purchases more affordable than ever.Joined by global partners Transak, Banxa, Switchere, Unlimit, and Wert, Black Friday on Changelly brings unprecedented savings, competitive offers, and the best deals for crypto users and enthusiasts. The initiative aims to help both new and experienced users benefit from fairer pricing, transparent exchange conditions, and simplified payment flows, all within a trusted environment built on Changelly’s aggregator.Global Crypto Industry Leaders Power Black Friday DiscountsAt the heart of the campaign are the partners that make it possible. Topper by Uphold, this year’s exclusive partner, leads the initiative with record-low purchase fees and wide coverage across major currencies. The platform allows users to buy crypto easily with a debit or credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or SEPA transfer, making digital asset purchases more seamless than ever."We’re partnering with Changelly again to celebrate key milestones in the crypto space. Topper is thrilled to join forces on an exciting Black Friday promotion for both the Changelly community and new users, especially at a time of growing excitement across the market,” —Robin O'Connell, CEO at Uphold Enterprise, commented.Adding their support, Transak, Banxa, Switchere, Unlimit, and Wert are working alongside Changelly to bring affordable on-ramp solutions to users in over a hundred countries, each offering local payment methods, instant processing, and transparent pricing. The collaboration delivers tiered partner discounts: up to 75% with Topper, 50% with Transak, Banxa, and Switchere, and 25% with Unlimit and Wert. Collectively, these platforms represent some of the most established and regulated fiat gateways in the industry, serving millions of users worldwide and strengthening Changelly’s mission to make crypto accessible to everyone.10 iPhones 17 Pro and Limited-Time Offers for ParticipantsAlongside record-low fees, the campaign features limited-time offers and exclusive rewards, starting with the Black Friday Giveaway, where participants can win 1 of 10 iPhone 17 Pro devices.How to Join the Black Friday Sale and Enter the iPhone GiveawayTo enjoy the lowest fees of 2025 and a chance to win one of ten iPhones 17 Pro, users can visit Changelly’s Black Friday page via the website or mobile app. There, users can browse real-time offers from partners and access exclusive discounts, updated daily during the campaign. Account Registration Required – Users must create an account or log in to participate in the giveaway. New users can register instantly. Once signed in, participants may select their preferred cryptocurrency, payment method, and provider to complete a transaction.Discounted Crypto Purchases – During the campaign period, eligible purchases may benefit from reduced fees of up to 75%. Each qualifying transaction will be automatically entered into Changelly’s Black Friday iPhone 17 Pro Giveaway, with additional entries granted for each subsequent completed purchase.Winner Announcement – Giveaway winners will be announced following the conclusion of the campaign through Changelly’s official communication channels. X and Telegram.Registered users are automatically entered into the giveaway once their purchase is confirmed. Each additional transaction increases their chances of winning, making every crypto purchase an opportunity to secure both savings and prizes.For complete details, terms, and conditions, users visit Changelly’s official website.About ChangellyChangelly https://changelly.com/ is an instant crypto exchange platform serving over 10 million users worldwide. Founded in 2015, Changelly offers safe and fast crypto-to-crypto and fiat-to-crypto exchanges of over 1,000 cryptocurrencies across 185 blockchains with 24/7 live customer support. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Robinhood has expanded access to its prediction markets, allowing users to trade at any time of the day. The update was shared in a post on X, where the company said the markets are now open 24 hours a day and seven days a week.The development follows rapid growth in Robinhood’s prediction-market activity. The platform traded 2.3 billion event contracts in the third quarter and 2.5 billion in October. Join IG, CMC, and Robinhood in London’s leading trading industry event!Launched earlier this year after initial regulatory challenges, the product has become one of the broker’s fastest-growing segments. Robinhood said the unit, combined with Bitstamp, generated about $100 million in annualised revenue, although it did not disclose a separate figure for prediction markets.Retail Traders Gain 24/7 Market AccessThe initial contracts focused on interest-rate decisions and major sports tournaments. The change in trading hours comes after adjustments by Kalshi, the regulated exchange that powers Robinhood’s event-based contracts. Prediction markets on Robinhood are now open 24/7. Trade your insights anytime, day or night.— Robinhood (@RobinhoodApp) November 17, 2025Under the new schedule, users can trade throughout the day, including overnight, without aligning with traditional market hours. This gives retail traders continuous access to outcomes tied to economic or sports events.Crypto, Options, Equities Drive Robinhood’s Latest Quarterly ResultsRobinhood reported growth across its key revenue streams. Revenue from cryptocurrency trading rose to $268 million, while options trading generated $304 million. Equities revenue increased to $86 million. The platform recorded $80 billion in notional crypto trading volume, split evenly between the Robinhood app and Bitstamp. Interest income reached $456 million, up 66 per cent, and revenue from other sources, including subscriptions, doubled to $88 million. The number of Robinhood Gold subscribers reached 3.9 million. Net income climbed to $556 million, representing a 271 per cent yearly increase, while diluted earnings per share rose 259 per cent. The company also announced that CFO Jason Warnick will retire next year, with Shiv Verma named as his successor. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Vietnamese fugitive Le Khac Ngo, 34, known as “Mr. Hunter,” has been arrested in the Philippines in connection with what is reportedly the country’s largest-ever forex and stock fraud, local media publication VNExpress International reported. Ngo, along with several accomplices, will be extradited to Vietnam to face prosecution.Join IG, CMC, and Robinhood in London’s leading trading industry event!Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Tung, Director of the Hanoi Police Department, confirmed the arrest and said authorities are working with relevant agencies to finalize extradition procedures. The move reportedly followed the earlier capture of Ngo’s wife, Ngo Thi Theu, in July through a joint Interpol operation. Hanoi police described the case as “the biggest foreign currency and stock fraud in Vietnam ever.”A Sophisticated SchemeInvestigators revealed that Ngo orchestrated the fraud alongside Pho Duc Nam, known as “Mr. Pips,” and a Turkish national who coordinated operations from Cambodia.Starting in 2021, the trio reportedly established front companies which eventually operated 44 offices across Vietnam and employed around 1,000 unlicensed staff.The fraud relied on fake English-language trading websites linked to the perpetrators’ bank accounts, where victims were lured with small, successful trades, building trust before being persuaded to invest larger sums.When losses inevitably occurred, victims were directed to second platforms to recover funds, compounding their losses. Investigators say over 2,660 people were defrauded, with reported complaints amounting to more than VND1.187 trillion.Continue reading: Man Arrested in Rome Over €50M Forex and Crypto Scam Targeting German Investors: ReportAuthorities noted that the perpetrators’ flashy lifestyle played a key role in attracting victims. Nam aggressively showcased luxury cars and villas on social media, using his English skills and technical knowledge to appeal to international investors.Lifestyle as a Tool of DeceptionPolice have reportedly confiscated assets connected to the scam worth VND5.3 trillion, including high-end properties and vehicles. They also plan to investigate approximately 550 sales employees who worked for the network.Last year, Hanoi City Police released details about the forex and securities fraud case linked to Nam and Ngo, shedding light on how the group operated one of Vietnam’s largest investment scams through fake international trading platforms. According to investigators, Nam and Ngo began building the operation in 2021 with support from a Turkish national who coordinated activities from Morgan Tower in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.Rising fraud cases, particularly on social media, have put Vietnamese authorities on high alert. Earlier this year, the Southeast Asian nation announced plans to block access to Telegram after the platform reportedly failed to cooperate with authorities on crimes carried out through its services. Local media outlets reported that the Telecom Department, part of the Ministry of Science and Technology, issued a directive ordering telecommunications providers to block Telegram. The companies were instructed to submit their implementation plans and report their results to the ministry by June. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

IG Securities, the local arm of trading giant IG Group, is preparing to stop offering cryptocurrency ETF CFDs. The decision followed updated guidance from Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA), which clarified how crypto ETF CFDs should be handled in a revised policy.Join IG, CMC, and Robinhood at London’s leading trading industry event!Suspension of New Orders From Monday, December 1, 2025, IG Japan will no longer accept new orders for cryptocurrency ETF CFDs and any pending orders at that time will reportedly be canceled.In its explanation, as translated from Japanese, the FSA earlier clarified that ETFs containing specific crypto assets are essentially tied to the price of the underlying cryptocurrency. Thus, derivatives based on such ETFs, even if established overseas, are treated as transactions linked to crypto assets. This means they fall under Japan’s regulations for crypto-related derivatives, which are designed to account for the unique risks and price volatility of digital assets.Given that the creation and sale of crypto asset ETFs are currently prohibited in Japan, the FSA views offering derivatives based on overseas crypto ETFs as problematic.You may also like: Hong Kong Races to Stop Lightning-Fast Money Flows Fueling New Laundering SchemesThe firm emphasized that this change is a direct response to the FSA’s updated guidance and comes after careful internal review. Customers holding current positions in crypto ETF CFDs will still be able to settle them, but they must act before the firm’s set deadline. All positions must now be closed by the close of trading on Saturday, January 31, 2026. IG Japan warned that any positions left open past this date will be forcibly liquidated at the closing price on January 31, 2026. Products AffectedThe discontinuation specifically affects iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF and iShares Ethereum Trust ETF CFDs, which are currently available for 24-hour trading. Other products and services offered by IG Japan will reportedly continue unaffected.The latest update, followed IG’s recent report that UK crypto investors are nearly twice as likely to focus on long-term wealth creation than on short-term gains, according to research from trading platform IG. In a survey of over 500 UK crypto holders, 51% said their goal is building long-term wealth, while 27% cited short-term gains. Many are also investing with specific life goals in mind: 33% for retirement and 18% for a house deposit, with younger investors aged 18–24 showing an even stronger long-term focus. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

As policymakers continue to shape their stablecoin plans, Finance Magnates London Summit panellists give a preview of their discussion on financial services use cases and outline some of the challenges to broader retail adoption.The panel on “Stablecoins for a Destabilized World: Use Cases in Financial Services” will feature Jas Shah, Product Strategist and Advisor, Independent; Luke Dorney, Head of Custody, LMAX Group; Andrew Rosoman, International Head of Business Development, Ripple Prime; Harpal Sandhu, CEO, Integral; and Melissa Stringer, Fractional CPO and Product Strategy, Consultant.Digital assets meet tradfi in London at the fmls25The Bank of England’s consultation on regulating systemic stablecoins is the latest step in the progress of these pegged cryptocurrencies. As with any asset, it is important to understand not only where it fits into the financial services sector now, but also what the next stage will look like."Cutting 60–80% of Correspondent Banking Costs"Fractional CPO and product strategy consultant Melissa Stringer – who will moderate the ‘Stablecoins for a Destabilised World: Use Cases in Financial Services’ session at FMLS on 26 November – says the most useful use cases are in cross-border B2B payments and treasury settlement.“Institutional payment providers are already using stablecoins as a back-end settlement layer, keeping existing client interfaces while cutting 60–80% of correspondent banking costs and compressing settlement times from days to under an hour,” she explains.A strong emerging model is hybrid settlement: conventional FX on the front end with stablecoin rails underneath. This model preserves regulatory controls while enabling 24/7 liquidity.“Another area is programmable trade finance, payments that release automatically when verified conditions are met (for instance, a shipment clearing customs),” adds Stringer. “That turns week-long processes into hours and removes most manual checks.”Luke Dorney, head of custody at LMAX Group and session panellist, agrees that outside the native crypto space, the most important real-world use for stablecoins is in cross-border payments and remittances, where they are increasingly being explored for corporate treasury management and as programmable money through smart contracts to automate complex financial transactions.“For institutional FX markets, stablecoins are expected to drive growth in 24/7 trading and reduce counterparty and settlement risk,” he says. “But this shift needs strong infrastructure, clear execution and global regulatory alignment.”"The First Is Institutional Settlement and Treasury Rails"Another session participant, Andrew Rosoman, head of business development at Hidden Road, points to three main use cases.“The first is institutional settlement and treasury rails,” he explains. “Fiat-backed stablecoins are a 24/7 settlement asset useful for moving collateral between venues, funding accounts across time zones and reducing counterparty and operational risk in post-trade workflows.”On exchanges and OTC, stablecoins act as a near-cash margin asset, speeding capital rotation and allowing tighter funding windows.“In cross-border payments and FX, for B2B flows stablecoins cut friction compared to older correspondent banking systems, offering faster finality and clear fees,” adds Rosoman, who suggests that the main challenges to broader retail adoption include on/off-ramp user experience and protections; standardisation and fragmentation; and trust and education.“In the medium term, stablecoins will influence treasury upgrades for corporates and institutions, supporting always-on cash management, instant internal transfers and programmable payouts,” he says. “Stablecoins also have a part to play as the ‘cash leg’ for tokenised assets and collateral movement across venues, as well as for remittances, merchant settlement and embedded finance where speed and certainty matter more than yield.”The main obstacles to broader retail adoption are perception and integration rather than technology, says Stringer.“Retail investors still mix up regulated, asset-backed stablecoins (USDC, PYUSD) with failed algorithmic models like UST,” she says. “Also, the user experience must improve – consumers should not need to manage private keys. Banks and brokers need to include stablecoin functions directly in their existing apps, giving simple on-/off-ramps.”Stringer highlights three areas where stablecoins will have the greatest effect in the short to medium term: • Liquidity management – freeing trapped working capital by removing the need for pre-funded nostro/vostro accounts • Cross-border payroll and remittances – especially in emerging markets, where mobile wallets plus stablecoins can avoid costly correspondent networks • Supply chain finance – conditional payments that settle at once once checks pass, directly helping with the trade finance gapThe past lack of regulatory clarity remains a major block, although regulatory progress has now become real frameworks that will help the market grow while protecting consumers and supporting innovation."Clarity Is Also Still Needed on Systemic Risk Management"“Other practical issues include the lack of simple on- and off-ramps for converting stablecoins to local currency, which can be costly and inconvenient, and the fact that regulatory frameworks (like the GENIUS Act) often stop stablecoins from offering yield, making them less competitive as a savings or investment tool compared to standard interest-bearing accounts and money market funds,” says Dorney.He says the GENIUS Act and the MiCA framework are allowing major institutions to use stablecoins for real-time settlement of tokenised assets, more efficient cross-border settlement and managing on-chain liquidity.“Their role in cross-border payments and remittances will keep expanding fast, cutting costs and boosting efficiency for both individuals and businesses,” adds Dorney, while noting that a lot of work is still needed to reach simple, global usability.“Clarity is also still needed on systemic risk management, including the possibility of non-bank issuers accessing central bank services to manage liquidity and prevent runs, as well as the creation of specific legal structures to cover the on-chain issue and trading of tokenised securities like ETFs under existing laws,” he continues.With MiCA, FSMA and the GENIUS Act setting reserve, custody and disclosure standards, Stringer says the remaining task is cross-border alignment – how capital rules, yield-bearing tokens and collateral treatment match across regions.“The key point here is that regulators have said ‘yes’ to stablecoins,” she notes. “Now the industry must put this into practice. The next 18–24 months are a major chance for regulated institutions to lead before new players set the norms. Stablecoins will not replace standard finance, they will support it. The winners will be payment providers and banks that improve their infrastructure to become the institutional on/off-ramps of the stablecoin period.”Rosoman notes that work is still needed to set clear rules on reserve makeup, segregation, audits and real-time disclosures, as well as addressing enforceable, same-day (or near-instant) redemption expectations and clarifying which regulator is responsible.Guidance on how stablecoins link with banks, payment firms and market venues – including capital and risk treatment for intermediaries – will also matter.“Stablecoins are becoming core market plumbing,” concludes Rosoman. “The more aligned the rules and the better the disclosures, the faster responsible adoption will grow.” This article was written by Paul Golden at www.financemagnates.com.

A Twitter hacker who breached the accounts of public figures, including Barack Obama and Jeff Bezos, has been ordered to return £4 million.Digital assets meet tradfi in London at the fmls25Joseph James O’Connor, 26, was jailed in the United States for hacking social media accounts. The offences involved scamming people out of Bitcoin and threatening celebrities with the release of private images and messages.CPS recovers 42 Bitcoin from Twitter hacker schemeThe UK’s CPS Proceeds of Crime Division has now obtained a Civil Recovery Order to reclaim 42 Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency acquired through the scheme, valued at around £4.1 million.The CPS said it worked with authorities in the US and Spain to ensure the order could be served, preventing O’Connor from hiding the assets.Adrian Foster, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS Proceeds of Crime Division, said O’Connor “targeted well known individuals and used their accounts to scam people out of their crypto assets and money.” He added that the authorities were able “to ensure that even when someone is not convicted in the UK, they do not benefit from their criminality.”Man who hacked Barack Obama and Jeff Bezos ordered to hand over £4million worth of Bitcoin.Read more ➡️https://t.co/7ciEWH1Jq9 pic.twitter.com/FckqXI0fTh— Crown Prosecution Service (@CPSUK) November 17, 2025Florida teen jailed for Twitter celebrity Bitcoin scamIn 2021, Florida teen Graham Ivan Clark was identified as the mastermind behind the hijacking of dozens of celebrity Twitter accounts, including Joe Biden, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Barack Obama. Clark and two other teens used the accounts to solicit Bitcoin, promising to return double payments. The scheme swindled more than $180,000. Clark later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in jail and three years of probation. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Suspicious fund movements are pushing Hong Kong regulators to step up pressure on licensed firms, as criminals increasingly turn to brokers and virtual asset platforms for money laundering.Join IG, CMC, and Robinhood in London’s leading trading industry event!A surge in rapid-fire transfers moving through Hong Kong’s licensed financial firms has triggered new urgency from regulators, who now warn that criminals increasingly exploit both securities brokers and virtual asset platforms to mask the origins of illicit funds.The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) issued a circular urging licensed firms to stay alert to patterns that suggest layering — the stage of money laundering where criminals attempt to obscure fund origins by passing money through multiple accounts.SFC Flags Rapid Deposits and WithdrawalsThe regulator noted a rising trend of deception and scam proceeds entering client accounts through a series of tightly timed deposits, often structured to avoid detection, before being withdrawn almost immediately as cash or virtual assets. The SFC says such behaviour signals attempts to hide both the source and the destination of criminal proceeds.The circular restates the SFC’s expectations on internal controls. Firms must monitor unusual movements, evaluate whether systems can detect rapid transaction cycles and ensure senior management remains accountable for preventing misuse.“Watchfulness is key to detecting layering activities, which could have been prevented through effective and robust AML/CFT controls,” commented Dr Yip.“Licensed firms should stay alert to the red flags of suspicious transactions, while regularly assessing the robustness and effectiveness of their internal controls.”You may also like: Finfluencer Receives First Custodial Sentence in Hong Kong for Unlicensed Telegram AdviceThe SFC has intensified cooperation with the Hong Kong Police Force, including the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre and the Joint Financial Intelligence Unit.Since September 2025, several licensed firms have joined the police’s 24/7 stop-payment mechanism, which accelerates efforts to freeze suspicious funds before they disappear.This collaboration has already produced results: in the past two months, roughly one-third of known scam-related proceeds attempting to pass through licensed firms were intercepted.Industry Briefed on Market RisksTo reinforce expectations, the SFC held a webinar offering updates on supervisory findings and emerging AML/CFT risks across the securities and virtual asset markets.The regulator intends to continue monitoring firms closely and has warned that it will take enforcement action when controls fall short. The SFC says it will keep supervising compliance and will intervene where firms fail to meet obligations.The latest call reflects concern that Hong Kong’s role as a financial hub makes it a target for complex laundering schemes and that firms must do more to prevent becoming part of them.Last week, SFC reappointed Julia Leung as Chief Executive Officer of the commission for a two-year term beginning 1 January 2026, following the conclusion of her current term on 31 December 2025. The SFC said her renewed mandate will help drive ongoing reforms and maintain operational continuity amid global market uncertainty. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Webull Securities Singapore's subsidiary has selected CQG to power its new futures trading operation, connecting the Asia-based brokerage to global derivatives markets through the Denver firm's order routing and risk management infrastructure.Webull Taps CQG for Singapore Futures RolloutThe deal adds Singapore to a growing list of Webull Corporation's Asia-Pacific units running on CQG technology. Webull Hong Kong and Webull Malaysia began using CQG systems in 2023, creating a common technology backbone across three regional markets where the U.S.-listed broker operates."Given CQG is also partnering with other Webull entities in the Asia-Pacific region, our integration has been seamless," Jonathan Man, CEO of Webull Singapore, said in a statement. The Singapore unit plans to offer futures alongside its existing equities and options products.This is another move by Webull in the region, following last week’s announcement of a partnership with South Korea’s Meritz Financial Group. The agreement marks Webull’s entry into the South Korean market and aims to provide local investors with access to U.S. equity markets.Three APAC Markets on Single PlatformCQG provides direct connectivity to more than 45 exchanges globally through co-located gateway infrastructure. The technology handles order routing, pre-trade risk checks and broker network access for futures commission merchants and retail brokerages.Webull Singapore joins a roster of more than 100 futures brokerage firms using CQG's infrastructure. The firm consolidates market data from 85 sources covering futures, options, fixed income, foreign exchange and equities.John Co, CQG's managing director for Southeast Asia, described the multi-market arrangement as proof that retail trading firms can rely on third-party infrastructure for derivatives while maintaining proprietary front-end applications. "This is a powerful example of how the world's most successful retail trading firms are able to rely on CQG's infrastructure as the foundation for their futures offerings while leveraging their own popular trading apps," he said.Retail Appetite Tests InfrastructureSingapore hosts an active retail investor base with appetite for derivatives products. Webull Singapore is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and holds a Capital Markets Services licence under the Securities and Futures Act 2001.Ben Soong, CQG president for Asia-Pacific, said the Singapore partnership reflects demand for futures access among regional investors. "In Singapore, this is an especially active market of investors with a growing appetite for futures trading," Soong said.The arrangement allows Webull to enter the Singapore futures market without building proprietary order routing and exchange connectivity. CQG handles the low-latency infrastructure and multi-exchange connections while Webull manages customer acquisition, order flow and local regulatory compliance.Webull Corporation operates in 14 markets across North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America, serving more than 24 million registered users. The company trades on Nasdaq under the ticker BULL.In the meantime, Webull UK is introducing London Stock Exchange-listed shares and exchange-traded funds to its platform, along with a new two-tier account structure. The move is part of the broker’s ongoing efforts to expand its presence in the UK retail investment market. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Finalto, the leading liquidity provider and fintech company, is pleased to be attending the 2025 Finance Magnates London Summit, which will be held at Magazine London on 25-27 November.FMLS, which bills itself as London’s most influential financial markets event, is a key event to explore opportunities and share industry news and trends.Advancing the agendaFinalto is proud to have two senior leaders contributing their expertise at FMLS:25.Andy Biggs, CEO of Finalto Trading & Group Head of Risk and Trading, will join the panel “Liquidity amid Record Volatility & 'Certain Uncertainty”, offering expert insights into recent market dynamics and sharing informed perspectives on what could shape the next phase of volatility. Catch Andy on 26 November at the VISION STAGE (12:20-13:00).Continuing the theme of examining the big picture through a precise analytical lens, Sam Horowitz, Finalto’s Head of Liquidity, will speak on “Macro Outlook: Economic Rifts Between Trade Wars & Actual Ones”, providing a deep dive into global economic tensions and their implications for financial markets. Be sure not to miss Sam on 26 November at the VISION STAGE (14:00-14:40).Finalto UK CEO Paul Groves stressed the need to be at the heart of the industry conversation and participating in cutting edge discussions. “At Finalto, our investment in expertise and deep domain knowledge as important to us as investing in advanced technology. Industry events like FMLS provide an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, share insights, and collaborate on shaping the future of financial markets.”2025 Award NominationsFollowing a strong track record at previous FMLS events, Finalto is proud to be nominated once again across several key categories at FMLS:25.This year, the bespoke liquidity provider is shortlisted for:Best Multi-Asset BrokerBest B2B Liquidity Provider (Prime of Prime)Best White Label SolutionBest Multi-Asset Trading PlatformBest FX Trading PlatformFinalto was honoured with the Best White Label Solution award at last year’s event, a testament to the company’s continued commitment to innovation and excellence in financial technology.You can find Finalto at Booth 51 or sales@finalto.com to set up a meeting.About FinaltoFinalto is an innovative prime brokerage that provides bespoke liquidity and fintech solutions. Our award-winning technology and expertise enable us to deliver effective, flexible service to a wide range of institutional clients globally, personalised to suit their needs. We deliver best-in-class pricing, execution and prime broker solutions across multiple assets, including CFDs on Equities, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos and rolling spot FX, Precious and Base Metals, and bespoke products such as NDFs. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Japan’s Financial Services Agency is preparing a sweeping overhaul of the country’s crypto rules, the one that pairs a major tax cut with a dramatic expansion of regulatory oversight, local media outlet reports.Tax Cuts in Exhange for OversightUnder the proposal, the tax rate on crypto gains would drop from as high as 55% to a flat 20%, aligning digital assets with the tax treatment of stocks and other capital gains. The measure is being considered as part of Japan’s next annual tax reform cycle and is seen as a major step toward revitalizing domestic participation in digital assets.Digital assets meet tradfi in London at the fmls25However, the favorable tax shift comes with strict new obligations. The FSA plans to reclassify crypto assets as “financial products” under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, which would subject the industry to the full regulatory framework applied to traditional securities.If enacted, domestic exchanges will be required to provide mandatory disclosures for all 105 cryptocurrencies currently listed on licensed Japanese trading platforms, including Bitcoin and Ether. The proposal is expected to be submitted to Japan’s ordinary parliamentary session in 2026. Mandatory Disclosure Framework The FSA intends to introduce extensive disclosure requirements, bringing crypto assets closer to conventional financial instruments. Exchanges would need to publish detailed information on each of the 105 approved tokens. This would include the type and characteristics of each asset, such as whether it has an identifiable issuer, details about the underlying technology like the specific blockchain or distributed ledger used, the asset’s volatility profile and market risks, and any other material factors that could influence investor decision-making. This level of reporting marks a significant shift for Japan’s market, where tens of thousands of tokens exist globally but only a tightly controlled set of 105 are permitted on domestic exchanges. Under the new system, this approved list would effectively become a regulated product universe. Insider-Trading Restrictions Extended to Crypto Another major part of the proposal is to apply the insider-trading rules to digital assets. If passed, individuals or entities with access to non-public information would be barred from trading affected tokens. The restrictions would apply to issuers, crypto-asset operators and other entities that may know in advance about the material events, such as listings or delistings, major technical or financial incidents. The same rules are effective for equities. They are designed to prevent information asymmetry in a market where transparency has historically been limited. However, the push for stricter oversight has sparked debate. During recent Financial Services Council working-group meetings, industry representatives warned that the regulatory burden may be excessive, noting that roughly 90% of domestic exchanges are operating at a loss. Some committee members described the proposals as “too heavy-handed” and urged the FSA to strike a balance between investor protection and market viability. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Singapore Exchange has launched Bitcoin and Ethereum perpetual futures through its SGX Derivatives unit. The contracts, set to start trading next week, offer continuous, no-expiry exposure to digital assets while operating within a regulated, exchange-cleared framework. The move aims to bring institutional-grade standards of clearing and margining to crypto derivatives in Asia.Digital assets meet tradfi in London at the fmls25In 2013, SGX was authorized by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission as the first Asian derivatives clearing organization. This established SGX’s regulated clearing capabilities, supporting its expansion into crypto perpetual futures.SGX Launches Perpetual Futures onshorePerpetual futures are among the most actively traded crypto products, accounting for over US$187 billion in daily global volumes. Most of these flows have traditionally been settled on offshore platforms outside Asia. SGX’s offering allows institutions to access these markets onshore with standardized risk management.The contracts are benchmarked to iEdge CoinDesk Crypto Indices. Andy Baehr of CoinDesk Indices said SGX’s launch aligns derivative trading with established benchmarks and introduces traditional clearing and margining standards.JUST IN: Singapore Exchange to roll out Bitcoin and Ethereum perpetual futures on Nov 24 to meet growing institutional demand for crypto. pic.twitter.com/8QMXAUvrCo— BeInCrypto (@beincrypto) November 17, 2025Market Participants Support SGX Perpetual LaunchMarket participants highlighted the launch as a step toward broader institutional access. Leonard Hoh of Bitstamp by Robinhood noted that a Singapore-anchored benchmark reflects regional liquidity. Patrick Yeo of DBS Bank said the contracts improve capital efficiency and support the maturation of the digital asset ecosystem.Other industry figures, including Joseph Chang of Liquibit Capital, CJ Fong of GSR, Gracie Lin of OKX Singapore, Melvin Deng of QCP, and Ramesh Arumugam of Virtu Financial, welcomed the introduction of regulated perpetual futures, citing enhanced market transparency, risk management, and infrastructure for institutional trading. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

The Finance Magnates London Summit (FMLS:25) returns this November for its 14th edition, bringing together the biggest names in online trading, fintech, payments, and crypto. Taking place at Magazine London from 25 to 27 November 2025, the Summit promises two full days of business meetings, insight sessions, and high-level networking that define the direction of global finance.Known as the most influential event on the financial industry calendar, FMLS:25 gathers thousands of senior executives, decision-makers, and innovators from around the world. The Summit combines premium content with a relaxed atmosphere, giving attendees a unique mix of business, learning, and networking opportunities, often best enjoyed with a drink in hand.Finance Magnates and investingLive at Booth 16As both the organiser and exhibitor, Finance Magnates, together with investingLive, will have a significant presence at the event. You can find both teams at Booth 16, where they will meet with partners, clients, and industry professionals to discuss new collaborations and opportunities.Booth 16 will serve as a joint showcase for Finance Magnates’ media network and InvestingLive’s financial content platform, offering visitors a full view of the tools and products that connect brands to the global finance community.Meet the teamVisitors can explore:Media and Advertising Solutions: Articles, banner placements, interviews, and brand features reaching verified finance audiences.Lead Generation Campaigns: Webinars, video reviews, and content activations designed to engage potential clients directly.PR and Content Distribution: Access to news coverage, email marketing, newsletters, and directory listings across key financial markets.FM Intelligence: Discover reports offering exclusive market benchmarks, broker analytics, and performance insights.FM Executive Video InterviewsDo You Want to Stand Out in the Industry?If your brand is shaping the future of finance, your story deserves to be told. The Finance Magnates Executive Video Interviews spotlight your most significant achievements, from product launches and partnerships to company milestones, in a professional, editorial-style format filmed live during FMLS:25.Each interview is led by our experienced team and produced on-site to highlight your message, expertise, and vision.What’s Included in the Package:10-Minute Executive Interview: A focused discussion guided by our editors, built around your company's story and news.Exclusive Post-Event Article: Key takeaways from your interview published on Finance Magnates and shared across social media for extended visibility.Live Social Media Post: Real-time exposure during your interview on our official channels during the Summit.YouTube Feature: Your interview will be published on our official YouTube channel for long-term reach.? Book Your Executive Video Package and make your voice heard at the industry’s most important gathering.Finance Magnates and investingLive Speakers at FMLS:25Finance Magnates and investingLive executives will participate in several major sessions during the Summit, sharing their insights and data-backed views on the topics driving the market.Leaders Panel: Thank You, Donald!? 26 November 2025 | ? 10:40–11:20 GMT | ? Vision Stage Featuring Andrea Badiola Mateos, Finance Magnates An insightful panel exploring volatility, AI integration, and regional performance trends across the financial sector.Your Broker’s Growth is Elsewhere, 2026 Edition? 26 November 2025 | ? 10:45–11:15 GMT | ? Craft Stage Featuring Adam Button, Chief Currency Analyst, investingLive A discussion on tested growth drivers across markets, featuring real strategies and operational insights that deliver measurable results.State of the Prop in 2026? 26 November 2025 | ? 12:10–12:40 GMT | ? Craft Stage Featuring Yam Yehoshua, Finance Magnates A look into the future of prop trading, examining revenue models, compliance approaches, and cross-broker synergies.Educators, IBs, and Other Regional Growth Drivers? 27 November 2025 | ? 11:00–11:40 GMT | ? Craft Stage Featuring Adam Button, InvestingLive An in-depth session exploring how educators and IBs help brokers build communities, maintain trust, and navigate regional compliance in 2025.Marketing in 2026: Audiences, Costs, and Smarter AI? 27 November 2025 | ? 12:40–13:20 GMT | ? Craft Stage Featuring Yam Yehoshua, Finance Magnates and Itai Levitan, investingLive A conversation on managing acquisition costs, understanding audience behaviour, and applying AI to achieve smarter marketing results.Mind the Gap: Can Retail Investors Save the UK Stock Market?? 27 November 2025 | ? 12:20–13:00 GMT | ? Vision Stage Featuring Adam Button, investingLive A panel discussing the future of retail investing in the UK, the impact of government policy, and how fintechs can encourage participation.Debate: Is Prop Trading Good for the Trading Industry?? 27 November 2025 | ? 14:50–15:30 GMT | ? Vision Stage Featuring Jonathan Fine, Ultimate Group A live debate tackling the pros and cons of prop trading and its influence on retail markets.Join Us in LondonAs the organisers of the Finance Magnates London Summit, our goal is to keep the conversations moving and connect people, ideas, and innovation across global finance.Secure your pass to FMLS:25 and be part of London’s most important financial event.? Meet us at Booth 16 at Magazine London from 25 to 27 November 2025. Join the Finance Magnates and investingLive teams, attend our sessions, and be part of the discussions shaping the industry's future.Event HighlightsThe Summit will feature 2.5 days of activity, starting with the Networking Blitz on 25 November, followed by two content-rich days on 26 and 27 November. Attendees can expect focused discussions, keynotes, and panels covering regulation and technology, as well as artificial intelligence and prop trading. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Ethereum (ETH) price has tested the psychological $3,000 level, deepening medium-term lows and falling to the lowest levels in over 4 months. And although the ETH price is rising today (Monday), November 17, 2025, rebounding over 3.46% to trade at $3,199.35, my Ethereum forecasts remain bearish. The cryptocurrency faces a potentially catastrophic 60% decline scenario as extreme fear grips the market and technical signals flash warning signs of deeper correction ahead.​ Let’s check together why Ethereum is falling with other crypto and what the ETH/USDT technical chart hides.Follow me on X for more up-to-date analysis and forecasts on major cryptocurrencies and other financial instruments.Why Crypto Is Going Down? Extreme Fear Dominates as Bitcoin Crashes Below $94,000Bitcoin (BTC) briefly fell below $94,000 for the first time since May 6 on Sunday, triggering a cascade across the entire cryptocurrency market, including Ethereum. Analysts pointed to intensifying fear among traders and flagged possible downside risks as sentiment stayed locked in extreme fear territory. As I wrote in my previous Bitcoin price analysis, the oldest cryptocurrency may fall another 30% from the current levels.The Crypto Fear & Greed Index stood at 10, firmly in its extreme fear band, after already sitting at the same level on Saturday.This represents one of the most severe sentiment readings in 2025, reflecting widespread panic as the crypto market experienced a $19 billion liquidation event. "Volatility has not been limited to equity markets – economic uncertainty and the recent tech sector sell-offs have had a direct and immediate impact on the price of Bitcoin,” Hina Sattar Joshi, Director at TP ICAP Digital Assets, explained. “After the summer's exuberance, this month, the cryptocurrency experienced a $19 billion liquidation and continued the most sustained declines in price since Donald Trump's inauguration."Ethereum has underperformed Bitcoin during this selloff, declining from its August year high of $4,955.90 to current levels around $3,199.35, a decline approaching 40% from peak levels. This underperformance signals particular weakness in the altcoin leader as institutional and retail participants alike reduce exposure to digital assets amid deteriorating market conditions.Why Ethereum Is Falling Today? Death Cross Formation ImminentAccording to my technical analysis, from this year's highs, ETH has corrected so strongly that, from a standard market perspective, it would mean entering a downtrend with double force. Moreover, since the beginning of the month we've been moving below the 200 EMA, which for me is a binary separation between bull trend and bear trend.We'll soon see a death cross formation on the chart as the 50 EMA is rapidly approaching the crossover of the 200 EMA, which will be a strong sell signal for me. Ethereum's 50-day moving average currently sits at $3,892.98 while the 200-day moving average is at $3,467.40, a narrowing gap that suggests the crossover could occur within days. The last time such a crossover occurred was at the beginning of the year in February, when ETH subsequently fell 50% to the April lows."This time, the signal comes at a moment when liquidity is only starting to stabilize, December rate-cut odds have fallen from near-certainty to ~50%, and market risks remain unresolved, including Tom Lee's warnings about two major market makers facing financial deficits,” said Lacie Zhang, Research Analyst at Bitget Wallet. “With institutional flows gradually returning, traders should approach this cross with caution: it can reinforce a risk-off structure, favoring defensive positioning, hedging through derivatives, or disciplined spot accumulation."How Low Can Ethereum Go? -60% Ethereum Price PredictionHow low could Ethereum fall? According to my ETH price forecasts, if current psychological support doesn't hold, then price will head toward the support zone determined by local highs from May and June this year around $2,700-$2,750, additionally strengthened by the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement.The next target is $2,150, the June lows coinciding with the intraday minimum on February 3 and the lows from August 2024. This level represents a 33% decline from current $3,199 prices and would mark a significant psychological breakdown for Ethereum holders who accumulated during the summer rally.The ultimate level of decline for me is the zone between $1,500 (September 2023 lows) and $1,370 (April 2025 minimums). If Ethereum were heading in that direction, it could lose almost 60% from current levels. This catastrophic scenario would take ETH back to year-low territory at $1,383.26, essentially erasing all gains achieved since the spring bottom.Institutional Outflows and Macro Headwinds Are Not HelpingLinh Tran, Market Analyst at XS.com, emphasized that the selling pressure extends beyond retail panic: "Bitcoin fell below the USD 93,000 mark this weekend, which is the lowest level in nearly six months. This decline marks one of the strongest corrections since the beginning of the year. It also reflects a shift in overall market sentiment from the risk-on optimism at the beginning of Q4 to a more cautious and defensive risk-off tone."Tran continued: "From the peak near USD 125,000 in early October, Bitcoin has lost nearly 25% of its value, showing that the current selling pressure does not come only from retail investors but also from institutional flows, which are highly sensitive to macroeconomic signals."The $19 billion Bitcoin liquidation event described by Hina Joshi represents forced selling that cascaded across all digital assets. When Bitcoin experiences such massive liquidations, altcoins like Ethereum typically suffer amplified losses as leveraged positions unwind and traders flee to cash or stablecoins for safety.What Would Invalidate Ethereum Bearish Scenario?What would need to happen for me to start looking at the ETH/USD chart bullishly again? First of all, we would need to return above the grid of 50 and 200 EMAs, simultaneously at the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement. In my opinion, this would open the way to looking again at a test of this year's historical highs, and earlier a return to the round level of $4,000.Technically, Ethereum would need to reclaim the $3,600-$3,900 zone decisively, ideally on strong volume, to negate the death cross signal before it fully forms. This would require approximately 12-22% gains from current $3,199 levels—a significant move that would necessitate major positive catalysts.Potential catalysts for reversal include:Aggressive Fed easing: If December rate cut materializes and guidance signals continued easing into 2026Ethereum network upgrades: The upcoming Fusaka upgrade delivering performance improvementsInstitutional ETF inflows: Resumption of flows into Ethereum ETFs after recent outflowsBitcoin stabilization: BTC holding above $90,000 and reclaiming $100,000 psychological levelLiquidity injection: Resolution of market maker concerns and return of risk appetiteEthereum Price Analysis, FAQWhy is Ethereum going down?Ethereum is declining due to multiple converging factors: the imminent death cross formation (50 EMA approaching crossover below 200 EMA), Crypto Fear & Greed Index at 10 (Extreme Fear), and the $19 billion Bitcoin liquidation event triggering cascade selling across altcoins.Why is crypto going down?The cryptocurrency market is experiencing one of its strongest corrections since the beginning of 2025, driven by a $19 billion Bitcoin liquidation event, extreme fear sentiment (Fear & Greed Index at 10), and a shift from Q4 risk-on optimism to defensive positioning.How low can Ethereum go?According to my ETH price forecasts, Ethereum faces a potential 60% decline from current levels around $3,199 to the ultimate downside zone between $1,370-$1,500 matching April 2025 and September 2023 lows. How much will Ethereum be worth in 2025?If the imminent death cross confirms (50 EMA crossing below 200 EMA) and $3,000 support fails, my forecast shows Ethereum could decline through multiple levels: first to $2,700-$2,750 (May/June local highs strengthened by 61.8% Fibonacci retracement), then $2,150 (June lows coinciding with February intraday minimum), and ultimately to $1,370-$1,500 matching April 2025 lows and September 2023 levels. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Eric Jing, Chairman of Ant Group, said the company's focus is on putting new payment and operation tools powered by AI and tokenisation technology in the hands of SMEs, to embrace the next wave of global productivity revolution.“We are passionate about using frontier technology to support SMEs and the use of AI will really uplift inclusion,” Jing said during a panel discussion titled “Steering the Global Future” during the Singapore FinTech Festival on November 14, 2025.Jing was joined by Agustín Carstens, Former General Manager, Bank for International Settlements; Ravi Menon, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Global Finance & Technology Network; Ambassador, Singapore & Former Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore, GFTN, and Dr. Razeen Sally who moderated the panel.From Agentic Payment to Agentic Finance: A Virtual CFO, and COO for SMEsOn the consumer front, Jing expects the rise of personalised AI financial managers and advisors. On the business front, “Agentic payment is one of the most important forces driving agentic commerce and agentic systems,” Jing said. Ant will focus on democratising AI for SMEs at a time when small businesses engaged in global trade face increasingly complex payment and risk environments. “Many SMEs may not have sophisticated digital skills or a large workforce to support them in doing business, and this is where AI agents can really play a role in helping them to navigate the landscape,” Jing said.Agentic AI Expands SME Operational CapabilitiesAntom, the merchant payment and digitisation services arm of Ant International, is using Antom Copilot to support payment integration, merchant onboarding, risk management settings, and chargeback response. Copilot cuts payment integration time by over 90%, boosts chargeback winning rates by 3 percentage points, and shortens chargeback resolution time by 46 percent.During the Singapore FinTech Festival 2025, Antom also launched EPOS360, an app that brings point-of-sale (POS) system, payments, banking, lending, and growth support together to help micro, small and medium‑sized enterprises (MSMEs) move from setup to scale efficiently.“Agentic AI will act like your COO, your CFO. They are stepping in as virtual financial and operational planners and implementers for SMEs, enabling them to compete globally,” Jing said. Tokenisation Supports Real-Time Global SettlementHe added that the rise of agentic payments and multi-agent systems are already on track, where autonomous AI agents collaborate to execute complex end-to-end transactions.Collaboration with MAS on AI and Blockchain is an Exemplar of Public-Private Collaboration“The tokenisation of money that enables global real-time settlement across borders will be particularly beneficial to SMEs and companies doing global trade,” Jing said. “On such important projects, it is necessary to have policy leadership from regulators like the Monetary Authority of Singapore, who provides institutional clarity and brings together an industry ecosystem of collaboration.”Regulatory Sandboxes Support Responsible Tech DeploymentAnt International’s collaboration with the Monetary Authority of Singapore through key initiatives like Project Guardian and PathFin.ai sets an exemplary model of public-private partnership, especially when blockchain and AI have emerged as global themes.“We are honoured to participate in the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s regulatory sandboxes. They provide the clarity and certainty needed to responsibly deploy cutting-edge technologies while managing risks,” said Jing. “This new technology is up and coming, we cannot shy away from it. Instead, the right way is to harness the technology to get the benefits while keeping in mind the potential risks and challenges.”Under Project Guardian, Ant International has contributed to pilot efforts in tokenised money and cross-border settlements, demonstrating how real-time, transparent and credible blockchain-based payments can benefit SMEs engaged in global trade.Through MAS’ PathFin.ai programme, Ant International is also actively engaging in knowledge exchange on AI implementations. Jing highlighted Ant International’s Falcon Time-Series Transformer Model — an 8.5-billion-parameter AI model designed for FX and liquidity forecasting. AI Model Improves Cash Flow ForecastingThe model has significantly improved accuracy in predicting cash flow and liquidity, helping businesses reduce hedging costs in today’s volatile global economy.“Through participating in sandboxes, we see benefits and opportunities to improve our products before rolling them out. It has really been a pleasure to be part of that – MAS is taking a very proactive role and it’s enormously valuable,” said Jing.Ant International, which became independent in 2024, is headquartered in Singapore. The company now collaborates with over 1,400 institutional partners and provides global payment, settlement and digitisation services to 150 million merchants, and a network of global wallets and national QR schemes that together serve over 1.8 billion consumer accounts.About Ant InternationalWith headquarters in Singapore and main operations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. Through collaboration across the private and public sectors, our unified techfin platform supports financial institutions and merchants of all sizes to achieve inclusive growth through a comprehensive range of cutting-edge digital payment and financial services solutions. To learn more, please visit https://www.ant-intl.com/For media enquiries, please contactpr@ant-intl.com This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

US forex deposits climbed across major retail platforms in August 2025, with the industry recording a combined 1.86% monthly increase to $506.6 million as the dollar stabilized after months of sharp declines. The rebound follows a period of weak deposit flows that had pushed industry totals to multi-year lows.US Forex Deposits Rebound in August as Dollar StabilizesGAIN Capital held onto its position as the largest platform with $217.7 million in August, up 0.59% from July's $216.4 million. The modest gain represented a departure from the volatility seen in previous months, when the platform experienced wider swings in client deposits.Charles Schwab posted $61.2 million in retail forex obligations, barely budging with a 0.08% increase from the prior month. The institutional broker's steady performance reflected a client base less reactive to short-term currency moves compared to smaller retail-focused competitors.Recovery Picks Up SteamInteractive Brokers delivered the strongest performance among major platforms, jumping 9.61% to $33.4 million from July's $30.4 million. The surge suggested renewed interest from the broker's client base as currency markets showed signs of settling into a more predictable pattern.OANDA recorded a 3.09% gain to $148.4 million, marking a turnaround after months of steady outflows. The platform had previously struggled as prolonged dollar weakness kept retail traders on the sidelines, but August brought some relief as volatility created new trading opportunities.tastyfx climbed 0.80% to $43.3 million, while Trading.com jumped 9.89% to $2.6 million. The varied performance across platforms showed how different client segments responded to changing market conditions in the currency markets.Dollar Finds Footing After Tumultuous PeriodAugust marked a shift in dollar dynamics after a punishing first half of the year. The US Dollar Index traded near 98.2 by late August, down slightly on the month but showing more stability than earlier in 2025. The greenback had shed nearly 9% year-to-date through August, reflecting a broader structural shift as markets priced in Federal Reserve rate cuts.The dollar's volatile August performance created a more complex trading environment than the one-way decline seen in previous months. The index swung between 97.6 support and 98.5 resistance throughout the month, as traders digested mixed economic signals and Fed commentary about potential September rate cuts.Currency pairs showed significant movement during August. EUR/USD traded around 1.17 by late month, with the euro having gained more than 12% against the dollar year-to-date. GBP/USD hovered near 1.38, reflecting pound strength as UK inflation remained sticky and reduced expectations for Bank of England easing.Year-Over-Year Pressures RemainDespite the monthly rebound, the industry faced headwinds in annual comparisons. Total deposits of $506.6 million represented a 4.44% decline from August 2024 levels of $530.1 million. The yearly drop reflected broader challenges as retail forex platforms adapted to a changing currency landscape dominated by dollar depreciation.OANDA's annual struggles continued, with August deposits down significantly from year-ago levels. The platform faced the steepest yearly decline among major brokers, highlighting how some client bases remained hesitant despite improving monthly trends.Charles Schwab deposits in August were down from the prior year, while Interactive Brokers showed resilience with deposits well above August 2024 levels. The mixed annual performance underscored how platform-specific factors influenced client retention during turbulent currency markets.Federal Reserve policy remained the dominant driver for dollar movements. Markets had priced in a September rate cut at 97% probability by mid-August, following weak jobs data and signs of cooling economic activity. The combination of easing inflation and slowing growth gave the Fed room to begin trimming rates after holding them elevated throughout 2024.Regulatory Framework Holds SteadyAll examined brokers continued meeting CFTC capital requirements despite market volatility. The monthly reporting framework provided transparency into how retail forex platforms performed as currency markets navigated a year of significant dollar weakness.Futures Commission Merchants and Retail Foreign Exchange Dealers must submit detailed monthly reports to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission under federal law. These filings track customer fund segregation, capital adequacy, and forex obligations, giving regulators early visibility into potential industry risks. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

ProjectX, a trading platform provider for futures prop platforms, seems to be ending its services to all “third-party” platforms at the end of February 2026, a prop firm has confirmed on its Discord channel. Another prop firm using ProjectX noted that the trading platform will now become exclusive to TopStep, a major futures prop trading platform in the United States.This update came less than a month after Plus500 became the trading tech provider to TopStep. According to the ProjectX website, Plus500 is also its exchange partner.“Third-Party Support [Is] No Longer Sustainable”ProjectX is a trading platform used by many futures prop platforms, including One Top Futures, Trading Lucid, Tradify, Blue Guardian Futures, Tick Tok Trader and others.Breaking News ?ProjectX is reportedly revoking all licensing to their platforms across every prop firm… except Topstep, who will have full exclusive access.Some prop firms definitely aren’t happy about this notice.What are your thoughts on this? ?— BrianStonk (@thebrianstonk) November 15, 2025Top One Futures confirmed that ProjectX informed them about the discontinuation of third-party prop firms, without naming TopStep.“After careful consideration, we’ve made the decision to wind down our ProjectX third-party service offering,” the ProjectX notice to Top One Futures stated, as posted by the prop firm on its Discord channel. “Shifts in operational demands and upcoming compliance reporting, oversight, and audit requirements have made continuing third-party support no longer sustainable.”Although Top One Futures pointed out that the move was unexpected for “every firm in the industry”, it added that the broad timeline provided them “more than enough room to manage the transition cleanly and without disruption.”?️ @Alpha_Futures_ ProjectX Announcement pic.twitter.com/SxJ9bmKAqW— Jmu (@jmutrades) November 15, 2025Lucid Trading is another prop firm whose CEO posted on Discord that ProjectX scheduled a meeting with his company “to announce their intent to discontinue support for all third-party firms.” He added that the trading platform “will be moving exclusively to TopStep.”Tradify, another futures prop firm, also confirmed that it is “in active communication with the ProjectX team” about the possible unavailability of the trading platform, and noted that it will come up with a formal update in the coming weeks.The CEO of FuturesElite also acknowledged the “news circulating about ProjectX”, assuring that the platform will face no issues for the rest of this year or the start of next year. His statement, however, was vague and matched others’ confirmation of ProjectX being unavailable from the end of next February.Another Tech Struggle in PropTech platforms leaving prop firms is not new. Although ProjectX’s move appears to be planned, the industry still has not recovered from the overnight crackdown by MetaQuotes in early 2024 on prop firms onboarding US-based traders on MetaTrader.Since the MetaQuotes crackdown, which forced props to suspend their US offerings, many firms have returned to the US market but without the popular MetaTrader platforms. FTMO is the only prop to offer MetaTrader 5 in the US, made possible through its partnership with OANDA, a US-registered forex broker. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

With Nvidia about to report, the question isn’t just about growth, it’s whether the AI boom is due for a second act or a sharp deflation.The AI Bubble: Not a Wild TheoryWe’ve heard the word “bubble” directed at artificial intelligence (AI) more and more lately. Huge investments have stakeholders looking over their shoulders as vast sums are spent on infrastructure while many companies are struggling to show a pathway to clear returns.Meanwhile, hedge funds are already making bets. For example, legendary investor Michael Burry reportedly shorted $1.2 billion of Nvidia and Palantir Technologies stock late last quarter. Added to that, billionaire Peter Thiel has dumped his entire Nvidia holding, according to newly released regulatory filings, as anxiety over an AI-driven tech bubble continues to swirl. Fresh 13F disclosures from Thiel Macro LLC reveal that the fund exited all 537,742 Nvidia shares it owned in the July to September period. The stake had previously made up about 40% of the fund’s entire portfolio.NVIDIA $NVDA reports earnings this week, I don’t mean to be dramatic but if they don’t beat and raise we are ALL FINISHED… ? pic.twitter.com/5ntcyT7mtp— Dividend Dude (@dividenddude) November 16, 2025So yes: “AI bubble” is not just clickbait any more—it’s how some investors are literally positioning.Nvidia’s Role: Why its Earnings Matter So MuchEnter Nvidia. Wall Street is treating the company’s upcoming quarterly results (after market close on November 19) as more than just a single blip, it’s a litmus test for the broader AI boom. There’s a good chance that Nvidia’s report could well tell us how the market will move in the very near future.Why? Because Nvidia is the biggest beneficiary of the infrastructure build-out: the chips, servers and software that power generative AI, large-scale models and data centers. Investors are watching ahead of its earnings, and according to analysts, firms expect it to report sales of about $56.8 billion versus $54.6 billion consensus. So far, so good for bubble watchers.WATCH: Nvidia, the world's first $5 trillion semiconductor company, will report earnings results next week, with investors watching for AI forecasts that could sway global tech markets and ease bubble concerns. Here is the top business news for next week https://t.co/RGzin6AMK9 pic.twitter.com/YidJoitx53— Reuters Business (@ReutersBiz) November 15, 2025In other words: if Nvidia delivers strongly, you could see the hype cycle re-accelerate; if not, you might see the bubble pop.What the Optimistic Case Looks LikeImagine that Nvidia reports better-than-expected numbers, perhaps raises forward guidance, convinces investors that AI infrastructure spending is not only real but accelerating. There’s a good chance of this happening, 40 out of 47 analysists quizzed by Yahoo called Nvidia a “strong buy”, with only 1 calling it a “strong sell”. Why the positivity? Q2 2026 revenue growth of 56% year-on-year and earnings growth of 61%. Plus, many analysts are bullish: per Yahoo Finance, Nvidia shares are already priced for big growth and some analysts have raised targets accordingly.In that scenario: hype returns, valuations push higher, and the “bubble” becomes less of a scary word and more of a bullish label.The Flip SideBut the flip side is very real. As Investopedia warned, investors are worried that tech firms might be spending too fast on AI for returns that may come much later, or possibly not at all. Interviews with a series of AI CEOs indicate that they’re aware of the issue, but optimistic. If Nvidia misses expectations, or gives conservative guidance, two things could happen: (1) A big chunk of the AI infrastructure narrative gets questioned. (2) Broad AI-related valuations, already steep, come under pressure. Given how many stocks ride the same wave, any pullback could be sharp.Also worth noting: speculative momentum is baked in here. Nvidia is already pushing expectations and setting incredible numbers. It has been for a while. With this comes high expectations. When you’re expected to execute perfection, anything else can feel like failure. We’ve seen this before, but then Nvidia continues to grow. Just see our reporting from October of last year.The overall sentiment appears to be: You don’t need Nvidia to prove the AI boom exists, but you do need it to show the boom is sustainable. Without that, the narrative weakens.What Are Investors Watching For?Here are key metrics and signals:· Revenue for the quarter meeting or beating expectations.· Guidance for the next quarter or year that points to continued growth in data-centre, AI-server business.· Margin trends and cost pressures: infrastructure is expensive and margins matter.· Signs of scaling beyond the big cloud players, if the build-out is too concentrated it becomes a risk.· Any commentary on “power wall” or infrastructure bottlenecks; will investments outrun the revenue curve?Bubble Revival or Cautionary Flag?If Nvidia hits and raises, we may see a fresh wave of AI hype in one swoop. AI valuations could get a second wind, chip stocks surge and investors shift back into “growth at any price” mode.But if Nvidia guides cautiously, misses, or signals slower momentum, the “bubble” label could go from metaphor to warning. AI-related stocks may tumble, valuations compress, and investors rethink the timing of the mega investments.Given the stakes, November 19 is less “earnings day” and more “market direction decision point.” Prepare accordingly. This article was written by Louis Parks at www.financemagnates.com.

The iFX EXPO Hong Kong 2025 was more than just another financial event, it marked a significant milestone in Foti Markets’ journey to expand its global presence and deliver greater value to the worldwide trading community.From October 26–28, 2025, the Foti Markets team actively engaged in high-level networking, knowledge sharing, and exploring cutting-edge fintech innovations aimed at enhancing the trading experience for clients across all regions.Throughout the event, Foti Markets held over 50 strategic meetings with leading partners in liquidity provision, payment solutions, financial media, and introducing brokers (IBs) from multiple countries. These in-depth discussions focused on advancing trading efficiency, broadening global support channels, and elevating overall service quality.The company’s ultimate goal is to integrate these strategic solutions into its infrastructure, delivering faster trade execution, enhanced platform stability, and smoother deposit and withdrawal processes.The Foti Markets booth drew the attention of over 600 visitors, who had the opportunity to experience the platform firsthand and share valuable feedback. These insights will serve as the foundation for Foti Markets’ ongoing efforts to refine its services and create a more intuitive, stable, and rewarding trading environment for global traders.Foti Markets’ Representative“We came to iFX EXPO Hong Kong not just to showcase our brand, but to listen, connect, and gather the best ideas for our trading community. Every partnership and every technology we discover here share a common goal, to make trading safer, faster, and more efficient for our clients.” said Ms. Michelle, Head of Business Development and Marketing at Foti Markets.Following the event, Foti Markets is set to expand its global network through new strategic collaborations with introducing brokers (IBs), enabling the company’s services to reach a wider range of traders across both emerging and developed markets.In addition, Foti Markets plans to launch more diverse and flexible payment gateways, offering investors greater convenience and accessibility in managing their funds.Each of these initiatives underscores Foti Markets’ unwavering mission: To always put traders first and continuously enhance their trading experience.About Foti MarketsFoti Markets is a global brokerage firm operating under a transparent ECN model, ensuring no conflict of interest and always prioritizing client benefits.With competitive trading conditions, partnerships with top-tier liquidity providers, and 24/7 multilingual customer support, Foti Markets delivers a fair, efficient, and reliable trading environment for traders worldwide.Website: fotimarkets.comEmail: info@fotimarkets.com This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

“CFD brokers don’t really understand risk management or the flow of the business,” said Nick Leeson, the former derivatives trader who brought down Barings Bank with his unauthorised trades in 1990s. “They’re probably getting themselves involved in toxic, one-sided positions. That’s a story you can see repeated over many years.”“If you go back about 15 years to when crypto—particularly Bitcoin—was becoming the most traded product, you could already see that problem emerging. When all retail traders were looking to buy Bitcoin, the brokers were naturally short on Bitcoin. Many of them didn’t have a hedge or an effective hedging strategy, so they ended up losing money because they couldn’t get out of those trades.”Join IG, CMC, and Robinhood in London’s leading trading industry event!He further highlighted that he is sure many brokers are having the same problems with gold now, with its “one-direction rally for the past six months.”“There are also many very astute, experienced traders out there, and if they see an anomaly at one of the smaller brokers, you can be sure they’ll exploit it,” Leeson said.“The saying goes, 'the trend’s your friend,' but if you’re a broker, sometimes the trend isn’t your friend—especially when all your flow is one-directional.”“The Fear of Failure”Leeson is known for his infamous run at Barings Bank, which was then the United Kingdom's oldest merchant bank. He worked as a derivatives trader for Barings, executing and clearing transactions on the Singapore International Monetary Exchange (SIMEX).He made unauthorised speculative trades that initially generated large profits for Barings but soon began to cover up his losses by using one of the bank’s error accounts, which are typically used to correct mistakes made in trading.Following a rogue trading sprint, thus the name “Rogue Trader”, the losses in Barings’ error account ballooned to £827 million, twice Barings' available trading capital. He eventually had to spend over four years at Singapore prison for his mishaps.“My biggest fear was always the fear of failure,” Leeson recalled his days at the trading pit in Singapore, adding that he managed to continue as “the infrastructure was poor.”“It was badly set up,” he continued. “The breakdown was quite systemic.”“If you look at every area of the bank—from settlements and trade support to trading, accounting, risk management, compliance, and even the board of directors—nobody was asking the difficult questions or checking the things they should have been.”Leeson went rogue in the early 1990s, and since then, the trading infrastructure has undergone dramatic changes towards digitalisation. Although there are still gaps in the industry, he believes that risk management in financial institutions has matured significantly.“If you look at the financial world over the past five years, you still see failures—Macquarie Bank, FTX, Credit Suisse, which no longer exists. So, there are still problems within the industry, though mostly in niche areas.”The notoriety of Leeson was even resurrected in a movie titled “Rogue Trader”, which is based on his autobiography.“I’m Not Afraid to Ask Difficult Questions”He has now switched sides and joined Hedgx as an advisor. Founded by Domantas Mocevicius and Tahsin Haykal, who took the roles of Managing Directors, the company provides outsourced risk and dealing-desk infrastructure to forex and CFD brokers, as well as prop-trading firms.As a Non-Executive Advisor, Leeson will focus on Hedgx’s risk governance and strategic development.“It’s a very minor role at the moment,” Leeson said about his role at Hedgx. “There’ll be some involvement in business development, and of course, I’ll be looking at risk management—but I’m not getting involved in trading; I have no interest in that.”He elaborated that his focus in the company will be on risk management practices, how those areas are managed, and observing the business flow. “I’m not afraid to ask difficult questions,” he stressed. “If I see something I’m not comfortable with, I’ll raise it.”Hedgx believes that Leeson will strengthen its internal controls and public credibility.“Over the years, nobody has really found a 'golden bullet' solution that fixes everything,” Leeson stressed while explaining the risk management of the retail trading industry. “There will always be issues. You’ll always have people trying to scam or gain an unfair advantage.”“If you look back, even prime brokers and high-net-worth individuals used CFD brokers to get around certain rules or hide positions,” he added. “It happens, and I know some of those people personally—there’s nothing inherently wrong with it; it’s just part of how the system operates.”Mocevicius pointed out that small brokers often try to bring as much flow and as many clients as possible, and it is a major challenge for them. “They sometimes end up offering products or services they’re not fully prepared or equipped to handle,” he said. “A good example is the number of brokers now offering swap-free gold accounts. That’s ended up costing both large and small brokers a significant amount of money.”He also pointed out that even though smaller brokers have risk engines sourced from major bridge providers, they lack the expertise to utilise them properly. “Smaller brokers typically get much less favourable liquidity deals compared to large ones—their conditions are worse, the slippage from LPs is higher, and spreads are less competitive,” he continued. “All these inefficiencies—1% or 2% here and there—accumulate across the business.”Hedgx is also targeting prop trading firms, an industry struggling with risk management measures. According to Finance Magnates Intelligence, between 80 and 100 prop trading brands shut down in 2024. Although the reason behind those closures remains unknown, it can be assumed that risk management played a significant role.“Most of these prop firms don’t have an adequate risk management team,” said Haykal. “That’s mainly because of the background and experience of the people running them.”“Many of them come from affiliate marketing or social media—they know how to attract users and build visibility, but after that point, it’s like a rollercoaster. They don’t really understand what proper risk management means.”Mocevicius also pointed out that prop-centric risk management tools built into most CRMs have limited capabilities and primarily monitor two things: hedging traders, someone who might buy two challenges and take opposing positions on each, and IP tracking, which is used to detect account sharing.“AI Might Tell Me How Fantastic I Am”Meanwhile, many companies and technology providers swear by AI-based solutions, even in risk management. While these solutions definitely bring value, Leeson believes that “there always has to be human oversight.”“When you rely too heavily on anything—whether it’s an individual doing their job correctly or a piece of AI performing a task—there’s always the risk of failure,” he said. “You need expertise and human supervision to ensure everything is as safe and robust as possible.”“If you see something unusual, you need to ask the tough questions, and I’m not sure AI can do that… it might end up telling me how fantastic I am.”“There should always be a layer of scrutiny and oversight on top of any system, no matter how advanced it is,” he continued.In the Nick Leeson silks... pic.twitter.com/y556uodUUs— David Johnson (@davidjohnsonTF) October 29, 2025Indeed, there were many technology-driven trading desks, including high-frequency trading firms, which had software glitches, resulting in the loss of millions of dollars. Leeson even pointed out the case of JPMorgan’s Alpha Fund, one of their top-performing funds at the time, which malfunctioned badly.“It’s unrealistic to think that those further down the chain—the smaller firms and less experienced players—are somehow getting everything right. They’re not,” Leeson said. “They often lack the experience and expertise needed to manage those kinds of risks effectively.”When asked about the role of regulators around risk management, Leeson said that he has always believed that “it’s incumbent on the firm itself to have the strongest, most robust set of rules, policies, and controls possible.”“Regulators will always be there to provide the tramlines you need to operate within and to ensure compliance, but they won’t keep your business safe,” he added. “Relying on a regulator is dangerous—they’re always behind the curve, slow to react, and constantly trying to catch up.”Gold Trades “Very Different Today”During his trading days, Leeson mostly traded Nikkei 225 stock index futures and options. Now, however, many traders are chasing the volatility of new assets, such as cryptocurrencies. Although Bitcoin has attracted the attention of institutions, there are thousands of other smaller tokens, including those promoted by celebrities, sports personalities, and even the President and First Lady of the United States.“I’m very old, and my view is that Bitcoin will survive,” Leeson said, when asked about the future of cryptocurrencies. “I’m less certain about the others.”“There are so many pump-and-dump schemes out there—it’s quite shocking when you look under the surface of the industry. That kind of manipulation has existed for decades; people have been pumping and dumping stocks since I started in the market, and it still happens on smaller exchanges. It’s unpleasant, but I do believe Bitcoin is here for the long haul.”However, he clarified that he does not hold Bitcoin or Ethereum.Another popular asset in the current market that Leeson is familiar with is gold. The yellow metal recently peaked at around $4,300 only to correct from that level. Leeson pointed out that he “grew up in a market where gold traded between $250 and, at most, around $900.”“Gold remains a store of value, but the way it trades today is very different from how it traded in the past,” he continued. “Brokers need to adapt to this faster pace. The market moves extremely quickly now—the bid-offer spreads aren’t as reliable as they used to be. Six or seven months ago, you might move ten cents in 20 seconds; now, a dollar can move in a single second.”“That creates unique challenges, especially when hedging. The market can move so fast that it’s difficult to respond in real time.” This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.