The firm explained that the proposal, now awaiting a public comment period following publication in the Federal Register, would provide cleared triparty repo capabilities to Agent Clearing Members and their Executing Firm Customers.  The service would support transactions executed either directly with the Agent Clearing Member or with other Government Securities Division Netting Members and their clients. DTCC said the new ACS Triparty Service is designed to expand central clearing access, boost market capacity and liquidity, and offer Agent Clearing Members greater margin efficiency, reduced capital requirements and balance sheet relief.  It is also expected to mitigate risks during default and stress scenarios by reducing liquidity drains and limiting potential fire sales. Laura Klimpel, Managing Director and Head of DTCC’s Fixed Income and Financing Solutions, said: “The proposed ACS Triparty Service, along with the recently filed Collateral In Lieu offering, demonstrate FICC’s commitment to meeting the needs of our clients.” The service would be delivered in partnership with BNY, which will provide its tri-party infrastructure for collateral management and settlement. BNY’s Nate Wuerffel said the new platform would “streamline access to central clearing and drive greater operational efficiency across the market.” Subject to regulatory approval, FICC aims to launch the ACS Triparty Service in December 2025. The post DTCC’s FICC Proposes New Agent Clearing Triparty Service to Boost Market Liquidity appeared first on LeapRate.

The new system is designed to help employees complete longer and more complex tasks with greater speed and efficiency, reflecting the bank’s push to become increasingly technology-driven. The platform is said to link directly with Citi’s internal systems, from its global employee directory to widely used enterprise tools, while also drawing on web search and analysis functions.  The integration allows staff to conduct detailed research, distil insights from large datasets and automate multi-stage workflows into a single process. David Griffiths, Chief Technology Officer at Citi, said: “The integration of Agentic AI into Stylus Workspaces is a pivotal moment in our commitment to empowering our workforce with cutting-edge tools. We’re giving our people smarter, faster and more connected tools so they can focus less on manual tasks and more on the big ideas that drive our business forward.” The bank added that the platform can now handle tasks that previously required multiple steps, such as identifying the top U.S. branded card businesses, extracting their strategic goals and translating findings into another language, all from a single prompt. The rollout begins this month, with thousands of employees receiving early access before a phased expansion across the firm.  Citi is also launching training programmes to help staff adopt the new capabilities effectively. The post Citi Rolls Out Agentic AI-Powered Stylus Workspaces to Boost Productivity appeared first on LeapRate.

The move is expected to reinforce the company’s commitment to building a stronger and more competitive European capital market. The rebrand is said to reflect the company’s role as the largest single entry point to TARGET2-Securities (T2S), the European Central Bank’s settlement platform, where it processes more than 50% of all transactions. Through its “One Account, One Platform, One Partner” approach, Clearstream Europe connects 19 European markets and, together with its International CSD, offers access to 60 markets worldwide. Dirk Loscher, CEO of Clearstream Europe AG, said: “Clearstream Europe is a testimonial to both our identity and our ongoing commitment to excellence: as an innovative and trusted partner for our clients and a driving force in European and global capital markets.” Loscher added that the rebrand reinforces the company’s “dedication to building a more integrated and competitive European capital market, that can effectively compete with other global financial centres.” Clearstream Europe will provide an integrated ecosystem of securities services, including digital issuance, custody, asset servicing and collateral management.  The CSD also offers flexible settlement in both commercial and central bank money and maintains strong links to major trading venues and clearing houses. The firm said the move supports the European Union’s Savings and Investments Union initiative and the adoption of accelerated T+1 settlement, strengthening liquidity and economic growth across the continent. The post Clearstream Rebrands German CSD to Clearstream Europe in Push for Pan-European Market Integration appeared first on LeapRate.

The Federal Court granted the orders, preventing Mr Geddes from leaving or attempting to leave Australia until 16 March 2026.  The application, brought by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), was not opposed by Mr Geddes. ASIC said it sought the orders due to concerns that Mr Geddes might attempt to travel abroad and thereby become unavailable to assist with its inquiries.  The regulator is currently investigating GIM and its current and former directors over their alleged involvement in the misappropriation of customer funds that had been deposited for investment purposes. The court order means Mr Geddes must remain in Australia while ASIC continues its probe into GIM’s activities. ASIC confirmed its investigation into GIM’s operations and governance is ongoing. The travel restriction is scheduled to remain in force for six months, expiring in March 2026, unless extended or lifted by further court order. The post ASIC Restrains Global Investment Marketing Director from Overseas Travel appeared first on LeapRate.

Kakao Pay is now one of the first Alipay+ partners to roll out “tap-to-pay” functionality abroad, expanding its cross-border payment offering beyond QR and barcode systems.  The company said users with NFC-enabled Android phones can tap at over 150 million Mastercard merchant locations worldwide, covering markets such as Japan, Southeast Asia, the U.S., Europe and Oceania. A phased rollout for iOS users will follow. The move is expected to strengthen Kakao Pay’s positioning as a travel-friendly payment platform, reducing the need for physical payment cards while ensuring transaction security through encryption and authentication protocols.  The service is already live on the Kakao Pay app and will soon extend to KakaoTalk. “Just as we do in South Korea, we aim to provide the most convenient and rewarding payment experience overseas,” said Seung Jun Oh, head of payment group at Kakao Pay. “Kakao Pay is becoming an essential travel and payment platform that accompanies users at every moment of their overseas trips.” Sandeep Malhotra, executive vice president of core payments, Asia Pacific at Mastercard, said the partnership would “make overseas payments simpler and more secure for Korean users when they travel.” Douglas Feagin, president of Ant International, added: “Together, we are building a more inclusive and interoperable global payment ecosystem.” The post Alipay+ and Mastercard Enable Global NFC Payments for Kakao Pay Users appeared first on LeapRate.

The agreement will see Crypto.com Custody Trust provide institutional-grade custody services to Exodus, utilising its regulated framework and secure infrastructure to safeguard assets.  The firm stated that the partnership complements Exodus’ existing self-custody model, diversifying treasury management and adding an additional layer of protection. Eric Anziani, president and chief operating officer of Crypto.com, said they are “pleased to support Exodus as their digital asset custodian of choice,” as well as “reinforcing its leadership in the self custody space.”  “By providing our best-in-class, regulated and secure custody solutions, we help Exodus strengthen its treasury management while continuing to innovate for millions of customers worldwide,” added Anziani. Exodus, which has positioned itself as a leader in self-custody solutions, said the move reflects its broader mission to combine innovation with responsible practices in the fast-evolving crypto sector. JP Richardson, chief executive of Exodus, noted that by selecting Crypto.com Custody Trust Company, they “are not only safeguarding a portion of our treasury with institutional-grade protection but also reinforcing our commitment to building responsibly within the regulatory frameworks that will shape the future of digital assets.” The partnership is expected to strengthen Exodus’ resilience while providing assurance to customers amid heightened scrutiny of security and compliance in the digital asset industry. The post Exodus Partners with Crypto.com Custody Trust to Bolster Digital Asset Security appeared first on LeapRate.

The tech-driven platform provides a one-stop system combining multi-asset brokerage, custody services and advanced digital wealth tools, allowing professionals to manage client portfolios efficiently and in compliance with regulatory requirements. Saxo, with more than 30 years of experience in global capital markets, said the new solution would help French wealth managers streamline operations, cut costs and focus on delivering value-added services.  They firm explained that clients will gain access to more than 70,000 cash and margin products across global markets, supported by Saxo’s status as a subsidiary of a licensed Danish bank. “We are delighted to deploy our institutional offer in the French market,” said Adam Moltrup, head of institutional business for France, CEE and Switzerland. “With Saxo’s cutting-edge technology and access to global multi-asset markets, we help wealth managers digitise and grow their business.  “By combining agility, responsiveness, cost reduction, and simplification of operations, our platform enables them to serve more customers while improving quality of service and remaining fully compliant.” PartnerConnect features digital onboarding, automated back-office processes, and consolidated reporting. End-clients will be able to onboard entirely online, while advisers benefit from streamlined portfolio management, client fee structures and digital communication tools. Saxo said the platform would also enhance scalability, reduce in-house IT costs and ensure regulatory compliance across jurisdictions. The post Saxo Bank Launches Digital Wealth Management Platform in France appeared first on LeapRate.

The move will allow CMC Markets’ clients in the European Economic Area, south-east Asia, the Middle East and other international markets, excluding the U.K. and U.S., to fund trading accounts using Paysafe’s payment solutions.  Paysafe said customers will also be able to make withdrawals directly into the wallets, with funds transferable to bank accounts, cards or other payment methods, or redeployed into new trading positions. Both Skrill and Neteller have more than two decades of history in the forex and financial trading industry and are available in 130 countries.  The companies said the tie-up is expected to extend to additional regions, including Latin America, and may incorporate further Paysafe products in future. Rob Gatto, Chief Revenue Officer at Paysafe, said: “We’re delighted to partner with a financial trading broker as prestigious and well-established as CMC Markets, which has over 35 years’ industry experience.  “Our digital wallets also have a long history serving the online trading community and are very popular with traders, so we look forward to facilitating transactions for new and existing customers.” Alexander Praill, Head of Payment Services at CMC Markets, added: “This exciting partnership with Paysafe will be instrumental in delivering a consistent and cohesive payments experience to our clients.” He added that the “integration is particularly impactful,” with traders now able to “make payments and withdrawals using their preferred medium, giving them the freedom to trade their way.” The post Paysafe Partners with CMC Markets to Expand Digital Wallet Offering for Traders appeared first on LeapRate.

The solution, branded “FIDA Workstation powered by SIX,” will combine FIDA’s software expertise with SIX’s extensive database on funds and savings products marketed in France.  Initially targeted at the French market, the workstation is said to be designed to streamline advisory services by offering comprehensive fund data, performance analysis and classification across investment strategies. The FIDA Workstation has been a long-standing success in Italy and will now integrate SIX’s EuroPerformance Database, already used by most asset managers and securities back offices in France.  The combined platform is expected to improve portfolio analysis, accelerate client response times and enhance decision-making for wealth and financial advisors. Gianni Costan, CEO of FIDA, said: “We are very pleased to be able to offer our clients the full richness of the financial flows from our partner SIX. Our FIDA Workstation solution, which has been very successful in Italy for years and is now being deployed in France, will be able to rely on the database from SIX, whose quality is widely recognised on the French market.” Hugues Garcia, Managing Director France, Financial Information at SIX, added: “FIDA’s technological expertise and their understanding of the challenges faced by wealth management advisors enable optimal use of our fund data to best meet client needs. We are already counting on strengthening our alliance to serve an even wider range of clients.” The post SIX and FIDA Launch Joint Portfolio Management Terminal in France appeared first on LeapRate.

Cooper, who joined the trading and fintech group in 2016, is said to have played a central role in its transformation from a regional trading firm into a globally recognised broker with clients across more than 100 countries.  During his tenure, he focused on driving commercial growth, operational efficiency and enhancing customer value, helping position Axi as one of the industry’s leading names. Chief Executive Officer Rajesh Yohannan praised Cooper’s contribution, saying: “Louis has played an integral role in building Axi into the global brand it is today. While we will miss him, we are immensely grateful for his contributions and pleased that he will remain connected to Axi as a shareholder and ongoing supporter of our mission.” Cooper stated: “It has been a privilege to be part of Axi’s remarkable journey. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together. I leave knowing that Axi is in strong, capable hands, and I have absolute confidence in the Executive and Senior Management Team to take the company forward to even greater heights.” Axi confirmed that Cooper will continue as a shareholder after leaving his executive responsibilities. Details of his successor and further leadership updates will be announced in due course. The post Axi Chief Commercial Officer Louis Cooper to Retire After Nine Years appeared first on LeapRate.

The initiative is said to mark a significant step in the exchange’s expansion into the fixed income derivatives market. The products, listed on Euronext Derivatives Milan, cover the 10-year OAT, Bund, Bono, and BTP, as well as the first-ever 30-year BTP.  The firm said that each contract carries a notional size of €25,000 and is cash-settled, making them accessible to a wider pool of investors.  They added that the derivatives will be supported by Euronext Clearing, which provides robust risk management capabilities. Anthony Attia, Global Head of Derivatives and Post Trade at Euronext, said: “This initiative is central to our ‘Innovate for Growth 2027’ strategic plan, which aims to leverage Euronext’s unique presence across the trading value chain to develop truly innovative products that meet evolving market demand. The launch of this offering comes at a crucial time for the European fixed income ecosystem, which is currently experiencing high volatility levels.” The exchange said the mini-futures were designed with retail investors in mind but would also serve asset managers and institutional participants seeking precise tools for hedging or exposure to sovereign bonds.  By offering a smaller contract size, the products aim to provide greater flexibility and accessibility. Market makers have already committed to providing liquidity from launch, ensuring smooth trading conditions. The new offering builds on Euronext’s trading and clearing infrastructure and its existing bond markets, MTS and MOT, reinforcing its position in European financial markets. The post Euronext Unveils Mini-Futures on European Government Bonds appeared first on LeapRate.

Under the agreement, TMX Datalinx plans to introduce Beeks’ Exchange Cloud platform as TMX Elastic Market Access (TMX EMA), subject to regulatory approval.  The platform is designed to provide high-performance, low-latency cloud infrastructure for capital markets participants, enabling more efficient trading and data analytics. Michelle Tran, President of TMX Datalinx, said the collaboration was a direct response to client needs.  “Our goal is to make accessing Canada’s markets as seamless and efficient as possible, and our planned TMX Elastic Market Access service is a direct response to client demand for more flexible and scalable trading infrastructure,” stated Tran.  “By collaborating with Beeks and utilising their proven Exchange Cloud platform, we will be able to offer clients a scalable, proximity-based virtual colocation service that connects them to our markets quickly, significantly reducing their deployment time to market.” Beeks described the agreement as a revenue-sharing deal, with recognition expected to begin in early 2026, supporting the company’s financial guidance for FY26. The firm emphasised that the partnership would further strengthen its base of multi-year recurring revenue. Gordon McArthur, Chief Executive of Beeks, said: “TMX Datalinx’s adoption of our solution is a strong endorsement of our ability to meet the unique demands of global financial exchanges. It reflects the growing market appetite for flexible, cloud-based trading infrastructure.” The post Beeks Signs Cloud Partnership with TMX Datalinx appeared first on LeapRate.

The agreement, signed during the Global Investopia conference in Hong Kong, will see the exchanges explore cooperation in areas including Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), ESG-related products, cross listings and market promotion.  It builds on the addition of ADX to HKEX’s list of recognised stock exchanges last year. HKEX Chief Executive Officer Bonnie Y Chan said the partnership underscored the importance of deepening ties with the Middle East.  “This arrangement marks a significant step in enhancing cross-border market connectivity and facilitating capital flows between Hong Kong and the Middle East. By working closely with ADX, we aim to unlock new investment opportunities, strengthen market infrastructure, and meet the evolving needs of global issuers and investors,” Chan said. ADX Group Chief Executive Officer Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi added that the deal would help broaden access and deepen liquidity.  “By advancing cross-listings, developing innovative products such as ETFs and indices, and creating practical channels for multi-market access, we will broaden investment opportunities and deepen liquidity.  “This partnership strengthens ADX’s global footprint and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a dynamic financial centre committed to sustainable growth and shared prosperity,” he said. The MOU reflects HKEX’s wider strategy of fostering stronger links with Middle Eastern investors, who have increasingly acted as cornerstone backers in Hong Kong IPOs. The post HKEX and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Sign MOU to Boost Market Connectivity appeared first on LeapRate.

Between July 2016 and June 2023, ANZ inaccurately reported approximately 36,500 transactions to FINRA’s Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (TRACE) without the required “No Remuneration” indicator, which signals when no commission, mark-up or mark-down is charged.  FINRA explained that in about 22,500 of those cases, the firm also omitted the “Non-Member Affiliate-Principal Transaction” indicator, resulting in trades being publicly disseminated when they should not have been. According to FINRA, the omissions stemmed from a misinterpretation of reporting rules and meant that around 80% of ANZ’s corporate debt trades were reported incorrectly.  “A failure to accurately report the NR Indicator affects the audit trail and can result in either false alerts or the inability to detect problematic transactions,” FINRA said. The regulator also found that ANZ’s supervisory system was not “reasonably designed” to ensure compliance, with no process in place to review the accuracy of transaction indicators.  As part of the settlement, ANZ must certify within 60 days that it has corrected the deficiencies and implemented a compliant supervisory framework. ANZ, which has been a FINRA member since 1995, consented to the sanctions without admitting or denying the findings. The firm agreed to remediate the issues after FINRA’s review and to cooperate fully with the regulator. The post ANZ Securities Fined $50,000 by FINRA for Trade Reporting Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

The acquisition, announced Friday, speeds up IG’s move into crypto markets in the Asia Pacific region.  Independent Reserve offers trading in 34 digital assets across multiple currencies and operates in both Australia and Singapore.  The exchange generated revenue of A$35.3 million (£17.7 million) in the year to 30 June 2025, up 88% on the prior year, with average monthly active customers rising 60%. Under the terms, IG will initially acquire a 70% stake for A$109.6 million (£53.4 million), with a potential earn-out of A$15 million (£7.3 million) tied to FY26 performance.  The remaining 30% will stay with Independent Reserve’s leadership and employees, who retain operational control and will continue to grow the brand under IG’s ownership.  A call option allows IG to purchase the balance based on FY27–28 performance. Completion, expected in early 2026, remains subject to regulatory approval from Singapore’s MAS and Australia’s FIRB. IG said the deal is expected to be earnings accretive by FY27. Matt Macklin, Managing Director of Asia Pacific & Middle East at IG, called the move “an important step in IG’s crypto strategy,” while Independent Reserve CEO Adrian Przelozny said IG’s backing would “accelerate growth and expand product and market reach.” The acquisition complements IG’s recent crypto rollouts in the UK and US. The post IG Group Buys Australian Crypto Exchange Independent Reserve for £86.8m appeared first on LeapRate.

The two groups, which first partnered in 2021 and extended their collaboration in 2023, will combine their wholesale Japanese equities and equity capital markets operations.  The joint venture, expected to launch in January 2027, will merge SMBC Nikko’s domestic strength and balance sheet with Jefferies’ global investor network and advanced trading technology.  The partners aim to become the leading provider in Japanese wholesale equities. Beyond Japan, the alliance will extend to Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), where the firms will jointly originate, underwrite and execute syndicated leveraged loans for large sponsors.  The groups will also broaden coverage of larger global sponsors, offering combined investment and corporate banking services. As part of the deal, SMBC intends to increase its economic stake in Jefferies from 15% to as much as 20% through open market purchases, although voting rights will remain below 5%.  In addition, SMBC will provide Jefferies with approximately $2.5 billion in new credit facilities to bolster collaboration in areas including EMEA leveraged lending, U.S. pre-IPO financing and securitisation. Toru Nakashima, SMFG’s chief executive, said the move aligned both groups to “offer our clients the best financing and advisory solutions to meet their needs around the world.”  Jefferies’ chief executive, Rich Handler, and president Brian Friedman added that the expanded alliance created “exceptional value” for clients globally. The post SMBC and Jefferies Deepen Alliance with Japan Joint Venture and $2.5bn Financing appeared first on LeapRate.

The bank will disgorge $1.96 million and contribute around $3.6 million to a victim compensation fund.  The resolution follows a criminal probe into schemes carried out between November 2014 and April 2020, when two traders on BofA’s U.S. Treasuries desk manipulated the secondary market.  One trader also entered more than 1,000 “spoof” orders in the U.S. Treasuries futures market. Spoofing involves placing orders without intent to execute, in order to distort prices. One of the traders, Tyler Forbes, pleaded guilty in April 2022 to manipulating Treasury prices. The Justice Department said it took into account BofA’s voluntary self-disclosure, cooperation, and remediation efforts.  These included terminating the trader involved, reviewing trading across its Treasuries desk, upgrading surveillance and compliance systems, and conducting external testing of internal controls. The report states that the claims settled remain allegations, with no finding of liability. The post BofA Securities Resolves U.S. Market Manipulation Probe Without Prosecution appeared first on LeapRate.

The collaboration will focus on creating seamless digital transactions across platforms and devices, with both companies committing to develop innovations that set a new benchmark for the commerce ecosystem. “PayPal is a leader in digital commerce, and we’re excited to expand our work together to make online transactions simpler and more secure,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet.  He added that Google’s AI capabilities will be embedded into PayPal’s services to strengthen both performance and security. PayPal CEO Alex Chriss said the partnership would “redefine what’s possible at global scale,” adding: “Together with Google, we are leading the way for digital commerce, ensuring greater opportunities for merchants and users worldwide.” Key initiatives are said to include the development of agentic shopping experiences powered by Google AI, designed to personalise transactions and advance emerging standards in agent-driven commerce.  PayPal’s global payment infrastructure will be central to these offerings, complemented by identity verification and data-driven personalisation. PayPal’s branded checkout, Hyperwallet and Payouts services will also be more deeply integrated across Google’s platforms, including Google Ads, Play and Cloud.  In addition, PayPal Enterprise Payments will become one of the key card payment processors for Google’s core products. The companies also confirmed that PayPal will work with Google Cloud to reimagine its technology stack, supporting the evolution of its next-generation payments platform. The post Google and PayPal Announce Multiyear Partnership to Transform Digital Commerce appeared first on LeapRate.

The company revealed in a press release on Thursday that the transaction is expected to close on 30 September 2025. Acuity, which provides bespoke research, data management, analytics and AI solutions to the financial services sector, said the acquisition would strengthen its Data and Technology Services (DTS) division and broaden its reach into new industries, including reinsurance, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and retail. Robert King, Chief Executive Officer of Acuity, described the deal as “a transformative moment” for the company.  “By acquiring Ascent, we are taking our expertise and ability to offer our clients innovative AI-led solutions to another level. This acquisition also takes us into new sectors … I am really excited at the prospect of what we can achieve together.” Ascent employs 550 specialists across seven European jurisdictions and supports more than 170 global clients. Its integration into Acuity is expected to accelerate the adoption of AI-driven solutions while expanding the firm’s advisory services. Jon O’Donnell, Chief Operating Officer at Acuity, added that the move would build on progress following the recent launch of its Agentic AI platform, Agent Fleet. “The acquisition of Ascent will boost our capacity to provide best-in-class technology advisory services to our clients.” Ascent CEO Stewart Smythe welcomed the deal, noting the combined business would deliver “market-leading data and AI capability in Europe with Acuity’s industry-leading AI innovation.” The post Acuity Knowledge Partners Acquires Ascent to Boost AI and Technology Services appeared first on LeapRate.

The transaction, first disclosed in April, was finalised on 17 September and marks what the company described as a “pivotal milestone” on its path to profitability. The proceeds will be used to strengthen XTM’s balance sheet and reduce costs, with the company confirming that it has repaid its senior debt facility with 2Shores Capital in full. Security on the facility has now been released.  At completion, XTM received the net proceeds, subject to customary adjustments and a 90-day holdback for potential post-closing changes and debt settlement. The sale is expected to lower monthly operating expenses significantly and help the company achieve cash neutrality.  XTM will continue to use the QRails processing platform to support clients, avoiding the cost and complexity of running the infrastructure in-house. The firm retains full ownership of its proprietary AnyDay earned wage access platform, along with payroll and time and attendance integrations and key customer relationships.  Meanwhile, QRails’ core engineering team has moved to Pateno, ensuring continuity in service and innovation. XTM highlighted several benefits for shareholders, including improved payment economics, reduced cash burn, non-dilutive growth capital, and enhanced scalability. Management said the move positions the business to accelerate growth while focusing on core services. The post XTM Completes $3 Million Asset Sale to Pateno Payments, Strengthens Balance Sheet appeared first on LeapRate.