STARTRADER has launched a refreshed brand identity as it seeks to strengthen its position in the global brokerage market and reinforce its long-standing focus on trust and client relationships. The firm said the repositioning introduces a cleaner, more minimal design direction aligned with its new tagline, “Built on Trust. Driven by Growth.”  The company said its updated visual identity features calmer colour palettes and simplified compositions aimed at creating a more confident and client-centric experience. According to STARTRADER, the rebrand reflects a broader shift in its mission and vision, with greater emphasis on accessibility, transparency and long-term partnerships.  The firm said the updated image aligns closely with ongoing improvements to its product offering, noting that growth must remain “grounded in client needs, confidence and consistency.” Internally, the changes are designed to give teams a clearer framework for delivering consistent interactions across departments. STARTRADER said staff play a “central role” in bringing the brand evolution to life. The updated identity is expected to roll out across digital platforms, communications, sponsorships, and client and partner engagements throughout the year.  STARTRADER added that the rebrand marks the beginning of a wider evolution the company expects to build on as it moves further into 2026. The post STARTRADER Unveils New Brand Identity appeared first on LeapRate.

VSI Securities, formerly known as Venecredit Securities, has been censured and fined $20,000 by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority after the firm failed for years to disclose its own disciplinary history in key regulatory documents. According to a settlement published by FINRA, VSI failed to include required information in its customer relationship summary, known as Form CRS, from June 2020 until August 2025.  Regulators said the firm omitted mandatory disclosures about its legal and disciplinary history, despite rules requiring full transparency for retail investors. FINRA said VSI “willfully violated” Section 17(a)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act and Exchange Act Rule 17a-14, as well as FINRA Rule 2010, by filing and delivering Forms CRS that excluded legally required information.  The regulator noted that Form CRS must clearly answer whether a firm or its financial professionals have reportable legal or disciplinary history, and must include specific headings and “conversation starters” for clients. VSI initially filed its Form CRS in April 2020 but failed to respond “Yes” to the disciplinary-history question, even though prior disclosures existed. Subsequent amendments in 2023 and 2025 continued to omit a proper response, with the firm incorrectly stating that neither the firm nor associated individuals had any disclosures. The firm corrected the document only in August 2025 and re-delivered it to all customers. VSI, which has one office in Miami and seven registered representatives, agreed to the sanctions without admitting or denying the findings. The post FINRA Fines VSI Securities for Failing to Disclose Disciplinary History appeared first on LeapRate.

FINRA has fined Penserra Securities, LLC $40,000 and issued a censure after the broker-dealer sent around 41,000 inaccurate trade confirmations to institutional clients over a two-year period. According to the regulator’s Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent, the firm sent confirmations between May 2022 and May 2024 that either displayed an average price when trades were executed at a single price, or failed to indicate that quoted prices were averages for multiple executions.  FINRA said the errors breached Exchange Act Rule 10b-10 as well as FINRA Rules 2232 and 2010. The regulator noted that Penserra had received written warnings in 2020 and 2022 over similar issues but failed to implement sufficient corrective measures. Around 38,000 inaccurate confirmations involved multiple-price trades where Penserra’s systems incorrectly generated single-execution data, omitting required average-price disclosures.  A further 3,000 confirmations, relating to single-execution trades, falsely suggested multiple executions due to legacy system codes. FINRA added that Penserra also violated supervisory requirements under Rule 3110 by failing to maintain adequate written procedures and oversight to ensure confirmation accuracy.  It claimed the firm’s supervisory framework did not sufficiently cover different trading platforms or ensure broad, detailed reviews. Penserra has since updated its systems, implemented new order-entry processes and provided staff training, according to the filing. The post Penserra Securities Fined Over Thousands of Inaccurate Trade Confirmations appeared first on LeapRate.

Mogo Inc. has rebranded as Orion Digital Corp., marking what the company described as its transition into a founder-led, multi-engine digital finance platform spanning wealth management, payments and digital assets.  The company’s shares will begin trading under the ticker ORIO on Nasdaq and the Toronto Stock Exchange from 2 January 2026. Orion Digital believes the new name reflects its evolution into a business built on recurring revenues, global infrastructure and disciplined capital allocation. It now operates across three core areas: Intelligent Investing, Carta Worldwide and its Bitcoin Treasury. Co-founder and president Greg Feller stated that “Orion Digital reflects who we are now and where we’re going,” citing years of restructuring into high-leverage businesses aligned under a unified strategy.  Orion Digital continues to build its Bitcoin reserves after becoming one of the first Nasdaq-listed companies to adopt Bitcoin as part of its corporate treasury in 2020. Co-founder and chief executive David Feller noted that the long-term goal is “to build durable businesses that create lasting value.” The firm emphasised that its founders have not sold shares in more than 20 years, underscoring what it describes as enduring alignment with shareholders. The post Mogo Renamed Orion Digital in Shift to Multi-Engine Finance Platform appeared first on LeapRate.

TradingView has expanded its market coverage with the launch of Euronext Milan futures data, giving traders access to a wider set of derivatives instruments from one of Europe’s major exchange operators. The integration enables users to track futures linked to Italian stocks, indices and bonds. TradingView said the update will help investors deepen their analysis of price action, risk management and strategy development, with real-time data available through market subscriptions and delayed data accessible to all users via its Supercharts interface. Euronext operates exchanges in Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Milan, Dublin, Lisbon and Oslo, offering trading, clearing and listing services across equities, derivatives, ETFs, commodities and bonds. TradingView said the addition of Milan futures strengthens its role as a global hub for multi-asset market data. The update also includes access to expired contracts, allowing traders to review historical price behaviour, backtest strategies and assess long-term trends.  To access the contracts, users can search for symbols within the platform, select the Futures tab and filter for Italy. The post TradingView Adds Euronext Milan Futures to Platform appeared first on LeapRate.

Doo Group has expanded its presence in Hong Kong after revealing that its subsidiary, Doo Money Lender Limited, has secured a Money Lenders Licence issued by the Licensing Court of the Hong Kong Companies Registry.  The licence, numbered 1151/2025, grants the company formal approval to operate a full range of money-lending services in compliance with local regulation. Doo Money Lender Limited, established in November 2024, forms part of Doo Group’s payment and exchange division, Doo Payment.  The company has built a specialist team focused on delivering flexible lending solutions for both retail and corporate clients. Its newly granted licence allows it to offer unsecured personal loans, property mortgages and customised corporate financing across the Hong Kong market. The subsidiary said that adherence to Hong Kong’s Money Lenders Ordinance ensures transparency and legality across its credit products. Doo Group added that the regulatory approval enhances the safety and privacy protections available to borrowers while strengthening confidence in its wider financial offering. Doo Group plans to integrate the lending business with its existing global operations in brokerage, wealth management and payments, creating what it describes as a more coherent, one-stop financial ecosystem for clients’ investment, working-capital and asset-management needs. The post Doo Group Subsidiary Secures Hong Kong Money Lender Licence appeared first on LeapRate.

SogoTrade has agreed to pay a $75,000 fine and accept a censure after the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority found the online brokerage had failed to maintain adequate market-access risk controls and supervisory procedures for several years. The settlement, outlined in a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent, relates to failures dating from January 2018. FINRA said SogoTrade did not establish or document controls designed to prevent erroneous orders, in violation of U.S. securities laws and FINRA rules.  It also claimed the broker did not conduct required annual reviews of its market-access controls or obtain compliant chief-executive certifications between 2018 and 2024. According to FINRA, SogoTrade’s systems for blocking orders that exceeded appropriate price or size limits were not reasonably designed and lacked documented rationale.  Its single-order quantity and notional-value thresholds were set too high to prevent erroneous trades, and for much of the period, certain controls applied only to low-touch electronic orders rather than higher-touch trades submitted through its desk. FINRA also found the firm did not maintain adequate written supervisory procedures describing its controls. Under the settlement, SogoTrade must certify within 60 days that it has remediated the failures and implemented a supervisory system designed to meet regulatory requirements. FINRA may request further evidence of remediation. The firm, which has been a member since 1986, did not admit or deny the findings but agreed not to contest them.  The post FINRA Fines SogoTrade $75,000 appeared first on LeapRate.

Mastercard released its SpendingPule report on December 23, revealing that U.S. retail sales rose 3.9 per cent year-on-year during the holiday trading period as shoppers combined online browsing with in-store purchases.  According to the preliminary data from Mastercard, the figures, covering 1 November to 21 December and excluding automotive sales, showed e-commerce rose 7.4 per cent while in-store spending increased 2.9 per cent.  Mastercard said consumers shopped early, made use of promotions and continued to seek convenience. Michelle Meyer, chief economist at Mastercard Economics Institute, said shoppers “demonstrated flexibility and confidence”, blending channels to secure value. The data showed apparel spending climbed 7.8 per cent, supported by seasonal deals and colder weather. Online apparel sales rose 8.5 per cent, while in-store spending increased 7.0 per cent. Jewellery sales were up 1.6 per cent. Dining also remained a significant part of holiday activity, with restaurant spending rising 5.2 per cent as consumers prioritised shared experiences and social gatherings. Mastercard highlighted that artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping retail behaviour. Its AI Enthusiasm Index suggests the United States is a global leader in AI adoption, influencing areas such as personalised recommendations and inventory management.  The company said deeper integration of AI is likely to make shopping “even more seamless and experiential”. With several days still remaining in the season when the data were compiled, Mastercard said the trends pointed to a continued shift toward omnichannel shopping and experience-led spending. The post Mastercard Says U.S. Holiday Sales Rose 3.9% as Shoppers Blend Online and High-Street Spending appeared first on LeapRate.

Belgravia Hartford Capital has signed a non-binding letter of intent with DelphX Capital Markets to collaborate on the first commercial QCS transaction, the Canadian investment issuer said on Monday. Under the proposed arrangement, Belgravia is expected to become the inaugural corporate purchaser of a QCS collateralised put option, a structure designed to protect corporate bitcoin treasury holdings.  The transaction remains subject to definitive documentation, regulatory approval and market conditions, and the companies cautioned that there is no assurance it will be completed. Belgravia is also expected to provide advisory and structuring support for the planned launch of QCS products, including programme documentation, compliance processes and coordination with the designated placement agent.  The LOI is non-binding except for confidentiality, regulatory and disclosure provisions and may be terminated at any time. DelphX develops structured products through its vehicle Quantem LLC, enabling broker-dealers to offer new private placement securities.  Its collateralised put options are designed to provide secured protection against bond-rating downgrades or losses on cryptocurrency holdings. Its collateralised reference notes allow investors to assume capped downgrade or crypto-loss exposure in return for enhanced yields.  All instruments are fully collateralised and held in custody by U.S. Bank. Belgravia said its investment strategy focuses on cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, media and digital-streaming opportunities. It invests across public and private companies but warned that its holdings are high-risk and may expose shareholders to volatility and losses. The post Belgravia Hartford Signs LOI to Support DelphX’s First Crypto-Linked QCS Transaction appeared first on LeapRate.

GSTechnologies announced on Monday that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Finferno, a Poland-registered Virtual Asset Service Provider, as the fintech group seeks to accelerate the expansion of its digital asset operations across Central Europe.  The deal, funded entirely from existing cash resources, involves the purchase of Finferno’s entire issued share capital for an undisclosed sum. The company said the acquisition will support the growth of its GS Fintech division, which focuses on digital asset exchange and wealth-management services.  It is also expected to enable GST to pilot new products and services in Poland, a market the group views as increasingly attractive due to strong economic growth forecasts and rising cryptocurrency adoption. GST described the acquisition as a strategic move to strengthen its presence in regions where digital-asset uptake is expanding rapidly. The company said Poland and wider Central Europe offer significant long-term opportunities, reflecting both consumer adoption trends and a supportive operating environment. Tone Goh, Chairman of GST, said he was “very pleased to be announcing the acquisition of Finferno, which will add to GST’s growing digital asset capabilities.”  He added that the transaction aligns with plans to grow the group’s international footprint in markets with strong potential, adding that Poland and Central Europe “offer attractive opportunities” for investment. The post GSTechnologies to Acquire Polish Virtual Asset Service Provider Finferno appeared first on LeapRate.

BGC Group reaffirmed its revenue and pre-tax Adjusted Earnings guidance for the final quarter of 2025, maintaining the outlook first issued alongside its financial results on 6 November.  The company said its forecasts for the three months to 31 December remain unchanged, with details available in its earlier release. In its Q3 earnings release, BGC said it expects revenue for Q4 to be between $720 million and $770 million, above the $572.3 million reported in Q4 2024.  Meanwhile, the company expects Q4 2025 pre-tax adjusted earnings to be between $152.5 million and $167.5 million, above the $129.5 million reported in Q4 last year.  The update reiterated BGC’s reliance on several non-GAAP performance metrics that the group uses to assess underlying operating trends. These include pre- and post-tax Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA, Liquidity and Constant Currency revenue comparisons.  BGC also highlighted its use of Constant Currency reporting to strip out the impact of FX volatility on period-to-period comparisons, particularly given the company’s exposure to euro and sterling revenues. The group said these measures should be viewed as supplementary to GAAP results rather than replacements. The post BGC Reaffirms Fourth-Quarter 2025 Outlook appeared first on LeapRate.

TradingView has expanded its fixed-income offering with the addition of over-the-counter government bond data provided by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), giving users access to pricing insights for 4,734 global sovereign bonds. The platform said the integration will help traders and investors better understand liquidity conditions and market sentiment in fixed income, where much of the trading occurs away from exchanges.  OTC bond data reflects bilateral trading activity, often revealing pricing differences that are not visible on traditional venues. ICE, a major global operator of exchanges, clearing houses and market infrastructure, supplies the data.  Known for its depth and transparency, ICE’s fixed-income information is widely used across the financial industry. TradingView said its latest addition is consistent with its goal of expanding global data coverage and improving the analytical tools available to retail and professional users. The new OTC data can be accessed directly from TradingView charts.  The company said the enhancement allows users to explore markets more effectively, supported by a network of hundreds of data feeds and access to more than two million tradable instruments worldwide.  The post TradingView Adds OTC Government Bond Data from ICE appeared first on LeapRate.

FINRA has fined Digital Brokerage Services LLC (DBS) $85,000 and issued a censure after finding the firm distributed misleading retail communications relating to crypto assets between July and September 2022. DBS, which operates a mobile trading platform for self-directed retail investors, shared promotional content on social media and its website that failed to provide fair and balanced information about crypto-related products. FINRA said some communications made unbalanced comparisons, including stating that cash is “prone to counterfeiting,” unlike crypto, without adequately explaining the significant risks associated with digital assets. Other materials encouraged users to “get into crypto” with small investment amounts but omitted warnings that the assets were speculative and carried a high risk of loss. FINRA also found that several communications did not clearly distinguish between services offered by DBS and those offered by an unaffiliated entity providing crypto trading through the app, potentially confusing investors about regulatory protections. The regulator found multiple breaches of FINRA Rule 2210, which governs member communications with the public, and Rule 2010. After being notified, DBS withdrew or updated the problematic content and reviewed its wider approach to describing crypto services. DBS agreed to the settlement without admitting or denying the findings. The sanctions will take effect on a date set by FINRA. The post Digital Brokerage Services Fined $85,000 Over Crypto Communications Breaches appeared first on LeapRate.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has fined Osaic Institutions, Inc. $650,000 and issued a censure after finding widespread deficiencies in the firm’s anti-money laundering (AML) programme dating back to 2021. Osaic, previously known as Infinex Investments, has been registered with FINRA since 1994 and operates around 950 branches.  The regulator said the firm failed to maintain an AML system reasonably designed to identify and report suspicious activity across a range of customer transactions. According to the settlement, the firm relied on inadequate exception reports that did not capture numerous red flags, including third-party wire transfers and transactions involving high-risk jurisdictions.  In several cases, exception reports were not reviewed, or were reviewed months late, undermining the firm’s ability to detect potentially suspicious trades or money movements. FINRA stated that the firm also failed to conduct ongoing customer due diligence, noting that it did not develop risk profiles for domestic clients and only designated foreign accounts as high-risk in late 2023. The firm was found to have no procedures for updating customer information on a risk basis. Osaic agreed to the sanctions without admitting or denying the findings. It must also certify within 60 days that it has remediated the issues and implemented a compliant AML programme. The settlement resolves allegations under FINRA Rules 3310 and 2010, which require firms to maintain effective AML procedures and observe high standards of conduct. The post FINRA Fines Osaic Institutions $650,000 Over AML Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

Barclays has appointed Hiroshi Minoura as Chairman of Investment Banking in Japan. Minoura has served as a Senior Adviser to Barclays’ investment banking arm in Japan since July 2024.  In his new role, he will provide strategic leadership, expand the division’s client base and support the firm’s broader global priorities.  The bank said he will draw on nearly five decades of industry experience to help accelerate activity in mergers and acquisitions and deepen client engagement. Before joining Barclays, Minoura held senior roles at BofA Securities Japan and spent 37 years at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, including positions as Vice Chairman and Deputy President. Barclays highlighted Japan as a core growth market for its global investment banking franchise, citing rising outbound M&A activity among Japanese companies and strong foreign inflows supported by low interest rates, corporate governance reforms and a weaker yen. Yuzo Otsuka, Head of Investment Banking in Japan, believes the appointment “underscores our commitment to capturing growth opportunities in Japan.”  He added that Minoura “has been an outstanding adviser and a terrific inspiration to our team,” and that the bank expects to deliver “even greater value” to clients under his expanded leadership. The post Barclays Names Hiroshi Minoura Chairman of Investment Banking in Japan appeared first on LeapRate.

The U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has censured Carter, Terry & Company and imposed financial penalties after finding the Atlanta-based brokerage failed to supervise recommendations involving Unit Investment Trusts (UITs).  The firm, which has been a FINRA member since 1985 and serves mainly retail clients, agreed to the settlement without admitting or denying the findings. FINRA said that since June 2020, Carter Terry failed to establish, maintain and enforce a supervisory system and written supervisory procedures designed to comply with Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI).  The regulator found that the firm did not adequately monitor early UIT redemptions, transactions that can lead customers to incur unnecessary sales charges when proceeds are rolled into new UITs. According to the settlement, Carter Terry executed more than $61 million in UIT transactions but had no written policies addressing UIT recommendations until April 2023.  Even after procedures were added, FINRA said they did not require supervisors to assess the costs associated with early redemptions or determine whether the transactions were in clients’ best interests. The failures allowed one representative to repeatedly recommend early UIT sales and reinvest proceeds into new UITs, including successive series of the same products. FINRA said this caused customers to incur $176,590.57 in avoidable costs. Under the settlement, Carter Terry was censured, fined $75,000, and ordered to pay restitution. The firm must also certify within 90 days that it has remediated the supervisory weaknesses identified and implemented compliant written procedures. The post FINRA Fines Carter, Terry & Company and Orders Restitution Over Supervisory Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

TradingView has expanded its market coverage with the addition of CME Group options data, giving traders broader access to one of the world’s largest derivatives marketplaces.  The integration allows users to analyse and trade a wider range of CME options contracts, supporting more advanced strategies in areas such as risk management, volatility assessment and macro hedging. CME Group’s derivatives markets span equities, energy, agriculture and metals, and are widely used by professional market participants due to their liquidity, transparent pricing and benchmark contract structures.  TradingView said the latest integration is aimed at enhancing the analytical tools available to traders seeking deeper insights into global markets. The new data set includes options on major futures such as crude oil and the E-mini S&P 500, enabling traders to respond to geopolitical events, supply shocks or shifts in equity-market sentiment.  TradingView noted that searching for CME options via Supercharts will display underlying assets rather than individual contracts, which then open the corresponding option chain.  The company stated the update is part of its broader effort to integrate more international data feeds and strengthen its position as a comprehensive global market platform. With access to more than two million instruments worldwide, TradingView said it aims to remain the “only entry point you need” for global markets. The post TradingView Adds CME Options Data to Platform appeared first on LeapRate.

TradingView has expanded the availability of volume data across a wide range of National Stock Exchange of India indices, offering traders more detailed insight into market participation and sector-level activity.  Until now, volume figures were available only for the Nifty 50 and Nifty Bank Index. Because the NSE does not provide official index-level volume, TradingView has implemented a rules-based methodology.  Daily volumes are calculated by summing the trading volumes of all constituent stocks, while intraday volumes use minute-by-minute data from each component. The calculation automatically adjusts whenever index components change. The expansion covers major sector indices such as Nifty FMCG, Nifty Auto, Nifty IT, Nifty Pharma, Nifty Financial Services, Nifty Healthcare, Nifty Media, Nifty Private Bank, Nifty PSU Bank and Nifty Realty. Broader benchmarks including the Nifty 500, Nifty 200, Nifty Next 50, Nifty MidCap and Nifty SmallCap indices are also now supported. TradingView said the enhancement provides consistent volume data across all chart resolutions, enabling both intraday and long-term analysis.  The platform has also reiterated that users can view volume figures on symbol pages or overlay them directly on Supercharts using the Volume indicator. The company said it will continue expanding coverage across additional NSE indices. It added that TradingView’s global data network now connects to hundreds of feeds, offering access to more than two million instruments worldwide. The post TradingView Extends Volume Data to More NSE Indices to Enhance Market Analysis appeared first on LeapRate.

Nomura has opened new premises in the Dubai International Financial Centre as the firm expands its wealth-management presence across the Middle East.  The office upgrade follows the launch of Nomura’s Dubai operation in 2023, which leverages the expertise of Nomura Singapore Limited and forms part of a strategy to build its international wealth-management franchise in the MEASA region. The expansion reflects strong growth since opening, supported by the hiring of senior relationship managers and rising demand from regional clients.  While Nomura initially focused on serving the South Asian diaspora, the firm now plans to broaden coverage to high-net-worth individuals, single-family offices and external asset managers across the UAE and the wider Gulf. DIFC officials said the opening highlights Dubai’s continued appeal as a leading global financial hub. Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, said Nomura’s decision “reflects both the strength of their regional growth story, century-long expertise that is valued by clients, and the depth of opportunity Dubai offers global firms.” Ravi Raju, Head of International Wealth Management at Nomura, said the new space would support the firm’s growing team and client base. “This move into a larger space will allow us to cater to our expanding team in Dubai and to better serve our growing client franchise in this region,” he said. The post Nomura Expands in Dubai with New DIFC Offices appeared first on LeapRate.

TradingView has expanded its broker network with the addition of Riyad Capital, giving users the ability to trade Saudi equities directly from the platform.  Riyad Capital, licensed by the Saudi Capital Market Authority, is one of the Kingdom’s leading investment managers and brokerages, offering access to the Tadawul, the Stock Exchange of Saudi Arabia. Through the new integration, traders can analyse Saudi markets on TradingView’s Supercharts and execute orders without leaving the platform.  TradingView said users simply need to open the trading panel, select Riyad Capital and log into their accounts. Riyad Capital is also providing a range of value-added services to support clients, including competitively priced margin lending and a broad suite of equity research.  The brokerage stated that its offering combines local market access with institutional routing and margin-financing options designed to cater to both retail and professional traders. The rollout forms part of TradingView’s wider effort to expand global broker connectivity and deepen its presence in fast-growing markets.  The company said further details about Riyad Capital’s services are available on the broker’s profile page on TradingView. The integration comes as international investor interest in Saudi Arabia continues to grow, supported by rising liquidity on the Tadawul and increasing foreign participation. The post TradingView Adds Direct Riyad Capital Integration for Saudi Equity Trading appeared first on LeapRate.