Interactive Brokers Group reported December brokerage metrics showing rising client equity and account growth, even as trading activity slowed from the previous month. The electronic broker said Daily Average Revenue Trades reached 3.384 million, up 4% from a year earlier but down 21% from November.  Client equity ended the month at $779.9 billion, 37% higher than a year ago and 1% above November’s level. Margin loan balances rose 40% year-on-year to $90.2 billion, while client credit balances increased 34% to $160.1 billion. Client accounts totalled 4.399 million, up 32% year-on-year and 2% month-on-month. Average commission per cleared commissionable order was $2.57, including exchange, clearing and regulatory fees. The company also reported a $0.6 million gain on its U.S. government securities portfolio for the quarter and a $1.2 million gain for the full year. Its currency diversification benchmark, the GLOBAL, increased 0.28% in December and 2.049% year-to-date. Interactive Brokers disclosed execution metrics for its IBKR PRO clients, noting that the average U.S. Reg-NMS stock trade was $22,608 in December.  The total cost of executing and clearing such trades was about 3.0 basis points of trade money during the month, compared with a 2.6-basis-point average over the past 12 months. The post Interactive Brokers Reports Higher Client Equity Despite Slower MoM Trading Activity appeared first on LeapRate.

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited has appointed Kay Lo Hei Rose to its statutory Risk Management Committee, replacing former Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited chairman Xing Guiwei. HKEX said the appointment, effective 1 January, was made in accordance with the Securities and Futures Ordinance. Lo Hei Rose recently became chairman of Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited and joins the committee as its newest member. The Risk Management Committee, which advises the HKEX board on the adequacy of risk safeguards across the group’s clearing houses, will continue to be chaired by Carlson Tong.  HKEX confirmed the full list of members as: Carlson Tong, Chow Woo Mo Fong Susan, Ho Hon Kit Daryl, Kay Lo Hei Rose, Kwok Pui Fong Miranda, Leung Chung Yin Rico, Leung Pak Hon Hugo and Sun Yu. Lo Hei Rose’s inclusion follows other recent governance adjustments across Hong Kong’s financial infrastructure operators. HKEX reiterated that the appointment followed the prescribed regulatory process and takes effect immediately. The post HKEX Appoints New Member to Statutory Risk Committee appeared first on LeapRate.

Tap Global Group reported higher revenue, stronger gross profit and reduced operating costs for the year to 30 June 2025, as the digital finance platform continues to scale its payments and cryptocurrency services. Revenue rose 31 per cent year-on-year to £3.48 million, supported by increased trading volumes and a growing user base, which reached more than 391,000. Gross profit climbed 68 per cent to £2.62 million as the cost of sales fell 20 per cent.  The group also recorded £0.42 million in other income from recovered historical Bitcoin referral bonuses. Operating expenses fell 6.6 per cent to £3.8 million following optimised compliance and staff costs. Adjusted EBITDA turned positive at £0.41 million after adjusting for one-off listing and regulatory expenses. Despite a £4.7 million goodwill impairment pushing the loss before tax to £5.7 million, the group said the underlying performance had improved significantly. Cash balances increased to £0.81 million, supported by a £1 million equity raise in early 2025. The company also announced that CFO Steven Borg resigned and will leave the board on 9 January 2026. He will be replaced at the senior level by Andrew Milmine, who joins as Head of Finance. The company said it remains satisfied with its financial oversight and governance following the change. CEO Arsen Torosian said FY25 marked a “defining period of graduation” as Tap evolves from a challenger fintech into a regulated digital finance platform serving both retail and institutional clients. The post Tap Global Reports Higher Revenue and Profit Margins as CFO Resigns appeared first on LeapRate.

Boku announced Friday that it has launched a new share buyback programme of up to 4 million shares after its board concluded the company’s current valuation does not reflect its long-term prospects. The fintech, listed on London’s AIM, said the repurchased shares will be held in Treasury and may be used to meet future obligations arising from warrants or staff equity awards, helping to limit dilution for existing investors.  Boku already holds 6.5 million shares in Treasury, representing 2.1 per cent of its issued share capital. The board authorised the buyback under existing powers to repurchase up to 5 per cent of its common stock. The company said strong cash balances and confidence in its growth plan made the programme an “effective use” of capital. Investec Bank, Boku’s joint broker, has been instructed to conduct the buyback according to preset parameters.  The maximum price paid per share will be capped at the lower of 5 per cent above the average middle-market price over the past five business days, or the higher of the last independent trade and the highest independent purchase bid. The programme takes immediate effect and will run until 30 April 2026, unless the 4 million-share limit is reached earlier. Because of limited liquidity, the company warned daily repurchases could exceed 25 per cent of average trading volumes.  As a result, Boku will not benefit from the buyback safe-harbour exemption under the UK’s Market Abuse Regulation. The board said it will review the need for further share repurchases once the current programme concludes. The post Boku Launches Share Buyback appeared first on LeapRate.

IC Markets has signed a new partnership with Australian tennis player Alexei Popyrin as he prepares for what the trading platform describes as a “blockbuster” 2026 season. Sydney-born Popyrin, 26, has won three ATP singles titles and one doubles title, including his 2024 Canada Open title at the Montreal Masters 1000. That victory made him the first Australian since Lleyton Hewitt in 2003 to lift an ATP Masters 1000 trophy. Popyrin will open his 2026 campaign at the Brisbane International and Adelaide International before heading into the Australian Open. The company said fans can expect his “power, precision and resilience” as he targets a deep run in his home Grand Slam. “I’m looking forward to starting the season strong with IC Markets,” Popyrin said. “Last year had its challenges with the injuries, but I’ve put in the work to come back better.” After reaching the ATP Top 20 in August 2025, driven by strong performances in Monte Carlo, Toronto and Roland Garros, Popyrin is aiming to rebuild momentum following an injury-affected year. Peter Tardent, IC Markets Australia’s general manager, said: “Alexei is an incredible athlete and an even better person. His speed and precision perfectly reflect what IC Markets delivers to traders worldwide.” The partnership forms part of IC Markets’ wider brand-building push as the broker continues to expand its global profile. The post IC Markets Partners With Australian Tennis Star Alexei Popyrin for 2026 Season appeared first on LeapRate.

A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners has been censured and fined $145,000 for repeated failures to file required notifications related to securities distributions and for longstanding supervisory weaknesses, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority said. FINRA found that between April 2019 and August 2022, the Connecticut-based firm failed to submit, or submitted late or inaccurate, Regulation M-related notices in 55 instances covering 47 distributions.  The errors included late restricted-period notifications, some more than 100 days overdue, and trading notifications that omitted required participant information. In several cases, the firm failed to file notifications at all. The regulator said these failures breached FINRA Rules 5190 and 2010, noting that accurate and timely notifications are essential for monitoring compliance with Regulation M, which aims to prevent manipulation during securities distributions. FINRA also cited extensive supervisory gaps from 2019 through 2024. The firm did not maintain written supervisory procedures ensuring timely or accurate filings and carried out what FINRA described as “unreasonably narrow” reviews.  The regulator added that Alliance Global failed to review whether it bid for or purchased covered securities during restricted periods, breaching Rules 3110(a), 3110(b), and 2010. As part of the settlement, the firm must submit a written certification from senior management within 60 days confirming it has fully remediated the issues and implemented adequate supervisory systems. The sanctions were accepted without the firm admitting or denying the findings. The post Alliance Global Partners Censured and Fined By the U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority appeared first on LeapRate.

Standard Chartered Securities North America has been censured and fined $95,000 by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority after the firm failed to timely report hundreds of fixed income trades and did not maintain adequate supervisory systems. According to a FINRA settlement, the firm did not report around 700 TRACE-eligible corporate debt transactions within the required 15-minute window between September 2021 and March 2023.  FINRA said the late reports accounted for roughly five per cent of the firm’s eligible transactions during the period and violated Rules 6730(a) and 2010. FINRA found additional supervisory failings spanning more than three years. From at least September 2021 through December 2024, the regulator said the firm lacked written supervisory procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with TRACE reporting rules.  Although it tracked late reports and escalated them internally, the firm had no system to remediate repeated failures and did not act promptly despite FINRA alerts highlighting deficiencies. The regulator added that the absence of effective written procedures and supervisory reviews meant the firm breached Rules 3110 and 2010. Standard Chartered has since established a cross-department working group and, in January 2025, implemented updated procedures for tracking and escalating late reports. The firm accepted the sanctions without admitting or denying the findings.  The post Standard Chartered Securities Fined $95,000 By FINRA appeared first on LeapRate.

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.