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.

B2PRIME Group has expanded its distribution network through a new integration with Your Bourse, allowing brokers to access the firm’s multi-asset liquidity across FX, metals, indices, commodities and crypto CFDs. The partnership, announced on Monday, is said to give B2PRIME clients an additional venue offering low-latency performance and high-volume stability.  The firm explained that brokers using Your Bourse’s routing and aggregation tools can connect directly to B2PRIME, benefiting from flexible routing, faster onboarding and smoother migration for those adding a new point-of-presence venue. Alex Tsepaev, Chief Strategy Officer at B2PRIME, said the integration “boosts B2PRIME’s visibility and gives our clients more flexibility in how they tap into our liquidity,” especially for firms already relying on Your Bourse as core trading infrastructure. For regulated brokers and high-volume firms, the link adds redundancy, seamless failover between hubs and consistent execution across regions. B2PRIME said the setup enables institutions to diversify liquidity without major infrastructure changes. Your Bourse’s Chief Revenue Officer, Kate Rutkovskaya, stated that the firm was “happy to welcome B2PRIME to the Your Bourse liquidity provider pool,” adding that the integration would allow brokers to “diversify their liquidity mix” by accessing regulated, multi-asset liquidity through the platform. The post B2PRIME and Your Bourse Partner to Expand Low-Latency Liquidity Access appeared first on LeapRate.

The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation has formally launched its Collateral-in-Lieu (CIL) service through its Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, working with BNY’s Global Collateral Platform.  BNY Securities Finance and Federated Hermes completed the first repo trade using the new clearing option. The service is designed to improve margin efficiency and accelerate the industry’s shift toward central clearing as required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Treasury-market mandate.  It maintains the haircut posted in triparty arrangements while applying a CCP lien “in lieu” of a sponsor guarantee and margin posting in most cases, eliminating double-margining for some members. DTCC said the model builds on existing Sponsored Service processes while offering both operational streamlining and broader access to cleared repo.  BNY’s triparty infrastructure will support settlement and collateral management for both done-away and done-with trading styles. Laura Klimpel, DTCC Managing Director, stated that the launch “underscores our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that enhance margin and capital efficiency for all types of firms.”  BNY’s Nate Wuerffel described the service as “a major step forward in the path to central clearing,” while Federated Hermes’ Susan Hill said it would help the firm “deliver value to clients while meeting evolving regulatory requirements.” BNY’s Nehal Udeshi added that the service creates “greater capacity” to support client activity and strengthens market resilience. DTCC expects adoption to rise ahead of mandatory clearing deadlines in late 2026 and mid-2027. The post DTCC and BNY Launch Collateral-in-Lieu Service as First Trade Completed appeared first on LeapRate.

FanDuel and CME Group announced this week that they have launched FanDuel Predicts, a new event-trading platform designed to let U.S. customers bet on financial, cultural and sporting outcomes.  The service went live in Alabama, Alaska, South Carolina, North Dakota and South Dakota, with a phased national rollout planned into early 2026. The platform will allow users to buy and sell event contracts priced between $0.01 and $0.99, choosing “Yes” or “No” on whether an event will occur.  FanDuel said the app will be available on the Apple and Google app stores and will require full identity verification, including a birth date, Social Security number, address, banking details and a government-issued ID. Users will be able to trade on indicators such as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100, oil and gas prices, gold, cryptocurrencies, GDP and CPI.  Sports-related contracts will be available only in states without legal online sports betting, except on tribal lands. FanDuel will remove sports markets in states that subsequently legalise sports betting. “We’re giving our customers a new platform to engage with the world around them – whether that’s the next Fed rate decision or a sports event,” said James Cooper, Senior Vice-President at FanDuel.  CME Group’s Lynne Fitzpatrick added that its prediction markets would “enable a new generation of users to express their views on global benchmarks, economic indicators, sports and more.” FanDuel said users will have access to deposit limits, alerts and self-exclusion tools, with mental-health support provided by Kindbridge Behaviour Health. The post FanDuel and CME Group Launch Prediction Market Platform in Five States appeared first on LeapRate.

HSBC announced Tuesday that Ann Godbehere, the bank’s senior independent director, will retire from the board at the group’s annual general meeting in 2026. Brendan Nelson, HSBC’s group chair, thanked Godbehere for her “considerable contribution” and said he fully respected her decision to step down for personal and lifestyle reasons.  He noted the timing follows the completion of the bank’s chair search. Godbehere stated that it had been a privilege to serve on the board and praised the colleagues she had worked with during her tenure.  She added that she wished the board and management “every success” as the bank continues executing its strategy. The post HSBC Senior Independent Director to Step Down in 2026 appeared first on LeapRate.

The Financial Conduct Authority has cancelled the registration of First Money Services, a Small Payment Institution, after finding the firm failed to meet key regulatory requirements under the Payment Services Regulations 2017. In a Final Notice dated 22 December, the regulator said the company did not provide payment services within 12 months of being registered and had failed to remain compliant with anti-money laundering obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations.  The FCA also found the firm had reported providing payment services after its HMRC registration had ended. The decision follows a previous notice issued to the business, which did not challenge the move within the 28-day referral window. As a result, the cancellation took effect immediately. The regulator noted that the action was necessary to support its consumer protection and market integrity objectives.  Small Payment Institutions must meet specific conditions to operate legally, including maintaining up-to-date AML registrations and demonstrating active provision of payment services. The cancellation means First Money Services is no longer authorised to undertake regulated payment activities in the UK, and the FCA reminded firms of the importance of maintaining full compliance throughout their registration period. The post FCA Cancels Registration of First Money Services Over Compliance Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

Equiti Group has appointed Dhanesh Chandrashekhar Arole as its new Head of Data and AI, strengthening the fintech firm’s capability in advanced analytics as it pursues growth across global markets. Arole joins from senior roles in high-growth technology companies and major international platforms, including Meta.  Equiti said his background in software architecture, system design and engineering leadership will support its strategy to build a more intelligent, insight-driven trading ecosystem. The appointment aligns with Equiti’s Q4 2025 focus on expanding data and AI capabilities as online trading activity rises across the MENA region and the UAE positions itself as a global investment hub.  Sartaj Singh, Equiti’s chief technology officer, stated that the firm had already established “a strong data backbone,” and Arole would help accelerate the development of data products and AI applications.  Arole remarked that data-driven tools were reshaping the speed and transparency of financial markets, adding that he aims to deliver “smarter decisions, deeper insights and truly transformative products.” The post Equiti Appoints New Head of Data and AI appeared first on LeapRate.

Alfa Financial Software has announced that Duncan Magrath, its chief financial officer and an executive director, plans to retire at the end of 2026 after more than six years with the company. The asset-finance software specialist said its board would begin the search for a successor immediately.  Magrath joined Alfa in March 2020 and has overseen the firm’s shift towards a software-as-a-service model, helping establish new internal processes and building out the finance team. Chief executive Andrew Denton thanked Magrath for his contribution, saying he had played a “huge” role as the company evolved into a SaaS-focused organisation.  Denton added that Magrath had provided guidance and support to colleagues and helped create a platform for future growth. Magrath commented that he had “thoroughly enjoyed” his time at Alfa and highlighted the company’s culture as a defining feature of his experience.  He said he remains enthusiastic about the final year of his tenure and intends to pursue interests outside full-time executive work following his retirement. Alfa stated the transition would be managed carefully to ensure continuity across its finance and operational functions. The post Alfa Financial Confirms CFO to Retire at the End of 2026 appeared first on LeapRate.

Fiserv announced a strategic collaboration with Visa on Monday, aimed at accelerating the rollout of agentic commerce, where AI-driven agents perform tasks such as product discovery and purchasing on behalf of consumers. The partnership will integrate Visa Intelligent Commerce and the Trusted Agent Protocol across Fiserv’s merchant ecosystem, giving businesses access to authentication tools designed to distinguish legitimate automated agents from malicious bots.  Fiserv believes the collaboration will help merchants adapt to an increasingly automated retail environment. Sanjay Saraf, Fiserv’s global chief product officer for merchant solutions, remarked that the two companies were “simplifying entry into the Agentic Commerce ecosystem” for merchants, independent software vendors and partners.  Visa’s Rubail Birwadker said the Trusted Agent Protocol embeds “trust into every layer” of agent-driven transactions. The protocol will be deployed across Fiserv’s acceptance network to authenticate, validate and process agent-initiated payments.  It is intended to ensure that all interactions come from verified consumer-authorised agents and that payment data remains secure throughout a transaction. Beyond payments, the companies said they aim to enable the broader development of intelligent-commerce infrastructure.  This will include tools and frameworks that allow merchants to embed AI-driven experiences into existing systems without disrupting day-to-day operations. Fiserv added that it would provide secure connectivity to authenticate agents, scalable integration options for businesses adopting automated experiences, and real-time operational intelligence to improve routing and dispute resolution.  The post Fiserv Partners with Visa to Advance Agentic Commerce Capabilities appeared first on LeapRate.

Coinbase announced Monday that it has agreed a deal to acquire The Clearing Company as the U.S. crypto exchange seeks to expand its newly launched prediction markets offering and advance its ambition to become what it calls the “Everything Exchange.” The deal brings in a specialist team led by founder Toni Gemayel, who has been closely involved in shaping the modern prediction-market sector.  Coinbase said the group’s experience would help scale trading in event-based contracts, which the company introduced to users last week through a regulated venue. Coinbase stated that integrating the capability directly into its platform would let people access event contracts alongside crypto, equities, cash and derivatives. The company believes the acquisition fits into its broader plan to create a single marketplace for multiple asset classes.  “The Clearing Co. adds the specialised talent needed to take this category further,” Coinbase said, adding that prediction markets are a natural component of its long-term roadmap. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in January. Coinbase noted that it has already implemented a familiar trading interface for prediction markets and believes combining regulated access with The Clearing Company’s expertise will support future growth. The post Coinbase to Acquire The Clearing Company appeared first on LeapRate.

Nanhua Singapore has become an exchange and clearing member of ICE Futures Singapore and ICE Clear Singapore, marking a step forward in its efforts to expand trading and clearing capabilities across international markets. Intercontinental Exchange stated that the appointments allow Nanhua Singapore to trade and clear both its own business and that of its clients directly on ICE’s Singapore-based platforms.  The move is expected to strengthen the firm’s access to global derivatives markets and enhance the services it offers to customers seeking exposure beyond Asia. Zheng Peiyuan, chief executive of Nanhua Singapore, said the membership would enable the company to deepen its global clearing capabilities while providing clients with broader opportunities in international markets.  He added that joining ICE in Singapore underlined Nanhua’s commitment to delivering reliable and efficient trading services as client needs evolve. ICE noted that the addition of Nanhua reflects continued engagement with regional market participants as it seeks to connect Asian firms with global risk management tools.  Maria Levanti, president and chief operating officer of ICE Futures Singapore and ICE Clear Singapore, said the group remains focused on linking local and international participants with access to global markets. ICE has operated in Singapore for more than 20 years and has positioned the city-state as a hub for its Asian derivatives business.  ICE Futures Singapore offers contracts across energy, foreign exchange, equity derivatives and digital assets, including mini and micro-sized products designed to support more flexible hedging strategies. The post Nanhua Singapore Becomes ICE Futures and Clearing Member in Singapore appeared first on LeapRate.

CME Group’s New York Mercantile Exchange said Friday that it has fined Telesto Sciences $30,000.  According to a disciplinary notice, the firm failed to adequately supervise its trading systems, leading to excessive and erroneous messaging activity in energy futures markets. A panel of the NYMEX Business Conduct Committee found that between February and September 2024, an automated trading system controlled by Telesto repeatedly retransmitted network packets before the pre-open security status message in crude oil and natural gas trading-at-settlement futures. The panel said the system sent unusually high volumes of packet retransmissions, including packets with larger-than-normal sizes and numerous symbol errors.  This activity also reportedly occurred in non-TAS products and continued even after Telesto attempted to address the issue following notification from the exchange. NYMEX found that Telesto was initially unaware of the unintended excessive messaging, the symbol errors introduced by its system and the abnormal packet sizes.  After efforts to correct the problem, the automated trading system continued to retransmit smaller packets containing symbol errors during the trading day. The conduct was deemed a breach of NYMEX Rule 432.W, which requires firms to diligently supervise employees and agents in business related to the exchange. Telesto agreed to the settlement without admitting or denying the findings. The post CME Group Fines Telesto Sciences appeared first on LeapRate.

LME Clear announced the appointment of Julie Carruthers as interim chair of the board on Friday, effective 1 January 2026, following the planned retirement of current chair David Warren at the end of this year. Carruthers, who currently serves as senior independent director, joined the LME Clear board in 2022 and brings more than 30 years of experience in financial services.  Her background includes senior roles at TP ICAP and UK Finance, with particular expertise in market infrastructure, post-trade operations and regulatory engagement. The appointment comes as LME Clear continues to advance its clearing modernisation strategy and respond to evolving customer demand across the global metals market.  Chief executive Michael Carty said Carruthers is “extremely well-positioned” to lead the business, citing her experience in electronic trading and clearing operations. Warren, who joined LME Clear in 2023, oversaw a period of growth and led the delivery of an action plan aimed at strengthening the organisation’s resilience and strategic direction.  Carty thanked him for his leadership, saying the business had made “huge progress” under his stewardship. Carruthers stated that she was honoured to take on the interim role at a “pivotal time” for the metals industry, adding that the company is now ready to accelerate innovation and broaden its offering following the successful completion of its resilience programme. The post LME Clear Appoints Julie Carruthers as Interim Chair appeared first on LeapRate.

US regulator FINRA has censured and fined Mundial Financial Group $100,000 after finding compliance failures, including allowing an unregistered individual to conduct securities business and operating an inadequate anti-money laundering programme. According to a letter of acceptance, waiver and consent, Mundial permitted its indirect owner to engage in securities activities requiring registration from January 2018 to at least January 2024, despite knowing he was not registered with FINRA in any capacity.  The individual acted in both a principal and representative role, soliciting customers, directing business strategy and exercising control over the firm’s finances. FINRA found this conduct breached registration rules and standards requiring firms to observe high standards of commercial honour. In addition, Mundial failed to develop and implement an AML compliance programme reasonably designed to meet Bank Secrecy Act requirements. The regulator stated that the firm’s customer identification procedures were not appropriately tailored to its risk profile, which included overseas clients and trading in low-priced securities.  Mundial is said to have approved accounts despite discrepancies in customer information and failed to adequately monitor or investigate red flags of suspicious activity. FINRA also cited failures to detect or report potentially manipulative trading and weaknesses in monitoring accounts linked to corporate insiders. As a result, suspicious transactions went undetected, including large share transfers and coordinated account openings. Alongside the fine and censure, Mundial has agreed to a series of undertakings, including retaining a third-party consultant to review its compliance framework and certifying that no unregistered individuals are performing regulated roles. The post FINRA Fines Mundial Financial $100,000 appeared first on LeapRate.