The companies said the partnership will begin with Crypto.com exploring an integration of the ADI Chain, a high-performance blockchain launched by the ADI Foundation, the Abu Dhabi-based non-profit founded by Sirius.  The integration is intended to support “sovereign-grade digital infrastructure” in the UAE and expand tokenisation opportunities at regional and global scale. The firms will also assess potential listings of digital assets linked to Sirius’ ecosystem, including tokenised real-world assets and stablecoins, subject to Crypto.com’s listing processes and regulatory approvals.  Additional collaboration areas include evaluating the use of Crypto.com Pay across Sirius portfolio companies and examining institutional opportunities through Crypto.com Exchange. Crypto.com President and COO Eric Anziani commented: “Increasing everyday utility of cryptocurrencies is central to our vision at Crypto.com and we’re encouraged by the UAE’s commitment to advancing blockchain adoption.”  Alain Yacine, the company’s President for the Middle East and Latin America, stated: “Blockchain is proving to be a revolutionary force in redefining the financial ecosystem.” Sirius International CEO Ajay Bhatia believes the partnership “marks a defining step in how the UAE will shape the next era of digital finance,” adding that aligning Sirius’ infrastructure and ADI Chain with Crypto.com creates the foundations for “global-scale tokenization.” The post Sirius International and Crypto.com Partner to Advance Tokenisation Infrastructure in UAE appeared first on LeapRate.

Assets under Administration rose to $18.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year, while funded accounts increased 10% to 3.79 million. The company said the figures include 180,000 funded accounts attributed to its Spaceship acquisition in November 2024. Total trades in capital markets and ECC reached 46.3 million in November, a 16% year-on-year increase. However, the invested amount per trade fell 13% to $269.  Crypto trading remained weaker, with the number of trades down 48% to 5.0 million, and the invested amount per trade down 28% to $264. Interest Earning Assets rose 21% to $7.6 billion, while Total Money Transfers were unchanged at $1.1 billion. eToro noted that the data is based on currently available information and “has not been audited or reviewed.” The company added that final quarterly results may vary once disclosed in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The post eToro Reports Higher Trading Activity in November appeared first on LeapRate.

SimCorp has appointed Iyan Adewuya as its new Chief Product Officer, strengthening the firm’s senior leadership. Adewuya, a seasoned product leader with more than 20 years’ experience, joins from S&P Global Market Intelligence, where he led product strategy for enterprise and private-markets solutions.  His career also includes senior product roles at BlackRock, where he helped drive the Aladdin private-markets initiative, and more than a decade at Bloomberg. Based in New York, he will report to Chief Product & Technology Officer Marc Schröter and will oversee product innovation across SimCorp’s front-to-back investment-management platform, SimCorp One. Chief Executive Peter Sanderson said Adewuya would play a “crucial role” in ensuring the company continues to deliver world-class technology, highlighting his deep expertise across both public and private markets. Sanderson added that AI-driven enhancements would be central to SimCorp’s future roadmap. Adewuya said he was “thrilled” to join the firm at a pivotal moment, emphasising that institutional clients face growing operational complexity.  He argued that AI and intelligent automation could “simplify workflows, streamline operations and enhance investment decision-making”. The post SimCorp Names Iyan Adewuya as Chief Product Officer appeared first on LeapRate.

The investment, announced on Wednesday, adds Barclays to a shareholder group that already includes BNP Paribas, Citi, Danske Bank and Standard Chartered, all of which have joined within the past two years.  As part of the deal, Barclays will also take a seat on United Fintech’s board. The company, which positions itself as an industry-neutral fintech infrastructure provider for banks, asset managers and wealth managers, has been expanding rapidly.  In 2025, it completed two acquisitions, taking its portfolio to seven fintechs, and now operates 11 offices globally with more than 200 employees. Ryan Hayward, Head of Strategic Investments at Barclays, said the bank was “excited to partner with United Fintech to accelerate digital transformation across the industry,” adding that the company’s model aligned closely with Barclays’ own vision for future-ready financial services. United Fintech’s ecosystem spans technology solutions across commercial banking, capital markets and investment management, aiming to help large financial institutions modernise infrastructure and deploy AI-powered innovation securely.  Founder and CEO Christian Frahm said the addition of Barclays further strengthened “industry-wide adoption” at a time when collaboration was crucial. Danske Bank, an existing investor, welcomed Barclays’ arrival, saying it would reinforce the group of global banks backing what it described as a trusted governance and delivery model. The post Barclays Takes Stake in United Fintech as Global Banks Deepen Innovation Push appeared first on LeapRate.

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) has launched the HKEX Tech 100 Index, its first Hong Kong equity benchmark and a significant step in expanding its index and data business. The new index tracks 100 of the largest Hong Kong-listed technology companies across six themes: artificial intelligence, biotech and pharmaceuticals, electric vehicles and smart driving, information technology, internet and robotics.  All constituents are eligible for Stock Connect Southbound trading, ensuring broad access for both global and Mainland Chinese investors. HKEX has also signed a licensing agreement with E Fund Management, enabling the development of an ETF based on the index for the Mainland market, subject to regulatory approval. CEO Bonnie Y Chan believes the index marks “a significant milestone” and reflects Hong Kong’s role in nurturing emerging industries.  The benchmark includes a fast-entry mechanism to admit newly listed stocks that meet criteria outside the standard review cycle. E Fund Management chairwoman Dr Liu Xiaoyan said the planned ETF will give investors “an efficient way to tap into the growth opportunities” of Hong Kong-listed tech companies. HKEX said it will continue exploring new index products and partnerships as part of its broader strategy to grow its data and analytics business. The post HKEX Launches First Hong Kong Tech Index appeared first on LeapRate.

The transaction forms part of the company’s North Star transformation plan, which aims to streamline operations and concentrate resources on segments with stronger strategic relevance.  Worldline believes the sale will simplify its business, improve allocation of capital and strengthen financial flexibility. The disposal follows earlier sales of Mobility & e-Transactional Services, its North American operations and ex-Cetrel Securities. Combined, these deals are expected to generate €510m–€560m in proceeds. PaymentIQ’s deconsolidation is expected to reduce 2026 revenue by about €50m, adjusted EBITDA by €40m and free cash flow by €30m.  Worldline stated that the divestment reflects its commitment to focusing on products and services with higher synergy potential across its merchant and financial institution client base. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026. Worldline will present its full-year 2025 results on 25 February 2026. The post Worldline to Sell PaymentIQ as Part of Strategic Refocus appeared first on LeapRate.

The update is said to be delivered through Plugin Configurator, Brokeree’s centralised graphical interface that replaces MetaTrader’s traditional configuration system with a visual, structured management tool.  The firm said brokers can now connect multiple servers and adjust plugin settings more easily, improving operational efficiency and oversight. The Dynamic Margin and Leverage plugin, which helps brokers control risk exposure, now benefits from full support within the Configurator.  Brokerages can set margin requirements for specific accounts, assign leverage levels per instrument, reject orders that exceed defined thresholds and apply precise stop-out rules.  Brokeree stated that the update allows these actions to be performed “in just a few clicks”, significantly reducing administrative workload. The move forms part of a broader effort to bring more of Brokeree’s plugins into the unified interface. The company said the new UI will help strengthen brokers’ execution models and enhance risk management as regulatory requirements and trading volumes continue to rise. Brokeree Solutions provides technology infrastructure to multi-asset brokers globally and said the upgraded system is designed to improve both efficiency and control in volatile market conditions. The post Brokeree Solutions Launches New UI for Dynamic Margin and Leverage appeared first on LeapRate.

The move brings BTCC’s more than 400 perpetual futures pairs onto TradingView’s widely used interface, combining professional-grade charting, custom indicators and real-time data with the exchange’s deep liquidity.  BTCC said the integration responds to growing demand for seamless trading that connects analytics with execution. The exchange has been experiencing strong growth. In its Q3 2025 update, BTCC reported $1.15 trillion in quarterly trading volume and expanded its futures offering to over 400 pairs, all of which are now available through TradingView.  “This integration combines TradingView’s analytical tools with BTCC’s range of perpetual futures pairs and deep liquidity,” said Marcus Chen, Product Manager at BTCC.  He added that the collaboration reinforces the exchange’s commitment to providing “professional-grade derivatives trading experiences”. Users can connect their BTCC accounts in three steps via TradingView’s Trading Panel, enabling direct trading across Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, Dogecoin and hundreds of other crypto pairs. BTCC said the partnership is part of its long-term strategy to deliver a more user-centric experience and strengthen its reputation for platform reliability and performance. The post BTCC Exchange Integrates with TradingView appeared first on LeapRate.

The Spanish lender, which has operated a representative office in Abu Dhabi since 2013, said the licence will allow it to offer a broader suite of wholesale banking services across the region.  These will include financing, advisory, global markets and cross-border solutions for corporate and institutional clients. Eduardo Ortiz Gross, the bank’s Middle East CIB head, has been appointed Senior Executive Officer for the incoming branch. Javier Rodríguez Soler, BBVA’s Global Head of Sustainability and CIB, called the region “strategic,” adding that the approval represents “an important step forward” in plans to grow with clients globally.  He highlighted accelerating economic transformation across the Gulf, with sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors taking leading roles in decarbonisation and sustainable investment. ADGM’s Chief of Market Development, Arvind Ramamurthy, believes BBVA’s expansion reflects Abu Dhabi’s rising importance as a financial gateway connecting global markets. BBVA stated that the move strengthens its ability to serve sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions and large corporates pursuing diversification and infrastructure development across the region.  Cross-border business accounted for more than 35% of revenues at BBVA CIB in recent years, growing above 30% annually. The new branch remains subject to final regulatory approval. The bank said the expanded presence will help link Middle Eastern clients with opportunities across its international network, including Europe, the U.S., Mexico and Turkey, while supporting its global leadership in sustainable finance. The post BBVA Wins Approval to Expand Investment Banking Capabilities in the Middle East appeared first on LeapRate.

Kaushik joins with more than 15 years of experience across global fintech and technology firms, including senior roles at Meta and Airwallex, where he led cross-regional marketing, digital strategy, and product storytelling.  The appointment follows the launch of FXTRADING.com’s redesigned website and its integrated All-in-One Trading Portal, which consolidates trading tools and analytics onto a single platform. As CMO, Kaushik will oversee the broker’s worldwide marketing strategy, focusing on scaling its presence across key regions including Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Europe.  The company said he will work closely with product and technology teams to reinforce its positioning as a “trusted, performance-driven and technology-led brokerage.” CEO Adam Phillips stated that Kaushik’s background in global fintech ecosystems made him “an exceptional addition” to the leadership team.  “His ability to scale brands internationally and build strong customer engagement aligns perfectly with our vision,” he said. Kaushik believes he is joining at “an important stage” of the broker’s growth. He emphasised the company’s commitment to in-house innovation, transparency and boosting client outcomes.  “We will continue strengthening FXTRADING.com’s global identity and bring more clarity, performance and trust to the trading experience,” he commented. The post FXTRADING.com Names New Chief Marketing Officer appeared first on LeapRate.

BNY and Google Cloud have expanded their long-running collaboration with the integration of Gemini Enterprise, Google’s advanced agentic AI platform, into BNY’s enterprise AI system, Eliza. The firms said the upgrade will enhance Eliza’s deep research capabilities, enabling employees to build AI agents capable of processing and synthesising large volumes of financial data, historical trends and market analysis more efficiently.  They added that the integration is also designed to automate routine, data-heavy tasks across the bank. Sarthak Pattanaik, BNY’s Chief Data & AI Officer, said the bank’s aim is “AI for everyone, everywhere and everything,” adding that the integration will further advance Eliza’s ability to provide deeper analysis and strategic insight. Google Cloud executive Rohit Bhat said the collaboration is “at the forefront of the agentic era in finance,” combining BNY’s markets expertise with Google’s “powerful reasoning” AI technologies. BNY continues to use Google Cloud’s most advanced models, including Gemini 3 and Veo 3, as part of the ongoing development of its enterprise AI capabilities The post BNY and Google Cloud Deepen AI Partnership with Gemini Enterprise Integration appeared first on LeapRate.

The firms plan to launch both a private trust and an exchange traded fund (ETF) tied to CRO, providing regulated exposure to one of the largest Ethereum-compatible Layer 1 networks.  Cronos, supported by Crypto.com, is built using the Cosmos SDK and offers compatibility with both the Ethereum Virtual Machine and the Cosmos ecosystem.  It is said to emphasise low fees and high scalability, which the firms say has helped attract an expanding developer and user community. Federico Brokate, Global Head of Business Development at 21Shares, said the companies are “paving the way for scalable and interoperable blockchain solutions” and that the partnership reinforces a commitment to offering “institutional-grade regulated exposure to the most relevant crypto assets.” Crypto.com President and COO Eric Anziani said expanding ways for investors to engage with digital assets remains central to the firm’s mission.  He added that Crypto.com is a “long-time supporter” of the Cronos blockchain. The collaboration builds on an earlier strategic partnership between the companies aimed at boosting innovation across both organisations. The post Crypto.com and 21Shares Partner to Expand Access to Cronos appeared first on LeapRate.

Auctions already represent more than a quarter of consolidated lit volumes on Euronext-listed stocks, and demand for innovative execution mechanisms has been rising.  In 2024, auction imbalances averaged over €200 million in unmatched liquidity each day, equivalent to roughly 6% of auction volume. The new AVD orders is said to allow market participants to submit non-displayed orders throughout the trading session. The firm said these orders will execute at the official auction price but will not influence the price-setting process.  At the point of uncrossing, AVD orders will match first against auction imbalances, with any remaining orders trading against other AVD submissions. Unexecuted orders will expire at the end of the respective auction. Nicolas Rivard, Euronext’s Global Head of Cash Equity and Data Services, called the launch “an important milestone” within the group’s Innovate for Growth 2027 strategy.  He said the new mechanism “underlines our commitment to expand trading opportunities for our clients while enhancing liquidity across our European markets.” The post Euronext Launches New Auction Tool appeared first on LeapRate.

The move, announced by the U.S. trading platform, marks its first step into Indonesia and is intended to accelerate its global expansion strategy. The country’s investor base, more than 19 million participants in capital markets and 17 million crypto investors, was highlighted as a key attraction.  Patrick Chan, Robinhood’s Head of Asia, said Indonesia represents “a fast-growing market for trading,” adding that it is “an exciting place to further Robinhood’s mission to democratise finance for all.” Following the deal for Buana Capital, the company will continue serving local brokerage clients with Indonesian products.  Over time, Robinhood aims to introduce its broader suite of services, including access to U.S. equities and cryptocurrency markets at scale. Pieter Tanuri, the majority owner of both Indonesian firms, will remain involved as a strategic adviser. Both acquisitions remain subject to approval from the Indonesian Financial Services Authority and other regulators. Completion is expected in the first half of 2026. The post Robinhood to Enter Indonesia with Dual Acquisition appeared first on LeapRate.

The round was led by Addition, with participation from investors including T. Rowe Price, Activant, Lingotto, Robinhood Ventures and TIAA Ventures. The company said the investment will fuel its expansion in the U.S. and other key markets, and accelerate hiring and product development, particularly in artificial intelligence.  Airwallex said it will deploy more than $1 billion from 2026 to 2029 to scale its U.S. operations. As part of the strategy, San Francisco has been designated as a second global headquarters. Co-founder and CEO Jack Zhang stated: “We believe the future of global banking will be borderless, real-time, and intelligent.” “We’re building a modern alternative, a single platform that powers global banking, payments, billing, treasury, and spend on top of proprietary financial infrastructure.” The company said annualised revenue surpassed $1 billion in October, up 90% year-on-year, while annualised transaction volume doubled to more than $235 billion. Airwallex now holds about 80 licences globally and expanded into 12 additional markets in 2025. Airwallex also unveiled plans to deploy specialised AI agents to automate financial workflows.  “Airwallex connects the full spectrum of a customer’s financial operations,” commented Zhang, adding that this proprietary visibility “is what powers agentic finance.” The company said the new capital will strengthen its position in the U.S. and other major markets. The post Airwallex Raises $330m at $8bn Valuation appeared first on LeapRate.

The company said the approval covers its global platform through three separate regulated entities in ADGM,  an exchange, a clearing house and a broker-dealer, each holding distinct permissions.  Nest Services Limited, soon to be renamed Nest Exchange Limited, has been approved as a Recognised Investment Exchange with permission to operate a multilateral trading facility. Nest Clearing and Custody Limited has been approved as a Recognised Clearing House with additional custody and CSD permissions, while BCI Limited, to be renamed Nest Trading Limited, has been approved as a broker-dealer. Binance co-CEO Richard Teng said: “Achieving regulatory status through ADGM’s respected framework reflects our deep commitment to compliance, transparency, and user protection.”  He added that the licence “provides regulatory clarity and legitimacy, enabling Binance to support its global operations from ADGM.” His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said: “We are pleased to welcome Binance.” “Their presence underscores Abu Dhabi’s standing as a leading international hub for innovation, sustainable growth, and the future of finance.” Binance said the approval cements its position at the forefront of regulatory progress in digital finance.  The platform, which has more than 300 million registered users, will begin operating ADGM-regulated activities on 5 January 2026. The post Binance Secures Global Licence Under ADGM Framework appeared first on LeapRate.

In a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent, FINRA said the Pennsylvania-based firm conducted a securities business on 90 days while failing to maintain the required minimum net capital.  The regulator said the firm also “failed to timely report a net capital deficiency,” “maintained inaccurate books and records,” and “failed to establish and maintain a supervisory system reasonably designed to ensure compliance with net capital and recordkeeping rules.” FINRA said two of the deficiencies were caused by the firm’s failure to use the accrual method of accounting, leading to receivables and payables being recorded on dates other than the closing dates of transactions.  Three additional deficiencies are said to have stemmed from the firm’s failure to provide its Financial and Operations Principal with timely and accurate information. The regulator also said the firm “failed to file a timely same-day notification for a net capital deficiency it identified in November 2021,” leaving FINRA and the SEC unaware of the issue until it was identified by examiners. FINRA added that the firm’s written supervisory procedures provided “no guidance” regarding when net capital should be computed and that its FINOP lacked access to key financial information until 2023. The firm updated its accounting processes in May 2024. Alden Associates accepted and consented to the findings without admitting or denying them. The post FINRA Fines J. Alden Associates Over Net Capital and Supervisory Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

Effective immediately, the companies will combine regulated market infrastructure with crypto-native capabilities to deliver “frictionless institutional access” across asset classes, spanning trading, custody, settlement, collateral management and tokenised assets. The first phase will see Kraken integrate directly with 360T, the foreign-exchange trading venue owned by Deutsche Börse Group.  The move will give Kraken clients access to “competitive, bank-grade FX liquidity” through one of the largest global liquidity pools and improve fiat on- and off-ramp efficiency. The partnership will also expand institutional crypto access through Kraken Embed, enabling banks and fintechs to offer compliant digital asset services.  Eurex-listed derivatives will be made available to trade on Kraken, while Clearstream and Crypto Finance will support custody and trading services for Deutsche Börse clients. The firms will work together on tokenisation by integrating xStocks within the 360X ecosystem and enabling the distribution of securities in tokenised form to Kraken clients. Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi said: “Our partnership with Deutsche Börse Group demonstrates what happens when two infrastructures designed for scale and trust intersect.”  Deutsche Börse Group CEO Stephan Leithner said the collaboration “underscores our ongoing commitment to shaping the future of financial markets by combining the trust and resilience of our regulated infrastructure with the innovation of the digital asset ecosystem.” The agreement establishes a “two-way gateway” connecting U.S. and European institutional markets across traditional and digital assets. The post Kraken and Deutsche Börse Seal Partnership to Link Traditional and Digital Markets appeared first on LeapRate.

Mr Wellauer, who became Chairman in 2020, will step down at the end of 2025 but remain on the board until the Annual General Meeting on 6 May 2026 to support the transition. Mr Helfenstein has served on the SIX board since 2020 and previously ran Credit Suisse’s Swiss business from 2020 to 2024 as CEO of Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd.  His earlier career included senior roles across private, corporate and institutional client businesses after joining the bank in 2007, and more than a decade as Partner & Managing Director at Boston Consulting Group. Mr Wellauer said: “It has been a privilege to lead SIX as Chairman of the Board of Directors and to contribute to the further development and growth of the company – at a time of significant political and economic challenges and changes.  “I congratulate André on his appointment and am confident that SIX will continue to strengthen its position under his leadership. The company can build on its innovative strength and stability, as well as its first-class services for Swiss and international financial markets.” Mr Helfenstein said: “I am very pleased to take over as Chairman of the Board of Directors of SIX and greatly appreciate the trust placed in me by my colleagues.” “Together with the Board of Directors and the Executive Board, I will focus on driving forward the successful development of SIX, continuously strengthening our services and infrastructure, and offering our customers and shareholders clear added value.” The post SIX Names André Helfenstein as New Chairman from January 2026 appeared first on LeapRate.

The Australian financial services group said the appointment remains subject to necessary approvals and will bring the board to nine members. Macquarie said Mr Vereker brings “significant global financial services experience, including organisational change management and managing risk.” Chair Glenn Stevens stated: “We are delighted to welcome William to the Macquarie Group Board. His deep knowledge of financial services and his international perspective will be of great value to Macquarie and his appointment, as part of our continuing process of renewal, contributes to our Board remaining an effective steward of Macquarie’s diverse and dynamic global business”. Mr Vereker currently serves as a non-executive director and Chair of the Board Remuneration Committee at London Stock Exchange Group.  He is also a member of the investment committee of Delancey Real Estate Credit Fund, an advisory board member of Celonis GmbH, and Chairman of the Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, Advisory Board. He previously chaired Santander UK until August 2025. Macquarie said the appointment aligns with its strategy of board renewal as it continues to expand its global reach. The post Macquarie Names William Vereker to Board as Non-Executive Director appeared first on LeapRate.