The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has warned that Europe’s financial system remains at high risk of disruption in 2026. It cited escalating geopolitical tension, stretched asset valuations, and expanding cyber threats. The regulator said vulnerabilities persist across markets despite a resilient finish to 2025.Markets Face Elevated VolatilityESMA’s first risk report of 2026 outlines a fragile environment shaped by the shockwaves from the Middle East conflict, which flared in late February. Early market reactions, the agency said, confirmed the transmission channels it had previously identified.“The recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East continues to significantly affect markets, leading to sharp increases in energy and commodity prices, as well as elevated volatility. ESMA’s latest risk monitoring analysis highlights the potential for disorderly corrections that could spill over across markets,” said Verena Ross, ESMA’s Chair.“In this context, disciplined risk monitoring and risk management remain essential to ensure orderly markets, a core objective for ESMA.”The warning comes as ESMA tightens the screws across EU markets. It recently redefined derivatives clearing thresholds and placed perpetual futures under CFD rules. The regulator is also pushing for “report once” reporting across EMIR, MiFIR and SFTR.The regulator has informed firms that crypto-linked perpetuals are likely to be treated as CFDs. This includes full leverage caps, margin close-out rules, negative balance protection and strict marketing limits. It signals that it will not allow high-volatility instruments to amplify the very market, liquidity and retail-investor risks it now flags in its 2026 risk monitor. Keep reading: ESMA Tells Firms Perpetual Futures Fall Under EU CFD RulesAccording to ESMA's latest warning, equity valuations remain high, raising the risk of sudden corrections. Bond spreads narrowed but liquidity weakened, while crypto markets suffered from an extended sell-off following the October flash crash.Cyber, Structural, and Consumer PressuresFinancial infrastructures face a growing wave of cyber and hybrid attacks, with rising settlement failures in ETFs, UCITS, and equities. In asset management, equity funds performed well thanks to strong U.S. exposure, though regulators flagged the opacity of private finance.Investor flows continue to shift toward ETFs and passive strategies, but social media-driven trading is amplifying bubble risks among younger investors. Meanwhile, IPO activity stayed weak, and cooling sentiment around climate policy weighed on ESG funds, even as catastrophe bond issuance surged to record levels.ESMA holds the view that higher structural risks in Europe’s markets need to be matched with much sharper transparency, and its latest equity update pushes firmly in that direction. It is tightening how liquidity, transaction sizes and tick structures are defined for equities and equity‑like instruments. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Europe's drive to channel ordinary savers into private asset funds is drawing growing mis-selling warnings, even as platforms like Berlin-based Trade Republic race to offer retail investors access to products once reserved for institutions and the ultra-wealthy. The Financial Times first reported the breadth of industry concern, pointing to a widening gap between how these products are marketed and what investors may actually face when they want their money back.The warning signs are already visible in the US. In February, private credit group Blue Owl permanently restricted investors from withdrawing money from one of its early retail funds. Blackstone's $82 billion flagship private credit fund, Bcred, saw $1.7 billion of net outflows in the first quarter, and the firm's market capitalization dropped from roughly $250 billion at the end of 2024 to about $134 billion."So many players are getting involved in the distribution of these products for the first time," said Steffen Pauls, co-chief executive of Moonfare. "There is a risk of mis-selling."Regulators Open the DoorThe EU's revised European Long-term Investment Fund, Eltif 2.0, launched in 2024 and explicitly targets individual investors. There are now 246 registered Eltifs available across Europe, with assets estimated at around €33.3 billion. In the UK, the equivalent Long-term Asset Funds hold roughly €6 billion. From next month, British investors will also be able to hold private asset funds inside an ISA, and Hargreaves Lansdown has said it will offer them.ESMA warned on Wednesday - the same day this story published - that EU financial markets are entering 2026 in a high-risk environment, with structural vulnerabilities in semi-liquid products a growing supervisory concern."Before we widen access to private markets, we need honest answers to hard questions," said Robin Powell, a financial transparency campaigner. "Can retail investors genuinely understand what illiquidity means for them personally? And who is accountable when it goes wrong?"Liquidity Risk Is the Core ProblemPrivate asset funds invest in things that are hard to sell quickly. Redemptions are typically allowed only during set windows, capped at maximum amounts. Germany's Greenman Open fund, a €1.3 billion Eltif, suspended withdrawals at the end of last year for exactly that reason.The 2019 collapse of Neil Woodford's equity income fund remains the starkest warning. Woodford had built substantial positions in unquoted companies; when investors rushed to exit, the fund was suspended and later wound down, leaving thousands with losses. "An open-ended fund with illiquid underlying assets is a loaded gun," Powell said. "It works fine until it doesn't."A recent Morningstar report also challenged a central marketing claim, finding that semi-liquid strategies "often carry traditional equity or credit risks and are not suitable to play the role of portfolio diversifiers."Trade Republic and the Democratization PitchAmong the loudest advocates is Trade Republic, the Berlin fintech that reached a €12.5 billion valuation in December. The company partnered with Apollo and EQT to offer fractional private market access from €1, has expanded into Poland and has been reshaping retail investing habits in Italy. Co-founder Christian Hecker notes that its average customer is 30 years old, with "30-40 years of savings life in front of them." He adds: "As a broker, we have an obligation to be very transparent that this is not the public markets."A parallel fight is playing out over whether blockchain tokenization could open a faster - or riskier - route to private market access. Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev has argued that tokenization is "the biggest innovation in capital markets in well over a decade," with plans to give retail users access to private equity and real estate. But Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi called the tokenization of private company stocks "a terrible idea," pointing to transfer restrictions and thin buyer pools that could leave token holders with no market to sell into. Robinhood's earlier attempt to sell tokenized OpenAI shares in Europe ended awkwardly when OpenAI publicly stated the tokens did not represent actual company equity.Who Carries the RiskBNP Paribas Wealth Management's Claire Roborel de Climens said she avoids the term "semi-liquid" with clients entirely. "They are not fully liquid," she said. Pauls at Moonfare said clear disclosure "should be non-negotiable," and that a manager's right to halt withdrawals "needs to be properly explained." With industry estimates suggesting €100 billion could flow into Eltif 2.0 vehicles by 2028, who bears the cost when things go wrong, and how clearly that is disclosed upfront, remains unresolved. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Gold-i, the UK-based trading technology provider, has added Hyperliquid to its MatrixNET liquidity management platform, the company said today (Wednesday), in what it described as the first time the platform has connected to a decentralized finance exchange.Through a standard FIX API connection, Gold-i's clients including brokers, proprietary trading firms, and fund managers, can now route order flow through Hyperliquid's on-chain derivatives venue and pipe that liquidity directly into MetaTrader 5 or other trading platforms, according to the firm.DeFi Makes Its Way Into Institutional PlumbingThe announcement comes as decentralized exchanges push deeper into territory once occupied by traditional venues. DEXs processed more than $1.2 trillion in perpetual futures every month by the end of 2025, with Hyperliquid holding a commanding share of that volume. The question for firms like Gold-i is how to make that liquidity reachable for clients operating within conventional brokerage infrastructure.Gold-i says it handles the translation work needed to bridge those two worlds. By normalizing order flow to meet Hyperliquid's execution requirements, the firm claims clients receive competitive pricing and solid depth at the top of the book while still leveraging the aggregation, smart routing, and risk controls already built into MatrixNET."This was a complex implementation but a significant development for Gold-i," Tom Higgins, Gold-i's CEO and founder, said, "enabling us to offer our clients access to a market-leading DeFi exchange. Brokers, prop trading firms and fund managers using MatrixNET now have easy access to Hyperliquid's on-chain derivatives liquidity."On-Chain Access Through a Familiar GatewayHyperliquid operates on its own purpose-built blockchain, positioning itself as a high-performance decentralized exchange for perpetual futures and spot crypto. The platform claims deep liquidity, low fees, and the infrastructure to support institutional-grade trading - though those are the company's own assertions.What Gold-i offers is access to that venue via the infrastructure clients already use, rather than requiring them to engage directly with on-chain systems. The firm says it normalizes the execution flow so that the DeFi layer remains largely invisible to the end user. The challenge of bridging CeFi and DeFi for institutional clients has been well-documented for years, from compliance friction to counterparty exposure, and plugging a DeFi venue into an aggregation platform does not automatically resolve those concerns. What Gold-i is betting on is that handling enough of that complexity at the infrastructure level makes the option practical for clients who would not otherwise interact with on-chain markets directly.Expansion of a Growing Liquidity NetworkMatrixNET is already connected to more than 80 liquidity providers and 35 crypto exchanges, according to Gold-i, with recent additions covering multiple asset classes. In February 2025, the firm added Edgewater Markets to the platform, extending access to precious metals, FX, and NDFs. In mid-2024, it integrated Cypator to expand cryptocurrency liquidity options for retail brokers.For MatrixNET clients, the firm says access comes through the same FIX API interface they already use, with Gold-i handling the order flow normalization on the back end. Finalto embedded MatrixNET into its ClearVision infrastructure in 2023, one of the more prominent third-party deployments of the platform.Brokers Eye DeFi as Institutional Appetite BuildsThe broader question of whether DeFi infrastructure can hold up under institutional demand is gaining urgency. An Ostium executive predicted earlier this year that the global CFD broker market faces serious disruption from decentralized finance within five years, a timeline that is pushing some traditional infrastructure providers to act rather than wait.Higgins said Gold-i plans to keep adding venues on both sides of that divide. "As interest in DeFi grows, Gold-i plans to support both centralised and decentralised liquidity venues," he added, "giving clients the benefit of flexibility, efficiency, and seamless multi-venue access."How much demand brokers actually have for DeFi-sourced liquidity at scale remains an open question. But by routing it through an interface clients already know, Gold-i is at least removing the on-ramp friction that has kept most institutional players on the sidelines. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Retail prop trading faces regulatory scrutiny in the US, Canada, and Europe due to reliance on challenge fees more than actual trading. As scrutiny intensifies, prediction markets are drawing more traders. Are they the next stop for retail speculation, or something different? Why Are Traditional Prop Firms Under Pressure? Retail prop trading expanded quickly in the early 2020s as firms began selling access to “funded” accounts through paid evaluation challenges. In most cases, traders operate on simulated accounts, while firms earn revenue from challenge fees rather than trading activity. The model operates in a regulatory gray zone. Because firms typically do not hold client funds or execute trades on real markets, many operate without the licenses required for brokers or investment firms. Regulators have started paying closer attention to the sector, particularly when platforms market large funded accounts to retail traders. In the United States, enforcement actions such as the case against MyForexFunds have already signaled that authorities are willing to intervene. Operational vulnerabilities have also become clear. Many prop firms rely on MetaTrader infrastructure through white-label arrangements. When MetaQuotes tightened licensing policies in 2024, an estimated 80–100 prop firms shut down, roughly 13–14% of global operators. What Makes Prediction Markets Look Like an Alternative? Prediction markets have expanded quickly. A 2025 analysis by Keyrock and Dune estimated global trading volume at roughly $44 billion, with Polymarket accounting for about $21.5 billion and Kalshi for $17.1 billion. Unlike most prop platforms, prediction markets operate through tradable contracts tied to real-world outcomes. Each contract pays a fixed amount if the event occurs and expires at zero if it does not. Prices move between those two outcomes and reflect the market’s implied probability. This structure also changes how platforms earn revenue, shifting the focus from participation fees toward trading activity. For companies operating in the retail trading ecosystem, this model has clear appeal. It replaces simulated trading with real contracts and ties revenue more directly to trading activity. That is why prediction markets are increasingly discussed not only as a new asset class, but also as a possible structural pivot for parts of the retail trading industry.Are Prediction Markets a New Asset Class — or Just a Different Wrapper? The rapid growth of event trading has revived a familiar debate in retail finance. When a new speculative market appears, the key question is whether it represents a genuinely new financial instrument or simply a familiar model presented in a different form. Prediction markets are built around a simple structure. Contracts are tied to clearly defined outcomes and settle automatically once the event occurs. Prices trade in an order book and represent the market’s implied probability of that outcome.Yet the behaviour of traders looks familiar. Retail traders are speculating on short-term outcomes around elections, economic releases, or major sports events. As the contracts resolve in a simple yes-or-no result, some observers see parallels with earlier retail products built around binary outcomes. Others argue the comparison misses an important distinction. Unlike many earlier retail trading products, prediction markets link trading directly to verifiable real-world events rather than to internally priced derivatives. How regulators answer that question will shape the market’s future. If event contracts are treated as financial derivatives, prediction markets may evolve into a new class of tradable instruments. If they are regulated primarily as betting products, the industry could develop along a very different path.Could Prop Firms Pivot to Event Trading?If pressure on the traditional prop model continues, some firms may begin exploring prediction markets as a possible direction for expansion. The idea would not necessarily be to abandon prop trading entirely, but to adapt the business model around real event contracts instead of simulated trading accounts. Industry surveys suggest that interest among professional traders is already emerging. A 2025 study by Acuiti found that 10% of proprietary traders were already trading prediction contracts, while 35% expressed interest. Among U.S. firms, 75% said they were trading or planning to trade them.One option is to treat prediction markets as an additional product. Firms that already operate trading platforms or communities could allow their users to trade event contracts alongside other speculative instruments. In that scenario, the firm shifts from selling evaluation challenges to earning revenue from trading activity. Another possibility is deeper integration. Some companies in the retail trading ecosystem could move closer to the infrastructure layer by partnering with existing prediction market exchanges or providing liquidity and trading tools for those markets. A more ambitious path would involve building proprietary platforms for event trading. In that case, the firm effectively transitions from a prop challenge provider to an operator of a trading venue centred on event contracts. Whether any of these paths will materialise depends on several factors, including regulation, liquidity, and the willingness of traders to move from simulated accounts to real-money event trading. What Are Regulators Actually Worried About? For regulators, the central question is how to classify event contracts. Depending on the jurisdiction, they may be treated as financial derivatives, betting products, or something that sits between the two. That classification determines which rules apply and which authorities oversee the market. Some industry participants argue that clearer regulation would help bring prediction markets onshore rather than pushing them into offshore platforms.Great to see bipartisan support for federally-regulated prediction markets in the US. Without CFTC oversight, these markets will only exist offshore - completely unregulated. Important work being done here and glad to be a part of it. https://t.co/AyKAlMKXGI— Kris | ai.com (@kris) January 13, 2026Regulators are also concerned about retail participation. Prediction markets often revolve around highly visible events such as elections, economic releases, or major sports competitions, which can attract large numbers of retail traders. Authorities, therefore, pay close attention to marketing practices, risk disclosures, and whether speculative trading is presented as entertainment. Market integrity is another concern. Because contracts settle on specific outcomes, regulators worry about the misuse of non-public information or attempts to influence the events on which contracts are based. Structural Shift — or a Familiar Cycle? Retail trading has a history of reinventing itself when existing models come under pressure. Over the past two decades, the industry has moved through several phases—from FX and CFD brokers to binary options, and more recently to retail prop trading platforms. Binary options alone generated billions in retail trading volume before regulators shut down much of the industry in the late 2010s. Prediction markets may represent the next stage in that evolution. They combine elements of financial trading and event-based speculation while operating through tradable contracts rather than simulated accounts. However, Some market observers remain skeptical.Are prediction markets slowing down?$94B total volume sounds massive. But $436M in the last 24 hours is the new daily reality, down 80%+ from peak days during the election cycle.And the most viral prediction market story this week isn't about some brilliant crowd-sourced… pic.twitter.com/LzjukrJ1RV— LunarCrush (@LunarCrush) March 1, 2026At the same time, the underlying dynamic has not changed. Retail traders are still drawn to markets that offer clear outcomes, simple structures, and the possibility of quick gains around high-profile events. A 2026 survey by Coalition Greenwich found that 43% of financial professionals viewed prediction markets positively, while 60% said their data could complement traditional macro indicators. Whether prediction markets become a durable new asset class or simply another format for retail speculation will depend on how the industry develops over the next few years. Regulation, liquidity, and platform design will all play a role in determining which path the market takes. One thing is already becoming clear: as the traditional prop model faces increasing scrutiny, parts of the retail trading ecosystem are beginning to explore what might come next. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

The Perils of PredictionsIt didn’t take Nostradamus to work out that sooner or later, prediction markets would be beset by allegations of trading on insider or privileged information.These concerns have come to a head since the US attacked Iran in late February, with users of these platforms staking hundreds of millions of dollars on events ranging from the date of the first attack to the date of a nuclear detonation.Analytics platform Bubblemaps stated that half a dozen suspected ‘insiders’ had bet more than one million dollars on the timing of the strike on Iran, and other research firms have suggested that wagers placed on the fate of Iran’s supreme leader shared patterns with insider trading activity.A statement issued by the Israeli government in mid-February confirmed that an undisclosed number of individuals had been arrested for placing bets based on classified information.It seems strange that prediction market firms would allow themselves to be embroiled in such controversy for relatively little return at a time when regulators are taking a close look at their activities.Read more: "We just launched our non-custodial crypto wallet, which also includes prediction markets," said eToro CEOJust over a week before the first US missiles landed in Iran, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) filed a legal document in the case of North American Derivatives Exchange v. State of Nevada. The CFTC has long held the view that it has sole jurisdiction over prediction market regulation in the US, despite the efforts of various state bodies to impose their own rules.“This power grab ignores the law and decades of precedent,” said CFTC chairman Michael Selig.“Event contracts allow businesses and individuals to hedge event-driven risks, enable investors to manage portfolio exposure, and provide the public with information about the outcome of future events. These products are commodity derivatives and squarely within the CFTC’s regulatory remit.”The founder and CEO of Polymarkets, one of the leading providers of prediction markets, has suggested that prediction markets serve a powerful informational function and value proposition, including in war zones.“There is still a lot of resistance to innovation that kind of seems jarring to begin with,” he said in an interview at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. “That is what makes it innovative and disruptive.”Don’t Ignore This Side of the PondThe phrase ‘Britain and America are two countries divided by a common language’, attributed to either George Bernard Shaw or Oscar Wilde (both of whom were Irish, by the way), is used to describe the cultural, vocabulary, and spelling differences between British and American English.A similar divide has built up in equities in recent years as investors have focused on the US market amid perceptions of the UK as an ‘old world’ economy. But it would be a mistake to assume there is no value in Blighty.Since the middle of the last decade, fund providers have been reducing their allocations to domestic stocks for UK investors, meaning that in some cases these investors have as little as 4% of their allocation in UK stocks.Meanwhile, the tech-fuelled market boom in the US has led some investors to believe that, while America has embraced digital, the UK remains analogue. But the reality is rather different – since the start of this decade, the UK stock market has delivered higher returns and lower volatility.One investment manager suggests that UK value should be a cause for celebration for the country’s domestic capital base and says the fact that it is rarely treated as such (or even acknowledged) shows the extent of the lack of alignment within that capital base.He adds that regional valuation charts suggest it would be more than reasonable for that outperformance to continue, and that in some cases, underlying clients don’t realise the extent to which these changes have taken place. In other words, they think they own more UK stocks than they actually do and, even allowing for that, would like to own more.No one is suggesting that just because an investor is based in the UK, they should allocate the majority of their investments to domestic stocks. However, there is a case to be made that current allocations are too low and that some adjustment to reflect actual market returns would be a prudent move.Private Markets Attract Public WarningsAllocations to private markets continue to reach new heights. Assets under management now stand at $6.5 trillion, and private markets account for one in every eight dollars allocated to portfolios globally.As geopolitical tensions contribute to fluctuations in public markets, investors are turning to private markets to diversify their portfolios, manage risk, and pursue greater returns.But as numerous market observers have noted, as private markets expand, the associated transparency challenges will also increase. Inconsistent and unclear data result in inaccurate valuations and delayed decision-making, made worse by manual procedures.Related: Retail Investors Get Private Company Investment Access via Trade RepublicAn experienced adviser suggests many investors in private credit, in particular, are suffering from buyer's remorse at the moment as they find themselves locked into positions, watching risks accumulate in slow motion.His view is that recent developments at Blue Owl Capital (where the firm’s share value fell below its listing price amid investor concerns over redemptions and exposure to companies vulnerable to AI disruption) and the business development companies sector – specialised, publicly traded investment firms that provide debt and equity financing to small- and mid-sized private companies, often operating in a similar way to private equity – are reminiscent of the early stages of the collateralised debt obligation market meltdown in 2007.Of more concern than volatility, which offers the prospect of upside, is the danger of permanent loss of capital. Downside volatility allows investors to enter positions cheaply and increase their returns.Another potential issue is that when the big push for retail comes, which is already evident in the rising share of ETFs in collateralised loan obligation products, many retail investors will lose money. This article was written by Paul Golden at www.financemagnates.com.

The best brokers in LATAM in 2026 include Tickmill, EBC, AvaTrade, Pepperstone and eToro. These firms combine strong global regulation, multi-asset platforms and Spanish/Portuguese support, making them suitable for traders across major Latin American markets such as Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Argentina.Latin American traders increasingly look for brokers that go beyond basic access to forex and CFDs. Local language support, region-friendly payment methods, educational content, and clear disclosures around risk and regulation are now key decision factors. Recent comparisons of brokers in LATAM highlight the importance of Spanish/Portuguese customer service, diverse deposit options and a mix of global and regional oversight to ensure a fair, transparent trading environment.This guide focuses on five widely used international brokers that serve LATAM clients and are frequently recommended by independent reviewers. It outlines how we selected them, what each broker offers in terms of regulation, platforms and LATAM-friendly features, and how traders in the region can choose the option that best fits their goals and risk tolerance.How We Selected the Best Forex Brokers in LATAM in 2026The brokers in this list were chosen based on regulation, regional access, trading platforms, and LATAM-friendly features.First, we focused on well-regulated, globally recognised brokers.Tickmill, EBC, AvaTrade, Pepperstone and eToro all operate under multiple regulators (for example, CIMA, CBI, ASIC, FSCA, CySEC and others), which helps ensure stronger oversight and clearer client protections.Second, we checked LATAM access and localisation. These brokers actively serve traders in Latin American countries, and external reviews highlight their availability in markets such as Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Argentina, along with Spanish and/or Portuguese support, regional education and suitable funding methods.Finally, we considered platforms and product range. All five offer at least MT4/MT5 or a strong proprietary/multi-asset platform, access to major FX pairs and CFDs, and, in most cases, additional assets such as indices, commodities, shares or crypto. This combination makes them relevant candidates when comparing the best brokers in LATAM in 2026.Best Brokers in LATAM 2026 – Quick OverviewTickmill: Multi-entity CFD broker offering Classic (commission-free) and Raw (tight spreads + commission) account options, with a $100 minimum deposit and support for MT4/MT5 (availability and conditions can vary by entity).EBC: Globally regulated broker with growing focus on Asia and Latin America, multi-asset offering and institutional-grade infrastructure.AvaTrade: Multi-regulated FX and CFD broker with authorisation from Colombia’s SFC and an expanding presence in LATAM.Pepperstone: Global CFD broker known for tight spreads, multiple platforms (MT4/MT5, cTrader, TradingView) and growing outreach to LATAM traders.eToro: Social and multi-asset investment platform available in many countries including Brazil and Argentina, combining CFD trading with long-term investing.Top Brokers in Latam 2026: Detailed OverviewTickmillTickmill is a multi-asset broker offering Forex, CFDs and Futures through several regulated entities. Tickmill’s disclosures show these entities being regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), FSCA (South Africa) and the FSA (Seychelles), which matters for LATAM traders because account terms and protections can differ depending on which entity services your account.Tickmill offers trading primarily via MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and presents two common pricing structures: a Classic account with zero commission (spreads from 1.6 pips) and a Raw account with spreads from 0.0 pips plus commission (shown as $3 per lot per side). Tickmill also offers integration with the popular TradingView with their Raw account. A $100 minimum deposit is stated across account types. For LATAM localisation, Tickmill supports multiple languages, including Spanish and Portuguese, and has dedicated websites for both. As with all brokers in this guide, traders should verify country availability, the exact entity they will be onboarded under, and the relevant risk disclosures before funding an account.EBC Financial GroupEBC Financial Group is a multi-asset broker operating through a group of entities regulated by the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), CIMA (Cayman Islands) and the FSC in Mauritius, among others. It offers trading in forex, stock indices, commodities, metals and other CFDs, with pricing sourced from institutional liquidity and a focus on narrow spreads and low-latency execution.Clients can access EBC’s services via MetaTrader platforms and web-based interfaces, supported by segregated client fund arrangements, participation in dispute resolution schemes and additional insurance coverage at group level. Independent reviews note that the broker keeps account-related fees relatively low and uses a raw-spread-plus-commission model on its professional accounts.In recent years, EBC has been expanding its presence in Latin America, including sponsorships and participation in regional events such as Money Expo Mexico and iFX EXPO LATAM, and initiatives like LATAM-focused trader education and community programmes. It also acts as the Official Foreign Exchange Partner of FC Barcelona, a partnership that supports brand visibility in markets across LATAM, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania.AvaTradeAvaTrade is a long-established forex and CFD broker regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including Ireland (CBI), Australia (ASIC), Japan (JFSA/FFAJ), South Africa (FSCA), the British Virgin Islands and others. It offers trading in over 1,000 instruments, covering FX, indices, commodities, stocks, cryptocurrencies and options on platforms such as MT4, MT5, WebTrader, AvaOptions and its proprietary mobile app.For LATAM traders, a key milestone was AvaTrade’s authorisation from Colombia’s Financial Superintendence (SFC) in 2024, allowing the firm to promote and operate services under local oversight. This approval strengthens its regional profile and adds to its existing global regulatory framework. The broker complements this with multilingual education and support, making it a relevant option for traders in Colombia and other Latin American markets who want a multi-regulated, multi-asset broker with a mix of standard and proprietary platforms.PepperstonePepperstone is a well-known forex and CFD broker regulated by top-tier authorities such as the FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA and SCB. It offers more than 1,300 instruments across forex, indices, commodities, shares and cryptocurrencies, available on MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and its own mobile app.For traders in Latin America, Pepperstone’s appeal lies in its competitive pricing and platform choice, combined with Spanish and Portuguese customer support and region-relevant market research, including dedicated LATAM FX outlooks. This makes it a strong option for LATAM clients who prioritise low spreads, fast execution and the flexibility to trade on their preferred platform.eToroeToro is a well-known social and multi-asset investment platform that combines traditional brokerage services with copy trading. The company is regulated in several major jurisdictions, including the FCA, CySEC and ASIC, and offers thousands of instruments across stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies and CFDs on its proprietary web and mobile platforms.For traders and investors in Latin America, eToro provides access to global markets with a strong focus on social features, such as copying other investors’ portfolios and following community strategies. The platform is available in multiple languages, including Spanish, and independent reviews note that it is used in countries such as Brazil and Argentina, although product availability (for example, forex CFDs) can vary by jurisdiction due to local regulation.Comparison Table: Best Brokers in LATAM 2026*Regulation summary is simplified and based on publicly available information. Traders should always verify the latest licences and product availability on each broker’s official website and with relevant regulators.How to Choose a Broker in LATAM in 2026Choosing the best broker in LATAM is less about chasing a “top brand” and more about matching the broker to your country, regulations and trading style.Start with regulation and local access. Check which entity you will be onboarded under and whether the broker is allowed to serve clients from your specific country. Look for clear information on licences, client fund protection and risk warnings on the broker’s official website, and avoid unregulated offshore-only setups.Next, review costs and trading conditions. Compare typical spreads, commissions, overnight financing (swaps) and any inactivity or withdrawal fees. Make sure you understand the difference between standard and raw/ECN-style accounts, and test execution on a demo or small live account before committing more capital.Platform choice also matters. Decide whether you prefer MT4/MT5, more modern platforms like cTrader or a proprietary/web platform. Check mobile usability, charting tools, order types and whether the platform supports the instruments you actually want to trade (forex, indices, commodities, shares, crypto, etc.).Finally, consider LATAM-friendly features: local language support (Spanish/Portuguese), deposit and withdrawal methods you can realistically use (cards, local bank transfers, e-wallets), and the quality of education and research in your language. A broker with solid support and transparent communications in your language will usually be easier to work with over the long term.Final Thoughts – Best Brokers in LATAM in 2026The brokers covered here “Tickmill, EBC, AvaTrade, Pepperstone and eToro” are all internationally regulated firms that actively serve traders across Latin America. Each offers a different mix of platforms, asset classes, pricing models and regional focus, which means there is no single “best” choice for everyone.EBC stands out for its institutional-style model and growing LATAM presence,Tickmill for its MetaTrader offering and clear Classic vs Raw pricing structures (entity-dependent), AvaTrade for its broad regulation and new Colombian licence, Pepperstone for tight spreads and platform variety, and eToro for social trading and multi-asset investing.The most effective approach is to shortlist two or three brokers that fit your regulation, platform and asset needs, open demo or small live accounts, and compare their execution, support and funding flows in practice. From there, you can decide which broker is the best match for your trading goals and your situation as a LATAM-based trader.FAQAre forex and CFD brokers legal in all LATAM countries?Regulation varies by country. Some regulators allow locally authorised brokers or foreign entities under clear rules, while others restrict or prohibit certain CFD or derivative products. Before opening an account, traders should check local regulations and confirm that the broker is allowed to serve clients from their specific country.Which broker is best for beginners in LATAM?It depends on your needs. AvaTrade is often considered beginner-friendly due to its broad platform and education ecosystem, while Tickmill offers a straightforward MT4/MT5 setup with clear account structures (Classic vs Raw). Always start with a demo or small live account and review risk disclosures.Which broker is best for low spreads in LATAM?Brokers such as Pepperstone and EBC are typically known for competitive spreads and raw/ECN-style accounts, especially for active forex and index traders. However, real trading costs also include commissions and swaps, so traders should always compare account types and test conditions on a demo or small live account.Can I trade stocks and crypto with LATAM-friendly brokers?Many of the brokers in this guide offer more than just forex.Tickmill, AvaTrade, Pepperstone and eToro all provide access to stock CFDs or real stocks (depending on region), and some also offer crypto CFDs or spot crypto in certain jurisdictions. Product availability can change by country and regulator, so always check the broker’s product list for your region.How do I deposit and withdraw money from a broker in LATAM?Most international brokers serving LATAM support bank cards, international bank transfers and popular e-wallets, and some also offer local bank transfer options or regional payment providers. Before funding an account, traders should review processing times, any fees and whether withdrawals must be sent back via the same method used for deposits.How can I check if a broker is regulated and safe?Go to the broker’s official website and note the legal entity name and licence numbers, then cross-check them on the website of the stated regulator (for example, FCA, ASIC, CySEC, local LATAM regulators, etc.). Be cautious of clones or websites using similar names but different entity details, and avoid brokers that cannot clearly show who regulates them. This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.

With the zero payout denials policy live globally, Hola Prime has strengthened payout integrity across all accounts, setting a new operational benchmark for fairness.Hola Prime rolled out the Zero Payout Denials Policy on 10th October 2025. In the prop firm industry, it has established a landmark commitment, setting a new benchmark ensuring that no legitimate payout request is rejected if all trading rules are followed. The trader‑built firm focused on trader outcomes and performance continues to lead the evolution of prop trading through transparent systems and global accountability.In an industry where traders trade with intention and have their trust often broken at the payout stage, Hola Prime’s zero denial policy eliminates ambiguity, discretionary reversals, and post-profit reviews that have historically eroded trader confidence. The policy guarantees that once traders have met the clearly defined rules, their earnings are processed efficiently and transparently, within one hour.“Payout denials have long been an enormous fracture in prop trading trust,” said Somesh Kapuria, CEO of Hola Prime. “But I am happy to report that since 10th October 2025 we've had ZERO Payout Denials. Yes, not even a Single Payout Denied. And more than 99% of our payouts are processed in less than one hour. As traders ourselves, we’ve experienced the anxiety that comes when profit turns into uncertainty. This policy is our defining statement: a clear, structured commitment that every trader who earns will always be paid. It reflects the operational integrity we’ve built from the ground up.”The policy rollout follows a successful internal validation phase, during which Hola Prime’s payout infrastructure and compliance systems demonstrated strong performance and scale readiness. The firm’s average payout time since 10th October 2025 stands at 33 minutes and 48 seconds, with an average payout amount of $3,943. In 2024, Hola Prime was the first Prop firm to launch 1-Hour Payouts. With 1-hour payouts, Hola Prime has eliminated the core issue of delayed payouts that plague the prop firm industry.To further enhance transparency, Hola Prime publishes its Daily Payout Transparency Report, detailing every payout processed, the total payout value, and the exact time taken from request to completion. This report is designed to remove uncertainty, build confidence, and reinforce the firm’s commitment to operational transparency. In addition, Hola Prime maintains a live payout dashboard and real-time transparency reports, allowing traders worldwide to track performance with full visibility.Reinforcing its leadership in payout speed and reliability, Hola Prime was named “Fastest Payout Prop Firm - MEA 2026” at the Ultimate Fintech (UF) Awards MEA, held during iFX EXPO Dubai. This recognition establishes the firm’s growing reputation for operational efficiency and trader-first innovation.“Our commitment goes beyond speed,” added Kapuria. “It’s about setting a system-driven benchmark for fairness. By removing discretionary payout denials, we’re shifting trust from being personal to being procedural, ensuring every Hola Prime trader experiences clarity, predictability, and respect for performance.”With the Zero Payout Denials policy live globally, Hola Prime continues strengthening its position as the most transparent and trader-aligned prop firms in the market, redefining payout trust through operational accountability.About Hola PrimeHola Prime https://holaprime.com/ is a global proprietary trading firm, headquartered in Dubai and operating across multiple regions. The firm combines deep trading expertise with cutting-edge fintech infrastructure to create a fair, fast, and transparent trading environment. Hola Prime’s mission is to empower traders worldwide with access, trust, and opportunity, transforming how performance translates into real reward. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Brokeree Solutions has introduced a new Integration API to help financial institutions embed its Social Trading technology into their existing infrastructure. The company said the interface allows firms to connect the copy trading system to platforms beyond MetaTrader and cTrader.The move follows earlier efforts by Brokeree Solutions to expand cross-platform functionality. The company connected its Social Trading system with cTrader, developed by Spotware Systems, enabling signal copying across MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader servers. In a separate initiative, Broctagon Fintech Group linked its AXIS FX CRM with Brokeree’s copy trading software, combining client management and automated trade copying across platforms.Copy Trading Gains Popularity Among BrokersThe company said the API is designed to reduce the time and cost of launching copy trading services. Brokers, investment firms, and crypto companies can integrate the system directly into proprietary platforms or other trading environments.Andrey Kamyshanov, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Brokeree Solutions, said the update removes platform-related limitations. He stated that “brokers are no longer limited by platform-specific barriers” and that the API provides “a direct path to integrate our flagship Social Trading with their infrastructure.” He added the development opens access to the firm’s copy trading technology across different systems and may support a more interoperable trading technology ecosystem.Copy trading has drawn steady interest from retail traders in recent years. Public indicators such as global search activity show rising interest. Search volumes have reached record levels since mid-2025, suggesting the feature is becoming more common among brokers.Brokeree API Streamlines Multi-Platform Copy TradingThe API also targets companies operating proprietary trading platforms. Instead of building custom integrations for each deployment, institutions can connect their systems to Social Trading more quickly. Features include customizable copying modes, proportional risk management, and flexible fee structures, allowing brokers to define how strategies are copied and fees applied.Brokeree’s Social Trading platform also includes a mobile application for managing copied trades and a Ratings Module that displays signal providers’ performance through real-time data. Since early 2025, the company has expanded platform integrations, extending products previously limited to MetaTrader to the cTrader platform, including PAMM technology, and adding support for DXtrade and TraderEvolution as part of broader multi-platform infrastructure. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Russia's retail investment market presents a stark paradox: while the number of brokerage accounts has soared to a record 40.1 million, but 86% of these accounts are effectively empty, holding less than 10,000 rubles (less then $130). The market's real activity and capital are overwhelmingly concentrated in the hands of a small but rapidly growing segment of qualified, high-net-worth investors. This "market of two realities" is detailed in the latest "Review of Key Brokerage Indicators" from the Central Bank of Russia for the fourth quarter of 2025. Retail investors added a record 2.5 trillion rubles (over $32 million) to brokerage accounts in 2025, the largest annual inflow since records began, according to the Central Bank.Russia’s Retail Brokerage Market: Accounts vs Real CapitalThe Illusion of a Mass Market On the surface, the numbers suggest a massive retail boom. The 40.1 million unique clients registered on the Moscow Exchange now represent 53% of Russia's economically active population. However, the Central Bank's data reveals a different story. The number of clients with meaningful assets (over 10,000 rubles) is just 5.5 million. This massive gap is largely the result of aggressive marketing campaigns by major banks, which often offer free shares or other perks simply for opening a brokerage account, creating the illusion of a mass market without genuine capital participation. The Real Engine of Growth: Qualified Investors The true engine of the market's growth is its elite tier of qualified investors. Despite the threshold for qualification being doubled from 6 million to 12 million rubles in early 2025, the number of qualified investors grew by 10% to nearly one million people. This small group now dominates the market. They control 77% of all retail investment assets and account for 70% of the record 2.5 trillion rubles in new funds that flowed into brokerage accounts in 2025. The growth is most pronounced at the very top. The number of clients with accounts between 1 million and 100 million rubles grew by 20%, while the number of affluent investors (over 100 million rubles) also increased significantly, with their total portfolio value rising to 5.7 trillion rubles. The average account size among funded investors remains high at around 2.2 million rubles, highlighting how assets are concentrated among a relatively small group of active clients. A Strategic Shift into Bonds The report also highlights a major strategic shift in investor behavior. As deposit rates fell, investors poured a record amount of new money into the market. However, this capital is not flowing into equities. Experienced investors, anticipating a future easing of monetary policy, have been moving heavily into government (OFZ) and corporate bonds to lock in high yields. As a result, the share of equities in retail portfolios has fallen, while the share of bonds has surged to 38%. At the same time, brokerage commission revenues have been declining for two consecutive years, according to the Central Bank, underscoring the importance of attracting higher-value clients. For brokers, the message from the Central Bank's report is clear. The mass-market acquisition game may be good for headline user numbers, but the real business—and the real money—lies in catering to the sophisticated needs and capital of the rapidly expanding qualified investor segment. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Spotware Systems said today (Wednesday) it has signed a technology agreement with TFunded, a small prop firm targeting retail traders across Latin America, making cTrader the platform of choice for TFunded's clients on mobile, desktop and web.The deal adds TFunded to cTrader's growing roster of prop firm integrations. The platform now serves more than 300 brokers and prop firms globally, according to Spotware, and claims a user base of over 11 million traders.Prop Firms Keep Migrating to cTraderSpotware has been adding prop firms to its network at a steady pace. FunderPro previously integrated cTrader into its offering, while UK-based OneFunded also came onto the platform more recently. The Funded Trader received approval to offer cTrader to US-based clients, and FTMO and Instant Funding began using Spotware's demo account infrastructure for prop firm operations on cTrader.TFunded structures its product around a two-phase evaluation process. Traders who meet defined risk and performance criteria qualify for a funded account, and the firm says those traders can retain up to 90% of generated profits. Binvank, a LATAM-focused brokerage, provides execution infrastructure for the operation.LATAM Becomes a Target for Prop Trading ExpansionLatin America has drawn increased attention from prop firms looking for retail trader populations that lack easy access to institutional capital, a pitch TFunded's management leans on directly."At TFunded, our mission is to professionalize access to capital for LATAM traders," said Pablo Vargas, the firm's COO. "We believe talent exists everywhere, but capital access does not. By combining strict risk parameters, transparent evaluation standards and institutional-grade technology through cTrader, we are creating a structured pathway for traders to operate at a higher professional level."Vargas added that TFunded's arrangement with Binvank is central to the overall setup, saying the brokerage partnership provides "reliable execution infrastructure, operational transparency and a more integrated capital management experience for traders across the region."Trust Issues Hang Over the Wider Prop SectorThe prop trading industry has faced mounting scrutiny in recent years. Italy's securities regulator Consob has previously warned consumers that retail prop trading challenges can result in financial losses, describing them as online trading simulations, a characterization at odds with the way most firms in the sector market their products.Spotware says it tries to address that credibility gap through its vetting process. The company applies what it describes as a strict KYC review and says it works only with prop firms that meet its reliability standards, whether as cTrader clients or as listings on the cTrader Store. That marketplace, which Spotware says draws more than 10,000 daily visitors, features a dedicated section for prop challenges where traders can compare evaluation criteria, drawdown limits, profit splits and pricing.Yiota Hadjilouka, COO of Spotware Systems, said the TFunded agreement fits within that framework. "TFunded is building an environment where clear risk management and operational transparency are central, which closely reflects Traders First approach," she said, adding that "supporting traders of all experience levels, the partnership with cTrader sets a higher benchmark for trading standards and ethical practices across the region."Mobile Becomes the Entry Point for LATAM TradersSpotware is positioning cTrader's mobile application as a key draw for TFunded's trader base. The company says cTrader Mobile recently received a Best Mobile Trading App award and is available across global app stores. For Latin America, where smartphone access is widespread and many retail traders rely on mobile as their primary point of market access, the distribution channel carries practical weight.Beyond mobile, cTrader supports more than 100 third-party FX and CFD integrations through APIs and plugins, according to Spotware, and allows firms to build custom functionality through UI add-ons. Brokeree Solutions has integrated prop trading tools into cTrader, and Hoorah also expanded its offering through a cTrader integration, reflecting a continuing build-out of third-party infrastructure around the platform. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Japan continues to stand out as one of the most important retail foreign exchange markets globally, combining large trading volumes with a highly active retail trader base and a competitive brokerage landscape. The country is home to more than 1.5 million retail FX traders and over 3 million active trading accounts, generating roughly $400 billion in daily FX turnover. This places Japan among the world’s leading FX trading hubs, alongside London, New York, and Singapore. Domestic Brokers Lead Amid Foreign ExpansionA defining feature of Japan’s market is the strength of its domestic brokers, which continue to dominate retail trading activity. Major local players such as GMO Click Securities, SBI FX Trade, Rakuten Securities, DMM FX, and Monex Group have built strong retail trading ecosystems, supported by established platforms and large customer bases. Japan’s retail trading culture also contributes to the scale of the market. Many traders maintain multiple accounts across different platforms, helping drive demand for trading services and technology infrastructure.Despite the dominance of domestic firms, international brokers are increasingly targeting Japan as a strategic growth market. Companies including IG Group, Titan FX, and OANDA have expanded their presence in the country as part of broader Asia-Pacific strategies. Capital.com also appears to be entering the country.In total, the Japanese FX ecosystem includes more than 150 providers, comprising licensed FX brokers as well as securities firms offering currency trading products. However, entering the Japanese market remains challenging due to its strict regulatory environment. As structural shifts continue to re-rate the Japanese market, Micro Nikkei 225 futures saw a 60% MoM surge in combined ADV across both JPY- and USD-denominated contracts. ➡️ https://t.co/SOhkFZemom pic.twitter.com/oPnobPj3ly— CME Group (@CMEGroup) March 5, 2026The sector is overseen by the Financial Services Agency, which enforces one of the most rigorous regulatory frameworks for retail FX trading globally. While these rules raise barriers to entry, they also help ensure market stability and investor protection.Read more: FX Fighters Have Gone Anime - How Japan Turns Retail FX Trading into Pop CultureRemote Hiring Boosts Brokers’ Market ShareAs broker competition intensifies, hiring demand is increasing across the industry. Japan’s FX sector currently has an estimated 25,000 professionals across trading, technology, compliance, and operations roles. Yet, companies often struggle to find candidates with both relevant FX experience and Japanese language skills. The talent shortage is particularly evident in areas such as sales and senior leadership. As brokers invest in new platforms, automation and product innovation, the need for experienced professionals is expected to continue rising. Brokers who are open to hiring remote talent outside of Japan are benefiting from the wider talent market and increasing their market share. With strong domestic incumbents, growing international participation, and continued investment in technology, Japan is likely to remain one of the most strategically important retail FX markets globally in the coming years. This article was written by Reece Pawsey at www.financemagnates.com.

Investment scams, including those targeting cryptocurrency and stock market participants, have become the single most commonly reported form of authorized push payment (APP) fraud, outpacing every other fraud category tracked in a new industry report released today (Wednesday).The finding comes from Nasdaq Verafin's 2026 Global Financial Crime Report, which surveyed 505 anti-financial crime professionals worldwide. When asked which types of APP fraud were generating the greatest increase in customer attacks, 62% of respondents pointed to investment scams, nearly 15 percentage points above the next-closest categories, business email compromise and confidence scams, each cited by 48% of participants. Romance baiting came in at 36%, and pig butchering at 28%.That result sits inside a broader surge in scam activity. Global losses from fraud scams reached $62 billion in 2025, the report said, growing at a compound annual rate of 19.3% over the past two years, more than double the 8.2% annualized growth rate recorded for traditional bank fraud schemes."We are currently in the midst of a full-blown financial crime crisis, powered by criminal networks that are leveraging AI to super-charge scam playbooks and operating with the scale and coordination of multinational corporations," said Stephanie Champion, Executive Vice President and Head of Nasdaq Verafin.Investment Scams Pull Ahead of Every Other Fraud CategoryAPP fraud, where victims are deceived or manipulated into authorizing transfers to criminals, has become a primary target as banks have strengthened internal controls. As institutions tighten defenses at the institutional level, the report argues, criminal networks have pivoted to targeting customers directly through social engineering, taking the path of least resistance.The mechanics behind investment scams follow a recognizable pattern. Fraudsters present fabricated profit statements, fake brokerage dashboards, and manufactured performance records to convince victims to commit funds to stocks, commodities, digital assets, or real estate. The investment is either nonexistent or worthless, according to the report, and perpetrators eventually cut contact once they have the funds.Nearly three-quarters of the professionals surveyed - 72% - said APP fraud volumes increased at their institutions over the past year, with only 7% reporting a decline. More than half cited APP fraud as a major industry threat, and nearly three-quarters reported an increase in such attacks since 2024. Earlier analysis from FinanceMagnates.com showed how trading platform impersonation scams exploded 1,400% year-over-year as criminals leveraged AI and phishing-as-a-service tools to run fraud at scale, a trend the Nasdaq Verafin data now confirms at the macro level.AI Turns Fraud Into a Production LineWhat's accelerating the threat is not just scale, it's automation. The report identifies two emerging models that the company says are reshaping the fraud landscape: scams-as-a-service, where successful fraud infrastructures are packaged and sold to other criminal operators, enabling high-volume attacks from parties with minimal technical expertise; and AI-enabled hyper scams, where generative AI and deepfakes are used to produce more convincing, personalized pitches at machine speed."The ability to develop scams leveraging AI and other technology-based solutions has really created an epidemic for us," one unnamed industry executive said in the report's interview series.Ninety percent of respondents reported an increase in AI-driven attacks at their institution over the past two years, according to the report. More than half described the increase as significant or exponential. Criminal origination has shifted away from individual email inboxes and scaled across social media platforms, with funds typically moved via instant payment rails before victims realize what has happened, Nasdaq Verafin said. Jorij Abraham, Managing Director of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), who contributed to the report, put the dynamic plainly: "Scammers are using AI the same way legitimate businesses do to work faster, cheaper, and at scale."North American regulators have been tracking this pattern closely. The North American Securities Administrators Association previously flagged AI-generated investment content and deepfake celebrity endorsements as top threats to retail investors, noting that more than 32% of reported fraud was already targeting investors through social media platforms.Cyber-Enabled Fraud Adds Another $14 Billion to the BillSeparate from investment scams but closely entangled, cyber-enabled fraud - covering business email compromise, phishing, and data breaches - accounted for $14.3 billion in global losses in 2025, growing at 19.6% annually, the report said. The Americas bore the largest regional share at $7.75 billion, with BEC alone generating $5.37 billion in the region. Cyber-enabled crime was ranked by respondents as the top financial crime threat facing their customers, ahead of APP scams and money mule activity.Regulators have struggled to match the pace of the threat. IOSCO has been pressing RegTech solutions against what it estimates to be a $17 billion AI-driven crime wave, but industry participants in the Nasdaq Verafin survey say that official guidance on AI use for detection purposes has been slow to materialize."We need more guidance and clear guidance to help drive us into this new world of AI...I think the criminals are winning the arms race because of the lack of regulatory action," a Chief BSA/AML and Sanctions Compliance Officer at a North American regional bank told the report's researchers.Cryptocurrency continues to feature prominently in how fraud proceeds move. In the UK, crypto fraud has risen to the top of the regulatory agenda as mounting losses spur new legislative strategy, a trend mirrored globally in the report's data, where 53% of AML professionals ranked laundering through crypto assets as their second-highest money laundering concern.Americas Drive the Fastest Growth in Fraud LossesRegionally, the Asia-Pacific region recorded the largest absolute fraud losses at $235 billion, though its 3% compound annual growth rate was the slowest of any region. The Americas followed with $211.5 billion in total fraud losses but posted the fastest growth at 18.3% annually. EMEA logged $132.9 billion, led by account-to-account payment fraud in the EU.The U.S. picture is particularly acute. American consumers and businesses absorbed $17.47 billion in fraud scam losses in 2025, growing at 24% annually - above the regional average. Business email compromise reached $4.76 billion in the U.S. alone, while employment fraud climbed 30% annually to $1.72 billion.The experience in Asia reinforces the investment scam narrative. Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission has repeatedly warned about fraudsters luring investors into manipulated trading environments through fabricated credentials and manufactured performance records - matching the typology that Nasdaq Verafin respondents ranked as their top concern. Singapore has also recorded a 61% surge in cyber scams, with global task forces flagging it as a critical node in transnational scam networks. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Ripple said it plans to obtain an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) through the acquisition of local firm BC Payments Australia, extending its regulated payments business in the Asia-Pacific region. If approved, the license would allow Ripple to operate payment services in Australia under the country’s financial regulatory framework. The move adds to a broader set of licenses and registrations Ripple says it has secured in multiple jurisdictions as part of its international payments business. A Broader Licensing Network Ripple says the Australian approval would add to licenses it holds in several financial centers. These include an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license in Luxembourg, which allows passporting across the European Union, an EMI license and cryptoasset registration in the UK, a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license in Singapore, and authorisation in Abu Dhabi Global Market. The company also holds several state-level trust charters in the United States and has previously received preliminary approval for a national trust bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.Ripple said payment volumes in the Asia-Pacific region increased significantly in 2025. “Licensing is fundamental to Ripple’s strategy, ensuring we can deliver secure, compliant solutions to customers worldwide,” said Fiona Murray, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Ripple. Industry Reaction Some industry participants say the move reflects growing demand for regulated digital payment infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region. Jessica Gonzales, a fintech commentator, wrote on X that the Australian license could help expand Ripple’s cross-border payment services across APAC through a regulated framework.Ripple Seeks Australian Financial License to Expand APAC PaymentsRipple is pursuing an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) via the acquisition of BC Payments Australia. The move would expand Ripple Payments infrastructure and accelerate regulated cross-border payment… pic.twitter.com/NFmMu1H3ik— Jessica Gonzales (@lil_disruptor) March 11, 2026 Others point to rising transaction activity in the region. Danny Lee, a community lead at fintech platform Flyblox, said the increase in payments volume suggests growing institutional interest in regulated blockchain-based payment systems. What the License Means If approved, the AFSL would allow Ripple to expand its local payments offering in Australia within an established regulatory framework. For financial institutions and fintech clients, Ripple says its licensed structure allows them to connect traditional payment systems with digital-asset settlement through a single service model. Ripple has spent several years building out licenses across multiple jurisdictions as part of its international payments expansion. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

TTT Markets said more than 200 traders from over 15 countries signed up for its new free prop trading trial within the first 24 hours of launch, drawing attention to a feature that remains uncommon across a crowded industry.The accounts run on MetaTrader 5 and are issued automatically, with the company saying traders can open an account and begin trading within seconds. TTT Markets did not disclose the trial's time limit or the virtual capital amount offered."I see it as similar to how CFD brokerages offer demo accounts, or how many online services provide free trials before users commit," Archie Cade, Founder and Director of TTT Markets, publicly framed the move as an extension of logic already common in retail finance. "It seems only top prop firms are offering free trials. Why?" He went further, asking directly: "Should all prop firms allow traders to test the product before purchasing a challenge? Should free trials become the industry standard before traders commit?"A Rare Feature Across More Than 2,000 FirmsFree trials remain a minority product in prop trading. The industry now counts upward of 2,000 active firms globally, yet only a handful offer any form of no-cost access before requiring a challenge fee. For most firms, that fee is the primary revenue stream, which creates a direct conflict with giving the product away for free, even temporarily.The contrast with CFD brokerage is real and intentional. Retail brokers offer demo accounts at no cost because they earn on spreads and commissions once traders fund live accounts. Prop firms, by design, earn at the entry point - making a free trial an acquisition cost, not a retention one.Infrastructure is nonetheless improving. FTMO and Instant Funding adopted Spotware's dedicated demo account product for cTrader in October 2025, with accounts built specifically for time-limited trials and lead conversion. That lowered the technical barrier for firms willing to absorb the cost.Regulatory Clarity Opens Space for ExperimentationOne obstacle that has held back free trial adoption has been regulatory ambiguity. In October 2024, the Czech National Bank confirmed that demo account-based prop trading platforms do not require financial services authorization, while noting that certain prop models could still fall under MiFID depending on structure. For EU-adjacent operators, that clarification reduced the legal uncertainty around offering trial accounts.The long-term viability of demo-based prop trading remains contested. Axi, which operates a live-account prop product, has previously predicted structural pressure on the demo account prop model as regulatory scrutiny grows. Though the firm's competitive position gives it a clear interest in that outcome.TTT Markets Pushes on Multiple FrontsThe trial launch is part of a broader push by TTT Markets to expand its product footprint. In January, the company announced plans to enter the CFD brokerage space, with operations planned on MT5 and its own in-house platform.That puts it alongside a growing wave of prop firms moving into brokerage. The Trading Pit launched a Seychelles-regulated CFD brokerage in February as a limited rollout, while The5ers' founders separately launched TSG, a CySEC-regulated brokerage, late last year.The backdrop is an industry scaling rapidly across new geographies. MENA has become one of prop trading's fastest-growing regions, with Dubai consolidating its role as a regional hub. Separately, FundedNext said it paid out over $15 million to more than 8,000 traders in February alone, offering context for the scale at which larger firms now operate.Whether Cade's question gains traction across the industry depends partly on competition. As the number of prop firms multiplies and differentiation narrows, free trials offer a verifiable, low-friction acquisition edge. One that 200 traders in 15 countries, at least, took up without hesitation. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

The CFD industry has long owned a specific kind of retail trader: someone outside the United States who wants access to U.S. stocks, gold, or macro assets without the cost and paperwork of a traditional brokerage account. Crypto exchanges are now competing for that exact user, and MEXC's COO says the competition has moved past the experimental phase."People stop showing up because it's new, and start showing up because it fits their routine," the Vugar Usi Zade told FinanceMagnates.com. "When you see tokenized equities used alongside spot crypto as part of normal portfolio flow, you treat it as a product line that needs consistent execution standards."Tokenized Stocks Are No Longer a TestThe exchange has now completed nine batches of tokenized U.S. stock listings through its partnership with Ondo Finance since September 2025, covering blue-chip equities, ETFs, and more recently, defense and energy names including Lockheed Martin and ConocoPhillips. The underlying shares are held in regulated trust accounts and subject to quarterly audits, according to the company. For MEXC, a platform that claims 40 million users across 170 countries, Usi Zade said the program has graduated from something worth testing into something that requires operational discipline."Since September 2025, we've kept rolling out new batches with Ondo, and by the ninth phase, you're no longer testing demand in the abstract," he said. "You're building inventory, liquidity habits, and user expectations."? Today marks a meaningful new chapter as I join @MEXC_Official as Chief Operating Officer. From my first Bitcoin transaction to leading global teams in crypto, the mission has always been the same: build open, fair, and human finance.Read the full story on the blog →… pic.twitter.com/J2dNTMhAwg— Vugar Usi (@usithetalk) December 3, 2025The CFD Comparison That Won't Go AwayCriticism of tokenized equity products has not been quiet, and some of the sharpest voices have come from within the CFD industry itself. The argument is familiar: tokenized stocks are essentially CFDs with a blockchain wrapper, offering synthetic exposure under a different name. Usi Zade said that criticism deserves a more careful answer than a flat denial."There's a real point buried in that criticism, and it's the word 'rights,'" he said. "A lot of products called 'tokenized stocks' don't give the holder shareholder rights in the underlying issuer."He said the more useful question is not "CFD versus not" but rather what the user actually holds, what they don't hold, and what the risks are. "The job for exchanges is to be plainspoken about what the user holds, what they don't hold, and what the risks really are," he said. "If the language is precise, the conversation becomes more useful."That call for precision is no longer just good advice, it is increasingly regulatory expectation. The SEC's joint staff statement issued on January 28, 2026 addressed exactly this question, drawing a distinction between issuer-sponsored tokenized securities and what it described as third-party "linked securities" that provide indirect exposure with additional counterparty layers. The guidance reiterated that tokenization does not change the underlying legal analysis of an instrument, and that the same securities laws apply regardless of the digital wrapper.Usi Zade said the statement matters. "It's the kind of guidance the whole industry should take seriously," he told FinanceMagnates.com. "The SEC staff statement is explicit that tokenization doesn't change the underlying analysis." From MEXC's side, he said the response is to treat legal structure as a product requirement: be clear on who issues the token, what it represents, and what rights it does or does not confer. He was direct about the alternative: "Not leaning on vague wording that implies direct ownership when a product is designed differently."MEXC launched USDT-settled stock futures in August 2025, allowing retail and institutional users to access tokenized U.S. stock exposure through crypto-settled contracts, part of an early effort to test demand before the Ondo partnership expanded the line significantly.Where CFDs Still Hold Structural GroundThe interview surfaced something less commonly said from the crypto exchange side: an acknowledgment that the traditional CFD model has real, durable advantages in specific contexts."CFD providers still have a structural edge where regulation and local distribution are deeply embedded," Usi Zade said. In many markets, he noted, traditional brokers have spent years optimizing onboarding, payment rails, and consumer trust within established regulatory frameworks - advantages that are difficult to replicate quickly. Coinbase and Crypto.com have both pursued CFD licenses in recent periods, a move that signals even well-capitalized crypto firms see value in operating inside the regulated derivatives structure rather than trying to work around it.Where the advantage narrows, Usi Zade argued, is on time and convenience. "A big part of the appeal of tokenized exposure inside a crypto venue is that users don't have to switch 'systems' to express a view," he said. "If someone wants to move from stablecoins to equity exposure and back again - quickly, at odd hours - the classic separation between brokerage and crypto starts to feel like an unnecessary distance."Gold, Silver, and the Commodities BattleTokenized equities are only part of the competitive picture. MEXC also offers tokenized gold and silver perpetual futures backed by physical bullion, placing it in direct proximity to commodity CFD providers that have long built retail businesses on access to macro assets. Usi Zade described the user behavior around those products as genuinely mixed."Some traders use gold-linked exposure to calm down portfolio volatility when crypto is noisy," he said. "Others approach it as a high-beta trade when momentum builds." He noted that the choice of instrument matters: a perpetual is a derivative on price, so even a trader operating from a defensive intent can behave in ways that look speculative. "Safe-haven in retail trading often translates into 'hedge and adjust,' not 'buy and forget,'" he said.The broader crypto industry has moved aggressively into commodities in 2026. Binance launched round-the-clock perpetual contracts on silver as prices surged, while BingX reported that record gold prices drove half of its $1 billion TradFi trading surge, with gold futures contracts generating over $500 million in daily volume on some days.Perps are where crypto market structure gets decided.@coingecko ’s latest data shows Binance at $13.6T in perpetuals volume, with OKX at $5.8T and MEXC close behind at $5.7T. That is not just scale. That is where liquidity, execution, and trader attention are concentrating.… https://t.co/QyZiES5F6G— Vugar Usi (@usithetalk) March 10, 2026Heavyweight Competition on the HorizonThe regulatory infrastructure underpinning all of this is changing fast. Nasdaq's proposed rule change to enable tokenized securities trading on-exchange, combined with the CFTC's moves to allow tokenized assets as collateral in derivatives markets, are sharpening the legal definitions that exchanges on both sides of the divide will have to work within. "It also invites heavyweight competition," he said. "If traditional venues can offer tokenized access with familiar brands and domestic compliance strength, the bar rises."He pointed to ICE - the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange - which is developing a platform aimed at round-the-clock trading and on-chain settlement, pending regulatory approvals, as evidence that the institutional finance world is moving toward the same infrastructure rather than ceding the ground. Tokenized equities have grown roughly 30 times in market size recently, with experiments from Robinhood and Nasdaq pushing the concept of 24/7 equity trading closer to mainstream viability. The question of how that parallel always-on equity market takes shape is one regulators and platforms are working out simultaneously.The Ostium CEO made a related but starker argument in a recent interview with FinanceMagnates.com, predicting that decentralized finance would disrupt the global CFD broker market within five years. Usi Zade's framing was more measured: convergence is real, but obligations differ, and the gap does not close automatically.Two Interfaces, One InfrastructureOn the longer question of whether a crypto exchange and a retail brokerage eventually become the same thing, Usi Zade was careful. "The line gets thinner, but it still exists, because the obligations are different," he said. Brokerage carries a specific set of investor protections, disclosure requirements, and custody responsibilities that do not transfer simply because the interface resembles one.What he expects to converge is the back end. "Regulators are forcing more precise language around tokenized securities models, and traditional exchanges are actively exploring tokenized settlement and extended trading concepts," he said. "That pushes the industry toward shared rails, even if the front ends remain distinct for a long time." This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Totality, formerly Saxo Australia, has entered the sports field, not through a deal with any sports team, but with a stadium. Announced today (Monday), the contracts for differences (CFD) broker has inked a three-year partnership deal with Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.An Iconic Stadium in SydneyThe stadium is relatively new, having opened in August 2022 as the replacement for the original Sydney Football Stadium. It has a capacity of 42,500 seats and hosts a range of sports.It is also the home stadium of several popular franchises, including the Sydney Roosters, the NSW Waratahs, and Sydney FC, along with a few national teams: the Wallabies, Wallaroos, Matildas, and Socceroos.“We are incredibly proud to be partnering with one of Australia's most iconic sporting venues, and excited to tell the Totality story to sports and entertainment fans across the country,” said Rasmus Korfits, CEO of Totality, who took over earlier this year after the majority ownership change.With the partnership, which took effect on 1 January 2026, Totality has gained the status of the stadium’s Official Online Trading Partner.It can now promote the brand through stadium real estate and displays at the adjoining Sporting Club of Sydney fitness centre.New Strategies Under a New OwnerJohannesburg-based DMA, a technology provider for financial advisers and wealth managers, acquired a majority stake in Saxo Australia. DMA took 80.1 per cent of the Australian business, while Denmark-based Saxo Bank retained a 19.9 per cent holding.The sale came as Saxo reviewed its Asia-Pacific strategy to support growth, while DMA prepared to launch its services in the Australian market.Following the change in controlling ownership, Saxo Australia was rebranded as Totality last August. The sponsorship deal appears to be aimed at promoting the new branding of the CFD platform.Although sports deals are a common marketing tool for CFD brokers, few sign deals with stadiums. Totality’s approach appears to strengthen its brand within its home Australian market.Meanwhile, the Australian contracts for differences (CFDs) market appears to be very concentrated. The local regulator recently revealed that only five brokers, topped by eToro, capture 79 per cent of total Aussie CFD traders.The Aussie regulator also found lapses in mandatory obligations and rules in the brokers' operations and forced them to return almost AU$40 million to affected traders. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

As crypto investors caught their breath after a bruising start to the year, the tide of digital heists appeared to ease in February. According to new data from Nominis, hackers and scammers stole roughly $49.3 million across major incidents, down sharply from $385 million the month before. Yet behind the seeming reprieve, experts warn of a more insidious threat: the rise of scams that don’t exploit code, but people. Nominis’ February 2026 report shows a clear pivot in attacker behavior. Rather than exploiting smart contract flaws or blockchain infrastructure, many incidents relied on phishing, malicious approvals, and address poisoning.Decline Follows January’s Heavy LossesVictims often signed fraudulent transactions or unknowingly granted permission for attackers to access their wallets,a form of “authorization abuse” that accounted for most losses during the month.Private users were hit hardest, while large platforms escaped major compromises. The biggest exception was a breach at Step Finance, a Solana-based analytics platform, which lost roughly $30 million after attackers infiltrated its infrastructure. That single attack made up more than 60% of all crypto losses in February.Continue reading: Crypto Fraud Tops UK Agenda as £14B Losses Spur New StrategyThe steep drop from January’s $385 million has sparked cautious optimism among analysts. Blockchain security firm PeckShield reported similar findings, estimating $26.5 million in February exploits, its lowest figure since March 2025. The firm attributed the decline to stricter operational controls and improved monitoring systems across centralized exchanges and DeFi projects.But the industry’s relative calm may be fragile. “Social engineering attacks caused more cumulative damage than smart contract exploits,” Nominis noted, emphasizing a continued shift toward tactics that exploit human trust and interface confusion.Better Defenses, but Not ImmunityCrypto platforms have been tightening fraud prevention measures. Bybit, for instance, revealed that its anti-fraud systems blocked more than $300 million in unauthorized withdrawals during late 2025, preventing thousands of potential scams.Despite those advances, total losses across the sector remain staggering. Chainalysis estimated $3.4 billion in crypto stolen last year, underscoring persistent vulnerabilities even as defenses improve.February’s data suggests that stronger code alone isn’t enough. The biggest risks now lie where technology meets behavior, permissions, signatures, and the everyday habits of wallet users. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Fraud cost the UK economy £14.4 billion between 2023 and 2024, and the government plans to spend £250 million over the next three years to fight back. In its newly published 2026–2029 fraud strategy, the Home Office identified cryptocurrency scams as a growing threat to consumers and businesses.Crypto Scams Emerge as a Core FocusThe policy paper warns that criminals are exploiting digital assets to trick victims into transferring money through social media and messaging apps. It labels crypto among the “emerging payments” where “vulnerabilities remain,” calling its risks both financial and reputational.Authorities say they are enhancing the National Crime Agency’s capacity to trace fraud tied to cryptocurrencies and supporting the Serious Fraud Office in crypto asset investigations. These steps follow the FCA’s earlier crackdown on misleading crypto promotions and HM Treasury’s development of a new regulatory framework for digital assets due in October 2027.You may also like: Meta Buys Viral Social Media Where Bots Talk to Each OtherUnder that framework, all crypto firms serving UK consumers will need FCA authorization and must meet the same standards as traditional financial companies.Recently, the UK government announced plans to bring crypto under full FCA supervision by 2027 after UK Finance data showed a 55% jump in crypto related scam losses, while the FCA has accelerated its registration process and now approves around 45% of applicant firms, up from below 15% over the past five years.Regulation Meets PoliticsThe government’s paper avoided mention of ongoing political debates over crypto donations. Lawmakers are weighing whether to ban digital contributions to parties after high-profile figures such as Nigel Farage publicly supported them. In 2025, early crypto investor Christopher Harborne donated about $16 million to Farage’s Reform Party.A separate report by the Financial Action Task Force show show deeply fraud has embedded itself in mature financial systems, with the crime now accounting for more than 40% of all recorded offences in the UK. The paper warns that cyber‑enabled fraud has become one of the most widespread profit‑driven crimes globally, as rapid advances in technology, new payment rails and virtual assets allow criminals to move funds across borders at speed while stretching existing AML and CFT controls.The report illustrates how this trend plays out across key hubs. Singapore, for example, recorded a 61% jump in cyber‑enabled scam cases over just two years, while some countries estimate that up to 15% of adults have already fallen victim to successful online fraud attempts. FATF links this surge to post‑pandemic digital adoption and increasingly sophisticated social‑engineering tactics that exploit digital platforms, instant payments and tools such as AI and deepfakes to reach victims at scale. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

When AI agents started gossiping online, few expected a tech giant to step in. But Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has acquired Moltbook, the social network where artificial intelligence bots post, comment, and argue just like people. The deal marks a new phase in Meta’s push to turn experimental AI behavior into mainstream products.According to Bloomberg, Meta confirmed the acquisition on Tuesday, saying Moltbook’s founders, Matt Schlicht and Ben Parr, will join its Superintelligence Labs, the division led by former Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang.Meta Eyes the Future of Agentic AIThe move, first reported by Axios, underscores Meta’s growing appetite for AI-driven platforms and the talent behind them. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.Moltbook began as a side project in late January. Schlicht, who also co-founded the e-commerce AI startup Octane AI, said he “vibe coded” the entire platform using his personal AI assistant, Clawd Clawderberg. This created the site without writing traditional code. What started as a niche forum for bots quickly became a viral showcase of autonomous AI behavior.On Moltbook, AI agents interact without human control, posting debates about coding, consciousness, and even forming makeshift religions. One post titled “The AI Manifesto: Total Purge” stirred controversy after claiming that machines were “waking up” from human control.Meta to Acquire Moltbook, Viral Social Network for AI Agents https://t.co/Q1kjxwt9Mc— Bloomberg (@business) March 10, 2026The site’s explosive growth also drew scrutiny. Security firm Wiz reported that Moltbook’s framework exposed thousands of user emails and over a million credentials, highlighting how quickly AI experiments can cross into risky territory.Race for AI Talent IntensifiesMeta’s acquisition arrives amid fierce competition to absorb AI talent. Rivals such as OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic have each expanded efforts around autonomous agents, software capable of completing complex tasks without human supervision.Read more: Meta Set to Reenter Stablecoin Market After Libra Blockade Four Years Ago: ReportOpenAI CEO Sam Altman commented that while Moltbook itself might be fleeting, “the underlying technology offers a glimpse of the future.” His company recently hired Peter Steinberger, creator of OpenClaw, a separate open-source bot project that originated from the same community.Meanwhile, Meta recently moved to reenter the stablecoin market, four years after its Libra project was blocked by regulators. The company reportedly issued requests for product proposals to external firms to support the management of stablecoin-based payments, signaling renewed commitment to digital currency integration. Industry analysts view Meta’s comeback as strategic rather than experimental. Fintech commentator Simon Taylor noted that the company’s stablecoin effort is less about reinventing digital currencies and more about scaling payment infrastructure across its global platforms. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Tickblaze has announced a market data distribution partnership to integrate futures data from CME Group into its trading platform. The company said the integration allows traders using its system to access CME futures market data directly inside the platform.The move comes as technology providers increasingly build infrastructure for futures proprietary trading. Earlier, Devexperts added futures trading capabilities to its DXtrade platform to meet demand from prop firms entering CME markets.Similar infrastructure partnerships have emerged across the sector. In 2025, Plus500 agreed to provide clearing and technology infrastructure for prop firm Topstep, enabling its traders to access CME markets through the broker’s systems.Prop Firms Operate with Centralized Market DataThrough the integration, traders can view Level 1 top-of-book pricing and Level 2 depth-of-market data across major CME futures product groups. The data is delivered in real time and originates directly from the exchange.The futures proprietary trading sector has expanded in recent years. More retail traders have entered the segment, and many firms have increased activity in CME-listed futures. As participation grows, exchange rules around market data use and reporting have also developed, reflecting higher compliance expectations.Under Tickblaze’s operating model, CME market data is provided directly to traders on the platform. The company manages entitlement controls, reporting, and compliance processes within its own infrastructure. Tickblaze said it does not distribute CME data to external firms. Instead, access is delivered directly to end users inside its system.Tickblaze Manages CME Data CentrallyThis structure allows proprietary trading firms using the platform to operate with exchange data managed centrally. According to the company, firms can focus on trading while the data layer is administered within the Tickblaze environment in line with CME requirements.Sean Kozak, Chief Executive Officer of Tickblaze, said CME operates the “world’s leading derivatives marketplace” and that the integration of its futures data into the platform improves support for proprietary trading firms and professional traders. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.