Valutrades Limited, a UK-based online foreign exchange (FX) and contracts-for-difference (CFD) broker, posted a smaller annual loss for 2024 despite facing headwinds from reduced client activity and declining revenue.The London-based company reported a net loss of £2.59 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to a loss of £3.82 million in 2023. While revenue increased 27% to £1.94 million from £1.52 million the previous year, the company attributed its improved bottom line primarily to aggressive cost-cutting measures.Valutrades’ Cost Reduction Drives ImprovementValutrades slashed its administrative expenses to £2.48 million from £3.48 million in 2023, helping offset what management described as a "challenging year" marked by fewer clients and reduced trading activity. The company cut its workforce from 19 employees in 2023 to 11 in 2024, with staff costs dropping to £600,000 from over £1 million the previous year."2024 was a challenging year for Valutrades which saw a reduction in overall client numbers and activity," the company stated in its annual report. "This was however balanced by some significant milestones including launching our first proprietary mobile app, launching a new website and client area, completing a rebrand and significantly reducing operating costs."The broker managed to turn its gross profit positive, reporting £125,241 compared to a gross loss of £387,418 in 2023. However, retail client funds held by the company declined to £1.78 million from nearly £2 million the previous year.Capital Injection Supports OperationsShareholders injected £2.6 million in new capital during 2024, bringing total share capital to £10.82 million. The funding came as the company's cash reserves dropped to £837,471 from £1.78 million at the end of 2023.Management, however, expressed cautious optimism about the business outlook, citing the cyclical nature of the markets it serves. The company expects "tough years to be balanced with easier years over the long term while the short to medium term focus remains on growth above profitability."The broker launched several initiatives in 2024 aimed at differentiating itself from competitors, including its first mobile app and website redesign. Directors indicated plans to continue investing in technology, staff, and business relationships to enhance expected profitability.Valutrades has accumulated tax losses of nearly £8 million that can be offset against future profits, though the company has not recognized these as an asset on its balance sheet.Industry Struggles in 2024The challenges facing Valutrades reflect broader market conditions affecting UK-based retail trading platforms. FXCM UK, operating as Stratos Markets Limited, also faced similar headwinds in 2024, with retail trading volumes dropping 19% to $243 billion despite managing to turn around its revenue picture with a small positive turnover of $103,606 compared to a $1.68 million loss the previous year.Like Valutrades, FXCM UK cited reduced market volatility as a key challenge, with the VIX average dropping to 15.5 in 2024 from 16.85 in 2023. Lower volatility typically translates to reduced trading activity and less revenue for CFD platforms. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Polymarket got the regulatory thumbs-up to return to American soil after a three-year timeout, with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) granting the world's biggest prediction market a no-action letter that clears its path back into US waters.“Kudos” to CFTC, Says Polymarket CEOThe CFTC's Wednesday decision lets Polymarket operate through QCX, a licensed derivatives exchange it bought for $112 million, effectively giving the platform legal cover to restart US operations. The regulatory body said it won't go after the company for certain reporting and recordkeeping rules that typically apply to derivatives platforms."Polymarket has been authorized to launch in the USA by the CFTC," CEO Shayne Coplan wrote on X. "Kudos to the Commission and Staff for their remarkable efforts. This achievement has been realized in record time".Polymarket has been given the green light to go live in the USA by the @CFTC.Credit to the Commission and Staff for their impressive work. This process has been accomplished in record timing.Stay tuned https://t.co/NVziTixpqO— Shayne Coplan ? (@shayne_coplan) September 3, 2025This does not change the fact that event contracts remain controversial: some view them as a disguised form of sports betting, while others see them as binary options; a product that, due to its gambling-like structure, has been completely banned in Europe.A Long Road Back From Regulatory ExilePolymarket got booted from the US market in 2022 after the CFTC slapped it with a settlement for running an unregistered derivatives platform. Since then, the company has built its business overseas while Americans watched from the sidelines as users bet on everything from presidential elections to sports outcomes.The timing couldn't be better for Polymarket's return. Event contracts exploded in popularity during the 2024 election cycle, with traders putting real money behind their political predictions. The July completion of a Justice Department probe that didn't result in charges helped smooth the regulatory waters.Wall Street Bets Big on Prediction MarketsThe prediction market sector is attracting serious investor attention. Polymarket's main competitor Kalshi just scored a $2 billion valuation from a $185 million funding round led by crypto investment firm Paradigm. That round included backing from heavyweights like Sequoia Capital and Citadel Securities CEO Peng Zhao."Kalshi is one of the fastest growing companies in America. We 50x'd our user base in the last year," Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour told CNBC. The platform's sports betting contracts have become its bread and butter, with NBA basketball markets making up 50 of its 51 most-traded contracts ever.Even more traditional brokers are jumping in. Robinhood rolled out event contracts in recent months and launched a dedicated hub for users to bet on college basketball and interest rates. Interactive Brokers has also entered the space, looking to capitalize on the boom.The biggest surprise in recent weeks was the decision by Chicago derivatives giant CME Group, which partnered with online gaming company FanDuel to offer event contracts starting at $1 to sports betting fans.From "Digital Casinos" to Market InnovationThe sector still faces skeptics who dismiss prediction markets as glorified gambling. Critics call them "digital casinos," while supporters argue they're superior to traditional polling because people put actual money where their predictions are.CFTC Acting Chairman Caroline Pham has called prediction markets "an important new frontier," and some Wall Street observers think they could eventually rival stock markets in size. The platforms work differently from traditional gambling - instead of betting against the house, users trade contracts with each other that pay out $1 if an event happens.The regulatory breakthrough comes just a week after Donald Trump Jr.'s venture capital firm 1789 Capital invested in Polymarket, adding political star power to its comeback story. Trump Jr. joined the firm as a partner after his father's election victory, betting on the success of prediction markets that correctly called the 2024 race.With Polymarket's return and Kalshi's rapid growth, American traders now have regulated options to put money behind their predictions on everything from sports championships to economic indicators. The question is whether these platforms will prove to be lasting financial innovation or just another speculative fad. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

IG Group (LSE: IGG) has started a new £125 million share buyback program, appointing Morgan Stanley as the executing broker for the multi-month initiative.The FTSE 250 company announced the program in July and confirmed today (Thursday) that Morgan Stanley will handle purchases according to predetermined parameters. The buyback aims solely to reduce IG Group's share capital, with all purchased shares moving into treasury rather than being canceled.IG Group expects the program to wrap up by January 30, 2026, though completion depends on share price movements and other capital requirements. The company authorized the buyback at its September 2024 annual meeting, with 23.8 million shares remaining available for purchase under current board authority.It is worth noting that this is not IG’s first share buyback. The company launched a similar program valued at £150 million last year and added another £50 million at the beginning of 2025.IG Group Schedules Quarterly UpdateIG Group plans to release its first-quarter fiscal 2026 trading update on September 25, which could provide insight into business performance and the rationale behind the timing of the buyback program.We last saw the company’s report at the end of July, when it published results for the 2025 fiscal year, showing revenues of more than £1.07 billion. IG reported that its organic fixed cost to serve per customer declined by 7% during the year, reflecting efficiency measures. The broker also introduced steps to strengthen income retention in its OTC business by capturing more spread revenue and lowering hedging expenses.“We expect these initiatives to deliver stronger customer income retention over the medium to long term and increase short-term variability,” said IG’s CEO, Breon Corcoran.Three major subsidiaries of the UK-based financial services group IG also reported stronger profits in fiscal year 2025, signaling a rebound from the mixed performance of the previous year.According to Finance Magnates Intelligence, the CEO of IG Group was the second-highest-paid executive among all publicly listed contracts-for-differences (CFD) brokers, with total compensation of about £3.35 million ($4.46 million) in fiscal year 2025. By comparison, CMC Markets’ Lord Peter Cruddas earned £1.1 million ($1.5 million), while Plus500’s David Zruia received $4.97 million. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

New Zealand's financial markets watchdog wants to hear from the industry about how tokenization might reshape domestic markets, launching a consultation that could influence future rules for blockchain-based securities.“Do you think the current law helps or hinders domestic tokenization activity, and why?”. This is one of the questions posed to industry representatives regarding the growing trend among businesses and investors to move assets onto the chain, ranging from stocks and precious metals to real estate.New Zealand Regulator Opens Consultation on Digital Asset Tokenisation RulesThe Financial Markets Authority (FMA) released a discussion paper asking market participants to weigh in on opportunities and barriers for tokenized products. The regulator is particularly interested in whether existing laws help or hinder companies looking to offer digital versions of traditional investments."The pace of technological development is rapid and tokenization, like other emerging technologies, has the potential to influence the development of New Zealand financial services," said FMA General Counsel Liam Mason.The consultation comes as several businesses have approached the FMA this year about tokenization projects spanning industries from mining and forestry to real estate and carbon credits. Despite growing interest, the regulator notes that few firms have actually launched tokenized investment products for consumers.In other economies, tokenization is advancing rapidly, with Robinhood serving as a prime example. The company is putting strong emphasis on tokenized stocks. Vlad Tenev, the company’s CEO, called tokenization “the biggest innovation in capital markets in well over a decade.”New Products, Old LawsTokenization involves creating digital representations of assets on blockchain networks. Examples overseas include tokenized bonds, real estate fractions, and managed fund units that can trade around the clock on digital platforms.New Zealand's technology-neutral financial laws theoretically cover these products, but the FMA acknowledges the fit isn't always clear. The regulator can grant exemptions or designations to tailor rules for new business models, though this process creates uncertainty for startups.Current rules create some odd gaps. Virtual asset trading platforms that hold client funds face fewer protections than traditional share trading platforms, since most cryptocurrencies don't qualify as "financial advice products" under existing definitions.Projections for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization are significant, with estimates pointing to an expansion from $0.6 trillion in 2025 to $18.9 trillion by 2033. Even a small share of global equity trading being transferred to tokenized platforms could translate into substantial market volumes.Looking for “Balance” Between Innovation and ProtectionThe FMA’s approach to tokenized assets appears bittersweet. Potential benefits include 24/7 trading, faster settlement, lower costs, and access to previously illiquid asset classes. But the technology also introduces new risks around custody, smart contract vulnerabilities, and regulatory uncertainty."We have to balance ways to better support innovation and reduce regulatory barriers for companies and innovative products, while, at the same time, protecting consumers from harm," Mason said.The consultation reveals growing concern about virtual asset-related harm. In the first quarter of 2025, roughly 30% of misconduct allegations reported to the FMA involved virtual assets. The regulator points to past failures like Cryptopia's 2019 collapse and Dasset's liquidation in 2023 as examples of consumer risks.New Zealand Looks to Other CountriesInternationally, jurisdictions are taking varied approaches. Singapore has established comprehensive licensing for digital token service providers, while Hong Kong requires specific licenses for virtual asset trading platforms. The UK and Australia are developing new regimes set to launch in 2026.As for strictly tokenized assets, the European watchdog ESMA warned earlier this month that they could mislead investors, stressing the need to clearly explain to clients how they differ from actual shares.The regulator wants feedback on whether New Zealand needs bespoke tokenization rules or if tweaks to existing principles-based frameworks would suffice. Questions also cover operational challenges, consumer protection measures, and cross-border regulatory coordination."Having a constructive conversation with industry enables us to respond faster and make adjustments to rules and license conditions and seek law reform where needed," Mason said.The consultation runs until October 31, with the FMA planning to publish feedback summaries and preliminary responses. Follow-up actions could include guidance documents, licensing pathway clarifications, exemptions, or law reform recommendations to the government. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warned that the EU must close gaps in stablecoin regulation to avoid destabilizing runs on reserves, Reuters reported. She told lawmakers that both EU and foreign issuers should face equal requirements.Stablecoin Risks Under EU RulesThe EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) requires stablecoins to be fully backed. Lagarde said the framework leaves room for risk if non-EU firms operate under looser rules. She urged lawmakers to demand equivalence regimes from foreign jurisdictions.“European legislation should ensure that such schemes cannot operate in the EU unless supported by robust equivalence regimes in other jurisdictions and safeguards relating to the transfer of assets between the EU and non-EU entities,” she said.Lagarde warned that holders may choose to redeem in the EU, where MiCAR bans fees and imposes stricter safeguards. That could concentrate pressure on reserves based in the bloc.“In the event of a run, investors would naturally prefer to redeem in the jurisdiction with the strongest safeguards, which is likely to be the EU,” she said. “But the reserves held in the EU may not be sufficient to meet such concentrated demand.”International Cooperation NeededLagarde added that without global standards, risks will shift to weakly regulated markets. “Without a level global playing field, risks will always seek the path of least resistance,” she said.Federico Cornelli, a commissioner at Italy’s market watchdog CONSOB, said EU rules must also reinforce that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender. “Only the euro issued by our ECB is legal tender, and this must be made very clear to all citizens,” he said.Related: ECB President Dismisses Bitcoin as EU Reserve amid CNB's $7B ProposalThe ECB, as chief banking supervisor and lender of last resort in the eurozone, has placed stablecoin oversight at the center of its stability mandate.Early this year, Lagarde said Bitcoin (BTC) is unlikely to be adopted as a reserve asset by EU banks. Her remarks came after the Czech National Bank (CNB) put forward a proposal to allocate 5% of public funds to Bitcoin as part of a diversification plan.The CNB was scheduled to review the proposal on January 30, with the potential allocation amounting to more than $7.3 billion, based on its $146 billion in total reserves. At the January 30 conference, Lagarde reiterated that Bitcoin does not meet the ECB’s criteria for reserve assets, which emphasize liquidity, security, and stability. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Staff from two U.S. financial agencies issued a joint statement yesterday (Tuesday). The statement came from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).The statement clarifies the staff's view on trading specific crypto products. It notes that exchanges registered with the SEC or CFTC are not banned from facilitating trades in certain spot commodity products, including some crypto assets.By contrast, UK regulators have taken a more cautious approach. Retail access to spot crypto trading remains limited, and no comprehensive framework exists for mainstream exchange listings, although the FCA is proposing to lift the ban on crypto exchange-traded notes.Industry ReactionCommenting on the announcement, Zumo’s Founder and CEO Nick Jones said: “It’s only right that market participants have the freedom to choose where they trade spot crypto assets – and now they will have access to some of the world’s largest venues, such as the NYSE and Nasdaq.”He added: “It’s yet another example of the US deliberately and proactively embedding crypto in the mainstream while cementing its leadership in an industry that will come to redefine financial services.”Jones contrasted the U.S. approach with other major economies: “While UK legislators and regulators shy around taking any proactive crypto position, it's a reminder that those unashamed to demonstrate pro-crypto leadership are cornering this emerging area of innovation and growth.”Legal PerspectiveLegal experts remain cautious about the statement’s implications. Bill Morgan, a digital asset lawyer, questioned its practical impact: “How does this help crypto exchanges? They’re all pretty much still unregulated and not registered with the SEC despite the end of the SEC lawsuits. Not sure but maybe Coinbase has some trading activities registered with the CFTC.”How does this help crypto exchanges? They’re all pretty much still unregulated and not registered with the SEC despite the end of the SEC lawsuits. Not sure but maybe Coinbase has some trading activities registered with the CFTC https://t.co/siRNb2Rr0L— bill morgan (@Belisarius2020) September 2, 2025Market OutlookMatthew Sigel, VanEck's head of digital assets research, stated on X: “The NYSE, Nasdaq, CBOE, CME, etc, will soon have spot trading for BTC, ETH, and more.” The comment reflects expectations that major U.S. exchanges could offer spot trading for leading cryptocurrencies.? The NYSE, Nasdaq, CBOE, CME, etc, will soon have spot trading for BTC, ETH, and more. https://t.co/qZo3YsYDQA— matthew sigel, recovering CFA (@matthew_sigel) September 2, 2025Regulatory Leadership CommentsSEC Chairman Paul Atkins described the statement as a “significant step,” noting: “Market participants should have the freedom to choose where they trade spot crypto assets.”CFTC Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham said the previous administration sent mixed signals on digital asset regulation: “Today’s joint agency statement is the latest demonstration of our mutual objective of supporting growth and development in these markets, but it will not be the last.” This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Octa Markets Cyprus’ majority shareholder has lost his voting rights after the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) moved to restrict his management influence over the firm.Regulator Cuts InfluenceCySEC said Prozorov’s role as ultimate beneficial owner was “prejudicial to the sound and prudent management” of the firm. At its August 25 meeting, the regulator voted to suspend the exercise of his voting rights, which cover 95% of the company’s share capital. Prozorov is also barred from serving on the board or exercising any management duties. The regulator explained in a statement that the measures were designed to end Prozorov’s influence over the Cyprus Investment Firm (CIF).The Cyprus move follows enforcement actions in India, where authorities seized Prozorov’s assets, including a luxury yacht. India’s Directorate of Enforcement (ED) accused him and OctaFX of defrauding investors with false promises of high returns and laundering funds through mule accounts linked to shell e-commerce companies.India's InvestigationIndian regulators have previously fined OctaFX for operating without authorization, while Singapore also blocked access to its website earlier this year.Related: India “Cherry” Picks a Luxury Yacht in Probe Against OctaIn July, India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached assets worth about $15.3 million linked to Prozorov as part of its ongoing investigation. The seized assets also included two houses in Spain, a minijet boat, and a high-end car.The yacht, named Cherry, is reportedly an Italian-built commercial vessel operating in the Western Mediterranean. The ED said the attachment order bars the sale, transfer, or mortgage of the assets, although the owner may continue to use them while the probe continues.A few weeks later, India’s securities regulator reached a settlement with Tauga Private Limited (formerly OctaFX India Private Limited) over its alleged links to OctaFX, which is now not authorized to operate in the country. The company reportedly agreed to pay INR 3.2 million (around $37,000) but did not admit or deny the regulator’s findings.Comments from the Company“CySEC has taken targeted governance measures to ensure that no shareholder can influence the management or decision-making of Octa Markets Cyprus Ltd. Our Board of Directors independently oversees the firm in line with MiFID II/CySEC rules,” the company told Finance Magnates.“None of the executives or managers of Octa Markets Cyprus Ltd is involved in any legal proceedings or investigations, nor are they associated in any way with the aforementioned organizations,” the company explained.“The EU operation (octaeu.com) is separate from offshore brands operating outside the EU,” the company added. “No systems, client onboarding processes, or payment rails are shared between the EU CIF and any non-EU entities. Additionally, Octa Markets Cyprus Ltd does not offer services in India.” This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget, and a separate crypto wallet service, Bitget Wallet, have integrated with Ondo Finance. This integration allows users to trade tokenized real-world assets.The move provides access to tokenized stocks and ETFs for users outside the United States. The companies are among the first to offer this service to a non-U.S. user base.Ondo Assets Expand to Bitget Platforms“With Bitget's exchange platform and the self-custodial wallet enabling Ondo's tokenized assets, we're bringing high-potential global investments to the crypto market without having to go through the hassle that was previously faced with accessing these instruments,” said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget.Through the new feature, users can browse and trade over 100 tokenized stocks and ETFs. Each token is tied to a real-world security. The tokens track the price of the underlying asset and its dividends. The tokens are backed by assets held with regulated custodians.Tokenized Stocks Accessible from One DollarThe minimum investment for these tokens is one dollar. The tokens use the liquidity of traditional equity markets, not onchain pools. This is done through Ondo's Global Markets infrastructure.You may find it interesting at FinanceMagnates.com: WFE Flags Market Integrity Threat from Tokenised Equities Amid Coinbase, Robinhood Plans.The service is available to eligible users. It is not available in some markets, including for some users in the United States. The tokens are currently on the Ethereum blockchain. They will later be available on Solana and BNB Chain.“Global investors can now access the largest selection of tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs onchain. We saw stablecoins export the U.S. dollar by bringing it onchain. Now, Ondo Global Markets is doing the same thing for U.S. securities,” commented Nathan Allman, Founder and CEO of Ondo Finance. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Premier League clubs got stung for more than £22 million in hidden foreign exchange (FX) fees during this summer's transfer window, according to new analysis that exposes how currency brokers quietly skim millions from European player deals.The data from financial platform Glyde tracked 71 permanent transfers between June 16 and September 1, focusing on moves where English clubs had to convert pounds to euros to sign players from leagues like the Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A. What they found was a systematic pattern of brokers adding hidden markups that clubs likely never noticed.Liverpool Leads Premier League in Hidden FX Transfer CostsLiverpool took the biggest hit, losing over £3.6 million to inflated exchange rates after spending nearly £280 million on players from Germany, Italy and Spain. But it wasn't just the traditional big six getting burned. Sunderland, fresh off promotion, ranked second with more than £2.2 million in hidden costs – a significant chunk for a club without the financial muscle of Manchester City or Chelsea.“Football transfers are negotiated down to the last detail, but what clubs don't see is the hidden cost eating away at their budgets when they move money across borders,” said Ellis Taylor, CEO and Co-Founder of Glyde. “That is money that should be going into performance on the pitch, not lining the pockets of brokers.”The worst individual transfer for hidden fees was Liverpool's £116 million capture of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, which cost an extra £1.5 million in FX markups. Hugo Ekitike's £79 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt to Liverpool added another £1 million in hidden costs.The practice, known as “skimming” in financial circles, works by brokers adding small percentage markups to exchange rates. A 1.3% fee might sound trivial, but when applied to a £100 million transfer, it quickly becomes serious money. The analysis shows brokers consistently added these hidden costs across deals involving British pounds, which got hit harder than euro-based transactions.You may also like: These 10 Football Clubs Can Ensure Marketing Success of Your FX, CFD BrandFX Costs Affect Clubs Across the LeagueThe top 10 worst-affected clubs collectively lost nearly £17 million, with Arsenal (£1.7 million), Chelsea (£1.6 million) and Tottenham (£1.4 million) all taking substantial hits. Even smaller spenders like Nottingham Forest and Wolves lost over £1 million each to currency markups they probably didn't know they were paying.Manchester United's £73.7 million signing of Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig generated £958,000 in hidden fees, while Newcastle's capture of Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart cost an extra £897,000. These amounts represent money that could have been invested in squad development or infrastructure instead of disappearing into broker profits.The analysis used Glyde's exchange rate calculator, which has examined over 3,400 global transactions over three years to identify how brokers add undisclosed markups. The tool reveals costs that often exceed what organizations expect to pay for currency conversion services.Forex Industry Practices Under ScrutinyThe Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has previously criticized hidden FX markups by traditional brokers as poor practice, yet the analysis shows the problem persists across different industries and transaction sizes. Transfers involving British pounds face average hidden costs of 1.3% compared to 0.9% for euro-based deals, despite the euro being Europe's most actively traded currency.With Premier League spending significantly outpacing other European leagues, English clubs face particular exposure to these practices. Currency fluctuations and opaque broker methods compound costs without clubs necessarily understanding the full impact. For example, the summer 2024 transfer window saw record Premier League spending exceed £1.7 billion on European players alone. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Bitcoin price (BTC) staged a notable recovery today, Wednesday, 3 September 2025, climbing above $111,000 after breaking through a two-week downtrend that had pressured the cryptocurrency since mid-August.Bitcoin Price Today Is Back Above Important LevelThe world's largest digital asset traded around $111,533 on Wednesday afternoon, marking a more than 4% gain across three trading sessions. The price had briefly touched $107,000 on Monday, its lowest level since early July, before beginning its current upward trajectory.The recovery brings Bitcoin back into a critical support zone between $110,000-$111,000, an area defined by previous highs from May and June that I have been watching closely in my previous technical analyses.Technical indicators suggest the recent decline may be losing steam. Bitcoin managed to close above a key downward trend line Tuesday for the first time since August 13, a development that many traders view as confirmation of a potential trend reversal.The cryptocurrency's relative strength index has also shown bullish divergence patterns, another signal that often precedes price recoveries in technical analysis.Why Is Bitcoin Price Going Up? Whale Activity and Institutional InterestMarket observers point to shifting dynamics among large bitcoin holders as a key factor in the recent price action. Paul Howard at Wincent suggested that a period of large holder rotation from Bitcoin to Ethereum appears to be concluding."The whale rotation from Bitcoin (BTC) to Ethereum (ETH) that took BTC below $110,000 has taken a pause and most likely is almost complete now," Howard said. "What I expect we see is a gradual grind higher with institutional flows coming back into BTC."The institutional narrative remains particularly compelling as Bitcoin exchange-traded funds continue attracting capital despite recent price volatility. Market participants are closely watching for signs of renewed institutional buying, which helped drive Bitcoin to record highs above $124,000 last month.Trading data reveals significant liquidation clusters building above current price levels, with approximately $90 million in short positions vulnerable to liquidation around $112,200. This suggests substantial upward pressure could emerge if Bitcoin continues its current trajectory.Bitcoin September Patterns and Market OutlookHistorically, September has proven challenging for bitcoin, with the month typically showing weaker performance compared to other periods. However, this year's backdrop includes several factors that could disrupt typical seasonal patterns."September is historically a poor performing month from a price perspective," Howard acknowledged. "However, I believe it could surprise by month-end given institutional interest and the consistent volumes we are seeing from OTC buyers this week."Jamie Elkaleh, Chief Marketing Officer at Bitget Wallet, notes that while September has historically been weak for Bitcoin, this year's decline maintains that seasonal pattern. However, the current environment presents more complexity than in previous years."September has historically been a weak month for Bitcoin, and this year's decline keeps that pattern intact," said Elkaleh. "Yet, the backdrop is more complex: a Fed rate cut now seen as highly probable could drive liquidity into crypto, even as rising gold and equities compete for flows. The approval of Bitcoin ETFs and policy tailwinds under the Trump administration could provide institutional support, but tariff impacts and regulatory developments remain critical swing factors."Federal Reserve policy expectations add another layer of complexity to the current market environment. With rate cuts now considered highly probable, some analysts expect increased liquidity flows into risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.The broader cryptocurrency market has shown signs of rotation, with bitcoin dominance falling from 61% to 57% over the past month. Ethereum and Solana have significantly outperformed bitcoin during this period, gaining 21% and 27.5% respectively over the 30-day timeframe.Stablecoin Infrastructure as Growth DriverLooking beyond immediate price movements, industry participants see stablecoins as a potential catalyst for broader cryptocurrency adoption. Howard forecasts that stablecoins will attract the majority of new capital entering the cryptocurrency ecosystem over the next 18 months."Stablecoins will attract capital as an alternative to FX and cross-currency payment services," he said. "With growth in trade financing particularly around MENA, South America & APAC, Stablecoins will act as a gateway to some of the majors."This infrastructure development could provide fundamental support for Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies as traditional businesses become more comfortable with digital asset operations.The current price action occurs against a backdrop of continued regulatory clarity in the United States and growing corporate adoption of cryptocurrency treasuries. While volatility remains elevated, many market participants view recent price levels as attractive entry points for longer-term positions.For now, traders are watching key resistance levels around $112,000-$114,000, where significant liquidation activity could either accelerate gains or provide selling pressure depending on market momentum. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

From Funded Account Promises to Real PayoutsProp trading firms have surged in popularity, advertising cheap evaluations and access to “funded accounts.” The reality is often different: hidden resets, trailing drawdowns that erase gains mid-trade, and activation fees that make passing far more expensive than advertised.E8 Markets takes a different approach. Instead of promising “funded accounts,” E8 built Simulated Finance (SimFi): a transparent environment where traders use simulated capital on live-fidelity data, follow clear milestones, and earn real payouts for performance.The proof is already there: $58 million + paid to traders worldwide — on demand— with payout volumes accelerating every month.E8 Signature: Transparent Rules, Faster PayoutsThe launch of E8 Signature simplifies this even further. Traders can qualify across Forex, Futures, and Crypto under a single, standardized ruleset:6% profit target — clear and attainable, e.g. $6,000 on $100K.4% End-of-Day (EOD) trailing drawdown — calculated from the previous day’s close, not intraday spikes, meaning traders aren’t blown up mid-session by temporary volatility.Unlimited trading days — no ticking clock; just one trade every 60 days to remain active.Accessible starting point — initial evaluations begin at $98 for a $50K account. While this may appear low, it replaces the higher upfront costs of traditional models that add hidden resets and other fees later. With Signature, costs are clear from day one.Payouts — via bank transfer (USD) or crypto (BTC, ETH, USDT, XRP, etc.).Rather than layering traps, the program is structured to protect traders, reward consistency, and pay them faster.Grab your E8 Signature Futures →$58 Million Already Paid to Traders - And Growing FastIn an industry crowded with claims, payouts are the ultimate proof.E8 has already processed more than $58M in performance-based cash payments— on demand and on average in 10 hours, many faster. Traders aren’t left wondering whether their profits will arrive; they see them land.[Testimonial Placeholder] “I’ve traded with multiple programs, but this was the first time I saw a payout in less than a week. It made me realize the system was designed for me to succeed, not reset.”This combination of speed + reliability is what separates E8 from the noise.Crypto Comes to Simulated Finance — And with It, a Waiver That Changes the MathThe most significant addition to Signature is Crypto trading.Where most prop firms avoid the volatility of 24/7 markets, E8 has invested years in building a high-fidelity crypto environment with Binance infrastructure.This allows traders to:Access majors like BTC, ETH, and XRP plus trending assets such as SOL and AVAX.Trade under the same transparent EOD drawdown rules that protect against intraday wipeouts.Get paid via bank or crypto with proven rails.And here’s the launch advantage:Typically, platforms require traders to pay an activation fee once they pass evaluation.For 30 days, E8 is waiving that fee for Crypto milestones — giving traders immediate access to payouts at a major discount.This is not just an incentive; it’s a signal that crypto is now central to professional simulated trading.Start Trading Crypto with E8 Signature Evaluation→Beyond “Evaluations”: Advancing to the E8 Trader StageProp firm evaluations often loop traders endlessly through multiple steps. E8 Signature reframes that journey.Once traders meet their milestone, they advance to the Trader stage, where:Consistency is prioritized — rules like the 35% best-day safeguard ensure payouts reflect repeatable skill.Scaling is built in — payouts grow to $25K per account after a trader’s fifth cycle.Integrity is protected — payout buffers prevent withdrawals from triggering violations.It’s not about endlessly passing tests. It’s about earning based on performance and building a payout record you can trust.E8 Markets’ Verified Payouts →Support Beyond the RulesTrading can feel solitary. E8 integrates support at every stage:Discord community for peer collaboration and accountability.Analytics dashboards that track performance and highlight blind spots.Coaching prompts and tools to reinforce discipline and prevent tilt.This combination helps traders improve their craft while earning.The Founder’s VisionIn a recent interview, Dylan Elchami, CEO of E8 Markets, explained the thinking behind Signature:“I’ve blown up accounts chasing leverage. That experience taught me what traders truly need: rules they can trust, milestones they can hit, and payouts they can plan for. We built E8 Markets to create that system. Signature is our next step — simplifying even further and proving that transparency pays.”The Launch Incentive: 30 Days Only With $57M already distributed, Signature’s payout rails proven, and Crypto newly added, E8 is setting a new standard.For the next 30 days only:Crypto traders — and Forex/Futures traders looking to expand — can qualify without paying an activation fee at their first milestone.Accessible entry starts at $98, with costs clear and transparent.Same rails that have already powered $58M in payouts.When the window closes, activation fees resume.Start Futures Trading with No Activation Fee→Compliance & TermsE8 operates under a Simulated Finance (SimFi) model:Simulated environment; no guarantees of income.Risk models: End-of-Day (closed balance) or Trailing (peak-following).Payouts: bank transfer (USD) or crypto.Futures: positions liquidate at rollover; next-day risk = prior day’s closed balance.ESP Agreement, Terms & Conditions, and Privacy Policy govern participation.With user consent, E8 analyzes performance data to refine coaching and safeguards; no user trades are marketed as investments.The New Standard Traders Will Judge By: SimFi vs. Prop Firm NoiseProp firms promised funded accounts. E8 delivers payouts.With Signature’s single ruleset, protective guardrails, $58M in payouts already proven, and the first serious Crypto launch in the category, E8 is redefining how traders think about opportunity.It’s transparent. It’s fast. And until 8th September, it’s never been more accessible with no activation fee promo!E8 Signature isn’t just another challenge. It’s Simulated Finance — built to pay. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM), is a contract chip producer that has regained attention from institutional traders following President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”TSMC commands about two-thirds of the global foundry market, giving it a market capitalization exceeding $1 trillion, supported by the expansion of artificial intelligence applications. Despite its scale, new growth drivers remain, particularly under the U.S. legislation signed into law in July.The bill introduces 35% tax credits for semiconductor firms, potentially lowering costs for TSMC if it expands advanced manufacturing in the U.S. before a 2026 deadline. If utilized, TSMC could become one of the main beneficiaries, while competitors may face difficulty meeting the same terms. This dynamic could also lead to short-term price fluctuations across the industry.Market Growth and Revenue PerformanceThe global semiconductor market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 10.24% through 2030, reaching $1.29 trillion. That trajectory could push TSMC’s market capitalization toward $1.63 trillion and its stock to around $300.You may find it interesting at FinanceMagnates.com: Trump Eyes Intel Stake as Chip Politics Go Wild.Momentum in the sector has already exceeded forecasts. Global sales rose 19.1% in 2024, with further double-digit growth expected in 2025. TSMC reported Q2 2025 revenue of $30.07 billion, a record, while its AI-related business topped $10 billion for the first time.“TSMC posted earnings of $2.47 per share, beating expectations by $0.09,” said Steve Frauzel, head of market insights at Just2Trade. “The company raised its full-year revenue growth outlook to 30%, underlining confidence in its near-term trajectory.”Taiwan – the 21st largest economy in the world and producer of 90 percent of the world’s advanced semiconductor chip supply – deserves a seat at the table at the IMF.I thank my colleagues for joining me to pass the Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act.https://t.co/nVG5xexM9X— Young Kim (@RepYoungKim) June 26, 2025Analysts have also raised their targets. Needham’s Charles Shi increased his price target to $270 from $225, projecting AI revenues of $26 billion this year, rising to $33 billion in 2026 and $46 billion in 2027.Pricing power remains strong. The company’s 2-nanometer chips are reportedly priced at $30,000 apiece, 50% above its 3-nanometer products. The anticipated launch of 1.6-nanometer chips in 2026 could enable further increases.Trading OutlookFor institutional traders, the prospect of TSMC reaching a $2 trillion valuation is material. The company’s dominance in producing the most advanced chips, coupled with high barriers to entry, supports this outlook.Read More: Nvidia Visits TSMC as China Clouds Gather Over AI Chips.From its current valuation, TSMC would need to grow by about 75% over five years, equivalent to an 11% CAGR. This is below the company’s own AI revenue target of $90 billion by 2029, suggesting upside.As shared on @60Minutes, only 12% of the world’s semiconductors are manufactured in the US today, down from 37% only 25 years ago. It’s critical to increase investment in this on American soil. pic.twitter.com/XFqP0b8cJe— Pat Gelsinger (@PGelsinger) May 3, 2021The stock yields about 1%, implying potential 12% annualized returns if growth targets are met. With a forward price-to-earnings ratio near 28, valuations are demanding, but justified given the scale of opportunities in the semiconductor market. A fair value estimate of $280 appears reasonable, balancing growth potential with competitive risks.Geopolitical ConsiderationsGeopolitical dynamics remain relevant. Trump’s emphasis on domestic supply chains underpins future U.S. investment. At the same time, volatility is evident: U.S. Commerce Department official Jeffrey Kessler recently told TSMC and Samsung Electronics that waivers allowing them to send U.S. technology to Chinese plants may be revoked.TSMC’s Market PositionFew companies achieve dominance in a sector as strategically critical and fast-growing as semiconductors. TSMC not only leads in manufacturing the chips that underpin AI, but it also stands positioned to benefit from U.S. tax incentives should it deepen its U.S. footprint.The interplay of political support, market expansion, and technological leadership positions TSMC as a central stock for institutional traders to watch. If the company meets its AI revenue goals by 2029, it could consolidate its role as one of Wall Street’s defining performers of the decade. This article was written by Dmytro Spilka at www.financemagnates.com.

The price of XRP has retreated after encountering resistance at the $2.86 level, a point where it has faced selling pressure previously. This follows a strong bullish advance that began after the asset formed a double bottom pattern at a key support area.Meanwhile, a broader forecast for the cryptocurrency market anticipates a substantial rally beginning in October. This analyst prediction is based on a historical four-year cycle and a pivotal regulatory decision deadline from the SEC.Prediction Based on Historical CyclesA cryptocurrency analyst has predicted a major market surge. The forecast was made on a YouTube channel called YourPOP. It focuses on October 2025.The prediction is based on historical trends. The analyst cited the market's “four-year cycle.” This pattern preceded large rallies in 2013, 2017, and 2021. The fourth quarter is often strong for alternative cryptocurrencies.This outlook comes after a recent decline in the market. Bitcoin was trading near $111,000 at the time of the report. XRP was valued at $0.283. This represented a 5% drop for the week. However, XRP remains up 400% for the year.XRP ETF as a Key CatalystA key factor in the prediction is the potential for an XRP ETF. Betting markets on Polymarket show an 87% chance of approval in October. Nearly 10 applications are currently under review by regulators.Analysts project an approved XRP ETF could draw $5 to $8 billion in new investments. This is compared to the launch of Bitcoin ETFs. Leveraged XRP ETF assets already total $353 million.A U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission deadline in October is noted. New regulatory frameworks may also speed up the approval process. Decisions are expected between October and November. The report states that overall market sentiment is currently in “fear” territory. Many investors worry the market cycle has already peaked. The analyst disagrees with this view.#XRP Price Prediction: If the 2017 fractal holds, compressed and adjusted to today’s range, we could see XRP hit $9 by the first week of September! When XRP moves, it moves fast—expect a parabolic surge in just 4-5 weeks! #SOLO and #Coreum are primed to follow suit with… pic.twitter.com/fx4zXP6Kl7— James Crypto Space (@JamesCrypto87) July 29, 2025The analysis suggests that market tops are rarely predicted. It encourages a longer-term perspective. It references an investment strategy of buying during periods of fear.Broader Market OutlookThe forecast also mentions Ethereum. It suggests Ethereum could see a short-term drop to around $3,600. Some experts predict it could reach between $10,000 and $15,000 by the end of the year.The analyst believes these conditions could help XRP. The asset could break its all-time high of $3.68. Gains of 5 to 10 times its current value are suggested as possible.Short-Term Volatility, Long-Term OptimismThe analyst expects short-term volatility to continue. This is especially likely around new economic data. However, the conditions are described as setting the stage for a significant October. Historical trends, regulatory decisions, and current sentiment are cited as factors.I have more faith in $SOL breaking out than $ETHSolana has some sort of momentum, ETH had a good bounce but that's it for now. SOL/ETH still bearish as hell, BUT trying to break the H12 trend for the first time since early July— Cilinix (@cilinixcrypto) August 27, 2025XRP Holds Key Level as Analysts Debate TargetsAn analyst, Oscar Ramos, noted that XRP holders have shown resilience despite recent price changes. The asset is currently trading near $2.70. Historical trends indicate that September often sees weaker performance, while October and November tend to be stronger. Ramos suggested the $2.70 level could represent a potential buying opportunity based on technical indicators.A recent analysis by Discover Crypto noted that larger XRP allocations may yield limited returns unless prices reach extreme levels, which would require a market capitalization beyond the current total for the entire crypto market. Technically, the XRP/BTC pair shows tightening Bollinger Bands, indicating potential for a significant price movement.Several analysts have provided specific projections. CoinsKid identifies short-term support at $2.66 and a minimum upside target of $4.13. Cilinix Crypto sees near-term targets between $3.07 and $3.13, with $3.30 as a longer-term resistance level. DeepSeek AI expects a range of $3.50 to $5.00 by late 2025, with a longer-term potential of $8 to $15 by 2030.Other forecasts from James Crypto Space and Zack Rector suggest ranges up to $9 and $5–$15, respectively. All analysts note that these outcomes are dependent on broader market conditions, regulatory developments, and adoption trends. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Institutional CFD offerings continue to expand as portfolio managers recognise their hedging capabilities, and retail brokers look to use existing infrastructure to broaden their client base.CFDs Are a Hedging ToolThere are two main benefits to using CFDs for institutional investors, the first of which is to hedge existing positions. If a portfolio manager is concerned that stock market volatility could be about to rise, they can protect themselves by selling CFDs in individual equities or a stock index, such as the S&P 500. In this way, they can keep their portfolio intact and avoid the cost of closing out and then reopening positions – along with any capital gains tax that may arise – while the CFD offsets any losses from a falling market.“CFDs can also be used as a leveraged speculation on price movements,” explains David Morrison, senior market analyst at Trade Nation. “They are traded on margin, so can be an efficient use of investment capital. A wide range of CFDs can usually be accessed from a single account, and there can be tax advantages depending on the jurisdiction.”Read more: Why Are CFD Brokers Going “Insti”?The appeal lies in their ability to provide fast, efficient exposure across asset classes with minimal operational overhead, adds Kourosh Khanloo, director of corporate strategy at Tradu.com. “In addition to hedging specific positions and exploiting short-term opportunities, you will often see them used for managing currency exposure in global portfolios,” he says. “CFDs offer low capital requirements, easy leverage and no custody headaches. For institutions, the flexibility to take long or short positions with minimal friction is invaluable. CFDs also remove the need to move assets between custodians, making them operationally cleaner than physical holdings.”For hedge funds, there is value in single stock CFDs, either as a geared instrument or in the form of synthetic cash where it is still a CFD but has no gearing and behaves as though it were a cash instrument. This is likely to appeal mainly to smaller and early-stage hedge funds that are more likely to permit the use of CFDs, although there is arguably a comparable use case for index or commodity CFDs in place of futures.For large clients, the key considerations are balance sheet strength, product range, competitive pricing and quality of service, suggests Dan Benton, head of sales and client services at London Capital Group. “From our conversations with funds and family offices, the main attractions of CFDs are the flexibility of product, enhanced liquidity and broader market access under one account/umbrella,” he says. “Larger CFD providers are fast becoming fierce competitors to the traditional prime brokers, who often set high minimum deposit or volume requirements before they will open an account or allocate resources.”For many funds, CFDs can serve as an efficient tactical tool for short-term positioning, hedging or market access when physical settlement is not required, without the capital intensity of physical products or exchange-traded futures. “Over time, some clients may outgrow a CFD provider and move towards a full prime brokerage relationship, which is a natural part of the client lifecycle,” adds Benton.An Alternative to Stocks and ETFsAn Interactive Brokers spokesperson notes that EU-regulated funds (AIFs and UCITSs) trade CFDs as an alternative to stocks and ETFs because equities typically need to be held at a depositary bank unless there are delegation arrangements in place, which can bring additional costs.Gold has been particularly popular over the past 18 months, and demand continues to grow, suggests Nicholas Serff, executive VP trading at Alpari. “A key benefit from an institutional perspective is the broad range of markets that CFD providers make available, often on more competitive terms than those offered by banks or traditional funds,” he adds.Adoption ultimately comes down to product understanding and flexibility. Some institutional mandates restrict activity to cash equities, fixed income or dealings with Tier 1 banks – but where permitted, CFDs do appear to offer genuine advantages. For example, trading UK equities via CFDs saves the client 0.5% stamp duty since they do not have beneficial ownership of the underlying share, which can be meaningful for active strategies. Index and FX CFDs are also popular for tactical exposure, portfolio hedging and taking advantage of short-term dislocations at more competitive margins than exchanges.“Most buy-side institutional clients would trade single name stocks where they perceive themselves to have an informational advantage,” says Benton. “Some sell-side institutional clients would simply be hedging their flow, which tends to reflect more of an aggregated retail flow in indices and FX.”Retail Brokers Are Becoming 'Insti' One of the most notable recent developments in the CFD space has been the entry of retail brokers such as Axi, CFI and Taurex. According to Benton, the main driver for retail brokers moving into institutional business is diversification. “The technology is there to make it straightforward,” he says. “Off-the-shelf LP hubs and bridges like Your Bourse and PrimeXM mean a retail broker can offer prime-of-prime liquidity, FIX/API access and low-latency execution to funds, prop desks and other brokers without having to build it.”Damian Bunce, CEO of GTN Middle East, agrees that retail firms entering institutional markets are extending their reach and client growth through new revenue streams, while Serff observes that they may also benefit from natural offsetting flows on the retail side, which can be used to service institutional client flow.As reported earlier this year, ESMA has proposed a new field in regulatory reporting that would require CFD brokers to tag retail and professional clients. “I imagine ESMA is concerned that retail clients may be at risk if bundled together with institutional investors,” says Morrison. “If so, tagging should be positive for both retail and institutional clients, as there are stricter compliance requirements for retail.”Serff is more cautious, noting that the potential operational burden it would place on retail brokers remains unclear. “Transparency is good but it has to be practical,” agrees Khanloo. “The challenge will be creating a system that genuinely safeguards less experienced participants while allowing seasoned traders and institutions to operate without unnecessary red tape. If done right, it could help build trust without sacrificing efficiency.” This article was written by Paul Golden at www.financemagnates.com.

Financial regulators have filed charges against two former executives of Synapse Brokerage, alleging their failures led to over $100 million in customer funds being frozen and inaccessible for months.The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) charged Jeffrey Stanley, the firm's former CEO, with failing to properly supervise a cash management program that ultimately left millions of customers unable to access their money. Mark Paverman, the former chief compliance officer, faces charges for failing to maintain required records and providing false information to regulators.Banking-as-a-Service Model Under ScrutinyThe case centers on what regulators describe as a flawed "banking-as-a-service" arrangement between Synapse Financial Technologies and partner banks. By September 2023, the platform had grown to handle over $2 billion in customer deposits across millions of accounts.Problems emerged when Synapse Fi couldn't reconcile its records with those of one of its banking partners, DDA Bank 1. The discrepancy involved tens of millions of dollars, with each party claiming the other's ledger was wrong.Mass Account Openings Without AuthorizationStanley approved opening over two million brokerage accounts without getting proper authorization from customers, according to the complaint. Many customers received only opt-out emails and had no idea their funds were being moved into brokerage accounts or that they had become Synapse Brokerage customers."Many end users were unaware that their funds were no longer held in a DDA Bank account or that they were even Synapse Brokerage customers," the complaint states.Out of approximately 90,000 customers who received opt-out notices from one fintech, only about 29,000 opened the email and just 123 clicked on links to review the customer agreement or terms of service. Some customers even reported the emails as phishing attempts to their fintech providers.Part of Broader FINRA CrackdownThe Synapse case comes during a period of heightened FINRA enforcement activity across the financial sector. Just weeks ago, the regulator launched a probe into Morgan Stanley's anti-money laundering controls, examining AML procedures across the bank's wealth and trading units. The investigation uncovered data quality issues, with employees raising concerns about incomplete information initially sent to regulators.Earlier this year, FINRA hit Robinhood with a $29.75 million penalty, its second major fine since the GameStop trading chaos of 2021. The trading app must pay $26 million in fines plus $3.75 million in customer restitution, highlighting the platform's ongoing compliance struggles five years after the meme stock frenzy.Interactive Brokers also faced regulatory action, agreeing to pay $2.25 million to settle charges over "4.2 million free-riding cases" where the broker failed to detect prohibited transactions.The Collapse UnfoldsThe situation deteriorated in May 2024 when DDA Bank 1 stopped processing transactions for Synapse Brokerage customers after Synapse Fi filed for bankruptcy. Customer funds at a second partner bank were also frozen.Regulators say Stanley knew about the ledger disputes but continued allowing Synapse Fi employees to control customer account records and fund transfers. The complaint alleges over $85 million in customer funds were reallocated between accounts in April 2024 without customer permission through what amounted to accounting entries rather than actual fund transfers.Some customers affected by the freeze have been unable to pay medical expenses, mortgages, and college tuition, according to the filing.Record-Keeping Violations SurfacePaverman faces separate charges for record-keeping failures. The complaint alleges Synapse Brokerage failed to preserve email communications for three of eight registered employees and didn't maintain instant message records at all. Paverman also allegedly provided false information to FINRA in 2023, claiming the firm had independent access to its records when it actually relied on its parent company.Similar record-keeping violations have been a focus of recent FINRA actions. The regulator fined US Tiger $250,000 and TradeUP $700,000 for using messaging platforms that deleted communications early, while H2C Securities paid $250,000 for failing to preserve over 1.25 million messages.Synapse Brokerage was expelled from FINRA membership in June 2025 for failing to maintain required filings. Stanley is no longer registered with any financial firm, while Paverman remains registered with five other member firms.Customers have gradually regained access to some funds. Program Bank deposits were returned by June 2024, and DDA Bank 1 began releasing funds in November 2024. However, customers whose funds were allocated to DDA Bank 1 have only recovered a fraction of their deposits due to the ongoing ledger discrepancy.The Department of Enforcement is seeking monetary sanctions and other penalties against both executives. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Australia's financial market watchdog has eliminated more than 9,240 pages of regulatory content this year as part of a sweeping effort to streamline rules that businesses say have become too complex and costly to navigate.ASIC Cuts Thousands of Pages of Red Tape in Regulatory OverhaulThe Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) released a report today (Wednesday) outlining its first wave of simplification efforts, which include consolidating dozens of legal instruments and launching new digital services to replace paper-based processes.ASIC Chairman Joe Longo said the agency formed a consultative group with business and consumer leaders late last year after hearing complaints about confusing guidance, unwieldy websites, and overlapping legal requirements."Regulatory complexity raises costs, stifles innovation and makes compliance harder," Longo said. "Simpler, clearer regulation is more enforceable but it also means more seamless interactions with ASIC, more understandable rules to protect consumers, and clearer compliance requirements."Moving to E-Mails an E-SignaturesThe regulator overhauled its website, cutting more than 9,000 pages of duplicated content by 50%. It also created pilot "roadmaps" to help small-company directors and financial advisers understand their obligations more easily.ASIC is testing whether it can consolidate 23 separate legal instruments into fewer documents, potentially eliminating at least 65 pages of requirements. The agency has already cut 181 pages from guidance documents.Starting October 1, ASIC will accept electronic signatures on all forms and allow email submission of certain documents that previously required physical mail. The changes affect about 20,000 annual filings.These are additional regulatory actions following ASIC's acquisition of new rights two weeks ago that allow the removal of social media advertisements promoting questionable financial schemes designed to defraud investors.ASIC Streamlines Rules for 15,500 Advisers, 3.6 Million CompaniesThe regulator processes more than 14.5 million transactions annually through its online services, including 3.3 million document lodgments and 444,000 enquiries. Its registers are searched 299 million times each year.ASIC's simplification efforts come as Australian businesses face increasing regulatory burdens. The regulator administers laws covering financial services, corporate governance, markets, credit, and audit requirements across an economy with 3.6 million registered companies.The agency oversees 15,500 financial advisers, 4,466 credit licensees, 1,745 listed companies, and hundreds of other regulated entities. Small businesses, which employ about 5.36 million people and generate roughly one-third of Australia's economic output, represent ASIC's largest stakeholder group."This is a multi-year program of work and we want to hear more about what we should consider for our next steps and initiatives," Longo said. "We want to hear from those who engage with ASIC, what works, what doesn't, and what would make the biggest difference."ASIC Looks for Your FeedbackThe regulator is seeking feedback on potential law reforms that stakeholders say would further reduce compliance burdens. These include changes to reporting requirements for financial services licensees and simplifying substantial holding disclosure forms that institutional investors use.ASIC is accepting public submissions on its simplification proposals until October 15. The agency says respondents can remain anonymous if they choose.The initiative reflects broader government efforts to boost economic productivity by reducing regulatory drag on businesses. Treasury recently launched reviews of multiple regulatory frameworks as part of productivity reform measures. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Japanese online trading giant SBI Securities, known for offering mainstream assets, has launched cryptocurrency contracts for differences (CFDs), the first crypto product on its platform.The broker has added CFDs on a range of popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana and Dogecoin. The platform will also allow crypto CFD trading over the weekend.B2C2 as Liquidity ProviderThe trading service provider has onboarded B2C2 as the primary liquidity provider of its crypto offerings.SBI Securities is part of the larger SBI Group, which also owns a 90 per cent stake in B2C2.Read more: Japan’s SBI Group Eyes Tokenised Asset Launch with Chainlink Partnership“SBI Securities’ entrance into the digital assets market with this product launch is monumental, enabling a previously untapped segment of traditional asset investors to easily gain exposure to crypto products from their existing accounts,” said David Rogers, B2C2 CEO, Asia-Pacific.CFDs are leveraged derivatives that allow traders to take long or short positions speculating on the underlying asset's price. However, traders do not own the underlying, which removes the need for custody in the case of cryptocurrencies.These products are more suitable for active traders who open and close positions in minutes, hours or days. However, overnight leveraged positions in CFDs often attract margin fees.The minimum margin required for over-the-counter crypto CFD transactions on SBI Securities is 50 per cent of the open position.Crypto Is Booming in JapanAlthough this is the first crypto product offered by SBI Securities, another unit of the conglomerate operates a crypto exchange, SBI VC Trade. B2C2 also provides market-making services to the spot crypto exchange.Japan now has 32 licensed crypto exchanges, with seven more platforms awaiting approval. The country also plans to categorise cryptocurrencies as financial products under a bill expected in 2026.Meanwhile, B2C2 is reportedly seeking to raise $200 million from external investors. Part of these funds would be used to reduce SBI’s 90 per cent stake in the company. However, there has been no official confirmation from B2C2 or SBI. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

August brought a mix of steady trading and expanding client wealth for Interactive Brokers. The brokerage reported significant year-on-year increases in equity and margin loan balances while daily trading activity remained largely unchanged from July.Trading Activity Holds SteadyInteractive Brokers reported that daily average revenue trades (DARTs) were 3.49 million, up 29% from August 2024 but roughly flat month-on-month. On a per-account basis, clients executed an annualized average of 187 cleared DARTs. The average commission across all cleared commissionable orders was $2.68, which included exchange, clearing, and regulatory fees.By product category, the average commission per order in August was $2 for stocks, $3.81 for equity options, and $4.28 for futures. Futures commissions were composed mostly of exchange, clearing, and regulatory costs, which the firm estimated at 57%.Client assets showed robust growth across the board. Equity balances reached $713.2 billion, 38% higher than a year earlier and 4% higher than in July. Margin loan balances also grew, climbing 31% from the prior year to $71.8 billion. Credit balances stood at $146.4 billion, a 31% yearly increase, including $6 billion in insured bank deposit sweeps.Client Balances Continue to GrowThe firm also continued to expand its client base. August's accounts closed at 4.05 million, a 32% rise year over year and a 2% increase from July.Interactive Brokers disclosed that its IBKR PRO clients paid an average total cost of 1.8 basis points for executing and clearing U.S. Reg-NMS stocks in August. The average trade size for these transactions was $20,923.Meanwhile, the value of the company’s proprietary performance benchmark, GLOBAL, rose 0.47% during the month and was up 2.1% year-to-date.You may also like: Monex-Owned Coincheck to Acquire Paris Crypto Prime Brokerage FirmLast month, Interactive Brokers introduced zero-commission trading in Singapore, giving local investors access to U.S. stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) without platform or settlement fees. The launch of the IBKR Lite pricing plan places the brokerage in direct competition with both regional and global rivals in one of Asia’s most active investment hubs. The company said the service stands apart from other “zero-commission” offerings that tack on hidden charges.Additionally, the broker expanded its collaboration with TipRanks, rolling out a broader suite of the firm’s tools and datasets to give clients enhanced analytics and insights for evaluating stocks and exchange-traded funds. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

FYNXT has appointed Stephen Miles as its Chief Revenue Officer. In this role, he will lead the company’s global sales and marketing strategy, oversee commercial operations, and support its presence across key trading hubs.Previous Role at OpenTextMiles joins FYNXT from OpenText, where he served as Global Vice President and GM of Software Services for about one and a half years. Before that, he was Vice President and GM for Software Services EMEA at OpenText for over a year. He also held the role of VP and GM Software Services EMEA at Micro Focus for more than three years.You may find it interesting at FinanceMagnates.com: FYNXT Delivers Integrated IB Manager to Exinity, Enhancing Global Partner Operations.Miles worked as an independent consultant for nearly a year, focusing on sales and services transformation, go-to-market strategy, and digital-age sales.Career at CA TechnologiesEarlier in his career, he spent almost a decade at CA Technologies. During this time, he was CTO for Asia Pacific & Japan for nearly four years and Vice President for Enterprise Management in the same region for almost six years. His responsibilities included regional sales strategy, business development, team management, and enterprise technology sales across multiple industries.Miles also held a Vice President position at Dell Technologies/EMC in the Asia Pacific and Japan region for almost four years.FYNXT Appoints New CMO and Commercial DirectorRecently, FYNXT appointed Sameer Bhopale as its Chief Marketing Officer. Bhopale brings over 25 years of experience in retail trading, including nearly 14 years as CMO at FXCM. The company also named Camila Pinto as Commercial Director for the UK and LATAM. Pinto brings over 15 years of financial services experience, most recently as VP at StoneX Group, and will oversee client acquisition and commercial operations in these regions.Based in Singapore, FYNXT provides digital platforms in SaaS and licensed formats to brokers, remittance providers, and banks. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Coincheck, acquired by Monex Group, is stepping beyond its home market in Japan with a deal that could reshape its global footprint. The crypto exchange’s holding company, Coincheck Group N.V., has signed an agreement to acquire Paris-based Aplo SAS, a digital asset prime brokerage serving institutional clients.Expanding Into EuropeAccording to the company, the transaction, set to close in October 2025, will see Aplo shareholders exchange their stakes for newly issued Coincheck Group shares. The deal marks Coincheck’s first acquisition outside Japan and reflects its broader strategy of building both retail and institutional businesses across global markets.Coincheck Group to acquire Aplo. Under the agreement, all issued and remaining shares of Aplo are to be traded for newly issued ordinary shares of Coincheck Group https://t.co/lloNRqfucn #fundadmin #Custody pic.twitter.com/wKpVd50B6d— Asset Servicing Times (@ASTimes_) September 2, 2025“Aplo brings us proven technology, expertise recognized by institutional clients in Europe, and a high-performance team with an entrepreneurial culture,” said Gary Simanson, CEO of Coincheck Group.Founded in 2019, Aplo is a digital asset trading infrastructure. The company serves more than 60 active institutional clients, including hedge funds, banks, and asset managers. Its platform combines algorithmic execution with access to deep liquidity.Aplo’s Institutional FootprintBoth companies plan to expand Aplo’s product offering and scale its platform globally. Areas of focus include financing solutions such as cross-margining, broader liquidity access, and new B2B2C services for banks interested in offering crypto products to customers.The firms will also examine whether Aplo can contribute liquidity to some of Coincheck’s altcoin markets. All four of Aplo’s founders will remain with the company after the acquisition closes.Related: Monex Group Weighs Yen-Backed Stablecoin, Plans European Crypto AcquisitionMonex Group recently hinted at the acquisition while confirming it is weighing plans to issue a yen-pegged stablecoin. Chairman Oki Matsumoto said in a TV Tokyo interview that the group is in final talks to acquire a European crypto-related company and stressed that moving into stablecoins is essential to stay competitive.Yen-Pegged Digital Currency Matsumoto said Monex is considering a stablecoin backed by Japanese government bonds and redeemable one-to-one with the yen. Potential applications include international remittances and corporate settlements. The group expects to leverage its crypto exchange Coincheck and Monex Securities brokerage to support the project.“Issuing a stablecoin requires significant scheming and capital, but if we don’t handle it, we won’t be able to keep up with the times,” Matsumoto said.Monex acquired Coincheck in 2018 in a deal valued at ¥360 million ($33.5 million). The group said the takeover underscored the growing importance of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies in the financial sector. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.