The deal brings together Paxos’ regulated custodial framework with Fordefi’s multi-party computation (MPC) wallet architecture, policy engine and decentralised finance integrations. Paxos, which has spent more than a decade building regulated blockchain infrastructure for global enterprises, said the acquisition reflects accelerating institutional adoption of digital assets and the need for secure and modular custody systems.  Fordefi’s platform is already used by nearly 300 institutions. Charles Cascarilla, Paxos co-founder and chief executive, said the company had built a “neutral, enterprise-grade platform that ushers the world’s leading enterprises into the digital asset economy”.  He added that Fordefi offered “an impressive stack and customer base founded on easy-to-use APIs and seamless web3 connectivity”. Fordefi, founded in 2021, will continue to operate its product independently in the near term.  Paxos plans to integrate Fordefi’s technology over time to offer a single platform for issuing stablecoins, tokenising assets and building complex payment flows while maintaining regulated custody standards. Josh Schwartz, Fordefi’s chief executive, said the merger would allow the company to “bring our technology to an even broader audience while maintaining our focus on security, usability and innovation”. The post Paxos Buys Fordefi to Strengthen Institutional Digital Asset Custody appeared first on LeapRate.

According to a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent, BMO CMC failed to timely report around 2,400 transactions between January 2023 and September 2024, largely due to manual processes that were not automated until late 2024.  FINRA said the delays deprived market participants of timely pricing information. The regulator also found extensive inaccuracies in the firm’s use of required indicators, including omission of the Dollar Roll indicator in 242 cases, erroneous inclusion or omission of the non-member affiliate-principal transaction flag for 1,786 trades, and failure to include the no-remuneration indicator on more than 320,000 trades over several years.  FINRA attributed these lapses to manual errors and coding issues within automated systems. FINRA said BMO CMC did not maintain a supervisory system “reasonably designed” to ensure accurate reporting, noting that until 2023 the firm had no process to review key indicators and failed to address internal reports showing high rates of late submissions.  The firm’s automated reporting system, introduced in 2024, was not properly tested, resulting in further inaccuracies. BMO CMC corrected its supervisory weaknesses by June 2025. Under the settlement, the firm did not admit or deny the findings. The post BMO Capital Markets Fined $300,000 for TRACE Reporting Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

Eunice, which works with major crypto firms including Coinbase, Crypto.com and Kraken, has developed standardised disclosure templates intended to help firms provide clearer, more consistent information about digital assets.  The aim is to ensure retail investors understand key risks before purchasing cryptoassets. The FCA said the initiative forms part of its broader Crypto Roadmap, which sets out upcoming policy milestones as the regulator prepares final rules in 2026. Insights from the Eunice sandbox test will inform the FCA’s future approach to disclosure requirements. Yi Luo, Eunice’s chief executive and co-founder, said the sandbox represented a place “where regulators and industry participants meet to build the foundations for a safer and smarter digital asset market”, adding that leading the disclosures work was “a great point of pride”. Colin Payne, head of innovation at the FCA, said the regulator had a strong record of helping firms launch beneficial products, and encouraged others with similar proposals to apply to the sandbox. The FCA noted that clear regulation would strengthen consumer protection, improve market integrity and support the UK’s competitiveness.  The sandbox, launched in 2014, has since been replicated by more than 95 global regulators. The post FCA and Eunice Collaborate on New Crypto Disclosure Standards appeared first on LeapRate.

The move follows rapid growth in stablecoin usage, with McKinsey estimating annual transaction volumes of $27 trillion globally. KlarnaUSD becomes the first bank-issued stablecoin to launch on Tempo, a new blockchain developed by Stripe and Paradigm specifically for payments.  Klarna said stablecoin technology could significantly cut cross-border payment costs, with global fees in that segment estimated at $120 billion a year. Chief executive Sebastian Siemiatkowski said Klarna’s scale, including 114 million customers and $118 billion in annual gross merchandise volume, gives it the potential to “change payments globally.”  He added that crypto is now “fast, low-cost, secure, and built for scale,” positioning stablecoins as a credible challenger to legacy payment networks. KlarnaUSD is built using infrastructure from Bridge, a Stripe-owned platform, and is currently live only on Tempo’s testnet.  The token is expected to launch publicly on Tempo’s mainnet in 2026, giving Klarna time to test and integrate the technology before rollout. It is not yet traded or available for consumer use. The launch deepens Klarna’s partnership with Stripe, which already supports payments infrastructure across its global markets.  Klarna said further crypto initiatives will be announced in the coming weeks, marking the beginning of a broader push into blockchain-based financial services. The post Klarna Enters Crypto with Launch of KlarnaUSD Stablecoin appeared first on LeapRate.

21Shares will initially use Standard Chartered’s newly established custody service in Luxembourg, which is registered with the financial regulator CSSF.  The platform will provide secure and compliant storage for digital assets, supporting institutional investors seeking exposure to cryptocurrency-linked products. The partnership reflects rising demand from institutions looking to enter the digital asset market with greater security and regulatory assurance.  Standard Chartered said its global banking expertise and risk management framework would underpin the custody offering, helping clients meet high standards of safety and compliance. Margaret Harwood-Jones, global head of financing and securities services at Standard Chartered, said the bank was “excited” to extend its expertise into the digital asset ecosystem, adding that the custody service would support the development of crypto-linked investment products.  Mandy Chiu, global head of product development at 21Shares, called the partnership an “important milestone” in providing institutional-grade infrastructure for crypto markets. The move comes as digital assets become more widely adopted in regulated financial products, with investors increasingly seeking trusted intermediaries to safeguard holdings. The post Standard Chartered Named Digital Asset Custodian for 21Shares appeared first on LeapRate.

The deal is a step in SIX’s ambition to deliver integrated and digital post-trade solutions across European markets. Baymarkets, founded in 2007 and based in Oslo, operates a clearing platform that supports both exchange-traded and over-the-counter markets. Its system is designed to handle multiple currencies and asset classes, offering a scalable risk model for derivatives clearing.  SIX said the acquisition will provide it with a “future-proof” platform ready to scale in line with its growth plans. The integration of Baymarkets’ technology is expected to expand SIX’s product offering and enhance its competitiveness, particularly in the fast-evolving derivatives clearing space. Rafael Moral Santiago, head of securities services and a member of the SIX executive board, said Baymarkets’ experience would enable SIX to deliver “faster and more flexible post-trade services,” adding that the combination of technology and talent would help modernise clearing systems across Europe.  The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The post SIX Buys Baymarkets to Boost Clearing Technology Capabilities appeared first on LeapRate.

The initiative is being delivered via the bLink open banking platform operated by SIX, the financial market infrastructure provider. Starting this week, customers of eight banks and two third-party providers can connect their accounts to consolidate balances and transactions in one interface.  More than 30 banks currently offer the necessary data connections, enabling users to access account information not only through their own bank’s app but also through approved third-party tools such as budgeting and spending analysis apps. With customer consent, data can be shared securely between financial institutions and fintechs using standardised APIs. SIX said state-of-the-art encryption and access controls ensure data security and integrity. The initiative stems from a 2022 industry programme launched by Swiss FinTech Innovations and later coordinated through a memorandum of understanding by the Swiss Bankers Association, signed in 2023.  The long-term objective is to create an open ecosystem where banks and non-banks can offer new services built on shared financial data. Christoph Müller, head of banking services at SIX, said multibanking provides a “concrete use case” for open banking and urged wider participation to maximise customer value.  More banks are expected to join in the coming years, potentially enabling broader product innovation and simpler financial management for consumers. The post Swiss Banks to Roll Out Multibanking for Consumers via SIX Platform appeared first on LeapRate.

As a first step, EURAU will be made available for institutional-grade custody through Clearstream, using Crypto Finance, part of Deutsche Börse, as sub-custodian.  The partners said the approach ensures a fully regulated and secure framework for institutions to hold and transact in the fully reserved, MiCAR-compliant stablecoin. Future phases will see EURAU integrated across Deutsche Börse’s wider service portfolio, potentially enabling its use in settlement, liquidity management and broader digital asset transactions. The partnership aligns with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, which aims to support safe and transparent issuance of digital tokens. AllUnity chief executive Alexander Höptner said Europe is “taking a global lead in regulated digital finance,” adding that the deal will make cross-border on-chain payments more accessible to institutional users.  Stephanie Eckermann, executive board member at Deutsche Börse, said the cooperation forms part of a strategy to build a “seamless bridge” between traditional finance and digital markets. The move comes as the exchange operator expands its digital asset infrastructure, including earlier work on wholesale central bank digital currency trials with the European Central Bank and the development of its D7 tokenisation platform. The companies said the agreement marks a significant milestone in digitising European markets and could open new opportunities for institutions to transact securely in euros on-chain. The post Deutsche Börse Backs Euro Stablecoin with AllUnity Partnership appeared first on LeapRate.

MIAX will retain a 10% stake in the business, which operates as both a Designated Contract Market and Derivatives Clearing Organization authorised by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. MIAXdx has approval to list and clear fully collateralised futures, options on futures and swaps, giving Robinhood a significant new foothold in exchange-traded derivatives.  The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026. Thomas Gallagher, MIAX chairman and chief executive, said the deal will give the group accelerated access to the growing prediction markets.  He called the partnership a “logical step” as MIAX focuses on growth in its core exchange operations while gaining exposure to a rapidly expanding segment.  Gallagher added that MIAX had evaluated several routes into prediction markets and believes the new structure provides long-term value. Robinhood, which has been expanding further into derivatives and futures trading, said it was “excited” to continue working with MIAX, describing the exchange operator as a market leader. The company highlighted opportunities to develop future products for its customers through the partnership. The post Robinhood to Acquire 90% of MIAXdx appeared first on LeapRate.

The share sale was led by Coatue, Greenoaks, Dragoneer and Fidelity Management & Research Company, with participation from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Franklin Templeton and T. Rowe Price.  NVIDIA’s venture arm, NVentures, also joined the round, deepening Revolut’s collaboration with the technology group in areas such as artificial intelligence. The transaction provided liquidity for employees, continuing what the company described as one of the most active employee share programmes in the private sector.  Revolut said the valuation reflected a period of strong commercial performance, with 2024 revenue rising 72% to $4.0 billion and profit before tax increasing 149% to $1.4 billion.  The company’s global customer base has surpassed 65 million, while Revolut Business has reached $1 billion in annualised revenue. Revolut has also accelerated its global expansion, securing a banking authorisation in Mexico ahead of launch, a banking incorporation licence in Colombia, and preparing for expansion into India. These milestones form part of its strategy to build what it calls the world’s first truly global bank. Chief executive and co-founder Nik Storonsky said the milestone demonstrated the progress made towards serving “100 million customers across 100 countries”, while CFO Victor Stinga said the valuation reflected the company’s ability to deliver “rapid growth and strong profitability” as it enters its next phase of development. The post Revolut Hits $75bn Valuation After Share Sale appeared first on LeapRate.

Perpetual futures, which have no expiry date, account for more than $187 billion in global daily trading volumes.  However, much of this activity has historically taken place on offshore platforms. SGX’s launch brings perpetual futures for Bitcoin and Ethereum into a regulated, exchange-cleared environment for the first time in Asia. As a clearer, Marex will support access to the contracts under a centralised clearing model designed to minimise counterparty risk and boost transparency.  The products will use a funding rate mechanism tied to the iEdge CoinDesk Crypto Indices, aligning pricing with established institutional benchmarks. Thomas Texier, Marex’s head of clearing, said the firm was “proud to provide clients with first access” to the new instruments, adding that the model would deliver “greater transparency, improved risk management, and enhanced capital efficiency”.  Michael Syn, president of SGX Group, said Marex’s participation would help build “a regulated and institutional-grade market for crypto derivatives”. Demand for regulated crypto products has increased sharply following the growth of crypto ETFs, which gave institutions a compliant way to gain exposure to digital assets.  Marex already clears crypto derivatives on CME, Cboe, Coinbase and Bitnomial, and plans to launch a cash-lending service collateralised by stablecoins and select crypto assets through its FCA-regulated Marex Financial business. The post Marex Becomes Clearing Partner for SGX Crypto Perpetual Futures appeared first on LeapRate.

Worldpay MCP (Model Context Protocol) is a publicly available set of server specifications and tools that allow developers and merchants to build, test and integrate autonomous AI agents directly with Worldpay’s payment infrastructure. Available immediately via Worldpay’s Developer Hub and GitHub, the protocol can be downloaded, modified and deployed without licensing fees.  The company said the move responds to rising consumer interest in AI-supported shopping experiences, citing research showing that 44% of American shoppers would be willing to use an AI bot to browse on their behalf. “Agentic commerce is rapidly emerging as the next evolutionary step in online shopping,” said Cindy Turner, chief product officer at Worldpay.  She added that MCP gives developers “the freedom to experiment, build and innovate in a controlled environment” while connecting to Worldpay’s global payments network. The initiative aims to make AI-facilitated payments seamless by enabling autonomous agents to complete transactions and optimise payment flows.  Worldpay emphasised that MCP is standards-based, interoperable and future-proof, offering direct connectivity to its trusted APIs, which support more than 52 billion transactions annually across 135 currencies. By reducing integration complexity and shortening time to market, the company expects MCP to give merchants and developers a competitive edge as AI-driven commerce expands. The post Worldpay Launches MCP to Power AI-Driven Payments Innovation appeared first on LeapRate.

The world’s leading derivatives marketplace said 794,903 crypto contracts traded on 21 November, surpassing the previous record of 728,475 set in August 2025.  The surge included a record 676,088 contracts across its micro futures and options products, with Micro Bitcoin futures and options alone reaching 210,347 contracts. Giovanni Vicioso, CME Group’s Global Head of Cryptocurrency Products, said clients worldwide were increasingly relying on the company’s benchmarks to “hedge their risk and pursue opportunities in this complex environment”.  He noted that both institutional investors and retail traders were driving activity across the product range. The group reported strong momentum throughout 2025. Year to date, cryptocurrency average daily volume has reached 270,900 contracts, equivalent to $12 billion in notional value, representing a 132% increase year on year.  Open interest has also climbed, averaging 299,700 contracts, up 82% from 2024. In the fourth quarter so far, average daily volume has risen to 403,200 contracts, with open interest hitting 493,700 contracts, both more than double the levels recorded in the same period last year. CME Group said the records highlighted the growing maturity of crypto derivatives markets and the increasing appetite for regulated trading venues as participants seek stability, liquidity and robust risk management tools. The post CME Group Cryptocurrency Market Hits New All-Time Daily Volume Record appeared first on LeapRate.

The derivatives marketplace said open interest reached 35,120,066 contracts on 20 November, the highest on record.  Two days later, on 21 November, its interest rate futures and options complex recorded 44,839,732 contracts traded, the second-highest daily volume ever. Agha Mirza, CME Group’s Global Head of Rates and OTC Products, said market participants were turning to CME’s platforms for “unparalleled efficiencies and liquidity across the yield curve” as they assess shifting economic conditions.  Mirza added that the latest figures highlighted how futures and options markets help clients “manage risk with precision and flexibility”. CME Group is the world’s largest interest rate market, offering products tied to U.S. Treasuries, SOFR, Fed Funds and other benchmarks.  Treasury and SOFR contracts trade alongside cash securities via the CME Globex platform and BrokerTec, while portfolio margining allows clients to achieve more than $20 billion in daily margin savings across interest rate products. The company also noted that its U.S. Treasury and SOFR futures are eligible for cross-margining with cash U.S. Treasury notes, bonds and certain repo transactions cleared through FICC, broadening the efficiency benefits for users. The post CME Group U.S. Treasury Open Interest Hits Record 35 Million Contracts appeared first on LeapRate.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said LTT, which provides online coaching and training on margin foreign exchange and contracts for difference, failed to lodge its annual financial statements and audit reports for the years ending 31 December 2023 and 31 December 2024 within the required timeframe.  ASIC also noted that LTT has been late in filing these mandatory reports on multiple occasions dating back to 2012. In addition, the firm did not notify the regulator of the appointment of a new auditor, a requirement under the conditions of its Australian financial services (AFS) licence.  ASIC stated that timely reporting is crucial to assessing a licensee’s financial health, solvency and ability to meet ongoing obligations. Given the pattern of non-compliance, ASIC concluded there was a likelihood that LTT would continue breaching financial services laws.  As a result, the regulator has taken what it described as a significant step by adding a new condition to LTT’s AFS licence.  The company must now appoint an independent compliance consultant to review its procedures for lodging financial statements and audit reports, as well as its broader frameworks for monitoring compliance and identifying breaches. The consultant is required to deliver two reports to ASIC, which will help determine whether further action is needed. The post ASIC Imposes New Conditions on Learn To Trade After Compliance Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

Why do you believe South Africa, and specifically Cape Town, is becoming a key hub for fintech and trading innovation? Cape Town represents a convergence of innovation, infrastructure, and talent. South Africa boasts one of the most advanced financial systems on the continent, and Cape Town has emerged as a vibrant fintech hub, accounting for over 41% of all startups in the country.  This strength comes from a thriving ecosystem of universities, incubators, financial institutions, and a regulatory environment that nurtures fintech innovation and digital inclusion. For Exness, opening our office here was not only a strategic move but also a symbolic one; it reflects our belief that the future of finance is being built in places like this. How do you see the fintech revolution in Africa influencing global finance? The fintech revolution in Africa is a lesson in accessibility and innovation. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, technology has democratized finance in ways that few other regions have achieved. Mobile money and real-time payments have brought millions into the financial system, while fintech platforms are giving entrepreneurs and traders new tools to participate in the global economy. These innovations are influencing how financial inclusion is defined worldwide. We’re witnessing a clear shift: innovation no longer flows only from traditional financial centers—it now also flows from the Global South. Can you define what the next era of trading looks like, and who the next generation of traders will be? The next era of trading will be characterized by accessibility, transparency, and empowerment. The new generation of traders are digital natives, analytical, curious, and highly informed. They expect transparency from their brokers, seamless technology, and real-time control of their trading experience. In many ways, this new generation is shaping the standards for the entire industry. At Exness, we’ve learned that traders across Africa are ambitious, resourceful, and community-driven. They’re not just trading for profit, they’re building futures. Why has Exness chosen South Africa and Cape Town as a regional hub for Sub-Saharan Africa? South Africa is the region’s natural financial center, with strong institutions, regulatory maturity, and access to exceptional local talent. Cape Town, in particular, is rapidly emerging as a global innovation hub. It’s home to more than 450 tech companies and one of the fastest-growing start-up ecosystems in Africa. By establishing our new office here, we’re investing in the people and infrastructure that make sustainable growth possible. This is about being closer to our traders, understanding their needs, and providing them with world-class support from within their own region. Looking ahead five years, what will sustainable growth look like for the financial markets landscape and for Exness in particular? Sustainable growth will mean a more inclusive, transparent, and technology-driven financial system, one where geography is no longer a barrier to participation. For Exness, success in five years will mean continuing to be a trusted partner to traders and institutions across Africa, combining global expertise with local presence. Our new office in Cape Town, along with our licenses from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) in Kenya, form the foundation for that vision. We see Africa not as an emerging opportunity, but as an essential part of the global financial future – and we’re here to grow with it.   A new financial geography  As global finance evolves, Africa’s role is no longer peripheral—it’s pioneering. From fintech startups to regulated brokers, the continent is redefining what innovation and access mean in practice. Exness’ new Cape Town hub captures that shift. It represents a model where proximity, transparency, and advanced technology work together to build lasting trust. In a world where finance is no longer confined by geography, Africa is redrawing the map. The post Redrawing the financial map: Why Africa is becoming the new frontier of finance appeared first on LeapRate.

In a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent, FINRA said Nomura violated Regulation SHO Rule 200(f) and FINRA Rule 2010 from at least January 2016 through April 2022. FINRA found that Nomura improperly included the securities positions of two affiliated foreign broker-dealers when calculating the net positions of an independent trading unit, even though the affiliates “lacked self-regulatory oversight and were not subject to SEC examination.”  As a result, Nomura is said to have mis-marked certain sales as long or short and, in some instances, failed to locate securities for required short sales. The regulator also concluded that the firm failed to maintain an adequate supervisory system.  Despite becoming aware of the issue in 2016, Nomura “failed to take reasonable steps to remedy that problem in a timely manner.”  Work to correct the errors paused in 2017 and did not resume until FINRA raised the matter again in 2019. Full remediation was completed only in 2022. Nomura agreed to a censure, a $625,000 fine, and an undertaking requiring senior management to certify within 180 days that its aggregation-unit structure complies with Rule 200(f). The settlement was accepted without the firm admitting or denying the findings. The post Nomura Fined by FINRA for Regulation Violation appeared first on LeapRate.

ASIC said Ivy League Capital did not lodge audited financial statements for the year ending 30 June 2022 or for any subsequent year in which such lodgements were required. The firm also failed to maintain its membership of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, which is mandatory for AFS licensees that deal with wholesale clients. The regulator stated that the cancellation took effect on 17 November 2025. Ivy League Capital, which held licence number 514905 and had been authorised since September 2019, was permitted to advise on and deal in a range of financial products for wholesale clients, including deposit and payment products and interests in managed investment schemes. Under Australian law, Ivy League Capital retains the right to appeal ASIC’s decision to the Administrative Review Tribunal, which can reassess regulatory cancellations and suspensions. The post ASIC Cancels Ivy League Capital’s AFS Licence appeared first on LeapRate.

The move allows investors to hold and trade Materialise shares directly on the Brussels exchange in dematerialised form. Materialise, a global provider of advanced medical and industrial 3D-printing technologies, is converting existing American Depository Shares and registered shares into Euroclear-eligible securities.  Euroclear said it will “admit all Materialise shares into its system,” manage the replacement of ADSs with dematerialised shares, and provide an electronic shareholder register to support efficient ownership tracking. The post-trade group will also enable cross-border settlement and liquidity, giving international investors streamlined access to the company’s shares. Euroclear described its role as underpinning both primary and secondary markets with secure infrastructure. Geert Desmedt, CEO of Euroclear Belgium, France and Nederland, said: “We are proud to support Materialise in its dual listing on Euronext Brussels. This collaboration reflects our commitment to delivering robust, efficient solutions that connect issuers and investors across markets.” The post Euroclear Named Issuer CSD for Materialise’s Brussels Listing appeared first on LeapRate.

The index, introduced on 14 October under the ticker MGTN, measures the price return of 10 large-cap U.S. tech and growth stocks, including the so-called Magnificent 7 as well as AMD, Broadcom and Palantir.  It is equal-weighted and only changes following specific corporate actions. Cboe said the new derivatives will allow investors to access some of the market’s most closely watched companies through a single tradable product rather than managing multiple individual positions.  Both futures and options will be cash-settled to avoid the operational complexity associated with physical delivery. Rob Hocking, Cboe’s Global Head of Derivatives, said the launch “will deliver that opportunity” for investors seeking new ways to trade the most innovative U.S. companies.  He added that the products offer flexibility for tactical positioning, earnings-related hedging and managing news-driven volatility. Interactive Brokers’ Steve Sanders said the products meet growing interest in thematic investing, while Robinhood’s Abhishek Fatehpuria said retail investors are “techno-optimists” eager for diversified access to influential stocks. MGTN options will be listed on Cboe Options Exchange with both AM- and PM-settled contracts, while futures will trade on Cboe Futures Exchange. Cboe plans to introduce global trading hours for the options in early 2026. The post Cboe to Launch Magnificent 10 Index Futures and Options in December appeared first on LeapRate.