Fools Rush in Where Angels Fear to TreadThe merits of extending trading hours have been widely discussed recently, including in this column. One of the issues highlighted in this debate is that the ability to trade at any time of the day or night is not always helpful from a strategic point of view and that sometimes less can be more.This point is made clear in Morningstar’s Mind the Gap 2025 report, which states that while US mutual funds and exchange-traded funds generated an 8.2% aggregate annual total return in the 10 years to the end of 2024 (assuming an initial lump sum purchase), the average trader generated 7% per year over the same period.That 1.2 percentage point ‘investor return gap’ is explained by the timing and size of investors’ purchases and sales of fund shares during the 10-year period and was equal to around 15% of the funds’ aggregate total return. The more investors traded, the wider the gap between investor returns and total returns became.According to the best AI models.Studies show: 98% of day traders lose money within a year.In an average year, just 1.6% of all day traders are profitable consistently over 5 years.Individual investors (including crypto traders) underperform market indices by ~1.5% annually… pic.twitter.com/CqnmecumSW— Crypto Seth (@seth_fin) November 26, 2025Likewise, funds with more volatile cash flows (cash flow volatility, which acts as a stand-in for trading activity) tended to earn lower dollar-weighted returns than funds with more stable cash flows.The report noted that too much trading reduced some of the advantages ETFs have compared with standard open-end funds and advised that they are used in a way that does not rely on frequent, spur-of-the-moment trading.It advised keeping trading under control, which can be done by keeping discretionary trades to a minimum and automating other routine jobs — such as rebalancing — as much as possible.The report said it was too simple to claim that investors in cheaper funds will keep more of their funds’ total returns than investors in costlier funds, as passive fund investors can also mistime their trades.The findings showed the risk of chasing returns, which investors are more likely to do with more volatile funds due to those funds’ wider swings in performance.Don’t Discount the Nuclear OptionMany analysts see artificial intelligence as the theme that gives the strongest long-term investment chance. Despite worries in some areas that stocks closely linked to AI are feeding a bubble, Jeff Bezos and Sam Altman still believe that the excitement will be justified in time.But the real value lies in spotting the ‘next’ next big thing — the trend that has drawn less attention but could still be a major shift. According to a WisdomTree survey of more than 800 respondents across the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Nordics, Spain, Switzerland and Benelux, nuclear energy will play a key role in helping technology — including AI — reach its full potential.Providing huge amounts of steady power to data centres is now a strong focus for the so-called hyperscalers. Data centre power demand is rising fast and nuclear can provide almost zero-emission power that is scalable and runs at all times.Mobeen Tahir, research director at WisdomTree, notes that Microsoft struck a deal with Constellation Energy last year to reopen Three Mile Island and power its data centres solely for 20 years. Google partnered with Kairos Power to secure several small modular reactors (advanced systems that can be built locally to make data centres energy independent), while Amazon signed multiple deals to source energy from both traditional and small modular reactors.AI companies are spending billions on deals with each other, which boost their value.This has helped twenty billionaires tied to AI add $450B to their fortunes in 2025.Meanwhile, an MIT study found that 95% of companies using AI haven't seen returns on investment.Be warned. pic.twitter.com/dOX23VwMl2— Robert Reich (@RBReich) October 9, 2025In June, Meta signed a deal with Constellation to extend the life of the Clinton Clean Energy Center for another 20 years to secure nuclear power for its operations.According to WisdomTree’s thematic universe analysis of all thematic funds and ETFs in Europe, nuclear energy was the top performing theme year-to-date through the end of September.As well as being a trend on its own, nuclear is also closely linked to another trend in the survey — climate. According to WisdomTree, the link between climate solutions, energy innovation and technology is becoming clearer, and that is where some of the most interesting investment chances are now starting to appear.The Perils of Home AdvantageLast week we mentioned a report which suggested that European equity markets were more liquid and efficient than the complex mix of exchanges and post-trade systems along national lines would suggest.We have also looked before at progress towards European capital markets union, so my interest was raised by last week’s publication of AFME’s latest Capital Markets Union – Key Performance Indicators report.Of note was how private markets are making use of the weakness of the IPO market in Europe compared with the US and Asia. The report states that in 2014, private markets (private credit, private equity, business angels and equity crowdfunding) made up 8% of total new gross funding from capital markets including public and private sources, whereas by last year this had risen to 20%.AFME also found that promoting retail investment improves market liquidity, estimating that increasing per-person retail savings in capital markets products by 10% improves market liquidity by reducing the value of bid-ask spreads on the local stock exchange by around 6%.But the most striking part of the report was its view on the continuing debate about finding the right balance between encouraging retail savings and directing funding into domestic companies.AFME believes that limiting investment to favour local companies would reduce yearly returns for retail investors by 1–2% per year. This is a strong statement given signs that the UK chancellor of the exchequer is keen to introduce a minimum UK shareholding in tax-free individual savings accounts, despite her government dropping plans for the so-called ‘British ISA’ that would have included an extra allowance for investments in qualifying UK assets.Critics of the plan have already noted the problem of how to define a ‘UK shareholding’. Any sign that investors would be financially worse off would surely put the idea to rest. This article was written by Paul Golden at www.financemagnates.com.

CFI Financial Group has appointed Martin Kiuru as Chief Technology Officer. The firm announced the move on Wednesday. Kiuru has more than two decades of experience in financial technology and digital transformation. He will lead the group’s global technology strategy.The appointment comes as the firm continues to expand in the Middle East. In October, it opened an office in Bahrain and appointed Yaseen Alsamerrai to lead the operation. The Bahrain unit received an investment business license from the Central Bank of Bahrain in July. The group now operates across several Middle East and North Africa cities, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Amman, and Cairo.CFI CTO to Oversee Trading PlatformsAt CFI, Kiuru will oversee digital infrastructure and trading platforms. His focus will include system scalability, automation, data capabilities, and platform performance. The firm said the goal is to deliver “faster and more reliable services” to clients.Ziad Melhem, chief executive of CFI Financial Group, said Kiuru’s experience in “technology innovation” and his “strategic mindset” will support the firm’s platform development.Kiuru Brings Fintech Leadership ExperienceBefore joining CFI, Kiuru worked as a fractional and interim CTO and technology advisor at Make IT Work OÜ, where he supported fintech, brokerage, crypto, and SaaS firms on product delivery, cloud modernization, data platforms, and security. He also co-founded CoinCoach, a consumer personal finance app focused on budgeting and account aggregation under Open Banking. Earlier, he served as Chief Technology Officer at Libertex Group, where he led technology strategy for a regulated multi-asset brokerage, and previously directed global IT delivery and operations at the same group. He also co-founded Jingle Pay, a neobanking and payments startup in the Middle East.On his new appointment, Kiuru said he is “honored to join CFI” and described technology as “a catalyst for empowerment for both clients and teams.” This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Alpha Capital Group has introduced a new mobile trading app for its retail proprietary trading clients, moving more of its funded-trader model onto smartphones as rival prop firms race to expand their tech offerings.However, data released by the company indicate that, compared with 2024, the value of payouts to traders may have fallen by as much as threefold.Alpha Capital Group Rolls Out Mobile App For Prop TradersThe London-based firm said the app is now available to its customer base, which it describes as numbering in the hundreds of thousands. The launch puts Alpha among the first prop trading providers focused on retail clients to offer a dedicated mobile app, rather than relying only on web dashboards and third-party trading platforms.The Alpha Capital app brings together account metrics, performance data and assessment tracking in one place, according to the company. Users can monitor how they are progressing through evaluations, review trading statistics, check trades and see market conditions from their phone, instead of logging into desktop portals.Managing Director George Kohler called the rollout “another big milestone” in the firm’s effort to improve the customer journey.“Having the ability to track your assessment progress, trading stats, trades and market conditions all within the ease of a mobile app will make life so much easier for our customers,” he said.The app also includes the option to request performance fees directly from the mobile interface. Alpha says the combination of full performance tracking, “advanced tracking and data points all in one place” and in-app payout requests makes it “one of the most advanced mobile apps in the sector.”App Ties Into Progression Path Via Alpha PrimeThe mobile launch follows the introduction earlier this year of Alpha Prime, the group’s London-based proprietary trading company that gives experienced traders direct access to global markets. Alpha Prime is pitched at users who have already demonstrated consistent results and risk control with Alpha Capital or its Alpha Futures offering.Alpha Prime is “designed for traders who have proven their skills, mastered risk management, and developed a trading edge,” the firm said. Kohler added that Alpha wants to offer “a pathway through Alpha Prime for those that do succeed to move to another level and potentially carve out a career in trading.”That progression model is central to how the group frames the new app: traders can use the mobile tools to monitor their performance in simulated and funded stages, and, if they meet required benchmarks, seek to move into Alpha Prime’s more institutional-style setup.You may also like: Prop Firm Alpha Futures Adds 3 Platforms to OfferingPayouts Three Times Lower Than in 2024?Alpha Capital Group was set up in 2021 by Kohler and Director Andrew Blaylock and has grown quickly from a start-up into what it describes as a high-growth firm in the retail prop trading space. The company says more than 1 million traders across 140 countries have used its platform.The group has paid out a total of $120 million in performance fees to traders, according to its figures. According to data published by the same company nearly a year ago, the figure was approaching $100 million toward the end of 2024. This would mean it paid out $20 million this year, compared with the $60 million it claimed a year earlier.Kohler said the group “invest so heavily in building technology in-house and providing the best tools and resources on the market that can give our customers as much chance as possible of succeeding.” This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

With a crypto slide underway, Strategy built a $1.44 billion cash war-chest and signaled it may sell Bitcoin if market value slips, a move that could shape Bitcoin’s next big leg down or spark a broader sell-off.A Bitcoin Crash with Real-Money ConsequencesBitcoin’s recent tumble has done more than rattle HODlers. The drop from October highs around $126,000 to lows near $85,000 pushed the price of BTC down nearly 30 percent. For MicroStrategy, now rebranded as Strategy Inc., this isn’t a mere paper loss. The firm holds roughly 650,000 BTC, about 3.1 percent of total eventual supply. Under accounting rules it adopted, changes in Bitcoin’s market value hit its earnings directly.Posted the $BTC playbook. Invited the world. pic.twitter.com/GoU5ScF9WH— Strategy (@Strategy) June 22, 2025That kind of exposure turns a crypto crash into a corporate stress test.[#highlighted-links#] The New Fire-Extinguisher: A $1.44 B Cash ReserveOn December 1, 2025 Strategy announced it has parked $1.44 billion in USD to fund dividend and interest payments. The money came from newly issued Class A shares.Phong Le, CEO of @Strategy, spoke with @BloombergTV today on our $1.44B USD Reserve, continuity of dividends, mNAV valuation, and recent market FUD, including index inclusion. pic.twitter.com/iEAsZN4kDG— Strategy (@Strategy) December 2, 2025The idea is to cover at least 12 months of obligations, but the company said the reserve could eventually support up to 24 months. “Establishing a USD Reserve to complement our BTC Reserve marks the next step in our evolution, and we believe it will better position us to navigate short-term market volatility while delivering on our vision of being the world’s leading issuer of Digital Credit,” said Saylor. i.e. This is a buffer against short-term volatility as Bitcoin bounces around. At first glance this sounds like prudent risk management. But digging deeper it reveals. The cash reserve may be a sign Strategy is bracing for more pain, either from a deeper BTC slump or forced monetization of coins.Bitcoin Sales No Longer Off the TableMichael Saylor has long treated selling Bitcoin as heresy, but Strategy’s tone has shifted. In recent commentary highlighted across financial media, CEO Phong Le acknowledged that parting with some of the company’s Bitcoin is no longer unthinkable.In coverage of Strategy’s updated guidance, Le explained that although selling BTC is not the plan, there are scenarios where it could happen, particularly if the firm needed cash and had no other practical way to raise it. He described it as the “last resort,” not a strategic pivot.The statement doesn’t mean Strategy is preparing to dump coins onto the market. But it does mark the first time the leadership has openly accepted that selling is possible. With preferred dividend payments approaching at year-end and the company’s finances under closer scrutiny amid Bitcoin’s slide, some traders wondered whether Strategy might be forced into action.Based on its latest disclosures, that moment doesn’t appear imminent. The company has built a sizeable USD reserve to handle obligations, signaling that while selling Bitcoin is technically on the table, it is not expected to be part of Strategy’s immediate playbook.However, MicroStrategy has now acknowledged a scenario many once viewed as impossible: the company could, under pressure, sell some of its Bitcoin. In remarks highlighted by recent reporting, Le laid out the specific chain of events that would force the move. For a sale to happen, MicroStrategy’s stock would first need to trade below 1x mNAV, meaning the company’s market value drops under the value of its Bitcoin holdings. On top of that, the firm would need to be shut out of raising fresh capital through equity or debt. In other words, if markets refused to fund the company and its share price slipped beneath its Bitcoin valuation, a sale would shift from unthinkable to unavoidable.Why Traders Should Track StrategyStrategy isn’t a fringe player. It is widely viewed as the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin.If Saylor & co decide to dump a chunk of BTC, that could trigger panic among crypto-holders who look to institutional moves for cues. The resulting cascade could amplify downward pressure on price beyond what macro factors alone would do.Alternatively, if Strategy uses the cash reserve instead of selling, it might signal to investors that the downturn is survivable. That could stabilize sentiment, maybe even set the stage for a rebound if BTC slips enough to attract bargain-hunters.In either scenario, Strategy has become a market barometer. Traders ignoring its moves are gambling without checking the scoreboard.What It All Says: Bitcoin Is Not an IslandThe days when Bitcoin traded mainly on retail emotion may be over. As firms like Strategy pile hundreds of thousands of BTC onto their books, the crypto market becomes tightly interwoven with traditional corporate finance.When BTC crashes, it is not just individual wallets that bleed. Corporate treasuries, dividend commitments, equity dilution, debt servicing, all those elements feed into whether BTC gets dumped or held.Strategy’s recent reserve build and warning about potential sales show that even its CEO is hedging. That hedging could morph into selling, and if it does, it could accelerate the crash, or if it doesn’t, it could mark a shift toward treating Bitcoin as a long-term balance-sheet asset rather than a wild speculative ride.For traders and investors that means one thing: watch Strategy like you watch a central bank. Its moves may tell you more about Bitcoin’s direction than any chart or tweet. This article was written by Louis Parks at www.financemagnates.com.

Beeks Financial Cloud Group (LSE: BKS) secured two new contracts worth a combined $3.8 million, adding a major Canadian bank and expanding an existing partnership with a large Forex broker. However, the company did not disclose the names of the partners in the official announcement published today (Wednesday).Beeks Financial Lands $3.8M in New DealsThe AIM-listed company signed a three-year Private Cloud deal with the unnamed Canadian lender valued at $1.5 million. Separately, Beeks extended its relationship with an FX broker through an additional £2 million Proximity Cloud contract, bringing that client's total commitment to £4 million over five years. Both agreements are set to start generating revenue during the second half of the company's current fiscal year, which ends in June 2026."We have a wide range of opportunities progressing through our sales pipeline across the breadth of our product offering," CEO Gordon McArthur said in a statement.Exchange Deals Fuel Recent GrowthBeeks has been riding momentum from contracts with global exchanges after reporting 26% revenue growth to £35.9 million for the year ended June 30. The company tripled sales from its Proximity and Exchange Cloud products to £10.3 million, helped by deals with the Australian Securities Exchange, Mexico's Grupo Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, and crypto platform Kraken.After year-end, Beeks partnered with TMX Datalinx to power a new service called TMX Elastic Market Access, pending regulatory approval. That agreement gave Beeks another foothold in North America, where it has been working to expand its presence among financial institutions.The company now has contracts with six of the world's 30 largest exchanges and said four more top-30 venues are in final negotiation stages. Beeks switched some Exchange Cloud deals to a revenue-sharing model during its last fiscal year, a move meant to shorten sales cycles by reducing upfront costs for exchange partners.Private Cloud Bookings Pick UpThe Canadian bank deal marks another win for Beeks' Private Cloud unit, which lets clients run dedicated infrastructure inside their own facilities or third-party data centers. That business line helped push the company's annualized committed monthly recurring revenue to £31.5 million by September, up from £29.5 million at fiscal year-end in June.Beeks reported what it called a strong start to its current fiscal year for Private Cloud, though the segment has grown more slowly than the Exchange Cloud business. Private Cloud revenue rose 5% to £14.7 million last year, while Exchange and Proximity Cloud sales nearly tripled.Pipeline Reaches Record LevelsBeeks said its sales pipeline stands at record highs across all product lines, with multiple opportunities involving leading global financial institutions. The board repeated it expects to meet fiscal 2026 targets, though the year is still in early stages.Statutory profit before tax nearly doubled to £2.79 million last year from £1.46 million, while underlying profit before tax jumped 41% to £5.5 million. The company's gross profit margin improved to 40.9% from 39.8%.One major exchange contract won in the prior year was terminated during fiscal 2025, though Beeks said the financial impact would be minimal because the service hadn't fully launched. The company didn't name the exchange or disclose the contract size. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Five years ago, barriers to entry in the proprietary trading sector were nonexistent. A generic website and a white-label trading platform were all an operator needed to solicit retail clients. That era has ended. The sector now faces significant scrutiny from global financial watchdogs. This pressure forces firms to professionalise their operations or exit the market entirely.Retail traders often focused solely on profit splits or leverage limits in the past. Today, they ask different questions. They want to know where a firm is domiciled. They ask about audit trails. They scrutinise payout histories. This behavioural shift aligns with a broader move towards institutional maturity. Capital and governance regimes are under review in jurisdictions like the European Union. These reviews signal that proprietary trading is evolving into a space with high governance expectations.Ultimate Traders identified this trajectory early. The firm built its model on the premise that regulatory alignment is inevitable. It focused on operational transparency before marketing reach. This approach anticipates a market where compliance acts as the primary filter for long-term viability.Transparency replacing marketing claimsTrust in financial services relies on predictability. Traders need to know exactly how a firm evaluates performance. Vague terms and hidden clauses destroy confidence. Ultimate Traders integrates clear rule-based structures to counter this issue. The firm publishes unambiguous challenge terms and offers visible payout consistency. It maintains open-ended evaluation timing rather than imposing arbitrary deadlines.Marketing campaigns often promise financial freedom. Governance focuses on the mechanics of the relationship between the trader and the firm. A sustainable prop firm must operate like a financial institution rather than a gaming platform. This means clear dispute resolution processes must exist. It means risk controls must be applied consistently across all accounts.Data supports this approach. Firms that publish their operational guidelines attract a higher calibre of talent. Professional traders avoid platforms where the rules change mid-game. They seek partners that offer stability. Ultimate Traders aligns with these expectations by prioritising clarity over aggressive promotional tactics.The regulatory reality checkGlobal frameworks are tightening. The European Union is expanding license obligations under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II). This directive covers more types of proprietary trading activities than before. It brings rigorous reporting requirements and demands greater transparency regarding execution quality and conflicts of interest.Firms operating in the Middle East face similar changes. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) continues to refine its frameworks for financial entities. Prop firms expanding into these regions must understand cross-border implications. They cannot rely on a single offshore licence to cover global operations.Surveys indicate that firms in the EU already spend significantly more senior management time on regulatory compliance than their US counterparts. This is not an administrative bloat but a survival strategy. Operational discipline defines the winners in a regulated environment. Ultimate Traders prepares for these frameworks to ensure accessibility remains intact while safety standards rise.Governance attracts institutional interestRetail traders are not the only audience watching these developments. Institutional partners and technology providers assess the risk profile of prop firms before signing contracts. A firm with a reputation for loose compliance is a liability. Banks and liquidity providers avoid entities that lack robust Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols.Ultimate Traders positions itself as a partner for global growth. Strong governance ensures the firm can maintain relationships with top-tier technology providers. This benefits the end user. It guarantees platform stability and ensures better execution speeds. It protects the ecosystem from the abrupt shutdowns that plagued the industry in previous years.Compliance culture equals brand longevity. Responsible growth is the next evolution of the prop trading model. Firms that ignore this reality will struggle to secure the partnerships necessary to scale. Those who embrace it will define the standards for the next decade.A safer environment for talentThe ultimate beneficiary of this shift is the trader. A regulated and transparent environment levels the playing field. It removes the fear that a firm might disappear overnight. It allows traders to focus on their strategies rather than the solvency of their funding partner.Ultimate Traders demonstrates how this model works in practice. The firm does not sell a dream. It offers a professional environment for evaluation and funding. This distinction matters. It separates serious operators from opportunistic entrants.The industry is moving away from quick wins. It is moving toward sustainable operations. Ultimate Traders stands at the forefront of this transition. The firm invites market participants to examine its governance-driven approach at the company’s website. This is not just about following rules. It is about building a business that lasts. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Kalshi’s latest funding round turns an emerging niche in financial markets into one of the sector’s most closely watched experiments, as investors pour capital into platforms that let traders bet on real‑world events. The company’s valuation has more than doubled in a matter of weeks, underscoring how event‑based trading now attracts both institutional money and retail interest.​Valuation Jumps and Fresh CapitalKalshi said it raised $1 billion in new financing, lifting its valuation to about $11 billion, more than double the roughly $5 billion level it commanded less than two months ago.Kalshi Raises $1B at $11B Valuation, led by @paradigm https://t.co/mRM0ZLfl7y— Kalshi News (@KalshiNewsroom) December 2, 2025The earlier round saw the company secure $300 million at that $5 billion valuation, signaling a rapid repricing of the business as momentum in prediction markets builds.​The startup’s latest Series E round pulled in a roster of well‑known backers, including Sequoia, Andreessen Horowitz, Meritech Capital, IVP, ARK Invest, Anthos Capital, CapitalG and Y Combinator. The fresh capital gives Kalshi a sizeable war chest as competition intensifies and regulators pay closer attention to event‑driven trading platforms.​Kalshi operates a platform where users trade binary contracts tied to outcomes in politics, sports, economics and entertainment, effectively pricing the probability of specific events. Competitive Race with Polymarket and RobinhoodKalshi’s push comes as rivals move quickly to capture the same opportunity in event‑driven trading. Its biggest competitor, Polymarket, was reportedly in talks in October to raise capital at a valuation between $12 billion and $15 billion, a range that puts the two platforms in a similar league in investors’ eyes.​Mainstream trading players also test the waters. Retail brokerage Robinhood launched a prediction markets hub in its app earlier this year, giving its user base direct access to event‑based contracts and signaling that incumbents view the space as a growth channel rather than a curiosity at the fringe of finance.​Beyond headline valuations, Kalshi points to its operating metrics to justify the surge in investor interest. The company said weekly trading volumes now exceed $1 billion, more than 1,000% higher than in 2024, highlighting how quickly market participants adopt event‑linked contracts when they gain regulatory clarity and product depth.​Regulatory Breakthrough and Election ContractsKalshi’s expansion follows a closely watched legal battle with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) over whether it could list contracts linked to political events.After a successful court challenge, the startup gained approval to list markets tied to the U.S. presidential election, clearing a major hurdle for its strategy in one of the most sensitive areas of event‑based trading.​The company aims to integrate with more brokerages, pursue media partnerships and expand its product lineup, moves that could push prediction markets in front of a much wider audience of retail and professional traders.​ This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Kraken has agreed to acquire Backed Finance, a platform that issues blockchain-based tokens mirroring real-world securities such as individual stocks and exchange-traded funds. The exchange aims to pull these products closer to the core of its trading business as it prepares for a planned public listing in 2026.Deal Details and Strategic FitKraken already lists a range of tokenized stocks and ETFs that Backed issues, but the acquisition will allow the exchange to integrate issuance and trading under one roof.? We’re bringing @BackedFi, the company driving the issuance of xStocks, fully into Kraken.Why? Because tokenized equities won’t reach global scale without unified rails.With @xStocksFi now fully in-house, we’re accelerating the future of open, 24/7 capital markets ?…— Kraken (@krakenfx) December 2, 2025“Integrating Backed into Kraken strengthens the core architecture required for open and programmable capital markets. Unifying issuance, trading and settlement under one framework ensures the infrastructure for tokenized assets remains transparent, reliable and globally accessible,” commented Arjun Sethi, the Co-CEO of Kraken.However, the companies did not disclose financial terms, but Kraken described the deal as part of a broader investment program around real-world asset tokenization.​ Backed Finance, founded in 2021, has quickly become a key player in tokenized public equities.Earlier, Kraken collaborated with Trust Wallet to integrate its xStocks tokenized equities product into the self-custody wallet, enabling Trust Wallet users to purchase 60 different xStocks using various fiat currencies and to transfer these assets seamlessly across multiple blockchains, including Solana, BNB Chain, TRON, and Ethereum.Wall Street’s growing interest in tokenizationMeanwhile, the tokenization of traditional financial instruments has drawn attention from large asset managers and centralized exchanges. According to Bloomberg, BlackRock has issued a tokenized money-market fund that holds more than 2.3 billion US dollars in assets, highlighting institutional willingness to experiment with blockchain rails for familiar products.You may also find interesting: Prediction Markets Boom Draws CZ-Owned Trust Wallet, Joining MetaMask and Polymarket IntegrationSeveral centralized trading venues have rolled out tokenized stock and ETF markets this year, pitching 24/7 trading access and the ability to use tokenized securities as collateral in other crypto-native transactions.​Despite the adoption of tokenization, Kraken is against the idea of private stock tokenization. Sethi recently distinguished the exchange's tokenized stock offerings from competitors that provide digital shares in private companies. He described Robinhood's approach to tokenizing private equity as fundamentally flawed and risky for investors, emphasizing the differences in their business models.​Sethi rejected the increasing popularity of outright tokenizing private company equity, noting that investors encounter significant challenges when attempting to exit such positions due to liquidity and resale restrictions. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Pepperstone has launched a public search for a new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to lead the development of its “imminent” spot crypto exchange. This move signals the firm is building a high-level technical team to support its push into the digital asset space. In a LinkedIn post about the search, CEO Tamas Szabo connected the CTO role to the company’s growth plans, saying, “We're at an exciting time with the recent announcement of our imminent crypto expansion. We are looking for a CTO...”Szabo mentioned the upcoming cryptocurrency exchange launch at the AusCryptoCon convention in November. He also commented that there was “a little bit of fat on the bone” in the crypto exchange space, suggesting that current platforms charge too much.Just a year ago, Szabo struck a more reserved tone on crypto, noting during a panel discussion that broker adoption remained surprisingly low and expressing concern about crypto exchanges moving into the CFD market.A Senior Hire That Signals Full Infrastructure Build-OutThe CTO job description shows how ambitious Pepperstone is. The new CTO will lead a global technology team of over 300 people and set the company’s overall technology strategy. The role requires at least 10 years of senior leadership experience, including work in Forex & CFDs, Crypto, and Payments. The scope of responsibilities – covering engineering, architecture, security and data – indicates that Pepperstone is building a full in-house technology stack for its forthcoming exchange. Owning the core infrastructure, including order books and a matching engine, positions the company to compete on pricing and execution with established crypto trading venues. Once final regulatory approval in Australia is secured, the CTO appointment will be one of the final steps before the project moves from development into operational rollout.Regulatory Status: What Pepperstone Has – and What It Still Needs Pepperstone operates globally under multiple well-established licenses for its forex and CFD business. However, no specific regulator has yet granted a license to the firm’s new spot crypto exchange. The project, first announced at AusCryptoCon in late 2025, is still awaiting final regulatory approval in Australia. CEO Tamas Szabo did not specify which authority will oversee the exchange or what type of license the company is seeking. Today, the broker holds a wide range of traditional financial licenses, including authorizations from ASIC (Australia), FCA (United Kingdom), CySEC (Cyprus), BaFin (Germany), DFSA (UAE), CMA (Kenya), SCB (Bahamas). These licenses govern Pepperstone’s established FX and CFD operations and do not extend to a spot crypto exchange. The firm’s upcoming Australian approval will therefore be pivotal for determining the regulatory structure under which the new platform will operate. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Trade Republic Bank GmbH, based in Berlin, released its latest consolidated financial statements. The accounts received an unqualified audit opinion from BDO AG, marking the firm’s first full year operating under a full banking license, according to Unternehmensregister.de.Following the release of its audited statements, the firm reported a sharp rise in profit. The Group’s annual surplus reached €34.8 million, up from €14.1 million the previous year. Commission income remained the main revenue source at €315.6 million, while interest income increased to €22.9 million amid higher rates.Assets Surge as Profit Doubles FirmThe statements cover the fiscal year from October 2023 to September 2024. Total assets rose to €36.6 billion, more than four times the prior year, driven largely by client fiduciary assets, which reached €35.8 billion. Excluding these, the adjusted balance sheet total stood at €811 million. Growth followed rapid customer expansion and the launch of interest-bearing cash accounts.Company Plans Expansion Across Europe Next YearEquity increased to €566.5 million from €531.7 million. Regulatory capital and liquidity remained comfortably above minimum requirements, keeping the firm’s financial position stable.The ECB granted the bank a full banking license in December 2023, enabling expansion of its product range. During the year, the firm launched the Trade Republic Card, began passing ECB rates to clients on uninvested cash, and added bonds to its investment offering. The average number of employees rose to 605.Management confirmed the company remains a going concern. For the next fiscal year, it plans “further international expansion,” including France and Italy, along with additional banking product rollouts.German Neo Bank Targets Polish InvestorsAs part of its European expansion, the firm recently launched operations in Poland, marking its first market outside the eurozone. The platform provides local IBAN accounts, trading in zloty, and access to stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies, along with a savings account aligned with the Polish central bank’s deposit rate. The launch occurs in a competitive retail investment market, where established brokers have recently reduced fees. The firm also introduced access to private equity and credit funds through partnerships with Apollo Global Management and EQT. Polish operations are regulated by KNF and operate under the firm’s German banking license. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Changpeng Zhao’s Trust Wallet is rolling out new prediction market features, becoming the latest crypto wallet to enter into the prediction markets. The self-custodial platform, which counts over 220 million users, introduced a predictions section built into its existing Swaps page. With this step, users can reportedly browse through a list of events, take YES or NO positions, and see event outcomes all from the same interface.Introducing Predictions in Trust Wallet ?The first major wallet with native predictions.Trade sports, crypto, politics & more. All in one place & self-custodial.Powered by @MyriadMarkets (live). @Polymarket & @Kalshi coming soon.Update now: https://t.co/VHh3snlsip pic.twitter.com/LCOu9BbjTH— Trust Wallet (@TrustWallet) December 2, 2025According to the company, each opportunity appears in tokenized form, where community sentiment and market pricing are updated in real time. There is no need for a separate app and the feature is native and keeps the familiar mobile-first experience, the company explained.Growth and Integration TrendsTrust Wallet has opened with Myriad, a permissionless prediction market protocol operating on BNB Chain. Polymarket and Kalshi, two other major event-market platforms, are planning integrations in the upcoming weeks, a move Trust Wallet expects to broaden regional access and coverage.The launch followed surging activity in prediction markets, which shattered records in October. Kalshi and Polymarket together processed over $7.4 billion in trades during the period, the highest monthly volume these platforms have ever achieved.JUST IN: @MetaMask launches in-app perpetuals trading through @HyperliquidX with @Polymarket integration to follow. pic.twitter.com/1W68uH4KfI— CoinGecko (@coingecko) October 8, 2025Wallet-Based Event MarketsIn October, MetaMask, another top crypto wallet, announced plans to integrate Polymarket’s prediction markets through an exclusive partnership. The addition aims to let users in approved regions wager on real-world outcomes, such as elections, sports, and crypto price moves – directly in the wallet, while retaining self-custody.As major competitors like MetaMask move to enable in-wallet prediction trading, wallets are fast evolving into all-in-one hubs for tokens, opinions, and expectations. Geographic access is reportedly automatically managed by each underlying provider, with respect to regional restrictions. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

24 Exchange, a multi-asset trading platform, has named James W. Watson as its new Head of OTC Market Data. This move is part of the company’s plan to strengthen its data capabilities as it gets ready to offer extened-hours-trading. Watson shared this week that he has taken on a new London-based role, joining the company's 24X Bermuda Limited subsidiary. The appointment comes at a pivotal time for 24 Exchange, which recently received SEC approval to become the first national exchange to operate on a 23/5 basis, with plans to expand further. This hire shows 24 Exchange’s commitment to building a strong data infrastructure for its global, multi-asset trading platform. Reliable OTC market data is key for providing liquidity and accurate pricing in asset classes like FX Swaps and Forwards, which are core to the company’s services. Watson brings years of experience in financial data. Before joining 24X, he spent over seven years at TraditionDATA, where he became Global Head of Data Sales & Marketing, and also worked as Chief Revenue Officer at NowCM. His background in developing and selling data products fits 24 Exchange’s goal to offer strong data solutions for institutional clients. By hiring a data-focused leader like Watson, 24 Exchange is taking an important step toward its goal of changing traditional market hours and offering smooth access to FX and securities on its global trading platform. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

UK fund managers plan to expand their FX hedging next year, according to a new report. Around 48% expect to increase hedge ratios, and 46% plan to extend hedge lengths. In contrast, 19% expect to reduce hedge ratios, and 7% plan to shorten tenors.Hedging costs rose by an average of 69% over the past year. 19% said their costs more than doubled, and 27% said rising costs are their main concern. Cost transparency and cost reduction were also top priorities.[#highlighted-links#] 54% of managers not currently hedging are now considering it. The plans reflect ongoing volatility in sterling, the report by MillTech said.UK Funds Turn to Automation, AIMillTech CEO Eric Huttman said that “2025 has been a challenging year” for UK fund managers. He pointed to “unprecedented currency volatility” and said rising costs have made hedging harder. He added that “staying unhedged is the bigger gamble.” He also noted that many managers still rely on manual processes and that “the future of FX management” will be shaped by automated systems in 2026.Automation is a growing focus. 42% of funds said automating manual processes is their top operational goal. Reporting, price discovery, and trade execution were the main targets. AI adoption is also rising. 25% already use AI in FX processes, while 30% are actively exploring it.Sterling Volatility Hits UK Fund ManagersSterling had a volatile year. In July, it reached a four-year high against the dollar, then posted its worst monthly performance since 2022. The moves followed changes in US trade policy and rising global uncertainty. Despite this, 81% of funds said they hedge predictable FX exposure, but 95% still reported losses from unhedged FX risk.The findings come from the MillTech UK Fund Manager CFO FX Report 2025, based on a survey of more than 250 senior finance decision makers. The report examines how firms are adjusting hedging strategies and their use of automation and AI.Outsourcing Supports Scalability, Risk ManagementInterest in digital platforms is increasing. One-third of fund managers said their ideal FX solution is a digital, multi-bank platform with advanced automation. Manual processes remain common, with 47% of FX instructions sent by email and 45% by phone.Use of FX options continues to grow. 91% of UK funds increased their use over the past year. The main FX challenges listed were high costs, forecasting risk, manual workflows, access to credit, and regulatory pressure.Outsourcing remains part of the strategy. The main reasons were scalability and flexibility, focus on core business, and support for risk and compliance functions. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Bitcoin (BTC) is staging a recovery today, trading with renewed volatility following a brutal start to the week. As of this writing on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the world's leading cryptocurrency has rebounded over 1% from yesterday's lows, establishing a session high of $87,628.However, this green candle masks a precarious technical reality. Yesterday, Bitcoin suffered its largest single-day decline since March, shedding over 6% in a liquidation event that caught late bulls off guard. While the price has found local support around $84,000, a level that served as a critical floor in late April, market structure suggests this may be a temporary reprieve rather than a reversal.The collision of a technical "Death Cross," institutional "bull traps," and looming macroeconomic shifts suggests that Bitcoin may have one final, painful leg down to $74,000 before the true parabolic run to $130,000 begins in 2026.In the background is also Saxo Bank’s “outrageous prediction,” which targets a level of zero on the BTC chart. Could analysts be right? I examine this in the article below.Why is Bitcoin Falling? The Anatomy of a Bull TrapTo understand why is Bitcoin falling despite the broader bullish sentiment, we must look at the price action of late November. The rally observed toward the end of last month has now been confirmed as a classic "bull trap."On November 28, Bitcoin price action painted a textbook bearish signal: a bearish pin bar candle formed precisely at the resistance zone I have been monitoring between $92,000 and $94,000. This rejection was the first domino. Since that failed breakout, the market has been in a steady decline, clearly reversing from those highs.Currently, the support at $84,000 is holding, but the technical damage is significant. This level is likely functioning as a "pit stop" rather than a bottom. The breakdown was exacerbated by macroeconomic jitters, as noted by Paul Howard, Director at Wincent:"The potential rate hike news from BoJ took many in the markets by surprise and led to a pulldown in risk assets generally overnight in Europe... Cryptocurrency continues to be the risk-on asset class and a bellwether of macro-economic events 24x7."Along with Bitcoin, XRP also fell on Monday, which I wrote about here. For the cryptocurrency, it was the biggest drop in a month, and technical analysis shows room for a further 20% declineBitcoin Price Prediction And The Road to $74,000My bearish case and Bitcoin price prediction for the immediate term is supported by two powerful technical indicators: the Fibonacci extension and the dreaded "Death Cross."1. The Death CrossThe medium-term outlook has turned decidedly bearish due to a "Death Cross" formation on the daily chart, where the 50-day moving average has crossed below the 200-day moving average. Historically, this lagging indicator signals a period of momentum exhaustion and often precedes a deeper capitulation event to flush out leverage.2. The $74,000 TargetWhile retail traders are hoping for a bounce at $84K, "Smart Money" appears to be waiting lower. My analysis points to $74,000 as the ultimate bearish objective. This level is critical for two reasons:Fibonacci Confluence: It aligns perfectly with the 161.8% Fibonacci extension of the recent correction wave.Liquidity: This zone represents a massive pool of uncollected liquidity. It is the "maximum pain" point where stop-losses from eager longs will be hunted.Kamil Szczepański, Financial Markets Analyst at XTB, warns that losing the current levels could accelerate the drop:"Bitcoin price is rebounding slightly after yesterday's almost 6% sell-off to $86.5K USD, but looking at two previous corrections in this bull market, we see that the tendency to 'retest lows' exists... A potential drop below $81,000 could trigger another strong sell impulse."Szczepański highlights that breaking $81K risks falling below the Glassnode "True Market Mean," a historical indicator of entering a bearish phase.The 2026 BTC Outlook: From Capitulation to $130,000Despite the immediate bearish technicals, the long-term thesis remains aggressively bullish. I remain a "bull in bear's clothing." The anticipated drop to $74,000 is not the end of the cycle. It is a re-accumulation zone.Order book data from major futures exchanges shows a dense "net" of buy orders waiting in the low $70K region. Large institutions are likely positioning to scoop up Bitcoin at these discounted prices after "the street" (retail investors) has capitulated.My Prediction: Once the $74,000 test is complete, clearing out weak hands, we will likely see a V-shaped recovery in early 2026.Target 1: Reclaiming the All-Time High (ATH) of $126,000.Target 2: A breakout above $130,000 before the end of Q1 2026.This bullish view is supported by the macro-constructive outlook of Joel Kruger, Crypto Strategist at LMAX Group:"The macro backdrop is lending a supportive undertone, with markets leaning toward a Fed rate cut... A softer dollar is helping sustain risk appetite... Within the crypto ecosystem, attention is centered on ETF inflows, rising on-chain activity, and a rebound in stablecoin issuance, signals that institutional demand remains durable."The "Black Swan": Saxo Bank’s Outrageous Bitcoin Prediction 2026While technicals paint a picture of a correction followed by a rally, investors must always account for "tail risks." In their newly released "Outrageous Predictions 2026", Saxo Bank outlines a scenario that could upend the entire digital asset market: The Arrival of Q-Day.Will Taylor Swifts wedding set off a global economic boom??‍♀️?‍♂️??This is only one of the outrageous predictions our strategists have made for 2026, and the full list is even wilder.Each year Saxos strategy team reveals a new set of bold and thought provoking predictions that… pic.twitter.com/0026VM8Uke— Saxo (@saxobank) December 2, 2025Neil Wilson, Saxo’s UK Investor Strategist, hypothesizes a scenario where quantum computing breaks standard cryptography earlier than expected.“Markets move first. Crypto is hit hardest. Old bitcoin addresses start to look vulnerable, prompting exchanges to freeze withdrawals as a rush for the exits turns into a stampede. Bitcoin collapses toward zero” – Wilson predicts.The Scenario: A quantum computer proves it can break today's digital security standards, rendering crypto wallets vulnerable.The Impact: In this "outrageous" prediction, Bitcoin collapses toward zero as trust in digital encryption evaporates. Investors rush for physical assets, sending Gold rocketing toward $10,000.The Outcome: A massive transfer of wealth from "digital gold" (Bitcoin) to "physical gold" and a global "maintenance weekend" to upgrade banking infrastructure.While this is a low-probability event designed to provoke thought, it underscores the importance of diversification. If $74k holds, the path is to $130k. If quantum encryption breaks, the paradigm shifts entirely.Patience is the StrategyThe market is currently punishing impatience. The rebound to $87,628 today is encouraging, but the technical structure warns of one final flush.For traders and investors, the strategy is clear:Watch $81,000: A break below this level validates the trip to $74k.Wait for $74,000: This is the high-probability zone for institutional accumulation.Target $130,000: Once the leverage is flushed, the Q1 2026 rally should be swift and violent.As Paul Howard notes, even with short-term volatility and exploits, the "structural changes allowing institutional participation" are creating a healthy long-term landscape. The bull run isn't over; it's just shaking out the tourists before the next leg up.Before you leave, please also check my previous BTC price prediction and follow my X for up-to-date analytical clues:Bitcoin Price Analysis, FAQHow low can Bitcoin go? Based on Fibonacci extensions and liquidity zones, the technical target for this correction is $74,000. However, a breakdown below $81,000 is the key confirmation signal needed for this move.Why is Bitcoin falling today? Bitcoin is facing a technical hangover from the "bull trap" set at $92,000 on November 28. The market is also digesting macroeconomic shifts, including BoJ rate hike fears and profit-taking after the November rally.What is the Bitcoin price prediction for 2026? Following the anticipated correction to $74,000, the forecast for Q1 2026 is bullish, with a target to break the previous All-Time High of $126,000 and surpass $130,000.Is the crypto bull market over? Likely not. Most analysts view this as a healthy correction within a broader uptrend. However, Saxo Bank warns of "outrageous" risks like Quantum Computing breakthroughs that could destabilize the market, though these remain low-probability "black swan" events. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Once synonymous with midnight queues, doorbuster chaos, and cart-stuffing impulsivity, Black Friday — the world’s biggest discount season — is quietly undergoing a structural reset. Consumers, especially younger and more financially aware ones, are beginning to treat this period not as a hunt for short-lived bargains, but as a moment to strengthen their long-term financial position.And this shift isn’t about the recent pre–Black Friday stock market drop or any overdue technical correction washing out speculators. It runs deeper. After years of rising financial literacy, tighter budgets, and a growing skepticism toward mindless consumption, people are increasingly turning to investment opportunities — from discounted brokerage tiers to promo-driven alternative assets — instead of chasing yet another flash sale. Black Friday is evolving from a season of spending into a season of investing and preserving. Here’s what that transformation looks like.A Mindset Shift Driven by Economic RealityThe consumer psychology behind Black Friday isn’t changing because people have suddenly lost interest in discounts. The economic landscape has quietly and persistently reshaped its priorities. In 2025, high inflation, tighter budgets, and prolonged uncertainty continue to pressure households, forcing many to reassess what “value” really means. For example, the global economy has effectively split into what economists call a “K-shaped” recovery: one group has benefited from rising wages and asset growth, while the other struggles as income fails to keep up with inflation. In Europe, real wages that fell sharply in 2022–2023 managed to recover only partially in 2024–2025, making lower-income households spend a higher share of income on essentials. Consumers feel the shift every time they open their banking app or grocery bill.The data reflects this growing pressure. According to Deloitte’s 2025 Holiday Outlook, 57% of consumers expect the economy to weaken in the next six months — the most pessimistic reading since tracking began in 1997. With confidence this low, non-essential spending is the first to go. Holiday budgets are set to drop by 10%, and even Black Friday–Cyber Monday — typically one of the most resilient shopping periods — is expected to see its first decline in four years, down 4%. The sharpest shift comes from Gen Z, who plan to cut spending by 34%, making them the most cautious cohort this season.Saving Instead of SpendingBlack Friday hasn’t lost its allure — it has simply evolved. What was once a race to grab the best discount has expanded into a broader conversation about financial priorities. Today, many consumers are asking not just, “How much can I save today?” but “How much can I grow in the long term?”. For Millennials and Gen Z, this shift has been building for years, shaped by tighter budgets, financial uncertainty, and growing awareness of wealth-building tools.The numbers tell the story. 59% of Gen Z aged 18 to 25 say a well-funded savings account is a top priority. Beyond saving, younger consumers increasingly see investing as a default strategy for stability, not an optional skill reserved for finance professionals. Even during seasons traditionally dominated by shopping sprees, like Black Friday and the holiday rush, Millennials and Gen Z are more likely to think in terms of growing their money rather than depleting it.Digital behavior mirrors this trend. Interest in financial alternatives spikes as the holiday shopping season approaches. Google searches for “investment Black Friday” climbed sharply, peaking on 11 November 2025, before dropping and gradually recovering by the end of the month. European countries dominate the top-10 search volumes, with the UK ranking fifth. South Korea leads the pack, generating almost twice the search volume of the US, which comes in second. This global pattern underscores that the mindset shift toward investing over spending resonates with younger, digitally engaged audiences worldwide. This tendency is also reflected in crowdlending platform behavior. According to Alexander Lang, CFO & Co-Founder of Maclear:“We are seeing the same pattern among our users. Even during peak spending periods like Black Friday, a growing number of clients choose to allocate part of their funds into investment portfolios or fixed-return products rather than spending the entire amount. This signals a more conscious and financially mature approach to money management.”What Does an “Investment Black Friday” Look Like?Fintech platforms are adjusting their offers to meet a new kind of consumer demand, where value takes center stage. According to Deloitte, seven in ten shoppers across all income groups engage in value-seeking behaviors. Consumers are making frugal trade-offs: choosing affordable retailers over preferred ones or redeeming loyalty points. This mindset has translated naturally into the investment world: people are seeking ways to maximize returns on every euro, rather than simply spending it.Retail investors are increasingly equipped for this shift. Platforms such as Robinhood now boast over 23 million funded accounts, Revolut reports more than 3 million users trading stocks and crypto, and European platforms like Trade Republic and eToro continue to expand rapidly. Meanwhile, financial content has gone mainstream: investing tutorials on TikTok and YouTube rack up millions of views each month, reflecting growing interest from younger generations in learning and participating in the markets.For Black Friday, these platforms roll out special, lucrative offers. Discounted trading fees, bonus deposits, or increased rates like a +1% APR voucher from Maclear are typical tools to attract both new and seasoned investors. Some launch campaigns to increase engagement such as a giveaway from 8lends, a crypto crowdlending platform: it included cash rewards, slots in a closed high-yield pool and NFTs. Sometimes, giveaways elaborate into a more complex yet retention-driven mechanics — competitions similar to the upcoming New Year raffle from Maclear with tangible rewards and luxury travel packages.Final ThoughtsFinancial markets now have their own versions of Black Friday. Some brokers run zero-fee trading days, investment apps offer cashback or boosted interest on deposits, and select platforms provide exclusive access to premium financial products. These initiatives prove that the Black Friday concept exists in finance, but in a fragmented way. A coordinated Invest Friday could unify these offers into a single, widely recognized event. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Vanguard Group has revised its long-held policy on digital assets and will now allow trading of cryptocurrency ETFs on its platform. The shift marks a departure from the company’s previous public stance, which characterised crypto as excessively speculative and unsuitable for long-term portfolios. The change reflects growing client demand and the rapid expansion of the market, highlighted by the success of BlackRock’s IBIT Bitcoin ETF, which has gathered roughly $70 billion in assets under management. By maintaining restrictions, Vanguard had been directing part of its client base toward competing providers. The firm’s earlier position was articulated by Janel Jackson, Vanguard’s global head of ETF Capital Markets: “In Vanguard’s view, crypto is more of a speculation than an investment.”She noted that digital assets “have no inherent economic value, generate no cash flow, and can introduce unnecessary volatility into a portfolio.” A Limited Policy Adjustment, Not a Strategic Pivot The updated framework is a limited adjustment rather than a full strategic pivot. Under the new policy, Vanguard will allow trading most regulated crypto ETFs from third-party managers, treating them similarly to other non-core assets such as gold.Starting tmrw vanguard will allow ETFs and MFs tracking bitcoin and select other cryptos to begin trading on their platform. They cite how the ETfs have been tested performed as designed through multiple periods of volatility. Story via @emily_graffeo pic.twitter.com/AKhMdR7pab— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) December 1, 2025However, the company will continue restricting products tied to highly speculative meme coins, refrain from launching proprietary crypto funds and instead focus on providing access to external offerings. Explaining the change, Andrew Kadjeski, head of brokerage and investments, said: “Cryptocurrency ETFs and mutual funds have been tested through periods of market volatility… investor preferences continue to evolve.” The decision comes more than a year after former BlackRock executive Salim Ramji, who has previously discussed the potential of blockchain technologies, was appointed as Vanguard’s CEO. His arrival had prompted expectations that the firm might eventually reconsider its approach to digital assets. While the update does not signal a fundamental shift in Vanguard’s investment philosophy, it indicates a growing need to accommodate client interest in regulated crypto products and acknowledges the asset class's increasing relevance within the broader ETF market.Market Context: A Volatile Backdrop for Digital Assets The policy shift comes at a moment when cryptocurrency markets are experiencing renewed volatility. After briefly trading above $126,000 in October, Bitcoin has since fallen below $86,000 in early December, underscoring the asset’s sensitivity to shifts in broader risk sentiment. Analysts describe the pullback as part of a broader risk-off tone heading into December, with investors reducing exposure to higher-volatility assets amid macroeconomic uncertainty and signs of buyer exhaustion following the strong rally earlier in the autumn. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Saxo Bank, a provider of online trading, investing, and wealth management solutions, has announced it now serves 1.5 million clients. The increase reflects the ongoing trend of individual investors taking a more active role in managing their portfolios.In May last year, Saxo Bank said its client assets reached DKK 800billion ($116.1billion), a record for the Danish broker, which had more than 1.2million clients at the time. Founder and CEO Kim Fournais attributed the growth to lower prices, a broad product range, and the ability for clients to diversify portfolios.AI Integration Supports Saxo Bank GrowthFournais also expressed gratitude for the work of the bank’s employees and the “trust of its clients and partners”.He added that the bank is exploring ways to improve its platforms, including integrating artificial intelligence to enhance the personalised trading and investing experience. “Our goal is to make it easier for clients to invest in multiple assets and diversify their portfolios,” he said.The client increase follows a period of strong financial performance. In March, Saxo Bank reported a net profit of DKK 1,005 million for 2024, up from DKK 260 million in 2023, an increase of 287%. The growth reflects both the rising number of clients and higher assets under management. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Alon Cohen Naznin, the Group Chief Operations Officer of Plus500, has bought more than £1 million worth of the London-listed retail broker’s shares. According to an RNS filing with the London Stock Exchange, he purchased the shares yesterday (Monday).The filing shows that Naznin bought 32,000 Plus500 shares for £33.03 each in a single transaction, putting the total value of the deal at £1,056,960.A Good Time to Buy PLUS Stock?Naznin is a long-time employee at Plus500, having spent almost a decade with the broker. He has held the Group COO role for more than five years. He was also the CEO of the Plus500BG unit but stepped down from that role last year, according to his LinkedIn profile.He bought the PLUS shares when the company’s stock price was rising. The shares have gained about 31 per cent since the beginning of 2025, while their value has doubled over the past five years.[#highlighted-links#] Institutions See Value in Plus500The London-listed company is also attracting institutional backers. FinanceMagnates.com earlier reported that Artemis Investment Management has acquired more than 5 per cent of the shares in Plus500, while American asset manager Capital Group has bought a 5.44 per cent stake.According to the filings, BlackRock is the largest shareholder in Plus500, holding about a 6 per cent stake, while JPMorgan has a 5.1 per cent stake.Despite operating in the leveraged retail trading space, which is often considered a high-risk industry, Plus500 has maintained a strong balance sheet with a substantial cash reserve.The company is now expanding aggressively outside the over-the-counter niche and is specifically targeting the US futures markets. It generated $182.7 million in revenue in Q3 2025 with an EBITDA of $82.7 million. About 15 per cent of total group revenue came from its non-OTC business, along with 18 per cent of new customers. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

UK EMIR Shift Sets the Tone for 2026 as Firms Brace for Tougher Data RulesRegulators are ending the year with firm signals that compliance work will stay intense well into 2026. The December 2025 Finance Magnates Intelligence Compliance Report highlights two changes that stand out for both traditional and digital finance firms.The first is the UK EMIR reporting update. The FCA and the Bank of England have finalised new guidance, field rules, and XML schemas that will come into effect in January 2026. These changes bring stricter data checks and clearer alignment rules that will reach far beyond clearing firms. Any firm reporting derivatives will need to prepare for tighter scrutiny and stronger internal controls.? DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE REPORTAt the same time, Hong Kong has shifted course on crypto. The SFC has lifted the 12-month trading restriction and introduced broad reforms under its ASPIRe plan. Licensed platforms may now share order books with offshore partners and offer more tokenised products, but only if they meet higher cross-border standards. For exchanges with global plans, this opens the door to growth while also raising the compliance bar.Reasons to Access the Free December 2025 Compliance Report1. Clear summary of the new UK EMIR rules. Understand what changes in January 2026 and what teams must prepare.2. Insight on Hong Kong’s new crypto rules. See what the lifted limits mean for trading platforms and cross-border work.3. Fast action points for compliance teams. Short, direct guidance that cuts through long regulator notes.4. Early signals for 2026 planning. Get a view of what rules and risks will matter most as the new year starts.5. Updated fines, warnings, and risk trends. Stay aware of the latest enforcement moves that may affect your firm.6. Strong year-end guidance in one place. A single source that helps teams act with confidence during a busy period.? DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE REPORTThis month’s report also includes updated enforcement notes, key rule changes, and the latest risk warnings to close out the year. These signals make one thing clear: firms that stay. This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.

At the Finance Magnates London Summit 2025 (FMLS:25), ATFX Connect participated in several key institutional panels and was honoured with the Best B2B Liquidity Provider (Prime of Prime) award for its role in delivering liquidity solutions to institutional clients globally. This award stands as a testament to ATFX Connect’s authentic Prime of Prime services, offering efficient access to multiple liquidity sources with flexible solutions tailored for institutional clients.Among ATFX Connect’s representatives at the event, Wei Qiang Zhang, Managing Director of ATFX Connect Global, was featured on the “Leaders Panel: ‘Thank You, Donald!’”, sharing C-level insights on market volatility, AI integration, and how the industry’s US-dominated role has shifted amid tariffs and changing regulatory landscapes in 2025. Drew Niv, Chief Strategy Officer of ATFX, spoke on the “All-Star Panel: Next Industry Trends”, covering AI, market structure, and automation shaping 2026. He also participated in the discussion and debate on “Is Prop Trading Good for the Trading Industry?”, sharing ATFX’s views on the funded-account model’s value and regulatory challenges associated with evolving trading frameworks. On the regional front, Hormoz Faryar, Managing Director of ATFX Connect MEA, provided expert analysis on geopolitical tensions, trade dynamics, and their influence on FX and commodities markets during the “Macro Outlook: Economic Rifts Between Trade Wars & Actual Ones” panel. Joining him, Gonzalo Cañete, Global Chief Market Strategist of ATFX, shared views on global economic cycles, currency flows, and risk factors shaping the trading environment. ATFX Connect’s presence at FMLS:25, with its award-winning institutional liquidity solutions and strategic expertise, reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting clients worldwide with reliable liquidity services and institutional market insights. About ATFX ConnectATFX Connect is a trading name of AT Global Markets (UK) Limited (authorised and regulated by the FCA), AT Global Markets (Australia) Pty Limited (authorised and regulated by ASIC), and AT Global Financial Services (HK) Limited (authorised and regulated by the SFC). Connect is the Institutional arm of the wider ATFX Group. ATFX Connect offersInstitutional and Professional traders an extensive range of services for both Agency PB and Margin accounts, provides bespoke aggregated liquidity in Spot FX, NDFs, indices, Commodities and Precious metals to a wide range of institutional clients from hedge funds, Tier 1 and regional banks, high net worth investors, asset managers, family offices and other brokers. ATFX Connect's liquidity pool is constructed from Tier 1 banks and non-bank providers that it has partnered with, trading in both sweepable and full amount forms. Agency PB Clients can connect via direct FIX API, external technology solutions or via our own trading platform. For margin clients, ATFX Connect provides market access via the group's MT4/MT5 platform and provides a bridge solution for those who wish to connect via FIX API.For further information on ATFX Connect, please visit ATFX Connect website https://www.atfxconnect.com. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.