U.S. Bancorp revealed on Monday that it has completed its acquisition of BTIG, effective 1 June, bringing the institutional brokerage’s capabilities in equity sales and trading, equity capital markets, electronic trading, and mergers and acquisitions advisory into the American bank’s growing capital markets platform. Founded in 2005, BTIG specialises in investment banking, institutional sales and trading, research, and prime brokerage.  The firm ranks among the top ten US brokers by high-touch equity volume and has participated in more than 1,350 announced investment banking transactions since 2015. “Our teams are energized to get started and begin working together, combining deep market expertise with the strength of our broader franchise to create more opportunities for the firms and institutions we serve,” commented Gunjan Kedia, chairman and chief executive of U.S. Bancorp. Stephen Philipson, vice chair and head of wealth, corporate, commercial, and institutional banking at U.S. Bancorp, described BTIG’s capabilities as “highly complementary” to the bank’s capital markets platform, strengthening its ability to serve corporate and institutional clients across a broader range of needs. Anton LeRoy, chief executive of BTIG, said the acquisition marked an “important next chapter,” highlighting shared cultural alignment and a long history of collaboration with U.S. Bancorp.  He added that the combination would allow deeper client relationships supported by the scale of a larger, diversified financial institution. LeRoy will remain in his role as BTIG chief executive, reporting to Philipson. BTIG co-founder and executive chairman Steven Starker will continue his day-to-day client-facing and business development responsibilities. BTIG will operate as a separate broker-dealer within U.S. Bancorp.The post U.S. Bancorp Completes Acquisition of BTIG first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Capital.com has launched a comprehensive redesign of its mobile trading app and brand identity, centred on a single guiding principle: helping clients make better decisions. The updated platform, available globally on iOS and Android from May 2026, is the result of extensive client research and feedback. According to the London-headquartered online trading firm, users demanded more context, less noise, and interfaces that encourage considered engagement rather than impulsive action. Three headline features anchor the redesigned app. An AI assistant allows traders to search markets, platform features, and FAQs without disrupting their workflow, surfacing relevant information precisely when needed. A new trading analytics tool provides a real-time view of individual trading patterns, enabling users to review their performance before executing their next move. Finally, a refined single home screen consolidates positions, market conditions, and watchlists, eliminating the need to toggle between multiple views. The visual overhaul is equally deliberate. Capital.com has adopted a simplified three-colour system — Midnight, Light, and Gold — designed to keep user focus on data rather than interface aesthetics. Chief Product Officer Sasha Gubochkin said the redesign was tested against one consistent benchmark: “Does this help the client understand their situation more accurately before they decide?” “Well-designed interfaces reduce the cognitive load on clients under pressure,” Gubochkin added. “The updated platform is structured to present information clearly, support conscious engagement, and reduce unnecessary urgency. Every change was tested against one question: does this help the client understand their situation more accurately before they decide?”The post Capital.com Overhauls Mobile App and Brand Identity first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Australian federal prosecutors have discontinued insider trading charges against Andrew Corner, former chief financial officer (CFO) of collapsed ASX-listed technology company Big Un Limited, after a jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (CDPP) confirmed the decision to drop proceedings following a five-week trial that concluded on 30 March 2026 with a hung jury. The CDPP determined not to pursue a retrial, citing the Prosecution Policy of the Commonwealth. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has since declared the matter finalised. Corner had originally been charged in April 2023 over allegations that he orchestrated the sale of approximately 1.7 million Big Un shares — worth more than $5 million — through private companies under his control while in possession of inside information. The development marks a significant chapter in Australia’s longest-running corporate enforcement saga tied to Big Un’s spectacular 2018 collapse, which wiped out investor wealth and triggered a sweeping regulatory crackdown. Notably, former Big Un CEO Richard Evans — previously known as Evertz — pleaded guilty in April 2026 to one charge of unlawfully communicating inside information to a shareholder, and is due to be sentenced in August 2026. Big Un was delisted from the ASX in 2018 after being placed into voluntary administration and subsequently entering liquidation.The post Insider Trading Charges Against Big Un’s Former CFO Dropped After Hung Jury first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

European payments giant Worldline has finalised the sale of its Mobility & e-Transactional Services division to French technology consultancy Magellan Partners Group, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s strategic pivot back to its core payments business. The transaction, announced on 1 June 2026, carries an enterprise value of €400 million, with net cash proceeds of approximately €280 million — landing comfortably within Worldline’s previously guided range of €250M–€300M. The roughly €120 million gap between enterprise value and net proceeds reflects separation costs, pension obligations, debt-like items, and capital gains tax, with a further ~€40 million of cash held within the divested entity excluded from proceeds. The divestment forms a key pillar of Worldline’s North Star 2030 strategic plan, which targets a sharpened focus on payment services across Europe. CEO Pierre-Antoine Vacheron called the closing “a key milestone in the execution of our North Star plan, achieved on schedule despite the complexity of the operation,” adding that the group’s ambition is to become “the leading partner for merchants and financial institutions.” Worldline will provide transitional technology and software services to Magellan Partners to ensure operational continuity during a handover period. The deal is the latest in a string of disposals that also includes Worldline North America, Cetrel, PaymentIQ, and several Asia-Pacific businesses. Combined net cash proceeds from all announced divestitures are estimated at €590M–€640M, with funds expected to be received throughout 2026, meaningfully strengthening Worldline’s balance sheet and freeing capital for redeployment into its European payments core.The post Worldline Completes €400M Sale of Mobility & e-Transactional Services Unit to Magellan Partners first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

X Open Hub, the institutional liquidity and execution services business, has rebranded as XTB Institutional, aligning its market identity more closely with its parent, the Warsaw Stock Exchange-listed XTB Group. The rebrand is said to reflect the evolution of the business, which has increasingly focused on providing institutional-grade liquidity and execution services to brokers, banks, and professional market participants.  The company explained that the change is designed to make the connection with XTB Group more visible, giving partners and prospects greater clarity about the organisation behind the offering. XTB Group operates under established regulatory frameworks and publishes financial results on a regular basis, providing a level of transparency the company said is especially valuable in B2B finance, where governance and long-term stability are a priority. The rebrand is intended to make those credentials more immediately apparent to existing and prospective partners. “This rebrand is not changing what our partners value us for. It is about making our identity clearer, stronger and more aligned with the Group behind our institutional business,” said Łukasz Mazurek, broker solution specialist at XTB Institutional. The core institutional offering remains unchanged. The company’s partners continue to have access to multi-asset liquidity and execution solutions across more than 5,000 instruments, including foreign exchange, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies.  The same relationship managers and technical support teams will continue to service existing clients under the new name.The post X Open Hub Rebrands as XTB Institutional first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

US retail trading platform tastytrade has been censured and fined $200,000 by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority after the regulator said it found the firm had failed to accurately report customer complaints over a four-year period. According to FINRA’s Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent, tastytrade violated FINRA Rules 4530(d) and 2010 between at least January 2020 and December 2023 by failing to submit accurate statistical and summary information regarding written customer complaints on a quarterly basis, as required.  A sample review of customer communications from six non-consecutive weeks during that period is said to have found the firm received but failed to report at least 71 written complaints covering a range of subject matters. FINRA also found that tastytrade, owned by FTSE 250 firm IG Group, violated Rules 3110 and 2010 by failing to establish, maintain, and enforce a supervisory system with written procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with its complaint reporting obligations.  Whilst the company required staff to escalate customer grievances to its compliance department, its training and written procedures lacked specific factors to guide representatives in determining whether escalation was warranted. The firm, formerly known as tastyworks before a name change in February 2023, has been a FINRA member since March 2016 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. In early 2024, tastytrade revised its training and guidance to include clearer criteria for identifying reportable complaints. Tastytrade neither admitted nor denied the findings as part of the settlement.The post Tastytrade Fined $200,000 by FINRA first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

TrueLayer, a European Pay by Bank network, revealed last week that it has acquired in3, a Dutch fintech specialising in consumer credit via bank payments, making it the only Pay by Bank network on the continent to offer both debit and credit at the point of checkout. Founded in the Netherlands, in3 is a Buy Now Pay Later provider serving millions of consumers and thousands of merchants.  Unlike conventional BNPL firms built on card infrastructure, in3 developed a credit model designed specifically for account-to-account payments, with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. The acquisition allows consumers to choose between paying immediately or over time through the same Pay by Bank experience, with credit delivered directly from their bank account and authenticated at the point of transaction.  TrueLayer said Buy Now Pay Later would be its first credit product to launch, with longer-duration credit products to follow later this year. Francesco Simoneschi, chief executive and co-founder of TrueLayer, said: “Today we are doing for credit what we have already achieved for debit. For the first time, consumers can choose to pay instantly or over time, directly from their bank account, through the same Pay by Bank experience they already know.  “With the addition of in3’s team and their deep expertise in consumer credit, we now have the people, the network and the products to build a truly independent European payments alternative to the card networks.” TrueLayer’s network reaches more than 25 million consumers across 22 countries and processes over $150 billion in annualised payment volume.  The acquisition follows TrueLayer’s purchase of Swedish paytech Zimpler in October 2025 and arrives ahead of the first wave of FCA regulation for the UK deferred payment credit sector, due to take effect in July 2026.The post TrueLayer Acquires Dutch BNPL Firm in3 first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

The Travel Rule Universal Solution Technology (TRUST) network has announced a series of major milestones aimed at simplifying crypto compliance worldwide, including the launch of TRUSThub, the addition of BNY as a member, and a new partnership with Travel Rule automation firm 21 Analytics. TRUST, the industry-led network enabling Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to securely exchange Travel Rule data without centralising sensitive information, unveiled the developments on 28 May 2026. The headline announcement is TRUSThub, an extension of the core TRUST solution designed to lower the barriers to integration. TRUSThub allows member VASPs to exchange Travel Rule data with counterparties globally, regardless of which Travel Rule tools those counterparties currently use. The platform retains TRUST’s signature peer-to-peer, privacy-first architecture while helping to bridge so-called “sunrise” gaps — the compliance grey areas that emerge as jurisdictions phase in Travel Rule requirements at different paces. On the membership front, BNY — one of the world’s largest financial services institutions — has joined the TRUST network, a move seen as a strong signal of traditional finance’s growing commitment to compliant digital asset infrastructure. BNY joins an already prominent roster including Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, PayPal, Fidelity Digital Assets, Circle, OKX, and Revolut, among others. The partnership with 21 Analytics is intended to accelerate onboarding by allowing VASPs already using the firm’s automation software to plug into TRUST with minimal friction, while also leveraging 21 Analytics’ self-hosted wallet verification tools. TRUST’s network now spans the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil, Hong Kong, Japan, Switzerland, and the UAE, cementing its position as a leading global Travel Rule compliance solution.The post Coinbase-Backed TRUST Network Launches TRUSThub, Adds BNY and 21 Analytics Partnership first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Cboe Global Markets has secured SEC approval to offer pre- and post-market trading sessions for select multi-listed equity options, with a launch date set for July 13, 2026. Chicago-based Cboe Global Markets (CBOE) announced on May 28 that the Securities and Exchange Commission has approved its filing to extend trading hours for a select group of multi-listed single-stock options, marking a significant step toward near-round-the-clock derivatives trading in the United States. The new sessions will run pre-market from 7:30 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. ET and post-market from 4:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. At launch, approximately 20 names are expected to be eligible, including all seven of the so-called Magnificent 7 stocks — Nvidia, Tesla, and Apple among them — alongside other high-profile names such as Palantir, Broadcom, and AMD. Eligibility for the extended sessions requires a stock to meet strict thresholds over the preceding six months: an average daily options volume of at least 150,000 contracts, an underlying equity market cap of $50 billion or more, and an average daily share volume of 10 million or higher. Cboe plans to review and update the eligible list semi-annually. Meaghan Dugan, Head of U.S. Derivatives at Cboe, described the SEC approval as “an important milestone for the U.S. options industry,” adding that the phased rollout reflects a deliberate, measured approach to preserving market safeguards. The move builds on Cboe’s existing extended-hours index options offering, where Global Trading Hours and Curb volumes hit record levels in Q1 2026, rising 32% year-on-year, driven largely by Asia-Pacific demand. The exchange also plans to launch 23×5 equities trading on its EDGX platform in December, pending regulatory approval.The post Cboe Gets SEC Green Light for Extended Single-Stock Options Trading Hours first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Geneva-headquartered wealth and asset manager Lombard Odier has announced an expanded collaboration with Bloomberg to deploy a unified investment risk management framework across its entire group, encompassing Wealth Management, Private Banking, and Asset Management divisions. The partnership builds on Bloomberg’s investment risk solutions, which were already in active use within Lombard Odier’s Asset Management arm. The extended rollout now brings these capabilities to the firm’s Wealth Management and Private Banking activities, managing a combined CHF 349 billion in total client assets. The initiative forms part of Lombard Odier’s broader operating model transformation, aimed at strengthening risk oversight, improving operational efficiency, and establishing a scalable, future-ready technology platform. The group-wide framework will be supported by consistent data infrastructure, robust controls, and integrated workflows spanning research, portfolio construction, compliance, execution, and operations. Alexandre Meyer, Managing Partner at Lombard Odier, said the move would “progressively unify” risk management systems across all business lines, geographies, and asset classes, enabling more accurate and transparent decision-making throughout the organisation. Bloomberg’s deployment combines several of its flagship institutional tools — including Bloomberg AIM, PORT Enterprise, MARS, and its Data Validation Service — delivered through a modern API-first architecture. Jose Ribas, Global Head of Buy-Side Solutions at Bloomberg, highlighted the solution’s “true multi-asset coverage,” adding that the integrated platform is designed to enhance transparency and streamline operations across business lines worldwide. The deal underscores the growing demand among major wealth managers for consolidated, technology-driven risk infrastructure as operational complexity continues to increase across global asset classes.The post Lombard Odier Expands Bloomberg Partnership to Unify Group-Wide Investment Risk Framework first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Chicago-based Architect Financial Technologies has announced the acquisition of IMX Health LLC, a US Designated Contract Market, paving the way for the launch of the American Innovation Exchange.  The company explained that the exchange is set to be the first CFTC-regulated exchange for futures and options trading on artificial intelligence compute costs. The American Innovation Exchange, referred to as the AI Exchange, will offer derivatives contracts tied to compute costs across multiple GPU vendors and models, alongside other inputs in the AI supply chain.  The exchange will also provide cross-marginable instruments on related commodities, including metals, energy, and power, pending regulatory review. Architect has positioned the AI Exchange as a definitive US market for data centres, neoclouds, hyperscalers, chip manufacturers, AI model companies, and lenders.  The platform is expected to feature a trading interface designed for AI industry hedging, APIs optimised for agentic compatibility, and direct desktop and mobile onboarding for both institutions and individual investors. Futures contracts on the AI Exchange will be based on IOSCO- and EU BMR-certified indices combining real-time private transactions, providing customers with granular hedging capability across a range of GPU models, configurations, and geographies, with data specified to SKU level.  The company is also developing an exchange-for-physical market that links the AI Exchange’s cash-settled derivatives to physical delivery marketplaces for compute. Architect believes the AI Exchange addresses a gap in the current US derivatives landscape, providing “capital-efficient hedging” tools that match the rapid pace of development across the broader artificial intelligence industry.The post Architect Financial Technologies to Launch First US Derivatives Exchange Focused on AI and Compute first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Financial communications firm IPC Systems has formed a strategic partnership with 24X National Exchange to distribute market data for overnight weekday trading in US equities, with a particular focus on serving participants across Asia-Pacific. 24X National Exchange is the first US national securities exchange to receive SEC approval for overnight weekday trading, enabling a 23-hours-a-day, five-days-a-week trading model.  Through the partnership, IPC will provide access to 24X market data across its low-latency global network, allowing firms to engage with US equities markets outside traditional trading hours. IPC’s established presence in key Asia-Pacific financial centres, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Taiwan, and Sydney, is seen as central to the move.  As demand for overnight US equities trading has grown significantly across the region, the partnership is designed to ensure reliable, real-time data distribution to market participants in those hubs. “As U.S. equities trading extends beyond traditional market hours, reliable market data and connectivity are more important than ever for global firms,” commented Paul Zatek, Head of Global Data Sales at IPC. “By partnering with 24X, we’re enabling firms to connect with confidence and leverage IPC’s global ecosystem to support performance, resilience, and readiness from day one.” Dmitri Galinov, chief executive and founder of 24X National Exchange, said working with IPC provides Asia-Pacific participants with a “trusted and scalable path to access our SEC-regulated exchange using proven infrastructure to fulfill their overnight trading needs.” The collaboration will also allow firms to accelerate onboarding, improve internal coordination, and validate workflows within a production-grade environment as the overnight trading market continues to develop.The post IPC Partners with 24X National Exchange to Support Round-the-Clock US Equities Trading first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Broadridge Financial Solutions and technology services firm Kyndryl announced Thursday an extension of their longstanding partnership. The firms will deepen their collaboration to modernise Broadridge’s core infrastructure with artificial intelligence capabilities and quantum-safe protections. Under the expanded agreement, Kyndryl will invest in modernising Broadridge’s data centre, network architecture, and mainframe environment, including a strategic refresh to a next-generation quantum-safe platform.  The work will incorporate Kyndryl’s AI-powered open integration platform, Kyndryl Bridge, alongside the Kyndryl Agentic AI Framework, which will support more intelligent operations, faster issue resolution, and reduced technical complexity. Tyler Derr, chief technology officer at Broadridge, said: “We are strengthening the infrastructure our clients rely on and we continue evolving our technology to meet rising regulatory, market and operational demands. We chose to extend our collaboration with Kyndryl because of their long-standing experience supporting mission-critical platforms in highly regulated environments.” Jamie Rutledge, president of Kyndryl US, believes the collaboration will help Broadridge “run mission-critical systems with greater confidence” whilst preparing for future demands.  He noted that Kyndryl holds designation as a DORA-critical third-party service provider, positioning it to support financial market integrity as resiliency and security requirements increase. For Broadridge clients, the partnership is intended to deliver stronger performance and scalability for high-volume trading activity, more secure operations amid a complex regulatory environment, and improved business continuity during periods of market stress. The post Broadridge and Kyndryl Extend Partnership to Enhance AI and Quantum-Safe Infrastructure first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Robinhood has unveiled two major AI-driven products — Agentic Trading and the Agentic Credit Card — allowing customers to connect their own AI agents directly to the platform to automate both investing and spending. The launch marks a significant step in the evolution of retail finance, enabling users to delegate trading decisions and purchases to AI agents through Robinhood’s AI-native Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. The integration is designed to be straightforward, with full API documentation now publicly available. “Our mission has always been to democratize finance for all, and now, that mission extends to AI agents,” said Vlad Tenev, CEO of Robinhood. Under the Agentic Trading feature, users can open a dedicated account separate from their main portfolio, limiting agent access to designated funds only. Agents can execute strategies ranging from portfolio rebalancing and thematic investing to backtesting mean reversion strategies. Currently launching in beta with equities only, support for options, crypto, futures, and event contracts is planned. The Agentic Credit Card, meanwhile, connects agents to a dedicated virtual Robinhood Gold Card with customisable spending limits. Agents can hunt for deals, monitor availability, and execute purchases automatically — all while earning 3% cash back. Users retain full control, with optional manual approvals and instant card deletion available at any time. Robinhood has emphasised a safety-first approach, incorporating fraud detection, real-time activity feeds, trade previews, and spending controls throughout both products. The Agentic Credit Card is currently available to existing Robinhood Gold Card customers, with broader support expected later this year.The post Robinhood Launches AI-Powered Agentic Trading and Credit Card Features first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Standard Chartered has appointed Shebani Baweja as its new Group Chief Data Officer (CDO), effective immediately, the bank announced on 28 May 2026. Based in Singapore, Baweja will report directly to Alvaro Garrido, Chief Operating Officer for Technology & Operations and Chief Information Officer for Information Security & Data. In her new role, she will head the Group Data Office and take responsibility for shaping and executing the bank’s overarching data strategy, covering governance, management, and the broader application of data across the organisation. Baweja is no stranger to Standard Chartered, having joined the bank in 2008. Over the course of nearly two decades, she has held senior positions spanning Wealth and Retail Banking (WRB) and Technology & Operations transformation. Most recently, she served as Chief Information Security Officer for WRB and International Markets, where she led cyber risk strategy and strengthened governance frameworks to support business growth and digitisation efforts. With more than 20 years of experience in data-led digital transformation, Baweja is expected to accelerate the bank’s use of data and analytics to drive innovation, support decision-making, and deliver client-focused solutions. Garrido highlighted the strategic significance of the appointment, noting that data and technology serve as critical enablers for Standard Chartered’s ambitions as a “super-connector bank,” particularly as it continues to expand its use of data and artificial intelligence. Baweja described the moment as “pivotal,” emphasising her commitment to advancing trusted, responsible data use to power the bank’s next phase of client-centric innovation.The post Standard Chartered Names Shebani Baweja as Group Chief Data Officer first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR) has announced an expansion of its NYFIX platform, integrating overnight U.S. equity trading capabilities through a new partnership with institutional brokerage firm CAPIS and Blue Ocean Technologies’ alternative trading system. The enhancement gives broker-dealers and institutional investors access to overnight liquidity across more than 4,000 National Market System (NMS) securities, allowing clients to trade beyond traditional market hours and respond swiftly to global market developments. Through the integration, NYFIX clients can leverage CAPIS’s high-touch sales trading expertise alongside Blue Ocean’s established overnight liquidity pool. The collaboration enables a range of trading strategies outside regular session hours, including portfolio rebalancing, exposure adjustments, and event-driven trading in response to earnings releases or macroeconomic announcements. George Rosenberger, General Manager of NYFIX at Broadridge Trading & Connectivity Solutions, highlighted the partnership’s broader significance: “This collaboration exemplifies Broadridge’s commitment to delivering greater value to clients by enabling interoperability across the buy side, sell side, and both traditional and non-traditional liquidity pools.” Mark Viani, Director of Institutional Sales Business Development at CAPIS, noted the deal reflects a wider industry trend of firms focusing on core competencies while leveraging external connectivity solutions to enhance execution quality and operational resilience. Blue Ocean Technologies CEO Brian Hyndman added that the collaboration would empower market participants to make faster, more informed decisions as demand for U.S. equity access continues to grow globally. The development further cements NYFIX’s position as a flexible, global connectivity platform built for modern, round-the-clock market participants.The post Broadridge Enhances NYFIX Platform with Overnight U.S. Equity Trading Via CAPIS and Blue Ocean first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Kraken has launched Bitcoin Vault, a new product within its Kraken Earn suite designed to allow long-term Bitcoin holders to earn Bitcoin-denominated rewards without added complexity. The product is powered by Veda, with strategy design and risk curation handled by Sentora, whose platforms are built to manage risks and allocate vault assets to established onchain protocols, including Aave, Morpho, and Tydro.  Customers can begin earning from within their Kraken or Kraken accounts in a matter of seconds, through an interface intended to be accessible to newer users while meeting the expectations of more experienced holders. “Many Bitcoin holders on Kraken have made it clear they want simple ways to earn on the Bitcoin they already plan to hold,” commented John Zettler, Director of Product, Kraken Earn & Trade. “Bitcoin Vault is built for that mindset. It gives customers a way to earn rewards on their Bitcoin through an experience that is easy to access and grounded in the trust Kraken has built over time.” The launch follows the strong performance of Kraken’s USDC Vaults product, which has surpassed $240 million in assets since its January introduction, achieved through organic growth without financial incentives. Kraken said the figure reflects rising customer appetite for simpler earning products. Bitcoin Vault is available through Kraken Earn in eligible jurisdictions. The exchange noted that rewards are variable and not guaranteed, and that interacting with onchain smart contracts carries technological, market, and operational risks.  Bitcoin Vault is an unregulated product provided by Payward Wallet.The post Kraken Launches Bitcoin Vault For Long-Term Holders to Earn BTC-Denominated Rewards first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken on Wednesday announced Kraken Prop, a proprietary trading programme that provides skilled traders with access to firm capital of up to $200,000, with participants retaining as much as 90 percent of any profits generated. The program follows the long-established model, in which traders operate using a firm’s capital rather than their own, working within defined risk parameters.  Under Kraken Prop, the exchange covers trading losses, meaning participants’ financial exposure is an upfront evaluation fee, which starts at $20. To access funded capital, traders first purchase an evaluation and select a wallet size ranging from $5,000 to $200,000.  They then trade in a simulated environment mirroring live market conditions, working towards a profit target whilst adhering to specified loss limits. There is no time restriction on completing the evaluation. Once passed, traders receive a funded wallet with no deposit required. Funded traders keep 80 percent of profits as standard, with an upgrade option increasing that share to 90 percent. Withdrawals are processed to a Kraken account within 24 hours. Kraken has positioned the programme as notably flexible compared with rival offerings, citing the absence of time limits, consistency rules, profit caps, or strategy restrictions.  Participants can trade more than 60 cryptocurrency pairs, including Bitcoin and Ether, with up to five times leverage and access to the full suite of tools available on Kraken Pro. The programme is aimed at both seasoned crypto traders seeking to scale positions without additional personal risk and newer traders looking to demonstrate their strategies in a live environment.The post Kraken Launches Prop Trading Programme first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Payments infrastructure firm Nium announced a partnership with Circle Technology Services on Wednesday to connect USDC-powered settlement with last-mile global payouts. The companies explained that the move will offer financial institutions a unified route for cross-border transactions across more than 190 countries. Under the agreement, Nium joins Circle’s Circle Payments Network (CPN) as a global payout partner, giving institutions on the network direct access to Nium’s payout infrastructure spanning 100 currencies through a single integration. The arrangement is said to eliminate the need to source and manage multiple local providers, with payments supported by integrated foreign exchange optimisation and smart routing. Furthermore, the companies believe the partnership addresses the challenge of connecting fast, transparent settlements with dependable final delivery.  Circle provides regulated, USDC-powered settlements with built-in compliance designed for institutional use, whilst Nium enables local currency delivery through real-time payout rails, allowing funds to reach accounts, wallets, and cards worldwide. “Traditional and onchain payment rails are converging, and that convergence demands infrastructure that banks, fintechs, and global enterprises can rely on at scale,” said Prajit Nanu, Founder and CEO of Nium.  “By partnering with Circle and joining CPN, we are combining Circle’s regulated settlement instrument with Nium’s global payout reach to deliver a more seamless way for institutions to move money worldwide.” Circle’s chief commercial officer, Kash Razzaghi, noted that financial institutions are increasingly seeking stablecoin-based solutions to longstanding payments challenges.  CPN has recorded $8.3 billion in annualised transaction volume based on trailing 30-day activity as of March 2026.The post Nium and Circle Partner to Bridge Stablecoin Settlement with Global Payouts first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Cboe Global Markets has named industry veteran Boudewijn Duinstra as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, reinforcing the exchange operator’s commitment to enterprise risk management as it pursues its next phase of global growth. Chicago-based Cboe (CBOE: CBOE), one of the world’s leading markets operators and a pioneer in equity and index derivatives, announced the planned appointment on May 26. Duinstra will assume responsibility for Cboe’s global risk management function, with a mandate to strengthen the company’s enterprise risk framework, operational resilience, and governance upon joining at a future date. Duinstra brings over 30 years of experience spanning risk management, clearing, and derivatives markets, with an impressive track record at some of the world’s most systemically important financial institutions. Most recently, he served as CEO of ABN AMRO Clearing USA LLC. Prior to that, he held the position of Head of Risk Management at ICE Clear Europe and occupied several senior roles at ABN AMRO, including Global Chief Risk Officer and Managing Board Member of ABN AMRO Clearing Bank. Cboe CEO Craig Donohue highlighted the strategic significance of the hire, noting that Duinstra’s expertise in derivatives and clearing aligns directly with the firm’s global expansion ambitions. Duinstra will be headquartered at Cboe’s Chicago offices while also maintaining a presence in Amsterdam to support the company’s European operations, including Cboe Clear U.S. and European Equities. He will report directly to Donohue. The appointment signals Cboe’s continued focus on building a robust and scalable operational infrastructure as it grows its international footprint.The post Cboe Global Markets Appoints Boudewijn Duinstra as Chief Risk Officer first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.