UAE-based proprietary trading firm Funded Academy has announced a partnership with cTrader, integrating the premium trading platform into its education-driven ecosystem and expanding access to advanced trading technology for its global client base. The collaboration brings cTrader’s full suite of tools to Funded Academy’s traders, combining intuitive design, advanced charting, and fast execution with the firm’s structured approach to trader development. Funded Academy positions itself as a one-stop environment where education, evaluation, and funding converge, and the addition of cTrader is designed to reinforce that proposition for both beginner and professional-level traders. A notable feature of the integration is access to cTrader’s AI Agent Connect, which links AI agents — including Claude Code, ChatGPT Codex, Cursor, and Gemini CLI — directly to the platform via two official MCP servers. Traders can use simple prompts to delegate tasks ranging from technical analysis and trade execution to automation and chart control, extending the strategic freedom that Funded Academy promotes. Sal Azad, Founder and CEO of Funded Academy, said the firm was built to provide talented traders with the structural framework needed to apply their skills consistently, with capital scaling tied to steady progress. Yiota Hadjilouka, COO at Spotware, highlighted the alignment between the two firms’ philosophies, noting the partnership places trader growth at the centre — consistent with cTrader’s Traders First approach. cTrader currently serves over 11 million traders and more than 300 brokers and prop firms worldwide, with its cTrader Store platform recording up to 10,000 daily visits.The post Funded Academy Teams Up with cTrader in Education-Focused Prop Trading Push first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Australia’s financial markets regulator has turned up the heat on one of the world’s largest securities settlement providers, declaring that Belgium-headquartered Euroclear Bank SA/NV has a material connection to Australia — and must now come under the country’s domestic regulatory framework. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) on 27 May 2026 exercised newly granted powers introduced under the Financial Market Infrastructure (FMI) reforms passed in September 2024, triggering a requirement for Euroclear to apply for a clearing and settlement (CS) facility licence by 26 May 2027. Euroclear is a significant player in Australia’s debt securities market, providing cross-border settlement and custody services for assets including Australian Government bonds. Despite operating in Australia, the Brussels-based firm had until now operated outside the country’s formal CS facility licensing regime. To prevent disruption to market participants during the transition, ASIC has granted Euroclear a temporary exemption while its licence application is processed. Euroclear has indicated it will engage constructively with the regulator throughout the process. The move mirrors ASIC’s approach taken in June 2025, when it granted a CS facility licence to Clearstream Banking S.A., another multinational operating in Australia’s bond markets in a similar capacity. ASIC worked in consultation with the Reserve Bank of Australia, which co-regulates licensed CS facilities alongside ASIC, in making its determination.The post ASIC Forces Euroclear Into Australian Licensing Regime, Sets May 2027 Deadline first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

The Australian Securities Exchange has issued updated financial guidance for the 2027 financial year, projecting total expense growth of between 18% and 21% and raising its capital expenditure forecast to between A$180 million and A$200 million, as the exchange accelerates a broad technology modernisation programme. The increased capex guidance, up from a previous range of A$160 million to A$180 million, is driven primarily by technology cost inflation and investment in new product development. FY28 capex is guided at between A$170 million and A$190 million. The expense growth outlook reflects the cost of supporting both legacy and new technology systems during a transitional period, investment in response to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s inquiry — including the expanded Accelerate Programme — and spending on customer-driven growth initiatives, AI, and initial work on tokenisation opportunities, including collateral mobilisation. ASX reported unaudited operating revenue of A$1.03 billion for the financial year to 30 April 2026, up 12.5% year-on-year, with growth across all four divisions, driven by strong volumes in interest rate futures, cash market trading, and clearing and settlement. FY26 expense and capex guidance remain unchanged. The exchange also announced the sale of its 49% stake in e-conveyancing venture Sympli to joint venture partner ATI Group for a nominal amount, which will result in an after-tax loss of approximately A$12 million. The sale follows the decision by Australian property registrars not to proceed with an e-conveyancing interoperability programme. ASX’s dividend policy remains unchanged, with a payout ratio of 75% to 85% of underlying net profit after tax, though the firm expects to pay at the lower end of that range for at least the next two dividends.The post ASX Raises Capital Expenditure Guidance and Flags 21% Expense Growth first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Intercontinental Exchange revealed on Tuesday that its ICE ETF Hub has received regulatory approval to expand operations in Europe and Australia.  Th approval means the platform’s total reach has hit 33 countries and jurisdictions across North America, Europe, and Asia. In Europe, ICE ETF Hub received regulatory approval to operate in the Netherlands, with the ability to passport into 29 additional European countries including Ireland, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, and France.  In Australia, the platform was granted an Australian Market Licence permitting it to be offered to Australian participants. The firm explained that ICE ETF Hub is an open architecture platform designed to bring greater efficiency and standardisation to the primary market workflow for exchange-traded products, specifically the creation and redemption process through which authorised participants manage liquidity and keep an ETP’s trading price aligned with its net asset value.  The platform is said to support ETPs across numerous asset classes. “As ETF assets under management (AUM) have continued to grow globally, so too has the need for an automated infrastructure for the creation and redemption of ETP shares,” stated Peter Borstelmann, President of ICE Bonds. “These recent approvals further expand the reach of ICE’s ETF Hub community, building on our ongoing mission to bring standardization and greater efficiency to ETF issuer workflows globally.”The post ICE ETF Hub Gains Regulatory Approval to Operate Across Europe and Australia first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

On Tuesday, Alipay unveiled a full-stack AI payment infrastructure for business partners across industries, introducing two new services, an AI Wallet and Token Pay, designed to support the rapid growth of agentic commerce, where AI agents execute transactions autonomously on behalf of users. The AI Wallet, available within the Alipay app, is said to give consumers visibility and control over payments made through AI agents, allowing them to manage tasks before and during payment and review spending afterwards.  It builds on Alipay AI Pay, the firm’s consumer-facing AI payment product, which became the first AI-native payment product globally to surpass 100 million users in February 2026 and has now processed 300 million transactions. Token Pay is designed for AI model companies, offering a one-stop solution for global subscription payments, token top-ups within AI agents, and related transaction needs.  At Alipay’s AI Payment Ecosystem Conference, AI model companies MiniMax and Stepfun announced new collaborations with Alipay to adopt the platform for use cases including token top-ups, membership subscriptions, and marketing campaigns. Alipay has also launched China’s first Agentic Commerce Trust Protocol alongside an intelligent security system for AI-driven transactions. “While the essence of commerce remains unchanged in the age of AI, the emergence of AI agents is reshaping everything. Drawing on 22 years of technological expertise and commercial know-how, Alipay is building a new generation of AI payment services to accelerate the growth of the agentic commerce ecosystem,” commented Cyril Han, CEO of Ant Group.The post Alipay Launches AI Wallet and Token Pay first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Acuity Trading and WNSTN have announced a partnership to co-integrate their technologies, combining Acuity’s market, event, and trade intelligence with WNSTN’s conversational AI, data visualisation, real-time interaction capabilities, and compliance monitoring tools. The collaboration is said to be aimed at helping brokers and financial platforms deliver timely market context, relevant content, and more personalised user journeys within their existing technology environments, without adding unnecessary complexity for platform teams. Acuity’s platform provides trade, market, and event intelligence in a white-labelled, multilingual environment, with delivery across MT4, MT5, cTrader, widgets, and APIs.  WNSTN offers a turnkey AI solution for investment platforms, including a multi-agent financial AI system, interactive chat, real-time analytics, bespoke branding, and a compliance officer module trained on financial regulations. Under the arrangement, brokers and platforms will be able to deliver Acuity’s intelligence through WNSTN’s engagement layer, whilst benefiting from WNSTN’s personalisation capabilities alongside Acuity-powered content. Andrew Lane, Chief Executive of Acuity Trading, said the partnership “combines Acuity’s market intelligence with WNSTN’s personalised engagement layer, helping firms deliver a more connected in-platform experience that is informative, scalable and designed with compliance in mind.” Roy Michaeli, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of WNSTN, believes AI in financial services “must do more than generate answers,” arguing that combining trusted market intelligence with a personalised engagement framework gives brokers a stronger way to deliver timely, contextual, and actionable information to users.The post Acuity Trading and WNSTN Partner to Combine Market Intelligence with AI Engagement Tools first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Marqeta has expanded its portfolio of account and money movement tools into 30 additional European countries through a collaboration with Banking Circle, a Luxembourg-licensed bank. The company said in its announcement on Tuesday that the expansion allows businesses across Europe to enrich their card programmes with embedded virtual accounts and multi-rail payment capabilities.  Key features include virtual accounts and digital wallet functionality supporting multiple currencies, UK faster payments integration enabling near real-time transfers, and SEPA Credit and SEPA Instant connectivity covering more than 40 member countries, with SEPA Instant processing payments in under 10 seconds around the clock. The announcement builds on momentum for Marqeta in Europe, where total processing volume for its European card programmes grew eightfold between 2022 and 2025.  The firm noted that its 2025 acquisition of TransactPay added full programme management capabilities and brought licensed e-money functionality for multi-currency virtual accounts and international payments across consumer and commercial card programmes. Anthony Peculic, Interim Chief Product Officer at Marqeta, stated: “Europe represents one of our most important growth markets, and bringing these tools to multinational and regional businesses enables them to build the innovative payment experiences that are crucial to their success. Mikkel Gronlykke, President of Banking Circle, said the collaboration combines ‘full account functionality and money movement capabilities with a proven card issuing platform,’ giving European businesses a powerful foundation for building financial products that simplify how money moves. Marqeta’s European offering is built to comply with PSD2 and GDPR requirements and includes card fulfilment, fraud management, dispute resolution, BIN sponsorship, and reporting and reconciliation services.The post Marqeta Partners With Banking Circle to Extend Account and Payment Capabilities Across Additional European Markets first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Global forex and CFD broker ATFX has announced the appointment of Dany Mawas as Chief Executive Officer for Africa, reinforcing the firm’s strategic commitment to strengthening its presence across the continent. Mawas brings a wealth of industry experience to the role, having previously served as Chief Commercial Officer at Markets.com and CEO of Finalto Africa. He has also held senior positions at RaiseFX, INFINOX, and FXCM. Most recently, he served as CEO and Co-Founder of L7 Prime — formerly known as Fortress Core — through which he collaborated closely with ATFX Connect to deliver liquidity, white label services, and payment orchestration solutions across key African markets over the past year and a half. Under the new leadership structure, ATFX aims to accelerate both its B2C and B2B operations in Africa, leveraging global institutional infrastructure alongside deeper local market expertise. Commenting on the appointment, Siju Daniel, Chief Commercial Officer of ATFX, said: “Over recent quarters, the collaboration between L7 Prime and ATFX Connect generated significant momentum across Africa. What stood out most was Dany’s leadership, his understanding of the market, and his ability to execute with speed and precision. This appointment reflects our confidence in his vision and long-term commitment to the region.” Wei Qiang Zhang, Managing Director of ATFX Connect Global, added: “Africa is one of the most dynamic growth regions for our business. Through our collaboration with L7 Prime, we successfully combined institutional-grade infrastructure with strong local execution. Dany and his team consistently demonstrated the ability to build scalable solutions adapted to the realities of African markets.” Speaking on his appointment, Dany Mawas said: “This appointment represents both an honour and a continuation of the work we have been building together for many years. Africa requires local leadership supported by global infrastructure, and that is exactly what we aim to strengthen further. The opportunity ahead across both B2C and B2B segments is significant, and we are only getting started.” ATFX is regulated by the FCA, ASIC, CySEC, and the FSCA, and operates across multiple global hubs including London, Dubai, and Hong Kong.The post ATFX Appoints Dany Mawas as CEO Africa first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Octa brand’s milestones Over more than 15 years of navigating the financial industry’s twists and turns, Octa has proven its reliability by consistently maintaining high service standards. With this extensive experience behind it, the broker is able to meet clients’ needs based on concrete, real-world cases rather than vague theoretical knowledge. With its long track record, Octa has developed an operational focus that enables it to drive business results and meet traders’ ever-growing requirements. The cornerstones of this approach include: fast withdrawals transparent trading conditions stable access to services. As proof of its efficiency, Octa serves millions of clients worldwide, providing them with reliable, secure access to financial markets. Other results that highlight the brand’s long-term strong standing include: 15 years in the market continuous brand development without drastic changes in the business model uninterrupted presence on the global market 28 million trader accounts worldwide. The broker’s global reach and the millions of traders engaging with the brand are the main evidence of its reliability and the community’s trust. Industry recognition Octa’s market position is reflected in more than 100 industry awards accumulated over the years. These accolades are awarded by independent news portals and experts, marking brands that provide the best brokerage services, create an exceptional trading experience, and ensure security and resilience across all business operations and client-related processes. Knowledge sharing Octa has always considered informed client participation an instrumental factor in establishing healthy business processes that benefit both traders and brokers. With that in mind, the broker purposefully develops and updates its educational resources, including its YouTube channel, to provide clients with trustworthy, structured sources of market knowledge and expert insights. In its educational materials, Octa continuously emphasises the importance of approaching trading as a long-term business project rather than a lottery or a game of chance. Strategy and consistency always beat a careless attitude that ignores risk management basics. The Octa brand’s history and strong market standing allow the company to look to the future with confidence and continue providing reliable, secure trading services to millions of clients worldwide. About Octa Octa is a global broker that focuses on delivering a reliable, high-quality client experience, including transparent trading conditions and fast withdrawals. The Octa brand has been in the market for over 15 years. To help traders achieve their goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools. Octa’s high standards and reliability are confirmed by industry awards, including the ‘Best Forex Broker 2024’ award from AllForexBonus and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Global 2024’ award from Global Forex Awards.The post Octa brand: 15 years of providing reliable trading experience first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Binance has unveiled its OMS Toolkit, a dedicated institutional exchange solution designed for Order Management System (OMS), Order and Execution Management System (OEMS), and trading technology providers servicing both crypto-native and traditional finance clients. Announced on May 25 from Abu Dhabi, the toolkit aims to simplify Binance connectivity for technology providers while delivering exchange-level analytics that offer deeper insight into client order flow, trading activity, and platform engagement. The launch addresses a growing need within institutional digital asset markets, where trading technology providers serve as core infrastructure — centralising order routing, execution tracking, and reconciliation across increasingly fragmented markets. As institutional participation in crypto continues to mature, these providers have demanded more granular exchange-level data and dedicated operational support. Catherine Chen, Head of VIP and Institutional at Binance, framed the toolkit as a means of empowering providers to build stronger client relationships. “Binance OMS Toolkit gives technology solution providers greater visibility into client activity, along with sustainable models that let them grow alongside their clients, and with Binance,” she said. “We’re giving key players a stake in the ecosystem.” The OMS Toolkit builds upon Binance’s existing Link and Trade API trade-tracking system and expands it into a more comprehensive offering. Key features include analytical dashboards surfacing end-client trading behaviour, a full view of integrated API activity on Binance, self-service client segmentation tools via custom user tags, and white-glove onboarding from Binance’s VIP and Institutional team. Providers can also offer clients access to both Binance Spot and Futures markets through their own systems. Eligibility extends beyond traditional OMS platforms to include other non-custodial crypto enterprises, such as algorithmic and automated trading platforms that route order flow through Binance.The post Binance Launches OMS Toolkit to Bridge Institutional Trading Technology Across Crypto and TradFi first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

China’s securities regulator has launched a sweeping crackdown on unauthorised cross-border securities activities, naming prominent online brokerages Futu Holdings, Tiger Brokers — the brokerage arm of UP Fintech — and Longbridge Securities as primary targets for operating without onshore licences. The Chinese regulatory agency, acting in coordination with seven other government bodies, stated that unauthorised cross-border securities operations violate domestic law, undermine market stability, and expose retail investors to significant risk. Authorities vowed to fully eradicate non-compliant cross-border brokerage activity within two years, signalling a prolonged and intensified enforcement campaign. Futu Holdings confirmed it received a formal investigation notice and penalty pre-notification from the regulator over alleged unlicensed securities, fund, and futures activities in mainland China. Proposed penalties total approximately RMB 1.85 billion (~$255 million), with an additional personal fine directed at its CEO. Futu emphasised that proceedings remain ongoing. The action marks a significant escalation from a prior warning issued in late 2022, when Chinese regulators first flagged both Futu and UP Fintech for illegally conducting securities businesses and restricted them from onboarding new mainland Chinese accounts. Friday’s announcement moves from warning to formal enforcement, with concrete financial penalties attached. The crackdown underscores the growing regulatory risk for internationally-oriented online brokerages that have built client bases among mainland Chinese investors through offshore platforms — a business model now firmly in Beijing’s crosshairs. Analysts warn that brokerages may be forced to fully exit existing mainland client accounts, with broader implications for the cross-border retail investment industry.The post China Escalates Crackdown on Unlicensed Cross-Border Brokerages, Targeting Futu, Tiger Brokers and Longbridge first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Australia’s corporate regulator is sounding the alarm about a new wave of crypto investment scams targeting retail investors via social media and popular messaging apps such as WhatsApp. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) warned on 25 May 2026 that scammers are infiltrating “share trading” and “stock tips” group chats to steer victims toward fake crypto-asset trading platforms that display fabricated profits and trades to appear legitimate. “Any money deposited into these platforms goes straight to the scammers,” ASIC cautioned, adding that victims are further exploited when attempting to withdraw funds, with criminals demanding fraudulent “release fees” that are never returned. The scam is said to begin with targeted social media advertisements promising share trading tips. Victims are then funnelled into messaging app groups where scammers impersonate well-known financial figures before directing them to the fraudulent platforms. Young Australians appear particularly at risk. New Moneysmart research surveying 1,127 Australians aged 18 to 28 found that 72% of Gen Z respondents had encountered social media crypto ads, while 41% had been directly contacted about crypto investments. Of those who already own crypto assets, 29% said they trade based on social media influencer advice. ASIC is urging Australians to verify investment platforms through AUSTRAC’s Virtual Asset Service Provider Register before committing any funds, and to report suspicious activity to Scamwatch.The post ASIC Warns of Fake Crypto Platforms Targeting Young Investors Through Messaging Apps first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Cohen & Steers, Inc. (NYSE: CNS) has appointed Amit Muni as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective June 8, 2026. The New York-based real assets investment manager announced that Muni will oversee the firm’s financial operations, financial strategy, and investor relations. He will join the firm’s Executive Committee and report directly to Chief Executive Officer Joseph Harvey. Muni arrives with an extensive financial pedigree, bringing over two decades of experience spanning public markets, asset and wealth management, and capital markets. He joins from CI Financial Corp., the Canadian-based wealth and asset management firm with over $550 billion in AUM, where he held the CFO role. Before CI Financial, Muni served as CFO at WisdomTree, Inc., and has previously held senior finance and accounting positions at the International Securities Exchange, Instinet Group, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and National Securities Clearing Corporation. Speaking on the appointment, Harvey highlighted Muni’s “strong track record of driving strategic growth, executing M&A and financing initiatives, and engaging with the investor community,” adding that his experience would be instrumental in expanding the firm’s global real assets platform, growing its wealth channel presence, and building out private markets capabilities. Muni succeeds Michael Donohue, who has served as Interim CFO since October 17, 2025. Donohue will resume his permanent role as Controller following the leadership transition on June 8.The post Cohen & Steers Names Amit Muni as New CFO first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd., the core asset management arm of Nomura Group, has announced the upcoming launch of a new exchange-traded fund (ETF) designed to track the Nikkei Japan Entertainment Content Stock Index (Total Return). The new fund — the NEXT FUNDS Nikkei Japan Entertainment Content Stock Index Exchange Traded Fund (ticker: 586A) — was approved for listing by the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) on May 22, 2026, with an official listing date of June 9, 2026. From that date, investors will be able to trade the fund on the TSE through licensed securities dealers and traders in Japan. The underlying index is a market capitalisation-weighted benchmark composed of the 20 largest entertainment and content-related stocks listed on the TSE. It tracks price movements across Japanese entertainment and content equities and incorporates dividend income in its total return calculation. The ETF carries an annual management fee of 0.385% (0.35% tax excluded), and the minimum investment is expected to be approximately ¥2,000 for a unit of 10, making it accessible to a broad range of retail and institutional investors. The launch underscores Nomura’s continued effort to expand its NEXT FUNDS suite and provide investors with thematic exposure to Japan’s growing entertainment economy.The post Nomura Asset Management to Launch Entertainment-Focused ETF on Tokyo Stock Exchange first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

An Australian fund manager convicted of insider trading has had his prison sentence reduced by nine months following a successful appeal, though a court has reaffirmed the gravity of his offending. The Full Federal Court re-sentenced former investment manager Rodney Forrest to five years and three months’ imprisonment on 22 May 2026, down from the six-year term originally handed down on 23 January 2026. His three-year non-parole period remains unchanged, leaving him eligible for parole on 23 January 2029. Forrest was convicted of insider trading and procuring others to trade more than AUD $3 million worth of Platinum Asset Management shares. He secretly accessed the computer of Regal Partners’ chair without authorisation, photographing confidential documents relating to a potential takeover of Platinum. He then traded — and encouraged others to trade — in Platinum shares ahead of the public announcement, netting over AUD $300,000 in personal profit after the stock surged 12.5%. The appeal was granted on the grounds that the original sentencing judge erred by allowing Forrest’s false denials during his initial ASIC interview to elevate the assessed objective seriousness of the offence itself, rather than confining that finding to his remorse and the weight of his guilty plea. However, the Full Court stressed that the conduct remained highly serious. “These offences are unquestionably serious. It is a significant example of offences of this nature,” the Court held, describing the behaviour as involving “premeditation, planning, a significant breach of trust and a high degree of sophistication.” General deterrence was cited as a primary sentencing consideration. The prosecution was brought by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions following a six-month ASIC investigation. It represents an early test case for ASIC’s specialist insider trading taskforce, established as part of the regulator’s 2026 enforcement priorities targeting the investigation and prosecution of insider trading conduct.The post Australian Fund Manager Has Insider Trading Sentence Cut After Successful Appeal first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Pacer Advisors has implemented Bloomberg’s order and execution management solutions to automate and streamline its investment workflow. The move is expected to significantly reduce the manual effort involved in high-volume ETF rebalances and improve execution precision. The implementation covers Bloomberg’s Asset and Investment Manager system for order and investment management, and EMSX, Bloomberg’s multi-asset execution management system.  Central to the deployment is the Rule Builder Optimizer, which automates broker allocation across multiple constraints during an ETF rebalance. This is a process that previously required hours of manual work each time it was carried out. The firm explained that, unlike the traditional broker wheel approach, which allocates one order at a time against a single constraint, the RBLD Optimizer evaluates the entire basket simultaneously, optimising across factors including share distribution, dollar imbalance, broker commissions, liquidity footprint, and order cost.  Orders are then allocated and released to brokers in coordinated batches with a single click, creating dollar-neutral, proportionally balanced baskets that help minimise overnight risk and reduce cash drag. Portfolio managers can use Bloomberg’s PM<GO> tool to compare portfolios against benchmarks and targets, with orders automatically generated and routed for execution via RBLD, reducing manual calculations and improving allocation accuracy at scale. “Bloomberg’s RBLD Optimizer has transformed how we approach rebalance execution,” said Danke Wang, Head Portfolio Manager at Pacer Advisors. “By automating an extraordinarily complex allocation problem, we have significantly improved our precision with the optimizer.” Ravi Sawhney, Head of Product for Buy-Side Execution at Bloomberg, said the RBLD Optimizer brings “advanced optimisation directly into the execution workflow,” enabling clients to solve complex, multi-constraint allocation challenges quickly and efficiently.The post Pacer Advisors Automates ETF Rebalancing Workflow with Bloomberg RBLD Optimizer first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

FIS and InvestCloud have launched a long-term partnership to deliver an integrated digital wealth management solution, the companies said Thursday. It is designed to give financial advisers and their clients a more connected and personalised experience, without requiring institutions to replace their existing technology infrastructure. The new FIS digital wealth solution combines InvestCloud’s Adviser Workspace and Client Experience capabilities, which currently support trillions of dollars in wealth assets worldwide, with FIS’s core processing platforms.  Together, they are said to create a single environment spanning adviser tools, client-facing digital experiences, and AI capabilities. Built-in data governance and AI safeguards are designed to ensure that client data is not stored or used to train models. The solution is expected to address a growing challenge for financial institutions managing fragmented systems and disparate data sources, whilst clients increasingly expect the kind of seamless digital experience they receive from consumer applications.  The platform supports mobile access, secure messaging, and account aggregation across trust, advisory, and externally held accounts, surfacing relevant insights and actions for advisers in real time. FIS serves more than 600 financial institutions representing approximately $5.5 trillion in supported assets, spanning large banks, community and regional banks, private banks, trust companies, family offices, and registered investment advisers. Jim Johnson, Co-President of Banking Solutions at FIS, stated: “With InvestCloud, we’re giving clients the flexibility to deliver an intelligent front office while continuing to rely on the FIS platforms that already power their operations.” Jeff Yabuki, Chairman and Chief Executive of InvestCloud, said the partnership places “personalised, high-touch service” and human connection at the centre of wealth management at a time of transformative change.The post FIS and InvestCloud Launch AI-Powered Wealth Management Platform first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

On Thursday, StoneX Group announced an expansion of its operations in Birmingham, Alabama, opening a new 46,000 square foot office that will accommodate nearly 90 additional employees over the next three to five years. The new office at Protective Center will provide 310 seats and includes state-of-the-art audio and visual facilities, collaboration areas, conference rooms, a cafeteria, coffee shop, and fitness centre.  Birmingham has served as a core operational location for StoneX for more than 25 years, hosting securities clearing functions and infrastructure that support the firm’s international business across securities, commodities, and foreign exchange. StoneX’s heritage in the city includes the legacy of Sterne Agee, historically one of the largest broker-dealers in the Southeastern United States, with origins dating to 1901. Maribeth Williams, Head of Securities Operations at StoneX, said Birmingham’s “deep financial services roots, strong talent base, and supportive business environment make it an ideal location” to continue scaling critical operational capabilities. Local officials welcomed the announcement as a signal of renewed confidence in the region’s financial services sector. Jefferson County Commissioner Mike Bolin described the expansion as an important inflection point, noting that recent years had been characterised largely by industry consolidation, and that StoneX’s growth represents a meaningful shift.The post StoneX Expands Birmingham Hub with 46,000 sq ft Office first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Making a first withdrawal can feel uncertain. The process feels calmer when you understand why payment methods, verification checks and timing rules exist before you submit the request.Understanding Payment Methods for Deposits and WithdrawalsPayment methods do not all work in the same way. A bank card, e-wallet, crypto transfer and bank transfer can have different processing speeds, limits and verification requirements.Where to Find Withdrawals in the TraderoomIn the traderoom, the withdrawal flow starts from the profile area. Go to the IQ Broker traderoom, click the profile icon in the top-right corner, and choose Withdraw Funds. Then select an available method, fill in the details and submit the request.The withdrawal page also shows available methods and expected timeframes. In the example flow, crypto methods such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin show 1-3 business days. If the selected method cannot be used because the balance is zero or requirements are not met, the page may ask the user to deposit first.One point matters more than many first-time users expect: withdrawals usually need to return to the same payment system used for the deposit. This is a standard compliance practice used to reduce fraud and prevent money from moving through unrelated accounts.The Withdrawal Policy says a client has the right to withdraw funds only to the payment system used to deposit funds, unless that is technically impossible. It also notes that bank card withdrawals may have priority and may be limited to amounts deposited by card within 180 calendar days from the last deposit.The practical lesson is simple: choose your deposit method with the future withdrawal in mind. Use payment details that match your verified profile.What Is AML and Why Does It Matter?AML means Anti-Money Laundering. It is a set of rules and checks designed to stop financial platforms from being used to move stolen money, hide illegal funds or abuse payment systems. In plain English, it is the security layer that helps platforms confirm money is moving for legitimate reasons.The public Withdrawal Policy refers to a verified account, internal risk assessment and additional supporting documents when needed. Exact verification steps may depend on the account, payment method and platform requirements. In general, AML checks can include identity verification, payment method consistency, transaction monitoring and, in some cases, source of funds verification.Why AML is important is straightforward: it protects users, payment providers and the platform. Without AML and fraud prevention measures, suspicious transactions would be harder to detect.For a first withdrawal, this means a request may not move instantly if the account needs additional verification or if the payment route needs review.What Can Affect Withdrawal Timeframes?According to the Withdrawal Policy, requests move through statuses such as Requested, In Process and Processed. Standard withdrawals are processed within 3 business days, while expedited withdrawals are processed within 1 business day. The traderoom may also show method-level estimates, such as 1-3 business days for some crypto methods.Common reasons a request may take longer include:The account is not fully verified.The payment method details do not match the deposit method or profile.The account is under internal risk assessment.Additional supporting documents are needed.This is why an IQ Broker withdrawal request should be treated as a structured financial request.Common First Withdrawal Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)Mistake 1: waiting until withdrawal day to complete verification.Tip: complete identity and payment verification early.Mistake 2: expecting every withdrawal to be instant.Tip: check the payment method and the stated processing timeframe.Mistake 3: using different payment details for deposit and withdrawal.Tip: use payment methods registered in your own name.Mistake 4: submitting unclear or incorrect details.Tip: double-check wallet addresses, bank details, card information and profile data.How IQ Broker Ensures a Secure and Transparent Withdrawal ProcessIQ Broker uses a structured withdrawal process: users open the withdrawal section from the profile menu, choose an available method, submit a request, and then track it in the Withdrawal requests area.Security checks may include account verification, AML review, payment method consistency and additional document requests when activity requires risk assessment.Approach your first IQ Broker withdrawal calmly:Verify your account before requesting funds.Use the same payment route where possible.Read the payment method requirements.Watch the withdrawal status.Contact support if a requested document or status is unclear.A transparent withdrawal process is not only about speed. It is about knowing what is happening, why checks exist and what you can do to avoid delays. FAQ's What is Aml? AML stands for Anti-Money Laundering. It means checks that help financial platforms detect suspicious transactions and confirm that funds are moving through legitimate accounts. Why does IQ Broker ask for verification? Verification confirms that the account belongs to the person requesting funds. It also supports AML checks, source of funds verification and fraud prevention measures. Can I withdraw to a different payment method? Usually, withdrawals should go back to the same payment system used for the deposit. If that is technically impossible, an alternative method may be used, but details must match the user’s verified personal information. How long does a withdrawal take? The Withdrawal Policy states that standard withdrawal processing is 3 business days and expedited withdrawal processing is 1 business day. Actual timing can also depend on verification, risk review and the payment provider. What is AML and why AML is important for first withdrawals? AML helps protect users and platforms from suspicious money movement. It matters during first withdrawals because the platform may need to confirm identity, payment ownership and the legitimacy of the funds. The post Deposits and withdrawals. What you need to know before you make your first withdrawal first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Pictet Asset Management has selected SimCorp’s integrated investment management platform to consolidate its trading and operations technology infrastructure. The move is expected to reduce system fragmentation and improve trade execution efficiency across its investment teams. Pictet AM, which manages $326 billion in assets, has been a SimCorp client for back-office capabilities since 2008.  The expanded relationship will see the firm adopt SimCorp One, SimCorp’s front-to-back platform built on a unified data layer, to reduce the number of core systems in use and establish a single, coherent data foundation across front-, middle-, and back-office functions.  Implementation is on track for completion by December 2026. The firm will use API connectivity to integrate SimCorp One with its in-house technology, allowing it to retain the specialist tools that underpin its trading strategies whilst gaining the data efficiency and scalability of a unified platform. “As our business has expanded, managing fragmented systems and disconnected datasets across front-, middle-, and back-office functions has become increasingly complex,” said James Frew, co-Head of Fixed Income Trading, Pictet AM.  “SimCorp One provides an integrated front-to-back platform built on a unified data layer, enabling efficient trade execution and faster pre- and post-trade processing.” “A unified data foundation empowers investment teams to make more confident investment decisions. We are excited to strengthen our partnership with Pictet Asset Management and support their investment teams with easier access to centralized, real-time data,” stated Oliver Johnson, Chief Revenue Officer, SimCorp.The post Pictet Asset Management Selects SimCorp One to Unify Technology Infrastructure first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.