Wise, the London-founded cross-border payments group, has had its application for a US national trust bank charter rejected by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), dealing a blow to the fintech’s American expansion ambitions. Wise shares fell as much as 10-11% in London trading following the announcement, before paring some losses. The decision comes just months after the company shifted its primary stock market listing from London to Nasdaq, a move it had framed as central to capturing its “biggest market opportunity.” According to Wise, the OCC’s rejection stemmed from the Federal Reserve’s shifting policy stance on payment system access for uninsured trust banks — a stance that has hardened materially since the application was first submitted in June last year. “With the Federal Reserve generally pausing account access for an uninsured trust bank, the approach in our application became non-viable,” the company said. The regulator also referenced a US consent order issued last year over compliance shortcomings, though Wise says it has since overhauled its financial crime and customer due diligence controls both globally and in the US. Crucially, Wise confirmed the setback will not disrupt its existing US operations, which continue under licences spanning 48 states and four territories. The company now intends to refile under the GENIUS Act framework, which governs digital-asset and stablecoin infrastructure, arguing its payment rails are well-suited to interoperate with such systems. Wise processed over $240 billion in cross-border payments last year for roughly 19 million customers. Rival Revolut is also pursuing a fresh US banking charter after an earlier attempt was abandoned, underscoring how the US has become a key battleground for European fintechs.The post Wise’s US Banking Licence Bid Rejected by OCC, Shares Tumble first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Mastercard said Thursday that it has expanded its virtual card platform, adding issuer-level security controls, wider embedded payments capabilities and a single connection point into its partner network. The enhancements to Mastercard In Control, the company’s virtual card number platform, are said to be intended to help enterprises, financial institutions and platforms run virtual card programmes with greater security and scale.  Mastercard said its VCN ecosystem now spans issuers, direct platforms and corporates transacting across 43 countries and 174 currencies. Two capabilities sit at the centre of the update, with Issuer Enforced Controls, a new feature, applies at the point of virtual card number creation and allows issuers to set baseline guardrails such as spend limits, transaction limit caps and validity periods.  Clearing Controls, introduced last year, extend control validation beyond authorisation into the clearing stage, allowing corporates and platforms to block invalid transactions and manage payment timing more precisely. Citi is already live with both and is expected to be the first issuer to roll out the capabilities globally later this year. “As payments become more digitized and embedded into business workflows, expectations for performance, security and control are higher than ever,” said Marc Pettican, global head of corporate solutions at Mastercard. “As virtual card adoption accelerates, our clients need smarter, stronger tools to manage risk,” said Scott Southall, global head of Citi Commercial Cards and Domestic Payments. Mastercard also updated its Commercial Connect API, enabling multiple control sets at the real card level and combining virtual card creation and payment initiation into a single step.  The company said fraud rates on virtual cards are less than one-fifth those on non-virtual cards.The post Mastercard Expands Virtual Card Platform With New Issuer Controls first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

On Wednesday, CME Group reported second-quarter revenue of $1.7 billion and operating income of $1.1 billion, capping what the exchange operator described as its strongest first half on record. Net income was $1 billion and diluted earnings per share were $2.88. On an adjusted basis, which excludes certain items, operating income was $1.2 billion, net income was $1.1 billion and diluted earnings per share were $2.99. “The first half of 2026 was the strongest in CME Group’s history,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Terry Duffy. “We delivered record H1 performance across revenue, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, all of which were powered by record trading in Q1 and our second-highest Q2 volumes ever.” Average daily volume reached 29.8 million contracts in the quarter, the third highest on record, including non-U.S. average daily volume of 9.1 million contracts.  Clearing and transaction fees revenue totalled $1.4 billion, with a total average rate per contract of $0.678. Market data revenue rose 20% to a record $238 million. Duffy said the company provided more than $95 billion in daily margin efficiencies during the quarter, adding that it continues to develop new products including single-stock futures, 1-ounce gold contracts available around the clock, U.S. Treasury clearing and compute futures. As of June 30, CME Group held $2.3 billion in cash, including $200 million deposited with the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, and carried $3.4 billion of debt.  The company paid roughly $468 million in dividends during the quarter and repurchased $695 million of its shares.The post CME Group Posts Record First Half as Q2 Revenue Hits $1.7 billion first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Nasdaq (NDAQ) reported outstanding second-quarter results, with net revenue climbing 15% on an adjusted basis to $1.5 billion, as all three divisions delivered double-digit growth. CEO Adena Friedman called it “an outstanding second quarter, defined by new records and milestones,” highlighting that the company surpassed $1 trillion in Index ETP AUM and listed SpaceX, the largest IPO in exchange history. Annualized Recurring Revenue rose 11% to $3.3 billion, or 12% organically. GAAP diluted EPS reached $0.89, up 14% year-over-year, while non-GAAP EPS hit $1.07, the first time Nasdaq has topped a dollar in quarterly earnings per share. The Listings business had a landmark quarter, welcoming 26 operating company IPOs that raised $106 billion, including SpaceX’s $86 billion raise. Nasdaq also listed the largest semiconductor, quantum, and biotech IPOs on record, achieving a 74% win rate in new listings. Capital Access Platforms revenue grew 18% on an adjusted basis, while Financial Technology revenue increased 16%, with Verafin’s AML and fraud-detection tools expanding through new agentic AI capabilities. Market Services posted record net revenue of $340 million, up 11%, fueled by surging Index Options volumes. Nasdaq returned $530 million to shareholders through dividends and buybacks combined. Speaking on CNBC, Friedman pointed to tokenization, AI, and market modernization as durable trends shaping the industry’s future. “Nasdaq’s role as our clients’ trusted transformation partner positions us for sustained leadership,” Friedman said, underscoring the company’s momentum heading into the second half of 2026.The post Nasdaq Posts Record Q2 Results, Driven by SpaceX Listing and $1 Trillion Index AUM first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

It was revealed on Thursday that the European Union has hit Google with a €890 million ($1 billion) fine, marking the first time the tech giant has been penalized under the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The decision highlights Europe’s determination to curb the influence of Big Tech, even as US President Donald Trump has threatened “substantial additional tariffs” on European goods in response. The European Commission said Google broke DMA rules in two ways. First, by favoring its own services, such as hotels, shopping and transport, over competitors’ offerings on Google Search. Second, by restricting app developers from directing customers to cheaper deals outside the Google Play store. Google was fined €460 million ($524.7 million) for the search practices and €430 million ($490 million) for the app store restrictions. Commissioner Henna Virkkunen said Google “harms businesses offering similar services” by denying them equal prominence on search results, while limiting how developers can offer discounts to users. Google has 60 days to comply with the commission’s directives or face additional penalties. The company pushed back strongly, with global affairs president Kent Walker calling the ruling “product degradation” that forces Google to strip away features like real time hotel and flight pricing. Commissioner Teresa Ribera defended the decision, stating that “the best products should succeed because they’re better, not because they’re owned by the company running the search engine.” The Commission said it will continue engaging with Google to ensure broader compliance with the DMA.The post EU Fines Google €890 Million ($1 Billion) in First DMA Penalty first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

MSCI Inc. (NYSE: MSCI) said Thursday that it has entered into a new licensing agreement with Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) to launch futures and options contracts based on a broad suite of MSCI indexes spanning global developed and emerging markets. The deal builds on the existing MSCI-SGX partnership, extending it to cover flagship global and regional equity benchmarks, single-country developed and emerging market indexes, and EM Asia sector indexes. The move is aimed at giving institutional investors a centrally cleared venue within the Asia-Pacific time zone to manage multi-regional equity exposure. Henry Fernandez, Chairman and CEO of MSCI, said the agreement supports the firm’s mission of equipping the global investment community with tools to navigate markets with confidence. He added that the expanded partnership ensures MSCI’s benchmarks remain accessible to investors wherever they manage risk. Loh Boon Chye, CEO of SGX Group, said the exchange has developed a distinct capability in building markets around the exposures institutional investors need. He noted that as portfolios are increasingly managed across regions, themes and benchmark suites, the expanded MSCI offering gives investors a broader platform to manage global equity risk through a single trusted venue. The new contracts are designed to provide liquidity and risk management tools for institutional portfolios navigating an increasingly complex global equity landscape. The agreement reinforces both firms’ positioning as key players in derivatives infrastructure connecting developed and emerging markets, particularly for investors seeking exposure through Asia-based trading hours and clearing systems.The post MSCI, SGX to Launch Futures and Options on Global Index Suite first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

SIX, the Swiss financial infrastructure operator, reported very strong first-half 2026 results on July 23, with all four business units contributing to what the company called the strongest EBITDA result in its history. Net operating income rose 8.8% year-on-year to CHF 806.6 million (10.0% at constant exchange rates). EBITDA excluding transformation costs climbed 38.2% to CHF 367.6 million, or 40.2% at constant exchange rates. The EBITDA margin, based on net operating income and excluding transformation costs, jumped to 45.6% from 35.8% a year earlier. Group net profit reached CHF 191.7 million, up sharply from CHF 40.3 million in H1 2025. Markus Habbel, CFO of SIX, said the results reflect both favorable market conditions and the resilience of the company’s diversified business model. He added that strong financial performance allows SIX to reinvest in core franchises while pursuing growth in adjacent services. The Exchanges unit was the largest contributor to EBITDA, with combined turnover across SIX Swiss Exchange and BME Exchange surging 15.3% to CHF 969.3 billion. Securities Services benefited from record levels on the SMI and IBEX 35 indices, while Financial Information saw growth in regulatory and tax services. Banking Services grew on debit card, mobile, and TWINT payment activity. SIX is now in the second year of its three-year Scale Up 2027 transformation program, which aims for mid-single digit income growth and an EBITDA margin above 40%, a target already exceeded this period. Transformation costs fell to CHF 19.7 million from CHF 31.0 million in the prior-year period.The post SIX Group Posts Record First-Half Results, Driven by Strong Trading Activity first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

The professional trader, educator, and content creator joins Exness’ global network of leading trading voices. Exness, one of the world’s largest multi-asset retail brokers, has welcomed African trader, educator, and content creator Nathan Halaba to Exness Team Pro, its global network of experienced traders who share their expertise and promote a more disciplined approach to the markets. With more than seven years of trading experience, Nathan has built a strong reputation across Sub-Saharan Africa through his education platform, Forex Supremes. His work focuses on helping traders move away from short-term expectations and toward a more structured understanding of trading built on discipline, risk management, and consistency. Nathan’s own journey reflects many of the lessons he now teaches. Like many retail traders, he began with the ambition of finding quick success, but later realized that long-term progress depends less on chasing opportunity and more on controlling risk. His philosophy is simple: discipline creates longevity. Through online content, live streams, and in-person community sessions, Nathan has become known for making trading education more practical and accessible. Rather than centering his content on profits, he focuses on process, psychology, and the routines that help traders avoid overtrading, revenge trading, and unrealistic expectations. “Nathan represents exactly the kind of voice we want in Exness Team Pro,” said Jorge Iglesias Botas, Exness Senior Influencer Marketing Manager at Exness. “He is not only an experienced trader, but someone who understands the responsibility that comes with influence. His focus on discipline, education, and sustainable growth reflects the values we want to support in trading communities across Africa.” Speaking about joining Exness Team Pro, Nathan said, “For me, joining Exness Team Pro is a responsibility. Traders trust the people they follow, so the broker I associate with has to reflect the same values I teach: discipline, transparency, and long-term thinking. Before working with Exness, I took time to test the platform myself, from execution and spreads to withdrawals. I wanted my decision to be based on experience, not promises.” He added, “What stood out to me was the reliability of the overall trading environment and the way Exness supports traders. That allows me to focus on what matters most to me: helping African traders build discipline, manage risk properly, and see trading as a long-term career rather than a shortcut.” Nathan’s addition to Exness Team Pro reinforces Exness’ commitment to supporting credible trading voices that help traders develop more sustainable habits. It also strengthens the company’s presence across Africa, where interest in trading continues to grow alongside the need for responsible education and trusted market access. About Exness Founded in 2008, Exness is a global multi-asset broker focused on creating a better trading experience through technology, transparency, and long-term partnership. With a global client base and a commitment to reliable trading conditions, Exness continues to support traders with the tools and environment they need to participate in financial markets with greater confidence.The post Exness Team Pro welcomes African trader Nathan Halaba first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

STOXX Ltd., which is part of the ISS STOXX group of companies, announced Wednesday the launch of the STOXX Investable Market Indices (IMI), a new index family designed to support cost-effective portfolio construction and benchmarking through a consistent, transparent and scalable framework. The STOXX IMI offering is said to represent a global equity index family designed to capture approximately 99% of the investable equity universe, covering 23 developed and 23 emerging markets across large-, mid- and small-cap segments.  At launch, the family comprises more than 1,300 indices spanning global, regional and single-country exposures, underpinned by a single, consistent methodology and building-block architecture. Axel Lomholt, General Manager at STOXX, stated that the launch introduces “a cost-effective new choice in the market” while further strengthening STOXX’s role as “a global partner for institutional investors,” providing robust, transparent benchmark solutions alongside the flexibility and tailored offerings institutional investors increasingly expect. The framework has already been applied across several use cases. Dutch pension investor APG Asset Management sought a benchmark solution for a €20 billion emerging markets equity allocation combining broad exposure, transparency and sustainability integration.  Hans van Westrienen, Team Lead Quant & Index Solutions at APG, said the STOXX IMI framework “provides that flexibility within a consistent and robust structure.” Swiss Life Asset Managers is also applying the framework for cost-efficient core exposures. Daniel Berner, Head Securities at Swiss Life Asset Managers, said STOXX IMI offers “a robust framework for accessing broad global equity markets through a transparent and investable approach,” adding that the firm sees “significant potential” for investors seeking scalable global equity benchmark exposures.The post STOXX Launches New Global Equity Benchmark Family first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

The London Stock Exchange said Wednesday that it has welcomed the first transaction by leading UK fintech Moneybox on its Private Securities Market, with the wealth management platform completing a £45 million permissioned auction for long-serving employees, valuing the company at approximately £800 million (around $1.1 billion). Crowdcube, acting as Registered Auction Agent, exclusively managed the employee selling and investor purchasing process, assisted by Cavendish, while Latham & Watkins acted as Moneybox’s legal advisor. Karen Kerrigan, COO of Moneybox, said the transaction “marks an important milestone for Moneybox as we celebrate our tenth anniversary.”  She added that the company has “built a profitable business that is no longer reliant on raising primary capital to fund growth,” allowing it to reward employees while welcoming long-term institutional investors.  Kerrigan said the Private Securities Market provided a way to do this “using public market infrastructure, while remaining a private company and retaining control over how and when liquidity is provided.” Dame Julia Hoggett, CEO of London Stock Exchange, said the exchange was “delighted to be part of Moneybox’s growth journey,” supporting the company as it gives long-serving employees the chance to realise value they helped create. The Private Securities Market gives private companies and their shareholders, including employees, access to intermittent liquidity auctions, leveraging the London Stock Exchange’s public markets infrastructure while retaining control over trading frequency, investor access and price formation.  Built on the UK Government’s PISCES framework, existing EMI and CSOP options can be amended to allow exercise and sale on PISCES venues.The post Moneybox Completes First Private Securities Market Transaction, Valuing Fintech at £800 Million first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

MultiLynq LLC, a financial technology provider for electronic fixed income trading, has become the first company to offer its customers connectivity to the ICE Bonds Risk Matching Auction (RMA) protocol, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE) announced. The move expands dealer access across the ICE Bonds marketplace. The RMA protocol, part of the ICE Bonds suite of trading solutions, runs multiple dealer to dealer sweep auctions each week for corporate bonds. By integrating the protocol through the ICE Application Programming Interface (API), MultiLynq allows dealers on its platform to connect directly to ICE Bonds’ session based trading workflow and tap into a deep pool of liquidity across the marketplace. Six firms have already begun using the ICE Bonds RMA protocol through MultiLynq. This adds to a wider RMA network of 15 firms already connected via ICE Bonds’ Graphical User Interface (GUI) and API access channels. MultiLynq has also invested in connectivity to ICE Bonds’ Automated Trading System (ATS), giving dealers streamlined access to multiple trading protocols and liquidity pools through one connectivity framework. Peter Borstelmann, President of ICE Bonds, said the integration marks an important step in the evolution of electronic fixed income trading, noting that reducing manual processes helps firms engage more systematically with liquidity and scale operations. Patrick Scheideler, Co-Founder at MultiLynq, said the industry’s shift toward real time, standardized data is fueling demand for high performing API platforms, and that offering the RMA protocol gives clients a powerful new way to access ICE’s fixed income liquidity. The partnership reflects a broader trend toward automation and efficiency in fixed income markets, as trading firms increasingly seek unified, technology driven access to liquidity across venues.The post MultiLynq Becomes First Provider to Offer Connectivity to ICE Bonds’ RMA Protocol first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Citadel Securities, the technology-driven global market maker, has announced the opening of a new office in Amsterdam, marking the establishment of a European hub for its equity options business. The move underscores Citadel Securities’ continued commitment to Europe’s capital markets, which the firm describes as deep and dynamic. The Amsterdam office will house trading, technology and quantitative research teams working together to support the firm’s expanding equity options business while boosting liquidity across European listed derivatives markets. Dave Silber, Head of Institutional Equity Derivatives at Citadel Securities, said Amsterdam’s standing as a top hub for equity derivatives, combined with its deep pool of technical and trading talent, made it a natural choice for the firm’s European growth. He added that the company remains focused on investing in people, technology and infrastructure that strengthen market resiliency and support the long term development of Europe’s capital markets ecosystem. Citadel Securities is recognised as one of the world’s leading market makers across equities, equity options, corporate and sovereign bonds, interest rate swaps and foreign exchange. Its technology driven platform serves thousands of institutional and retail clients worldwide, aiming to improve market efficiency through consistent pricing and reliable execution. With the addition of Amsterdam, Citadel Securities now operates 15 offices across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, reflecting its ongoing global expansion strategy. The firm said the new office will help it better serve institutional clients and reinforce its role in supporting liquidity and innovation within Europe’s evolving derivatives landscape.The post Citadel Securities Expands European Footprint With New Amsterdam Office first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

FX Back Office (FXBO), a CRM provider for forex brokers, has rolled out a set of upgrades to its integration with trading platform cTrader. The update allows IBs to turn any product from the cTrader Store into a traffic source, while giving brokers one-click access to the platform and to cTrader Copy. Three additions make up the update. The first, cTrader Invite, lets IBs drive traffic through any cTrader Store product, such as bots, indicators or plugins, with automatic attribution. When a trader clicks the shared link, cTrader sends attribution data straight to the broker’s CRM, giving brokers immediate insight into which partner referred the trader. The second addition is single sign-on, allowing traders to log into the platform in one click from the FXBO client area. Brokers can decide whether the platform opens in a new tab or is embedded directly within the client area. The third enhancement extends one-click login to cTrader Copy, meaning brokers can add copy trading to the client area menu using the same setup. “These updates mark a significant step forward in simplifying operations for brokers and enhancing the client experience,” said Dmitriy Petrenko, CEO at FXBO. Yiota Hadjilouka, COO of Spotware Systems, said the partnership gives brokers a more direct link between cTrader and CRM processes shaping the client lifecycle, helping partners attract and attribute traders more easily. The updates aim to make onboarding, attribution and platform access faster for brokers of varying sizes.The post FXBO Upgrades Integration With cTrader, Adds Invite and Single Sign-On Features first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

AEGIS Hedging Solutions, a provider of commodity market intelligence, technology, and market infrastructure, said Wednesday that it has entered into a definitive transaction agreement with Private Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives. The deal marks a change in institutional backing, with Goldman Sachs Alternatives succeeding Greenbelt Capital Partners and Baird Capital. Financial terms were not disclosed. Founded in 2013 and based in The Woodlands, Texas, AEGIS works with roughly 700 commodity producers, consumers, capital providers, and financial counterparties across North America, helping clients manage commodity price risk and make more informed decisions. Bryan Sansbury, Chief Executive Officer of AEGIS, said the investment would allow the company to continue advancing its mission while remaining consistent for existing customers. He noted that AEGIS will keep its current leadership team, employees, customer relationships, and technology platform following the transaction. The new backing is expected to accelerate investment in advisory services, artificial intelligence, proprietary data, and regulated market infrastructure, an area AEGIS has expanded through its swap execution facility. Anthony Arnold, Partner within Private Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, praised AEGIS’s customer relationships and technology, while Phil Mooney, Managing Director within the same division, pointed to the company’s differentiated offering as commodity markets grow more complex. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, pending customary closing conditions. AEGIS was advised by Financial Technology Partners, Kirkland & Ellis, and Winstead PC. Goldman Sachs Alternatives was advised by Ardea Partners LP and Sidley Austin LLP.The post AEGIS Hedging Solutions to Be Acquired by Private Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Hussain Almatrouk is Exness Team Pro’s newest Arab trader He does not approach trading as a search for constant wins. For him, trading is a test of discipline, emotional control, and the ability to make clear decisions under pressure. Hussain brings together several worlds that do not usually sit side by side: trading, educational technology, writing, AI, and community building. He has been trading since 2009, works with digital tools in education, is a published novelist, and leads community sessions around books, psychology, self-growth, and financial markets. As the newest member of Exness Team Pro, Hussain brings a perspective shaped by both market experience and human behavior. His message to traders is direct: long-term growth does not come from avoiding losses, but from learning how to manage them, understand them, and avoid letting emotion turn one bad trade into a bigger mistake. Hussain Almatrouk on trading discipline, technology, community, and joining Exness Team Pro Hussain Almatrouk does not fit the typical trader profile. He combines a long-standing trading journey with a career in educational technology, a passion for writing, and an active role in building trading communities. He has been trading since 2009, works with AI and digital tools in education, is a published novelist, and leads both physical and online community sessions around books, psychology, self-growth, and trading. As the newest member of Exness Team Pro, Hussain brings a philosophy shaped by discipline, emotional control, technology, and a deep respect for the psychological side of the markets. His approach is not only about identifying opportunities, but about managing risk, avoiding emotional decisions, and helping other traders understand that the real work often begins before a trade is even placed. You’re not only a trader, but also a father, novelist, educational technology professional, and community leader. How do all these different parts of your life connect? At first, they may look like completely different things. But for me, they’re all connected by emotion and discipline. As a father, I need patience. As a writer, I need consistency and imagination. In education, I need to understand how people learn and how technology can help them grow. In trading, I need to manage myself before I manage any position. Writing helped me understand people better. Being an educator helped me explain ideas more clearly. Trading taught me how important discipline is. Even football teaches me something. I support AC Milan, and if you follow football, you know there are highs and lows. Sometimes you celebrate, sometimes you suffer. It’s very similar to trading. You cannot lose yourself emotionally every time things do not go your way. So for me, all these parts of life are connected. They all teach me how to control emotions, stay patient, and keep moving forward. You once said that you hate losing more than you like gaining. What does that mean in your trading philosophy? It means that losing affects me deeply, but not always in a bad way. If I lose because the market moved against me and I followed my plan, I can accept that. This is trading. Not every trade will be successful. But if I lose because I became emotional, ignored my rules, or tried to take revenge on the market, that is different. That kind of loss is painful because I know I allowed my emotions to take control. This is why risk management is very important to me. Before entering a trade, a disciplined trader knows how much he is willing to risk. Someone without a plan enters first and thinks later. That is the real difference Personally, I may use a more assertive style when I trade small amounts of capital, but that does not mean everyone should trade that way. When people trade larger amounts, they must be more controlled. A good trader is not someone who never loses. A good trader is someone who knows how to lose correctly, learn from it, and come back more disciplined. Trading is often described as a solo journey, but you have built a strong community. How do you see the role of community in trading? Trading is definitely a solo journey. At the end of the day, you are the one making the decision. You enter the trade. You close the trade. You manage your emotions. Nobody can do that for you. But being on a solo journey does not mean you should be isolated. In the wider GCC, we have the culture of the diwaniya. People gather, talk, debate, drink coffee, share opinions, and discuss life. This fits naturally with trading, as traders need a space where they can talk openly, exchange ideas, and support each other. This is also why my book club became important. We discuss books about psychology, trading, and self-growth. Sometimes we talk about technical topics, but many times the discussion is about mindset. Why did you take that trade? Why did you move your stop loss? Why did you become angry after losing? Community does not remove responsibility. Every trader is still responsible for their own decisions. But the community can give support, perspective, and accountability. Sometimes, that makes a big difference. You work in educational technology and are a heavy AI user. How do technology and automation support the way you trade and teach? Technology helps me save time and stay organized. I use AI a lot, not only for trading but also in my work and daily life. In education, I use it to summarize material, organize information, and improve workflows. In my trading business, I use automation for client onboarding, subscriptions, Discord access, email lists, and other processes that used to take a lot of manual work. For trading, journaling is an indispensable tool. Many traders think they remember why they entered a trade, but when they review it later, they realize they were not as clear as they thought. Journaling helps you see your real behavior. Maybe you trade badly after two losses. Maybe you become overconfident after a profitable trade. Maybe you enter too early because you are afraid of missing the move. Technology helps you notice these patterns. For me, AI does not replace thinking. It supports thinking. It removes repetitive work and gives me more space to focus on analysis, teaching, and decision-making. Many brokers approach traders with strong communities. Why did you choose Exness? For me, credibility is everything. I cannot put my name next to something I do not trust. What I liked about Exness from the beginning was that the experience felt reliable. The withdrawals were smooth. The approach was not intrusive. As a trader, that matters. You don’t want complications when you are trying to withdraw. You don’t want unnecessary pressure. You want the broker to work properly, especially when the market is volatile. I also value transparency. If something happens, I want accountability. I want a company that explains things clearly and takes responsibility. This is critical to me because my own credibility is connected to anything I support. Exness gives me the trading conditions I need: reliable execution,1 instant withdrawals,2 stable spreads,3 and a platform I can trust. These allow traders to focus on their own discipline and strategy instead of worrying about the basics. That is why Exness makes sense for me. What does joining Exness Team Pro mean to you, and what are your goals for the future? Joining Exness Team Pro is an honor, but it’s also a responsibility. Exness Team Pro is made up of traders who are respected for their knowledge, discipline, and influence. That means people are watching. What I say matters. What I promote matters. How I trade and teach matters. One of my personal goals is to continue developing myself and to pursue a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification. I want to understand markets at a deeper level, not only from the technical side alone, but also from the economic side. Technical analysis is very important to me, but I also want to understand the story behind market movements. As a Team Pro member, I want to continue helping traders think more rationally. I want to show that trading is not only about making money. It’s about planning, emotional control, self-awareness, and accepting that losses are part of the journey. For me, the goal is simple: keep learning, keep growing, and keep helping traders build a more disciplined and responsible trading mindset. Conclusion Hussain’s journey reflects the qualities that define Exness Team Pro: discipline, transparency, continuous learning, and a genuine commitment to helping trading communities grow in a more responsible way. His experience as a trader, educator, writer, and community leader gives him a perspective that goes beyond charts and market entries. For Hussain, trading is not only about identifying opportunities. It’s about building the emotional structure to handle pressure, accept losses, manage risk, and keep improving over time. By joining Exness Team Pro, Hussain aims to continue promoting a more informed and disciplined trading mindset across the wider GCC region, helping traders understand that the real work often begins before a trade is placed.   1 Precise execution claims refer to average slippage rates on pending orders based on data collected between September 2024 and July 2025 for XAUUSD, USOIL and BTC CFDs on Exness Standard account vs similar accounts offered by four other brokers. Delays and slippage may occur. No guarantee of execution speed or precision is provided. 2 At Exness, over 98% of withdrawals are processed automatically. Processing times may vary depending on the chosen payment method. 3 Spreads may fluctuate and widen due to factors including market volatility and liquidity, news releases, economic events, when markets open or close, and the type of instruments being traded.The post Inside the mindset of Hussain Almatrouk first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

On Tuesday, derivatives marketplace CME Group announced plans to launch Sorghum basis futures, with trading expected to begin on 24 August 2026, pending regulatory review. Sorghum is a versatile commodity positioned to meet demand from the domestic feed industry, international export markets and, increasingly, biofuels.  The new basis contract reflects the price difference between sorghum and corn, both grains used in animal feed and ethanol feedstock.  A premium for sorghum over corn typically signals international demand driving values higher, while a deep discount encourages domestic buyers to shift feed rations toward cheaper sorghum. John Ricci, Managing Director and Global Head of Agricultural Products at CME Group, said that while sorghum prices tend to track corn closely over extended macroeconomic cycles, “geopolitical events and regional supply shifts can disrupt that relationship.”  He added that the sorghum-to-corn cash spread has experienced considerable volatility in recent years, swinging from sharp premiums to steep discounts, and that the new futures contract “will provide market participants a precise instrument to hedge that basis risk.” CME said the contracts will be physically delivered, with grain loaded out by truck or rail from a network of elevators in Kansas, the nation’s largest sorghum-producing state, using the established Kansas City Hard Red Winter Wheat delivery network. CME Group achieved record quarterly volume of 2.1 million contracts for agricultural products in the second quarter of 2026. Corn futures and options reached record open interest of 4.1 million contracts in the same period, with the second-highest quarterly volumes on record at 695,000 contracts traded.The post CME Group to Launch Sorghum Basis Futures first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IBKR) reported a sharp rise in customer accounts and trading activity for the quarter ended 30 June 2026, with customer accounts increasing 34% year-on-year to 5.19 million. Customer equity rose 40% to $930.3 billion, while total Daily Average Revenue Trades (DARTs) increased 36% to 4.82 million. Customer credit balances grew 27% to $182.4 billion, and customer margin loans jumped 67% to $108.5 billion, reflecting increased leverage and trading appetite among the broker’s client base. Commission revenue rose 30% to $673 million on higher customer trading volumes, with options trading volume up 17%, stock trading volume up 14%, and futures trading volume up 2% compared with the year-ago quarter. The broker’s net interest income increased 23% to $1.06 billion, primarily driven by higher average customer margin loans and credit balances, highlighting the growing scale of client assets held on the platform. Financially, Interactive Brokers reported diluted earnings per share of $0.69, both on a GAAP and adjusted basis, up from $0.51 in the year-ago quarter.  Net revenues reached $1.90 billion on a reported basis, or $1.88 billion as adjusted, compared with $1.48 billion a year earlier. Pretax profit margin held at 77%, both as reported and adjusted, up from 75% in the prior year. The company’s board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.0875 per share, payable on 14 September 2026 to shareholders of record as of 1 September 2026.The post Interactive Brokers Customer Accounts Jump 34% as Trading Volumes Climb in Q2 first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

London Stock Exchange has unveiled plans for London Stock Exchange 24 (LSE 24), a new 24/5 trading venue built to support the next generation of digital, algorithmic and agentic trading. LSE 24 will offer near continuous trading from Monday to Friday, giving investors around the world more flexibility to react to market moves, tap into liquidity across different time zones and manage risk outside standard hours. Built on LSEG’s existing financial market infrastructure, the venue will run separately from the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market, which will keep its current trading hours. Client testing for LSE 24 is expected to begin by the end of 2026, with Exchange Traded Products set to be the first asset class to launch in the first half of 2027, pending regulatory approval. The exchange pointed to London’s role as a major global ETP hub as a key reason for starting there, with plans to expand into equities later. The venue will draw on both central limit order book and request-for-quote mechanisms to support transparent pricing and liquidity on demand. Julia Hoggett, CEO of LSE plc and Head of Digital and Securities Markets at LSEG, said the launch marks an important step forward for the exchange, offering clients more flexibility beyond traditional hours while reinforcing London’s standing as a top global financial centre. LSE 24 is also designed to connect with agent-based trading tools and LSEG’s Digital Securities Depository, aiming to bridge traditional and digital finance as markets grow more automated and globally linked.The post London Stock Exchange Unveils Plans for 24/5 Trading Venue LSE 24 first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Sumsub has announced a shift in its business model, repositioning itself as what it calls the first AI-Powered Trust Infrastructure in the market. The move is designed to help its more than 4,000 global customers expand into new jurisdictions securely while simplifying risk decisioning, fraud detection and compliance. The company describes Trust Infrastructure as the next stage in compliance operations, moving beyond onboarding and fraud prevention tools toward an integrated system that continuously manages verification, AML compliance and risk assessment. By combining technology, intelligence and operational processes into a single AI-driven layer, Sumsub aims to replace fragmented compliance tools with one connected system. After 11 years in the industry and a reported 272 percent return on investment over three years for clients, Sumsub identified a widespread issue: compliance operations are often split across multiple vendors and disconnected data sources. This fragmentation leads to inefficiency, duplicated checks, inconsistent risk decisions and rising costs, particularly for firms entering new markets. According to Sumsub, companies without a unified infrastructure may need five to nine separate tools to manage identity, fraud and compliance, and launching in a new market can take up to six months. Sumsub’s new platform brings together identity data, AML screening, fraud signals, risk profiles, case management and compliance reporting. “Trust has changed significantly,” said Peter Sever, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Sumsub. “Businesses can no longer verify customers only at the point of onboarding.”The post Sumsub Launches AI-Powered Trust Infrastructure to Unify Compliance Operations first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.

Clearstream, the post-trade business of Deutsche Börse Group, and 360T, its FX trading platform, have announced a new three-year partnership with Team Malizia, the international offshore sailing outfit led by skipper Boris Herrmann. The collaboration will see Clearstream and 360T back Team Malizia across a run of major offshore events, including The Ocean Race Atlantic 2026, The Ocean Race 2027, and the Vendée Globe 2028/2029. The partners will also support the team’s education and research programmes, which focus on ocean data collection and climate awareness. The deal builds on an existing relationship between 360T and Team Malizia that began in November 2024, and marks Clearstream’s first direct involvement with the sailing team. Both companies pointed to shared values around innovation, resilience and data-driven decision-making as the basis for the partnership. Florian Pfleiderer, Head of Strategy and Transformation at Clearstream, said operating critical financial infrastructure and offshore racing both depend on resilient systems and real time data. Carlo Kölzer, Group CEO of 360T, said the alliance reflects a mutual focus on technology, performance and adaptability. Herrmann, who became the first German sailor to compete in the Vendée Globe in 2020 21, will race the team’s new IMOCA yacht, Malizia 4, throughout the campaign. The boat is designed for the next generation of offshore competition and will anchor the team’s efforts through Herrmann’s third Vendée Globe bid in 2028 29.The post Clearstream and 360T Team Up with Team Malizia for Three-Year Offshore Sailing Partnership first appeared on LeapRate | Online Trading Industry News, Broker Intelligence & Fintech Analysis.