The clearest sign that event-based participation has become a mainstream habit came before this year’s Super Bowl, when the American Gaming Association estimated that Americans would legally wager $1.76 billion on Super Bowl LX, a figure Reuters said was almost 27% higher than the previous year’s estimate. ESPN added that the estimate covered only legal sportsbook wagers in 39 states and Washington, D.C., and that the AGA based it on publicly reported numbers from state gaming regulators. That's important because it shows how comfortable ordinary users have become with following big events through live prices and fast-moving probabilities.Prediction markets tap into that same instinct, but they take it a step further. When you open one of these apps, including platforms such as the Fanatics Markets prediction platform, you are not just checking who might win. You are watching confidence move.In this piece, we look at three reasons the category is drawing more people in.Why sports are still the easiest way in.Why the same format works for politics and the economy.Why clearer rules and smarter contract design are making the experience easier to trust.Brackets to Big QuestionsSports is where the appeal makes immediate sense. Reuters reported that legal NFL wagering for the 2025 season was expected to reach $30 billion, up 8.5% from $27.6 billion in 2024, and that the estimate included preseason games and futures bets placed as early as March. That tells you something useful about behavior: people do not wait for kickoff to care about an outcome; they like following the whole arc of the story.That habit fits prediction markets naturally. Reports citing the AGA said the 2026 men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments would offer more than 100 games to bet on, keeping attention spread across multiple rounds, multiple days and dozens of changing narratives. For someone using a phone, that creates a rhythm of checking, updating and reacting that feels close to following live news.Sports gives prediction markets a friendly entry point because the rules are already familiar. You know the teams, you know the schedule and you understand why expectations rise or fall. Once that behavior feels natural, it becomes much easier to carry it into other kinds of events.Far More Than a ScoreboardThat is where prediction markets get more interesting. A 2025 SocArXiv working paper by Joshua D. Clinton and TzuFeng Huang analyzed more than 2,500 political prediction markets across Iowa Electronic Markets, Kalshi, PredictIt and Polymarket during the final five weeks of the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign, covering $2.4 billion in transactions. That is large enough to treat the category as something serious, measurable and worth understanding on its own terms.The findings were nuanced. The paper found that 93% of PredictIt markets, 78% of Kalshi markets and 67% of Polymarket markets predicted outcomes better than chance, while also finding price divergence and arbitrage opportunities across exchanges. In plain language, these markets can be informative without being flawless, and that makes them more useful for readers than any grand claim about perfect foresight could.Reuters reported in March 2026 that prediction markets gained credibility after the 2024 election because their live probability signals outperformed polls in forecasting Donald Trump’s win. You can see why that resonated with readers who were already used to watching markets react faster than commentary. If one app lets you track a Senate race, a central bank question and a championship game in the same basic format, it starts to feel less like a niche product and more like a practical layer on top of the news.That is part of the appeal. A prediction market turns a headline into a moving signal.Rules and RelevanceInterest grows more easily when a category is easier to understand. Reuters reported on March 11, 2026, that the CFTC had started rulemaking for prediction markets and described event contracts as tradable yes-or-no wagers tied to sports, politics and the economy. For ordinary readers, that kind of official framing matters because it makes a vague idea clearer and easier to place.At the same time, the products themselves are becoming more intuitive. Reuters reported on March 9, 2026, that Cboe planned to launch prediction market contracts with partial payouts based on forecast precision rather than a strict all-or-nothing result. That may sound technical at first, but the consumer benefit is simple: many real-world questions are not perfectly binary, so tools that reflect that feel closer to how people actually think about events.There is also a regional reason this subject has traction beyond the United States. Finance Magnates reported in March 2025 that Interactive Brokers expanded prediction markets beyond the U.S. and launched them in Canada. For Canadian media and U.S. readers alike, that makes the category feel less distant and more connected to the stories they already follow, from sports calendars to political cycles to economic releases.Once a format becomes easier to access, easier to explain and easier to understand within a rules framework, more people are willing to try it. That willingness turns curiosity into habit.When News Becomes InteractiveThe appeal of prediction markets is fairly natural. People like following major events together, they like seeing confidence change in real time and they like tools that reduce a complicated story to a number they can read at a glance. That helps explain why the category now makes sense across sports, politics and the economy rather than sitting in separate boxes.What gives the topic staying power is the combination of familiarity and structure. Sports brings people in, research gives the format informational weight and clearer rules plus smarter contract design make it easier to take seriously without pretending every market is perfect. That is a healthy place for a consumer product to be.The realistic case is that prediction markets are becoming a more natural way for ordinary people to follow important events because they make those events immediate, legible and engaging. When the next big story breaks, more people may watch the probability move as closely as the headline. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

VS Capital, an award-winning provider of institutional-grade trading and liquidity solutions, has become a user of MetaQuotes' Ultency, the native matching and liquidity connectivity solution within the MetaTrader 5 ecosystem. The integration enables VS Capital to position its liquidity directly inside a large and active broker network, with MetaTrader 5 being one of the most widely used multi-asset trading platforms globally. Brokers and institutional counterparties can now access professional liquidity through the same standardized infrastructure they already use.Andrey Stoychev, CEO of VS Capital, commented: "MetaTrader 5 is the most widely adopted platform in our sector, so it makes sense for us to plug our liquidity where most clients reside. We were among the first to join Ultency and are seeing positive results, particularly with new brokers entering the MT5 ecosystem who want to launch quickly and keep their setups lean."In institutional markets, liquidity distribution often relies on integrations between multiple technology providers. Unlike traditional bridge solutions, Ultency offers native connectivity, allowing brokers and providers to connect directly, without third-party technology. This simplifies access to liquidity, improves operational efficiency, and reduces costs."In one case, a MetaTrader 5 broker using proprietary technology did not have existing FIX integration, and Ultency provided a simple and fast solution," added Mr. Stoychev. "To distribute liquidity effectively, a liquidity provider needs to connect to as many 'pipes' as possible, and Ultency has become one of our key areas for organic growth."Renat Fatkhullin, CEO of MetaQuotes, said: "We're pleased to see VS Capital connected directly with MetaTrader 5 brokers through our native Ultency engine. Their focus on reliable liquidity aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing a smooth, fast, and connected platform for brokers and institutional service providers."About VS CapitalVS Capital is a financial services firm duly incorporated and licensed by Financial Services Authority (FSA), offering institutional trading and liquidity solutions for brokers, professional traders, and financial institutions. The company focuses on providing bespoke liquidity streams, advanced risk management, and direct access across multiple asset classes.About UltencyUltency is a native liquidity aggregation and order matching engine built specifically for MetaTrader 5. It enables brokers to seamlessly connect with multiple liquidity providers, consolidate pricing and execution to deliver the best trading conditions for traders. Ultency operates on a pure volume-based pricing model with zero service fees. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Nasdaq will integrate Talos’ digital asset infrastructure into its Calypso and Trade Surveillance platforms. The move aims to bring tokenised collateral into mainstream institutional workflows.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).The announcement follows the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of Nasdaq’s proposal to pilot trading in tokenized versions of equities and other securities. The plan, submitted in September, would allow certain widely traded stocks to be bought and sold either in traditional form or as blockchain-based tokens on the same platform. The pilot will involve the Depository Trust Company, which provides post-trade infrastructure for U.S. markets. Integration Connects On- and Off-Chain MarketsThe collaboration seeks to address long-standing challenges in connecting digital assets with traditional collateral and risk management systems.Under the agreement, institutions will be able to manage both on- and off-chain collateral in a single environment. The integration combines Talos’ digital asset capabilities with Nasdaq’s Calypso platform, which is widely used for margin, risk, and collateral management across traditional asset classes.The integration is expected to provide a more consistent view of exposure across asset types and extend connectivity to custodians and trading venues across both traditional and digital markets.Roland Chai, executive vice president at Nasdaq, said: “This partnership builds on a series of strategic initiatives designed to converge on- and off-chain market ecosystems, while preserving the liquidity, transparency and integrity of regulated markets.”Trade Surveillance Extended to Digital AssetsThe collaboration also targets fragmentation in collateral and risk workflows, providing institutions with a unified framework as they scale tokenisation strategies.Anton Katz, co-founder and chief executive of Talos, said: “The evolution toward tokenised collateral is a natural progression for institutional capital markets. Firms can connect workflows for execution, risk, collateral and compliance to reduce operational friction across both on- and off-chain asset classes.”As part of the partnership, Talos clients will gain access to Nasdaq’s Trade Surveillance platform, extending institutional-grade monitoring to digital asset trading activity. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Spain’s securities regulator has warned that a clone-style website mimicking IG Group, along with two other online trading brands, is offering investment services in the country without authorization.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)The National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) said tarillium.com, value-markets.com and ig-indexlimited.com do not appear in its official registry and therefore cannot legally provide investment services or carry out activities under its supervision.CNMV Expands List of Unregistered EntitiesIn its notice, the CNMV highlighted ig-indexlimited.com as a clone-style operation. The regulator stressed that this site has no connection with Indexa Capital A.V., S.A., which is duly registered in Spain as an investment firm under number 257.Spain’s latest clone-firm warning lands against a backdrop of tighter rules on high‑risk products, more aggressive blacklisting of unauthorized sites and broader EU‑level work on scams.ESMA first introduced EU‑wide product‑intervention measures that capped leverage, required negative balance protection and standardised risk warnings, and national regulators such as the CNMV later embedded and tightened these rules locally. In Spain, this has translated into tougher marketing curbs, including a near‑ban on CFD advertising to the general public and limits on sponsorships that indirectly promote leveraged trading.CNMV Pairs Tougher CFD Marketing RulesIn recent years, CNMV has not only expanded its list of unregistered and clone‑style platforms, but also pushed through product‑intervention measures that clamp down on how firms’ market CFDs and other leveraged instruments to Spanish retail clients.You may also like: Polymarket Curbs Insider Bets: No Stolen Info, No Illegal Tips, No Outcome InfluencersThe measures include a de facto ban on CFD advertising to the general public, restrictions on sponsorships and brand campaigns that indirectly promote these products, and stricter margin requirements, all aimed at curbing losses among retail traders.The clarification aims to avoid confusion for investors who might link the unregistered website with the authorized company because of the similarity in names.The CNMV is now urging investors to check a firm’s status before opening an account or transferring funds. Investors can consult the official registry and the section dedicated to warnings on the CNMV website, where the authority lists unregistered entities. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Polymarket has introduced new market integrity rules across its decentralized finance (DeFi) platform and its CFTC-regulated U.S. exchange, outlining how it enforces trading standards and handles suspicious activity.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)Clear Definitions on Insider Trading and ManipulationThe revised rules define three main types of prohibited insider trading: trading on stolen confidential information, trading on illegal tips, and trading by anyone with influence over an event outcome. Both platforms also ban various forms of manipulation, including spoofing, wash trading, self-dealing, front-running, and fictitious transactions.The latest update comes when Wall Street compliance desks are waking up to the fact that event markets can be used to trade on material non‑public information just as easily as equities or options.Today we're publishing new market integrity rules across our CFTC-regulated US exchange & DeFi platform — making clear what's prohibited, how we enforce rules, & how to report suspicious activity.The World's Largest Prediction Market runs on transparencyhttps://t.co/dWr23zcki6— Polymarket (@Polymarket) March 23, 2026JPMorgan and other large banks recently started looking at how to extend their insider‑trading and information‑barrier policies to platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket. This moved prediction markets from a regulatory grey zone into the core of their conduct‑risk frameworks.Read more: CFTC Flags Insider Risks in Prediction Markets as Kalshi Sanctions Two TradersPolymarket said the latest updates, detailed in the DeFi platform’s Terms of Use and the Polymarket U.S. Rulebook, reinforce measures against insider trading and market manipulation while promoting user protection and transparency. It launched dedicated Market Integrity pages to explain how these rules apply in practice and to guide users on reporting suspicious activity.Additionally, it noted that it maintains a multi-tiered surveillance structure on both platforms. On its DeFi platform, all transactions occur on the Polygon blockchain, providing on-chain transparency.Multi-Layered Surveillance FrameworkThe company is now working with technology partners to identify potential irregularities, with enforcement actions ranging from wallet bans to referrals to law enforcement.On its U.S. exchange, oversight includes external trade surveillance experts, an internal real-time control desk, and a Regulatory Services Agreement with the National Futures Association (NFA) to investigate and sanction rule violations.US regulators warned about insider risks in prediction markets after two recent KalshiEX cases showed traders abusing privileged information. One involved an editor betting on contracts tied to a YouTube channel where he worked. In response, the CFTC’s Enforcement Division issued an advisory reminding traders and exchanges that insider dealing and fraud in these markets fall squarely under federal oversight. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Global online interest in FX/CFD brokers fell 4.2% in February from a January peak, settling at 38.5 million in total broker visibility across 49 brokers and 120 countries tracked by FM Intelligence. Despite the monthly pullback, the reading remained 33.5% above February 2025 levels, pointing to continued expansion in the industry's organic footprint rather than a structural retreat.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)Global Broker Interest Falls 4.2% After January Peak, Europe Holds 43% ShareEurope held 43% of all broker-directed online interest globally, with 16.6 million in total visibility, making it the industry's largest region by a wide margin. North America followed at 20.6% and Asia-Pacific at 23.5%. Africa was the only region where visibility also fell year-on-year, declining 12.2%.OANDA held the top position in all six geographic regions tracked by FM Intelligence in February, accounting for 36.1% of global broker online visibility and 13.9 million in estimated monthly interest. No other broker in the dataset ranked first in more than one region. OANDA's cross-regional dominance held even as its absolute visit counts fell month-on-month in five of six regions, a dynamic partly explained by FTMO's acquisition of OANDA in early 2025 and the subsequent transition of its prop trading clients to the FTMO brand.The sharpest competitive shift in the February data was Capital.com's rapid repositioning toward continental Europe. The broker's German visibility rose 231% month-on-month, from 147,000 to 485,000, making Germany its largest single market globally. Italian visibility climbed 56% and French visibility rose 45%. That expansion came alongside a 60% drop in the broker's US presence, consistent with Capital.com's broader push into new regulated markets across Europe and beyond. At the same time, XTB lost 402,000 visits in Germany alone, a 43.7% single-month decline that cut its European share from 15.3% to 11.1%.Elsewhere, Forex.com was the only top-tier broker to grow in both the US and Canada, adding US visits and nearly doubling its Canadian presence. Dukascopy posted the dataset's largest year-on-year gain at 285% in global visibility. Earlier FM Intelligence analysis linking web traffic to actual CFD volumes adds weight to what these visibility shifts may mean at the trading desk level, and the broader industry context of active CFD accounts exceeding 6 million in Q4 2025 underscores the scale of the competitive battle these visibility numbers reflect.The full February 2026 FM Intelligence analysis, covering regional breakdowns, individual broker rankings across 120 countries, country-level heat maps, and competitive positioning data, is available on the FM Intelligence Portal. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Capital.com shared a LinkedIn post outlining a senior job opening and business plans in Singapore. In December, it applied for a South African licence. The company said it is “exploring new licences in several markets.”Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).The post addressed the status of Singapore operations. The company wrote: “Please note that our Singapore operations are subject to the receipt of the relevant regulatory approvals, and we are currently in the process of obtaining our license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.”Singapore Risk Role Open at Capital.comCapital.com listed details of a Risk Manager role for its Singapore entity. The position will manage the risk framework for the CMS-licensed entity and cover the identification, measurement, monitoring and control of “all material risks, including market, credit, operational, liquidity, and compliance risks,” in line with MAS requirements and internal governance standards.The posting states the Risk Manager will report directly to the Country Head, Singapore, with secondary reporting to Group Risk. The role will work closely with Compliance, Finance and Operations teams to support risk governance and oversight.Capital.com Grows Operations Across Multiple MarketsBeyond Singapore, Capital.com is pursuing licences in Japan and Turkey and is recruiting CEOs for operations in Brazil and Chile. Founded by Viktor Prokopenya in 2017, the company offers contracts for differences under authorisation from regulators in the UK, Australia, Cyprus, the UAE, and the Bahamas. The group is expanding both geographically and across products, including investing in scalable infrastructure and emerging technologies such as blockchain. Its research has also been cited in regulatory work, including the FCA discussion paper “Expanding Consumer Access to Investments,” which noted that many UK investors remain cautious about further investing due to concerns over scams.Capital Vault Secures MiCA ApprovalIn addition to geographic expansion, Capital.com appears to have obtained a Markets in Crypto-Assets licence from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, according to the regulator’s public registry. The licence was granted to an entity named Capital Vault Ltd, which shares the same building as Capital.com’s Cyprus entity but occupies a separate floor. The MiCA licence was awarded on 1 December 2025. FinanceMagnates.com previously reported that Capital.com was hiring a Head of Technology for digital assets, suggesting potential plans to offer spot cryptocurrency products and services. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

CMC Markets’ Artur Delijergijevson Metals Demand, Volatility, and What It Takes to Keep Pricing StableExtreme volatility does not just change what traders buy and sell. It changes how they hedge, how they judge risk, and what they expect from execution when prices move fast.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)In a Finance Magnates Executive Interview at iFX Dubai, Finance Magnates spoke with Artur Delijergijevs, Head of Systematic Market Making at CMC Markets, about what he is seeing across client flow and product demand, and what it takes to keep pricing and execution stable in stressed conditions.Delijergijevs pointed to a clear trend in metals demand, questioned whether gold still fits the classic safe-haven definition given large daily moves, and described how hedging activity rises alongside opportunistic trading. He also explained why electronic execution needs to be paired with human relationship support, how machine learning is being used in day-to-day operations, and why Dubai’s location matters for covering global trading sessions.Metals are seeing the strongest demandAsked what product is being traded most right now, Delijergijevs said metals are leading."The huge demand has been in metals. Retail clients and institutional clients are flooding the metal markets, fleeing to so-called safe-haven products."He said the move reflects both risk sentiment and the performance metals have delivered. In his view, rising prices over the last couple of years have also attracted investors seeking strong returns. He added that shifting policy expectations, including trade tariffs, are driving people to look for trades.Delijergijevs also said the demand is visible across both retail and institutional activity. While much of CMC’s business is B2C, he said that even institutional clients often represent underlying retail flow that is being hedged through CMC.He also referenced ETF activity, pointing to significant inflows into gold ETFs in recent months.Finance Magnates has also reported on CMC Markets’ push into physical precious metals in Singapore, amid ongoing volatilityIs gold still a safe havenDelijergijevs questioned whether gold should still be described as a safe-haven asset given the volatility he is seeing."I don’t think so. I mean, what safe-haven asset moves 10% a day?"He said gold has delivered strong returns over the last couple of years, but suggested that whether those returns continue depends on macro conditions. He highlighted three drivers: policy direction, central bank rate changes, and geopolitics."It all depends on what’s going to happen with the policy, the central bank rate changes, and most importantly, probably for gold, geopolitics."In the interview, he also pointed to political headlines as a trigger of volatility."Trump is basically starting a new war."Volatility increases hedging, but also opportunistic tradingDelijergijevs said volatile markets drive more hedging demand."Certainly in volatile times, we see a lot more hedging activity from our clients."He described how quickly exposures can change. In his words, a desk can start the day with a relatively flat book and then become meaningfully long or short within minutes as clients react to volatility.At the same time, he said increased volatility also brings opportunistic trading. Some participants look to take advantage of sharp moves and try to buy dips in fast-moving markets.How a market maker prepares for stressed marketsFrom a desk perspective, Delijergijevs said preparation is essential around key economic events and announcements."Around specific key economic events and announcements, we prepare our systems, we prepare our pricing."For unexpected moves, he said the priority is staying on top of conditions while maintaining consistent pricing and execution quality. He highlighted controlling slippage, providing timely executions, and staying competitive even when volatility is elevated.He also said it is natural for spreads and commercial terms to reflect higher underlying market volatility, but the objective is to remain competitive in that environment.Electronic execution needs a human layerDelijergijevs was asked whether customer relationships take precedence over software-led execution changes during volatile periods. He argued the best model is a mix of both."Ultimately, the best setup is the combination of both, a hybrid model."He said electronic execution is the default approach because it delivers speed and consistency. But relationship management becomes critical when clients need context, face connectivity issues, or attempt to execute larger volumes under pressure.He also stressed the importance of being able to reach a person quickly when something goes wrong."Something goes wrong, and you’re trading electronically, you want to be able to pick up a phone and call someone on the other side, or message them on WhatsApp."Where AI fits in the workflowOn AI, Delijergijevs said CMC is integrating machine learning models into multiple parts of daily operations, including risk management, pricing, and automating routine tasks.He was also clear about the limits. He said he does not expect AI and machine learning to replace human decision-making soon, particularly during stressed markets."I don’t think AI and machine learning models will replace human decision-making anytime soon, especially in instances of stressed markets."He positioned AI as a way to optimise operational tasks so teams can spend more time on higher-value client conversations.Why Dubai matters for global trading coverageDelijergijevs also spoke about Dubai as a base for trading operations. He said he spent about 15 years in London and moved to Dubai 2.5 years ago.From his perspective, Dubai’s geographic position supports coverage across trading sessions. He described it as a bridge between Asia, Europe and the US, allowing overlap with APAC colleagues early in the day, followed by full coverage with Europe and the UK, and then participation in the early US session.ConclusionDelijergijevs’s interview offered a desk-level view of what volatility changes look like in practice. Metals are drawing heavy demand from both retail and institutional activity, while large daily moves are challenging traditional safe-haven assumptions.For market makers, he said the priority is consistent pricing and reliable execution, supported by a hybrid approach that combines electronic connectivity with human responsiveness. AI can improve daily workflows, but in stressed markets, Delijergijevs argued that experienced judgment and real-time client support remain central.CMC Markets Singapore: Most Innovative Broker 2025 (Asia)CMC Markets Singapore has been recognised at the Finance Magnates Awards 2025 for its dedication to innovation and improving the trading experience in Asia. The company is redefining this experience by delivering new tools and practical features specifically tailored to the region's markets.About CMC MarketsCMC Markets is a leading global provider of online trading and investing services, catering to retail, professional, and institutional clients. Founded in London in 1989, the CMC Markets group now serves over 2 million clients worldwide. The company is recognised as a pioneer in online trading, offering a diverse range of products including CFDs, forex (FX), equities, indices, commodities and treasuries. This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.

B2PRIME Group, a global financial services provider for institutional, professional and retail clients, is proud to announce aт expansion of its digital asset ecosystem. By introducing Crypto Spot and Crypto Perpetual Futures (PF), B2PRIME, through its Bahamas-based entity, regulated by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas under the Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges Act (DARE) and the Securities Industry Act (SIA), now offers an unprecedented level of market access.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)This expansion empowers institutional and professional clients to manage their entire portfolio — spanning Forex, Metals, Indices, Commodities, Energies, NDFs, and Crypto, within a single, sophisticated technological framework.Unified & Isolated Account StructuresB2PRIME introduces a versatile account architecture designed to align with diverse risk management and operational strategies. Clients can now choose between highly specialized or fully integrated environments:The Unified Account: The flagship offering on B2TRADER Platform allows for seamless trading across FX, CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Crypto Spot, and Perpetual Futures from a single account. This environment supports cross-collateral margin, enabling clients to utilize digital assets (such as BTC, ETH, SOL, ADA, AVAX, BCH, BNB, DOT, DOGE, LTC, TRX, TON, XRP, USDT, USDC, USD, and EUR) as collateral for margin trading across all supported instruments. This eliminates the friction of internal transfers and ensures maximum capital efficiency.Isolated Product Accounts: For clients requiring strict capital segmentation, there are dedicated accounts for FX & CFD trading, Spot trading, and Perpetual Futures trading.Universal Access: Native Apps & TradingView IntegrationB2PRIME ensures that institutional-grade execution is available wherever the client. The company’s infrastructure is fully responsive and accessible via:Native Web Terminal: High-performance trading directly from the browser.Mobile Ecosystem: Fully optimized iOS and Android applications for on-the-go management.TradingView Integration: In a move to provide maximum flexibility, B2PRIME is natively integrated with TradingView. Traders can now execute orders and manage positions across all asset classes, including FX and Crypto, directly through the TradingView application or terminal.High-Performance Trading SpecificationsB2PRIME offers some of the most competitive trading conditions in the institutional sector, including the Tiered Commission Structure: Commissions are automatically calculated based on a 30-day rolling volume window per market category, with Spot tiers starting as low as 0.055% and Perpetual Futures from 0.0425%.Global Funding & Multi-Network SupportAn automated funding engine supports a vast array of Crypto, Fiat, and Local Currencies. B2PRIME provides native support for over 8 major blockchain networks for USDT and USDC, ensuring deposits and withdrawals are processed at industry-leading speed and reliability.“The digital asset market is evolving rapidly, and institutional participation is becoming a defining force in its development,” adds Eugenia Mykuliak, Founder and Executive Director of B2PRIME Group. “For B2PRIME, expanding into crypto trading is a logical step in building a truly global multi-asset prime brokerage. By expanding our capabilities in this field, we continue building an ecosystem where clients can seamlessly access diverse markets through a single institutional-grade environment.”“For us, this move into crypto is a direct response to what our clients are already asking for. They want the same level of execution quality, transparency, and infrastructure in digital assets that they are used to in traditional markets. That is exactly what we have built,” said Alex Tsepaev, Chief Strategy Officer at B2PRIME Group.Detailed trading specifications and institutional contract specifications are available on the B2PRIME website.About B2PRIMEB2PRIME Group is a global financial services provider for institutional and professional clients. Regulated by reputable authorities – including CySEC, SFSA, FSCA, FSC Mauritius, DFSA (Dubai) – the group of companies offer access to competitive liquidity across multiple asset classes. Committed to the highest compliance standards, B2PRIME provides institutional-grade trading solutions with a focus on reliability, transparency, and operational excellence. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Across forex, fintech, and payments, brand-building rarely happens in a single moment.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)It takes time. It takes consistency. It takes product work, client support, marketing effort, strategic decisions, and the ability to keep moving in competitive conditions. Over the course of a year, companies invest heavily in strengthening their position, improving how they serve the market, and building a brand that clients and partners can trust.Much of that work happens away from the spotlight.It happens in planning meetings, campaign rollouts, product updates, commercial conversations, customer experience improvements, and the day-to-day decisions that shape how a business is seen. While some of that progress may be visible in performance data, numbers alone do not always capture the full value of what a brand has built.That is one reason industry recognition continues to matter.Recognition Beyond VisibilityFor firms operating in financial services, recognition carries value beyond exposure.It can help validate a company’s market position, reflect the trust it has earned, and strengthen the way it is perceived by clients, partners, and the wider industry. In sectors where reputation matters, that kind of visibility can support a broader brand and business story.Awards have long played a role in that process. At their best, they do more than celebrate success. They create a clear public moment in which a company’s progress, consistency, and contribution to the market can be acknowledged more widely.That distinction matters in competitive sectors where many brands are active, but fewer are truly remembered.Why the Name Behind the Award MattersNot all recognition carries the same weight.The value of an award is often shaped by the reputation of the organisation behind it. When recognition comes from a respected industry media and events brand, it holds greater relevance. It signals not only achievement, but achievement seen and acknowledged in a credible market context.That is what gives industry awards their real importance.For many firms, being recognised under a trusted name means more than adding another logo to a website or sales deck. It can enhance credibility in the market, strengthen PR and marketing value, and give internal teams a moment to reflect on their work throughout the year.In that sense, awards are not only external recognition. They are also a marker of progress.A Common Need Across Forex, Fintech, and PaymentsAlthough forex brokers, fintech firms, and payments providers operate in different segments, the need for recognition is tied to many of the same business realities.All are competing for trust.All are working to maintain relevance.All are investing in stronger market positioning.For brokers, that may involve standing out in a crowded environment where reliability, service quality, and brand confidence are closely watched. For fintech companies, it may mean proving innovation, usability, and long-term market value. For payment providers, it often comes down to demonstrating scale, dependability, efficiency, and business impact.In each case, recognition can help reinforce what a company is already working to build.It gives the market a reason to look more closely. It helps put a company’s achievements into the broader industry conversation. And it creates a moment where business progress becomes more visible in brand terms.The Work Behind Every Strong BrandRecognition also matters because it reflects more than just the company name.Behind every brand that earns market attention is a wider team making that possible. Leadership defines direction. Marketing shapes positioning and visibility. Product teams improve the offering. Sales and account teams build relationships. Operations, support, and commercial teams help keep the business moving effectively.In fast-moving sectors, that work often goes from one deadline to the next with little pause for reflection. Brands focus on the next launch, the next campaign, the next target, or the next quarter. As a result, meaningful progress can pass without a clear moment of acknowledgement.Awards help create that moment.They offer a point at which companies can step back, assess what they have built, and present that progress to the market more visibly. That is valuable not only for external audiences but also for internal teams.More Than a Single NightThe business value of recognition does not begin and end with the event itself.Awards can support a much wider cycle of visibility. A nomination can become a brand message. A shortlist can create momentum. A win can become part of PR, social media, commercial outreach, sales material, and internal communications. Even beyond the result, the process gives firms a chance to define and communicate what makes their business stand out.That is why awards remain relevant as part of a broader marketing and brand strategy.They add a layer of validation that standard promotion alone cannot always provide. They place a company in a context of comparison, achievement, and market acknowledgement. For firms looking to strengthen how they are seen, that has practical value.A Reflection of Trust and ProgressIn financial services, trust is rarely built quickly.It is earned through consistency, service, decision-making, product quality, and the ability to meet market expectations over time. Recognition does not create trust on its own, but it can reflect it in a visible and credible way.That is especially true when the recognition comes from a brand with an established role in the industry.In that case, awards do more than spotlight individual companies. They also reflect broader market standards, expectations, and progress. They show which firms are being noticed, which brands are making an impression, and which businesses are helping shape the wider conversation.A strong brand is not built in one campaign, one quarter, or one announcement.It is built over time through effort, consistency, improvement, and the decisions a company makes every day. For firms across forex, fintech, and payments, that process is ongoing, competitive, and often demanding.That is why recognition still matters.After a year of building, refining, adapting, and growing, companies deserve the opportunity to be recognised for the value they have created. And when that recognition comes from a respected industry name, it carries greater meaning.The Finance Magnates Awards 2026 are now open for nominations.For brands across forex, fintech, and payments, they offer an opportunity to gain recognition that reflects not only visibility, but trust, progress, and market impact. This article was written by Dora Christofi at www.financemagnates.com.

When I analyzed gold's technical chart last week, I identified $4,550 and $4,360 as the next downside targets and the 200-day EMA at $4,200 as the critical bull/bear dividing line. I did not expect those targets to be tested within days.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)Gold has now fallen for nine consecutive sessions , losing approximately 15% from March's $5,100 highs and touching as low as $4,100 per ounce during Monday's intraday session before rebounding to $4,260 as the 200 EMA provided initial support. Silver has simultaneously collapsed to $64 per ounce, its lowest level since December 2025.In this article, I will break down my updated XAU/USD technical analysis for both gold and silver, examine why the crash is happening, and present the most relevant price predictions for the rest of 2026. Based on my over a 15 years of experience as an analyst and retail investor, here is what I am watching.Follow me on X for real-time gold and silver market analysis: @ChmielDkWhy Gold Is Crashing? Nine Sessions, One ExplanationThe chain of causation is now well-established. The Federal Reserve's March 18 hawkish hold - cutting 2026 rate cut projections from two to one while citing persistent oil-driven inflation - broke the monetary policy thesis that had underpinned gold's entire rally from $2,600 to $5,600. As Tony Sage, CEO of Critical Metals, puts it: "Interest rate cuts are no longer expected in the US, while other central banks are seen as likely to hike interest rates in their upcoming meetings, weighing down on non-yielding assets like gold."The oil-inflation-rates transmission is the core mechanism. The Strait of Hormuz situation continues to keep Brent crude elevated, reigniting inflation fears that force the market to price in higher-for-longer rates. The Dollar Index has surged in response, making gold - priced in dollars - simultaneously more expensive for international buyers and less attractive relative to yield-bearing US assets. As one Allianz scenario model noted, oil above $100 per barrel could add 0.5 percentage points to US inflation, enough to keep real yields elevated and gold under sustained pressure.The Russia-dollar pivot report from mid-February added a structural dimension to the selling. If Russia returns to dollar settlement, one of the key de-dollarisation narratives that drove central bank gold buying over the past two years loses force. The market is now questioning whether the structural demand story that justified $5,600 gold was partly a narrative premium rather than a durable fundamental.XAU/USD Technical Analysis: Gold at the 200 EMA - The Last LineAs my chart shows, gold has done in a week what I expected might take a month. The previous gold analysis identified $4,550 and $4,360 as sequential bear targets with the 200-day EMA at $4,200 as the critical bull/bear dividing line. Both intermediate targets have been blown past without meaningful support. Gold touched $4,100 intraday on Monday before rebounding to $4,260, with the 200 EMA providing the first genuine buying response.This is technically significant. Officially, the uptrend remains intact - the 200 EMA has not been broken on a daily closing basis, and that is the only level that matters for trend classification. Gold has not closed below the 200 EMA since late 2023. But the intraday penetration to $4,100 is a warning. If Monday closes below $4,306 - the October 2025 historical highs - further downside becomes increasingly likely.The next sequential targets on my bear scenario are $3,925 (the November 2025 lows) and ultimately my extreme bear target at $3,500 - the June 2025 highs from which the near-uninterrupted rally to $5,600 began. From Monday's $4,260, that extreme scenario represents a further decline of approximately 18%.For the bull case to reassert itself, gold needs to reclaim $4,550 - the late 2025 historical highs - which would open the path back toward the consolidation near the all-time highs at $5,600. A recovery to $4,300 alone is insufficient. The market needs to demonstrate it can hold and build above $4,550 before any recovery thesis becomes credible.Silver Below $70 - The Support Has FlippedThe silver situation is evolving in parallel but with even greater urgency. As I wrote in the silver crash analysis from last Friday, the $70 level was the critical lower boundary - tested and held three times since the start of 2026. On Monday March 23, that support has been broken. Silver is trading at $64 per ounce, down nearly 6% on the day and at its lowest level since December 2025.The most important technical development on the silver chart is this: $70 has now officially flipped from support to resistance. Three successful defences of a level, followed by a break, typically produce the most decisive directional moves in technical analysis because all the buyers who trusted that support are now trapped, creating additional selling pressure on any rally that approaches $70 from below.The 200-day MA at $62 is the next meaningful support, and it mirrors exactly what gold is doing at its own 200 EMA. Silver has not yet produced a daily close below its 200 EMA, so officially the uptrend remains intact - but the margin is thin.My next sequential bear targets are $55 per ounce (the October 2025 historical highs) and if that fails, the extreme scenario opens up considerably further downside. A recovery, when it comes, needs to clear $70 first, and more convincingly $80 where the 50-day MA runs, to generate genuine confidence that triple-digit silver prices are back in play. Below $80, even if silver stabilises, I expect further corrective pressure given how aggressively the market is positioned short on precious metals right now.Is This the End of the Bull Market? The Expert ViewsRania Gule, Senior Market Analyst at XS.com, urges against a purely technical reading of the current situation: "This phase cannot be assessed solely through technical analysis or short-term price movements - it must be viewed within a broader macroeconomic framework." She maintains that "gold continues to hold strong structural bullish momentum supported by solid fundamental drivers, most notably ongoing global economic uncertainty and rising institutional demand for hedging." Her framing of the current decline as a "necessary correction to rebuild long positions" is the institutional consensus view.The structural supports that Gule cites are real. Central bank gold purchases remain near record levels. US fiscal deficits show no sign of narrowing. The geopolitical environment is genuinely elevated. GoldSilver.com's March report makes the case directly: "The structural case hasn't changed - central banks are still buying, the dollar outlook is still soft long-term, US fiscal deficits aren't shrinking".But there is a meaningful minority making the structural bear case. Bloomberg Intelligence's Mike McGlone had warned earlier this month that gold's surge "to multiyear extremes vs. most moving averages and broad commodities may suggest the store of value has shifted to a speculative risk asset." That framing - gold as momentum trade rather than structural allocation - is gaining credibility with every additional session of selling. If institutions begin treating gold as a crowded momentum position rather than a portfolio hedge, the unwind can be faster than any fundamental deterioration alone would justify.Gold and Silver Price Predictions 2026: The Revised LandscapeThe institutional forecasts that dominated coverage in January and February are now being stress-tested against the reality of a 15-month low on gold and a 47% decline from January's silver peak. Some have been revised. Others are holding firm.At the bearish institutional end, Capital Economics' Hamad Hussain targets $3,500 for year-end gold - a scenario that requires the bull market to be definitively over and the 200 EMA to be broken convincingly. Macquarie forecasts an average 2026 gold price of $4,323, implying the current level is broadly fair value with limited upside. NAGA's bear scenario, assigned a 20% probability, targets $3,900-$4,300. State Street's bear case (20% probability) sits at $3,500-$4,000, driven by dollar stabilisation and a return to growth momentum.The bulls have not surrendered. Goldman Sachs maintains its $6,000 year-end target, requiring a Fed pivot and central bank demand acceleration. NAGA's bull scenario (50% probability) targets $4,500-$5,500. State Street's base case (50% probability) targets $4,000-$4,500 - which is essentially where gold is trading right now, suggesting the market has arrived at fair value rather than oversold territory.FAQWhy is gold crashing in March 2026?Gold has fallen for nine consecutive sessions - down approximately 15% from its March high of $5,100 - following the Federal Reserve's March 18 hawkish hold that cut 2026 rate cut projections from two to one. The Strait of Hormuz oil shock reignited inflation fears that keep real yields elevated and the dollar strong, both direct headwinds for non-yielding gold. THow low can gold go?As shown on my chart, gold is currently testing the 200-day EMA at $4,200 - the bull/bear dividing line that has not been breached on a closing basis since late 2023. A sustained close below $4,306 (October 2025 highs) would activate my next sequential targets: $3,925 (November 2025 lows) and the extreme bear case of $3,500 (June 2025 highs), representing approximately 18% further downside from Monday's $4,260. How low can silver go?Silver has broken below the critical $70 support level that held three times in 2026, trading at $64 per ounce on Monday March 23. That $70 level has now flipped to resistance. My next targets on the bear scenario are the 200-day MA at $62 and then the October 2025 historical highs at $55 - approximately 14% further downside from current levels. A close below the 200 EMA would be a materially bearish signal, as the current trend structure has not yet produced one.Is the gold and silver bull market over?Not officially - neither metal has closed below its 200-day EMA, which is the structural line that separates bull from bear trend on my chart. Rania Gule of XS.com argues that "gold continues to maintain strong structural bullish momentum" with central bank buying, fiscal deficits, and geopolitical risk all still intact. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Artificial intelligence has moved from a boardroom buzzword to a core operational tool within the French financial landscape. A comprehensive new study by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) reveals a significant shift: 90% of supervised entities have already integrated AI or have immediate plans to do so. For investment service providers and brokers, this marks an important stage, as the industry moves away from experimental pilots toward scaled, high-stakes production.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!) The AMF’s report serves as both a roadmap and a reality check. While firms are seeing substantial efficiency gains in automated reporting, market analysis, and AML monitoring, the regulator is also raising serious concerns about so-called “black box” algorithms and the industry’s growing reliance on a small group of global technology providers. As these tools become more advanced, the AMF draws a clear line: legal responsibility for AI-driven outcomes remains firmly with senior management, regardless of how autonomous a system may appear.The study also highlights a clear gap between internal efficiency and client-facing transparency. While most current use cases focus on back-office productivity, the AMF stresses that any AI-assisted content, from onboarding chatbots to pricing support, must remain accurate, explainable, and subject to continuous human oversight. The use of AI does not reduce the obligation to act in the best interests of clients. If anything, it raises the standard for supervision. Our latest feature breaks down the AMF’s findings, including the risks linked to off-the-shelf solutions and the required steps to maintain human oversight in an increasingly automated environment.Read the Full Article on Finance Magnates Intelligence portal. This article was written by Sylwester Majewski at www.financemagnates.com.

XTB shares fell for a second consecutive session today (Monday), sliding to an intraday low of 86.40 PLN before recovering to around 89.22 PLN, a decline of roughly 2.5% on the day. The pullback, which stretches over two trading sessions, has taken the Warsaw-listed broker (WSE: XTB) to its lowest level since February 24, and represents a roughly 9% retreat from the stock's all-time high of 96.94 PLN reached just two weeks ago on March 10.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)The pressure dates back to March 19, when XTB published its consolidated annual report for 2025, showing record revenues that masked a sharp deterioration in profitability. Trading the following day opened with heavy selling, with shares dropping from around 94.98 PLN to an intraday low of 90.10 PLN before closing at 91.58 PLN, the steepest single-session decline the stock had seen since November 2025.XTB’s Record Revenue, Shrinking ProfitsThe numbers at the top of the income statement were unambiguously strong. Total operating income rose 14.6% year-over-year to PLN 2.15 billion in 2025, a company record, according to the annual report.But operating costs rose nearly three times faster, up 48.2% to PLN 1.31 billion, leaving net profit at PLN 644.2 million, down 24.8% from PLN 856.9 million in 2024. Earnings per share fell from PLN 7.29 to PLN 5.48 over the same period.The single largest driver of the cost increase was marketing. XTB's marketing bill rose 69.6% to PLN 584.9 million in 2025, including PLN 405 million in online spending alone, up from PLN 262.3 million a year earlier. Staff costs followed, rising 32.6% to PLN 413 million, while IT and licensing expenses nearly doubled to PLN 73 million from PLN 39.4 million. The net profit margin contracted from roughly 46% in 2024 to around 30% in 2025, a shift investors are struggling to look past.Two further line items stand out from the report. Financial costs surged from PLN 1.1 million in 2024 to PLN 94.6 million in 2025, driven almost entirely by foreign exchange losses of PLN 93.1 million, primarily the result of PLN strengthening against the dollar and euro. Revenue per active client also fell 32.5%, from PLN 2.7 thousand to PLN 1.8 thousand, a metric that reflects the dilutive effect of bringing in large volumes of lower-activity accounts.The Cost Guidance That Unnerved MarketsIf the 2025 numbers were the catalyst, it is the company's own forward-looking commentary in the annual report that has kept sellers engaged. The management board states directly in the report: "In 2026, total operating costs may be up to approximately 30% higher compared to what we observed in 2025. The Management Board's priority is the continued growth of the client base and building a global brand. As a result, marketing expenditures may increase by approximately 50% compared to the previous year," according to the 2025 annual report. The company adds that in the medium term, meaning the 2027 to 2029 horizon, marketing costs could grow 30% to 40% annually, with the assumption that the average cost of client acquisition remains broadly in line with the 2023 to 2026 range.For investors who had priced in both growth and margin recovery, that kind of guidance leaves little room for optimism in the near term. The firm had forecast full-year 2025 net profit of around PLN 673 million back in January, a figure that ultimately proved reasonably close to the mark, though the context of the cost trajectory heading into 2026 has shifted the picture considerably.The Client BetCEO Omar Arnaout has been consistent in framing client acquisition as the company's defining priority, and the 2025 numbers bear that strategy out. XTB added 864,286 new clients during the year, a 73% jump from 498,438 in 2024, pushing the total base past 2.16 million. In an interview published in February, Arnaout called reaching two million new clients annually "completely realistic" within a few years, noting that "it took us 20 years to have a million clients" and that "in 2025, we acquired over 860,000 clients."Moreover, asked in an April 2025 interview at XTB's Warsaw headquarters which KPIs matter more, revenue and profit or client acquisition, Arnaout did not hedge:"I would be lying if I said profit wasn't important to us. But I'll be honest. Even when we present slightly worse financial results to institutional investors, if we see that our client acquisition was very high, clients are actively using our application and are satisfied with it, and deposits were strong with significant increases in trading volumes, personally, that's more important to me than the financial results. It builds a base for a significant increase in profits over time. The end goal will always be reaching the highest level of profits."That view is difficult to reconcile with the market's reaction, and the tension is a familiar one for XTB investors. The company keeps delivering on client growth, while the market keeps discounting the earnings that growth produces. The average cost per new client acquisition was PLN 677 in 2025, broadly in line with prior years, but that efficiency metric does not, on its own, resolve the question of whether the aggressive spend is a temporary investment or a structural shift in the cost base.Profitability per lot, a key operating metric, also deteriorated, falling 21.8% to PLN 215 from PLN 275 in 2024. Volume grew sharply but at diminishing returns. On a quarterly basis, Q4 2025 was the weakest period of the year, with net profit of just PLN 160.3 million, compared to a peak of PLN 302.7 million in Q2.Africa Exit and Institutional WeaknessThe annual report also disclosed the sale of XTB's South African subsidiary for $645,000 to an unnamed buyer, closing out an eight-year attempt to enter the African continent that never generated a single client transaction. The deal, signed on February 17, 2026, and still pending FSCA regulatory approval, represents a minor write-off in financial terms, but it underscores a pattern of geographic retreats outside XTB's European core.Separately, the company's institutional segment, operated under the X Open Hub brand, saw revenues fall 48.3% year-over-year to PLN 42.5 million in 2025, a notable reversal from the PLN 82.3 million generated in 2024. The segment, which provides liquidity and trading technology to other financial institutions, is known for revenue volatility, but the scale of the decline adds another layer of nuance to what was otherwise a strong top-line year.Technicals Remain StrongFrom a technical perspective, the picture remains within a broader consolidation range. The stock has been trading between approximately 86 PLN, a support level defined by the gap formed during the January and February rally, and approximately 96 PLN, the vicinity of the all-time high.At 89.22 PLN, the shares sit closer to the lower end of that range than the upper, but remain well above the early 2025 lows that preceded the strong rally now partially reversing. XTB shares have experienced sharp pullbacks before, including a 25% decline from peak to trough in mid-2025, only to recover fully and push to new highs.Whether this episode follows a similar path depends on whether investors conclude that the company's aggressive spending is building lasting franchise value, or eating into the very earnings that justified the stock's premium valuation in the first place. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

CMC Markets has launched a multi-asset platform that allows retail clients to hold equity investments and trade derivatives within a single account, the FTSE 250 broker (LSE: CMCX) announced today (Monday), broadening its product line beyond its core derivatives business into the fast-growing commission-free investing market.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)The platform offers access to more than 12,000 global shares and ETFs with no trading commission and no platform or holding fees. A 0.5% foreign exchange conversion fee may apply for international transactions, the company said. CFDs and options across a range of global markets remain available alongside the new investing capability through the same account.Zero Commission Extends to UK and EU Share CFDsAlongside the platform launch, CMC Markets said it is also cutting commissions to zero on UK and European share CFDs, a category that excludes Greece. The firm said the move is designed to give clients more flexibility to switch between outright equity positions and leveraged products without additional cost friction."Removing commission on UK and European CFD shares allows our clients to trade more efficiently," said Vaughn Affonso, Co-Head of Dealing at CMC Markets. "At a time of increased investor interest and rotation from US markets into the UK and Europe, this provides a cost-effective way for clients to access new opportunities and manage their capital more dynamically."Monday's launch effectively closes the chapter on CMC Invest as a standalone product in the UK. The investing sub-brand was launched by CMC in October 2022 as a deliberate attempt to diversify away from CFDs, offering commission-free access to US and UK-listed shares, ETFs and investment trusts through a separate platform with a different identity. At the time, it was explicitly positioned as operating independently from CMC's core derivatives business.EU-UK Capital Rotation Shapes the TimingThe launch lands as some investors have been moving capital away from US equities toward European and British markets, a dynamic Affonso referenced directly. CMC, which partnered with Revolut in mid-2024 to distribute CFD access through the neobank's app, appears to be positioning its retail platform to benefit from the same shift.The firm also faces a more competitive domestic backdrop. Commission-free stock trading has become a baseline expectation in the UK retail market, with platforms including Trading 212 and Freetrade having already trained a large segment of younger investors on zero-cost models. CMC's move to match those terms, while bundling in a derivatives offering, represents an attempt to differentiate on breadth rather than price alone.Chris Cheverall, Head of UK at CMC Markets, said the combined offering is built around clients who want flexibility. "By offering investing and trading side by side, we're making it easier for clients to choose the approach that suits them," he said. "You might want to own shares in companies like Nvidia as part of a long-term strategy, or trade those same markets more actively using leverage - and now you can do both through a single CMC Markets platform."Three-Phase Roadmap Still UnfoldingMonday's launch is the first stage of a longer product vision CMC outlined last November, when the company described a three-phase plan culminating in a "Super App" that would unify traditional and decentralised finance on a single platform. The Super App phase, which the company said would incorporate tokenised assets, stablecoins and DeFi products alongside tax-advantaged wrappers like SIPPs and ISAs, has not yet been given a public launch date.CMC has been assembling the technical building blocks for that ambition. In May 2025, the broker increased its stake in blockchain firm StrikeX Technologies from 33% to 51% to gain control over the company's Web3 infrastructure, while later in the year it opened a new office in Warsaw as part of an ongoing expansion of its operational footprint.Shares Pull Back at the OpenCMC Markets shares did not react positively to the Monday announcement, falling more than 2% to around 330 pence at the London open. The stock had tested its highest levels since late 2024, reaching 345 pence on Friday before pulling back at the start of the new week.The modest selloff follows a period of strong momentum for the company. CMC's shares surged more than 40% after beating its full-year income guidance and reporting first-half pre-tax profit of £49.3 million on net operating income of £186.2 million in November 2025, at which point it also raised its full-year outlook by 10%. With the multi-asset platform now live, the market will be watching closely to see whether the commercial results justify the product investment the company has been signalling for months. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

BHM Capital Financial Services posted a 27% jump in total revenue to $56.1 million (AED 205.98 million) for the full year 2025, according to results the Dubai-listed firm released Sunday. Net profit rose 14.94% to $11.7 million (AED 43.08 million), compared with $10.2 million (AED 37.48 million) the prior year.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)The numbers represent a rebound in top-line momentum after a year of more modest gains. In 2024, BHM Capital grew revenue by roughly 19% and profit by a similar margin. Before that, 2023 was a breakout year for the company, when net profit more than doubled and revenues climbed 60% on the back of a surge in listing advisory work and margin trading.Balance Sheet Crosses $547 Million for the First TimeTotal assets grew 31.12% to $547 million (AED 2.01 billion) at the end of 2025, up from $419 million (AED 1.54 billion) a year earlier, the company said. Three years ago, in 2022, total assets stood at roughly $207 million (AED 760 million), meaning the firm's balance sheet has grown nearly threefold over that period.Chief Executive Abdel Hadi Al Sa'di acknowledged a difficult operating environment in his comments on the results. "These achievements come at a time when global and regional markets are navigating exceptionally challenging conditions," he said.[#highlighted-links#] "Nevertheless, we remain optimistic about the outlook of our markets and our industry. BHM Capital continues to operate with strength and stability, maintaining business momentum while pursuing... expansion initiatives."The more striking balance sheet move was in shareholders' equity, which nearly doubled to $138.6 million (AED 509.24 million) from $71.7 million (AED 263.44 million), a 93.30% increase. That gain far outpaces what net profit alone could explain, a gap the company did not address in its announcement. The increase likely reflects a capital raise or equity issuance during the year, though BHM Capital offered no breakdown of the specific drivers.Profit Margin Narrows as Costs RiseRevenue grew nearly 27%, but net profit grew at only 15%, pointing to higher operating expenses relative to income. The company attributed top-line growth to increased trading activity, expansion of financial services, and continued client acquisition, but provided no itemized breakdown of costs in its press release.That gap between revenue growth and profit growth is worth watching. In 2023, the firm managed to grow both at roughly similar rates. In 2025, the divergence suggests either higher headcount costs, platform investment, or increased competition pushing up client acquisition expenses, though none of those factors were confirmed in the results announcement.Al Sa'di pointed to digital platforms and new financial products as growth priorities going into 2026. "We remain focused on expanding our market presence, enhancing our digital platforms, and introducing... financial solutions that meet the evolving needs of investors," he said. "Looking ahead to 2026, we aim to build on this momentum and achieve even stronger results."BHM Capital Captures Over 40% of New DFM AccountsOn the retail side, BHM Capital said it opened almost 35,000 new trading accounts during 2025, representing approximately 40% of the 86,473 total new accounts opened across the Dubai Financial Market for the year. The firm said this makes it the leading broker on the exchange for attracting new investors.The UAE capital markets have become a busy battleground for financial firms. Interactive Brokers opened an office in the Dubai International Financial Center in late 2024, citing surging regional demand, and CFD brokers have flocked to Dubai in growing numbers, though most hold only limited-scope licenses that allow marketing but not full local operations.The retail appetite for UAE markets has been increasingly evident across the industry. Capital.com reported that 52% of its H1 2025 global trading volume came from the MENA region, with UAE traders driving more than 70% of that figure alone.Institutional Reach Underpins Retail GainsBHM Capital is listed on the DFM and regulated by the UAE Capital Market Authority. Beyond retail brokerage, the firm operates in market making, prime brokerage, fixed income, and corporate advisory. In 2022, it facilitated Swissquote's access to securities listed on the Dubai Financial Market through its Direct Market Access route, an early example of its push to serve global institutions seeking regional exposure.The firm also ranked first on the DFM by traded volume in December 2025, capturing a 13.41% market share with 1.32 billion shares traded, according to previously published data. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Finance Magnates has launched the FM Intelligence Portal, a new digital platform that brings together market data, compliance tracking, and custom research in one place. The portal is presented as “One Dashboard. All the Intelligence You Need” and is built to help financial firms make smarter business decisions using verified data.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)A New Portal Built for Faster, Better DecisionsThe FM Intelligence Portal is designed to help firms move away from scattered data sources and manual research. The FM Intelligence Portal provides users with clear monthly industry data, focused alerts, and a single place to review trading trends, competitor activity, regulatory updates, and risk signals. Two Core Intelligence Areas: Market and ComplianceThe portal is built around two main product areas: 'Market' and 'Compliance'.Under Market, users can access the following:FX/CFD Heat Map to track where trading demand is growingMarket Movement to monitor fast-moving assetsBroker Volumes to review market share and competitor shiftsPlatform Comparison to follow changes in platform demand and adoptionUnder 'Compliance', users can access the following:Recent Regulation for new directives and decisions from global regulatorsFines & Warnings for enforcement summaries and fraud alertsLicence & Registration continuous Monitoring to verify regulatory status and market compliance globallyBuilt for Financial Firms Across Key SectorsThe FM Intelligence Portal is designed for a wide range of financial professionals, including brokerages, fintech providers, compliance and legal teams, payment providers, prop trading firms, investors, and analysts. Companies can utilise the platform for competitor tracking, market analysis, due diligence, trend monitoring, licence verification, and risk assessment.Subscription Plans for Smaller Teams, Plus Custom ResearchThe portal is offered through paid subscription plans for smaller teams.Market Data Pro is listed at €599 per month, billed annually at €7,188.Compliance Pro is listed at €99 per month, billed annually at €1,188.FM Intelligence also offers custom reports for firms that need research tailored to their business goals, including competitor reviews, market entry, and board-level updates.Ramzi Ahmad, Director of Intelligence at Finance Magnates, said:“The FM Intelligence Portal was built for firms that need clear, trusted information in one place. From broker volumes and platform trends to regulation, fines, and licence monitoring, the portal helps teams act with more confidence and plan with better data.”Why the FM Intelligence Portal MattersThe portal helps firms to:Make informed business decisionsDefine strategy with confidenceAccess market data and compliance updates in one platformUse a product built for the financial industryThis positions the FM Intelligence Portal as both a research tool and a practical business resource for firms that need to respond more quickly to market and regulatory changes.Trusted by Leading Financial BrandsFM Intelligence supports decision-making across the financial industry, with data collected by the team used by established brands including Blueberry, AvaTrade, iFOREX, Tickmill, IC Markets, Deriv, Libertex, FortMarkets, and Spotware. These companies rely on the data for benchmarking, market review, strategic planning, product development, and broader business analysis.Financial firms can now sign up for the FM Intelligence Portal and choose the plan that best fits their needs, whether they are looking for market data, compliance coverage, or custom research support.Sign up for FM Intelligence Portal This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.

Wallester, the European leader in payment infrastructure and card issuing, has been named the #1 fastest-growing company in the Fintech, Financial Services & Insurance category in the 2026 FT1000, compiled by the Financial Times and Statista.The company placed 38th overall among Europe’s 1,000 fastest-growing companies, a significant jump from 47th in 2025, and retained first place among all Estonian companies on the list for the second consecutive year. Over the latest ranking period, Wallester achieved a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 178.9%, reflecting sustained expansion driven by increasing demand for embedded finance solutions.The FT1000 ranks European companies by the highest percentage CAGR in revenues between 2021 and 2024. Since its introduction in 2017, the ranking has become one of the most widely recognised growth benchmarks in Europe, attracting attention from investors, business leaders, and policymakers.Scaling with substance: A year of global expansionWallester’s ascent to the Top 40 follows a landmark year of "Scaling with Substance." Financial results show the company grew from €790,267 in 2021 to over €9.1 million in 2023, reaching €17.2 million in audited revenue in 2024 – an 87% year-over-year increase.In 2025, the company strengthened both its operational capabilities and international footprint to support continued growth:Strategic Infrastructure: Wallester unveiled its new international headquarters in Tallinn’s Golden Gate building and opened a new strategic office in Cannes, France, expanding its team to over 200 employees across Estonia, Latvia, France, and the UK.Elite Leadership: To manage this expansion, the company made key executive appointments, including Edgars Valmers as Chief Commercial Officer to drive European growth, and Indrek Tibar as Head of AML, setting a "gold standard" for fintech compliance and regulatory integrity.Product innovation and market dominanceThe company continues to lead the market through two core product lines designed for the modern enterprise:Wallester Business: A comprehensive corporate expense management platform that now supports more than 7,000 active clients. In 2025, the platform introduced disposable virtual cards, 24/7 instant currency exchange across ten currencies, and direct accounting integrations with Xero and QuickBooks.Wallester White-Label: A scalable card-issuing infrastructure solution enabling companies to launch branded Visa programmes across the EEA and the UK without requiring their own payment institution licence. The solution currently powers 43 active partner programmes, reflecting growing demand for embedded financial capabilities among digital platforms.Industry recognitionThe FT1000 #1 Fintech placement adds to a series of elite recognitions received over the past twelve months, including:Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Central Europe – 6th placeEurope Fintech Awards – Fintech of the Year and Fintech Partner AwardPaytech Awards – Best Spend Management SystemFinder Provider of the Year Awards – Best Business Expenses ProviderSifted 100: DACH & CEE Leaderboard – 44th overall (4th in Estonia)CEO perspective"Being recognised by the Financial Times as Europe’s fastest-growing fintech is an important milestone for our company," said Sergei Astafjev, CEO and Co-Founder of Wallester. "Over the past several years, we have focused on building robust financial infrastructure – investing in technology, compliance, and operational resilience. As embedded finance becomes increasingly important for businesses across Europe, platforms that combine scalability with regulatory strength will play a key role in the next stage of fintech development."About WallesterWallester is an Estonian Financial Supervisory Authority-regulated payment institution and Visa Principal Member, offering card issuing and payment infrastructure across the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom. Founded in 2016, the company serves businesses through two product lines: Wallester Business, a corporate expense management platform with virtual and physical Visa cards, and Wallester White-Label, a turnkey card issuing solution for companies looking to embed financial services under their own brand. Wallester is headquartered in Tallinn, with offices in Riga, Cannes, and the UK. The company employs more than 200 people. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

eToro founder shareholder leaves UK Board Another wave of leadership changes swept the industry this week. Anthony Wollenberg, a founder shareholder and non-executive director of eToro UK, left the company’s board after serving for over 14 years. The move, disclosed in recent filings with Companies House, marked the departure of one of the last board members tied to the platform’s formative period in the UK under FCA regulation.A veteran London-based solicitor aged 76, Wollenberg first joined the board on March 2, 2012, when eToro was still an emerging name in online trading. His long tenure spanned the firm’s transformation from a small, socially focused trading venture into one of the leading global players in fintech.Disclose more about the exit of Anthony Wollenberg from eToro UK Board.RKX Financial appoints ex-Doo Group executive as CEOAt the same time, Roman Kalinin was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of RKX Financial. He brings extensive experience in the trading and brokerage industry, having previously served as Chief Growth Officer at Doo Group and Sales Director at Doo Prime.Kalinin’s move comes as Doo Group undergoes a global restructuring. The firm recently began scaling back its operations in Cyprus, with reports indicating that Doo Prime was vacating its Limassol office after staff reductions. Show more about RKX Financial's appointment of Roman Kalinin as CEO. DIGITEC appoints CME veteran to lead revenue opsDIGITEC, a Hamburg-based FX swaps and NDF pricing technology provider, appointed Jessica Roberts as Head of Revenue Operations and Enablement. It adds a veteran of CME Group and EBS BrokerTec to its growing London office. Roberts joins from CME, where she spent more than seven years in two senior roles, most recently serving as Senior Director of Sales Operations and Enablement. In her new role at DIGITEC, Roberts will oversee revenue strategy and execution, with responsibility for aligning the company’s sales, marketing, and customer success functions. Highlight more about DIGITEC’s appointment of Jessica Roberts as Head of Revenue Operations.Andreas Pilavakis departs FunderProAdditionally, this week, Andreas Pilavakis left FunderPro to become Chief Operating Officer (COO) at GOAT Funded Futures, the futures-focused division of proprietary trading firm GOAT Funded Trader. He previously served as Head of Operations at FunderPro for about 19 months before departing in March, and he is performing his new role remotely from Limassol.Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026, which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC.This move marks Pilavakis's first C-suite position in a four-year career largely spent at Cyprus-based proprietary trading firms. He began his prop firm career in 2022 at The Trading Pit as a customer support manager, later becoming head of customer support and then operations manager.Find out more about Andreas Pilavakis's exit from FunderPro for COO role at GOAT Funded Futures.Saxo Bank veteran Casper Solbakken steps downCasper Andreas Solbakken is leaving Saxo Bank after more than two decades with the company. He has been a long-serving executive at the Danish financial institution, contributing to its growth and development over the years.His departure follows recent ownership changes at Saxo Bank. Earlier this month, J. Safra Sarasin Group finalized its acquisition of a majority stake in the trading platform and appointed Daniel Belfer as the new Chief Executive Officer.Display more about the exit of Casper Andreas from Saxo Bank. XS.com names new Retail Sales HeadAnother change came from XS.com, where the firm hired Simon-Peter Massabni as Head of Retail Sales. Massabni, who most recently worked as Country Manager for MENA Commercial Management at Exness, will lead the company’s efforts to grow its retail business globally.He spent nearly three years at Exness in the MENA Commercial Management role, based in Limassol, Cyprus, where he helped set regional commercial plans, managed acquisition and retention activities, oversaw partnership programs, and monitored performance across Middle Eastern and North African markets.Investigate more about XS.com's naming of new Retail Sales Head. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

XTB has agreed to sell its South African subsidiary for $645,000, closing out what turned out to be an eight-year attempt to enter the African continent, one that never got off the ground.The Polish broker disclosed the deal in its 2025 annual report, filed this week, noting that a conditional sale agreement for 100% of XTB Africa PTY Ltd. was signed on February 17, 2026, with a buyer it did not name. The transaction remains pending regulatory approval from South Africa's Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), which must sign off on the change in ownership before the deal is finalized.The subsidiary, which received its FSCA operating license in August 2021, never conducted any client-facing operations, according to the annual report. The company described the sale as resulting from "the subsidiary not commencing operational activities," offering no further explanation.Eight Years, No Clients, One LicenseXTB first established the South African entity in 2018 and spent more than two years waiting for the FSCA to approve its application before finally securing the license. In early 2022, the company said it planned to start forex trading operations in South Africa in the second half of that year, calling the market a priority for its international expansion push. That timeline slipped, and then slipped again, until the company made no further public commitments about the market.The annual report's treatment of the sale is minimal. XTB Africa PTY Ltd. appears in the subsidiary table with one line of description - that it holds an FSCA license and has never operated - and the sale itself is dispatched in two sentences under post-balance-sheet events.There is no explanation from CEO Omar Arnaout, whose letter to shareholders discusses Brazil, Indonesia, Chile, and the UAE at length but does not mention Africa.The carrying value of XTB Africa on the company's books stood at PLN 2.34 million as of December 31, 2025, roughly equivalent to the $645,000 sale price at current exchange rates. XTB is selling the unit for approximately what it has on paper, recovering little from eight years of incorporation costs, legal fees, and license maintenance. The buyer, described only as "the purchasing party," is acquiring a fully-licensed South African brokerage for a price well below what an FSCA license typically costs to obtain from scratch.A Pattern of Retreats Beyond EuropeSouth Africa is not the only market where XTB has pulled back. The company began liquidating its Turkish subsidiary in September 2020, following regulatory changes that gutted the country's leveraged trading market in 2017. That process remains incomplete more than five years later, with the Turkish entity still listed in the annual report as undergoing liquidation.More recently, XTB halted new account registrations in Brazil after ending a local partnership, and the 2025 annual report reveals the company is now weighing all options for that market, including a full exit, citing what it described as "local protectionism." A Brazilian special purpose vehicle was incorporated as recently as February 2026, suggesting the company has not yet made a final decision, but the language in the report is cautious.“Due to local market conditions, we decided to temporarily suspend further development in that market [Brazil]," Arnaout commented in the newest report, “focusing instead on growing our client base in Chile, while closely monitoring the long-term potential of the Latin American region.”The contrast with XTB's European and Middle Eastern operations is sharp. XTB posted record revenues in 2025, with total operating income climbing to PLN 2.15 billion, driven almost entirely by its European client base and a surging Middle East business. Latin America and Asia contributed just PLN 33 million combined, roughly 1.5% of total revenues.Indonesia, where XTB injected additional capital in July 2025, remains on a short leash. XTB's CEO has previously described Indonesia as "a country with a question mark" that must prove itself, setting clear performance benchmarks for the subsidiary.Legal Head Departs After 16 YearsAlongside the Africa news, XTB disclosed that Jakub Kubacki, its head of legal affairs and a board member since 2018, submitted his resignation on March 3, 2026, citing "important personal reasons." His departure takes effect on June 30, 2026, giving the company roughly four months to manage succession.Kubacki joined XTB in 2010 as a junior lawyer and rose to oversee the company's compliance, legal management, and internal control systems. His 16 years at the firm cover most of XTB's transformation from a mid-sized Polish broker into a publicly traded company with 15 regulated entities. No replacement has been named. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

New US playbook for crypto assetsThis week, the U.S SEC and the CFTC jointly issued new guidance clarifying how federal laws apply to crypto. The duo outlined the conditions under which a token transitions from being a security to a commodity.SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins said that the new guide “acknowledges what the former administration refused to recognize – that most crypto assets are not themselves securities.”TODAY ?: The Commission issued an interpretation that clarifies the application of federal securities laws to crypto assets.This is a major step to provide greater clarity regarding the Commission’s treatment of crypto assets.Read the release here: https://t.co/DDykVLHZQI pic.twitter.com/zbLFS2JH6g— U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (@SECGov) March 17, 2026What does it mean for brokers? The framework sets clearer boundaries for participation in crypto while redefining their approach to risk oversight and compliance in this evolving market. The risk is now in the day-to-day operations, where the status of a crypto asset can change depending on how it is marketed.Our interpretation on crypto assets—grounded in existing law and informed by extensive public input—acknowledges what the former administration refused to recognize...Most crypto assets are not themselves securities.pic.twitter.com/fbHan0vmmb— Paul Atkins (@SECPaulSAtkins) March 17, 2026It also marks a major milestone in crypto regulation, introducing a five-category classification system that replaces the previous regulatory uncertainty. However, by shifting from a disclosure-focused model to one centered on market conduct, the framework also raises concerns about potential gaps in investor protection and the balance between innovation and oversight.Banks apply insider trading rules to prediction marketsPolicies are also shifting in the fast‑moving prediction markets space. Big banks are starting to look at how their existing compliance rules apply to prediction markets. This is one of the first clear signs that event‑based trading is moving into formal corporate policy rather than sitting on the sidelines.Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026, which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC.JPMorgan Chase is among the first to review its internal rules on staff trading these contracts and may issue explicit guidance for its 320,000 employees on using platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket.Crypto exchanges push into TradeFiMeanwhile, in crypto land, diversification is quickly becoming the new house rule. Crypto platforms are increasingly moving into trading products that used to belong firmly to traditional finance.The latest example is Kraken, which in late February said it would offer perpetual futures on tokenized stocks to non-US clients, giving traders 24/7 access to equity-like price movements with up to 20x leverage and the ability to go long or short.These products initially track tokenized versions of major equity indices, commodities and well-known public companies. Perpetual futures are often described as the missing link in tokenized equities because they have no expiry date.IG considers crossing the AtlanticIG Group is considering shifting its listing from London to New York to deepen its footprint in one of the world’s biggest financial markets. The broker said it is reviewing where its shares are listed, where the company is legally based, and whether it should pursue acquisitions as part of a broader growth strategy. Chief Financial Officer Clifford Abrahams told Bloomberg that a U.S. listing could help IG stand out more among its competitors, draw in fresh investors, and give it more options for deal-making. He also noted that such a move could benefit employees by giving them better access to global capital markets and potentially more attractive equity-based incentives.IG reported record revenue of £1.12 billion in 2025, supported by strong double-digit growth in net trading revenue and a boost in new clients from its Freetrade integration. Net trading revenue for the 12 months to 31 December 2025 rose 10% to £1,004.6 million, up from £910.6 million in 2024.Swissquote bullish on 2026 revenueMore numbers came from Swissquote, where the firm expects to end 2026 with net revenue of CHF 760 million and pre-tax profit of CHF 385 million. It has also lifted its 2028 net revenue goal from CHF 900 million to CHF 950 million, but trimmed its pre-tax profit margin target from 55 percent to 53 percent. This guidance follows a strong 2025, when Swissquote reported net revenue of CHF 723.3 million and pre-tax profit of CHF 420.2 million, up 9.4 percent and 21.6 percent, respectively. Last year’s revenue was helped by higher trading activity, which pushed net fee and commission income up 17.5 percent to CHF 209.4 million and net trading income up 52.6 percent to CHF 119.5 million.Colmex Pro to exit CFDs, halts new clientsIt is not all well with some brokers in the CFD space, and Colmex Pro is the latest example. The Cyprus-regulated firm has stopped taking on new retail clients for contracts for difference (CFDs), as it gradually pulls out of the product line. Colmex Pro says this move is part of a longer-term plan to shift its business toward investment products and market access services. The broker now plans to focus on offerings such as equities, ETFs and other exchange-traded instruments.HTFX to exit UK after dropping CySEC licenseHTFX is scaling back its regulated presence in Europe after applying to cancel its Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) licence on January 7, 2026. The application came shortly after the broker officially renounced its CySEC licence earlier in the month, signalling a broader withdrawal from two major European regulatory markets. Corporate filings show that HTFX’s ownership has undergone significant changes since 2023.Before October of that year, control rested with Lijun Li and an offshore company, which held authority from August 2022. The UK entity is now managed by Stephen Williams and Levy Benarroch, serving as director and CEO, respectively. The company’s dual exit from CySEC and the FCA underscores a clear shift away from the region’s tightly regulated frameworks. Admirals not onboarding CFD users under Jordan and Kenya LicensesAdmirals stopped onboarding clients under its Jordanian license in the fourth quarter of 2025 and has also ceased taking on new clients through its Kenyan entity. Instead, new traders from both countries are now being registered under the company’s Seychelles license. A customer service executive told Finance Magnates that clients had been notified about the shift and were offered solutions tailored to regulatory requirements and individual needs. However, the representative said the company could not share additional details for compliance reasons.iFOREX shares stagnateIt’s been two weeks since any activity was seen in iFOREX Financial Trading Holdings shares on the London Stock Exchange, and the lack of movement is drawing attention. The CFD broker, which finally listed on the LSE’s Main Market on February 25 after an eight-month delay, was trading around 207 pence per share—about 6% higher than its 195p offer price.However, this slight gain doesn’t reveal much about investor sentiment or trading momentum. When iFOREX launched its IPO at 195 pence per share, it issued 4.49 million new shares, equal to just 20.2% of its total share capital. None of the existing investors sold their stakes, keeping most of the stock tightly held. The offering raised £8.75 million, giving the company an overall valuation of roughly £43.3 million, but with so few shares in public hands, the market now feels more frozen than free.Is the Comoros license mirage ending?The only legitimate financial regulator in the Union of Comoros is the Banque Centrale des Comores, despite claims from a few island-based authorities. Some entities suggest that a small fee and tropical branding can buy regulatory legitimacy, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The Union of Comoros consists of three islands off the East African coast—Ngazidja (Grande Comore), Mwali (Mohéli) and Ndzwani (Anjouan). While the country has a history of political and legal quirks, its financial regulation is more complicated than advertised. Two local bodies, the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA) and the Mwali International Services Authority (MISA), claim to issue banking, forex, and insurance licenses. However, their authority to do so is highly questionable.CFD brokers face tougher UK reporting rulesStill in the regulatory front, the FCA confirmed new rules to improve how financial firms, including CFD brokers, report operational incidents and issues involving third-party providers. The regulator said the updated framework will make reporting clearer, more consistent, and easier to follow. It is also meant to help authorities respond faster to serious disruptions such as cyberattacks or power outages, while giving firms clearer guidance on what and when to report. The changes follow a rise in cyber threats and operational risks across the sector. According to the FCA, more than 40% of cyber incidents reported in 2025 involved third-party providers. Recent outages affecting services linked to Cloudflare and Amazon Web Services have underscored the industry’s growing dependence on external technology partners.Brokers confident in Singapore’s FX growthFinally, as foreign exchange (FX) trading activity continues to rise in Singapore, market participants express confidence that the country’s connectivity and trading infrastructure can support both current and future demand. Industry stakeholders say the systems in place are well-equipped to handle growing transaction volumes and increasing global participation.According to the Bank for International Settlements’ triennial survey of global FX and OTC derivatives markets, Singapore’s average daily FX trading volume rose by 60% between April 2022 and April 2025. The growth was largely driven by strong trading in the US dollar, Japanese yen, and euro, cementing Singapore’s position as one of the world’s leading FX hubs.At the same time, Singapore’s Monetary Authority of Singapore is advancing its leadership in asset tokenization through Project Guardian, launched in 2022. The initiative has already seen money market funds and bonds tokenized and settled on-chain, reflecting the country’s balanced approach to innovation and regulation. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.