On October 9, 2025, Gemini confirmed that it was registered with AUSTRAC, Australia’s top organization for fighting money laundering and terrorism funding. This move enables Gemini to connect directly to Australia’s domestic payment networks, allowing local clients to settle payments faster and at a lower cost than with traditional international transfers. The AUSTRAC milestone is crucial as it ensures Gemini adheres to strict regulations for reporting money laundering and terrorist financing. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to protecting consumers and adhering to regional laws.  Gemini can now fully work with local banks and payment systems, having registered with AUSTRAC. This is an essential step toward launching new products in the future. Local Leadership in Sydney and Efforts to Follow the Rules Gemini has chosen James Logan to run its Australia office in Sydney. This will be a regional hub for customer service, compliance, product management, and partnerships. The Sydney office will lead the integration of payments and localized product adaptation, ensuring that Gemini’s products are tailored to meet the needs of Australian users and comply with local regulations. The company is expanding its compliance and operations teams to focus on procedures that are ready for audits, strong KYC systems, and better risk frameworks. Gemini is ready for the next step: satisfying the standards for financial product licensing stipulated by the Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) regime. AFSL Licensing and the Rollout of Measured Products Gemini is working hard to obtain an AFSL, a crucial license that will enable it to offer a broader range of crypto financial services in Australia. Governance, reporting requirements, consumer protection measures, and risk controls all play a role in the AFSL process. These are all meant to improve market integrity and protect users. The rollout of new products, which will include advanced features like staking and payment cards, will happen slowly and in line with continuing government deliberations. This means that not all US-based products will be offered right away. However, Gemini’s approach is to follow the rules and continue to grow in Australia’s new regulatory environment. What Happens When There is Regulatory Oversight AUSTRAC and ASIC are expected to raise custody requirements, increase disclosures, and make incident reporting stronger for all Australian exchanges through ongoing consultations and tiered oversight. As Australia’s crypto laws take shape, Gemini’s proactive stance will probably lead to more safety and openness for Australian customers. Gemini is making its imprint in Australia’s fast-growing crypto business by obtaining AUSTRAC permission, securing local leadership, and establishing a clear path to AFSL licensing. The exchange’s commitment to adhering to regulations and expanding in Australia indicates a promising future for Australian crypto users. They will benefit from faster settlements, reduced fees, and better consumer protections.

Bitwise changed its application for a US-based Solana ETF with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday. It now has a 0.20% annual management fee and a staking function. Most crypto ETFs charge between 0.15% and 0.25% a year, so this cost puts Bitwise in the middle of the pack. Analysts in the ETF sector have said that minimal fees are a great way to attract investment into an ETF. This means that Bitwise’s approach is likely to work well for the Solana ETF. Eric Balchunas, an experienced ETF analyst, said that Bitwise’s “veteran Terrordome move” shows how competitive the market is likely to get as more digital asset ETFs are created. Market Forces and Competing ETF Offers Fee competition plays a significant role in the ETF industry, particularly in the lead-up to major crypto product launches. Before the first spot Bitcoin ETFs came out in early 2024, there were similar market battles. For example, VanEck dropped costs for some assets under management. The Bitcoin Mini Trust from Grayscale has become even more affordable, now charging only 0.15%. Solana ETFs are introducing their own fee-based competition. The REX-Osprey Solana Staking ETF (SSK) was the first Solana staking ETF to launch in the US. It had a management fee of 0.75% and brought in $12 million on its first day of trading, which was much more than Bitwise’s plan. Not only is Bitwise’s product cheap, but it also has a high-quality structure. Its spot-backed Solana ETF aims to outperform competitors like SSK, which has struggled with significant tracking issues, causing it to trail spot Solana performance by up to 12%. Bitwise aims to minimize discrepancies and enhance investor outcomes by directly backing the ETF with spot assets. Industry’s Reaction and BlackRock’s Quiet Approach Analysts like Bitwise’s low-fee approach, but there are still issues about other prominent asset managers. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has yet to file for a Solana ETF, sparking speculation among analysts. ETF experts remain uncertain about whether BlackRock will join the fray. A late arrival could change the league table if approvals are granted. Recent predictions indicate that many staking-enabled Solana ETF applications are expected to receive approval from US regulators by mid-October. This means that more products will be available, and competition in the crypto ETF industry will get much tougher. Bitwise’s aggressive fee policy demonstrates its seriousness about capturing a larger share of the digital asset ETF market. Bitwise is paving the way for a new era of cost-effective, open, and high-performing crypto investment products by offering an industry-leading 0.20% management fee and backing its ETF with tangible Solana assets.

British digital bank Revolut has won the first green light from Colombian regulators to set up a local bank, setting the stage for a showdown with Nubank, the Brazilian fintech giant that’s become a household name across Latin America. The authorization — known formally as the Autorización de Constitución — came from Colombia’s Financial Superintendence (SFC) this week. It’s the first of two hurdles Revolut must clear before it can actually open its doors. The second, a Licencia de Funcionamiento, will depend on proving that its systems, governance and risk frameworks meet the regulator’s bar. For now, the approval lets Revolut begin assembling its local operations, recruiting staff, and preparing infrastructure for what it says will be a full-fledged bank offering savings accounts, credit cards, and cross-border transfers by 2026. The company pledged COP 146 billion (around $37 million) in startup capital for the venture — a serious commitment for a market that’s already crowded with homegrown digital wallets. “Colombia has one of the most dynamic financial sectors in the region,” said Diego Caicedo, Revolut’s designated local chief, in a statement. “This approval is the first step toward offering Colombians more choice and better digital financial experiences.” Revolut, founded in 2015 in London, has been testing the waters in Latin America for years. It launched in Brazil in 2023, secured a banking license in Mexico in 2024, and agreed to acquire Cetelem Argentina from BNP Paribas earlier this year. Colombia now becomes its next major bet — and arguably the toughest, given the entrenched local players. A Tough Crowd to Face Revolut isn’t entering an empty market. Colombia already boasts a bustling digital finance scene dominated by Nequi and DaviPlata, mobile wallets spun out of legacy banks that together count more than 40 million users. Then there’s Nubank, Revolut’s clear regional rival and the company it will be measured against. Founded in 2013 by Colombian-born David Vélez in São Paulo, Nubank now serves more than 120 million customers across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia — making it one of the largest digital banks in the world. In Colombia, Nubank has been growing steadily since its 2020 debut. Its bright purple credit cards became a status symbol for young professionals, and its Cuenta Nu savings account — launched last year with a striking 13% annual yield — has helped it attract billions in deposits. By mid-2025, the bank reported roughly 3.4 million Colombian customers and $2.1 billion in deposits. “Eighty-four percent of Colombians have savings goals, but 60% can’t save as much as they’d like,” said Marcela Torres, Nubank Colombia’s general manager, in an interview earlier this year. “We want to make saving effortless.” Same Arena, Different Game Despite the parallels, Revolut and Nubank play by different financial rulebooks. Nubank’s business thrives on credit — lending and interest income make up most of its revenue. Revolut, meanwhile, relies more on payments, subscriptions, and foreign-exchange fees, reflecting its European DNA as a cross-border finance app before it became a bank. That model could appeal to Colombia’s growing middle class, particularly freelancers and small businesses frustrated by transfer fees and rigid banking structures. But it will also test Revolut’s ability to localize its product in a country where fintech adoption is already mature. Revolut’s global base of 65 million customers gives it reach, but winning hearts in Colombia means going beyond glossy UX. It must plug into Bre-B, the central bank’s new instant-payments network launching later this year, and compete with local apps embedded in daily spending habits. Revolut’s push into Colombia is part of a wider Latin American expansion drive, fueled by the region’s young population and smartphone penetration. But it’s also a calculated race against Nubank’s momentum. For now, Nubank has the advantage — deep pockets, brand recognition, and a head start. Revolut’s arrival, however, raises the stakes. If it can convince regulators and customers alike, Colombia could become its launchpad for broader growth across the Andean markets. Both companies are betting on a similar promise: that Latin America’s banking future will be built in the cloud, not behind counters. And as Revolut waits for its final license, the duel is already underway — purple versus silver, São Paulo versus London — in one of Latin America’s most competitive fintech arenas.

The new CBDC in Uganda is a digital equivalent of the Ugandan shilling. It is being tested on a permissioned blockchain and is backed by Ugandan treasury bonds. The Global Settlement Network and the Ugandan Diacente Group are working together on a $5.5 billion asset tokenization project that includes this endeavor.  You can use your smartphone to access digital money, which is subject to strict compliance rules, including Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations. The main goal of the larger project is to digitize important areas, including renewable energy infrastructure, mining, and agro-processing. This intentional tokenization is meant to free up money, encourage openness, and foster long-term growth in Uganda. Edgar Agaba, the head of Diacente Group, discussed how the project will attract new investments and advance the region’s technology. Uganda is the latest African country to test out CBDCs, following Nigeria and Ghana. This is part of a trend across the continent toward new financial technologies. Kenya’s Historic Crypto Bill is Almost Ready to Become Law Kenya’s Parliament has also enacted the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill, which brings the country one step closer to having its first complete set of rules for digital assets. The bill, which is currently waiting for the president’s signature, sets up explicit regulations for licensing, oversight, and consumer protection in the markets for cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and tokenized assets. The law entrusts the Central Bank of Kenya and the Capital Markets Authority with overseeing the rules, setting strict regulations for digital asset enterprises regarding AML, KYC, and licensing. The bill provides local and foreign crypto companies with a formal means to become legitimate, thereby boosting market confidence and protecting millions of crypto consumers from fraud. More Crypto Activity and Its Effects on the Region Sub-Saharan Africa, led by Uganda and Kenya, remains one of the fastest-growing regions in the world for crypto adoption. From July 2024 to June 2025, there was $205 billion in on-chain value. These forward-thinking rules and technical changes are making East Africa a center for digital asset innovation, which makes the region more appealing to investors, startups, and global financial markets. The Uganda CBDC trial and Kenya’s upcoming crypto law are both essential steps in East Africa’s digital revolution. The combination of strong rules and new technologies will make things more open, including more people in the economy, and bring in money from around the world to the region’s rapidly growing digital economy.

Through its Citi Ventures business, Citigroup is accelerating its entry into the blockchain-based payments industry. The new investment in BVNK demonstrates the company’s commitment to staying ahead in the digital asset industry. Although the size and new valuation numbers were not made public, BVNK said that its valuation is now higher than the prior $750 million mark with this strategic support. BVNK is already well-known for getting money from prominent industry players like Coinbase and Tiger Global. Now, they are rapidly developing payment rails for digital assets to meet the increasing demand from businesses and institutions seeking to utilize stablecoin technology. Stablecoin Grows Thanks to Clear Rules Chris Harmse, one of the co-founders of BVNK, says that the US has been the company’s fastest-growing market in the past 18 months. This is because of recent changes in regulations. The GENIUS Act’s enactment in the U.S. has made things a lot clearer for stablecoin operations, which has led to more institutions getting involved.  Harmse said that this precise legislative monitoring has made banks like Citi more likely to invest in the industry, making sure they are well-positioned to take advantage of the new financial technologies that are changing how payments are made around the world. The Booming Market For Stablecoins and Bets From Institutions Citi has been interested in the stablecoin market for reasons that extend beyond mere investment. Reports indicate that the bank is considering issuing stablecoins directly and developing crypto custody services.  In September, Citi increased its estimates for the whole stablecoin sector, saying it could be worth $4 trillion by 2030. The bank’s base case puts the value at $1.9 trillion, and its bullish case sees stablecoins reaching $4 trillion, which is higher than prior, more cautious predictions. Visa, another major player in the financial world, has also invested in BVNK through its own ventures division. This infusion of institutional financing highlights the sector’s growing importance and indicates Wall Street‘s willingness to support the transformation to digital asset-backed payment rails. Changes To Rules and Effects Around The World Regulators worldwide are re-examining their rules in response to the tsunami of institutional investment. The Bank of England is considering revising its suggested limits on the amount of stablecoins that individuals and businesses can possess. This is due to input from the industry and the need to remain competitive on the global stage. Eased regulations give crypto companies more freedom to manage their liquidity and reserves, which helps stablecoins become more widely used in banking.

Nasdaq’s analytics division is taking a fresh swing at the buy-side data problem — and this time, it’s doing it with an infrastructure overhaul built for instant intelligence rather than manual spreadsheets. The exchange group’s eVestment unit has unveiled a new suite of “AI-ready” datasets and an embedded decision-support engine called Next Best Action for Institutional Capital, designed to plug directly into asset managers’ existing systems. The idea: give sales and distribution teams a clean, connected view of who to call, what mandates to chase, and where capital might be slipping away — all without waiting for an analyst to tidy up the data first. “Institutional teams are sitting on a wealth of data, but too often it’s locked behind manual processes and fragmented systems,” said Daniel Brickhouse, vice president and head of product at Nasdaq Analytics, in an interview with The TRADE. “With AI-ready datasets and embedded decision support, we’re helping asset managers surface the right opportunities faster — whether that’s identifying under-allocated investors, spotting mandate risk, or prioritising outreach.” This rollout is the latest milestone in a long rebuild of Nasdaq’s institutional data stack. The company bought eVestment back in 2017 for $705 million, betting that its deep database of institutional strategies and investor intelligence could become the backbone of a new analytics business. Since then, Nasdaq has layered on acquisitions like Solovis, which added multi-asset portfolio analytics, and built new channels for delivering its data through Snowflake and secure APIs. Even as it sold Solovis back to private equity earlier this year, Nasdaq kept doubling down on the infrastructure side — most recently by extending its partnership with Amazon Web Services to let banks deploy its Calypso risk and trading platform in the cloud. Those moves set the stage for today’s push. Instead of pitching another dashboard, Nasdaq is trying to sell what it calls “agentic workflows”: systems that can recommend and trigger the next step in a sales or investment process without human intervention. Why the Buy-Side Cares The timing lines up with a clear shift in behavior among asset managers. Nasdaq’s own survey data shows that nine out of ten investment advisers plan to build AI-driven workflows by 2026. The biggest obstacle isn’t enthusiasm — it’s data sprawl. Much of the industry’s institutional intelligence still lives in static PDFs, outdated CRM entries, or one-off Excel files. By cleaning and structuring that data, Nasdaq hopes to give clients a shortcut to automation without forcing them to rebuild their infrastructure from scratch. The datasets now span 27,500 strategies and 25,500 investor profiles, and they’re delivered through standard enterprise channels like Snowflake, where firms can blend them with their proprietary data. The concept borrows from earlier corporate experiments in predictive sales — the idea that algorithms can nudge teams toward the next likely client. But eVestment’s advantage lies in its raw content: decades of consultant and allocator records, mandate histories, and public-plan pipelines. For buy-side distribution desks, that’s not a marketing gimmick — it’s intelligence. The Broader Nasdaq Play The data rollout also fits Nasdaq’s broader rebrand as a technology company rather than just an exchange operator. Over the past two years, it’s spent heavily to expand its cloud and software footprint, most notably through the $10.5 billion Adenza acquisition, which added the Calypso and AxiomSL platforms for trading and regulatory reporting. At the same time, Nasdaq has been testing new frontiers in market infrastructure. In September, it filed a proposal with the US Securities and Exchange Commission that would let member firms trade tokenised versions of equities and exchange-traded products as if they were regular securities — another sign of its ambition to merge traditional and digital finance under a single framework. For now, the focus is squarely on the buy-side’s data pain points. If Nasdaq’s new engine can prove that automated “next best action” recommendations translate into faster mandate wins or better retention, it could change how institutional distribution operates. If not, it still signals where the market is heading: a world where exchanges don’t just list securities but sell the data intelligence that helps investors decide where to put their money.

What happens to the properties, such as houses, enterprises, or crypto coins, after death depends on the steps taken to protect or share them while the owner is alive. Digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB, and stablecoins, are valuable property; however, without a clear plan, they could be lost forever after death. Unlike regular bank accounts, where an institution can help your executor, the decentralized nature of crypto means that “not your key or not your coin” is the harsh reality. If your private keys or seed phrases are not passed on securely, even a court order cannot unlock your funds. Protecting your digital wealth for your heirs requires proactive estate planning that goes beyond a standard will. This article provides a guideline on how to achieve this and allows the designated beneficiary access to virtual assets long after your death. Key Takeaways Without a will or trust that specifically addresses your crypto assets, they will be distributed based on state intestacy laws after your death. Create and securely store a letter of instruction with all necessary access details (excluding the private keys in your will) for a trusted, crypto-literate executor or trustee. Crypto held on an exchange (custodial) often has a clearer transfer process, but self-custodied crypto requires you to build the entire inheritance mechanism yourself. The Crypto Inheritance Challenge Cryptocurrency is treated as property by tax authorities, making it part of your estate and subject to probate. However, its blockchain technology poses unique challenges: Private keys define ownership: Your private key or seed phrase is the single point of access to your crypto wallet. Forget or lose this, and your money is lost forever—there is no central bank or customer service that can recover it. Anonymity: Unlike tangible property, which is situated in a home or safe deposit box, exchange accounts and digital wallets are usually unknown to family members. Unless you leave a trail of your existence, your heirs won’t even know to look. Technical barrier: Most traditional executors and relatives lack the technical proficiency to handle a digital wallet, understand seed phrases, or operate a cryptocurrency exchange, which often results in errors or losses. Practical Steps to Secure Your Digital Legacy A comprehensive crypto inheritance plan combines legal documentation and secure technical procedures. 1. Create a Complete Digital Asset Inventory “If it is not documented, it is not done.” Similarly, you cannot pass on what you don’t list. Create a detailed, offline inventory of all your holdings. List all holdings: The list should include all cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and DeFi positions. Identify storage: Keep a record of where each asset is held (for instance, Coinbase, Kraken, Ledger hardware wallet, or Exodus software wallet). Document credentials: Write down the access details, including usernames, wallet names/descriptions, and public wallet addresses. However, do not include private keys, seed phrases, or passwords in this main inventory document. 2. Establish a Legal Framework Your will or trust is the legal backbone of your plan. Add crypto assets to the will/trust: Explicitly state that you own digital assets and reference the document where the access instructions are stored. A trust is often preferred as it can bypass the lengthy and public probate process, allowing for a quicker transfer of assets. Appoint a digital executor/trustee: Name an individual you trust who is technically capable or willing to learn about cryptocurrency. If your primary executor is not tech-savvy, appoint a separate “digital trustee” to manage this specific task. Be conversant with tax implications: Crypto inheritance may be subject to estate tax. Consult with a tax professional who understands how digital assets are treated to ensure your plan is tax-efficient. 3. Develop a secure access protocol This is the most sensitive and critical step—balancing security (protecting it from thieves while you are alive) with accessibility (making it simple enough for heirs to locate the key after your demise). Draft the letter of instruction: Write a separate, clear, and detailed letter that includes all the sensitive access information: seed phrases, private keys, PINs, and full login credentials for exchanges. This document must be excluded from your public will. Secure storage of keys: Store the physical copy of your “letter of instruction” and devices (such as hardware wallets) in a secure, tamper-evident location (bank safe deposit box, home vault/safe, or a reputable digital asset inheritance service) that your executor is legally authorized to access upon your death. As an additional option, you can employ the following advanced security; Multi-signature wallets: To approve a transaction, two or more private keys (held by various trusted parties) must be used, improving security. Shamir’s secret sharing: A method for breaking up your master seed phrase into multiple parts so that only a predetermined subset is needed to reconstruct the key. This shares the single point of failure. “Deadman’s Switch” services: Platforms that automatically send your key or a notification to your executor if you fail to check in for a designated period. 4. Educate Your Heirs Without instructions, even the most secure transfer strategy is worthless. Educate your designated executor and beneficiaries on the following: The fundamentals of wallets and cryptocurrencies. How to access the letter of instruction. Specific, detailed steps for liquidating or transferring the wallet’s assets to another location. Bottom Line Establishing an inheritance plan is crucial for each crypto holder due to the harsh nature of private keys. Your primary strategy should consist of drafting a legally enforceable will or trust to name your beneficiaries and a separate, secure, and clearly written letter of instruction to grant access. To make sure your strategy is both technically sound and legally compliant, consult the services of an estate planning lawyer who is an expert on digital assets. This will ensure that your digital legacy is effectively transferred rather than lost.

MoonPay has integrated its payments infrastructure directly into Axiom, the Y Combinator-backed crypto terminal that enables users to trade, bridge, and earn across decentralized finance ecosystems. The partnership aims to eliminate one of DeFi’s most persistent barriers: converting fiat currency into crypto seamlessly within the same platform. Through the integration, Axiom users can now buy crypto instantly using mainstream payment methods, including credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo, Revolut Pay, and bank transfers. By embedding MoonPay’s fiat on-ramp, Axiom eliminates the need to rely on centralized exchanges or external apps for funding. This means new users can enter DeFi markets in seconds rather than hours or days. Ivan Soto-Wright, co-founder and CEO of MoonPay, emphasized the significance of the shift: “We’re seeing a growing shift from CeFi to DeFi as users seek faster, more streamlined ways to trade. Axiom has shown strong execution and innovation since launch, and we’re excited to partner with them to make entering the crypto ecosystem more accessible than ever.” Takeaway MoonPay’s integration with Axiom bridges fiat and DeFi in real time, reducing the onboarding friction that has long slowed mainstream crypto adoption. Why This Integration Could Accelerate DeFi’s Next Growth Cycle The timing of this partnership aligns with renewed momentum across decentralized trading and yield platforms. With centralized exchanges facing tighter regulations and increasing scrutiny, DeFi adoption has rebounded, driven by users looking for control and transparency. Yet, many newcomers still face complex onboarding, particularly when moving money from traditional payment systems into decentralized applications. By embedding MoonPay’s payment rails directly into Axiom, the two companies remove that bottleneck. The move provides a user experience more akin to modern fintech apps than crypto exchanges—instant transactions, a familiar payment interface, and simplified KYC. It represents a pragmatic middle ground between compliance and accessibility, leveraging MoonPay’s global licensing footprint to ensure local regulatory coverage. Axiom, with its integrated trading, yield, and bridging capabilities, offers a unified DeFi dashboard that resembles a professional trading terminal. This holistic experience—now paired with MoonPay’s infrastructure—positions both firms at the forefront of retail-focused DeFi innovation, connecting fiat and blockchain-based finance without traditional intermediaries. Takeaway MoonPay and Axiom are aligning user experience with compliance, a critical step in scaling DeFi to everyday users and institutions seeking secure on-ramps. What The Partnership Means For The Broader Crypto Market MoonPay’s evolution from a crypto payment provider to a full-scale Web3 infrastructure firm has been a steady one. Now serving 30 million customers and powering over 500 companies, the firm’s expansion into DeFi reflects its ambition to own more of the blockchain transaction stack. Its licensing across the U.S., U.K., EU, Canada, and Australia reinforces that strategy, giving DeFi platforms confidence in its regulatory and operational standards. For Axiom, the partnership offers scale and trust. As a relatively young terminal in a crowded DeFi space, its ability to onboard users quickly is key to growth. By adopting MoonPay’s enterprise-grade infrastructure, Axiom can focus on product innovation—its trading engine, yield tools, and cross-chain analytics—while outsourcing payment compliance and risk management to an established partner. The integration also suggests a broader market convergence. The distinction between centralized and decentralized trading continues to blur as fintech-grade user experiences enter blockchain environments. MoonPay’s move to bring everyday payment methods like Apple Pay and Revolut Pay directly into DeFi apps signals a future where users may not even realize when they’ve stepped from Web2 to Web3 finance. Takeaway DeFi platforms are maturing into fintech-grade ecosystems. MoonPay’s infrastructure could become the default bridge between traditional finance and decentralized liquidity.  

Today, the Dollar Index (DXY) is trading above the 99 mark, reaching its highest level since early August. The greenback’s strength is being bolstered by weakness in other major currencies: → The Japanese yen is under pressure amid expectations of looser monetary policy. Conservative politician Sanae Takaichi could become Japan’s first female prime minister, pursuing significant fiscal spending and economic stimulus. → The euro remains weighed down by political turmoil in France. After Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s resignation, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed plans to appoint a new prime minister this week. The question now is whether the DXY can sustain its upward momentum. Technical Outlook for the DXY On 19 September, our DXY analysis pointed to several key developments: → A descending channel (marked in red) with intermediate QL and QH lines dividing it into quarters remained relevant. → A rebound from the QL line was observed (marked with an arrow). → We proposed a bullish scenario targeting the QH line. Recent price action has validated this view: → On 25 September and 6 October, the QH line acted as resistance. → On 7 October, a decisive break above this level confirmed bullish control. Current dynamics suggest bulls still hold sway, with: → DXY movements since mid-September forming an upward channel; → the upper boundary of this channel serving as a likely resistance level, which could trigger a pullback towards support; → the top of the red channel representing a key target for the rally that began last month. FXOpen offers spreads from 0.0 pips and commissions from $1.50 per lot. Enjoy trading on MT4, MT5, TickTrader or TradingView trading platforms! The FXOpen App is a dedicated mobile application designed to give traders full control of their accounts anytime, anywhere. This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice. Disclaimer: This sponsored market analysis is provided for informational purposes only. We have not independently verified its content and do not bear any responsibility for any information or description of services that it may contain. Information contained in this post is not advice nor a recommendation and thus should not be treated as such. We strongly recommend that you seek independent financial advice from a qualified and regulated professional, before participating or investing in any financial activities or services. Please also read and review our full disclaimer.

Exness, the global multi-asset broker, was recognized as the “Most Client-Oriented Broker” at Forex Expo Dubai 2025, which took place from 6–7 October 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Center. The award underscores Exness’ reputation for transparency, reliability, and a client-first approach, reinforcing its role as a global leader in multi-asset trading. Attended by tens of thousands of professionals, brokers, fintech companies, and investors from around the world; Forex Expo Dubai is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious gatherings in global finance. As an Elite Sponsor, Exness played an active role across the two-day event, showcasing its better-than-market trading conditions and engaging with global traders and partners. Exness leaders also contributed to some of the Expo’s most anticipated discussions. Alfonso Cardalda, CMO, spoke in the headline panel: Global Visionaries: Forex Without Borders: Attracting the Next Billion Traders. Wael Makarem, Financial Markets Strategists Lead, participated in two forward-looking discussions: AI in Market Sentiments and News Analysis, and AI-Powered Forex Trading–Tools and Strategies. These sessions underlined Exness’ thought leadership and its commitment to shaping conversations about the future of trading. “Being named ‘Most Client-oriented Broker’ is a powerful validation of what we stand for,” said Mohammad Amer, Exness Jordan CEO. “Our mission has always been to create an environment where traders feel secure, confident, and supported. This award confirms that our focus on transparency, stability, and reliability is recognized globally.” “But recognition is not the end goal,” Amer added. “The real measure of success is how consistently we listen to our clients and adapt to their needs. Dubai has shown us once again the importance of staying connected with global traders and partners, and we are more motivated than ever to keep raising the bar.” About Exness Founded in 2008, Exness is a global multi-asset broker that uses a unique combination of technology and ethics to create a favorable market for traders and raise the industry benchmark. Exness’s ethos and vision focus on offering its clients a frictionless trading journey, where financial markets are brought to life in the way they should be experienced.  

Square has launched Square Bitcoin, its first integrated bitcoin payments and wallet solution designed specifically for local businesses. The platform introduces Bitcoin Payments and Bitcoin Conversions — two features aimed at making bitcoin as usable as any other payment method for Main Street merchants. Sellers can now accept bitcoin directly from their point-of-sale, automatically convert card sales into bitcoin, and manage all their digital assets within the Square Dashboard. The release comes as part of Square’s biannual Square Releases event and reflects Block’s decade-long investment in making bitcoin more accessible. With zero processing fees for the first year, sellers can now accept bitcoin transactions without cutting into margins. Additionally, businesses can choose to hold bitcoin, convert it into USD, or diversify automatically through Square’s ecosystem — the same platform they already use for payroll, inventory, and savings. According to Square, cryptocurrency payment adoption in the U.S. is projected to grow by 82% between 2024 and 2026. The company’s goal is to simplify participation in that growth by embedding bitcoin tools directly where small businesses already operate. “Square Bitcoin marries Block’s bitcoin expertise with Square’s intuitive commerce technology,” the announcement said, positioning the move as a milestone in merging traditional retail with digital finance. Takeaway Square Bitcoin extends crypto capability to small businesses by embedding payments, conversions, and custody directly within the existing Square ecosystem. Why The Move Could Transform How Local Businesses Manage Money With Bitcoin Payments, sellers can now accept bitcoin directly at checkout with zero fees for the first 12 months. The feature also promises near-instant settlement, helping businesses lower transaction costs while serving a growing crypto-savvy customer base. Meanwhile, Bitcoin Conversions lets sellers automatically convert a percentage — up to 50% — of daily card sales into bitcoin, effectively adding a passive savings component to their cash flow strategy. One early adopter, Joe Carlo, owner of Pink Owl Coffee, said, “Years ago, bitcoin transformed how we think about building wealth, and Square is simplifying our ability to bring that mindset to our business. By using Bitcoin Conversions in beta, we’ve built a strong financial reserve for Pink Owl over the past two years… Now, with bitcoin payments, we’re able to serve our customers in more ways while boosting bitcoin education and more actively participating in the bitcoin economy.” As small businesses navigate inflation and evolving consumer payment preferences, these tools introduce new ways to manage liquidity and cost control. Since launching Square Banking in 2021, Square has aimed to connect payments, savings, and lending. Now, with bitcoin built into that ecosystem, sellers gain access to another asset class — directly tied to their daily transactions — without leaving the Square interface. Takeaway Bitcoin Conversions turns small business revenue into digital savings, helping owners hedge against inflation and market volatility from within the same dashboard. Square’s Bitcoin Vision: Everyday Money, Not Just A Store Of Value Square’s parent company, Block, has been a consistent advocate for bitcoin integration across products — from Cash App’s buy-sell capabilities to Bitkey’s self-custody wallet and Proto’s bitcoin mining initiatives. The launch of Square Bitcoin represents the latest stage in that evolution, bringing everyday usability to the same technology that underpins the broader Block ecosystem. Miles Suter, Head of Bitcoin Product at Block, explained the broader mission: “The bitcoin tools we’re building at Square deliver on two critical needs: ensuring sellers never miss a sale, and giving them access to powerful financial tools that help them more easily manage and grow their finances. We’re making bitcoin payments as seamless as card payments while giving small businesses access to financial management tools that, until now, have been exclusive to the largest corporations.” The product rollout underscores Block’s goal of positioning bitcoin as “everyday money.” By supporting both sides of the counter — merchants via Square and consumers via Cash App — Block is creating a closed-loop ecosystem where value can circulate natively in bitcoin. As more businesses onboard, this could accelerate mainstream bitcoin adoption and deepen its utility beyond investment portfolios. Takeaway By embedding bitcoin into daily transactions, Block and Square move the asset from speculation to utility, creating a practical use case for crypto in small business commerce.

Fireblocks Trust Company, the New York State–regulated qualified custodian built on the Fireblocks platform, has announced partnerships with Bakkt, Galaxy, Castle Island, and FalconX. The move cements Fireblocks’ status as a key enabler of compliant digital asset infrastructure for financial institutions navigating a rapidly maturing regulatory landscape. Operating under full NYDFS oversight, Fireblocks Trust Company offers a custody framework that blends cold-storage security with seamless connectivity to its network of over 2,400 institutions. The company’s infrastructure underpins critical institutional use cases, from exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and digital asset treasuries (DATs) to collateralized lending and token generation events (TGEs). “As a venture capital firm responsible for protecting our stakeholders’ investments, regulatory compliance and security are non-negotiable,” said Matt Walsh, Founding Partner of Castle Island. “Fireblocks Trust Company delivers on both fronts with their qualified custodian status and robust operational controls. The connectivity to the Fireblocks Network… has simplified our operations between the two treasury worlds.” Takeaway Fireblocks Trust Company is emerging as the go-to custodian for regulated digital asset infrastructure, offering security and compliance trusted by major institutions. How Regulated Custody Is Fueling The Next Phase Of Institutional Crypto The surge in digital asset ETFs and collateralized lending has pushed custody into the regulatory spotlight. Institutions require trusted frameworks that balance innovation with compliance — a challenge Fireblocks Trust Company appears to have solved. Built atop Fireblocks’ security stack, the platform offers auditability, asset segregation, and policy-controlled validator access for staking through partners like Figment. Andrew Taubman, Deputy Chief Operations Officer at Galaxy, highlighted the need for diversification: “Galaxy leverages a range of regulated custody providers to meet the diverse needs of our institutional client base. Fireblocks Trust Company adds important capabilities to this network, supporting secure, compliant growth across digital asset markets.” Beyond ETFs and staking, Fireblocks supports token launches and institutional lending, integrating legal and operational controls that align with emerging fiduciary standards. This adaptability has helped position the custodian at the intersection of digital innovation and regulatory acceptance — a critical milestone for mainstream institutional participation in crypto markets. Takeaway As ETFs, lending, and staking enter regulated frameworks, Fireblocks provides institutions with compliant, operationally secure infrastructure for digital assets. Building The Bridge Between Traditional Finance And Digital Assets Institutions like Bakkt and FalconX view qualified custody as the missing link between traditional finance (TradFi) and digital assets. “Bakkt has built crypto brokerage infrastructure that allows institutions to access crypto trading within regulated frameworks,” said Nicholas Baes, COO of Bakkt. “Fireblocks Trust Company’s role as a qualified custodian is a pivotal element to our ecosystem, ensuring that our clients have a secure and compliant foundation to protect their assets.” Ben Dapkiewicz, General Manager of Custody at FalconX, echoed that sentiment: “Institutions rely on us for deep liquidity and trusted access to markets. For those same clients, regulated custody is a critical piece of the puzzle. Fireblocks Trust Company provides qualified custody that helps strengthen the bridge between traditional finance and crypto as these markets continue to mature.” Adam Levine, CEO of Fireblocks Trust Company, positioned the moment as a tipping point for institutional adoption. “Regulated custody is now a catalyst for institutions moving beyond early implementation toward true adoption of digital assets,” he said. “By combining the protections they require with infrastructure they already trust, Fireblocks Trust Company is helping drive the next phase of institutional adoption.” Takeaway Regulated crypto custody is becoming the foundation of institutional participation. Fireblocks’ partnerships show that compliant infrastructure is key to scaling adoption.

Stablecoins were created to solve the problem of price volatility in cryptocurrency. They are not like Bitcoin or Ethereum, whose prices can rise or fall within minutes. Stablecoins were designed to be stable as they’re usually pegged to traditional currencies like the U.S. dollar. Therefore, 1 stablecoin should always equal $1. Due to this, investors, traders, and regular users depend on stablecoins for saving, sending money, and trading in crypto without worrying about price swings.  Sometimes, stablecoins don’t stay at $1; their value rises or drops for a long or short time. This phenomenon is known as “depegging.” When depegging happens, the market begins to panic because people begin to lose trust in the coin’s ability to stay stable. After reading this article, you’ll understand why stablecoins depeg and how it can impact people’s decisions in the crypto world.   Key Takeaways Stablecoins depeg when they lose their fixed value, caused by market fear, poor reserves or system failures. The stability of a stablecoin depends on trust; once the trust breaks, sudden sell-offs can occur. Weak transparency, technical flaws and liquidity problems can expose the risks hidden behind stable assets. Users can protect their funds by diversifying across several stablecoins, researching issuers, and looking for early warning signs of instability. What Does Depeg Mean in Crypto? The word “Depeg” in cryptocurrency means that a stablecoin no longer equals in value to the currency it’s intended to follow. Many stablecoins are created to be worth $1. However, when something goes wrong, such as technical issues or market panic, the price drops below $1. When this happens, the stablecoin has depegged.  Why is Depegging a Big Deal? Many people use stablecoins because they believe one coin will always equal one dollar. This stability enables users to store value securely, send money, and use crypto without worrying about price fluctuations. Therefore, when a stablecoin depegs, even by a little percentage, it breaks that trust. Traders and investors will start questioning whether the coin is genuinely backed by sufficient assets or real money. Also, they will wonder if it can be redeemed for its full value.  When people lose confidence at the same time, they can sell or withdraw their coins. This activity can cause the price to fall further. Understanding the Key Reasons Stablecoins Depeg While stablecoins are designed to remain stable, sometimes things can go wrong, causing them to lose value. Here are the primary reasons this happens: 1. Reserve problems or lack of transparency Many stablecoins are meant to be backed by real money or assets. If the organization behind the coin doesn’t have sufficient reserves or doesn’t show proof, people lose confidence. When issuers don’t share clear reports or audits, rumors and fear can spread, leading to depegging. 2. Market panic and bank runs Even if a stablecoin is completely backed, panic can cause some trouble. If many people withdraw or redeem their coins instantly, the issuer may lack enough liquid cash to handle all requests immediately. When this happens, the prices fall temporarily and supply floods the market. 3. Algorithmic or technical failure Not all stablecoins rely on real money. Instead, they use smart contracts or algorithms to control their price. These coins automatically decrease or increase supply to keep the price stable. However, if the system breaks or the market moves too fast, the algorithm won’t be able to keep up.  4. Banking and regulatory problems Stablecoins depend on payment partners and banks to hold their reserves. If the banks fail, freeze accounts or face government restrictions, the stablecoin’s value is affected.  5. Broader market volatility Anytime the crypto market crashes, stablecoins can feel the impact. If the collateral’s value drops, the stablecoin can lose its peg until additional liquidation balances things out.  How users can protect themselves Although stablecoins appear safe, it is essential to take steps to mitigate risk. 1. Avoid relying on one stablecoin Instead of leaving all your money in one stablecoin, use a combination of stablecoins. This way, if one coin loses its peg, you won’t lose everything.  2. Do your research Always check if the stablecoin has audit reports and if the organization behind it is trustworthy. Be cautious of coins that make big promises but offer little transparency.   3. Watch market trends and news Stablecoins usually follow significant events like crypto crashes or bank failures. Watching the news can help you act fast if something begins to go wrong. 4. Use reputable platforms Trade or store stablecoins on trusted wallets or exchanges with a known history of handling funds securely. Don’t use unknown platforms that may freeze withdrawals or have poor liquidity. 5. Convert when needed If a stablecoin begins to show warning signs or price drops, it’s best to convert it quickly to a fiat currency or another stablecoin. Taking small action early is better than facing significant losses later.  How Stablecoin Issuers Try to Prevent Depegging Stablecoin organizations know that stability is everything. Therefore, they use many strategies to reduce the risk of depegging: 1. Holding sufficient and transparent reserves Issuers of fiat-backed stablecoins hold short-term assets and cash to match every coin they issue. They also share regular audit reports to show clients that their money is safe. 2. Strong liquidity and risk management Stablecoin issuers ensure that enough of their reserves are in the form of easily spendable cash so they can handle mass withdrawals without delay. Additionally, they spread their funds across institutions and multiple banks to avoid total loss if one fails.  3. Regulatory compliance Many issuers now collaborate closely with regulators to increase trust. They use licensed custodians, follow financial laws, and meet transparency standards.  4. Built-in stabilization mechanisms Some stablecoins have automatic features like smart contract adjustments or circuit breakers responding to large price swings. These assist in bringing the coin back to its peg faster when the prices shift instantly.  Conclusion Stablecoins were formed to bring reliability to the volatile crypto world. However, depegging reminds everyone that stability isn’t automatic, but it must be maintained or earned. When reserves are weak or market communication is unclear, even trusted coins can lose their peg. For users, being cautious and staying informed remains the ideal protection. 

According to credit card brand Aqua’s updated Financial Learnings and Mistakes 2025 report, a growing number of young adults are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT for financial advice. The survey, which gathered responses from 5,000 UK adults, found that 67% of 25–34-year-olds and 53% of 21–24-year-olds now rely on AI platforms for financial guidance — a stark contrast to just 10% of respondents aged 55 and over. Social media is also gaining influence as a financial educator. Among 21–24-year-olds, 22% said they would consult TikTok or other social platforms before turning to banks (15%) or professional advisers (7%). This generational shift suggests that younger Brits value immediacy, accessibility, and relatable advice over traditional financial institutions. “Improving your credit score might not always be top of mind, but it plays an important role in helping you reduce financial stress,” said Sharvan Selvam, Commercial Director at Aqua. “It’s incredibly encouraging to see so many people feeling more empowered and confident as a result of taking steps to boost their credit score.” Takeaway AI tools and social platforms are rapidly becoming primary sources of financial advice for younger generations, reshaping how trust and literacy are built around money. Confidence In Money Management Rises Despite Economic Uncertainty Despite the UK’s ongoing cost-of-living challenges, Aqua’s research found that 46% of Brits feel more confident about their finances this year compared to 2024. The most common emotional states around money were “stable” (20%), “content” (16%), and “happy” (12%). Still, uncertainty persists: financial stress rose from 5% to 9% year over year, and 10% of respondents reported feeling anxious about their financial outlook. Among those with low credit scores — roughly 37% of UK adults — the sense of strain is particularly acute. Fourteen percent said a poor score makes them worry about the future, and 13% said it causes ongoing stress. Yet, the research also found that improving credit scores yields strong psychological benefits. Nearly one in four respondents (23%) reported feeling relief once their scores improved, while 17% said they felt “more in control.” Selvam added that small, consistent actions can make a major difference. “Building a stronger credit score is possible with small steps such as making credit repayments on time, which can be made easier by setting up a direct debit or repayment reminders,” he said. Takeaway Even amid financial pressures, improved credit habits are boosting confidence — suggesting education and behavioral nudges can reduce long-term money stress. Financial Mistakes And The Topics Brits Wish They Knew Better When asked about their biggest financial mistakes, 45% of respondents cited not planning for retirement as their top regret. Other leading errors included accumulating credit card debt (40%) and spending beyond one’s means (38%). Meanwhile, 34% said losing money to the crypto and NFT hype was their biggest misstep — underscoring how easily financial trends can overshadow informed decision-making. The report also highlighted significant educational gaps. Investing and retirement planning were the top two topics Brits wished they had learned earlier, both mentioned by 17% of respondents. Fifteen percent said they wished they had understood the long-term benefits of investing, while others emphasized the importance of saving for retirement sooner. As Aqua’s findings make clear, financial literacy continues to evolve alongside technology. The fusion of AI, digital platforms, and shifting attitudes toward money could redefine how the next generation builds wealth, manages risk, and prepares for the future. Takeaway Retirement planning, investing, and credit management remain key knowledge gaps — and AI-driven tools could become the bridge to closing them for younger adults.  

Bitcoin (BTC) is currently trading around $121,582, marking a mild intraday decline of 0.7%. Despite short-term volatility, the broader market structure remains bullish, supported by institutional inflows and seasonal optimism often associated with October’s crypto rally. Strong buying interest has pushed BTC out of a descending channel pattern, signaling the potential continuation of its uptrend. Analysts, however, warn that immediate resistance near the $125,000 to $130,000 range could trigger short-term profit-taking. If Bitcoin clears this zone decisively, technical projections place the next upside target near $146,000, based on the measured move from its recent breakout. Key support levels lie around $117,000 and $110,000, where previous consolidations occurred. A breakdown below these levels could shift momentum and test psychological support near $100,000. Until then, price corrections are viewed as part of a healthy retracement within a bullish structure. Momentum indicators paint a mixed picture. Bitcoin remains above its 50-, 100-, and 200-day moving averages, confirming a medium- to long-term uptrend. However, shorter-term oscillators such as the Relative Strength Index and Stochastics indicate overbought conditions, suggesting limited immediate upside without consolidation. Volume trends have been moderate, with analysts noting subdued exchange activity and signs of accumulation through institutional vehicles like spot Bitcoin ETFs. Trend indicators such as the Average Directional Index show moderate strength, implying that while the trend remains intact, the market could pause before the next leg higher. In the near term, traders are watching whether Bitcoin can sustain above the $122,000 to $125,000 range. A successful retest of this zone could confirm support for a renewed push toward all-time highs, while a failure could open the door for deeper retracements toward the $110,000 level. Ethereum (ETH) is trading near $4,347, down about 3% on the day, as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization consolidates following its recent rally. Despite short-term weakness, technical indicators suggest that Ethereum remains in a broader uptrend, supported by positive institutional sentiment and continued growth in on-chain activity. On daily charts, Ethereum’s price action shows resilience above key moving averages, with medium- and long-term signals maintaining a bullish tilt. Market assessments from major exchanges describe ETH as holding a “buy” bias on most moving averages, though short-term oscillators reflect overbought conditions, hinting at potential near-term consolidation. The primary resistance to watch lies between $4,600 and $5,100. Ethereum has repeatedly tested the lower end of this zone but has yet to establish a sustained breakout. A decisive move above $4,600, confirmed by strong volume, could open the door to new highs, with some analysts projecting a medium-term target near $10,000 if momentum continues. On the downside, immediate support sits around $4,200 to $4,300, with deeper protection near $3,900. Technical forecasts suggest that a pullback to $4,280 remains possible if resistance persists, offering a potential retest of prior accumulation zones. Momentum remains moderate, with trend indicators like the Average Directional Index showing room for further strength. Meanwhile, Ethereum’s underlying fundamentals — such as increasing institutional adoption through ETFs, expanding Layer-2 ecosystem activity, and the deflationary effect of staking and burns — continue to support a long-term bullish case. In the short term, traders are watching whether Ethereum can reclaim the $4,600 level. A successful breakout could mark the start of a renewed rally, while failure to hold support near $4,200 may lead to deeper consolidation before the next leg higher.

An investor group led by Marc Joppeck, which also owns global trading brand INFINOX, has announced the acquisition of Skilling.com, a leading European online brokerage, pending final regulatory approval. The move marks a major milestone in the group’s long-term strategy to build a diversified financial services portfolio and expand its reach in one of the world’s most competitive trading regions. The transaction, following months of due diligence and negotiation, underscores the group’s intent to scale innovation and enhance client access to regulated, technology-driven trading. While financial terms remain undisclosed, the deal represents a significant investment in broadening both geographic reach and product diversity for retail traders across Europe and beyond. “This acquisition reflects our ambition to grow as a diversified and global financial services leader,” said Marc Joppeck, board member of INFINOX. “Skilling’s technology and client-first approach are an ideal fit for our strategy, creating opportunities to scale innovation, deliver enhanced value, and build resilience in an increasingly competitive sector.” Takeaway The acquisition of Skilling.com reinforces the group’s European presence and merges two strong technology-driven brands to accelerate innovation and client growth. Combining Skilling’s Technology With INFINOX’s Global Infrastructure Skilling, known for its intuitive platforms, localized services, and strong Nordic footprint, will complement INFINOX’s extensive infrastructure and liquidity network. The integration allows both brands to operate synergistically — maintaining Skilling’s independent identity while gaining access to the group’s advanced technology stack, multilingual support, and international regulatory coverage. For Skilling’s clients, the partnership promises broader liquidity access, a wider range of trading instruments, and enhanced data security. It also opens opportunities for improved execution speed and innovation in mobile trading and payment solutions. By leveraging INFINOX’s global relationships, Skilling traders will now benefit from the same institutional-grade infrastructure that underpins some of the world’s leading trading venues. “Joining the portfolio of companies is an exciting step for Skilling and our clients,” said George Kyriakoudes, CEO of Skilling. “We are proud of the technology, services, and community we have built, and this deal will allow us to scale these strengths to new heights. Our clients will benefit from the group’s global presence, advanced infrastructure, and long-term vision.” Takeaway Skilling retains its brand and agility while gaining access to INFINOX’s scale, ensuring continuity for clients and expanding innovation across global markets. Building A Diversified, Multi-Brand Financial Services Ecosystem Beyond operational synergy, the acquisition represents a broader ambition: to create a modern, multi-brand financial services ecosystem capable of serving traders across varying regions, regulatory environments, and asset classes. The group’s strategy centers on acquiring technology-led firms that align with its vision of transparent, inclusive, and innovative finance. By integrating Skilling, the investor group extends its presence deeper into Europe’s retail trading landscape, particularly within the Nordic markets where Skilling has established a strong reputation. This foundation enables the group to diversify its client base and develop new, cross-market products that combine intuitive design with institutional-grade execution standards. Further announcements regarding the group’s structure and expansion roadmap are expected in the coming months, signaling continued investment in digital transformation, client experience, and cross-platform integration. As the trading sector grows increasingly competitive, this acquisition positions the group to deliver enhanced value and long-term stability through diversified growth and technological leadership. Takeaway The acquisition aligns with a long-term vision to build a diversified, technology-focused portfolio — one that delivers innovation, resilience, and client choice globally.  

Global CEO confidence in the world economy has dropped to a five-year low, according to the KPMG 2025 Global CEO Outlook, which surveyed more than 1,300 corporate leaders worldwide. Only 68% expressed confidence in the global economy’s trajectory, down from 72% last year — a continuation of the downward trend since 2020. Persistent geopolitical tension and economic uncertainty remain major headwinds, reshaping corporate priorities and leadership strategies. Despite this caution, executives are leaning into opportunity through targeted investments. The majority of CEOs are prioritizing talent acquisition and technology innovation to drive resilience and future growth. 92% plan to increase headcount in the coming year, and 89% anticipate merger or acquisition activity. However, challenges such as cybercrime (79%), AI workforce readiness (77%), and integrating AI into existing business processes (75%) continue to hinder growth ambitions. Bill Thomas, KPMG’s Global Chairman and CEO, summarized the delicate balance: “It’s clear from our findings that CEOs are finding opportunities from disruption by investing boldly in technology, innovation and talent. With what we are seeing, there’s a careful balance required between innovation and responsibility.” Takeaway Global uncertainty hasn’t slowed investment in innovation — CEOs are redirecting resources toward AI, skilled talent, and digital transformation to sustain growth. AI Becomes The Centerpiece Of 2026 Corporate Strategy Artificial intelligence remains the top strategic investment area for CEOs worldwide. Nearly three-quarters (71%) of surveyed leaders said AI is their top investment priority for 2026, while 69% plan to allocate between 10% and 20% of their total budgets to AI initiatives over the next 12 months. This wave of funding underscores a clear recognition that digital transformation now depends on the effective integration of intelligent automation, analytics, and generative AI capabilities. However, accelerated adoption also brings new challenges to the boardroom. Ethical concerns were cited by 59% of executives, followed by data readiness (52%) and lack of regulation (50%). The consensus is that robust governance and transparency must accompany AI deployment to avoid reputational and operational risks. Executives are especially focused on managing bias in AI systems and ensuring workforce readiness as automation expands. Many leaders view AI not only as an efficiency driver but also as a strategic differentiator. From predictive analytics to decision augmentation, companies are increasingly embedding AI into every layer of the enterprise — from operations and supply chain to marketing and product innovation. The report suggests that organizations that implement clear governance models early will be best positioned to leverage AI responsibly and competitively. Takeaway AI budgets are surging, but leaders are pairing investment with governance — signaling a move from experimental pilots to scaled, responsible implementation. People-Led Transformation: Hiring, Upskilling, And Human-Centric AI While AI commands investment, CEOs recognize that success depends on people, not just technology. 61% of respondents said they are actively hiring new talent with AI or technical expertise, and 77% cited workforce upskilling as a pressing challenge. Competition for top AI talent remains fierce, with 70% of CEOs expressing concern about limited availability of qualified candidates. The findings suggest a clear pivot toward human-centric transformation — ensuring that employees are empowered to work alongside automation rather than displaced by it. The majority of executives (72%) have already adapted their growth strategies to reflect today’s economic realities, emphasizing agility, transparency, and faster decision-making. Leaders are also striving to build cultures of resilience — balancing automation with ethics and empathy in how technology is deployed across teams. Bill Thomas added, “CEO responses on AI exemplify this, with leaders recognizing the need to embrace innovation while managing concerns over ethics, regulation, upskilling and access to talent. Ultimately, the leaders who can embrace market volatility and focus investments in the right strategic areas will be best placed to unlock sustainable, long-term growth.” Takeaway Human-centric AI deployment is becoming a competitive advantage — blending technical investment with workforce development to sustain long-term transformation. ESG And Climate Confidence Strengthen Amid Economic Strain Despite macroeconomic pressures, CEOs remain committed to sustainability. The report shows that 61% of global leaders are now confident they will achieve their net-zero targets by 2030 — a notable increase from prior years. This reflects growing alignment between profitability and purpose, as organizations increasingly link ESG performance to long-term value creation. While regional differences persist, executives are integrating environmental and social metrics into investment and risk frameworks. This convergence of AI, sustainability, and governance signals a broader evolution in corporate strategy — one that prizes resilience, transparency, and innovation as shared imperatives rather than competing priorities. In parallel with sustainability gains, CEOs remain mindful of volatility. Many are revisiting capital allocation models and resilience planning, ensuring that investments in technology and ESG initiatives reinforce rather than dilute overall corporate stability. In this environment, AI and climate strategy appear to be two sides of the same adaptive coin — one optimizing for performance, the other for long-term survival. Takeaway ESG and AI investment strategies are converging — leaders view sustainability and technology as complementary pillars for resilience and long-term value creation.  

Gold reached fresh all-time highs on 8 October as fundamental conditions remained favourable while some other havens such as the yen performed less well. This article summarises recent developments affecting the main havens then looks briefly at the charts of XAUUSD and USDJPY. ETFs backed by gold saw some of their highest monthly inflows in years last month as political uncertainty remains generally high while the Fed seems likely to cut twice more this year: Source: CME FedWatch The probability of two more cuts to the funds rate by the end of 2025 has remained fairly constant in the last week at around 80-90%. If correct, that would take the rate to 3.5-3.75% by the end of the year. While the intense surge in prices among cryptocurrencies some traders had expected earlier this year hasn’t happened, gold has certainly been a strong gainer. Weaker job data from the USA in recent months raised the question of the American economy’s overall performance, but now uncertainty is higher because the shutdown of the government delayed October’s NFP to the following month. For now, inflation on 15 October seems set to come out as scheduled and there remains hope that the shutdown won’t be as long as 2019’s. Traders have also been watching political developments in France and Japan. The former French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu became the shortest holder of the office after resigning recently but results from the latest discussions so far suggest that agreement on the budget seems possible with a snap election looking less likely.  Meanwhile in Japan Sanae Takaichi should become the country’s first female prime minister around the middle of October, having won leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party. Ms Takaichi’s approach to the economy has attracted traders’ attention, with expected further stimulus driving negativity for the yen but gains for the Nikkei. There hasn’t been much very important economic data recently, so traders are generally looking ahead to American inflation on 15 October. The annual headline figure might have risen to 3% last month from 2.9% in August but expectations suggest that annual core inflation could drop slightly to 3%. Chinese trade data and inflation are also important around the same time. Gold moves above $4,000 with no signs of stopping Gold reached the latest in its series of fresh record highs on 8 October above $4,000. Trade tension and monetary policy remain in focus while in recent days political changes in France and Japan plus the American government’s shutdown have added to demand for the yellow metal as a haven. Although $4,000 has been broken for now, more certain confirmation of ongoing gains could come from a close or more than one daily close above there. The 161.8% weekly Fibonacci extension could be an area of resistance. While the price has been clearly overbought based on the slow stochastic for a long time, in this situation saturation might be discounted or at least have its importance reduced. The next resistance in the medium to long term is unclear for now. The 20 SMA around $3,800 seems like a candidate for dynamic support but hasn’t been tested since late August. A drop that far is questionable in the near future unless sentiment changes strongly or there’s a major surprise from American inflation. At risk of stating the obvious, it’s potentially difficult to find an entry to buy here with a good ratio. Dollar-yen reaches six-month highs Political developments in Japan, primarily Sanae Takaichi winning leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, have driven the yen down recently while giving tailwinds to the Nikkei 225. Ms Takaichi’s victory suggests ongoing loose fiscal and possibly monetary policy. Meanwhile the Bank of Japan’s expected hike to 0.75%  at the end of October seems less certain after very disappointing average cash earnings for August released late on 7 October. The price has clearly broken above ¥150 for now; that area had seemed to be a possibly important resistance for much of the summer. The 61.8% weekly Fibonacci retracement could be the next significant resistance. ¥154, the high from February, might also cap gains. Since the moving averages are bunched fairly close together considerably lower and there’s currently clear, strong signals of buying saturation, consolidation might seem more likely than continuation in the near future. Now that the area around ¥150-151 has been broken, it might flip to being a support, especially considering the presence of the 50% weekly Fibonacci retracement in this zone. Given the size of the weekend’s gap from 3 October and the subsequent strong follow-through, it’d be less likely to see a relatively large retracement below ¥149, but upcoming American inflation might give more clarity on the next direction. The opinions in this article are personal to the writer and do not represent those of Exness. This is not a recommendation to trade. Disclaimer: This sponsored market analysis is provided for informational purposes only. We have not independently verified its content and do not bear any responsibility for any information or description of services that it may contain. Information contained in this post is not advice nor a recommendation and thus should not be treated as such. We strongly recommend that you seek independent financial advice from a qualified and regulated professional, before participating or investing in any financial activities or services. Please also read and review our full disclaimer.

Eventus, a global leader in trade surveillance and financial risk solutions, has announced the launch of Frank AI — a deterministic artificial intelligence system purpose-built for financial compliance teams and surveillance analytics. Integrated into the firm’s award-winning Validus platform, Frank AI is designed to deliver secure, repeatable, and transparent results, ensuring full auditability for regulatory inquiries and investigations. The technology harnesses natural language processing (NLP) and large language models (LLMs) to automate trade surveillance, risk monitoring, and behavioral analytics. Unlike conventional generative AI systems, Frank AI’s deterministic framework guarantees consistent outcomes without probabilistic “hallucinations,” making it ideal for regulated financial environments. It allows compliance professionals to query real-time data conversationally, using plain English while maintaining data integrity and traceability. “We’re excited about the groundbreaking nature of Frank AI and the power it puts into our clients’ hands for compliance and risk analysis,” said Travis Schwab, CEO of Eventus. “Clients can deploy Frank AI within hours, integrate it seamlessly with their infrastructure, and leverage its capabilities with complete confidence in the accuracy and auditability of its outputs.” Takeaway Frank AI establishes a new AI benchmark for compliance, delivering transparent, deterministic analytics that regulators can verify and institutions can trust. Transforming Trade Surveillance With AI-Powered Querying Frank AI enables analysts to interact directly with Validus data using natural language — a major step forward in accessibility for non-technical users. Instead of constructing complex database queries, compliance officers can issue commands such as, “Show me all cross-market wash trading patterns involving equity and futures for Client XYZ in the past 30 days.” Frank then processes the request, runs behavioral analytics across multiple asset classes, and returns comprehensive, audit-ready results. During beta testing, clients reported dramatic reductions in manual workloads, improved detection of nuanced misconduct, and enhanced operational efficiency. The system also supports automation of repetitive tasks such as report generation, alert remediation, and query building — freeing compliance teams to focus on investigation and strategy rather than process management. Because Frank AI’s models are trained on Validus-specific data tables, the tool maintains contextual accuracy while delivering structured, actionable insights. It integrates securely with enterprise systems and can be deployed either on-premise or via cloud infrastructure, giving financial institutions control over both their data and AI governance frameworks. Takeaway By combining real-time data access with conversational AI, Frank AI empowers compliance analysts to generate explainable, evidence-backed results without coding expertise. Setting A New Standard For Explainable, Secure AI In Finance According to Martina Rejsjö, Eventus Vice President of Product Management, Frank AI addresses a critical barrier to AI adoption in regulated industries — the need for deterministic, auditable responses. “Frank AI delivers consistent, traceable results that compliance teams can trust and regulators can verify,” Rejsjö said. “Our commitment to explainability and regulatory readiness has defined our AI roadmap.” Frank AI is compatible with leading public models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, allowing it to leverage continuous improvements in natural language understanding while maintaining full enterprise-grade data security. Data never leaves the host environment, ensuring compliance with internal policies and regulatory mandates. This combination of security and scalability makes Frank AI uniquely positioned to serve the complex surveillance needs of banks, broker-dealers, hedge funds, and exchanges. Eventus has long integrated machine learning into its trade surveillance solutions, primarily for alert remediation and risk scoring. With Frank AI, the company moves beyond incremental automation to a new class of intelligent compliance systems — capable of delivering high-volume, explainable analytics that satisfy both business needs and regulatory scrutiny. Takeaway Frank AI represents the evolution of financial compliance tech — bridging advanced machine learning with the transparency required for global regulatory standards.    

Fireblocks has announced a major partnership with Moomoo Singapore to strengthen the trading platform’s digital asset infrastructure using Fireblocks’ Wallets-as-a-Service (WaaS) technology. The integration, set for completion by the end of 2025, will allow Moomoo Singapore to expand its cryptocurrency offerings while maintaining enterprise-grade standards of scalability, security, and reliability. By leveraging Fireblocks’ WaaS platform, Moomoo Singapore gains access to the Fireblocks Network—a global digital asset connectivity layer that links more than 2,400 financial institutions, fintechs, and exchanges. The collaboration will enable Moomoo Singapore to benefit from improved liquidity, enhanced settlement efficiency, and deeper access to institutional-grade trading partners, positioning the platform for growth in an increasingly competitive market. “As digital assets continue to gain traction with retail investors, trading platforms like Moomoo require enterprise-grade infrastructure they can rely on,” said Amy Zhang, Head of APAC at Fireblocks. “By integrating Fireblocks’ wallets into its platform, Moomoo is not only enhancing the security of its digital asset offerings, but also unlocking the ability to innovate and scale its offerings with confidence.” Takeaway Fireblocks’ Wallets-as-a-Service integration positions Moomoo Singapore to deliver faster, more secure crypto transactions while connecting to a $10T digital asset network. Enhancing Compliance, Speed, And Investor Confidence With Singapore’s regulatory framework for digital assets continuing to mature, Moomoo Singapore’s adoption of Fireblocks technology signals its commitment to compliance and customer protection. The firm operates under licenses from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), including Capital Markets Services and Major Payment Institution licenses, allowing it to expand cryptocurrency offerings within a regulated environment. Fireblocks’ WaaS platform combines Multi-Party Computation (MPC) cryptography and secure hardware infrastructure to deliver multilayered protection against internal and external threats. This architecture minimizes the risk of human error and collusion while ensuring the operational continuity required for high-volume trading. For users, this translates into faster transaction execution, seamless wallet access, and improved peace of mind. “Digital assets are becoming an increasingly important part of how investors diversify their portfolios,” said Echo Zhao, Country Head of Moomoo Singapore. “By working with technology providers within the industry, we can integrate new capabilities that expand access for our clients while ensuring their investing journey remains seamless and transparent.” Takeaway Regulated, high-speed wallet infrastructure enhances investor confidence — aligning Singapore’s retail trading platforms with global institutional standards. Bringing Institutional-Grade Security To Retail Crypto Markets The partnership underscores a larger trend: the convergence of institutional and retail-grade infrastructure in the digital asset economy. Fireblocks’ technology, already trusted by BNY Mellon, Worldpay, Galaxy, and Revolut, will now be used to power one of Asia’s fastest-growing investment platforms. Moomoo Singapore, which surpassed 1.5 million users in mid-2025, aims to use this integration to manage its expanding user base and rising crypto trading volumes. Fireblocks’ ecosystem, now securing more than $10 trillion in transactions across 120+ blockchains, has become the standard for institutions managing digital assets at scale. By adopting the same technology stack, Moomoo Singapore aligns itself with global best practices in custody, settlement, and tokenized payments — while ensuring that retail investors benefit from the same level of protection historically reserved for banks and fund managers. The collaboration also reflects the acceleration of hybrid finance models, where traditional investment platforms integrate blockchain infrastructure to offer clients diversified exposure to digital assets. For both Fireblocks and Moomoo, this partnership marks a milestone in making digital finance mainstream — one built on security, compliance, and accessibility. Takeaway Moomoo’s adoption of Fireblocks technology bridges the gap between institutional and retail finance, driving the next wave of compliant crypto adoption in Asia.