The world’s largest derivatives marketplace revealed that the new entity is expected to go live in the second quarter of 2026, ahead of the SEC’s deadline mandating clearing for U.S. Treasury trades from 31 December 2026 and for repo trades from 30 June 2027. CME Group Chairman and CEO Terry Duffy remarked that the approval comes at a crucial moment for market participants preparing for the regulatory overhaul.  “Expanded clearing capacity and capital efficiencies are critical for all market participants working to comply with the U.S. Treasury clearing mandate,” he said. The new clearing house will support both “done-with” and “done-away” execution and extend cross-margining with the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (FICC), a key feature for institutions seeking risk-offsetting benefits across portfolios. CME Group already plays a central role in U.S. interest rate markets and said the new clearing service will further enhance liquidity, transparency and operational resilience across the Treasury ecosystem. The post CME Group Gains SEC Approval for New Securities Clearing House appeared first on LeapRate.

Backed, founded in 2021, has emerged as a leader in tokenised assets, with xStocks surpassing $10bn in combined exchange and on-chain trading volume within six months of launch.  Its tokens, backed 1:1 by underlying equities and ETFs, are already live on Solana and Ethereum, with further integrations planned across TON, Tron, Mantle and BNB Chain. Kraken said bringing Backed fully in-house “unifies issuance, trading and settlement,” enabling the two firms to expand xStocks into new markets and everyday financial applications.  Co-CEO Arjun Sethi stated that the acquisition “strengthens the core architecture required for open and programmable capital markets,” describing tokenised ownership as “foundational work for the next era of market structure.” The move also advances Kraken’s strategy of vertically integrating its infrastructure, following recent acquisitions including Breakout, Small Exchange and NinjaTrader.  Backed’s team will join Kraken, enhancing compliance and issuance capabilities while expanding the use of tokenised assets across its ecosystem, including its global money app, Krak. Backed Co-Founder Adam Levi said Kraken’s scale will help “accelerate the expansion of infrastructure designed to democratise financial access across the world.” The post Kraken to Acquire Backed, Expanding Push Into Tokenised Equities appeared first on LeapRate.

The approval marks a major step in Thunes’ plans to widen the scope of its Singapore-based operations.  Once the variation is formally granted, the company will be authorised to provide account issuance, domestic money transfer, merchant acquisition and e-money issuance services in addition to its existing cross-border money transfer activities.  Thunes stated that the expanded permissions will allow Singapore merchants to accept payments from customers around the world using widely adopted international methods, while also enabling overseas merchants to offer popular local Singapore options such as PayNow and GrabPay. The company’s global network already supports more than 320 local payment methods, underpinned by more than 50 financial service licences across multiple jurisdictions. Peter De Caluwe, co-founder and CEO of Thunes Group, commented that the approval was “a major step forward” for the group’s international strategy, reinforcing Singapore’s role as its global headquarters.  He added that the company is committed to “connect markets, empower merchants, and expand our trusted Direct Global Network”. Ruwan De Soyza, the group’s general counsel, said strong governance and regulatory rigour remain central to Thunes’ operations, calling the decision an important milestone in building “a safer, more connected global payments ecosystem”. The company will continue working with the regulator to meet remaining conditions before the licence variation is formally awarded. The post Thunes Secures In-Principle Approval to Broaden Singapore Payments Licence appeared first on LeapRate.

The regulator said that from July 2018 to April 2024, the broker either failed to report or inaccurately reported more than 12,000 fixed-income transactions to the Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine.  In many cases, the firm incorrectly reported its execution capacity, while more than 4,000 transactions with a non-member affiliate were not reported at all due to human error. FINRA stated that such failures compromise the transparency and integrity of TRACE, which provides market participants with crucial pricing information. Separately, from at least July 2018 to September 2024, the firm issued more than 11,000 customer confirmations that omitted the price of the security because of a coding error.  FINRA held that this breached SEC Rule 10b-10 and FINRA Rule 2232, which require disclosure of essential transaction terms. The regulator also found supervisory lapses, stating that the firm did not maintain or enforce procedures to ensure confirmation accuracy, in violation of Rule 3110. The firm accepted the findings without admitting or denying them. The post FINRA Fines Intesa Sanpaolo IMI Securities $125,000 Over Reporting Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

The figure was, however, 4 per cent lower than October’s level. Client equity ended the month at $769.7 billion, up 34 per cent from a year earlier, while margin loan balances rose 38 per cent to $83.3 billion.  Client accounts totalled 4.311 million, a 33 per cent annual increase. Average annualised cleared DARTs per account stood at 214. The broker reported an average commission of $2.62 per cleared commissionable order, including exchange, clearing and regulatory fees.  For U.S. Reg-NMS stock trades, the average order size was 809 shares with a commission of $1.94. Futures and options activity also remained active, with average commissions of $3.82 and $3.84, respectively. Interactive Brokers also published its execution-quality data. It said the all-in cost for IBKR Pro clients trading U.S. Reg-NMS stocks was around 3.0 basis points of trade money in November, with the rolling 12-month average at 2.8 basis points. The firm noted that this benchmark includes extended trading hours to reflect client activity. GLOBAL, the company’s currency-diversified equity benchmark, rose 0.05 per cent in November and is up 1.767 per cent year-to-date. The post Interactive Brokers Posts 29% Rise in DARTs as Client Accounts Grow appeared first on LeapRate.

The initiative will offer qualified participants equity-linked rewards in the form of warrants tied to Kraken’s long-term performance, a first among major global crypto exchanges. The programme is targeted at the exchange’s largest clients by trading volume, subject to standard compliance requirements. Kraken said the structure is competitive, transparent and rule-based, allowing participants who contribute meaningfully to liquidity to earn incentives that align their success with the exchange’s future growth. The company’s initiative is said to reflect its belief that “stronger markets benefit everyone,” from retail users to institutional participants.  By linking incentives to market health, Kraken stated that it aims to create a “living network of trust, innovation and resilience,” where collaboration and competition reinforce overall market integrity. The exchange emphasised that improved liquidity and broader participation would create a more efficient trading environment.  Kraken described the programme as the first step in a wider framework designed to enhance market quality and support the next phase of exchange development. As Kraken continues to scale its infrastructure, the company noted that it will introduce further initiatives that align client outcomes with its mission of advancing global cryptocurrency adoption through transparent, well-functioning markets. The post Kraken Introduces Market Participation Programme to Strengthen Liquidity appeared first on LeapRate.

The exchange, part of Intercontinental Exchange, has grown rapidly as companies seek to take advantage of Texas’s pro-business climate and the NYSE’s established market infrastructure. The combined market capitalisation of the companies listed on NYSE Texas now exceeds $2 trillion. Listings span 11 industries, including technology, consumer discretionary and energy, reflecting broad interest from issuers. The venue accepts operating companies, closed-end funds and ETFs. Lynn Martin, president of NYSE Group, believes the achievement “reflects the demand for the NYSE’s best-in-class offerings in the pro-business environment fostered by Governor Abbott in the Lone Star State.”  She added that the exchange expects to maintain its momentum into 2026. Bryan Daniel, president of NYSE Texas, called the milestone an “important moment” for the state, highlighting efforts to support issuers since the exchange’s launch.  Texas is already home to more NYSE-listed companies than any other U.S. state, representing more than $3.9 trillion in market value. NYSE Texas was established to give issuers additional flexibility while retaining access to the broader NYSE ecosystem.  The exchange is positioned as a key part of the NYSE’s regional expansion strategy at a time when companies continue to reassess listing venues and regulatory frameworks. The exchange said it will continue to focus on strengthening its issuer community while supporting future dual-listing activity. The post NYSE Texas Reaches 100 Dual Listings Nine Months After Launch appeared first on LeapRate.

Innovator oversees $28 billion in assets under supervision across 159 defined outcome ETFs, offering strategies focused on income, buffers and growth.  Goldman Sachs said the transaction, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026 pending regulatory approval, will significantly broaden its active ETF capabilities and strengthen its long-term product roadmap.  The consideration will total about $2 billion, payable in cash and equity subject to performance targets. David Solomon, Goldman Sachs’ chairman and chief executive, commented that the acquisition would “expand access to modern, world-class investment products for investor portfolios,” adding that Innovator’s leadership in defined outcome solutions aligns with the bank’s aim of delivering targeted, sophisticated strategies. Defined outcome ETFs have surged in popularity, with global active ETF assets rising to $1.6 trillion and growing at a 47 per cent compound annual rate since 2020.  Innovator’s founders, Bruce Bond, John Southard, Graham Day and Trevor Terrell, will join Goldman Sachs Asset Management, together with more than 60 employees. The deal will take the combined ETF lineup to over 215 strategies with more than $75 billion in assets under supervision, positioning Goldman Sachs as a top-ten active ETF provider globally. Goldman Sachs believes the acquisition reinforces its broader strategy to expand durable revenue and meet investor demand for innovative portfolio solutions. The post Goldman Sachs to Acquire Innovator Capital Management in $2 Billion Deal appeared first on LeapRate.

The agreement gives HSBC access to Mistral’s commercial and future AI models, which will be integrated into the bank’s internal systems.  The two companies’ applied AI and engineering teams will work jointly to develop tailored solutions for a wide range of business needs, from financial analysis to multilingual translation and workflow automation. HSBC believes the collaboration will strengthen an existing AI-based productivity platform already used by staff globally, enabling faster creation of tailored client communications, more efficient marketing campaigns and better identification of risk and savings opportunities in procurement.  The bank also expects improvements in document-heavy lending processes and customer-interaction tools. Future applications will focus on enhancing credit and onboarding processes, as well as strengthening fraud and anti-money-laundering systems.  Both organisations emphasised their commitment to responsible AI deployment, including privacy safeguards and transparency standards. Group CEO Georges Elhedery said the partnership would “equip our colleagues with tools to help them innovate, simplify daily tasks, and free up time to deliver for our customers.”  Mistral AI chief executive Arthur Mensch added that the collaboration would reinvent HSBC’s workflows while ensuring full ownership of data. The partnership forms part of HSBC’s broader investment in AI technologies as the bank modernises operations across its 57-country footprint. The post HSBC and Mistral AI Form Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Generative AI Adoption appeared first on LeapRate.

FanDuel Prediction Markets, structured as a non-clearing Futures Commission Merchant and joint venture between CME and FanDuel’s parent company Flutter Entertainment, will rely on Plus500 to provide brokerage-execution and clearing services.  The arrangement enables the platform to use Plus500’s institutional-grade systems to ensure secure, scalable access to clients trading the new event-driven instruments. Plus500 said the partnership underscores its role as a market-infrastructure provider capable of supporting execution, settlement and risk-management processes for emerging trading formats.  The collaboration also strengthens the company’s push into the rapidly expanding market for regulated prediction products. Chief executive David Zruia described the appointment as a “historic milestone”, adding that it reflects Plus500’s position as a trusted operator built on proprietary technology and “world-leading operational strengths”.  The company said it plans to apply the same infrastructure to future products as the global market for event-based trading evolves. Plus500 noted that its technology architecture, regulatory expertise and clearing systems place it in a strong position to support other B2B clients, including institutional platforms seeking a reliable clearing partner.  The firm is aiming to build a broader presence in event-driven markets as interest in alternative trading formats continues to grow. The post Plus500 Selected to Clear New CME–FanDuel Event-Based Prediction Markets appeared first on LeapRate.

Jenniskens joins from ABN AMRO, which acquired BUX last year, where she serves as Head of Digital Wealth Products and has played a central role in developing the bank’s next-generation investing and pension tools.  She was also instrumental in integrating BUX into ABN AMRO’s broader wealth strategy, a move seen as critical to the platform’s long-term expansion. In her new role, Jenniskens will oversee the development of BUX’s savings proposition, a strategic priority aimed at unifying saving and investing within a single, intuitive platform.  The initiative forms a core part of BUX’s ambition to expand its appeal among younger and digitally minded investors. She succeeds Yorick Naeff, who led BUX since 2020 and will transition to Head of Innovation at ABN AMRO.  Naeff said it was “a proud moment to pass the helm to Marlou as BUX enters its next chapter,” highlighting her expertise in digital wealth and deep network within the bank. Jenniskens is known for advocating diversity in financial services and supporting the financial empowerment of women.  “BUX has always stood for accessibility and clarity, and I’m excited to build on that foundation,” she said, emphasising her focus on intuitive customer experiences designed to boost financial confidence. The post BUX Names Marlou Jenniskens as New CEO appeared first on LeapRate.

The new segment, available immediately, mirrors the existing structured-products offering but significantly lengthens the trading window compared with the current 09:15–17:15 CET schedule.  SIX said the change is designed to let self-directed investors and brokers react more effectively to market developments, particularly in the U.S., where markets remain open until 22:00 CET. The exchange hosts more than 70,000 structured products, most of them leverage and yield-enhancement instruments. By extending hours, SIX aims to broaden access, boost product visibility and strengthen its appeal to issuers, who gain longer regulated-market access and the potential for increased demand. The extension requires no additional applications or setup, and retail investors can place orders through brokers as usual. SIX said the decision responds to global market dynamics and the growing importance of self-guided investing. Gregor Braun, Co-Head of Cash Markets, said the launch “directly addresses client demand” for longer trading windows, describing it as “pragmatic innovation” aligned with the exchange’s retail focus.  Sébastien Neukom, Head of Structured Products Sales, added that the change helps investors “track U.S. markets and act on developments as they happen”, offering greater flexibility and precision. SIX expects the longer hours to support more diversified product issuance and improved client service across the structured-products ecosystem. The post SIX Extends Trading Hours for Structured Products to Boost Flexibility appeared first on LeapRate.

Integrated into the Antom Merchant Portal, the enhanced Copilot now provides end-to-end support across the payment lifecycle, from onboarding and integration to dispute handling, risk controls and managing payment success rates.  Ant International said the upgraded system operates like a “virtual team of payment experts”, drawing on domain-specific training and real-world cases to deliver faster, more accurate support. Improved multi-turn dialogue, memory capabilities and closer monitoring of operational signals now enable the system to identify risks and opportunities before merchants flag issues, allowing more proactive and customised guidance. The company noted that Antom Copilot, which is powered by an upgraded agentic retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) architecture with dynamic SOP planning, has already demonstrated significant efficiency gains.  The firm said that since its 2024 rollout, 72% of Antom merchants have completed self-service integration using the tool, cutting integration times by 90% and improving dispute-resolution efficiency by 46%. Gary Liu, CEO of Antom, said managing payments “doesn’t have to be a passive and low ROI process”, adding that the aim is to put “advanced AI efficiency tools at the fingertip of every merchant”.  Ant International stated that the upgrades reflect its broader commitment to developing agentic AI designed specifically for global commerce. The company recently introduced EPOS360, an AI-powered app that integrates POS systems, payments, banking and lending to help small- and mid-sized businesses scale more efficiently. The post Ant International Upgrades Antom Copilot to Boost AI-Driven Merchant Payments appeared first on LeapRate.

The Stamford-based operator, which launched trading in October, is the first U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission-approved exchange to offer 23-hour access to U.S. shares each weekday.  Investors worldwide can already trade U.S. equities via approved broker-dealer members from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.  The company expects to move to full 23/5 trading in the second half of 2026, pending further approvals and system alignment. The investment will help accelerate the exchange’s expansion across Asia and broaden access to U.S. markets for retail and institutional traders in the region.  It follows a similar investment from Japan’s Rakuten Securities earlier this year, underscoring what 24X called growing international recognition of its technology and market-access infrastructure. Dmitri Galinov, founder and CEO of 24X, said the backing from Shinhan “will advance our mission to deliver enhanced liquidity, transparency, and convenience and efficiency to traders in U.S. equities – wherever they may be based.”  Shinhan said the stake forms part of a broader strategy to work with firms “pioneering cutting-edge trading technology.” 24X plans to operate from Sunday evening to Friday evening ET, pausing only for a daily one-hour maintenance window, a model aimed at meeting global demand for continuous access to U.S. markets. The post Shinhan Securities of Korea Takes Stake in 24X appeared first on LeapRate.

The move expands DXcharts’ analytical capabilities and offers brokers using oneZero’s Market Analytics Platform a turnkey deployment option. OneZero’s latest product evolution builds on the Autochartist system, which it incorporated into its capital markets suite earlier this year.  The company said the platform uses advanced algorithms and big-data processing to identify technical trade setups across thousands of instruments, covering equities, currencies, indices, ETFs, and digital assets.  It is said to scan global markets in near real time, flagging chart patterns and relevant signals at speeds beyond human capability. The integration means DXcharts users will now gain access to Autochartist signals alongside the library’s existing offering, which includes more than 100 indicators, over 40 drawing tools, extensive layout options and direct interaction with orders and positions.  The combined solution aims to support faster, more informed decision-making for traders. Andrew Ralich, oneZero’s chief executive and co-founder, said the goal of the collaboration was “to increase the distribution breadth of Autochartist signals and ultimately provide a vehicle for educating traders and market participants”.  He added that brokers would now have “new capabilities at their fingertips”. Denis Krivolapov, product manager for DXcharts at Devexperts, said the integration would help traders “catch market trends and reversals early and stay ahead of the curve”. Devexperts said implementation can be completed in as little as a day. The post DXcharts Adds oneZero Market Analytics appeared first on LeapRate.

The trial is being conducted with support from Amazon Web Services and Fujitsu. Arrowhead, jointly developed by TSE and Fujitsu, first went live in 2010 and has undergone continual upgrades to improve latency, reliability and scalability.  The latest version, arrowhead 4.0, was introduced in November 2024 with the aim of strengthening market competitiveness, operational resilience and user convenience. Japan Exchange Group, TSE’s parent company, already uses AWS as the backbone for J-WS, its common digital infrastructure platform, which supports its data and digital businesses.  Within arrowhead 4.0, AWS hosts the systems used to store and analyse resource and transaction logs. The new proof of concept will examine whether cloud services could eventually support additional core trading functions.  The exchange said the initiative is intended to provide insight into how cloud infrastructure might form part of future upgrades to the cash equities platform. TSE said it hopes the findings from the trial will contribute to “future considerations of the cash equity trading system” from a long-term perspective, as cloud technology continues to mature. The post Tokyo Stock Exchange Tests Cloud Technology for Future Cash Equity Trading appeared first on LeapRate.

The approval allows MoonPay to offer digital asset custody and over-the-counter trading services under one of the world’s most stringent regulatory regimes.  The company said the charter will strengthen its institutional offering and deepen partnerships with global financial firms seeking compliant access to digital asset services. Co-founder and chief executive Ivan Soto-Wright said the authorisation “reflects our commitment to meeting the highest standards of compliance, security, and governance”, enabling MoonPay to bridge traditional and digital finance “in a trusted way”. The company now joins a small group of digital-asset providers that hold both a New York BitLicense and a New York Limited Purpose Trust Charter, including Coinbase, PayPal, Ripple and NYDIG. MoonPay said the new trust company enhances its global regulatory footprint and complements its licences across multiple jurisdictions.  The framework also provides what the firm described as a potentially compliant pathway for future stablecoin issuance, although any additional services would require separate approval from the NYDFS. The launch forms part of MoonPay’s broader push to build secure, scalable infrastructure for institutional and enterprise customers as demand for regulated digital-asset services continues to grow. The post MoonPay Wins New York Trust Charter to Expand Institutional Crypto Services appeared first on LeapRate.

From your perspective, what does the new Cape Town office represent for local partners and the broader market? The opening of our new office reflects Exness’ long-term vision for South Africa. It demonstrates that we are here to stay and ready to build real, lasting connections with local partners and communities. For our partners, this means working together more closely, making faster decisions, and having direct access to local expertise. It is not just about being available by phone or email. It is about meeting face-to-face, understanding challenges firsthand, and creating solutions that truly fit the local market. Having local teams also allows us to adapt our marketing and communication to regional audiences. Partnership projects can now be launched with greater cultural relevance, and our support can be delivered instantly by people who know the market inside out. Ultimately, this office is more than just a new workplace. It is where partnerships grow into shared success stories. It represents our trust in the region’s potential and our confidence in what we can achieve together.   How does having a physical presence in South Africa change the way you support and engage with partners? Having a local presence makes all the difference. It allows us to move from coordination to genuine collaboration, fostering genuine relationships instead of mere transactions. Being on the ground gives us a clear understanding of our partners’ needs, challenges, and goals, which enables us to shape our solutions more effectively. At Exness, we don’t only offer our partners strong benefits but also transparent structures, reliable payouts, and a trading product they can trust completely. With local teams in place, communication is open and feedback is faster, allowing us to keep improving together and maintain the high standards our partners expect. Proximity makes partnerships stronger. It makes them easier, more personal, and based on trust that grows through daily interaction and consistency.   What makes a strong and sustainable partnership in this industry, and how does Exness approach that? Sustainability comes from transparency and mutual respect. A strong partnership is one where both sides win, share information openly, and can depend on each other. At Exness, we focus on consistency and fairness. Our partners know exactly what to expect from us in every area, from support and communication to collaboration and beyond. We believe that trust is built through reliability, by keeping promises and delivering on them every single time. Shared values matter as well. Trust, transparency, and excellence are not just words to us. They are the foundation that enhances the strength of our partnerships , even in competitive and fast-changing environments.   The South African market is highly competitive. What makes Exness a standout choice for partners here? It starts with transparency. Everything we do, from trading conditions to our partner programs, is clear, measurable, and backed by data. While others may focus on volume, we focus on quality and sustainability. Our goal is not short-term success but long-term relationships built on shared growth, fairness, and integrity. Our technology and trading conditions also provide partners with a significant advantage. They can offer their clients better-than-market conditions, stable execution, and features such as instant withdrawals, all supported by the reliability and compliance that define Exness worldwide. This combination of trust, technology, and transparency is what sets us apart and helps our partnerships grow stronger over time.   Looking to the future For Kirk Van Der Walt, the new Cape Town office represents much more than a physical space. It is a place where partnerships, ideas, and innovation come together. As Exness continues to expand across Sub-Saharan Africa, its focus remains the same: to build relationships based on transparency, support, and shared progress. By staying close to its partners and clients, Exness continues to show what it truly means to grow together. In trading, as in business, being close builds trust, and trust leads to success. The post Where proximity builds trust: Inside Exness’ partnership growth in South Africa appeared first on LeapRate.

The partnership will see Nomura adopt OpenAI Deep Research and work with the U.S. AI developer on new services, technology improvements and fresh use cases for generative AI.  By combining its extensive proprietary data with external datasets, Nomura aims to offer “differentiated, high value-added investment advice” and data-driven market insights. Nomura said recent advances in generative AI are reshaping how institutions extract meaning from vast datasets, accelerating the practical application of insights in areas such as asset management.  The bank plans to apply these capabilities while maintaining the security and governance standards required of a major financial institution. Group CEO Kentaro Okuda said generative AI “can fundamentally transform financial services,” adding that the partnership will help the bank deliver more advanced advice while creating “new revenue opportunities beyond traditional business models.” OpenAI said the collaboration reflects the growing importance of safe, advanced AI in reshaping industries. Tadao Nagasaki, CEO of OpenAI Japan GK, said the tie-up “offers a significant opportunity to introduce cutting-edge AI and open up new possibilities,” from innovative services to strengthened operational capabilities. Nomura said the partnership aligns with its corporate purpose of creating a better world “by harnessing the power of financial markets,” adding that it intends to keep developing solutions that blend human expertise with emerging technologies. The post Nomura Partners With OpenAI in Push to Transform Asset Management appeared first on LeapRate.

The 10G option will sit alongside the existing 1G service, offering market participants greater flexibility and improved performance.  It will be available for both production and test environments, with the test environment restricted to subscribers of the 10G production setup. Charges will apply from the date the LME issues a Letter of Authority for installation. At the same time, the LME will implement a revised charging model that differentiates between Trading Participants, such as LME Members and their clients, and Non-Trading Participants, including data vendors and software providers.  From January, Non-Trading Participants will pay 1.5 times the Trading rate for 1G services, while 10G fees will be double the 1G charge for both groups, reflecting higher bandwidth requirements. A second pair of cross connects will be charged at twice the cost of the first pair for all participants. A one-off administration fee will apply to all new connections, and firms with their own LMEnet line will continue to receive a 50 per cent discount. Billing processes and connectivity policies remain unchanged, with quarterly usage reporting still required.  The LME said the new structure aligns fees more closely with participants’ connectivity needs while supporting its broader strategy for developing market infrastructure. The post LME to Launch 10G Cross Connects and Overhaul Charging Model appeared first on LeapRate.