The move expands CQG’s relationship with Webull, following similar integrations with Webull Hong Kong and Webull Malaysia since 2023. Webull Singapore CEO Jonathan Man stated the firm was “very pleased to have engaged CQG to build the infrastructure supporting our new futures initiative,” noting the partnership’s “seamless” integration across the Asia-Pacific region.  He added that CQG’s extensive experience in delivering robust technology for futures trading would allow Webull to enhance the trading experience for its expanding retail and institutional client base. CQG, a long-standing global provider of trading technology, believes the partnership strengthens its presence in a market known for sophisticated and increasingly active futures traders.  Ben Soong, CQG’s President for APAC, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Webull Singapore as a long-term partner,” describing the city-state as “an especially active market of investors with a growing appetite for futures trading.” John Co, CQG’s Managing Director for Southeast Asia, commented that it had been “a tremendous honour” to support Webull across Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, emphasising the firm’s ability to deliver order routing, pre-trade risk management and immediate access to a large broker network. The post CQG Partners with Webull Singapore to Power New Futures Trading Offering appeared first on LeapRate.

Surety, the responsible entity of the Private Investment Fund, will be permitted to continue providing financial services only to the extent necessary to process redemptions and wind up the fund.  ASIC said these limited permissions are strictly confined to activities required for the orderly closure of the scheme. During the suspension, Surety must still meet key regulatory obligations, including maintaining a dispute resolution system where applicable, remaining a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, and holding professional indemnity insurance cover. Surety has held its AFS licence since 2008 under licence number 322 620. The regulator stated that the firm may apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal for a review of the suspension decision. The post ASIC Suspends AFS Licence of Surety Compliance Limited appeared first on LeapRate.

The total, which reached CHF 1,008 billion as of 18 November, represents a 6% increase so far this year. SIX said the achievement reflects strong demand for its custody services, driven in part by a global market rally and particularly robust U.S. equity performance. Across all business lines, SIX now holds CHF 7.2 trillion in assets under custody. Equity assets have been the largest contributor to growth, rising CHF 44 billion year to date, or 6%. This includes a 10% increase in Foreign Registered Shares and a 5% rise in International ETFs.  Other asset classes also posted strong gains, with bonds up 12% and warrants and structured products rising 31%. The firm noted increased client activity across its global footprint. Holdings from U.S. and German clients saw significant increases, while activity in the U.K.  The ETF market also contributed to the overall growth. Additional portfolios from new clients further supported the expansion. Rafael Moral Santiago, Head of Securities Services and Member of the Executive Board, said the milestone reflected SIX’s growth strategy and reinforced its ambition to be “the trusted custody partner” for private banks, wealth managers and institutional clients across 50 countries. The post SIX Crosses CHF 1 Trillion Milestone in International Assets Under Custody appeared first on LeapRate.

The partnership will combine Finimize’s ability to engage modern investors with Schwab’s long-established investment expertise. The initiative will produce customised educational guides and webinars for Finimize’s global community of more than 1.1 million retail investors.  Content will be hosted on dedicated Charles Schwab pages within the Finimize website, while webinar recordings will also be made available through Finimize’s YouTube channel.  The companies said the effort builds on a series of previous joint projects, including content delivered at the Modern Investor Summit in 2024. The programme seeks to address what the firms describe as a widening educational gap among retail investors. Finimize’s Q3 Modern Investor Pulse survey found that 44% of retail investors have reduced everyday spending to free up capital for investment, illustrating the appetite for more informed decision-making. Finimize CEO Carl Hazeley stated that the collaboration would support investors who are “cutting everyday spending to fund their investment goals,” adding that the combined expertise of both organisations would empower users.  Elaine Ball, Managing Director at Charles Schwab, said the firm remained committed to providing “accessible, high-quality educational resources” and that the partnership would extend its reach to a wider global audience. The post Finimize and Charles Schwab Partner to Expand Investment Education for Global Retail Investors appeared first on LeapRate.

Exness, one of the world’s largest multi-asset brokers, has officially opened its new office in Cape Town, marking a major milestone in its long-term commitment to traders and partners in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). As fintech innovation continues to accelerate across the region, South Africa has emerged as a natural hub for financial technology and digital inclusion. With one of the most advanced financial systems in Africa and a thriving ecosystem of start-ups and talent, Cape Town offers a unique blend of innovation and opportunity, making it the ideal regional hub for Exness. The new state-of-the-art office serves as the center of Exness’ operations in South Africa and across the SSA region. It will house local professionals providing local expertise and insights, ensuring that clients across the region benefit from local insight and global-standard service. Petr Valov, Exness co-founder and CEO, expressed, “The opening of our Cape Town office marks a new chapter for Exness, one that involves innovation and regional growth. We see immense potential in SSA and our investment here reflects our confidence in the region’s growth and in the incredible talent driving it.” The office’s inauguration brought together Exness executives, local partners, and media representatives to celebrate this significant milestone. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, speeches from the company’s senior management, and a reception with the regional team, underscoring Exness’ deepening roots in the region. The celebration continued with the Creators (EX)perience held at Killarney International Raceway’s Joubert Pits, where Exness hosted an adrenaline-charged event that embodied the brand’s values of precision and prestige. The day featured a supercar showcase and F1-style pit stop challenges, bringing the energy of motorsport to life. Guests also participated in a high-intensity racing simulator competition, where their reflexes were put to the test in a virtual tournament. Paul Margarites, Exness Regional Commercial Director, commented, “By building a strong local presence, we are bringing our global expertise closer to our traders. This office is more than a space; it’s a reflection of our long-term commitment to traders in the region.” By combining cutting-edge trading infrastructure with local expertise, Exness is empowering traders with access, confidence, and better-than-market conditions. Exness’ growing Sub-Saharan Africa operations are supported by its Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) license in South Africa and its Capital Markets Authority (CMA) license in Kenya, reinforcing the company’s commitment to responsible, transparent, and regulated operations across the continent. About Exness: Founded in 2008, Exness is a global multi-asset broker committed to providing traders with better-than-market conditions. Today, Exness is trusted by a global network of active traders. With a focus on transparency, innovation, and long-term partnerships, Exness delivers stability, precise execution, and instant withdrawal processing, setting the benchmark for reliability in the online trading industry. The post At the heart of Africa’s fintech evolution: Exness opens new Cape Town regional hub appeared first on LeapRate.

The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding at UBS’s Singapore office, agreeing to collaborate on blockchain-enabled settlement using UBS Digital Cash, a platform piloted in 2024.  UBS said the system will provide “greater efficiency, transparency and security” for Ant International’s global treasury operations, enabling real-time multi-currency payments unconstrained by traditional cut-off times. As part of the partnership, the two firms will explore tokenised deposits via an integrated solution that connects UBS Digital Cash with Ant’s proprietary Whale platform, its next-generation blockchain-based treasury management system.  The combined setup aims to allow Ant International’s entities to move funds instantly across markets while strengthening global liquidity management. Young Jin Yee, Co-Head UBS Global Wealth Management Asia Pacific and Country Head UBS Singapore, said the collaboration “builds on the momentum of our UBS Digital Cash pilot launch last year” and sets new standards for cross-border transparency and efficiency.  Kelvin Li, General Manager of Platform Tech at Ant International, said both companies “share a common belief in the potential of these technologies to transform cross-border payments”. The post UBS and Ant International Partner on Blockchain Settlement appeared first on LeapRate.

Mr Ang, a non-executive director of the SGX-listed company in 2019, sold more than 2.4 million shares held in his parents’ accounts on 13 November 2019 while in possession of non-public, material information.  MAS stated that at the time, he was aware that the company had defaulted on a loan repayment and that the creditor had the right to demand immediate repayment of the entire US$64 million principal. Five days later, Alpha Energy announced that the creditor had declared the full amount immediately due, a sum the authorities noted was “approximately ten times the value of current assets” held by the group as of mid-2019. Trading in the company’s shares was suspended immediately after the disclosure. MAS said Mr Ang’s trades allowed his parents to avoid losses of roughly S$54,900. He admitted to contravening section 218(2)(a) of the Securities and Futures Act and paid the penalty without court action.  He also agreed to a voluntary two-year undertaking not to serve as a director or participate in company management. The civil penalty follows a referral by Singapore Exchange Regulation and underscores regulators’ continued enforcement focus on market misconduct. The post MAS Fines Former AEHL Director S$137,000 for Insider Trading appeared first on LeapRate.

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding on 12 November at KB Securities’ headquarters, attended by senior executives, including CEO Lee Hong-gu and TipRanks CEO Uri Gruenbaum. Under the agreement, the firms will collaborate to strengthen their capabilities in providing global investment information using artificial intelligence and big data.  The goal, they said, is to deliver “customised content tailored to the latest global investment trends” for Korean retail investors. TipRanks will progressively integrate its proprietary datasets, including company-analysis news, analyst reports and its stock Smart Scores, into KB Securities’ two main trading platforms: the KB M-able mobile system and M-able Wide, its web-based counterpart. Gruenbaum stated that Korea was “an innovative market where overseas stock investors are rapidly increasing,” adding that the partnership would allow users to access global analysis data and insights.  Lee commented that “accurate and transparent investment information is a key factor in gaining customer trust,” noting that the collaboration would help provide content comparable to that available to local investors in major global markets. The partnership marks an expansion of KB Securities’ digital capabilities as competition intensifies among Korean brokerages seeking to serve increasingly globalised client bases.  The post TipRanks and KB Securities Form AI-Driven Investment Data Partnership appeared first on LeapRate.

The updates, announced on 17 November, aim to give corporate users deeper and more timely insights into Japanese listed companies. The new Share Buyback Information Data (TDnet/EDINET) offering introduces three datasets designed to provide comprehensive visibility into buyback activity across all domestic listed firms.  JPXI said the TDnet component will deliver immediate updates following company disclosures, offering details on “buyback resolutions,” monthly acquisition status, and notifications when buyback programmes conclude. Complementing this, the EDINET dataset will provide updates every 15 minutes, including daily buyback records for the previous month, which JPXI noted “are not available in the TDnet dataset.” A third dataset will track off-auction buybacks conducted via ToSTNeT-3, with notifications issued after market close and transaction results delivered the following morning. JPXI said the datasets create a “centralised source” of information and include historical data suitable for long-term analysis. In response to user demand, JPXI also added estimated earnings announcement times to its existing earnings dataset.  These estimated times are inferred using the company’s proprietary model, allowing users to categorise announcements by trading session, such as pre-market or afternoon, without additional processing.  JPXI said the enhancement would be accompanied by historical data and revised pricing under the renamed Earnings Announcement Dates & Times dataset. The post JPXI Expands J-Quants Pro With New Share Buyback and Earnings Data appeared first on LeapRate.

FIS said the move would enable institutions to adopt its cloud-based systems more easily, benefiting from faster deployment and simplified procurement via Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure.  The Treasury and Risk Manager platform, which recently won an industry award, offers AI-enabled analytics including “Treasury GPT” for real-time insight into liquidity and regulatory compliance. Meanwhile, GETPAID is an AI-powered receivables platform covering credit management, collections, invoicing and dispute resolution, designed to streamline corporate finance operations. JP James, head of Treasury and Risk Management at FIS, said launching through Microsoft Marketplace “is a major step forward in our mission to unlock financial technology to the world.” The company added that the collaboration allows global clients to access “secure, scalable and intelligent solutions”. Microsoft’s Cyril Belikoff said Marketplace helps firms “move faster, work smarter, and grow”. FIS beleives the integration will give clients high-level support, operational elasticity and the ability to upgrade infrastructure rapidly as financial processes become increasingly digital and data-driven. The post FIS Brings Treasury and Receivables Platforms to Microsoft Marketplace appeared first on LeapRate.

The affected funds are the SPDR MarketAxess Investment Grade 400 Corporate Bond ETF (LQIG), SPDR S&P SmallCap 600 ESG ETF (ESIX), SPDR MSCI USA Climate Paris Aligned ETF (NZUS), and the Nuveen Municipal Bond ESG ETF (MBNE). The final day for creations and redemptions will be 12 May 2026, with trading suspended at the market open on 13 May 2026 on their respective listing exchanges, which include NYSE Arca, Nasdaq and Cboe BZX.  Each ETF will liquidate its assets and distribute proceeds to shareholders on or about 18–19 May 2026. State Street gave no further detail on the rationale behind each closure but said the decision followed an ongoing review of the portfolio.  The move comes amid broader industry consolidation as issuers focus on scale, liquidity and cost efficiency. Shareholders remaining on the liquidation date will automatically receive cash distributions, while those wishing to exit earlier may sell shares on-exchange before trading suspends.  The firm emphasised that operational timelines and exchange processes would be consistent with regulatory requirements. The closures reduce State Street’s ESG-labelled ETF range, reflecting shifting investor flows after years of strong inflows into thematic and sustainable products. The post State Street to Close Four ETFs After Product Review appeared first on LeapRate.

Until the transition is complete, existing customers will continue using Alto’s platform. Alto’s technology will then be integrated into Public’s systems, making Public “one of the only platforms where customers can trade crypto in their IRAs,” according to Leif Abraham, Public’s co-CEO and co-founder. The acquisition comes amid rising retail demand for crypto, supported by improving regulatory clarity and greater institutional involvement.  Public has expanded its digital asset tools over the past year, adding more tradeable coins and enabling crypto trading via API. For Alto, the collaboration represents its first enterprise relationship under its new Custodial Infrastructure as a Service (CaaS) model.  Alto will no longer operate directly in the crypto segment but will continue to provide IRA access to private equity, private credit, real estate and infrastructure opportunities.  Alto CEO and founder Eric Satz said Public was “the right crypto distribution partner” and confirmed Alto would remain the custodian of the accounts after the handover. Crypto IRAs allow investors to trade digital assets without incurring the taxable events typically triggered in standard accounts. Earnings, as with other IRAs, can grow tax-deferred or tax-free. Once the integration is completed, former Alto CryptoIRA clients will be able to access their accounts and Public’s wider investment offerings through Public’s platform. The post Public Acquires Alto’s CryptoIRA Business appeared first on LeapRate.

A recruitment process is underway, with the bank set to confirm a permanent successor in due course. Christopher Davies, currently Deputy CEO, has been appointed Interim CEO, effective 1 January 2026.  Davies has spent 40 years with HSBC, including the past six years serving as Deputy CEO of the Continental Europe business. Chief Financial Officer Joseph Swithenbank will continue in his role and remain Deputy CEO. Michael Roberts, CEO of HSBC Bank plc and CEO of Corporate and Institutional Banking, paid tribute to Wild’s two-decade contribution to the group, stating that he had “successfully guided HSBC Continental Europe through significant change and turning around the underlying profitability.”  Roberts added that the business now stands in a “strong position for future growth.” Wild has served as CEO since 2021 and has overseen a period of restructuring and improved financial performance across HSBC’s European operations. The region continues to play a critical role in the group’s global footprint and remains central to its growth plans. HSBC Continental Europe is headquartered in Paris and is responsible for the bank’s wholesale activities across the European Union. The post HSBC Continental Europe CEO Andrew Wild to Step Down at Year-End appeared first on LeapRate.

The expansion follows the launch of a new title transfer model featuring a pledge-back mechanism designed specifically for UCITS and other beneficial owners, including sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and central banks.  The structure allows these clients to benefit from centrally cleared SFTs without posting margin or contributing to the central counterparty’s default fund, enhancing their attractiveness to borrowers and supporting liquidity in the securities lending market. Vikesh Patel, President of Cboe Clear Europe, said the development “reinforces our commitment to driving market innovation, transparency, and resilience.”  Laide Majiyagbe, BNY’s Global Head of Liquidity, Financing and Collateral, called the launch a “landmark solution” that improves collateral efficiency and liquidity. BNY already acts as a Tri-Party Collateral Agent for the service, which went live in March and is transforming the traditionally bilateral SFT process for European equities and ETFs into a centrally cleared model.  The move offers potential capital benefits, including reduced risk-weighted assets for clearing participants. Cboe Clear Europe is also offering cross-product margin offsets between cash equities and SFTs. The clearing house plans to expand the service in 2026 to additional jurisdictions and a wider range of lendable securities as it continues to scale its infrastructure. The post BNY Becomes First Agent Lender to Use Cboe Clear Europe’s Expanded SFT Service appeared first on LeapRate.

Based in London, Street will report to Mike Sleightholme, President of Broadridge International. Sleightholme said the company was “excited to welcome Richard” and highlighted his “deep expertise across the global investment value chain” as well as his track record in leading sales teams across multiple regions.  Broadridge said the appointment underscores its ambition to enhance collaboration across markets and support clients looking to “operate, innovate and grow”. Street brings extensive experience across the sell side, buy side and securities services, having held senior roles in Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and the United States.  His previous positions include Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Business Development at a group of specialist fintechs, Global Head of Client Coverage at RBC Investor and Treasury Services, and EMEA Head of Investor Services Sales at Citi. Street said he was “delighted” to join Broadridge during a “pivotal time in its global growth journey”, praising the company’s “trusted expertise and transformative technology”.  He added that he looked forward to working with international teams to expand Broadridge’s global footprint and deepen client relationships. In his new role, Street will lead the delivery of Broadridge’s international sales strategy and revenue growth plans, reinforcing the firm’s focus on client-centric innovation and cross-border collaboration. The post Broadridge Names Richard Street as Head of International Sales appeared first on LeapRate.

The findings show that 9% of UK adults retain paper shares, yet only a third say they intend to dematerialise their holdings before the deadline.  The research follows the publication of the Digitisation Taskforce’s final report in September, which recommended a fully digital shareholding system. The study highlights that most paper shareholders see few advantages to physical certificates.  Nearly a quarter could not name a single benefit, while only 8% cited better access to voting rights and just 20% said they wished to avoid broker fees.  A third inherited or received certificates as gifts, while over half purchased them directly, with older investors more likely to have done so. Despite this, 75% of those who have already converted paper shares reported a positive experience, suggesting the main obstacle is inertia rather than resistance.  Chris Elms, CEO of Euroclear UK & International, said the findings indicate that paper-based investing “isn’t about investor preference, but largely a case of inertia”. Digitisation is expected to streamline operations, reduce costs and improve communication between companies and investors. Euroclear noted that 99% of FTSE 350 share capital is already held electronically.  The study also referenced Sweden’s long-standing digital model, where households hold 40% of their assets in shares, compared with 11% in the UK. The post Euroclear Research Finds 4.7 Million Britons Still Holding Paper Shares Ahead of 2027 Digitisation Deadline appeared first on LeapRate.

He will be succeeded by Stu Kedwell, a veteran of nearly three decades at RBC, who currently serves as Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager and Global Head of Equities. Kedwell, recognised for ten consecutive years as one of Canada’s top equity investors by Brendan Wood International, has worked closely with Chornous for over 25 years.  He said he was “honoured” to take on the role and emphasised his commitment to RBC GAM’s investment philosophy and client-centric approach. As Global CIO, Kedwell will oversee a team of more than 400 investment professionals and maintain co-management of the RBC North American Value Fund.  RBC GAM currently manages over CAD $700 billion across more than 270 strategies spanning 20 asset classes. Chornous, who became Global CIO in 2002, played a pivotal role in shaping RBC GAM’s investment disciplines and overseeing major expansions, including the acquisitions of Phillips, Hager & North in 2008 and BlueBay Asset Management in 2010.  Damon Williams, CEO of RBC GAM, described Chornous’s impact as “extraordinary”, noting his “forward-thinking approach” and commitment to innovation.  Williams said Kedwell’s appointment ensures continuity and positions the firm to meet “ambitious growth plans” while maintaining a focus on delivering strong outcomes for clients. The post RBC Global Asset Management Names Stu Kedwell as Global CIO as Dan Chornous Retires appeared first on LeapRate.

Announced at the Singapore Fintech Festival, the collaboration will integrate Thunes’ Direct Global Network with Mastercard Move, allowing near real-time payments to stablecoin wallets.  The system will harness the speed, liquidity, and 24/7 accessibility of regulated stablecoins, adding a new payout option alongside cards, bank accounts, and cash. Pratik Khowala, Global Head of Transfer Solutions at Mastercard, said: “As digital currencies become a bigger part of global money movement, this collaboration with Thunes reinforces our role as a trusted bridge between traditional and digital finance.  “With Mastercard Move, we already enable transfers in 150 currencies to over 10 billion endpoints—including accounts, cards, and cash. With this collaboration we’re adding stablecoin wallets to that mix.” Chloe Mayenobe, President and Chief Operating Officer at Thunes, said the partnership “is another step forward in our mission to enable the next billion end users to take part in the global economy.” The initiative aims to improve financial inclusion, particularly in underserved markets, by offering faster, more flexible, and cost-effective international payouts.  It also reflects the growing role of stablecoins in real-world payments, with Mastercard and Thunes positioning themselves as key players in integrating digital currencies into the mainstream financial ecosystem. The post Mastercard and Thunes Partner to Enable Stablecoin Payouts Worldwide appeared first on LeapRate.

The partnership will combine Meritz’s domestic reputation with Webull’s advanced digital investing tools, enabling South Korean investors to trade U.S. equities and connect with Webull’s international investing community. “We are thrilled to welcome South Korean investors into the Webull family and provide them with the same powerful tools, technology, and community that empower our clients around the world,” said Anthony Denier, Group President and U.S. CEO of Webull.  “This partnership with Meritz is more than an expansion, it is a bold step forward in our journey to create a truly borderless investing experience.” Meritz users will gain streamlined access to U.S. markets via Webull’s relationship with Apex Fintech Solutions and can join Webull’s global social investing community, where traders share insights and real-time market analysis. Wonjae Jang, CEO of Meritz Securities, said the partnership will create a “next-generation AI-powered global investment platform” for Korean investors.  Executive Director Jangwook Lee added that the collaboration will “serve as a catalyst for innovation that transcends borders.” The post Webull Enters South Korea Through Partnership with Meritz Financial Group appeared first on LeapRate.

The collaboration, effective since 1 November, integrates TokWise’s AI-driven portfolio management platform with TT’s high-speed trading infrastructure.  The combined solution enables institutional energy firms and new market entrants to execute trades on major European power exchanges, including EPEX and Nord Pool, with low latency and enhanced reliability. “For any system dealing with intraday spot power, speed is everything,” said Krasimir Kolev, Managing Partner of TokWise. “Partnering with Trading Technologies was essential to delivering the best possible product to our clients.” TT’s platform, which handled over 2.8 billion transactions in 2024, provides direct, high-speed access to more than 100 markets.  The integration allows TokWise to focus on AI-driven power trading optimisation, while TT delivers the execution technology underpinning the trades. Alun Green, EVP and Managing Director, Futures and Options at TT, said: “The European energy markets are evolving quickly, and modern participants require highly specialised tools that don’t compromise on execution quality.” The partnership strengthens both firms’ positions in Europe’s rapidly digitising energy trading sector, combining AI-powered strategy with institutional-grade infrastructure to improve efficiency and market access. The post Trading Technologies and TokWise Partner to Boost Intraday Power Trading in Europe appeared first on LeapRate.