Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. started 2026 with a sharp rise in trading activity and client balances, while IBKR PRO clients continued to pay less than 2 basis points to trade U.S. Reg‑NMS stocks. The broker’s January 2026 metrics show broad-based growth across DARTs, equity, margin and accounts.Activity and client growthDaily Average Revenue Trades rose to 4.411 million in January, up 27% from a year earlier and 30% from December. Annualized average cleared DARTs reached 211 per client account.Client accounts increased to 4.539 million, a 32% year-on-year jump and a 3% gain month-on-month. Ending client equity climbed to 814.3 billion dollars, 38% higher than the prior year and 4% above the previous month.Client margin loan balances stood at 91.2 billion dollars, up 41% from January 2025 and 1% from December 2025. Client credit balances totaled 162.6 billion dollars, including 6.2 billion dollars in insured bank deposit sweeps, marking a 35% annual increase and a 2% monthly rise.Related: Interactive Brokers’ Q4 2025 Revenue and Profit Top Estimates, Trading Activities JumpAcross products, the average commission per cleared commissionable order was 2.62 dollars in January, including exchange, clearing and regulatory fees. Execution costs and GLOBAL impactInteractive Brokers reported that the average U.S. Reg‑NMS stock trade for IBKR PRO clients was 21,785 dollars in January. The total cost of executing and clearing those trades was about 1.9 basis points of trade money for the month, versus a 2.6‑basis‑point average over the rolling twelve months.The firm also noted that the value of its GLOBAL currency basket, which it uses to diversify net worth across 10 major currencies, increased by 0.27% in January. Notably, retail forex deposits at major US brokersedged down 0.8% in November 2025 to $495.7 million, marking the sector’s third straight monthly decline. Compared with November 2024, deposits were 3% lower, underscoring persistent challenges for retail currency trading despite isolated growth among smaller firms. Interactive Brokers posted the sharpest setback during the month, with client deposits tumbling 20% to $25.7 million from $31 million in October.Additionally, Interactive Brokers reported fourth-quarter 2025 revenue of $1.64 billion and earnings per share of $0.65, surpassing analyst expectations of $1.61 billion and $0.06, respectively. Year-over-year, revenue rose from $1.39 billion in the same period of 2024. Pre-tax net income increased to $1.30 billion, compared with $1.04 billion a year earlier. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

After more than two years of limited public communication, MyForexFunds CEO Murtuza Kazmi has provided an update on the company’s legal battle with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the sudden account freezes in 2023, and plans for resuming operations.In an exclusive interview with Finance Magnates, Kazmi reflected on the challenges the firm faced after the CFTC’s asset freeze and the subsequent legal proceedings following MFF’s shutdown in August 2023. He said the company was “blindsided” by the events and that he “had to beg, borrow funds from family and friends” to navigate the period. Kazmi added that MFF “would have won the case regardless” and suggested that a successful comeback could “bring the industry back to its prior glory,” potentially involving several major competitors.MFF Unable to Communicate with ClientsKazmi further detailed these events in a video released today (Monday), describing August 30, 2023, as “sudden, shocking, and completely out of our control,” and adding that “there was no opportunity to prepare, explain or protect the community that we have taken years to build.” Kazmi said that systems, servers, infrastructure, and data were seized, leaving the company unable to communicate with clients while it focused on the legal dispute.MFF Wins Case, Receives Legal FeesKazmi stated that the CFTC took more than three years to allege fraud. “Did they find anything? No. Why? The answer is simple. We never committed fraud,” he said. According to Kazmi, the agency “simply lied to the judge before getting a freeze order,” claiming that MFF misappropriated investor funds, which he said was false because MFF does not take deposits.In May 2025, Kazmi said, the district court dismissed the case with prejudice, awarding legal fees to MFF and finding “no elements of fraud.” He criticized the lack of prior warning or complaints, noting that earlier transparency could have avoided “so much pain and uncertainty for traders, for staff, for the families.”Kazmi Apologizes, Promises “Restored Client Access”Kazmi expressed regret for the impact on clients, saying, “I want to say I'm sorry. I really do. Not because we did something wrong, but because of what you were put through.” He emphasized that restoring client access to data, accounts, and payouts is now a top priority.He also reminded clients that MFF had paid out close to $300 million to customers over two years, and that the firm was built “by you for you.” Kazmi concluded with an update on payouts: “Anyone that had requested a payout prior to the freeze should be expecting communications from us shortly.” This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Hong Kong will start issuing its first stablecoin issuer licenses in March, with the city’s regulator set to approve only a “very small number” of applicants in the initial phase. The move marks a cautious but concrete step toward a fully regulated stablecoin regime in one of Asia’s key financial hubs.According to ChannelNewsAsia, HKMA Chief Executive Eddie Yue told Hong Kong’s Legislative Council on Monday that the review of license applications is nearing completion and that the first batch will be granted next month. Considerations for Approving IssuersYue said the Hong Kong Monetary Authority will focus on several core areas when approving issuers, including risk management frameworks, anti-money laundering measures and controls, and the quality and composition of assets backing the stablecoins.?? JUST IN: Hong Kong Monetary Authority plans to issue first stablecoin licenses in March, with only a limited number expected initially. pic.twitter.com/B1KLbg0eK2— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) February 2, 2026Licensed issuers must also comply with local rules when engaging in cross‑border activities, with the possibility of mutual recognition arrangements with other jurisdictions explored at a later stage.CFD brokers are increasingly turning to stablecoins because traditional card-based payments are slow, expensive, and operationally cumbersome for cross-border flows.Card transactions often involve 2–4% processing fees, delayed settlements, chargeback risk, and limited card access in some regions, all of which create friction for brokers trying to serve a global, high-volume client base.“Institutional payment providers are already using stablecoins as a back-end settlement layer, keeping existing client interfaces while cutting 60–80% of correspondent banking costs and compressing settlement times from days to under an hour,” Fractional CPO and product strategy consultant Melissa Stringer recently commented.What It Means for BrokersAdditionally, for brokers, the launch of a regulated stablecoin framework in Hong Kong introduces the prospect of using licensed tokens for client funding, margin, and internal settlements, subject to how individual firms update their policies.Read more: Gold Backed Stablecoins Wait as Hong Kong Holds to Fiat-Only RulesLiquidity providers could see regulated Hong Kong‑issued stablecoins emerge as a new collateral and settlement layer, particularly for cross‑venue flows in Asia. Trading platform providers may also need to prepare for potential integration with HKMA‑licensed stablecoins, both at the wallet and payment‑rail level, as regulated digital money gains traction in trading workflows.Market participants will watch which issuers make the first cut in March and how quickly the HKMA expands the pool. For now, the limited number of licenses points to a regime that prioritizes control and supervisory comfort over rapid scale. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

In the last quarter of 2025, the CFD industry recorded strong results, especially when it comes to number of active acounts. It is somewhat surprising that the final quarter of the year brought improvement, rather than the slowdown usually seen during the holiday period. What factors could explain this outcome? And, more importantly, what does it tell us about the industry, and how long can this trend continue? According to the latest Finance Magnates Intelligence Report for Q4 2025, the total number of active accounts in the CFD industry rose to 6.787 million. This is a striking result, given that in the third quarter there were only 5.922 million active accounts. This represents growth of 14.6%. The situation becomes even more notable when we consider that the final quarters of the year are usually a period of slower activity, as a large part of the industry shifts focus to the holiday season and year-end preparations. If growth does occur, it is typically limited, as seen in 2024, when the number of active accounts increased from 4.919 million in Q3 to 5.067 million in Q4.Yet, the whole of 2025 was a record year on several levels. At the beginning of the year, Finance Magnates reported that the MT5 platform had finally overtaken MT4 in terms of retail trading volume share. Around the same time, the industry was also enjoying the recent move past the 5 million active accounts level reached in the end of 2024.Is this pace of growth sustainable in 2026? The industry is likely to continue expanding, especially as some retail investors appear to be stepping back from the Bitcoin market. Last year also saw a strong rise in the popularity of gold and silver trading. However, the key question is whether growth will remain at the same scale.What to Expect in 2026? If both markets experience a correction, which remains a realistic possibility, growth of the client base could slow. This would likely affect the pace of expansion across the CFD industry. Such a period would need to be handled carefully by brokers and marketing teams to keep clients active and engaged, which we hope will be the case. For now, the industry continues to benefit from the strong interest in metals trading, which we can still see at the start of the new year. This article was written by Sylwester Majewski at www.financemagnates.com.

Nomura Holdings will tighten risk controls and position management at its crypto arm Laser Digital after the unit’s losses contributed to a 9.7% drop in fiscal third-quarter profit.The Japanese financial group reported net income of $584 million for the three months ended December 31. The result reflected pressure from the October selloff in digital assets, which hit Laser Digital’s trading book and fed through to group earnings.Stricter Position Management at Laser DigitalSpeaking at an earnings briefing, as quoted by Bloomberg, CEO Hiroyuki Moriuchi said Nomura had introduced stricter position management at Laser Digital. He said the changes aim to reduce the unit’s risk exposure and limit swings in the group’s earnings caused by crypto market volatility.The measures follow a sharp reversal in crypto prices late last year. In October, after bitcoin reached a record high above $126,200, the market suffered a flash crash that wiped out more than $19 billion in leveraged positions. It was described as the largest deleveraging event in the industry’s history.Read more: Nomura Taps OpenAI to Create AI-Driven Investment Advice and Market InsightsBitcoin ended the year around $87,000, about 30% below its October peak. Over the same period, the total value of the crypto market fell from roughly $4.3 trillion to just over $3 trillion, according to Coingecko data. The risk tightening at Laser Digital comes as the unit pursues a more formal regulatory foothold in the United States.National Trust Bank ApplicationA few days before Moriuchi outlined the new risk stance, Laser Digital said its Americas division had filed a de novo application with the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to establish a national trust bank.The proposed trust bank would target asset management and related services for the digital assets sector. The application places Laser Digital among several crypto-focused firms seeking federal charters to expand their institutional offerings.Meanwhile, Laser Digital recently launched a tokenized vehicle designed to generate yield in addition to tracking Bitcoin’s spot performance. The new fund seeks to enhance returns for institutional investors by turning long-term Bitcoin exposure into an income-generating asset.It builds on Laser Digital’s earlier Bitcoin Adoption Fund, which debuted in 2023 ahead of the introduction of spot Bitcoin ETFs. The strategy combines direct Bitcoin holdings with actively managed, market-neutral trades, marking a further expansion of Nomura’s institutional crypto offerings. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

XRP trades at $1.63 on Monday, February 2, 2026, up 2.5% but offering little comfort after five consecutive down sessions pushed the cryptocurrency to its lowest level since November 2024. In this article, I'll explain why XRP is falling today and provide detailed technical analysis of the XRP/USDT chart with three downside targets.Why XRP Is Falling?Crypto Market Collapse: $2.2 Billion LiquidatedXRP's weakness stems from systemic crypto market failure. Saturday's crash saw $2.2 billion in futures liquidations, dubbed "Black Sunday II,” with 335,000 traders wiped out. XRP dropped 10% to $1.58 during the weekend selloff, extending weekly losses to -11.48%.Simon Peters, crypto analyst at eToro, confirms the damage: "Bitcoin has dropped to lows not seen since April last year as continued risk-off sentiment weighs on markets. Approximately $1.5 billion worth of long bitcoin perpetual futures positions were liquidated across Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Spot bitcoin ETFs saw $1.49 billion in outflows last week, with Thursday seeing $817.8 million, the fourth largest day for recorded outflows since the spot bitcoin ETFs launched two-years ago."The altcoin carnage hit hard. Peters notes: "Altcoins have also been hit hard, with the total market capitalisation excluding bitcoin falling 11% to $1.02 trillion".The broader crypto selloff mirrors Bitcoin's drop to my $74k mid-term target and the historic gold/silver crash that wiped $15 trillion from precious metals markets.XRP-Specific TriggersBeyond broader crypto weakness, XRP faces specific pressures.Geopolitical tensions are weighing heavily on risk assets. Vasily Shilov, CBDO at SwapSpace, points to concerns surrounding the situation with Iran as the main news factor dragging markets lower. But Saturday's decline was likely exacerbated by something unexpected: the release of new documents in the Jeffrey Epstein case containing significant incriminating evidence against Trump. These materials also mention Strategy CEO Michael Saylor in extremely negative terms, and given that Strategy controls massive Bitcoin holdings, the revelation may have fueled weekend selling when liquidity was already thin.The Federal Reserve chair transition added another layer of uncertainty. Paul Howard, Director at Wincent, notes the irony: "What was meant to be a bullish move for the markets rotating out Fed chairman to Warsh appears to have (at least) coincided with a broad risk sell-off the last 24h."Howard emphasizes this is likely temporary turbulence rather than a fundamental shift. "What we are seeing is more likely to be a knee-jerk reaction," he explains. Looking ahead, "this will bring faster structural change on the way macro economic policy is implemented by an administration we know is already in favor of a progressive crypto landscape."XRP's technical weakness compounds these macro factors, with the token breaking critical support levels during thin weekend liquidity when even modest selling pressure can trigger outsized price moves.XRP Technical Analysis: Three Downside TargetsXRP quickly realized my first short-term bearish target of $1.80 (mid-December lows), which I outlined in my previous analysis. The cryptocurrency is now forming short-term support between $1.51-1.60, but I view this as only a temporary pause before continued depreciation.My Three Targets:Target 1: $1.80 (ACHIEVED)Mid-December lowsBroken on Friday's selloffTarget 2: $1.25-1.26 (Medium-term)October 10 flash crash lowsNext major support zonePrimary downside objectiveTarget 3: $0.53 (Ultra-bearish)100% Fibonacci extension measured on last year's downtrendBased on December corrective rallyRepresents -67% from current levelsFollow me on X for more crypto market analysis: @ChmielDkBullish Reversal RequirementsWhat would change my bearish outlook? A return above $1.80 resistance is definitely not enough. I would expect at minimum:Reclaim $2.00 psychological level and 50 EMABreak downtrend line from July highs (tested multiple times)Close above 200 EMA at $2.20 (uptrend/downtrend separator)Breakout above $2.35 (early 2026 highs)Only then would XRP bulls truly free themselves from bearish control, opening the path to $2.66 (October highs) and eventually the $3.00 psychological level. But currently, these are just "what-ifs."XRP Market OutlookXRP's -20.25% monthly and -44.17% yearly performance reflects deep structural weakness. While Monday's 2.5% bounce offers temporary relief, the downtrend from July highs remains firmly intact with the 200 EMA acting as a ceiling.Paul Howard's longer-term view provides some hope: "This will bring faster structural change on the way macro economic policy is implemented by an administration we know is already in favor of a progressive crypto landscape." However, short-term technicals point decisively lower.I'm targeting $1.25-1.26 as the next destination, with the $0.53 ultra-bearish scenario remaining on the table if broader crypto weakness persists. XRP needs a decisive break above $2.20-2.35 to invalidate this bearish outlook—currently, that looks unlikely.FAQ, XRP Price AnalysisWhy is XRP going down today?XRP fell to $1.60 (lowest since Nov 2024) after five straight red days amid $2.2B crypto liquidations, $1.49B Bitcoin ETF outflows, and altcoin market cap dropping 11% to $1.02T. Kevin Warsh's Fed nomination, Iran tensions, and Epstein document releases mentioning Michael Saylor triggered risk-off sentiment.How low can XRP go?XRP hit my first target at $1.80 (mid-Dec lows). My medium-term target is $1.25-1.26 (Oct flash crash lows), with an ultra-bearish scenario at $0.53 based on 100% Fibonacci extension, representing a potential 67% decline from current $1.63 levels. Short-term support exists at $1.51-1.60.Will XRP recover?Recovery requires breaking the July downtrend line and reclaiming $2.00, $2.20 (200 EMA), and $2.35 (2026 highs) to open paths toward $2.66 and $3.00. Currently down 20.25% monthly and 44.17% yearly, XRP shows no technical signs of trend reversal. Paul Howard notes long-term "progressive crypto landscape" potential, but short-term outlook remains bearish.Is XRP a buy now?XRP is testing $1.51-1.60 support after falling 11.48% in seven days, but I view this as only a temporary pause before targeting $1.25-1.26. With the downtrend from July highs intact, 200 EMA resistance at $2.20, and broader crypto weakness ($2.2B weekend liquidations), extreme caution is warranted. Wait for clear trend break above $2.35 before considering long positions. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Gold prices are down about 2.5% today, with silver falling by a similar margin on Monday, February 2, 2026, although both metals have recently experienced a truly wild rally.Gold plunged 11% and silver crashed 36% on Friday, January 31, 2026, the worst day for precious metals in over a decade, as President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair triggered a $15 trillion liquidation cascade. JPMorgan closed $10 billion in silver shorts at the exact market bottom while CME margin hikes forced panicked selling, raising questions about whether this was a "natural correction" or a "system rescue operation".​In this article, I explain why gold prices are falling and why Ron Paul’s gold price prediction points to a staggering level of $20,000 per ounce.Why Gold And Silver Are Going Down?Historic Crash: $15 Trillion Wiped in Single DayFriday, January 31, 2026, will go down in precious metals history. Gold tumbled more than 8% toward $4,900 per ounce before closing at $4,745, down 11% intraday from Thursday's record $5,608 high. Silver proved even more volatile, crashing as low as $78.29 before settling with a 31% loss, the steepest single-day decline since March 1980's Hunt Brothers silver collapse.​The carnage erased approximately $15 trillion from gold and silver markets, equivalent to half of US GDP. Monday brought continued selling pressure as gold fell another 4-6% to test $4,400 before recovering to $4,750-4,800 range.​The Damage in Numbers:Gold peak: $5,608 (Thursday, Jan 30)Gold Friday low: $4,900 (-8 to -11%)Gold Monday low: $4,400 (new multi-week low)Silver peak: $120-122 (late January)Silver Friday low: $78.29 (-36% intraday, -31% close)Silver Monday low: $71 (extended selloff)Despite the brutal correction, gold remains up 6.92% over the past month and a staggering 68.96% year-over-year, while silver still shows gains of 8.41% monthly and 163.59% annually.Follow me on X for more gold and silver market analysis: @ChmielDkKevin Warsh: The Catalyst That Shook MarketsThe immediate trigger came Thursday evening when President Trump nominated Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve Chair, replacing Jerome Powell when his term ends in May 2026.Warsh, a former Fed Governor during the 2008 Financial Crisis, is widely viewed as a monetary hawk who opposed quantitative easing and warned about inflation risks and market distortions. His nomination sent a clear signal: tighter monetary policy ahead, reduced balance sheet expansion, and a stronger commitment to Fed independence from political pressure.​Ahmad Assiri, Research Strategist at Pepperstone, explains: "Metals underwent a sharp repricing moment on Friday, posting their steepest declines in decades, while US equities notably refrained from participating in the same panic driven selloff. This reflects what seems to be a shift in macro sentiment following Kevin Warsh's appointment as Powell's successor to lead the Federal Reserve, marking a pivot in policy long term expectations and dollar strength."The Great Liquidation: JPMorgan's $10 Billion MysteryWhile mainstream media attributed the crash to Warsh's nomination, Polish analyst Maksymilian Bączkowski from Comparic.pl presented explosive evidence of something far more sinister."What the market is trying to sell today as 'natural reaction to FED' is either intellectual laziness or conscious disinformation," Bączkowski wrote. "Silver's drop from $121 to around $78 in a few dozen hours was not a correction, it was a brutal rescue operation of the system."His analysis reveals that major investment banks, with JPMorgan leading, had built massive short positions betting silver's rally was "impossible to sustain." But the market didn't cooperate. At $121 per ounce, unrealized losses on these shorts exceeded $10 billion, with JPMorgan alone accounting for over $5 billion.​"It stopped being a matter of 'P&L of one bank', started being real threat to CME exchange clearing stability and systemic domino effect risk," Bączkowski explains. "Banks had to close shorts, but couldn't do it in normal conditions because buying back contracts would shoot price to cosmos. They needed one thing: pretext and massive, panicked supply on the other side."Monday's Recovery: Bullish Pin Bars EmergeDespite the carnage, Monday's price action offered hope for precious metals bulls. After extended morning selling that pushed gold to $4,400 and silver to $71, both metals staged powerful recoveries.Silver's Dramatic BounceSilver, which opened Monday testing $71, down nearly 42% from its $122 peak, recovered sharply to $83 by afternoon, trimming losses to just 2% on the day. Indian silver ETFs, which had hit 20% lower circuit limits early Monday, recovered nearly 10% by mid-session.When I said silver moved too far from its moving averages, I didn't expect it would return to the 50 EMA in one day, but that's what happened Friday. Monday's session also initially brought a pullback to around $71 per ounce, but at time of writing silver is losing only 2% and changing hands at $83 per ounce, holding above the 50 EMA as well as local highs from late 2025.Silver price today. Source: Tradingview.comThe psychological $80 level proved critical support. If Monday's session closes near current levels, silver will print a massive bullish pin bar, a long wick from $71 to $120+ with a small body at $83, a powerful technical signal suggesting buyers are defending this zone.​Gold Finds Support at $4,800Gold followed a similar pattern. After falling to $4,400 Monday morning, the lowest since early January, the yellow metal recovered nearly $400 to trade around $4,800, down just 2.5%.From my technical analysis of gold, the situation on the chart closely resembles that of silver. Prices clearly bounced off the 50 EMA as well as the support zone marked by highs tested at the turn of last and current year. Another important support I identify in the zone of the psychological $4,000 level extending to $3,900 per ounce, the lows from early November combined with the E200 MA.Technical Outlook: Pin Bars Signal Reversal?On both silver and gold, if the day closes at such levels, we will get a huge bullish pin bar with a very long wick and a small body, which for fans of technical analysis will be a strong buy signal.Key Technical Levels:Ahmad Assiri identifies gold's $4,600 as "a highly important key level in short term price action," while maintaining that "$6,000 level is still a possible target for the year 2026" despite the correction.Gold Price Prediction: Gold Heading to $20,000 as "Fiat System Dies"While short-term traders panicked, former Congressman and Liberty Report host Ron Paul doubled down on his ultra-bullish long-term thesis.In a January 27 interview with The David Lin Report, just days before the crash, Paul warned: "The fiat monetary system is dying" and predicted gold could reach $20,000 or even $100,000 as the dollar collapses.​Paul's argument focuses on structural monetary system breakdown rather than short-term Fed policy shifts. His decades-long advocacy for sound money and warnings about fiat currency debasement suggest the current correction merely represents noise within a much larger secular bull market for precious metals.This is an even more extreme forecast than the one Robert Kiyosaki presented for silver, when he claimed it would rise to $200 per ounce in 2026.Gold and Silver Price Analysis, FAQWhy are gold and silver falling today?Gold fell 11% and silver crashed 36% on January 31, 2026, primarily due to Kevin Warsh's nomination as Fed Chair, a hawkish policy shift strengthening the dollar and reversing the "debasement trade." What caused the silver crash?Silver's 36% single-day crash, worst since March 1980, resulted from Warsh nomination, CME margin increases, and what analyst Maksymilian Bączkowski calls a "brutal rescue operation" where JPMorgan closed $10 billion in short positions (3.17 million ounces) at precisely $78.29, the exact bottom.Will gold and silver continue falling?Technical analysis shows bullish pin bars forming with silver recovering from $71 to $83 and gold from $4,400 to $4,800 on Monday, suggesting support is being defended. Pepperstone's Ahmad Assiri identifies gold $4,600 as critical support with $6,000 still possible for 2026, while Ron Paul maintains $20,000-$100,000 long-term targets. Is this a good time to buy gold and silver?Both metals are testing critical support levels ($80 silver, $4,600-4,800 gold) after 30-40% corrections from peaks, with massive bullish pin bars forming. However, extreme volatility persists with Monday seeing 20% intraday swings in silver ETFs. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

A solid player on the international brokerage scene, the Octa brand comprises several independent companies operating under a brand-sharing model. However, things are about to change as one of the key participants—a group of companies leveraging the licenses of Mauritius and Comoros—has recently decided to take a new direction. It will bring its participation in Octa to a close and introduce its own global brand. In this article, the group of companies breaks down its ambitious plans. The launch of the new brandFor years, our company successfully operated under the global Octa brand. By sharing this recognisable brand identity with other companies, we have gained extensive expertise in developing online brokerage solutions and maintaining high standards in customer service. However, it is now time for us to continue on our own way. As an independent entity, we have decided to terminate the brand-sharing agreement that tethered us to Octa and continue as a stand-alone global brand going forward. We will announce the name of the new brand in the upcoming weeks. This decision was the result of arduous strategic planning by our highly experienced team, and we are confident that the new brand will serve as a launch pad for future growth and development for us. The expertise that our team has honed over the years of working under the Octa brand will enable us to start off with a reliable and empowering environment for traders from day one.Main pillars of future successWhen launching the new brand, we will ensure a seamless experience for clients across all areas of trading. In particular, our extensive knowledge of regulatory requirements in various geographies, combined with our brokerage licenses from Mauritius and the Comoros, provides a solid legal foundation for future progress. To provide our clients with even more opportunities, we plan to expand our portfolio with some strong new licenses going forward.Lastly, our trading ecosystem will remain, along with our continued focus on delivering a seamless trading experience for our clients. Instead of starting from scratch, the new brand will build on the existing, time-proven solution to propel us towards new heights.ConclusionWe are convinced that the robust foundation we have established across expertise, technology, and regulatory areas will help the new brand become a prominent force in the brokerage sector. We look forward to this exciting new venture as a perfect opportunity to continue providing high-quality, reliable services to traders. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Magdy Mohamed announced on LinkedIn today (Monday) that he has joined Blueberry as Head of Marketing for the MENA region.The appointment comes shortly after Christopher Nelson-Smith was promoted to Chief Operating Officer at Blueberry Markets. He previously served as Head of Trading and Operations at the firm.Blueberry has recently expanded its regional presence by becoming the Official Online Trading Partner of the Bonds Flying Roos ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Final of SailGP. The partnership is part of the company’s multi-year deals to connect with global audiences and support its operations in high-profile events.Blueberry Hires Experienced MENA Marketing ManagerBefore joining Blueberry, Mohamed worked as Marketing Manager for VT Markets for nearly two years in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Prior to that, he held a Marketing Manager role at ONEPRO for almost two years, also in Dubai, where his responsibilities included email marketing, digital marketing, and other related areas.Earlier, Mohamed served as Marketing Manager for PU Prime in the MENA region for around nine months, and as Marketing Manager at GTCpros for nearly two years.Throughout his career, Mohamed has worked across multiple marketing functions, with a focus on digital and email marketing.Blueberry Integrates cTrader, Expands Trading PlatformsIn addition to strengthening its MENA marketing team, Blueberry has expanded its platform offerings. The company has partnered with Spotware to integrate the cTrader platform into its services. Blueberry said the move is part of a broader multi-platform strategy.The update follows Blueberry’s recent rebrand, which included a new logo, updated typography, and redesigned websites for clients and partners. The refreshed design will extend across trading platforms, educational materials, and social media.Blueberry operates globally and offers trading in over 2,000 instruments, including forex, shares, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies, all accessible through a single account. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Transaction Network Services (TNS) has closed its acquisition of BT's Radianz business, bringing the telecommunications giant's financial connectivity arm under the control of the Koch Industries-backed infrastructure provider.The acquisition unites TNS's ultra-low-latency trading network with Radianz's cloud platform, which connects thousands of brokers, exchanges, and clearinghouses. Radianz has operated for more than two decades as a neutral network linking market participants to trading venues, market data feeds, and financial applications.TNS Acquires BT RadianzThe deal transfers equity in Radianz entities across the US and UK, while TNS acquires assets spanning Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. Radianz historically served thousands of financial sites through a shared infrastructure model, connecting institutions to more than 400 application providers."Today marks an important milestone for TNS and our clients as we combine the strengths of two established leaders in financial connectivity," said Tom Lazenga, General Manager of TNS Financial Markets.[#highlighted-links#] "We look forward to delivering expanded access to markets, counterparties and applications, while maintaining the network and platform diversity that institutions rely on for resilience and choice."The transaction required regulatory approvals across multiple jurisdictions including the UK, Australia, Turkey, Italy, Japan, and India. BT first announced the agreement in September 2025, with completion originally targeted for the first half of 2026.TNS Expands Trading Infrastructure PortfolioThe firm has been expanding its financial markets footprint through partnerships and network deployments. In September 2025, TNS secured a partnership with 24X National Exchange to provide market data connectivity for the startup's round-the-clock US stock trading platform, targeting Asian investors trading during local business hours.TNS also integrated connectivity with Broadridge's futures and options platform, serving as the vendor of record for global exchange connectivity.BT Refocuses on UK TelecommunicationsFor BT, the sale aligns with a broader retreat from international financial services infrastructure. The British telecom has been reshaping itself around UK-focused telecommunications while shedding global business units."Today's announcement is another key milestone in focusing our international business on what it does best: providing secure multi-cloud connectivity to large organisations globally," said Bas Burger, CEO of BT International, when the deal was first announced. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

The world's 50 largest online brokers are advertising more than 1,400 open positions globally, with Cyprus capturing the lion's share of hiring activity at 22.8% of all vacancies, according to new data compiled by marketing consultancy FYI."Most open positions are currently in Cyprus," said Christian Görgen from marketing agency FYI, who analyzed almost 1000 job descriptions across the sector. "Followed by the UAE, Malaysia and India."Dubai Momentum Slows as Cyprus Regains GroundThe data challenges recent speculation about Dubai displacing Cyprus as the industry's primary base. "There has been a lot of discussion recently around whether Cyprus is being replaced by Dubai as the main hub for the FX industry," Görgen said. "From a customer acquisition and growth perspective, that might be happening at the moment. Throughout 2025, many well-established brokers significantly increased headcount in the GCC region and built out strategic, growth-oriented roles."This trend was also highlighted by FinanceMagnates.com, which analyzed how many brokers are flocking to Dubai, driven in part by licensing approval times that are up to 33% faster.However, hiring patterns suggest the narrative is shifting. "When looking specifically at current hiring activity in Q1 2026, the picture shifts," Görgen explained. "Our data suggests that recruitment momentum in Dubai has started to slow, while Cyprus has regained importance as a core hiring location. Of the 1,432 open vacancies analyzed, 22.8% are based in Cyprus, making it the single largest hub for open roles at the moment.""There is no longer a single dominant hub. Instead, different regions are taking on specialized functions: from strategy and product to operations, business development, and local market execution,” Görgen commented for FinanceMagnates.comIT Dominates as Brokers Prioritize Technology Infrastructure"IT remains the largest hiring area, accounting for 29% of all open positions globally," Görgen added in his analysis. "This is followed by Marketing, Support, Partnerships, and Sales vacancies."The emphasis on technology hiring mirrors broader fintech industry trends, where vacancies jumped 30% in 2025 as firms doubled down on infrastructure. Cyber security and IT roles continue to attract talent with some of the highest earnings in financial technology sectors.The most frequently posted job titles include software engineer, business development manager, and compliance officer. Other high-demand positions include partnerships managers, QA engineers, DevOps engineers, and customer support specialists.The data shows business development positions are gaining prominence. Görgen's analysis found that partner, business development, and affiliate marketing roles show particularly strong demand across the sector.Marketing positions appear more fragmented and specialized compared to partnership-focused roles, which tend to be less diversified and more generalized in their requirements. The hiring push comes as marketing chiefs in the retail trading industry last just 1.5 years on average, creating constant demand for new leadership.Remote Work Loses Ground as Firms Pull Employees BackOnly 12.3% of advertised roles are fully remote, signaling a clear retreat from pandemic-era work arrangements. Hybrid positions account for 23% of openings, while 12.7% specify on-site work. More than half of job postings don't specify work location."Only 12.3% of vacancies are advertised as fully remote," Görgen noted. Remote positions are typically offered when specific language expertise is required and difficult to source in major financial centers.The shift back to office-based work marks a significant change from post-COVID policies that many financial services firms initially embraced.HFM and JustMarkets Lead Aggressive ExpansionAmong individual firms, Interactive Brokers tops the list with roughly 100 open positions, followed by HFM with a similar number and XM with around 90 vacancies. Capital.com, Swissquote, JustMarkets, CMC Markets, Vantage, and IG round out the top hiring companies.Two firms stand out for their aggressive hiring outside Europe. HFM currently lists around 100 open roles across all departments, with traffic data indicating primary operations in Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa and Kenya.JustMarkets had 67 open positions at the time of analysis, with traffic patterns pointing mainly to Malaysia and South Africa alongside other emerging markets. However, LinkedIn data shows the firm's median employee tenure stands at just 1.1 years, raising questions about retention as it scales rapidly.Technology Skills Command Premium as AI Remains NichePython, Excel, and SQL emerge as the most in-demand technical skills. Other frequently mentioned tools include AWS, Git, CRM systems, Microsoft Office, Docker, and Kubernetes. Trading platforms MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 also appear regularly in job requirements.Despite industry buzz around artificial intelligence, only 56 job descriptions mention AI-related skills or responsibilities. "For most brokers, AI still looks more like a buzzword than a clearly defined, staffed function," according to the analysis.Search engine optimization roles have largely disappeared from broker hiring plans, with only seven SEO-specific positions in the entire dataset. "Pure SEO roles are disappearing," he noted. "There are only 7 SEO-related roles in the entire dataset. This may point to a shift toward broader content, GEO/AI, and reputation roles—or a stronger focus on business development instead." Salary Transparency Remains Rare Across IndustryOnly 21 of 916 analyzed job descriptions include any salary range information. Compensation negotiations remain largely private, with firms preferring case-by-case discussions over public disclosure.Cyprus has solidified its position as the industry's primary employment center, where compliance and legal heads earn six-figure salaries ranging up to €150,000 annually. Meanwhile, Dubai's FX sales heads command significantly higher compensation, roughly double what their Cyprus counterparts earnMedical insurance appears in 237 job descriptions as the most common benefit, followed by performance bonuses in 194 postings and competitive salary mentions in 186. Paid time off and education budgets round out the top five benefits.The generous perks that once characterized forex industry employment have largely disappeared. Exness stands as a notable exception, offering company cars in Cyprus and operating its own gym facilities in Malaysia, where the firm is currently hiring a fitness manager. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

The ceremony marks the next chapter in a renewed partnership between the global broker and the Emirates Cricket BoardAfter being announced as the official sponsor of the UAE National Cricket Team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the ECB holds an event to reveal the official team jersey featuring the company's branding at Wikit, Emirates Golf Club.The event, attended by 70+ management members from both sides, including STARTRADER executives, Emirates Cricket Board officials, players, and also media, marks the formal launch of the sponsorship ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on February 7th. The jersey features the STARTRADER logo prominently displayed on the non-leading arm (right side).The reveal functions as a continuation of the story the brand began the previous year, when it supported the team during the DP World Asia Cup. With the T20 World Cup days away, the timing reflects the shared philosophy that has led to this sponsorship.The renewed partnership does reflect how the values of both organizations align. As highlighted throughout the earlier collaboration and the current one, the pillars on which one operates echo the other. Growth, the value that is strongly present in STARTRADER’s rebranding, “Built on Trust. Driven by Growth,” is the goal that traders and players alike can achieve only when they have trust in the team/platforms, strategy, and the process itself.The collaboration aligns with STARTRADER’s stated values, including strength, ambition, and resilience. These qualities are relevant in both professional sport and financial markets, where participants are required to adapt to challenges and perform under pressure. The partnership reflects a shared emphasis on discipline and long-term performance rather than serving solely as a sponsorship arrangement.Peter Karsten, CEO of STARTRADER, commented: “The UAE Cricket Team is built on trust and driven by the growth of its performance and fanbase. This new design communicates to every team member and fan that we are proud and ready to compete at the ICC T20 in India, and against anyone who lines up against us, starting with Nepal on Tuesday, 3 February, in a warm-up match and beyond. This jersey says: GAME ON”About STARTRADERSTARTRADER is a global broker that provides its clients with opportunities to trade financial instruments online. STARTRADER services both Partners and Retail Clients, who can trade using the MetaTrader Platform, the STAR-APP, and using STAR-COPY. As a global broker, STARTRADER holds a client-first approach as our core principle.Regulated in 5 jurisdictions (ASIC, FSA, FSC, FSCA, and CMA), STARTRADER upholds strong governance alongside sustainable growth. STARTRADER's team comprises dedicated professionals working collaboratively to deliver quality service to its Partners and Clients. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

In a move set to redefine the retail trading experience, Eightcap has officially become the first major CFD broker to offer the TradeLocker platform - known and trusted by the global prop trading community. By integrating this cutting-edge technology, Eightcap continues to deliver on its commitment to providing an innovative, next-generation trading environment for its diverse global client base. Providing further insight into the integration, Eightcap’s Chief Commercial Officer, Michael Clifton-Jones, spoke to Finance Magnates about the launch. Why did you choose to add TradeLocker to your existing platform suite? We know that traders approach the markets differently, so offering a diverse suite of platforms and products is central to our client-first approach.TradeLocker stood out to us because it represents the next generation of trading platforms - intuitive, web and mobile-based, and packed with advanced risk management features. It has already built strong traction among retail traders and traders within the prop community, and by integrating TradeLocker into our regulated environment, we are allowing our global traders to experience the benefits of the platform with the added confidence of trading with a leading regulated broker. Rather than replacing MT4, MT5, or TradingView, TradeLocker complements them. Each platform has its strengths, and our vision is to create an ecosystem where every trader can find the right tools that best fit their trading style, whether that is automated trading, social charting or advanced risk management. Can you walk us through the main features of TradeLocker that will be most valuable to traders?There are a number of features on TradeLocker that are of value to traders. One is the one-click and on-chart trading, so traders can execute trades rapidly in volatile market conditions - directly on the chart. TradeLocker also has advanced charting features powered by TradingView, meaning that traders will have full access to world-class charting tools and technical indicators. TradeLocker is available on all devices, with traders' preferred layouts and settings always in sync. Who is TradeLocker best suited for?TradeLocker has been created with versatility in mind, making it attractive to a range of traders. On one hand, new and aspiring traders will appreciate its clean and intuitive interface and built-in risk management tools that will help them navigate the markets with confidence. On the other hand, experienced traders will find the advanced charting powered by TradingView, one-click execution ideal for fast, informed decision making. We also see a strong appeal for traders coming from the prop firm environment who are already familiar with TradeLocker. For them, Eightcap provides a regulated environment where they can continue to use the platform they know, while gaining access to over 800 CFD instruments and the trust that comes with trading with a global, regulated CFD broker. In short, TradeLocker is best suited for traders who value a modern, web-based trading experience, whether they’re just starting their journey or looking for tools to supplement their established trading strategy. What are some of the advanced risk management tools available on TradeLocker? And why is this important? TradeLocker comes equipped with a suite of advanced risk management tools that help traders manage exposure to the markets effectively. Key features include:● Stop loss & take profit calculator: Allowing traders to predefine risk and reward levels before entering their trade. ● Trailing Stop Loss: A dynamic tool that automatically adjusts traders’ stop level as a trade moves in their favour, locking in profits while letting positions run. ● Risk calculator: This helps traders determine their position size and potential loss relative to their account balance. These tools are critical because trading without effective risk management is one of the fastest ways to erode capital. By embedding these capabilities directly into the platform, TradeLocker empowers both new and experienced traders to make informed trading decisions, maintain discipline and navigate volatile market conditions with greater confidence. What does this launch mean for Eightcap’s positioning in the global CFD market? This launch reinforces Eightcap’s position as a forward-thinking leader in the derivatives space. By being the first global and regulated broker to integrate TradeLocker into our platform suite, we are not only expanding the tools available to clients but also demonstrating our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of modern traders. It signals that Eightcap is serious about providing a diverse ecosystem - one that caters to various trading styles. Beyond just offering a new platform, we are enhancing the overall trading experience, supporting client growth, and differentiating ourselves from competitors in a crowded market. Ultimately, this launch is about credibility, choice and innovation - positioning Eightcap as the CFD broker of choice for traders looking for advanced technology coupled with the relevant standards of a regulated environment. What trends in retail trading demand are you responding to with this launch? With the launch of TradeLocker, we’re responding to several clear trends in retail trading demand. Firstly, we observed growing demand for advanced risk management tools that allow traders to customise and adapt their trading strategies while maintaining control over their trades. Retail traders are increasingly looking for institutional-grade features such as conditional orders, hedging options and stop-loss automation, that were previously unavailable or difficult to access. Secondly, there’s a strong trend toward multi-asset, cross-platform trading. Traders no longer want to be limited to a single instrument or siloed platform - they expect seamless access across FX, Indices, and more. TradeLocker meets this demand by providing a comprehensive suite of instruments while offering fast execution directly on charts. Finally, we are seeing a shift in user expectations around education, transparency and real-time insights. Retail traders want tools that are powerful and intuitive, allowing them to make informed decisions quickly. TradeLocker empowers these users, giving them both control and confidence.How does operating under a regulated CFD broker framework improve the overall TradeLocker experience for retail traders?For retail traders, regulation brings an increased sense of trust. By offering TradeLocker under Eightcap’s regulated framework, traders know their trading accounts are subject to relevant regulatory standards. The launch combines the innovative, user-friendly features of TradeLocker with the credibility that comes with trading with a regulated, global CFD broker. How does this launch fit into Eightcap’s long-term strategy as a leading broker for retail traders?Eightcap’s long-term strategy is centred on creating an ecosystem that supports a wide range of trading styles, and has access to the tools and platforms needed to navigate the markets. The addition of TradeLocker reflects this vision by offering a whole new world of trading, while strengthening our platform suite with a modern solution appealing to the next generation of traders. What’s next for Eightcap in terms of platform innovation and trader tools? Innovation at Eightcap doesn’t stop with this launch. We’re focused on continuing to expand our platform suite by integrating tools that make trading smarter, faster and more accessible. Our goal is to stay ahead of traders' needs and ensure that Eightcap remains the CFD broker of choice for the global retail trading community. To celebrate the launch of TradeLocker into its asset suite, Eightcap is offering an exclusive trading credit and rebate offer to new, eligible clients*. For more information, visit their official launch page. *This promotion is not available to clients in Australia, the UK, or Cyprus. About EightcapEightcap is a global online trading company dedicated to delivering a user-centric trading experience and innovative solutions. With multiple trading platforms, a wide range of assets, and a focus on accessible information, Eightcap empowers traders across the world in navigating the markets. About TradeLockerTradeLocker is a next-generation trading platform designed for the modern trader. Built with a focus on speed, precision, and community feedback, TradeLocker integratesseamlessly with TradingView to offer advanced charting and a highly customisable interface. It is rapidly becoming the platform of choice for traders seeking a modern alternative to traditional trading software. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

The Indian government has decided to raise the securities transaction tax (STT) on locally regulated derivatives. For futures, the trading-related tax has been raised to 0.05 per cent from 0.02 per cent, and for options, to 0.15 per cent from 0.01 per cent. It now remains to be seen whether these tax changes drive more Indian derivatives traders towards contracts for difference (CFDs), like XM, iForex and several others, which are locally unregulated. Also, will it potentially encourage brokers like Exness and FBS that recently left or restricted services in the country to revise their decision?The new tax rates will come into effect from 1 April. The implications of the taxes were directly reflected in the Indian stock market, which was open yesterday (Sunday) for the budget session. The two primary indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, ended the day down 1.88 per cent and 1.96 per cent, respectively.Derivatives Trading Frenzy in IndiaWhen it comes to regulated futures and options trading, India leads the way. According to Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and FIA data, the retail share of derivatives volume on exchanges climbed from about 2 per cent in 2018 to around 40–41 per cent by 2023–24.The average daily turnover (ADTV) of the Indian derivatives market also rose to a 12-month high last October, reaching 506 trillion Indian rupees (about $5.5 trillion), a 46 per cent increase since June, when it had fallen to its lowest level since the previous November.The market peak, however, was recorded in September 2024, when the ADTV touched 516 trillion Indian rupees (over $5.6 trillion), making it the world’s largest derivatives market, with close to 75 per cent of global ADTV. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) was the preferred venue for Indian traders, handling 95 per cent of trades.However, the majority of retail Indian derivatives traders remain loss-making. The local regulator earlier revealed that the net loss of individual traders in the last financial year widened by 41 per cent to around $12.37 billion. Nearly 91 per cent of individual Indian futures and options traders lost money.? SEBI Alert on F&O Trading:? FY25 loss: ₹1.05L Cr (+41%)? 91% traders lost money? Avg. loss: ₹1.1L per traderRetail investors, beware! F&O is not wealth creation — it’s wealth destruction for most#SEBI #FandO #StockMarket #RetailInvestors#indianstockmarket #nifty pic.twitter.com/oziRxMx8L6— Value Investor (@ValueBuying_) July 8, 2025India became the largest retail options market globally, with over 150 billion options contracts traded in FY24, up from 85.3 billion contracts the year before. In comparison, the US, which has the second-largest market, handled 12.3 billion options contracts in 2024.The Indian government also benefits heavily from this derivatives trading surge. It collected approximately 420 billion Indian rupees (about $4.58 billion) from STT in the last fiscal year, while revising its STT collection estimate for the ongoing year upwards from the originally budgeted 370 billion Indian rupees to 550 billion Indian rupees.While the exact breakdown between futures and options and equity (cash market) STT is not publicly stated, the futures and options segment accounts for the majority of STT collections.An Opportunity for CFD Brokers?The 150 per cent hike in futures STT and the 50 per cent increase in options STT from the next fiscal year are expected to have a heavy impact on Indian derivatives traders. This has opened up a potential opportunity for CFD brokers.Although CFD trading remains unregulated in India, the sector has grown over the last several years.Read more: How Prop Firms Win India Without Saying ‘Forex’ or ‘CFDs’Web traffic from India to FX and CFD-related brokers surged to 55 per cent of global visits in Q3 2024, according to Finance Magnates Intelligence. A year later, however, the figure declined, showing a 21.4 per cent year-on-year drop.CFD traders do not need to pay STT, as the Indian regulator and the government do not oversee these instruments.It appears that a handful of large CFD brokers terminated or reduced their presence in India after the government’s crackdown on a major industry brand under money-laundering laws. However, the majority of offshore CFD brokers continue to operate in the country.For example, homepage visits to XM, a major CFD broker, from India rose to 70 per cent last December, up from around 40 per cent a few months earlier.Related: CFD Broker FBS Suspends All Marketing Activities Months After India ExitMuch of the CFD industry continues to rely on local affiliates and introducing brokers (IBs).India-specific data from brokers is rarely disclosed. However, iForex, which is preparing for a public listing in London, has stated that India is its second-largest market, with 17 per cent of its revenue coming from the country in 2024.Meanwhile, the Indian unit of OctaFX, which is facing enforcement action in the country, generated around $93.4 million from its Indian operations over a nine-month period, according to authorities. There are also estimates that OctaFX earned more than $568.1 million from India.Although India does not explicitly ban CFDs, local currency control laws make the operations of offshore brokers illegal.Notably, Plus500 chose to enter India through a fully legal route and agreed to acquire an India-regulated derivatives broker for $20 million. A few other brokers, including IG Group and Axi, have also set up local offices for technology development, but not for offering trading services. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

IUX has reported a total annual trading volume of $10.5 trillion for 2025, a result supported by steady growth in platform activity and a monthly peak of 1 trillion. This volume follows the company’s focus on providing stable trading conditions and technical services for its global user base. Through these developments, IUX continues to expand its presence within the international financial market.A Proven Trajectory of Scalable GrowthIUX’s journey to the $10.5 trillion milestone has been defined by sustained, exceptional momentum. The surge began in Q3 2023 with a trading volume of $321 billion, followed by a near 70% jump to $541 billion in Q4. This trajectory accelerated through early 2024 as quarterly volumes climbed to $920 billion, fueled by a 50% increase in the active trader base. This rapid adoption underscored IUX’s success in capturing retail participation at scale, directly laying the groundwork for the platform's record-breaking $1 trillion monthly peak in July 2025 and its historic $10.5 trillion annual total. This consistent data reflects an infrastructure capable of managing high-volume activity and meeting the demands of an expanding global user base.Technical Infrastructure and Trading ConditionsThe management of these operational volumes is facilitated by technical standards that prioritize stability. Through a tech-driven integration of cost-efficient access and high-speed execution, the platform ensures that trade processing meets institutional standards. These technical features allow for a consistent environment that serves a diverse user base across Asia, South Africa, and Latin America.Looking ahead, IUX maintains its focus on expanding and refining its ecosystem. The $10.5 trillion figure in 2025 is a trust index reflecting the potential of the ecosystem, with a technical infrastructure driven by the sharpest and most advanced standards in every single second of trading.About IUXIUX https://www.iux.com/en is a global trading platform operating across multiple regions, supported by technical infrastructure designed to manage high trading volumes under stable conditions. The platform focuses on scalable systems and execution standards that support consistent market access for its international user base. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

ThinkMarkets, a leading online trading provider, has won Europe’s Best Forex and CFD broker 2025, as recognised by TradingView. The annual TradingView awards recognise brokers on the TradingView platform that consistently deliver strong trading experiences for their users. The awards highlight brokers that demonstrate reliability, performance, and engagement within the TradingView community. Winners are selected based on a combination of verified client reviews, feedback, and ratings, alongside measures such as client engagement and platform uptime. This process helps ensure the awards reflect real trader experience and recognise brokers that deliver consistently high standards of service. Commenting on the award, co-CEO Nauman Anees said: “We’re proud to have won TradingView’s Europe’s Best Forex and CFD broker award for 2025. This recognition reflects the trust traders place in ThinkMarkets and the continued focus our teams have on delivering a reliable, high-quality trading experience. TradingView plays an important role in how traders analyse and engage with the markets, so being recognised by its community is particularly meaningful. We’ll continue to invest in our technology, expand our offering, and strengthen our platform to support traders across Europe and around the world as they navigate global markets.” ThinkMarkets also took the opportunity to thank its clients, partners, and teams across the business for their continued support, all of whom have played a part in helping the company achieve this award. About ThinkMarketsThinkMarkets https://www.thinkmarkets.com/ is a global, multi-regulated online brokerage established in 2010 offering clients quick and easy access to 4,000 CFD instruments across FX, indices, commodities, stocks, and more. ThinkMarkets has offices in London and Melbourne, along with hubs in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and South Africa. It also operates under several financial licences around the globe and delivers some of the industry's most recognised trading platforms, including its award-winning platform, ThinkTrader. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Apertum (https://www.apertum.io/) celebrates its 1-year anniversary. Over the past year, it has made a meaningful impact on the blockchain industry, proving that accessibility, decentralization, and real-world utility can coexist within a powerful Layer-1 network. In a short time, Apertum has contributed to the growth of decentralized finance by offering a secure, transparent, and community-driven ecosystem.This success is driven by a powerful and rapidly growing community that stands at the core of the Apertum ecosystem. Community engagement, collaboration, and shared vision have played a crucial role in shaping the network’s development and expanding its global presence.Launched by the Apertum Foundation on February 1, 2025, the network quickly demonstrated explosive community growth. Shortly after, on February 19, 2025, Apertum reached another important milestone with the official launch of its native token, $APTM, on Apertum DEX, further strengthening the ecosystem and opening new opportunities for participation.Apertum celebrates not only its first anniversary, but also the strong foundation it has built for the future. With a clear roadmap, a committed community, and a focus on bridging traditional finance with decentralized solutions, Apertum is perfectly positioned to make the coming year transformative — a year of decisive growth, bold ambition, and industry leadership.Available on 8 CEXs with 120 Million TradersIn its first year, Apertum has made substantial strides in gaining global adoption. Now available on eight major centralized exchanges (CEXs) MEXC, BingX, BitMart etc, the project is already trusted by over 120 million traders worldwide. This rapid adoption reflects the market's confidence in Apertum's secure, scalable, and transparent ecosystem.Ecosystem OverviewApertum’s growth isn’t just reflected in its trading volume; the project has seen impressive on-chain metrics that highlight the health and expansion of its ecosystem. With over 8,6 million transactions processed in less than a year, 380,000+ unique wallet addresses, and the launch of several decentralized applications (dApps), the platform’s utility has proven to be both robust and scalable.Additionally, Apertum's audit by CertiK — one of the most trusted names in Web3 security — confirmed the platform’s exceptional security standards. With zero vulnerabilities identified, Apertum has earned a spot among the most secure blockchain networks. Moreover, its integration with CoinMarketCap has provided greater visibility, solidifying its standing in the broader crypto market.Awards & RecognitionsIn 2025, Apertum was recognized with prestigious accolades for its technical achievements and industry impact. The project was honored with the Top Layer-1 Blockchain Award at both the FinanceFeeds and Crypto.News Awards 2025, marking a significant milestone in its journey to becoming a leader in the blockchain space. These awards recognize not only the project's technical prowess but also its commitment to security, scalability, and decentralized governance.Looking Ahead: Strategy for 2026 and BeyondAs Apertum prepares to enter its second year, the roadmap for 2026 and beyond is focused on strategic growth and continued innovation. Key priorities include:Scaling Decentralized Ecosystem InfrastructureEnhancing Stability and Growth of DeFi ProductsPioneering AI-Driven Blockchain Prediction ModelsExpanding Global Market Footprint and AdoptionStrengthening Network Decentralization and Validator InvolvementFostering Blockchain Innovation Built on ApertumLooking toward 2026, Apertum remains committed to innovation, growth, and expanding its role in the global crypto ecosystem, continuing to shape the next chapter of the decentralized future.About ApertumApertum is a rapidly growing Layer-1 blockchain built on Avalanche’s subnet technology, providing a secure, scalable, and cost-efficient foundation for the next generation of Web3. Apertum operates with DAO-based governance, deflationary tokenomics, and EVM compatibility, enabling seamless smart contract integration. Developed without VC or institutional backing, Apertum focuses entirely on organic growth and true decentralization. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Today’s traders aren’t just looking for information; they’re looking for meaning. They want clarity in a world of noise, honesty in a world of highlight reels, and guidance that aligns with the emotional reality of trading. Increasingly, they are finding that through creators who blend psychology, storytelling, and financial education into a single, accessible language. This shift is the focus of the first episode of the new season of Born to Trade Podcast, where Exness Head of Partnership & Business Development, Nima Siar, speaks with content creators Nathan Halaba and Alex Muoki about how authenticity and creativity are reshaping modern financial learning. Today’s traders aren’t just looking for information; they’re looking for meaning. They want clarity in a world of noise, honesty in a world of highlight reels, and guidance that aligns with the emotional reality of trading. Increasingly, they are finding that through creators who blend psychology, storytelling, and financial education into a single, accessible language. This shift is the focus of the first episode of the new season of Born to Trade Podcast, where Exness Head of Partnership & Business Development, Nima Siar, speaks with content creators Nathan Halaba and Alex Muoki about how authenticity and creativity are reshaping modern financial learning. What emerges from their discussion is a portrait of a world where content can influence mindset as much as it teaches skills, and where creators play a central role in shaping how new traders learn, connect, and interpret the markets.Creativity as an entry point to financial learning For many aspiring traders, financial education begins not with charts, but with relatable content that demystifies trading. Nathan captures his approach in a single guiding principle: “The word would be clarity.” He explained that clarity serves as a foundation for the emotional steadiness that traders need and influences the way he constructs his content. He argues that clarity is the bedrock of emotional stability. Without a clear understanding of the why and how, a trader cannot maintain composure in high-pressure situations. Nathan achieves this through what he terms “valuetainment”, describing it as “providing value and still keeping it entertaining.” His goal is to help viewers better understand themselves before they attempt to interpret market behavior. Alex reinforces this by approaching creativity through a focus on utility. “What value is that content going to bring on board?” is his guiding question. For Alex, the learning process is strengthened when complex financial concepts are presented in a way that allows people to emotionally connect with them. Together, their perspectives reveal a broader shift: financial learning becomes practical when it becomes relatable. Authenticity as a foundation for trust In an industry often saturated with curated images of overnight success, trust is the most valuable currency. Nathan emphasized that authenticity plays a critical role in building credibility, noting a critical flaw in the current social media culture: “It’s sad that social media rewards highlights and not habits.” His counter-strategy is radical transparency. By showing the routines and challenges behind trading, rather than presenting a curated image of constant success. He believes traders connect more deeply with content that reflects real experiences. As he explained, “Habits are what really build the mindset and discipline of a person.” Alex echoed this emphasis on authenticity, particularly in an environment where misinformation can spread easily. He stressed transparency by consistently sharing both positive and negative outcomes in his own trading journey. “There is so much fakeness on social media. People edit their accounts, and they are flourishing,” he said. He explained that his commitment to openness helps him maintain trust with his audience, especially when trading as a community. Together, Alex and Nathan’s views highlight an important shift: traders increasingly gravitate toward creators whose content reflects honesty rather than perfection. Trading as a mirror of the individual Much of the discussion focused not on markets, but on mindset. Nathan views trading as a reflection of the individual behind the screen. During the conversation, he noted, “Whatever you’ve gone through in the past is a direct reflection of what you are today.” For him, emotional habits formed outside of trading influence decisions long before a trader analyzes a chart. This philosophy underpins his “Psycho Trade” workshops, which encourage traders to examine patterns such as impulsivity, fear, doubt, or overconfidence. By recognizing these tendencies, traders are better positioned to develop discipline and avoid emotional decision-making. Alex connected with this idea by describing trading as a form of communication. He explained that trading behaviors often reveal how individuals interpret information and react when under pressure. In his view, trading becomes clearer when traders understand themselves and how they process market signals. Both creators agree that sustainable trading requires emotional awareness, making psychology as important as technical knowledge. The evolution of financial storytelling As trading becomes more accessible, the way financial stories are told is also changing. Nathan and Alex foresee an increase in collaboration among creators, a move toward transparent and community-led learning, and greater integration of technology and AI into content creation. Nathan expressed this shift succinctly when discussing the impact of authentic messaging: “If your message is real, people will feel it.” For him, meaningful education emerges not from spectacle but from consistency and clarity. Alex reinforced this by emphasizing that value-driven content will shape the next generation of financial storytelling. His own approach centers on delivering information that audiences can apply immediately, rather than content designed for short-term attention. Insights that shape modern trading education Throughout the episode, the guests highlighted a key transformation in financial learning: traders now look to educators who combine clarity, authenticity, and community-building. Nathan’s focus on psychological awareness and Alex’s commitment to transparent, value-driven content illustrate how creators are meeting this need. Their insights show how trading education is evolving into a more collaborative and emotionally grounded experience—one that supports sustainable growth and informed decision-making. For listeners interested in understanding how creator-led learning is reshaping trading across Africa, Episode 1 features the full, in-depth discussion, offering practical insights and first-hand perspectives from those shaping the space. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Kaledora Fontana Kiernan-Lin is putting a timeline on her bold prediction: the global contract-for-difference (CFD) broker market faces major disruption from decentralized finance within five years.The co-founder and CEO of Ostium, a blockchain-based perpetual swaps platform, recently secured $20 million in Series A funding from General Catalyst and Jump Crypto to back that thesis. In an interview with FinanceMagnates.com, Kiernan-Lin laid out why she believes retail foreign exchange and commodities traders will abandon traditional CFD brokers for on-chain alternatives that offer transparent pricing and self-custody of funds."The 'perpification' of markets – where every asset becomes a liquid, tradeable perpetual swap – is the inevitable end state," Kiernan-Lin said. She expects retail FX and commodities to crack first, calling them "markets where users are currently paying exorbitant costs for opacity".Whether that vision materializes on her timeline remains an open question. Decentralized finance platforms face their own set of challenges, including smart contract vulnerabilities, liquidation risks from high leverage, and a lack of comprehensive regulatory frameworks that have plagued the crypto derivatives sector.Crypto Exchanges Already Moving Into TradFiOstium isn't alone in targeting traditional assets. Major crypto exchanges have been racing to capture TradFi trading volume, particularly during the recent metals rally. Binance launched round-the-clock perpetual contracts on silver in early January as silver prices surged 150% year-over-year, with rival Bitget rolling out similar offerings focused on gold, forex, and global macro assets.BingX reported that record gold prices drove half of its $1 billion TradFi trading surge, with gold futures contracts alone generating over $500 million in daily volume. The trend extends beyond perpetual swaps: Coinbase and Crypto.com have acquired CFD licenses, signaling that well-funded fintech players with large user bases are eyeing the retail derivatives market.These moves suggest Kiernan-Lin's thesis about TradFi asset demand isn't purely aspirational. But they also highlight the competitive dynamics at play, with established crypto exchanges leveraging existing liquidity and brand recognition to capture the same offshore trading cohort Ostium is targeting.Record Volumes Signal Early TractionOstium's recent performance appears to validate at least part of that vision. The platform hit a record $711 million in single-day trading volume on January 30 as metals prices surged, with silver and gold trading accounting for roughly half that total. Over 95% of Ostium's open interest now sits in traditional markets rather than crypto assets, an unusual profile for a blockchain-based exchange.Cumulative trading volume has topped $33 billion since launch, including more than $5 billion in metals alone. The surge aligns with precious metals rallies that saw silver hit a record $120 per ounce in late January and gold push past $5,600.fourth day in a row of ostium hitting fresh ATHs:> $2.5B L7D volume> $711m in 24h volume> $250m of that in silver alone> another $250m across copper + gold> crossed 4,000 WAUs> $339m in open interest> 100% uptime during highest vol day for metals ever> single-shot trades… pic.twitter.com/3nnb2hDdjt— kaledora (@kaledora) January 31, 2026Traders on the platform netted $5.8 million in profits on January 30, the highest single-day gain in Ostium's history, reversing earlier cumulative losses. Just two days earlier, the same cohort had logged $2.7 million in losses. Eliminating the Broker-as-Counterparty ProblemKiernan-Lin's pitch centers on a structural critique of the CFD model. When retail traders lose money on traditional platforms, which happens to 76-82% of them, according to regulatory disclosures, the broker often profits directly by taking the other side of those trades. UK regulators have repeatedly flagged this conflict of interest.Ostium, however, claims it architecture routes trades through institutional liquidity venues and executes them on-chain via smart contracts built on Arbitrum, an Ethereum Layer 2 network. "When you trade Oil on Ostium, the quote is derived from institutional liquidity and anchored by our oracle infrastructure, then executed onchain," Kiernan-Lin explained. "Once a position is open, the protocol can't arbitrarily widen spreads, change financing terms, freeze accounts, or introduce new constraints."???Thanks to our liquidity system at @OstiumLabs we are the only place you can trade the underlying market’s spot price for metals with no exchange-specific orderbook surprises.We are also the only place on chain that has kept metals rolling fees in the single digit range… pic.twitter.com/zOOdXeWeaX— marcoantonio.eth (@contrarianmarco) January 29, 2026She argues the real advantage isn't just about who sits on the other side of a trade, but that pricing, funding, and execution follow transparent, programmatic rules rather than discretionary broker decisions. Legacy brokers retain broad power to adjust spreads, modify financing costs, or restrict accounts during volatile periods, actions that are theoretically impossible on Ostium's smart contract infrastructure.Still, smart contracts introduce their own risks. The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has warned that decentralized finance platforms face vulnerabilities related to faulty code, market manipulation through governance token voting, and concentration risks among third-party infrastructure providers. Offshore Markets and Regulatory Gray ZonesOstium is explicitly targeting offshore CFD traders, particularly non-US investors seeking exposure to American equities and commodities. Kiernan-Lin describes the pain point as access: traders in Vietnam or the Philippines typically navigate offshore entities "with questionable solvency, high withdrawal friction, and the real risk of unexpected account freezing".The platform operates as a non-custodial technology provider, meaning Ostium itself doesn't hold client funds, the smart contracts do.“We respect local laws; our primary focus is replacing the trading infrastructure with one that doesn't require a user to trust a centralized entity in a jurisdiction they can't sue," Kiernan-Lin said.The strategy mirrors how offshore CFD brokers have historically operated in regulatory gray zones, raising questions about whether decentralized infrastructure truly solves investor protection issues or simply relocates them to a different layer of the technology stack. Self-Custody as a Feature, Not a BugThe CEO reframes self-custody, often seen as a technical barrier for retail traders, as the platform's killer feature. "Nobody can freeze your funds," she said, arguing that's more compelling than traditional brokers' ease of fiat deposits once traders experience the difference.Ostium has designed its onboarding so "connect wallet" replaces traditional login credentials. There's no three-day wire transfer wait, and the platform is exploring account abstraction technology to make the wallet experience "invisible for those who want it". Kiernan-Lin believes once traders realize holding their own margin means never waiting for a broker to approve a withdrawal, the perceived barrier becomes a preference.The flip side is that self-custody also means self-responsibility. Cost Structure and Competitive PositioningWhen pressed on fees, Kiernan-Lin acknowledged Ostium may not win "a headline comparison on advertised execution costs alone" against large incumbents like IG or Pepperstone. Entry spreads at traditional brokers can look cheaper at first glance.Where Ostium claims to differentiate is cost predictability. Gas fees on Arbitrum are minimal and visible upfront. Execution fees and funding rates are explicit and known before opening a position. "There are no hidden spread markups, surprise swap charges, or discretionary account actions that change the economics of a position after it's opened," Kiernan-Lin said.Traditional "zero commission" pricing often masks variable spreads, opaque financing, and operational risk, she argued. However, perpetual swaps carry their own cost structure that can erode profitability. Derivatives Over Tokenized EquityKiernan-Lin sees limited trading appeal in true tokenized equity ownership compared to derivatives. "It's capital efficiency," she said. Traders betting on earnings calls or macro events don't want to lock up 100% of capital to buy shares when they can express the same view with a fraction of that capital via derivatives."The FX market trades $7.5 trillion a day, not because people want to own Euros, but because they are hedging or speculating on price," she noted.A opposite view is held by Vlad Tenev, the chief executive of Robinhood, who sees tokenization as “the biggest innovation in capital markets.”She also has a different viewon prediction markets like Polymarket and Kalshi, calling them "highly complementary" rather than competitive. The 2030 VisionBy December 2030, Kiernan-Lin expects the term "Real World Asset" to be retired because all assets will exist on-chain. Ostium won't be labeled a "crypto platform" but rather backend infrastructure for a chunk of global macro trading.some thoughts on weekend liquidation hunting...- 24/7 RWA perp markets are very cool in theory! but the downsides of their illiquidity over the weekends - continuous trading without a real, liquid spot price - outweigh the benefits. these drawbacks are greater the larger you…— kaledora (@kaledora) January 21, 2026"Decentralized protocols won't simply disrupt a subset of the market; they'll supercharge the growth of the market itself," Kiernan-Lin added, drawing a parallel to how Uber expanded the taxi market by orders of magnitude while upending the industry. She positions Ostium as the "standard-bearer for that shift".That timeline assumes several things go right: regulatory frameworks evolve to accommodate decentralized platforms without crushing them, smart contract security matures to prevent the kinds of exploits that have plagued DeFi, and retail traders prove willing to trade traditional protections for transparency. Meanwhile, traditional CFD brokers aren't standing still. Some 80% of European CFD firms are plotting a pivot to listed derivatives amid regulatory pressure, suggesting the industry itself is adapting to survive. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

XTB shares jumped nearly 12% on Friday, closing at 84.8 zlotys in the strongest single-day rally for the Polish fintech in five years. Investors shrugged off a 25% profit decline to focus on record client growth and a new product roadmap centered on margin trading and extended trading hours.Record Client Momentum Drives XTB RallyXTB added 864,000 new clients in 2025, up 73% from 498,000 the previous year, bringing active clients to nearly 1.2 million. The company set a target of at least one million new clients for 2026, with early momentum showing 117,300 sign-ups in January's first 28 days.In Poland alone, XTB opened 442,000 accounts in 2025, driven largely by IKE and IKZE retirement accounts. The rush for tax-advantaged products reflected growing Polish interest in long-term retirement planning.Seeing how Poles have rushed into this form of long-term investing with tax incentives, a real price war has been underway in the market for several months. ING Bank Securities, the country’s fourth-largest brokerage house, has now announced its intention to offer these products as well.The Friday surge pushed XTB through key resistance levels at 78 zlotys and 82 zlotys, clearing a path to test all-time highs of 90-92 zlotys, last reached in May 2025. Since the start of 2026, XTB has gained 18%, outpacing the broad WIG index's 6.5% advance and the WIG20's 5.5% rise.Margin Trading Headlines 2026 PlansXTB's 2026 product roadmap centers on margin trading, which lets investors buy securities worth more than their account balance by borrowing from the broker. The company is finalizing the product structure and securing financing partners. Margin trading typically requires brokers to establish credit facilities or partner with financial institutions willing to fund client leverage, adding operational complexity but also opening higher-margin revenue streams.Extended trading hours will launch first on U.S. markets, offering 24-hour access five days a week. European markets will follow later in 2026. "XTB has repeatedly emphasized it's focused on clients, not just hard data, and the market is starting to understand that when it acquires clients this quickly and the product roadmap looks this ambitious,” Arkadiusz Jóżwiak, editor-in-chief at Comparic.pl, told FinanceMagnates.com. “Margin trading and 24/5 trading show a clear willingness to compete with the biggest fintechs in Europe.”The product plan also includes the launch of new savings accounts in Poland called OKI and the development of retirement savings accounts in other European countries, including cash ISAs for UK clients, as well as a new version of Investment Plans 2.0.Only 7% of new XTB clients now choose CFDs as their first transaction, down from 80% in 2019, as stocks, ETFs and retirement accounts attract buy-and-hold investors. The shift helped XTB add 864,000 clients in 2025 but pressured revenue per active client, which fell to 1,800 zlotys from 2,700 zlotys.Profit Falls as Expenses ClimbConsolidated net profit dropped to 643.8 million zlotys from 856.9 million, while operating profit fell 15.4% to 834.3 million zlotys. The decline came despite a 41% jump in CFD trading volume, as profitability per lot tumbled 21.8% to 215 zlotys. Gold-based CFDs accounted for 38% of fourth-quarter volume, but lower unit margins offset the activity boost.Operating expenses climbed to 1.31 billion zlotys from 886.7 million, driven by a 240 million zloty increase in marketing and 101 million zlotys in additional personnel costs. XTB warned that 2026 expenses could rise another 30%, with marketing budgets potentially jumping 50% to fund aggressive client acquisition.Analysts at Noble Securities previously projected a path to 1 billion zlotys in annual profit by 2026, though rising client acquisition costs and European competition pose challenges. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.