London, [23rd March 2026] Hantec Markets has announced a new partnership with Serve On, reinforcing its commitment to supporting communities affected by natural disasters across the regions where it operates.As a global financial services provider serving clients across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, Hantec Markets recognises that many of the communities connected to its international footprint are exposed to environmental risks including earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires.Through this partnership, Hantec Markets will support Serve On’s operational readiness, training, equipment, and deployment capability, helping strengthen rapid humanitarian response when disasters occur.Commenting on the partnership, Hantec Markets CEO, Bashir Nurmohamed said:“As a global business serving clients across diverse regions, we understand that our responsibility goes beyond the markets we operate in. Natural disasters can leave lasting effects on communities long after immediate recovery begins. Through our partnership with Serve On, we are supporting a highly skilled organisation that delivers critical humanitarian response where it is needed most. It is a partnership built on shared values of preparedness, discipline, and long-term resilience.”Serve On is an international search and rescue charity made up of highly trained veterans, emergency response specialists, and civilian professionals who deploy rapidly to disaster zones worldwide. The organisation provides urban search and rescue, medical support, technical rescue, logistics, and humanitarian assistance in some of the world’s most challenging environments.For Hantec Markets, the partnership reflects a practical commitment to supporting resilience in vulnerable regions where emergency response capacity can have a significant impact on recovery efforts.By supporting Serve On, the company aims to contribute to organisations working directly on the front line of humanitarian response, while reinforcing its wider commitment to responsible global business.The partnership also reflects shared values between both organisations, including discipline, trust, professionalism, and the ability to perform effectively under pressure.For Hantec Markets, initiatives such as this form part of a broader approach to aligning business growth with positive social contribution and long-term community resilience. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Leverate has launched Algo Studio, a no-code algorithmic trading suite built into its flagship retail platform, in the latest attempt by a broker-technology vendor to push quant-style tools toward traders who do not write code.The Israeli software firm said the studio lets users combine three visual building blocks, Indicators, Logic, and Actions, to construct strategies on a drag-and-drop canvas, then stress-test them against historical market data before deploying live. The package also bundles automated chart pattern recognition and multi-asset scanners covering harmonic, crossover, momentum, and pattern-based setups, according to the company."The demand from brokers has been immediate and unambiguous," Shmulik Kordova, Leverate's chief client officer, said in a statement. He added that brokers were activating the studio "faster than almost anything we have launched."Competition Heats Up for No-Code Strategy ToolsThe broker-technology market has spent the past two years racing to offer some version of algorithmic trading to non-developers. Spotware's cTrader Automate has long supported coded strategies through its cAlgo framework, and the platform's cTrader Copy layer pairs algorithm publishing with one-click copying for traders on more than 250 broker and prop firm accounts.MetaQuotes still anchors the wider market through MQL5, the scripting language behind MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 Expert Advisors. The firm launched a metatrader.com consumer portal earlier this year, bundling an Algo Forge collaboration space alongside its existing developer marketplace.Other vendors are pushing further into no-code territory. Brokeree Solutions launched a Social Trading integration API in March that lets brokers connect copy trading to platforms outside MetaTrader and cTrader. On the broker side, eToro opened a developer App Store and builders portal in April, pitching AI-driven no-code tools alongside coded apps from outside developers.Algo trading exists on a lot of platforms. But native algo trading, with backtesting, social strategy sharing, and seamless execution built into your CRM, risk tools, and liquidity stack, only exists in one place. Leverate's Algo Studio.#AlgoTrading #BrokerTech #Fintech— Leverate (@leveratelive) May 19, 2026A Native Algo Layer Inside the Broker StackThe launch builds on a trio partnership announced in January, when Leverate teamed up with no-code automation specialist Level2 and messaging vendor Convrs to distribute visual strategy-building tools across its broker network. Algo Studio appears to fold that capability into Leverate's own platform rather than route it through a third-party shell.Traders can also publish their algorithms inside a shared community layer, the firm said, where other users can view live performance data and copy strategies directly. The arrangement bundles algorithmic execution with social copy trading, two product categories that have historically sat on separate platforms.Leverate Declares 56% Client Activation and Higher Trader EngagementThe company said the studio drives a two-to-four times increase in order frequency among traders who shift from manual to automated execution, with session duration and feature interaction rising between 30% and 70%. Retention among users who build up a library of backtested strategies improves by 15% to 40% over a 90-day window, Leverate said.Leverate also added that 56% of its existing clients have already activated Algo Studio, which it described as one of the fastest-adopted additions to its platform. None of those figures have been independently audited.Algo Studio Joins a Broader Leverate Product PushAlgo Studio arrives alongside other recent Leverate launches aimed at broadening what brokers can offer through a single vendor. The company opened a white-label prediction markets platform in February, citing 85% monthly retention figures in early deployments, and previously integrated TradingView charting into its SiRiX platform last year. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Panda Trading Systems ("Panda" or the "Company"), a leading global provider of B2B trading technology and brokerage infrastructure solutions, today announced that it has retained Citizens JMP Securities, LLC ("Citizens") as its exclusive strategic and capital structure advisor.In this role, Citizens will assist the Company in evaluating a broad range of strategic alternatives intended to support the next phase of Panda's growth, accelerate the expansion of its product platform, and maximize long-term value for the Company and its stakeholders. The review will consider opportunities including, but not limited to, strategic partnerships, growth capital initiatives, and other corporate and capital structure options."Panda has built a strong reputation as a trusted technology partner to brokers worldwide, and our platform continues to see meaningful demand across both established and emerging markets," said a spokesperson for Panda Trading Systems. "Engaging Citizens allows us to thoughtfully evaluate the most compelling pathways to build on that momentum and unlock the next stage of value creation for the Company and its stakeholders."The Company has not set a definitive timetable for the review and does not intend to comment further on the process unless and until appropriate.About Panda Trading SystemsWith more than 20 years in the brokerage technology industry, Panda Trading Systems is a global provider of B2B trading and brokerage infrastructure solutions. Headquartered in Israel, the Company serves brokers across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and beyond.Panda's product suite spans the full brokerage technology stack — led by the Panda CRM and the Panda Trading Server, with Trading Applications, an IB System, and a range of operational tools.The Company's white-label and modular offerings allow brokerages to launch, scale, and operate efficiently across multiple jurisdictions.For more information, visit www.pandats.com.About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation's oldest and largest financial institutions, with $226.4 billion in assets as of December 31, 2025. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail, private banking, wealth management and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,100 ATMs and approximately 1,000 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. Consumer Banking includes Citizens Private Bank and Private Wealth, which integrate banking services and wealth management solutions to serve high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, as well as investors, entrepreneurs and businesses. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on X, LinkedIn or Facebook.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Panda Trading Systems and its strategic review process. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the possibility that the strategic review may not result in any transaction or other outcome. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Panda undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

FYNXT, a leading provider of modular front and middle office infrastructure for capital markets brokers, today announced that GO Markets, a global multi-asset CFD broker, has selected FYNXT’s TradeOps Control Center to automate and centralize its MT4 and MT5 operations across its global trading environments.The partnership extends FYNXT’s footprint among established, regulated brokers operating at scale across multiple jurisdictions, and further validates TradeOps Control Center as the operational control layer of choice for MetaTrader-native brokerages.FYNXT Selected by GO MarketsAfter evaluating the market for a purpose-built operational control layer, GO Markets selected FYNXT for its capital-markets-native design, deep MT4 and MT5 domain expertise, and proven ability to support enterprise brokers across multiple trading servers and jurisdictions. FYNXT’s TradeOps Control Center replaces fragmented MetaTrader Administrator and Manager actions with structured, governed, and auditable execution across live and demo environments.The selection reinforces FYNXT’s position as the operational backbone for modern brokerages — purpose-built for the complexity of MT4 and MT5, and designed to help broker operations teams scale without increasing headcount or operational risk.GO Markets Adopts TradeOps Control CenterThrough this deployment, GO Markets will centrally manage its MT4 and MT5 trading servers through a single control layer, significantly reducing manual workloads, operational risk, and dependency on native platform access. TradeOps Control Center supports bulk operations, automated workflows, role-based permissions, approval processes, and full audit trails.Core TradeOps Control Center capabilities being adopted include:Trade Closer and Trade Updater — for controlled incident management and trade correction workflows.Balance Manager — for governed balance adjustments across incident handling, payment reconciliation, and promotional credit execution.Holiday Scheduler and Session Time Updater — for unified control of trading sessions, calendars, and market availability across servers.Account Manager and Group Settings Manager — for rolling out leverage changes, account configurations, and incentives at scale.Symbol Updater and Swap Free Tool — for instrument-level control and Islamic account management.Every action executed through TradeOps Control Center is fully logged and auditable, helping brokers strengthen compliance oversight, reduce human error, and maintain operational accountability.Automation, Governance, and Operational ScaleTradeOps Control Center is purpose-built to replace fragmented, manual MetaTrader Administrator and Manager actions with structured, auditable execution. For GO Markets, routine server operations — incident handling, balance adjustments, holiday and session updates, account and group configurations, and instrument-level changes — will be executed through governed, rule-based workflows with full auditability across MT4 and MT5 environments.The deployment delivers three immediate operational gains for GO Markets: reduced manual intervention and human error across server operations, stronger and more consistent governance across jurisdictions, and faster, scalable execution of operational changes — without increasing headcount or dependency on native platform-level access.Executive Commentary“We are proud to welcome GO Markets to the FYNXT platform. GO Markets is a highly respected global broker with deep roots in MetaTrader, and their decision to standardize on TradeOps Control Center reflects the direction the industry is moving — from fragmented, manual server operations to a governed, automated control layer. TradeOps Control Center gives their operations team the automation, governance, and operational scale that modern brokerages require.”— Aeby Samuel, CEO, FYNXT“Operational scalability and governance are foundational to how we serve our clients. FYNXT’s TradeOps Control Center gives our operations team a unified command layer across MT4 and MT5, replacing fragmented manual processes with automated, auditable workflows that are increasingly difficult to maintain at scale. FYNXT’s domain depth and broker-first design made them the right long-term technology partner.”— Khim Khor, COO, GO Markets Availability and Next StepsThe GO Markets deployment strengthens FYNXT’s modular brokerage technology ecosystem, which includes CRM, Digital Onboarding, IB and Partner Management, PAMM, Copy Trading, and White-Label solutions. TradeOps Control Center is available immediately to new and existing clients, and can be deployed as a standalone operational module or as part of a broader FYNXT implementation.An AI-powered release of TradeOps Control Center is planned for 2026, extending intelligent automation across core operational workflows — including automated reconciliation, smart exception detection, and conversational, chat-driven operational actions with full auditability and approval controls.For more information on TradeOps Control Center, visit https://fynxt.com/products/tradeops-control-center.About FYNXTFYNXT is a leading provider of modular front and middle office infrastructure for capital markets brokers across FX, CFDs, crypto, and multi-asset classes. Its product suite includes CRM, Client Portal, Digital Onboarding, IB and Partner Management, PAMM, Copy Trading, Contest Manager, TradeOps Control Center, White-Label Solutions, and Custom Enterprise Capabilities. FYNXT serves brokers across 18+ jurisdictions with 42+ integrations, enabling broker teams to launch, scale, and operate with confidence.Learn more at www.fynxt.com.About GO MarketsFounded in 2006 and celebrating 20 years of trading excellence in 2026, GO Markets is a multi-award-winning global CFD broker serving hundreds of thousands of traders worldwide. GO Markets offers access to forex, indices, shares, commodities, cryptocurrencies, bonds, and ETFs across industry-leading platforms including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, cTrader, and its proprietary GO TradeX mobile platform. The firm has been recognized with numerous industry awards for customer service, education, platform quality, and trust, including Best Global Forex Broker 2025 and Most Trusted Forex Broker APAC 2025.Learn more at www.gomarkets.com. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

IG Group shares (LSE: IGG) closed at a record 1,742 pence on Tuesday, up almost 11% on the day, after the broker raised its full-year revenue guidance alongside its annual general meeting trading update and reported first-quarter organic revenue growth of 19%.The move marks the sharpest single-session rally in IG's listed history outside the pandemic-era spikes and takes year-to-date gains above 30%, matching what the stock added across the whole of 2025. IG entered the FTSE 100 on 23 March 2026 and has since outperformed the broader index by more than 30 percentage points.Guidance Upgrade Closes the Gap to LTIP Stretch TargetsThe numbers behind the rally were straightforward. Organic total revenue of £331.2 million for the three months to 31 March was about 10% ahead of the £300 million the broker had flagged in its pre-close note two months earlier. Active customers grew 12% organically, first trades rose 63%, and assets under administration crossed £20 billion in April.What gives the upgrade more weight is what it implies for the company's 2028 plan. As FinanceMagnates.com reported in April, the long-term incentive plan granted to CEO Breon Corcoran and CFO Clifford Abrahams in September 2025 would only vest in full if revenue reaches £1.51 billion by 2028, implying a compound annual growth rate of 11.4% from the 2025 base.Tuesday's upgrade to 10-15% organic growth in 2026, with at least 10% compound growth beyond that, puts the LTIP threshold of £1,226 million within comfortable reach and the £1.51 billion maximum target into a credible band, rather than a stretch case.FM Intelligence Data Cements IG Among the Global Top FiveThe IG share rally lands in a quarter when FM Intelligence's broker tracker recorded retail FX and CFD volumes at all-time highs, with active accounts across the named-broker cohort reaching 7.42 million and five separate brokers running monthly volumes above $1.5 trillion.IG sits inside that top five. According to FM Intelligence data, the broker recorded around $1.65 trillion in average monthly trading volume in Q1 2026, alongside roughly 173,000 active accounts in the cohort, up from approximately 149,000 in Q4 2025. The 16% sequential increase in client count came against headline monthly volumes that ran broadly flat quarter-on-quarter on the FM Intelligence reading.That contrast matters. Net trading revenue rose 17% QoQ to £306.5 million on IG's own books even as platform-level volumes were stable, which points to a mix shift toward higher-monetization activity rather than pure throughput. The company itself flagged that OTC customer income retention reached the mid-80s percentage range in Q2 to date, up from 83% at the full-year stage.IG has held a top-five position in the FM Intelligence cohort consistently since 2021, though it lost market share over the four-year period as the broader sample expanded faster. The Q1 numbers suggest that erosion may have stopped.Peers Posted Strong Q1s, But IG Got the Sharpest Stock ReactionTuesday's move was disproportionate to the news on a peer-relative basis. Plus500 lifted its full-year guidance in April after Q1 revenue rose 18% to $242 million, and its shares are up roughly 16% year-to-date. XTB reported an 88.5% Q1 revenue jump and a 176% rise in net profit, with the Polish stock up around 12% since the start of the year.IG's 30%-plus year-to-date move outpaces both. Part of the explanation is positioning. Expectations into the AGM were anchored on the March pre-close, which guided high single-digit organic growth. The actual Q1 read implied something closer to mid-teens, with Q2 active customer growth accelerating beyond 12% in the first seven weeks.UBS, which upgraded IG to Buy with a 1,600 pence target earlier this quarter, has now seen its price target overtaken by the stock itself. Consensus analyst target prices sit below the current share price after Tuesday's move.Strategic Review Still the Bigger CatalystThe autumn 2026 strategy update remains the larger swing factor. The board confirmed alongside the full-year results in March that the review will evaluate acquisitions, IG's domicile and listing venues, and possible combinations of group divisions with other industry participants.Bloomberg reported earlier this year that a relisting from London to New York is among the options being weighed. Tuesday's record close suggests the market is starting to price in a constructive outcome rather than a defensive one. The £125 million buyback launched on 1 April continues in the background, with 987,160 shares repurchased for £14.9 million by 15 May.Interim results for the six months to 30 June are due on 31 July, with the strategy update to follow in the autumn. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Per-account monthly trading volume across the FM Intelligence in the first quarter of 2026 sits inside a 17-fold spread, with Hantec Markets Group at the top of the distribution and D Prime at the bottom. The weighted average lands at $4.30 million per active account.The full broker-by-broker breakdown is live on the FM Intelligence DataLab Portal. Read the full Q1 2026 per-account volume analysis here.The Top of the Distribution Is Not Where the Largest Brokers SitThe brokers leading on per-account volume are not the ones running the largest client books. Hantec Markets, which crossed the trillion-dollar quarterly mark for the first time in Q4 2025 and posted another record in Q1 2026, reports roughly 30,000 active accounts in the analyzed group.Several brokers with significantly larger account bases sit lower on the per-account ranking, reflecting different mixes of clients, average trade sizes, and product weight.The full ranking, including how Hantec compares against IG, Saxo Bank, CMC Markets and other names in the top tier, is broken out on the FM Intelligence DataLab Portal.XTB Sits Outside the Account-Volume RelationshipThe cohort shows a fairly tight relationship between active account counts and monthly trading volume, with one notable exception. The Pearson correlation between the two variables reaches 0.80 when XTB is excluded from the calculation, compared with 0.45 across the full 52-broker sample.The Warsaw-listed broker added 864,000 new clients in 2025 alone, a 73% year-on-year jump that pushed its base above 2.16 million accounts. Its account totals also include non-CFD positions, which makes a direct comparison against CFD-only active accounts at peers difficult.FM Intelligence treats XTB as a non-comparable observation in the second correlation calculation for that reason.What Else the Full Analysis CoversThe distribution clusters between $2 million and $6 million per active account, with most brokers grouped inside that band. A smaller tail of seven brokers reports per-account volumes at or above $8 million, while a handful, including EC Markets and other names that reported record Q1 volumes, land in the middle of the pack.The DataLab article walks through where each of the 52 brokers fits, the quarter-over-quarter direction of travel for outlier names such as D Prime, and the methodology behind the cohort definition.Per-account volume figures are sensitive to broker reporting practices, the treatment of dormant or low-frequency accounts in the active count, and product mix. The metric describes activity intensity per account, not account composition.Read the full Q1 2026 per-account volume analysis, including the broker-by-broker breakdown, on the FM Intelligence DataLab Portal:Per-Account Monthly Volume in the Q1 2026 Broker Cohort: $0.76M to $13.40M Around a $4.30M Average. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Tradeify has launched a new retail brokerage as the U.S.-based proprietary trading firm moves beyond its core evaluation business. The futures prop firm also signed a clearing and technology agreement with NinjaTrader, acquired by Kraken, which will handle all trade execution and client funds.Exclusive Clearing AgreementTradeify will operate the brokerage through Tradeify Brokerage LLC, a registered introducing broker with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and a member of the National Futures Association. Under the agreement, NinjaTrader Clearing LLC will act as the sole futures commission merchant for the activities of the new platform Slay Markets.Tradeify opened the Slay Markets waitlist on Tuesday, with early access set for its existing funded traders. The company plans a broader rollout to retail clients in the coming weeks.You may also like: After IG Group, NinjaTrader Also Adds Adclear for ComplianceAccording to the announcement, NinjaTrader will provide clearing, execution, and custody, while also supplying infrastructure through its Connect platform. The setup allows Tradeify to focus on the front-end trading experience and client onboarding.Client funds will remain with NinjaTrader, which will execute and clear all trades. This introducing broker and clearing firm structure follows the standard model used across the U.S. retail futures market.Rollout and Market ExpansionThe launch gives users access to CME Group futures and marks Tradeify’s first step into the retail brokerage segment. The firm has grown its user base through evaluation programs that offer traders funded accounts after meeting performance targets.Chief Executive Officer Brett Simberkoff said the move creates a direct path for traders to transition into live brokerage accounts. "Tradeify was built to help retail traders develop their skills and scale their trading. Creating an easy path to take their capital to a live brokerage account when they felt they were ready was a necessary chapter in that journey.""NinjaTrader is the right partner for it. Their clearing infrastructure and their long experience in the retail futures industry made the decision straightforward. With NinjaTrader handling the infrastructure, Tradeify aims to focus on creating the best possible user experience."Proprietary trading firms now try to keep traders for longer by adding regulated brokerage services. This lets traders move from evaluation and funded accounts straight into real-money trading without changing platforms or providers. The launch of Slay Markets puts Tradeify into that group, as it connects its prop trading community directly to live CME Group futures through a licensed introducing broker.NinjaTrader Expands in Prop Trading and Prediction MarketsNinjaTrader recently moved directly into the prop trading space with two dedicated platforms, NinjaTrader Prop and Tradovate Prop. The platforms provide evaluation support, advanced risk controls, and integrated trading tools for prop traders and firms across web, mobile, and desktop.The launch comes as prop firms move back into the US after more than a year of disruption caused by the MetaQuotes crackdown. Most firms, such as The5ers, returned with non-MetaTrader platforms, while FTMO stood out as the only major player to bring MetaTrader back for US clients. NinjaTrader also entered prediction markets with a business-to-business platform that lets brokers and fintechs offer access without building their own infrastructure. The single-API service bundles onboarding, funding, clearing, margin and risk controls, plus a white-labeled front end. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

A viral critique from DraftKings co-founder Matt Kalish has exposed a structural fault line in the prediction market industry that participants had mostly chosen to ignore: who, exactly, is making money, and at whose expense. Kalish's public broadside targets Kalshi, the leading CFTC-regulated prediction market in the United States. His core accusation is that despite Kalshi's positioning as a financial exchange, the platform functionally operates as a sportsbook that routes retail order flow to institutional market makers. "You're not trading against me," Kalish wrote on X, pointing to a trade where his odds were significantly diluted by slippage. "We're all trading against Susquehanna and professional Wall Street market makers." The Exchange Paradox: Liquidity vs. Fairness The conflict points to a structural tension at the center of the prediction market model. Traditional sportsbooks act as the house, managing risk by limiting winners. Prediction markets like Kalshi use an order-book model that attracts quantitative trading firms to provide liquidity but also creates what amounts to a shark tank for retail participants. New research from Citizens JMP Securities gives weight to Kalish's skepticism. Traders with over $500,000 in volume are consistently profitable, with a median ROI of +2.6%. The median return for retail prediction market users is -8%, which is worse than the -5% typical of traditional sportsbooks. Small accounts under $100 are losing 26.8%. Kalish argues this structure lets Wall Street extract profit from retail losses, effectively making Kalshi a sportsbook that is "2-3 years behind" in consumer product development. A War for Legitimacy Kalshi has worked hard to put distance between itself and the gambling label, positioning its event contracts as CFTC-regulated derivatives. To reinforce that framing, the company recently announced a $2 million investment in the National Council on Problem Gambling.We’re funding a new Financial Trading category within NCPG to advance trader health & safety.While financial markets have different incentive structures than casinos and sportsbooks, there is still risk of irresponsible trading, whether it’s active stock trading, short-dated… pic.twitter.com/mRGS3UNZ2H— Tarek Mansour (@mansourtarek_) May 18, 2026 The industry is nonetheless converging. While Kalshi moves toward Wall Street, the major gambling operators are moving into its territory. DraftKings and FanDuel have both launched prediction products — DraftKings Predictions and FanDuel Predicts — using CFTC-linked structures to sidestep state-level betting bans. Squeezed from both sides, firms like Sporttrade are making more drastic moves: the company recently announced it would exit sports betting entirely and pivot to a regulated exchange model. Data Transparency under Scrutiny The most serious technical allegation concerns how Kalshi handles user data. Kalish accused the platform of sharing user IDs with market makers through its API, which would allow professionals to profile order flow and selectively choose when — or whether — to provide liquidity to specific traders. Why is it 93-1 if you bet $10 and 38-1 if you bet $1000 on something pic.twitter.com/ZXegUsakEz— Matt Kalish (@mattkalish) May 15, 2026 That may not be enough going forward. For the B2B brokerage community, the episode signals something broader: the prediction market sector has outgrown its niche status, but its infrastructure is under real pressure. As the industry pushes toward a $22 billion valuation, questions are growing over whether these platforms operate as neutral marketplaces or disproportionately benefit professional liquidity providers. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

IPC Systems has announced a multi-million dollar investment to expand its US network infrastructure, adding new routes and upgrading key points of presence amid rising demand for continuous market access and low-latency connectivity.The move comes alongside continued infrastructure expansion across the sector, including Beeks Financial Cloud’s earlier report that it had signed its fifth exchange client, extending its role in cloud-based market access and cross-border exchange connectivity. Similar developments across providers have highlighted sustained demand for distributed, low-latency trading infrastructure linking exchanges, brokers and data centres.IPC Adds Routes, Upgrades Core PoPsThe project includes more than 15 new high-capacity routes and upgrades to six existing PoPs in Dallas, Houston, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose. These locations are set to be developed into core network hubs. IPC is also establishing a new PoP in Seattle, aimed at improving connectivity to West Coast cloud regions, including AWS US-West.According to IPC, the rollout will take place in phases, with initial routes expected to go live in May 2026 and full completion scheduled for October 2026. The design focuses on increased route diversity, higher backbone capacity and improved resiliency across key US trading corridors.US Liquidity Demand Drives Network ExpansionThe company said the expansion is intended to meet growing demand for access to US liquidity outside traditional market hours, particularly from Asia, as trading activity continues to extend into overnight sessions. IPC also linked the buildout to broader expectations of more continuous trading environments in US markets.The Seattle hub is positioned as a connectivity node between financial market participants and major cloud infrastructure zones. IPC said the wider upgrade is designed to support customers requiring high-availability network performance for trading and data-heavy applications.Paul Zatek, Global Head of Data Sales at IPC Network Services, said demand for round-the-clock access to US markets is increasing the need for more resilient global connectivity, adding that the programme is designed to support continuous execution strategies across regions. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Webull has launched a new artificial intelligence research tool called Vega Analyst. The feature is part of its existing Vega suite of AI products for investors.The launch comes amid a broader shift in retail brokerage platforms toward embedding artificial intelligence into trading and research workflows. Over the past several months, firms such as eToro and Robinhood have introduced AI tools ranging from trading assistants to portfolio analysis features. At the same time, newer entrants such as Moomoo have expanded into agent-based systems that allow users to connect external AI models directly to brokerage accounts.Vega Analyst Delivers Stock InsightsWebull said Vega Analyst is designed to produce customized research reports on individual stocks. Users can select the areas they want to focus on, including company fundamentals, financial performance, valuation, market context, technical trends, and risk factors.The system generates reports in real time using the latest available market data. It also combines multiple forms of analysis into a single output, aiming to help users move more quickly from research to decision-making.“As the volume and complexity of market data continues to grow, investors need tools that not only provide information, but help them understand what matters,” said Anthony Denier, Group President and U.S. CEO of Webull. He added, “Vega Analyst builds on that idea by delivering personalized, AI-generated research that adapts to each investor’s focus, giving users a more structured way to analyze opportunities and make more informed decisions.”Users Select Sections for AI AnalysisThe Vega Analyst tool is modular, allowing users to build reports from selected sections, including company overview, financial, industry, valuation, key events, technical analysis, and risk alerts.Each module covers a specific area such as business fundamentals, earnings and profitability, sector context, peer valuation, recent developments, price trends, and downside risks.Report depth varies based on the number of selected modules, with more sections producing more detailed output. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Sporttrade is shutting down its sportsbook operations in five U.S. states and applying for registration with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a derivatives exchange and clearinghouse. Sports wagering in New Jersey, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, and Virginia ends on May 25, 2026. Customers have until late June to withdraw their funds. The company filed applications with the CFTC to become both a Designated Contract Market (DCM) and Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO) in February 2026. Instead of operating under state betting licenses, Sporttrade wants to move into the federal framework used for derivatives and event contracts. The economics behind that decision are fairly simple. State-by-state licensing is expensive, fragmented, and tied to gambling regulation. Under CFTC oversight, similar products can instead be structured as event contracts or swaps. “The CFTC’s market-based regulatory framework enables Sporttrade to provide market participants an elevated level of efficiency, transparency, and consumer protection relative to what we’ve been able to offer to date,” founder and CEO Alex Kane said when the company submitted its applications. From Sportsbook Operator to Exchange Model Sporttrade originally tried to differentiate itself from traditional sportsbooks by using exchange-style mechanics. Users could buy and sell positions during events rather than place fixed-odds wagers and wait for settlement. But competing directly against FanDuel and DraftKings in the state-regulated sportsbook market remained difficult. Both companies are now also moving into prediction markets and event contracts through CFTC-linked structures. DraftKings launched DraftKings Predictions in December 2025; around the same time FanDuel partnered with CME Group to launch FanDuel Predicts. Sporttrade is taking a more direct approach by attempting to leave the sportsbook category entirely and operate under financial market regulation instead. That transition is still subject to regulatory approval. The CFTC recently opened a broader review of event contracts, while some state regulators and lawmakers continue pushing for restrictions on sports-related prediction markets. What Brokers and Exchanges May Take from This Sporttrade decision highlights the practical trade-offs: federal derivatives regulation offers unified market access, while state gaming licenses mean fragmented compliance across 30+ jurisdictions. Building a regulated exchange and clearinghouse is expensive and time-consuming. DCM and DCO approvals can take months or years, depending on the application and regulatory environment. At the same time, companies operating under the federal framework avoid the complexity of maintaining licenses across dozens of states. They also gain access to a regulatory structure that looks closer to financial markets than traditional sports betting. Sporttrade's willingness to shut down revenue-generating operations for regulatory repositioning signals confidence that CFTC approval is more valuable than state-by-state expansion. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Daniele Benez has been appointed by 4XC as Head of Brand Growth for Latin America, Finance Magnates has learned. The appointment brings in an FX and CFDs industry executive with several years of experience in the region. Previously, Benez worked at brokers including BDSwiss, INFINOX, Vantage, Doo Prime and Hantec Markets, mainly in commercial and growth-focused roles. 4XC Strengthens LATAM Focus with Senior HireIn her new position at 4XC, Benez will oversee efforts to grow brand awareness and client reach across Latin America. She is well known in the region for her time at INFINOX, where she served as Regional Manager LATAM and helped expand the broker’s presence in key markets.Other latest executive moves: Taurex Brings Back Former CEO Matthew WrightHer work there included shaping regional strategies and supporting marketing and commercial initiatives tailored to local conditions. Before joining 4XC, Benez most recently worked at Doo Prime as Senior Growth Marketing and Business Development Strategist for LATAM.Earlier, Benez served as Growth Lead LATAM at Vantage, where she managed regional growth strategy and market expansion. She focused on developing acquisition channels and working with introducing brokers, affiliates and partners to drive new business. She also used data and analytics to refine performance across the client lifecycle.Career Built Around Latin AmericaHer previous roles also include Regional Marketing Executive LATAM at INFINOX and Business Development Executive LATAM at BDSwiss, both with a strong focus on regional market penetration and client acquisition. INFINOX recently signed a multi-year partnership with English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, becoming an official global partner. The deal gives the CFD broker a broad rights package, including branding visibility, digital activations, content collaborations, and hospitality access. It also includes fan engagement and educational initiatives, aligning with INFINOX’s strategy to reach globally active investorsThe move builds on INFINOX’s growing presence in sports sponsorships. The company previously partnered with Sportgate International in polo, gaining branding exposure through team kits and event signage, and entered motorsport through a Porsche Cup Brazil sponsorship with Acelerador Racing. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Taurex has appointed Matthew Wright as its Global CEO, marking his return to the role after previously stepping down four years ago. The move follows a year in which Wright served as a Non-Executive Director at the CFD broker. Wright said the Board approached him to take over the position, and he now resumes leadership of the global business with immediate effect.Board Requests Leadership Return"Four years ago, I stepped away from this role, so to have the opportunity to return is both rare and incredibly meaningful. After spending the last year as a NED, the Board asked me to step back into the CEO position something I was very happy to do," he said on Tuesday. "The decision was made easy by the enormous respect I have for the people across the business. There is real talent, energy, and commitment here, and I’m proud to be working alongside the team again."Wright announced in March that he had rejoined Taurex as a Non-Executive Director. In the part-time role, which he took up last July, he sits on the board and supports oversight and strategy. His background includes experience from several senior roles across the brokerage sector. Most recently, he served as Group COO at Exinity between 2023 and 2025.Background in Brokerage LeadershipHe also held the CEO position at Capital Index for nearly four years and briefly led Destek Markets UK. Earlier in his career, Wright worked at Gain Capital for close to nine years. He served as Chief Operating Officer for EMEA, overseeing regional operations for the Forex.com brand.Read more: Taurex Reunites With Former CEO Matthew Wright as Non-Executive DirectorIn addition to his executive roles, Wright remains involved in other ventures. He serves as Co-Founder and Non-Executive Director at Semoto and previously worked as Managing Director at Ondal. His return places an experienced executive back at the helm as Taurex continues its operations under renewed leadership.In 2023, Zenfinex rebranded as Taurex as part of a broader strategy to roll out a proprietary trading app and a suite of trading tools for clients at all levels. The move followed leadership changes at the group, with Founder Nick Cooke returning as CEO after Matthew Wright, who led the company as Group CEO, stepped down and joined Exinity as Group COO. Alongside the rebrand, Taurex has been expanding its global footprint and strengthening its offering through partnerships and regulatory milestones.Elsewhere, Taurex has been scaling up after raising $40 million in a Series C round led by major shareholder Oscar Hilt Tatum IV in March. The funds are reportedly supporting upgrades to its proprietary infrastructure, the development of an AI-powered trading app, and an accelerated global expansion. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

XTB's full first-quarter report confirms the headline numbers it flagged in late April, but adds a regional breakdown the preliminary release did not contain, and that breakdown tells a sharper story than the top-line figures alone.The Polish broker generated PLN 1.09 billion in operating revenue between January and March, with PLN 780.2 million, or 71% of group income, coming from Central and Eastern Europe. Western Europe contributed PLN 232.8 million. Latin America and the Middle East, the two regions XTB management has repeatedly cited as expansion priorities, brought in PLN 35.4 million and PLN 45.7 million respectively. Asia contributed PLN 4,000.CEE and Western Europe Account for Nearly All GrowthAlmost the entire year-on-year revenue gain came from Europe. CEE revenue rose 99% from PLN 391.7 million booked in the same period of 2025, with Poland alone contributing PLN 568.8 million, or 52% of group revenue, up from PLN 314.4 million a year earlier. Western Europe more than doubled, climbing 114% from PLN 108.9 million.Latin America revenue moved 1.7% higher year-on-year, while Middle East revenue rose 2.0%. Both regions were effectively flat in absolute terms, even though XTB completed its Chilean license in February 2025, secured Category 1 and 2 licenses in the United Arab Emirates in March 2026, and runs two subsidiaries in Dubai serving the region.Operating income by geographic region (PLN thousands)Headline Figures Track the April Preliminary ReleaseThe full report largely confirms the preliminary numbers. Net profit of PLN 535 million, operating revenue of PLN 1.09 billion, EBIT of PLN 629.7 million, and 370,041 new clients all held in the final filing. Active clients remained at 1.27 million, up 72% year-on-year. Profitability per lot stayed at PLN 439, a 58% jump from a year ago.The final document added the segment, geographic, product and cost detail that quarterly reports require. Institutional revenue from the X Open Hub brand reached PLN 26.2 million, up from PLN 14.4 million in Q1 2025, though the segment still accounts for just 2.4% of group income. Commodity CFDs drove 88.5% of gross financial instrument revenue, against 29% a year earlier, reflecting the gold, silver, oil and platinum moves that defined the quarter.Competitive Pressure Builds in Core European MarketsThe European concentration matters because XTB's two main revenue regions are also where competition is intensifying. German neobroker Trade Republic entered Poland in late 2024 and has been pushing aggressively on commission-free trading. Robinhood expanded into the EU through its Lithuanian license, while Interactive Brokers continues to add European clients on its multi-asset platform.XTB hit 1 million accounts in the Polish Central Securities Depository registry in April, becoming the first broker to cross that threshold in the country. The company holds 37.2% of Polish brokerage accounts, more than double mBank in second place. That dominance at home is a defensive moat for now, but future growth depends on the regions where XTB has so far struggled to translate marketing spend into revenue.CEO Omar Arnaout has set an ambition of acquiring 250,000 to 290,000 new clients per quarter on average in 2026, with marketing spend rising about 50% year-on-year. April alone delivered 113,200 new clients, the company said.The company recorded a PLN 20 million provision for the KNF penalty disclosed on April 13, which XTB is contesting through a reconsideration request filed on April 27. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Finance Magnates and FYNXT to Host Webinar on Reducing MT4/MT5 Operational Workload Through AutomationOperations teams at many brokerages are still spending countless hours managing manual MetaTrader tasks, handling leverage adjustments, processing account actions, and monitoring compliance-related workflows.To address this growing operational pressure, Finance Magnates is partnering with FYNXT for an upcoming live webinar focused on automation and operational efficiency for brokers using MetaTrader infrastructure.The webinar will take place on 28 May at 09:30 AM Cyprus timeFYNXT TradeOps Control Center: 1,000+ Hours Saved with MT4/MT5 Automation & Dynamic LeverageThe session will feature Elian Daoud and will explore how brokers are reducing operational workload by 60–70% through automated workflows built specifically for MT4 and MT5 environments.The webinar will also include practical walkthroughs of:Dynamic leverage automationBulk MT4/MT5 operationsCompliance-focused workflowsWeb-based operational managementScalable automation processes for growing brokeragesAs brokers continue to scale their operations across multiple regions and client segments, operational bottlenecks remain one of the biggest hidden costs in the industry. Manual processing not only slows teams down but also increases the risk of human error, delayed actions, and inconsistent compliance procedures.According to FYNXT, many of these repetitive operational tasks can now be centralized and automated through a single web-based control environment designed specifically for MetaTrader brokers.➡️ Register now to join the FREE webinarWhy MT4 MT5 Automation Matters for BrokersFor many brokerages, operations teams are responsible for managing large volumes of repetitive server-side tasks every day. These can include leverage updates, account changes, user permissions, reporting actions, and compliance checks across MT4 and MT5 systems.As trading volumes grow, manual processes become harder to maintain efficiently.Automation is increasingly becoming a priority for brokers looking to:Reduce operational costsImprove response timesMinimize manual errorsScale client operations fasterSupport compliance processes more effectivelyThe webinar aims to give brokers a practical look into how automation can improve day-to-day operations without disrupting existing MetaTrader infrastructure.SpeakerThe webinar will feature:Elian Daoud, Chief Product Strategy Officer (FX/CFD) at FYNXT: Elian Daoud is the Chief Product Strategy Officer (FX/CFD) at FYNXT bringing over 15 years of experience in the global FX/CFD and fintech industry. He has also served as Chief Operating Officer at GTCFX, where he led operational strategy, platform enhancements, and regional expansion initiatives. He also spent more than seven years at Axi, heading Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and developing scalable systems focused on efficiency, compliance, and client onboarding. His expertise spans product strategy, brokerage infrastructure, automation, and operational excellence across the global trading industry.Why attend the FREE webinarThis webinar is designed for brokerages looking to reduce operational pressure while improving speed, control, and scalability across their MetaTrader environment.Attendees will gain practical insights into how automation can help operations and compliance teams spend less time on repetitive manual tasks and more time on strategic growth initiatives.During the webinar, attendees will learn how to:Reduce MT4/MT5 operational workload by up to 60–70%Automate repetitive server-side tasksManage dynamic leverage more efficientlyHandle bulk operational actions through a centralized systemImprove operational consistency and compliance workflowsScale brokerage operations without significantly increasing headcountThe session is especially relevant for:Brokerage operations teamsCompliance managersMT4/MT5 administratorsBrokerage executivesMulti-asset trading firmsFintech and infrastructure teams supporting trading operationsWhether you are managing a growing brokerage or looking to improve operational efficiency across existing infrastructure, this webinar will provide practical examples and real operational use cases from the industry.Register for the WebinarBrokers, operations managers, compliance teams, and MetaTrader administrators interested in improving operational efficiency can register to attend the live webinar through the official registration page.Date: 28 May 2026Time: 09:30 am - Cyprus TimeRegistration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3417791750882/WN_spCj0AlDRD-kCfEP27neOAAbout FYNXTFYNXT is a Singapore-based and an ISO-Certified fintech that provides NXT-Gen Low Code Digital front office solutions to Multi-Asset Brokers. Our digital solutions are designed for optimum utility and seamless integration. Whether start-up or existing FX, CFD or multi-asset broker, FYNXT’s plug & play products ensure that your daily operational requirements are met without compromise. This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.

FinancialMarkets.media (FMM), a performance-focused digital media and financial marketing agency, announces that it has officially joined the Google Partners Program.The Google Partner status recognizes companies that demonstrate expertise in Google Ads, maintain strong campaign performance standards, and successfully help clients grow through digital advertising solutions across Google’s platforms.By achieving Google Partner status, FinancialMarkets.media strengthens its position as a trusted marketing partner for financial brands, fintech companies, brokers, trading platforms, and investment-related businesses seeking scalable customer acquisition and measurable campaign performance. “Becoming an official Google Partner is an important milestone for FinancialMarkets.media (FMM) and reflects the expertise and dedication of our entire team,” said Sergi López Tomàs, CEO of FinancialMarkets.media. “Our focus has always been on delivering transparent, data-driven marketing strategies that create real business growth for our clients”.As a Google Partner, FMM is granted gains access to:advanced Google Ads training and certificationsstrategic insights and beta opportunitiesdedicated support from Googleand enhanced tools to optimize advertising performance for clients globallyAll of which will help FMM deliver even better service to their clients.FMM offers a comprehensive suite of services, including Google Ads and social media Ads for financial brands, SEO, media buying, online reputation management, strategic public relations and media outreach, branding and UX/UI design, and Go-to-Market Strategy.Known internationally for more than 25 years as a financial media and communications agency, FinancialMarkets.media has also developed a strong track record in performance marketing and digital acquisition strategy. The company’s inclusion in the Google Partners Program reflects its ongoing investment in campaign performance, advertising expertise, and data-driven client growth solutions.About FinancialMarkets.mediaFinancialMarkets.media is a 360º marketing agency built by traders and marketers to serve financial institutions. Backed by FXStreet group, our mission is to help financial firms to reach their marketing goals, but also help traders all around the globe to choose among trusted firms that cares about the security of their funds.Media Contact:Email: contact@financialmarkets.mediaMarketing and Communication Director/ Carolina Bracale: carolina@financialmarkets.mediaPublisher Relations Director/ Helen Astaniou: helen@financialmarkets.mediaWebsite: https://financialmarkets.mediaLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financialmarkets-media/ This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.

“Revolut has a phenomenal distribution business; our partnership with them is one of deep infrastructure integration,” said Chris Cheverall, Head of UK at CMC Markets, which offers API partner delivery solutions for Revolut’s CFD offering. He also revealed that the broker “identified a clear and growing space within the neobank sector a couple of years ago” and launched “a prime brokerage business that covers cash and synthetic PB last year.”“Collaboration Between an Institutional Provider and a Fintech Platform”CMC partnered with Revolut in 2024 as the challenger bank began offering retail CFDs across three markets. Although the initial pilot was limited to a small geography, it quietly launched CFD trading in 29 countries last year, mostly in Europe.“What has been particularly encouraging about this partnership is how seamlessly the solution has scaled alongside their expanding user base without compromising on performance,” Cheverall said.Read more: CMC Connect Breaks Down CFDs Deal with RevolutHowever, the circulation of CFDs still remains very limited compared to Revolut’s global presence. It operates in 160 countries and serves more than 70 million customers.“The partnership is one of many strong examples CMC has of how institutional providers and fintech platforms can collaborate to deliver robust, client-centric solutions, and we built a framework that not only meets Revolut's demands but is flexible enough to support future demands across products, geographies, and client segments.”“The firm will continue to pursue its direct-to-consumer business, which is really important for us in the UK, as it is the birthplace of the product and CMC. In fact, the firm has a globally established institutional business. Typically, that is in the form of partnerships.”#Revolut's CFD trading feature offering 2x leverage just showed up in the Revolut app for EU based user. In June 2024 Revolut entered into partnership with CMC Markets for access to various markets including CFDs for its customers. pic.twitter.com/ij37GdDWgh— Max Karpis (@maxkarpis) January 24, 2025The broker generated £182 million from B2C clients and £111.3 million from B2B clients in the last fiscal year.“We are still heavily invested in direct-to-consumer, and we are still heavily invested in our B2B and partnership model.”The London-headquartered broker is also focusing on expanding its neobank API business. Cheverall revealed that, while around 70 per cent of CMC's D2C user base is mobile-first, the figure is 100 per cent when it comes to the neo space.“The more digital banks and service providers that are out there across payments, crypto, commercial banking, or wealth are going to, if not already, move into trading and investment products, which is where they can partner with somebody like CMC,” he added. “All of those neobanks require scalable institutional growth solutions tailored to their platform's needs.”CMC’s advantage here? It “specialises in this space” and, as Cheverall pointed out, “I do not think anybody in that space with an existing client base wants to rely on a partner and be the first partner that their provider builds for.”The broker is also focused on capturing the institutional space with its new prime brokerage offerings. “From a strategy perspective, we did this so we could capture higher-value institutional clients, which will help build institutional credibility,” the UK Head of the broker added. “Essentially, this is a prime services model which sits alongside and complements our retail business.”“CMC already has strong liquidity relationships, execution technology, and robust risk management, so prime services for us were a natural extension of what we do.”“Funds-in-Transit Credit Line Gives Institutional Clients the Flexibility to Maintain and Manage Exposures During Volatility”CMC Markets is also known for offering institutional liquidity, including gold. “Precious metals have drawn significant client attention at CMC,” Cheverall added, “as macro uncertainties have driven asset rotation.”He also revealed that “the extreme price moves and elevated volatility that characterised the gold rally did shift client behaviour in some notable ways.” Traders, according to him, started looking beyond trading metrics and scrutinising holding costs, margin dynamics, and the reliability of the trading infrastructure rather than focusing purely on thematic directional opportunities.“On the operational side, CMC's ability to maintain stable margin levels, despite rising exchange margin and prime broker margin, proved a key differentiator,” he said. “We also have something called a funds-in-transit credit line, which gives our institutional clients the flexibility to maintain and manage exposures during the most volatile intraday episodes, without being forced into unwind decisions driven by liquidity constraints.”Maintaining pricing is another issue in such a market, but Cheverall revealed that CMC’s proprietary trading algorithm allowed it to maintain competitive spreads throughout the volatility, and that preserved the ability to internalise and offset flow efficiently across clients.“Alongside execution quality, there was a marked increase in client requests for contextual information, covering the reasons behind the price moves, the geopolitical and macro factors at play, and the practical impact on holding costs,” he continued. “While this is still being borne out, clearly we have seen the most extreme volatility around precious metals, which was driven by the directional nature of flow that has not really changed.”“However, since the end of the year, or since the start of the year, clients have diversified into other assets as other macro factors have played out, typically on a natural basis.”Many brokers, meanwhile, revealed their record trading volumes for the first three months of 2026. Interestingly, gold trading remained dominant even after the rally until January, even as the metal dropped from its peak.The demand has caught the attention of CMC as well, as the broker recently launched weekend trading of gold. “Weekend trading is a thing that is here to stay,” the UK Head of CMC continued. “Prior to gold, we had launched weekend crypto products, and really, the arrival of 24/5 or 24/7 markets is here. We will continue to expand our offerings so that clients can trade at weekends if they wish to.”“Technology Is Moving Faster than Regulation”CMC also floated its plans to launch a super app by integrating traditional finance, decentralised finance, payments, and banking within one platform. Although the initial app has already been rolled out, the company must address regulatory challenges, especially when it comes to TradFi and DeFi integration.“The biggest challenge is that technology is moving faster than regulation,” said Cheverall. “Although there is some clearly defined framework, there is not a clearly defined multi-asset framework.”Indeed, MiCA, for instance, will only cover crypto assets, but, he elaborated, “we have defined frameworks around best execution and market abuse, and where DeFi is decentralised by design, this raises questions around accountability and oversight, which regulators are still hoping to address. In the UK and EU, key issues include regulatory classification. So, if you take tokens as an example of a DeFi product, they fall under existing securities or derivative rules.”Furthermore, according to Cheverall, custody and client protection regulations must ensure assets are safeguarded when interacting with decentralised protocols such as blockchain, while KYC and AML requirements mean firms have to apply the same financial crime controls and standards in DeFi from an operational responsibility perspective.“It is important to identify who is accountable when products are automated or governed by DAOs,” he added. “Frameworks like MiCA are there to govern evolving crypto regimes… but there is a big gap in applying those standards to TradFi products.”Despite the challenges, he believes that CMC’s ambitions to unify all trading applications are justified as the company has both a markets business and an investment business.CMC, meanwhile, is also trying to innovate with its products. One of the recently launched products is Spectre, which offers non-leveraged spread betting products. Although the key selling point of spread betting products, under normal circumstances, is the ability to receive leverage, CMC is highlighting the tax-free nature of its non-leveraged offerings.“It is a product that sits alongside our other spread bet and CFD products, so it is not something that exists by itself,” Cheverall elaborated. “The benefits of the fully funded spread bet products are that there are no financing or holding costs, and no margin calls. You get the normal tax efficiency with this product, such as no capital gains tax or stamp duty, and really it is designed for longer-term positions because there are no holding costs.”“However, clients will choose to interact with that product as they wish. Some clients might wish to use it as a more active investment tool, and some clients as a more passive tool. The product is really there by design to meet their needs, and it is just another version of an innovation which CMC offers.”Notably, Spectre was initially available only to professional clients in the United Kingdom and has recently been expanded to retail as well, and, according to Cheverall, demand for it is already “strong”. “We launched a campaign at the end of last year, and I think in one quarter it drove more traffic to CMC's website than we had seen in any previous quarter,” he added.The tax-efficiency selling point of the product, however, only makes sense in the UK and Ireland.“In the Next Five Years There Will Be Fewer but Larger Brokers”As for the future of the CFDs industry, Cheverall believes that “brokers like CMC are going to be busy building ecosystems that capture all products and all client types.” This can already be seen in the broker’s aggressive product expansion.“Future winners in our space will focus on tech delivery via API, partner integrations, and scalable back-end systems,” he added. “This not only supports retail clients, it supports institutional clients and fintech partners, and allows us and others to expand globally without a heavy local presence.”“CFDs will evolve naturally alongside digital asset derivatives as TradFi and DeFi get closer together. I would say in the next five years there will be fewer but larger, technologically sophisticated brokers in the UK and the rest of the world, and CMC will be one of them.” This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

Alphabet traded at $398.80 on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, holding above $395 after Monday's session set a fresh all-time intraday high of $408.61 before the stock reversed to close near its opening price of $396.94 in a textbook pin bar pattern. The May 13 close of $402.62 still stands as the all-time closing record, and the round $400 level is now acting as psychological resistance. GOOGL has rallied 144% over twelve months and trades within a fraction of a percent of every long-term measure of "stretched."Follow me on X for real-time market analysis: @ChmielDk.Why Google Stock Surged to a Record High?Alphabet's run is built on three reinforcing engines. Google Cloud revenue grew 63% year-on-year in Q1 2026 to $20.03 billion, with operating margins expanding to 32.9% from 17.8% a year earlier, and the cloud backlog nearly doubling quarter-on-quarter to roughly $462 billion. First-quarter earnings per share landed at $5.11, almost double the $2.64 consensus, on revenue of $109.9 billion that beat the $106.98 billion estimate. The print was Alphabet's largest earnings beat in years and the catalyst that pushed shares 10% higher on April 30 alone.Then came the AI announcements. Alphabet committed $40 billion to Anthropic in two tranches and locked in a five-year, $200 billion cloud services agreement with the same partner, instantly turning Google Cloud into the preferred home for one of the most capable AI labs and reinforcing the strategic position that the $32 billion Wiz acquisition built last year. Apple's decision to power its Siri overhaul with Gemini added a separate distribution win that bypasses Search entirely. Berkshire Hathaway under new CEO Greg Abel tripled its Alphabet stake during Q1, a vote of confidence from the most price-sensitive institutional buyer in the market.The most visible drivers behind the May rally:Anthropic partnership: $40B investment plus a $200B five-year cloud contractCloud Q1 growth: $20.03B revenue, +63% YoY; backlog up 90% QoQ to ~$462BEPS beat: $5.11 actual vs $2.64 consensus, the largest in yearsApple-Gemini deal: Siri AI overhaul powered by Google modelsBerkshire signal: Greg Abel raised the Alphabet stake by ~224% in Q1Wall Street Predicts Google Stock Will Keep ClimbingOf 34 analysts who issued GOOGL targets in the past six months, the median sits at $412.50 and the mean at $434.27. Mizuho's Lloyd Walmsley raised his target to $460 from $420 on May 6, anchoring his thesis to a 30x multiple on his 2027 GAAP EPS estimate of about $15. Walmsley wrote that Alphabet has "shifted from AI Loser to AI Winner and deserves a premium," and now models Google Cloud growth at 70% in 2026 and 59% in 2027, well above the Street's consensus of 58% and 47%.The top end is Citizens' Andrew Boone at $515, a target that implies a near-$6 trillion market cap. Ken Gawrelski at Wells Fargo sits closer to consensus at $427, while Mark Mahaney of Evercore ISI and Mark Kelley at Stifel both anchor near $420. Freedom Broker's Saken Ismailov holds the most cautious recent rating at $400, exactly where the stock is testing now.The Citizens target looks stretched without a meaningful re-rating of cloud margins. Walmsley's $460 is the cleanest bull case because the Cloud growth assumption is testable inside two quarters. The Needham and Wells Fargo calls feel like fair-value estimates rather than aggressive bull bets, and they leave the same upside that bulls in the broader Mag 7 are pricing into peers like Microsoft after its own cloud reset. Freedom Broker's $400 is the only target you can argue the stock has already met.Google Technical Analysis: Pin Bar at $408.61 Warns of CorrectionMy chart shows GOOGL printing a near-textbook pin bar on the May 18 daily candle: a wide upper shadow stretching to $408.61, a small body that closed near the open at $396.94, and a session-low retest of $395. That single candle is a classical reversal signal: demand pushed price to a fresh record, supply absorbed it, and the day finished where it started. In 15 years covering technology stocks as an analyst, I have learned that pin bar reversals at psychological round numbers like $400 rarely resolve without at least a test of the nearest moving average, even when the broader trend stays intact.The broader trend is unambiguously up. The 50 EMA sits roughly 12% below spot near $350, exactly where the April 23-30 gap zone opens and where the February 2026 highs sit. That makes $350-$373 the first meaningful support cluster on any pullback.Below it, $328 marks the November 2025 highs, and the $290-$300 area is where the 200 MA converges with the late-October highs. The 200 MA has not been tested since March 30, when GOOGL bounced from there to today's record. The setup is reminiscent of Tesla's golden cross run earlier this cycle: stretched away from the moving averages, momentum intact, but technically primed for a normalizing pullback.Shorting GOOGL here would be a play against the primary trend, which is a setup with poor reward-to-risk for anything beyond a tactical pullback. The distance from spot to the 50 EMA, however, leaves ample room for a correction that respects the larger uptrend, and that asymmetry is what the pin bar is flagging.A break above $408.61 invalidates the pin bar and opens the path to the $420 area where most Wall Street fair-value estimates cluster. A daily close below $395 confirms the short-term reversal and sets up the gap-fill toward $373.Bull vs Bear: How High Can Google Stock Go from Here?The setup is asymmetric: bulls have the trend, bears have the calendar. Earlier FinanceMagnates.com coverage flagged the same dynamic in July when GOOGL was stuck under $182, and the breakout that followed delivered every dollar of the move that bulls are now defending.Bull case:Cloud backlog of $462B locks in years of revenue visibilityApple-Gemini deal expands distribution beyond SearchAnthropic's $200B commitment de-risks AI infrastructure CapExPin bars fail roughly 30% of the time when the trend is this strongBear case:The stock is up 144% in twelve months and 18% in three weeksRSI sits in overbought territory across daily and weekly timeframes2026 free cash flow compresses under $175-$190B CapExA 12% retracement to the 50 EMA only restores normal trend mechanicsGoogle Price Analysis, Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is Google's stock price prediction for 2026?The median Wall Street target for Alphabet GOOGL stock over the next twelve months sits at $412.50, with the mean at $434.27 based on 34 analysts surveyed. The top end is Citizens at $515 and the floor is Freedom Broker at $400. Mizuho's $460 and Needham's $450 anchor the upper half of the bullish consensus.How high can Google stock go?Mizuho's $460 target implies roughly 15% upside from current levels and is built on a 30x P/E multiple applied to 2027 EPS of about $15. Citizens' $515 implies 29% upside and a near-$6 trillion market cap. Both depend on Google Cloud sustaining 60%-plus growth into 2027 and AI infrastructure CapEx generating returns inside two years.Is Google (GOOGL) stock a buy right now?The consensus Wall Street rating is Strong Buy, with 27 of the most recent 28 firms rating Alphabet Buy or Overweight. The stock trades at a forward P/E of 28x and a PEG ratio of 0.64, attractive on growth-adjusted metrics. From a technical standpoint, $350-$373 represents the next major support cluster, while spot trades near record highs at $408.What is the highest GOOGL price target on Wall Street?Andrew Boone at Citizens carries the Street's highest recent target at $515, set May 4, 2026. Mizuho's Lloyd Walmsley raised his target to $460 two days later, citing what he called Alphabet's shift from AI Loser to AI Winner. China Renaissance and President Capital both reset targets above $465 in April after Q1 earnings.Why did Google stock hit a record high in May 2026?Q1 earnings released on April 29 showed revenue up 22% to $109.9 billion, Google Cloud up 63% to $20 billion with the backlog near $462 billion, and EPS of $5.11 versus $2.64 consensus. The Anthropic partnership added $40 billion in equity investment and $200 billion in five-year cloud commitments. Apple's selection of Gemini for its AI overhaul reinforced the narrative. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

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IG Group raised its full-year revenue and medium-term outlook today (Tuesday) after the FTSE 100 broker (LSE: IGG) reported first-quarter organic total revenue of £331.2 million, a 19% rise on the same period last year, driven by stronger OTC derivatives, an expanded crypto offering and rapid growth at recently acquired Freetrade.Net trading revenue on a continuing organic basis came in at £306.5 million, up 25% year-on-year and 17% on the previous quarter, the company said in its trading update ahead of the annual general meeting. Reported total revenue, which includes the contribution from Freetrade and the Australian crypto exchange Independent Reserve, rose 21% to £339.9 million.IG Group’s Guidance Upgrade Tracks Earlier Pre-Close SignalThe board now expects organic total revenue to grow between 10% and 15% in 2026 on a 2025 base of around £1.1 billion, well above the high single-digit range it guided to in March. EBITDA margins are still seen in the mid-40s percentage range, while net interest income guidance was nudged higher to £110-120 million from around £110 million previously.The upgrade follows a pre-close update issued in March, when management flagged Q1 calendar revenue of about £300 million and signalled growth at the top end of the prior guided range. Tuesday's print landed materially above that early read.CEO Breon Corcoran said the company was "upgrading our guidance for 2026 and medium-term outlook" on the back of what he called "disciplined execution of our strategy" and what the firm described as favourable trading conditions.Beyond 2026, the board now expects to compound organic revenue at a rate of at least 10% per year on the 2025 base.Stock Trading and Crypto Take a Bigger SliceOTC derivatives, still IG's largest profit engine, generated £250.6 million in net trading revenue, up 26% year-on-year, as elevated commodity volatility pushed existing customers to trade more. Exchange-traded derivatives, dominated by US unit tastytrade, rose 7% to £40.7 million, with US dollar revenue up 14%.The bigger swing came from non-CFD lines. Organic stock trading and investments revenue jumped 38% to £15.0 million, while Freetrade contributed an additional £4.6 million. AuA on IG's organic stock platforms hit £8.5 billion at quarter end and climbed to £9.3 billion by 30 April, with Freetrade adding another £4.0 billion by the same date.Spot crypto revenue printed at £2.4 million, against just £0.1 million a year earlier, after IG closed its acquisition of Australian exchange Independent Reserve in January and switched on spot crypto trading for Australian clients in March. The exchange contributed £2.1 million over two months of consolidation, which the company said reflected softer crypto market conditions.Competitors Also Riding the Volatility WaveIG's upgrade lands in a quarter when most listed retail brokers are raising their numbers. Plus500 posted Q1 revenue of $242.1 million, up 18%, and lifted its own 2026 guidance above analyst consensus. The Israeli-British firm said customer income, a leading indicator, hit a five-year high.Warsaw-listed XTB went further, reporting an 88.5% jump in Q1 revenue to PLN 1.09 billion and a net profit of PLN 535 million as it added 370,000 new clients in three months. CMC Markets, which runs on a March fiscal year, reported H1 2026 net operating income of £186.2 million and pointed to a Westpac white-label deal expected to grow its Australian customer base by 40%.IG's £20.7 billion AuA figure at the end of April puts it ahead of most pure-play CFD rivals on platform balances, though the comparison is muddied by Freetrade's commission-free model.Strategic Review and Buyback Run in ParallelCorcoran said active customer growth had accelerated beyond 12% year-on-year in the first seven weeks of Q2, with OTC customer income retention in a mid-80s percentage range. The group also launched an institutional white-label proposition in May and onboarded its first partner.The board's strategic review, unveiled alongside the full-year results in March, is still running. It is examining acquisitions, IG's domicile and listing venues, and possible combinations of parts of the group with other industry players. Conclusions are expected at a strategy update in autumn 2026.The £125 million buyback announced in March is also progressing, with 987,160 shares repurchased for £14.9 million by 15 May. The first annual report under the company's new calendar year-end detailed £320.8 million returned to shareholders during 2025.Interim results for the six months to 30 June 2026 are due on 31 July. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.