Why Plus500’s US Launch Looks Planned, Not Experimental Plus500’s decision to introduce regulated prediction markets on its US retail platform reflects a strategy that has been developing quietly inside the group’s American operations for several years, rather than a short-term product test. The London-listed broker said its US B2C platform, Plus500 Futures, will now offer event-based contracts tied to economic data, financial milestones, geopolitical developments, and other defined real-world outcomes. The contracts are listed through Kalshi and cleared directly by Plus500 using its full clearing membership with Kalshi Klear LLC. That detail sets the launch apart from typical brokerage partnerships in emerging asset classes. Instead of acting as an introducing broker or routing customer flow to a third-party venue, Plus500 is embedding itself deeper in the trade lifecycle. For a group best known for CFDs and non-US markets, taking responsibility for post-trade processing, margining, and customer positions in the US marks a clear departure from its historical operating model. The prediction markets launch is therefore less about adding a new product and more about using infrastructure that has already been built. Investor Takeaway Plus500’s direct clearing role points to a longer-term US strategy focused on infrastructure control rather than distribution-only partnerships. A US Derivatives Platform Built Years Earlier Plus500’s US expansion began well before event contracts entered mainstream regulatory debate. In 2021, the group acquired Cunningham Commodities and Cunningham Trading Systems, securing a CFTC-registered futures commission merchant along with the licenses needed to clear and carry US customer accounts. That acquisition led to the formation of Plus500US Financial Services LLC, now an NFA member and CFTC registrant. At the time, the focus was conventional futures. But the operational stack created through that acquisition — onboarding, margin frameworks, reporting, and risk controls — closely mirrors what is required to support regulated event contracts once they are treated as derivatives rather than gambling products. This context explains why Plus500 has highlighted that it is clearing trades itself. The firm is not outsourcing the economic core of the transaction. It is extending the same regulated machinery it built for futures into an adjacent market that shares similar operational demands. Kalshi as the Regulated Access Point Kalshi occupies a distinct role in the US prediction markets landscape. Since its founding in 2018, the exchange has focused on bringing event-based contracts under the federal derivatives framework instead of state gaming regimes. That effort culminated in regulatory approval that allows certain event contracts to trade under CFTC oversight. Kalshi’s position strengthened further after it launched its own clearinghouse, Kalshi Klear LLC. By controlling both the exchange and clearing layers, it offers partners a structure that closely resembles traditional futures markets. For brokers like Plus500, that structure makes it possible to participate as clearing members rather than remaining passive distributors. Clearing membership also introduces barriers that are difficult to replicate quickly. Legal approvals, capital requirements, and operational readiness all create friction for new entrants, reinforcing the value of early infrastructure investment. The CME and FanDuel Connection Plus500’s move into prediction markets did not begin with its own retail audience. In December 2025, the broker was named clearing partner for the event-based contracts platform launched by CME Group in partnership with FanDuel. Branded as FanDuel Prediction Markets, the platform launched in five US states and was framed as a regulated alternative for certain event-driven outcomes. Plus500’s role in that venture centered on execution and clearing, not customer acquisition. The same capabilities are now being deployed on its own platform. Viewed together, the sequence suggests a deliberate rollout: first supporting third-party infrastructure alongside established US brands, then applying the same model to internal distribution. Investor Takeaway The CME–FanDuel partnership provided a proving ground for Plus500’s clearing capabilities before extending them to its own US customers. Regulatory Signals and the Value of Clearing The timing of Plus500’s launch aligns with changing regulatory signals. In late January 2026, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission indicated it intends to develop formal rules for event contracts, stepping away from earlier efforts to restrict entire categories. That approach points toward a framework built through rulemaking rather than ad hoc enforcement. Tensions remain. State regulators continue to challenge federally regulated platforms where contracts resemble sports betting, and court decisions in late 2025 underscored unresolved jurisdictional boundaries. Still, a clearer federal path favors firms with capital, compliance capacity, and established clearing infrastructure. In that context, clearing becomes the central asset. It determines who controls risk, who collects fees, and who regulators turn to when problems arise. By clearing directly through Kalshi Klear, Plus500 moves beyond the role of front-end broker and into the core of a regulated market structure. Whether prediction markets become a niche feature or a core component of US retail trading will depend on how regulation develops and how far platforms expand into sensitive contract types. What is already evident is that Plus500’s entry reflects years of preparation, not a sudden shift in direction.

Alphabet (GOOGL) faces high investor expectations following a year of significant stock growth, with the core focus being proof that massive capital investments in AIWall Street expects a strong quarter, projecting revenue of approximately $111.4 billion (+15.4% YoY) and Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $2.64Critical items for investors include updates on AI monetization (Gemini integration, Search evolution), the conversion velocity and margin expansion of Google CloudMost Read: RBA breaks two-year pause with hawkish rate hike, AUD/USD poised for further gainsAlphabet Inc. (GOOGL) is scheduled to release its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, after the market close. The tech giant enters this report following a historic year in which its stock surged nearly 70%, propelling its market capitalization past the $4 trillion milestone in January.As the "Magnificent 7" leader in 2025 performance, Alphabet faces high expectations. Investors will be looking for proof that its massive capital investments in AI are translating into sustained revenue growth and improved margins.What to expect? Wall Street consensus points toward another robust quarter of double-digit growth.Revenue: Analysts expect approximately $111.4 billion, representing a 15.4% year-over-year increase. This follows a Q3 where Alphabet surpassed the $100 billion quarterly revenue mark for the first time.Earnings per share (EPS): Estimates are pegged at $2.64, a significant jump from the $2.15 reported in the same period last year.Growth drivers: Google Search remains the bedrock, projected to bring in roughly $61.3 billion, while Google Cloud is expected to continue its rapid ascent with an estimated $16.25 billion (up ~36% YoY).The projected contraction in free cash flow, despite rising net income, is a direct consequence of the aggressive infrastructure "land grab" necessitated by the AI race. Market participants are particularly focused on the operating margin expansion, which is expected to reach 39.1%, driven by a combination of high-margin cloud services and the internal "Project EAT" initiative, which leverages AI to streamline internal workflows and reduce headcount growth relative to revenue.Key areas for investors to watch zoom_out_map Created by Zain Vawda AI monetization and "Gemini" integrationThe central narrative for 2026 is the transition from AI experimentation to monetization. Alphabet has aggressively integrated its Gemini models across its ecosystem.Investors will scan the report for:Search evolution: Updates on "AI Overviews" and their impact on user engagement and ad click-through rates.Enterprise adoption: Updates on Gemini for Workspace and the rate at which enterprise customers are converting from free trials to paid tiers.Partnerships: Any further commentary on the high-profile collaboration with Apple to integrate Gemini into "Apple Intelligence" features.Google Cloud’s Battle for Market ShareGoogle Cloud has historically been the "third player" behind AWS and Azure, but it has recently shown faster growth rates. With a reported backlog of $155 billion at the end of Q3, the focus will be on conversion velocity, how quickly that backlog is turning into realized revenue and whether cloud margins continue to expand despite the heavy cost of AI infrastructure.Capex and 2026 guidanceCapital expenditure (Capex) has become the most scrutinized metric for big tech. Alphabet previously guided for 2025 Capex between $91 billion and $93 billion. Investors are wary of "over-spending" without immediate returns. A guide for 2026 that shows a stabilization or "peaking" of investment could be seen as a positive for free cash flow, while a massive hike without clear revenue justification might spook the market.Regulatory and macro headwindsWhile the AI rally has dominated headlines, regulatory scrutiny remains a background noise. Additionally, analysts will look for the impact of a "post-election" cooling in digital ad spending, as the massive surge from the 2024 US elections will create a tough year-over-year comparison for the YouTube and Search segments.Stock price implications The market's reaction will likely be "binary" based on the guidance provided:The bull case: If Alphabet delivers a "beat and raise" exceeding EPS estimates while providing a optimistic outlook for 2026 Cloud growth the stock could test the $350-$360 level. Jefferies recently raised its price target to $400, suggesting significant upside if AI execution remains flawless.The bear case: Alphabet is currently trading at a premium compared to its historical averages. Any sign of slowing Cloud momentum or a "miss" in Search revenue due to AI-driven disruption could lead to a swift correction. Support levels are currently pegged around $304 (mid-January lows).Alphabet Daily Chart, February 3, 2026 zoom_out_map Source: TradingView (click to enlarge) Bottom line Alphabet has successfully silenced many "AI laggard" critics over the past 12 months. However, with the stock at all-time highs and a $4 trillion valuation to defend, there is little room for error. The February 4th report will be the ultimate litmus test: is Alphabet’s AI "full stack" approach a sustainable engine for growth, or has the valuation outpaced the reality of the bottom line?Follow Zain on Twitter/X for Additional Market News and Insights @zvawda Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only.If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use.Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets.© 2026 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

Compliance and fraud prevention platform Sumsub has teamed up with digital asset infrastructure solutions provider Fireblocks to provide Travel Rule compliance. The Travel Rule is a regulation mandated by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) designed to fight money laundering and terrorist financing. The rule requires financial institutions and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to share specific information about the sender and receiver of funds during certain transactions. Enacted to defend traditional financial transactions from money laundering and terrorist financing, the rule has been extended to cover cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Courtesy of the partnership, Sumsub’s Travel Rule solution will be natively integrated into the Fireblocks platform. This will provide both financial institutions and VASPs with real-time, automated, and dynamic verification for virtual asset transactions. Fireblocks users will benefit from complete control over compliance workflows, enabling them to customize these workflows to fit their preferred risk profiles. The integration features automated and encrypted Travel Rule data exchange between VASPs, supporting faster and more secure stablecoin payments. “We’re excited to partner with Fireblocks to bring native Travel Rule compliance directly into one of the world’s leading digital asset infrastructure platforms,” the company noted on its X page. “Together we’re setting a new standard for Travel Rule compliance—secure, automated, and designed for scale—helping businesses power faster, safer, and fully compliant stablecoin payments.” The Sumsub/Fireblocks partnership comes at a time of increased interest in stablecoins, with stablecoin volumes nearing $1 trillion per month in 2025, twice the levels of the previous year. The rise of stablecoins has put pressure on the fragmented settlement rails and compliance workflows of VASPs and other financial institutions. Further, evolving regulations—from MiCA in the European Union to the latest moves from the FATF—are driving firms to improve their ability to manage financial risks associated with virtual assets, including both implementation and operationalization of the Travel Rule. “As digital asset payments and stablecoin adoption accelerate, our customers need compliance solutions that are robust and operationally seamless,” Fireblocks SVP of Corporate Development & Partnerships Adam Levine said. “By integrating Sumsub’s Travel Rule solution directly into the Fireblocks platform, we’re giving institutions the flexibility to meet global regulatory requirements while maintaining efficient, streamlined transaction workflows.” Per the partnership, Fireblocks will remain the hub for transaction processing. Sumsub will provide secure, real-time Travel Rule data exchange to enrich the transaction workflow, facilitating access to 1,800+ VASPs across top protocols including GTR, CODE, Sygna, the Sumsub protocol, and more. The data sharing between counterparties in virtual asset transfers is fully embedded in the Fireblocks platform to ensure scalable, friction-free compliance. New York-based Fireblocks is a digital asset infrastructure company that helps organizations build, manage, and scale their businesses on the blockchain. The company streamlines stablecoin payments, settlement, custody, tokenization, and trading operations across a large ecosystem of banks, payment providers, stablecoin issuers, exchanges, and custodians. Fireblocks counts 2,200 organizations among its customers including Finovate alums like Worldpay and Revolut. The company secures more than $10 trillion in digital asset transactions across 100 blockchains. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in London, Sumsub (“Sum & Substance”) made its Finovate debut at FinovateEurope 2020 in Berlin, Germany. At the conference, the company demonstrated its all-in-one technical and legal solution to help firms meet KYC/KYB/AML requirements. The company’s technology helps accelerate verification, reduce costs, and detect fraud, and is used by more than 4,000 companies around the world. Andrew Sever is company Co-Founder and CEO. Photo by Pixabay The post Sumsub Partners with Fireblocks to Ensure Travel Rule Compliance appeared first on Finovate.       

Alex Kantrowitz, Big Technology, joins 'Closing Bell' to discuss the stalled deal between Nvidia and OpenAI, how OpenAI is doing business and much more.

Solactive is pleased to announce its latest collaboration with Korea Investment Management. The KIM ACE US SMR Nuclear Top 10 ETF tracks the Solactive US SMR Nuclear Top 10 Index, which is designed to provide a rules-based representation of U.S. companies leading the advancement of nuclear energy, with a specific focus on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology. Nuclear energy is regaining strategic importance as countries seek to decarbonize their energy systems while ensuring grid reliability. Small Modular Reactors represent a major innovation in nuclear technology—offering modular deployment, enhanced safety, and scalable low-carbon power. Beyond their contribution to national energy transitions, SMRs are gaining momentum as a potential energy source for powering high-demand digital infrastructure, including data centers and AI computing facilities. As energy demands from AI continue to grow, SMRs are increasingly viewed by industry stakeholders as a promising solution to support the sustainable expansion of digital infrastructure. The Solactive US SMR Nuclear Top 10 Index is designed to reflect the performance of the ten most relevant U.S.-listed companies headquartered in North America operating across the SMR and broader nuclear energy value chain. Using ARTIS®, Solactive’s proprietary natural language processing algorithm, the index identifies firms with significant thematic exposure across the nuclear energy value chain. A tiered weighting system with buffer rules ensures a balance between thematic alignment and diversification. The ETF was listed on 3 February 2026 on the Korea Exchange (KRX) with the ticker code “A0155M0”.  Timo Pfeiffer, Chief Markets Officer at Solactive, commented: “We are pleased to partner again with Korea Investment Management, this time focusing on emerging thematic area within the clean energy landscape. The Solactive US SMR Nuclear Top 10 Index represents a transparent and focused framework for measuring activity in nuclear innovation—particularly in the SMR segment.” Seyoung Mo, Head of ETF Product Strategy Dept, at Korea Investment Management, commented: “Amid intensifying global competition for energy leadership, with governments and tech giants alike racing to secure power for AI, we see strong growth potential in SMRs, which are expected to play an important role in supporting AI infrastructure. We believe this ETF allows investors to benefit from SMR growth while also offering access to the broader U.S. nuclear value chain expected to gain from the nuclear renaissance.”

Nvidia and AMD are leaders in the GPUs, which power large language models and have skyrocketed in demand with the data center buildout.

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See more visuals like this on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Charted: Political Affiliation by Generation in the U.S. See visuals like this from many other data creators on our Voronoi app. Download it for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways More than half of Gen Z and Millennials identify as politically independent. Older generations are far more likely to affiliate with the Republican or Democratic parties. Political identity in the U.S. is changing, and the divide is increasingly generational. Younger Americans are stepping away from traditional party labels, while older generations remain more closely tied to the two-party system. This visualization shows how political affiliation varies across generations, highlighting the growing role of independents in American politics. The data comes from Gallup. It is based on annual averages from Gallup’s telephone interviews, asking respondents whether they identify as Republican, Democrat, or independent. “No opinion” responses are excluded, and figures may not total 100% due to rounding. Younger Generations Favor Being Independents A majority of both Generation Z and Millennials identify as independents. Among Gen Z, 56% say they are independent, compared with just 17% identifying as Republican and 27% as Democrat. Millennials show a similar pattern, with 54% identifying as independent. Political AffiliationRepublicanIndependentDemocrat Generation Z (born 1997-2007)17%56%27% Millennials (born 1981-1996)21%54%24% Generation X (born 1965-1980)31%42%25% Baby boomers (born 1946-1964)34%33%32% Silent Generation (born before 1946)37%30%32% Party Loyalty Rises With Age Political affiliation becomes more evenly split among older generations. Generation X shows a more balanced distribution, with 31% Republican, 25% Democrat, and 42% independent. Among Baby Boomers, party identification nearly overtakes independence altogether. The Silent Generation is the most partisan group, with roughly seven in 10 identifying as either Republican or Democrat. This cohort came of age during periods when party affiliation was more stable and closely tied to identity, such as the New Deal era and the Cold War. Implications for U.S. Politics The rise of independents among younger generations has major implications for elections and governance. While independents may still lean toward one party, their lack of formal affiliation makes voter behavior less predictable. It also complicates messaging for political parties trying to mobilize younger voters. Learn More on the Voronoi App If you enjoyed today’s post, check out The Distribution of Income in America (2024 vs 1974) on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.

PayPal is changing its leadership after a disappointing quarter that rattled investors and showed how quickly the online payments boom has cooled. The company will replace Chief Executive Officer Alex Chriss and hand the reins to HP Inc. chief Enrique Lores, as slowing checkout growth, softer US retail spending and a weaker earnings outlook weighed on the stock and raised fresh questions over PayPal’s ability to reignite momentum.PayPal announced that Jamie Miller, the company’s chief financial officer, will serve as interim CEO until Lores takes over on March 1. Weak Results and Leadership Shake-Up Hit PayPal StockThe decision follows a period in which management struggled to convert rising payment volumes into stronger profit and to meet the targets it had set for investors.Newly appointed board chair David Dorman signaled frustration with the pace of change at the company. "While some progress has been made in a number of areas over the last two years, the pace of change and execution was not in line with the Board's expectations," the company mentioned. Investors reacted sharply to the announcement and the numbers. PayPal’s shares was down nearly 20% at press time, dropping to $42.30 after the company reported quarterly profit and revenue that fell short of analysts’ estimates.For context, this is the WORST drop that $PYPL @PayPal has seen in FOUR YEARS. Not surprising that CEO is being replaced... https://t.co/sFE1PwGlcK— BSCN (@BSCNews) February 3, 2026The latest quarter exposed how macroeconomic pressures and changing consumer behavior weigh on PayPal’s core business. The company pointed to weakness in US retail spending as a drag on performance, alongside international headwinds that hit transaction volumes and margins.Continue reading: Crypto.com Enables PayPal Payments for Crypto Purchases in EUMiller had already warned in October that macroeconomic conditions could make the company’s longer-term targets harder to reach. Since then, the environment has not improved enough to offset the structural challenges of monetizing payments amid rising costs and intense competition.Profitability Under Pressure and Guidance ResetThe financials highlighted a squeeze on profitability. Fourth-quarter earnings per share increased 3% to $1.23, with total revenue rising 4% to $8.9 billion, both below analyst expectations for the three-month period. The company also reported full-year earnings per share of $5.31, missing its own guidance range of $5.35 to $5.39 issued in October.Despite the disappointing earnings, PayPal continued to pursue strategic initiatives aimed at broadening its revenue base. During the quarter, the company applied to become a US bank with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions. It already holds a banking license in Europe. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

MyC, a software platform dedicated to managing employee health in industrial, multi-site, and high-risk environments, announces a €10 million funding round led by Hi Inov. and including IXO and existing investors, Elaia and OSS Ventures- In many high-risk sectors, such as energy, industry,  maritime, defense or specialised medical services, employee health management still largely relies on fragmented tools that are poorly suited to multi-site and international environments.  MyC addresses these challenges by providing an operational response tailored to such contexts. Its platform covers both occupational health and first-line medical care, while ensuring a high level of security and compliance with international standards. It improves  operational efficiency through process automation, including pharmaceutical management, medical records management with specialist consultations, and regulatory  reporting. Designed to operate in complex conditions, including limited connectivity, the platform enables rapid, large-scale deployments.  Founded in 2020 by Dr Laurent Bonnardot, an ENT physician and emergency doctor with extensive experience in isolated and complex environments, and Benjamin Crevant, an entrepreneur from the industrial sector, MyC develops a cloud-based platform that centralises and secures employees’ medical data.  According to Dr Laurent Bonnardot, co-founder of MyC: “For more than twenty years, from industrial sites to offshore platforms, I managed employee health using fragmented systems. Even the world’s largest organisations lacked truly fit-for-purpose tools. MyC was born out of this frustration: providing international  companies with a single platform capable of covering all their needs, from on-site medical  follow-up to multi-country regulatory compliance, where traditional solutions fall short." MyC addresses a structural challenge for many organisations: gaining access to a reliable,  secure and actionable view of employee health in complex, highly regulated environments,”  says Valérie Gombart, co-founder and Managing Director of Hi inov. “The platform combines strong domain expertise rooted in medical field experience with a robust SaaS technology designed for international deployment. This investment fully aligns with our  strategy to support European B2B companies delivering tangible operational value to  essential industries.”  With this funding round, MyC plans to strengthen its product roadmap and scale its sales and marketing teams to support broader adoption among international enterprise clients. 

A cache of internal communications leaked by a high-level whistleblower has finally shattered the wall of separation between CoinsPaid and the notorious AlphaPo. The evidence reveals a coordinated effort by CEO Max Krupyshev and Head of Legal Maria Akulenko to mask financial interdependencies, including a mysterious loan from AlphaPo and direct executive overlaps. As the MiCA “Guillotine” falls in Lithuania, the true scale of this “Shadow Rail” ecosystem is coming to light. Analysis: The Smoking Gun in the CoinsPaid-AlphaPo Connection For years, the Dream Finance Group (operating as CoinsPaid and CryptoProcessing) has maintained a public image of a regulated, security-first crypto processor. However, new evidence provided by a verified former manager—including WhatsApp and Slack screenshots—proves that CoinsPaid and AlphaPo (AP) were not just partners, but two arms of the same “shadow” infrastructure serving the high-risk iGaming industry. 1. Max Krupyshev: The Dual Executive Role The leaked WhatsApp communications show Max Krupyshev, CEO of CoinsPaid, directly discussing AlphaPo’s liquidity and operational status with Chainalysis investigators. The Evidence: The whistleblower confirms that Krupyshev held an executive role at AlphaPo simultaneously with his leadership at CoinsPaid. The Significance: This executive overlap is a massive conflict of interest and a regulatory red flag. It suggests that while CoinsPaid was the “clean” front-facing brand, AlphaPo served as the high-risk “underworld” rail. Krupyshev’s direct involvement in AlphaPo’s liquidity issues—especially around the time of the $60M Lazarus Group hack—indicates he was managing a single pool of risk across both entities. 2. Maria Akulenko: Compliance as a Mask Perhaps the most explosive evidence comes from Maria Akulenko (LinkedIn profile), former Head of Legal and Compliance at CoinsPaid. The Evidence: A Slack message shows Akulenko explicitly instructing staff to “never use AP [AlphaPo] and CoinsPaid issues in the same email communication.” The Analysis: Akulenko, who frequently represented CoinsPaid in MiCA regulatory discussions in Brussels, appears to have been actively engineering the “legal separation” of entities she knew were financially and operationally linked. Instead of ensuring transparency, the Head of Legal was actively coaching employees on how to avoid creating a “paper trail” that regulators or auditors could follow. This “siloing” of information is a classic hallmark of financial obfuscation. 3. The AlphaPo-Dream Finance “Loan” This insider evidence perfectly aligns with reports from FOCOS and El Salvador Now regarding a $1 million (or $2.1 million in some tranches) loan granted by AlphaPo to the Dream Finance entity in El Salvador. The Context: AlphaPo was used as a “fiat-to-crypto” buffer for offshore casinos. The loan to Dream Finance suggests that AlphaPo was not just a service provider but a source of capital for the group. The Danger: Using a high-risk entity (AlphaPo) that was later tied to North Korean money laundering (Lazarus Group) to fund a “regulated” EU group (Dream Finance) is the ultimate compliance nightmare. Context: The “Guillotine” and the Global Retreat The timing of these leaks is critical. With the RatEx42 Blacklisting of Dream Finance and the suspension of their Lithuanian license (Dream Finance UAB), it appears the group is in a frantic “de-risking” mode. The liquidation of their Polish and Salvadoran entities (as previously reported) is likely an attempt to destroy the very connections these screenshots now prove. The connection to SoftSwiss remains the core of the web. By using CoinsPaid and AlphaPo as captive rails, SoftSwiss created a closed-loop system where gambling funds could be processed, converted, and laundered away from the eyes of European regulators. Call to Action: Whistle42 The veil is lifting, but more information is needed to map the full flow of funds. We are looking for: Documentation regarding the SoftSwiss-AlphaPo-CoinsPaid triangular shareholding. Proof of other “loans” or inter-company transfers between Dream Finance OÜ (Estonia) and AlphaPo. Details on the “New Bridge” strategy being offered to merchants following the Lithuanian shutdown. Submit your evidence anonymously via Whistle42.com. Your identity is our highest priority. Share Information via Whistle42

UnauthorizedThis firm may be providing or promoting financial services or products without our permission. You should avoid dealing with this firm and beware of scams. Almost all firms and individuals must be authorised or registered by us to carry out or promote financial services in the UK. This firm is not authorised by us and may be targeting people in the UK. Search our Warning List for other unauthorised firms and individuals we're aware of. Unauthorised firm details Name: Tarillium / tarillium.com Address: 122 Leadenhall Street, London, UNITED KINGDOM, EC3V 4AB Telephone: +4420230265929 Mobile: +442030907168 Email: support@tarillium-mail.com Website: https://www.tarillium.com/en/home Some firms may give incorrect contact details including postal addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses. They may change these contact details over time. They may also give you details that belong to another business or individual, so the information looks genuine. What this means for you If you deal with this firm, you won't have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service if you want to complain. You also won't be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if things go wrong. This means it's unlikely you'd get your money back if the firm goes out of business. If you sent money to a fraudster on or after 7 October 2024, you may be covered by protections introduced by the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR). Find out what to do if you've been tricked into making a payment to a scam account. How to protect yourself You should only deal with financial firms that are authorised by us. If a financial firm is authorised by us, it gives you greater protection if things go wrong. You can use the FCA Firm Checker to make sure a financial firm is authorised by us and has our permission to provide the services you're looking for. You'll also be able to find: information on how you're protected contact details for authorised firms If you're contacted unexpectedly by a financial business, make sure you reply using the contact details on the Firm Checker. Find out more about how to protect yourself from scams. Report an unauthorised firm If you think you've been approached by an unauthorised firm, call us on 0800 111 6768, or use our contact form.

The Upper Tribunal has upheld the FCA’s decision that Rangecourt SA (formerly Banque Havilland), Edmund Rowland, the former London CEO and Vladimir Bolelyy, a former Bank employee, acted without integrity. The Tribunal agreed with the FCA that significant fines should be imposed, deciding that fines of £4m, £352,000 and £14,200 were appropriate for Rangecourt SA, Mr Rowland and Mr Bolelyy respectively. The Tribunal also upheld the FCA’s decision to ban Mr Rowland and Mr Bolelyy from working in financial services.Banque Havilland created a plan (initially titled ‘Setting fire to the neighbour’s house fund’) to harm the Qatari Riyal through manipulative trading strategies. The aim was to devalue the Qatari currency and break its peg to the US Dollar, harming the economy of Qatar. Banque Havilland intended to present this manipulative trading strategy to a sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala Investment Company. Mr Rowland and Mr Bolelyy were instrumental in this deliberate misconduct. Mr Rowland was trying to impress Mubadala in the hope of securing future financial benefit for Banque Havilland and his family. In making its findings the Tribunal held that Mr Rowland lied to both the FCA and in court. He also persuaded Mr Bolelyy to lie.Steve Smart, executive director of Enforcement and Market Oversight at the FCA, said:'Motivated by greed, Banque Havilland, Mr Rowland and Mr Bolelyy had a plan to seriously damage the Qatari economy. It is right that they have been held to account.'Notes to editorsSee the Upper Tribunal judgement, dated 3 February 2026 (which includes two drafts of the plan in the Appendices).Banque Havilland changed its name shortly before the Tribunal hearing began and is now known as Rangecourt S.A.As per our previous press release, the FCA decided to fine David Weller £54,000 for his role in the misconduct, and he did not refer that decision to the Tribunal.Warning Notice statement (PDF) published on 1 February 2022.The FCA proposed to fine Banque Havilland £10m, but the Tribunal determined that the fine should be £4m. David Rowland, exercising third party rights pursuant to section 393 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, referred the Decision Notices of Banque Havilland, Edmund Rowland, Vladimir Bolelyy and David Weller to the Tribunal. The Tribunal held that, whilst Mr Rowland did email his father, David Rowland, a copy of the manipulative trading strategy, some of the statements made about David Rowland in Annex B to the FCA’s Decision Notices (which dealt with his representations to the RDC) were not justified. David Rowland’s references were nevertheless dismissed.

UnauthorizedThis firm may be providing or promoting financial services or products without our permission. You should avoid dealing with this firm and beware of scams. Almost all firms and individuals must be authorised or registered by us to carry out or promote financial services in the UK. This firm is not authorised by us and may be targeting people in the UK. Search our Warning List for other unauthorised firms and individuals we're aware of. Unauthorised firm details Name: Core Signals / https://www.coresignals.ai/ Website: https://www.coresignals.ai/ Some firms may give incorrect contact details including postal addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses. They may change these contact details over time. They may also give you details that belong to another business or individual, so the information looks genuine. What this means for you If you deal with this firm, you won't have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service if you want to complain. You also won't be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if things go wrong. This means it's unlikely you'd get your money back if the firm goes out of business. If you sent money to a fraudster on or after 7 October 2024, you may be covered by protections introduced by the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR). Find out what to do if you've been tricked into making a payment to a scam account. How to protect yourself You should only deal with financial firms that are authorised by us. If a financial firm is authorised by us, it gives you greater protection if things go wrong. You can use the FCA Firm Checker to make sure a financial firm is authorised by us and has our permission to provide the services you're looking for. You'll also be able to find: information on how you're protected contact details for authorised firms If you're contacted unexpectedly by a financial business, make sure you reply using the contact details on the Firm Checker. Find out more about how to protect yourself from scams. Report an unauthorised firm If you think you've been approached by an unauthorised firm, call us on 0800 111 6768, or use our contact form.

Etrading Software’s dedicated consolidated tape (CT) subsidiary – ETS Connect UK – has published its draft user contract and fee schedule, to enable the delivery of the UK bond CT.  As part of the pricing, fintechs and small firms with annual revenues below £50 million will be able to use CT data at no cost, while bigger firms will fall into tiered revenue bands, spanning £6 a month at the lower end of the scale, to £300 for the firms with the largest annual revenues.  Moreover, the licensing publication is expected to ensure market participants have early visibility of the legal and commercial framework related to UK bond CT data, and support ETS Connect UK in meeting policy objectives of bolstering UK competitiveness on a global stage, encouraging innovation and supporting the fintech landscape.  Speaking to The TRADE, Sassan Danesh, chief executive of Etrading Software, explains: “By providing the bond data for free to smaller firms, we are supporting the government’s objective to create a strong and diverse UK-based fintech ecosystem.” In addition to providing low or no cost for smaller firms, ETS Connect UK has also committed to meeting specific requirements to deliver the tape, including operating on a 24/5 basis, providing users with continuous support during UK market hours and offering optional out of hours support for global institutions.  Read more – Etrading Software confirms intention to bid for OTC derivatives consolidated tape Currently, the UK bond CT is scheduled to go-live on 22 June 2026, in line with Etrading Software’s delivery roadmap for the tape.  The publication of the licensing comes a week after Etrading Software signed a concession agreement with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), formally triggering the CT’s implementation phase.  Specifically, the agreement allows the tape delivery to advance in line with the published timeline, which also includes the publication of technical specifications, a series of industry engagement activities and the establishment of a CT consultative committee, set to be announced on 16 February 2026.  The post Etrading Software announces pricing and draft user contract for UK bond consolidated tape appeared first on The TRADE.

we are pleased to announce the launch of our regulatory resources hub, a centralised and easy-to-navigate guide to the core laws and compliance frameworks shaping financial services across leading jurisdictions. the hub provides concise summaries and direct access to key regulations from bermuda, the british virgin islands, and the cayman islands, helping firms and professionals quickly identify the regulatory requirements relevant to their operations. whether you are reviewing licensing obligations, aml requirements, or governance standards, this hub is designed to support efficient and informed compliance. current jurisdictions covered bermuda: overview of the core regulatory framework and licensing requirements. british virgin islands: summary of key financial services legislation and regulatory obligations. cayman islands: guidance on compliance standards and ongoing regulatory responsibilities. we will continue to expand the regulatory resources hub including additional jurisdictions such as anguilla, cyprus, and jersey. we invite you to explore and make use of this new resource as part of your ongoing compliance and regulatory monitoring activities. visit our regulatory resources hub here. stay informed. stay compliant.

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