Energy traders are using data from prediction markets such as Polymarket. They treat it as another signal alongside traditional news and market data. But as these feeds make their way into algorithmic trading models, they are also raising questions about market integrity.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!) “Betting markets do have a long history of strong prediction accuracy and since Polymarket is in the ascendancy, traders are indeed increasingly turning to it for market indicators,” Ajay Parmar, head of oil trading at ICIS, told The Guardian. From Alternative Data to Trading InputWhat was once a niche signal is now part of institutional workflows. Some banks and infrastructure providers are already integrating prediction market data into research and trading environments. Goldman Sachs has begun referencing such data in client analysis, while Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) has launched tools that allow traders to access prediction market signals alongside traditional market indicators. The speed is key. These platforms can reflect shifts in expectations around geopolitical events before they are fully captured in conventional news flow. Signals With Constraints The growing use of prediction market data also raises questions about how these signals should be interpreted. In particular, it raises concerns about market integrity. One concern is that trading activity on these platforms may reflect uneven access to information. Market participants point to instances where large bets appeared shortly before major announcements, raising the possibility that non-public information could influence pricing. Another issue is market depth. Liquidity on prediction markets is often concentrated in a limited number of contracts, meaning relatively small trades can shift implied probabilities. If such signals are fed into larger trading systems, they may amplify short-term moves rather than reflect broader consensus. Together, these factors create the potential for a feedback loop, where market signals influence trading decisions that, in turn, reinforce those signals. A Signal, Not a Forecast For brokers and institutional traders, prediction markets are better understood as one input among many rather than a standalone forecasting tool. They provide probability-based signals that can complement scenario analysis, particularly in fast-moving situations where information is incomplete. At the same time, their reliability depends on participation, liquidity and how markets are structured. As one trader noted, the value lies less in predicting exact price levels and more in gauging how likely certain outcomes are — and how that compares with other market signals. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Finance Magnates and Gold-i invite FX / CFD brokers, prop trading firms, and liquidity providers to take part in a new industry survey on crypto adoption among FX brokers and prop trading firms.The Global Crypto Sentiment Survey: Crypto Adoption Among FX Brokers and Prop Trading Firms has been launched to gather direct market input on how firms are approaching cryptocurrency trading today, how important it is to their business over the next two years, what barriers still exist, and which crypto-related products they are most likely to expand next.The survey takes 3 to 5 minutes to complete and is open to relevant firms across key regions, including the UK, Europe, APAC, the Middle East, North America, Africa, and LATAM.➡️ Take the survey and add your perspective to the findings.Why this survey mattersCrypto adoption among FX brokers and prop trading firms has become an important topic across the industry, but the market is still moving at different speeds. Some firms already offer crypto products and report strong client uptake. Others are still reviewing demand, internal readiness, or regulation before moving forward.This creates an important gap in the market. There is a lot of discussion around digital assets, but less direct feedback from the firms making product, trading, and infrastructure decisions. This survey has been created to gather real input from businesses active in the space and to build a clearer view of crypto adoption among FX brokers and prop trading firms.A chance to contribute to a broader market viewFinance Magnates and Gold-i are inviting firms not just to complete a survey but also to contribute to a broader market view grounded in real business experience.Each response will help create a more accurate picture of crypto adoption among FX brokers and prop trading firms, including firms' views on growth, demand, operational challenges, and future product plans. The final findings will help bring more clarity to a topic that matters to brokers, prop firms, liquidity providers, and the wider FX sector.For firms taking part, this is a chance to make sure their perspective is included. Strong participation will lead to stronger findings and a more useful market view for the industry as a whole.➡️ Take the survey and make sure your opinion is included.What the survey coversThe survey looks at a range of key topics linked to crypto adoption among FX brokers and prop trading firms, including:Current approach to cryptocurrency tradingStrategic importance over the next two yearsCrypto-related products are most likely to expandThe main reasons firms offer or are considering crypto tradingBarriers preventing wider adoption or expansionConfidence in the current trading infrastructureRevenue impact of crypto tradingExpected A-Book share of crypto flowMarket outlook for crypto trading among retail FX brokersIt also includes qualifying questions to identify firm type and primary region, helping create a more useful and segmented set of results.Built for relevant market participantsThe survey is aimed at firms actively involved in the trading space, including:FX / CFD brokersProp trading firmsLiquidity providers / Prime of Prime firmsBy focusing on these groups, the survey is designed to collect practical feedback from businesses with direct market exposure. This will help ensure that the final report on crypto adoption among FX brokers and prop trading firms reflects the views of firms working in the market every day.➡️If your firm is active in this space, take the survey today.Anonymous and reviewed in aggregateAll responses are anonymous and will be reviewed in aggregate for research purposes only.This is intended to help respondents answer openly and ensure the final findings reflect broad market sentiment rather than individual firm-level disclosures. That approach is important when gathering honest input on crypto adoption among FX brokers and prop trading firms, especially regarding revenue impact, confidence in infrastructure, and product strategy.An invitation to take partFinance Magnates and Gold-i encourage relevant firms to participate and add their voices to the final findings.In a market where crypto remains an important topic for product strategy, client demand, and future growth, direct input from firms on the ground matters. The survey takes only a few minutes to complete, but each response will help build a stronger and more accurate picture of crypto adoption among FX brokers and prop trading firms.About Gold-iHeadquartered in the UK, Gold-i is a global market leader in trading technology for the crypto and FX industries, trusted by brokers, fund managers, prop trading firms, LPs, exchanges and crypto institutions worldwide. Gold-i’s flagship product, MatrixNET, is an advanced multi-asset liquidity management platform which is integrated with over 80 Liquidity Providers and 35 crypto exchanges and can be connected to any trading platform. MatrixNET offers a multitude of routing and aggregation methods and the ability to tailor execution models to suit the unique preferences of different client types. It also enables prop firms to simulate real market trading conditions and access institutional-grade crypto and FX liquidity in the same platform.In addition, Gold-i’s innovative solutions include MetaTrader tools and risk management products. For more information, please visit www.gold-i.com or follow LinkedIn. This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.

Match-Trade Technologies has released a prediction markets product for brokers, offering event-based trading as either an add-on module within its Match-Trader platform or a standalone white-label solution, the company said today (Thursday).Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)The Nicosia-based technology provider says brokers can layer the product on top of their existing setup or deploy it independently. The system groups events by category, shows outcome probabilities updating in real time as positions accumulate, and settles contracts automatically when events resolve, with winning positions closing at a value of 1 and losing positions at zero. Admin users retain control over fee structures and risk parameters directly within the platform, the company says, without routing through third-party systems.Prediction markets posted a record single-day trading volume of $701.7 million in January 2026, with Kalshi responsible for roughly two-thirds of that figure, as retail participation in event-based contracts continued to build momentum from a breakout year.More Vendors Chasing the Same DemandMatch-Trade enters a field that has been filling up quickly. NinjaTrader launched its B2B platform NinjaTrader Connect in early March, bundling prediction market infrastructure alongside futures trading tools in an offering aimed at brokers and fintechs. Leverate announced its own white-label prediction markets product in February 2026, citing 85% monthly retention rates and deployment timelines of under a week.The activity reflects a sharp climb in the underlying market. Global prediction market trading volume reached roughly $44 billion in 2025, according to an analysis by Keyrock and Dune, with Polymarket and Kalshi accounting for the majority of that figure. Monthly volumes had grown from under $100 million in early 2024 to more than $13 billion by December 2025, according to data from Next.io. Kalshi alone processed $23.8 billion in total volume during the year, representing year-over-year growth exceeding 1,100%, the company reported.A 13-Year Engine Turned Toward Event TradingMatch-Trade CEO Michał Karczewski framed the launch as an extension of existing technology rather than a new build. "We didn't build prediction markets from scratch," Karczewski said in the company's statement. "The new system is a natural extension of the core technology that has been continuously developed and refined over more than thirteen years of powering our trading platform."The company says the same execution engine handling daily FX and CFD processing now manages prediction market pricing, binary contract logic, and position settlement. Karczewski added that both existing brokers and new entrants can launch the product "without going through long, complex implementation cycles," according to the announcement. Match-Trade onboarded more than 160 brokers and prop firms in 2025, with 1.8 million trader accounts registered on the platform during the year, according to the company. Earlier in 2025, server clients on the platform had jumped 290% since January 2024, the firm reported.Reaching Traders Outside the FX FunnelMatch-Trade is pitching the product as a user acquisition channel as much as a trading feature. The binary yes/no contract format is designed to reduce the entry barrier for audiences that would not typically navigate FX or CFD markets, the company says, including crypto users, sports fans, and people drawn to political or entertainment events. According to Match-Trader's own data, brokers offering prediction markets alongside their core product see a "meaningful uplift" in user acquisition rates, the company stated, though it did not disclose specific figures.Whether prediction markets can anchor a new retail trading business model is a question the industry is actively working through. A 2025 Acuiti study found that 10% of proprietary traders were already active in prediction contracts, 35% expressed interest, and 75% of U.S. firms said they were trading or planning to trade them, according to earlier Finance Magnates reporting. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Regulatory Oversight in the Brokerage SectorRegulatory oversight is a foundational element of the CFD brokerage industry. Licensing requirements, capital adequacy standards, conduct-of-business obligations, and client asset protection rules collectively establish the structural framework that enables a more efficient operational environment for brokers and safer market participation for clients. These mechanisms exist to promote market integrity, operational accountability, and the fair treatment of retail participants.However, for the individual participants, regulatory infrastructure does not substitute for an informed understanding of how financial markets function or how standard operational processes are structured. While regulation defines the conditions under which trading activity takes place, it does not determine its outcomes. Therefore, effective participation in financial markets requires both a well-regulated operating environment and a clear-eyed understanding of its key prerequisites: market dynamics, product characteristics, and the procedures that govern day-to-day brokerage operations.What Regulation Covers and What It Does NotRegulatory frameworks establish binding standards across several critical areas of operations in the brokerage sector. These standards include: The procedures governing how firms manage client relationships and execute orders.Reporting obligations that require the timely submission of trade and transaction data to competent authorities. Capital requirements ensuring brokers maintain sufficient financial resources to meet their obligations. Client fund handling rules that mandate the segregation of retail client money from the firm's own operating capital.These standards are designed to ensure that brokers operate with integrity, maintain financial soundness, and treat clients fairly. Where firms fail to meet these obligations, regulators have the authority to impose sanctions, restrict business activities, or revoke authorization entirely.It is equally important to understand what regulation does not and cannot do. Regulatory frameworks do not control market volatility, influence price movements, or guarantee individual trading outcomes. CFD markets are subject to the same forces of supply and demand that drive all financial markets, and no regulatory intervention alters this fundamental dynamic. A client trading a leveraged CFD position on a volatile instrument operates within a regulated environment — but the outcome of that trade is determined by the market, not by the regulator.Understanding Market DynamicsFinancial markets are inherently volatile. Asset prices reflect the continuous interaction of buyers and sellers as they respond to economic data, geopolitical developments, liquidity conditions, and shifts in market sentiment. As such, the level of volatility is a structural characteristic of the price discovery process.CFD trading amplifies exposure to this volatility through leverage. A leveraged position magnifies both potential gains and potential losses relative to the initial margin deposited. This means that adverse price movements can result in losses that exceed a trader's initial outlay, depending on the leverage applied and the margin close-out rules in place. Far from being an incidental feature of leveraged trading, risk is deeply embedded in its structure. Clients who do not fully understand the mechanics of leverage and margin should seek to develop that understanding before committing capital — this knowledge is essential for any retail trader when it comes to balanced market participation.Standard Operating ProcessesSeveral operational processes are regarded as standard across the CFD industry and reflect both regulatory obligations and established market practice. Understanding these processes reduces the likelihood of misinterpretation when they are encountered in the course of normal trading activity.Withdrawal Timelines Withdrawal timelines are governed by a combination of payment provider processing schedules and internal compliance procedures. Where a withdrawal triggers a review under applicable anti-money laundering obligations, additional processing time may be required before funds are released. This is a regulatory requirement, not a discretionary decision by the broker.Trade Execution and Slippage These are the characteristic features of any leveraged market. During periods of heightened volatility — such as those surrounding major economic announcements or sudden shifts in market liquidity — the price at which an order is executed may differ from the price at which it was placed. This is referred to as slippage and is an inherent feature of market execution models. It is not indicative of broker misconduct.Verification ProceduresThese mandatory regulatory requirements include Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering checks. Brokers classified as obliged entities under applicable financial crime legislation must complete client due diligence before permitting account funding or trade execution. Requests for identity documentation, source-of-funds verification, or enhanced due diligence for higher-risk profiles are not discretionary processes — they are standard compliance obligations.Quantitative Risk Disclosures These processes are mandated by financial regulators in numerous jurisdictions. Brokers are required to disclose, in a prominent and specific manner, the percentage of retail investor accounts that lose money when trading CFDs with their platform. These disclosures — such as a statement that a defined percentage of retail accounts incur losses — are regulatory requirements intended to ensure that prospective clients are aware of the statistical outcomes associated with retail CFD trading before opening an account.Escalation and Resolution ChannelsClients with questions or concerns related to their trading activity have access to multiple channels for resolution. The majority of operational matters — including questions about execution, account verification, withdrawal processing, and platform functionality — can be addressed through a broker's established customer support and internal review procedures. These channels are specifically designed to efficiently handle routine operational inquiries and comply with the firm's regulatory obligations.Where a concern relates specifically to a broker's compliance with its regulatory obligations — rather than to a commercial or operational dispute — it may be appropriate to raise the matter with the relevant competent authority. Regulators assess conduct within the scope of their supervisory mandate and are generally not positioned to adjudicate commercial disagreements between brokers and clients. Understanding this distinction helps ensure that escalation is directed to the appropriate channel and that resolution timelines are managed with realistic expectations.Informed Participation as a Complement to RegulationRegulatory oversight provides the structural safeguards within which the CFD industry operates. Licensing standards, capital adequacy requirements, segregation obligations, and conduct of business rules collectively establish a framework designed to protect clients and maintain market integrity. These protections are meaningful and consequential.Transparent operational procedures complement this framework by providing clients with clarity about the processes that govern their accounts and trading activity. When clients understand how withdrawals are processed, why verification is required, what slippage reflects, and what risk disclosures are intended to convey, they are better positioned to engage with the trading environment constructively and with realistic expectations.Informed participation is not a substitute for regulation — it is its necessary complement. A well-regulated broker operating within a clearly understood framework, and a client who engages with that framework with knowledge and purpose, together represent the conditions under which participation in CFD markets is most likely to be constructive.This article is for general educational purposes only.This content is provided by Elev8 Markets LTD, licensed and regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius.Elev8 Markets LTD, a company incorporated and registered under the laws of Mauritius with Company Number 186509 GBC, is authorized and licensed by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius as an Investment Dealer (Full Service Dealer excluding Underwriting) under License Number GB21027161.Disclaimer: The Company does not provide investment advice, discretionary portfolio management, or asset management services. All trading decisions are made by the client. Availability of products and services may vary by jurisdiction and is subject to applicable laws and regulatory requirements.The information in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, or investment advice. Certain information in this article is derived from publicly available third-party sources. While such information is believed to be reliable, no representation or warranty is made as to its accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. Risk Warning: Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. CFDs may not be suitable for all investors. Before deciding to trade CFDs, you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite. You should not invest more than you can afford to lose. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

A seismic event is reshaping the landscape of human finance. Wall Street has erupted as every top-tier investment bank, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, and UBS, competes fiercely for underwriting rights to a single project: SpaceX. This week, Elon Musk's space exploration company prepares for an initial public offering with staggering implications. Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).The company plans to raise $75 billion from markets, with an overall valuation projected between $1.25 trillion and $1.75 trillion. To put these figures into context, consider that Saudi Aramco's historic IPO, which shook global markets, pales in comparison. SpaceX's fundraising target is 3 times larger. This will stand as the largest IPO in capital market history, without exception.Many observers dismiss this as merely another cash-intensive venture seeking public funds. Such a view misses the epoch-defining opportunity and fails to grasp the magnitude of Musk's strategic vision.SpaceX has grown far beyond a rocket manufacturing company. Musk is integrating Starlink, AI computing infrastructure, and global networks to establish what amounts to a franchise for cross-planetary infrastructure.This analysis examines this through four critical lenses. The implications extend beyond technology to address how ordinary investors might position themselves for historic wealth redistribution.Part One: A Dimensional Strike Against Traditional Market MechanicsSpaceX's approach to capital markets represents a fundamental departure from conventional IPO strategy. Traditional public offerings require executives to conduct extensive roadshows, essentially petitioning institutional investors while facing downward pressure on valuation. SpaceX has inverted this dynamic entirely.[#highlighted-links#] The company has introduced what can only be described as an assertive structural advantage. Reports indicate SpaceX is demanding “special treatment” from Nasdaq: immediate or early inclusion in core indices, specifically the Nasdaq-100, upon first-day trading.This requirement carries profound implications. Trillions of dollars in U.S. equities are held in passive index funds and ETFs. These fund managers do not conduct active research. Their mandate requires them to replicate index composition. When a stock enters an index, these managers must purchase it immediately and unconditionally, regardless of valuation or first-day price movement.Musk has essentially guaranteed that passive funds will absorb the offering on day one, securing the success of this massive issuance. This structure could trigger an intense short squeeze at market open, dismantling Wall Street's traditional pricing authority.SpaceX reportedly plans to allocate 20 to 30 percent of shares directly to retail investors, potentially without the standard 6-month lock-up period. This decision reflects a sophisticated understanding of market dynamics. Musk experienced the power of retail investors during Tesla's battles with short sellers, where coordinated retail activity fundamentally altered market outcomes. He recognizes his influence among global retail investors.This retail allocation provides the offering with exceptional liquidity while serving a strategic purpose. It counters institutional price suppression through grassroots enthusiasm, while index-inclusion rules compel passive funds to participate. From a capital strategy perspective, this represents a masterful integration of retail mobilization and regulatory structure.Part Two: An Irreplaceable Revenue ArchitectureExamining SpaceX's valuation through launch services alone is incomplete. The company’s primary cash flow engine and competitive moat is Starlink.Often mischaracterized as a rural internet service, Starlink has established a de facto monopoly in low-Earth-orbit satellite communications. Projected 2025 revenue exceeds $16 billion, with over 10 million global users and continued subscriber growth.Its model resembles a global toll-road for connectivity. As work becomes increasingly distributed, reliable internet access—not location—defines productivity. Starlink extends high-quality connectivity across remote, maritime, and in-flight environments.The rollout of Direct-to-Cell, enabling phones to connect directly to satellites, further expands its reach. At scale, this could challenge traditional telecommunications carriers.By controlling a global, terrain-independent communications network, Starlink positions itself as a critical access layer for next-generation connectivity, with durable, infrastructure-like cash flows.Part Three: Space-Based Computing as a Technological ParadigmThe third pillar supporting SpaceX's valuation extends beyond current technological frameworks. Following the acquisition of xAI, Musk is constructing a space-based computing network to address fundamental constraints on artificial intelligence development.AI progress is increasingly limited not by algorithms or chips, but by energy consumption and thermal management. As demand for advanced GPU clusters rises, Earth's power grids, land availability, and cooling water resources are approaching practical limits. Environmental and regulatory pressures further restrict expansion of large-scale data centers.Musk's proposed solution is to relocate computing infrastructure into orbit. Space-based data centers could operate in continuous sunlight, using large solar arrays for energy, while the near-zero temperatures of space enable efficient thermal management. This removes key physical constraints facing terrestrial AI infrastructure.SpaceX is considering a fundraising target in its IPO that would dwarf the previous largest ever debut, according to people familiar with the matter, as billionaire Elon Musk’s rocket and satellite maker moves forward with listing plans https://t.co/GTLR0eSd9x pic.twitter.com/A4bfEhHLuj— Bloomberg TV (@BloombergTV) March 25, 2026The model integrates SpaceX's launch capabilities, xAI's computing needs, and Starlink's data transmission network. Together, this forms a closed-loop system linking orbital infrastructure with Earth-based users.If viable, this approach could position SpaceX beyond aerospace logistics, creating a structural advantage over traditional data center operators reliant on terrestrial energy and cooling systems. However, execution remains uncertain.Part Four: A Sovereignty-Transcending Infrastructure PlatformViewed at a macro level, SpaceX represents a shift beyond traditional corporate models. Historically, large companies have depended on national infrastructure and regulatory systems. SpaceX is moving toward partial independence from these constraints.The company combines launch capabilities, global satellite communications, and emerging space-based computing infrastructure. This positions it as a potential provider of critical digital and physical infrastructure on a global scale.For smaller nations lacking resources to build independent space or communications systems, reliance on external providers like SpaceX may become necessary. This shifts the company’s role closer to infrastructure provider than conventional commercial enterprise.Institutional investors are not only buying into a single business line, but into long-term exposure to communications networks, computing infrastructure, and space logistics. Traditional valuation metrics may not fully capture this scope.While execution risks remain significant, the broader trend toward space-based infrastructure is ongoing. The key question is not whether this shift occurs, but which entities capture its economic value. SpaceX’s IPO signals a transition from concept to investable theme. This article was written by Anndy Lian at www.financemagnates.com.

TMGM today announced its role as an emergency contribution supporter for UNICEF Australia, providing a donation to support urgent humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip. This contribution is a key element of TMGM's global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, aiming to provide substantial assistance to children affected by the ongoing conflict.Addressing a Critical CrisisThe Gaza Strip is currently facing a severe humanitarian crisis, including extreme food insecurity, with more than 100,000 children under five years of age at risk of acute malnutrition. There is widespread displacement, and schools, medical facilities, and water systems have sustained heavy damage. In this environment, TMGM’s donation aims to help children regain access to education, safety, and a stable environment for growth. TMGM chose to provide this contribution to UNICEF Australia due to the organization's specialized expertise and mature aid network, which ensures that resources reach the most vulnerable children.Quote attributable to UNICEF Australia CEO Tony Stuart“The ceasefire in Gaza has brought a pause in fighting, but the humanitarian crisis for children is far from over. More than 1.1 million children remain in need of humanitarian assistance, living in tents and under tarpaulins, and suffering deep trauma after years of conflict. UNICEF is providing malnutrition screening and treatments, immunisation, mental health support in spaces where children can learn and play, and restoring access to safe drinking water. We are deeply appreciative for TMGM’s emergency support for UNICEF’s lifesaving work in Gaza and solidarity with children at this critical time.”A History of Corporate ResponsibilityThis support for UNICEF Australia follows TMGM's long-standing commitment to community and humanitarian projects:Marine Environmental Protection: In June 2022, TMGM sponsored The Sapphire Project, helping raise 1.22 million AUD for the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.Support for Special Education: In May 2025, the group provided a donation of stationery and supplies to the Qianshou Hope Primary School in Shaanxi to improve living conditions for underprivileged students.Emergency Disaster Relief: TMGM has previously provided immediate assistance during natural disasters, such as the Zhuozhou floods.Regional Economic Development: In April 2025, TMGM supported the #YumiStanap economic event in Vanuatu to aid national recovery.From visiting veterans to supporting education in remote areas, TMGM believes that enterprises should be active participants in the global community. Supporting recovery efforts in Gaza is a natural extension of this principle.Sustainability and Social GoodTMGM believes that long-term corporate development is inseparable from giving back. This contribution carries no commercial demands, originating from the belief that market prosperity is incomplete if children and families remain in survival crises. TMGM remains committed to supporting groups in need through transparent and pragmatic actions.UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.About TMGMFounded in 2013 in Sydney, Australia, TMGM Group is the Official Regional Partner of Chelsea Football Club. As a broker providing global financial product trading, TMGM is regulated by ASIC (Australia), VFSC (Vanuatu), FSC Mauritius, and FSA (Seychelles).About UNICEFUNICEF operates in more than 190 countries in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children. UNICEF Australia works with local partners to raise children’s voices, defend their rights, and help them reach their potential at all stages of life, here and in neighbouring countries. We rely entirely on voluntary donations to provide lifesaving support; improve maternal and child health, education, and nutrition; and to respond to global emergencies.For more information about UNICEF Australia and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org.auFollow UNICEF Australia on Facebook, X and InstagramDisclaimer Investing in leveraged products carries high risks and is not suitable for all investors. You have no interest in the underlying asset. Read the Client Agreement and other disclosure documents set forth on our website. The above information is provided by TMGM (Trademax Australia Limited, ABN 76 162 331 311, AFSL 436416, Trademax Global Markets (NZ) Limited, Company No. 6358657, FSP 569807, Trademax Global Limited, VFSC 40356 & Trademax Global Markets (International) Pty Ltd, Company No. 195323, Mauritius Investment Dealer Licence No. GB22201012). This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Tradeify has signed Australian cricketer Travis Head as a long-term brand ambassador, the trader evaluation platform announced today (Thuersday), coinciding with the start of the 2026 Indian Premier League season. Head's name joins a short list that already includes darts player Luke Littler and mixed martial artist Israel Adesanya under Tradeify's "The Champion Mindset" banner, a campaign the company says draws a parallel between composure under pressure in sport and in financial trading.The deal gives Tradeify bat branding across all of Head's matches for the duration of the partnership, a visible placement that the company said it plans to use as the foundation for broader cricket fan engagement, starting with a signed bat giveaway.Head's Big-Match Record Drives the PitchHead, 32, scored 137 from 120 balls in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final against India in Ahmedabad to guide Australia to a six-wicket victory and a record sixth title, earning him the player of the match award. He contributed to Australia's victory in the 2025/26 Ashes series before the IPL began. At the tournament level, Head has accumulated 941 runs across 28 appearances for Sunrisers Hyderabad and enters the 2026 season needing 59 more to reach 1,000 runs for the franchise, according to published statistics.It is precisely that association Tradeify is paying for. "Travis has dominated big international moments for the last four years, becoming a clutch player for Australia with countless match winning performances in Test series, World Cups and The Ashes," said Brett Simberkoff, founder and CEO of Tradeify.[#highlighted-links#] "We love his mentality and ability to deliver in big moments by keeping a cool head, mixing a calm mind with a front-footed proactive approach - a quality that mirrors the mindset of top traders."Tradeify's Sports Roster Takes ShapeThe cricket deal is Tradeify's third sports partnership in quick succession. The firm signed UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in January 2026 as the first chapter of The Champion Mindset campaign, then added PDC World Darts Champion Luke Littler. Head now completes a trio that spans three sports and three distinct global audiences, with cricket providing the broadest potential reach given the IPL's viewership numbers across South Asia, Australia and the broader diaspora.Head's response kept the framing consistent. "Achieving sustained success in professional cricket takes the right mindset - staying level headed and maintaining composure, no matter what comes your way," he said.The campaign architecture reflects how the firm is thinking about brand-building beyond the funded trader community. Tradeify has also been developing its platform product in parallel, as seen in its integration with WealthCharts, which the firm positioned as a step toward giving traders more analytical infrastructure alongside the evaluation model itself.Prop Firms and Sports MarketingTradeify is not alone in pursuing this direction. The funded trading sector has moved steadily toward sports partnerships as firms look for ways to differentiate brands in a crowded market. Hantec Markets signed a UFC APAC sponsorship earlier this year to promote both its CFD and prop brands across Asian markets, while Hola Prime named NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns as its first sports ambassador in a move that targeted US basketball audiences. The trend runs wider across retail trading as well, with FxPro extending its McLaren Formula One partnership in what it described as its largest sponsorship commitment to date.The logic behind these deals is not new. As Finance Magnates noted in an earlier analysis, retail brokers and trading firms have long used football and other sports to build consumer recognition in markets where direct performance marketing has become more regulated and more expensive. Sports ambassador deals allow firms to reach potential clients through affinity rather than product pitches, with the athlete's credibility doing work that advertising alone cannot. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Institutional foreign exchange trading activity rose sharply across major platforms in March, with most venues posting their strongest monthly readings of 2026, as a dollar rally driven by geopolitical risk and safe-haven flows pulled volumes higher through the global FX market.FXSpotStream, the multibank liquidity aggregation service, reported total average daily volume (ADV) of $173.60 billion for March, up 14.5% from $151.69 billion in February and the platform's highest monthly reading of the year. Spot ADV reached $127.92 billion, a clear rebound from $105.61 billion the prior month, while the "other products" category contributed $45.68 billion, roughly in line with recent months. The platform ran across 22 trading days compared to February's 20, but the gain in daily averages, not just totals, points to a genuine underlying improvement in activity. February's pullback had been attributed largely to the shorter trading calendar rather than any structural retreat in market appetite.Cboe Volumes Jump to 2026 HighCboe FX posted total spot volumes of $1.638 trillion in March across 22 trading days, with ADV reaching $74.47 billion. That compares to $59.67 billion in February and $63.30 billion in January, making March easily the strongest month of 2026 for the platform. The year-on-year comparison is similarly striking: in March 2025, Cboe's daily average stood at $52.1 billion, putting the current reading roughly 43% above year-ago levels.The contrast with the prior year is notable not just in magnitude but in the underlying catalyst. In March 2025, dollar weakness was the primary driver, with FXSpotStream setting a then-record daily average of $116.9 billion as the greenback fell against major peers. This time around, it was dollar strength, rather than weakness, that stoked institutional flow.Dollar Gains 3% as Geopolitical Risk DominatesThe Bloomberg Dollar Index gained around 3% over the course of March, reaching a four-month high by month-end, according to Saxo Bank's market analysis. The euro and yen each fell close to 3%, while emerging market currencies bore heavier losses, with the Korean won down 6.2% and the Swedish krona losing 5.4% against the dollar.Safe-haven demand drove much of the move, as escalating tensions in the Middle East, including fears of a broader Iran conflict, rattled risk appetite globally. The VIX volatility gauge traded above the 30-level at points during the month, according to MUFG analysts, and oil prices climbed sharply, with Brent approaching levels not seen in several months. MUFG noted that a break above $120 per barrel in Brent could prove "the catalyst for increased volatility and broader risk aversion," with the Swiss franc and yen expected to outperform and the pound seen as particularly exposed to energy price pressure.US trade policy also kept currency markets on edge. After the Supreme Court struck down a broad tranche of tariffs introduced by President Trump, the administration responded by imposing a blanket 15% levy on imports, keeping the policy environment fluid throughout the month. 360T and Euronext Recover Lost GroundDeutsche Börse's 360T recorded total March volumes of $1.076 trillion with ADV of $48.93 billion, up from $39.91 billion in February, a gain of roughly 23% month-on-month. The platform's daily average now stands well above the $33.9 billion it reported in February 2025, reflecting the sustained lift in activity that has characterized the year so far.Euronext FX processed total volumes of $873.7 billion in March with ADV of $39.71 billion, a sharp improvement from February's $31.1 billion and the platform's strongest daily average of 2026. The gap between Euronext and 360T on daily averages, at roughly $9 billion per session, has persisted throughout recent quarters and widened slightly in February before narrowing marginally in March.Tokyo Contracts Climb, Exotic Pairs LeadThe Tokyo Financial Exchange's Click 365 platform reported 1,983,915 contracts in March, up 12.6% from February, with ADV of 90,180 contracts. Year-on-year, however, the platform was down 11.3%, reflecting particularly strong comparables from early 2025.The composition of trading shifted noticeably toward less-traded pairs. The offshore Chinese yuan to yen pair surged 33.4% month-on-month and an extraordinary 388.6% year-on-year, reaching 61,864 contracts. The euro to dollar pair posted the month's biggest percentage monthly gain, up 123.4% from February, though from a low base of 41,984 contracts. USD/JPY remained the most actively traded contract at 481,201, but slipped 10% from the same period a year ago, part of a broader easing in the major yen crosses that has been a feature of the Tokyo market for several months. GBP/JPY and EUR/JPY fell 56.3% and 32.9% year-on-year, respectively. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Blockchain infrastructure firm REAL has announced a partnership with RedStone to support the data infrastructure and transparency layer of its ecosystem.Designed to enable the tokenization and management of real-world financial instruments, REAL requires reliable data inputs to support on-chain financial products. Through this collaboration, RedStone will provide Oracle infrastructure for price feeds across assets within the REAL ecosystem, enabling access to consistent and verifiable market data.Focused on improving the representation of tokenized assets, the integration aims to enhance how pricing, proof-related data, and supporting frameworks are structured on-chain. These components are central to increasing transparency and readiness for real-world asset markets operating in blockchain environments.Ivo Grigorov, CEO of REAL, said, “Through this partnership with RedStone, we are reinforcing a critical layer of infrastructure for tokenized assets. High-quality data and transparency are essential for creating markets that institutions and participants can trust as the RWA space continues to mature.”The partnership also incorporates independent risk intelligence through Credora, supporting the development of more standardized risk assessment mechanisms for issuers and market participants.REAL is building blockchain infrastructure for the tokenization, management, and distribution of real-world assets, with a focus on connecting institutional-grade financial structures with on-chain systems. The company recently raised $29 million to advance its RWA infrastructure, reflecting continued institutional interest in the sector."Price discovery is the entry point, not the destination”, said Marcin Kazmierczak, Co-Founder & COO at RedStone. “What institutional allocators require is a continuous, verifiable signal across the entire asset lifecycle, from valuation to reserve integrity to issuer creditworthiness. That is precisely what the RedStone Stack delivers for REAL, and it is the architecture we believe will define how serious capital engages with tokenized assets from here."The integration with RedStone is expected to strengthen the reliability of data inputs and improve transparency across the REAL ecosystem, as demand grows for infrastructure supporting tokenized real-world assets.About REALReal is a Layer 1 blockchain designed to integrate institutional-grade real-world assets into the digital economy. Through a business-integrated consensus model, a risk classification framework, and decentralized governance, Real enables institutions to tokenize, insure, and manage assets transparently onchain. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Topstep has acquired The Futures Desk (TFD) in a move aimed at strengthening its futures trading education and technology capabilities. The futures prop firm said on Wednesday that the acquisition will support its goal of developing disciplined traders through better tools, coaching, and evaluation programs.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).Integration of Technology and ExpertiseTopstep will incorporate TFD’s trading technology into its TopstepX platform, providing traders with additional developmental and performance-tracking tools.The Futures Desk co-founders, Josh Schwartzberg and Brian Ford, will join Topstep following the acquisition. The company said their experience guiding traders from simulation to live trading will contribute to its training framework.In a statement, Topstep founder and CEO Michael Patak said The Futures Desk shares the company’s focus on structured trader development and continuous improvement. “The Futures Desk has built a strong community focused on the grind of trading and building consistency,” he noted.The acquisition continues Topstep’s expansion across trading education and evaluation services. The firm operates reportedly in more than 170 countries and offers simulated evaluation programs for retail traders.You may also like: eToro Enables Crypto Trading in New York, Extending Reach to 48 StatesFocus on Trader DevelopmentBy integrating The Futures Desk’s systems and coaching methods, Topstep plans to enhance its learning environment for traders progressing from practice to live markets.Meanwhile, Topstep disclosed earlier this year that some user information might have been exposed following a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack that occurred in September 2025. In a letter sent to affected users, the Chicago-based futures prop trading firm stated that an internal review completed on 3 December revealed certain files containing personally identifiable information could have been accessed between 8 September and 16 October 2025. However, the company later clarified that its internal systems were not directly compromised. In a post on X, Topstep’s support team attributed the incident to reused passwords from non-Topstep websites that had suffered unrelated breaches, stressing that only a small number of traders were affected.Earlier, Topstep faced backlash from prop traders following repeated outages and performance issues on its sole trading platform, TopstepX. Many users complained they were unable to open or close positions during trading sessions, accusing the firm of not promptly acknowledging the disruptions. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. reported its electronic brokerage metrics for March, showing continued growth in client activity and accounts, a key indicator of retail participation.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).Daily Average Revenue Trades reached 4.329 million. This was 25% higher than a year earlier and 1% lower than the previous month. The firm ended the month with 4.754 million client accounts, up 31% year-on-year and 2% higher than February.Retail Trading Activity Remains Steady MonthlyEnding client equity stood at $789.4 billion. This was 38% higher than a year earlier but 4% lower than the prior month. Client margin loan balances totaled $86.0 billion, rising 35% year-on-year but declining 4% month-on-month.Client credit balances reached $168.8 billion, including $6.5 billion in insured bank deposit sweeps. This was 35% higher than a year earlier and 4% higher than the previous month.Activity per account remained steady. The annualized average cleared DARTs per client account stood at 199. The average commission per cleared commissionable order was $2.74, including exchange, clearing, and regulatory fees.Execution Costs Remain Low, Trades ElevatedThe company also reported a small mark-to-market loss on its U.S. government securities portfolio for the quarter. Its internal currency basket, known as the GLOBAL, declined slightly during both the month and the quarter.Execution data showed the average U.S. stock trade size remained elevated in March. The firm said the “total cost of executing and clearing U.S. Reg.-NMS stocks” for its professional clients was low, measured against a VWAP benchmark, with a similarly modest cost over the longer term.Broker Integrates Digital Assets Multi-PlatformBeyond traditional securities, Interactive Brokers has also been expanding its platform to include digital assets. The broker has made crypto-asset trading available to eligible individual investors in the European Economic Area through Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited, an authorised crypto-asset provider. The platform supports 11 crypto-assets alongside stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and mutual funds. The firm said the launch is intended to simplify trading and improve transparency.Clients can now transfer existing cryptocurrency holdings into accounts linked to the platform, allowing trading of digital assets without prior liquidation. The broker has gradually expanded its crypto offering over recent years, including launches via Paxos and in the UK, integrating digital assets into its broader multi-asset platform. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

B2Prime reported record 2025 results, with client trading income surging 165% year-on-year to €52.8 million, while net profit reached €15 million. The multi-asset prime-of-prime liquidity provider also became debt-free after fully repaying long-term borrowings.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).Surge in Client Activity and ProfitabilityThe surge in revenue was driven by a fivefold increase in total client trading volumes compared to 2024, with gold (XAU) trading accounting for a large share of the growth. Improved trading strategies and broader institutional demand contributed to B2Prime’s higher profitability."2025 has become a year of scaling for us while strengthening fundamental sustainability indicators," said Eugenia Mykuliak, Founder & Executive Director at B2PRIME Group. "Beyond simply increasing our volumes, we have strengthened our capital, improved our liquidity, and completely eliminated our debt burden.""To me, this is the needed balance of growth and financial discipline that forms a solid foundation for further expansion. And by the end of 2026, owe aim to deliver results that are no less ambitious."Indeed in February, Finance Magnates highlighted how gold’s explosive rally has fundamentally changed brokers’ risk profiles. It shifted the main concern from day-to-day P&L swings to outright balance-sheet protection as firms rush to A-book a much larger share of XAU flow and tighten exposure limits to avoid cash shortfalls.easyMarkets also said early this year that its trading activity for Q4 last year jumped sharply as volatility returned, with gold becoming the top instrument. Its trading volumes rose nearly 240% compared with the previous quarter, while overall volumes almost doubled as clients focused on short-term trades in gold and silver during a period of geopolitical tension and market uncertainty.Stronger Balance Sheet and Capital RatiosB2Prime’s equity and retained earnings rose 81% to €15.4 million, supported entirely by operating profits. Its equity-to-total-assets ratio nearly doubled to 45%, while the current liquidity ratio improved to 1.66x from 1.29x. The firm said these metrics show it has shifted to a more conservative financial model, balancing growth with long-term stability.As 2026 begins with volatile conditions, the firm expects its debt-free and liquid position to underpin further expansion. Mykuliak added that B2Prime plans to continue developing its liquidity technology and institutional offering through the year.The firm has also expanded its offering with the introduction of crypto spot and crypto perpetual futures through its Bahamas-based entity, which is reportedly regulated by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

CoinShares is now trading on Nasdaq under the ticker CSHR, completing its U.S. listing through a merger with Vine Hill Capital Investment Corp.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!) The company, which previously traded in Stockholm, is using the listing to support acquisitions and expand its presence in the American market. CoinShares manages around $6 billion in assets and offers 39 digital asset products. CoinShares is now listed on @Nasdaq. Ticker: CSHR.Europe's #1 digital asset manager. US$6B AuM. 39 products. Among the top global digital asset managersA decade in the making.Learn more: https://t.co/mrgnwcKRYo#CoinShares #CSHR #DigitalAssets pic.twitter.com/uULw2Ssrs9— CoinShares (@CoinSharesCo) April 1, 2026Founded more than a decade ago, it is one of the larger digital asset managers in Europe. The company first outlined plans for a U.S. listing in September 2025. “We have a lot of AUM in Europe, we don’t have much AUM in the U.S.,” CEO Jean-Marie Mognetti said in an interview. “Building that organically would take too long. The listing gives us a way to grow faster.” Using Equity as a Growth Tool The primary objective of the listing is to create an acquisition currency. A Nasdaq-listed stock allows CoinShares to pursue deals in the U.S. market by offering equity rather than relying solely on cash. This approach is commonly used by asset managers seeking to scale quickly in competitive markets. For CoinShares, the strategy reflects a shift from organic growth to expansion through transactions. A Listing in a Weak Market The timing introduces risk. The listing comes during a downturn in digital asset markets, with Bitcoin trading significantly below its recent peak and several crypto firms delaying public offerings. Kraken, for example, has postponed its IPO plans under current conditions. CoinShares is moving ahead despite this environment. Mognetti framed the decision as independent of market cycles. “We don’t believe in timing windows,” he said. “We are listing because the business is ready.” However, listing during a weak market can affect investor demand, valuation stability and the effectiveness of equity as an acquisition currency. If market conditions remain subdued, using stock for deals may become more difficult or less attractive to targets. A Business Model Built on Fees CoinShares’ model differs from transaction-driven crypto firms. The company generates recurring revenue from asset management products rather than relying on trading volumes. It has reported profitability each year since 2014, which may provide some insulation from market cycles. This positioning may help support the listing, but does not remove exposure to broader sentiment in the crypto sector. The success of the strategy will depend on execution in the U.S. market. Using equity for acquisitions requires both suitable targets and regulatory approval. Integrating acquired businesses and building distribution in a new market can also take time. For U.S. asset managers, the listing introduces a new competitor with a defined expansion strategy. For CoinShares, it is a step toward entering the market — not a guarantee of success. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

IG Group has appointed Andrew Biggs as its new Trading Director, the company announced on LinkedIn today (Wednesday). He will oversee the optimisation and growth of IG’s trading operations.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).The appointment follows IG’s earlier announcement of Andrew Barron as Board Chair Designate and Non-Executive Director, concluding the search for a new Chair. Barron succeeds Mike McTighe, who retired in September 2025 but remained in the role until a successor was confirmed.Biggs Brings Risk, Trading ExperienceBiggs joins IG from Finalto Trading, where he served as CEO. He previously held senior roles including Group Head of Risk and Trading, Head of Liquidity and Systematic Market Making, and Head of Liquidity at Finalto and its predecessor, CFH Clearing. Earlier in his career, he worked at IS Prime Limited as Head of Liquidity and Risk Analysis and Head of Electronic Trading Solutions. His experience spans trading, risk management, and technology-focused operations in London.IG Expands US, Crypto, ProductsAlongside these leadership changes, IG reported total revenue of £1.12 billion for 2025, supported by a 10% increase in net trading revenue and higher customer activity, partly driven by the Freetrade acquisition. Net interest income fell 16% to £118.8 million as lower benchmark rates reduced yields on client cash balances. EBITDA increased slightly to £531.1 million, while the margin narrowed to 47.3% due to reinvestment in marketing and product development. Active customers grew from 270,300 to 742,100, largely reflecting the Freetrade consolidation, while organic growth was 6%.IG’s US platform, tastytrade, delivered £186.7 million in net trading revenue, up 18% year-on-year, with assets under administration reaching £18.2 billion. The group also expanded its crypto operations with Independent Reserve, launched new equity and pension products, and initiated a strategic review of its corporate structure, with results expected in autumn 2026. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Australia’s Parliament has passed legislation that will bring digital asset platforms and tokenised custody providers under the country’s financial services licensing regime.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).Last year, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission clarified how existing laws apply to digital assets. The guidance classifies stablecoins, wrapped tokens, and tokenised securities as financial products. Many providers must now hold a licence. ASIC introduced a no-action position until 30 June 2026 for firms making genuine efforts to comply.New Law Targets Exchanges, Custody ProvidersThe Corporations Amendment Bill 2025, known as the Digital Assets Framework, cleared both houses, according to parliamentary records. It was introduced in November 2025 and amends the Corporations Act and ASIC Act. Its stated aim is to “improve consumer protection, market integrity and regulatory certainty.”The legislation now awaits royal assent, the final step before it becomes law. It is scheduled to take effect 12 months after assent, with a transition period for businesses to comply.Under the bill, operators of crypto exchanges and custody platforms will be required to obtain an Australian Financial Services Licence from ASIC.?BREAKING:Australia passes its first crypto law, requiring exchanges and custodians to obtain AFS licenses.New rules aim to regulate platforms and protect customer funds. pic.twitter.com/xMTOYZ0QEv— Crypto Rover (@cryptorover) April 1, 2026ASIC Targets Crypto Products Under RegulationThe Federal Court of Australia recently fined Binance Australia Derivatives AU$10 million after the company acknowledged misclassifying a majority of its local clients. The misclassified accounts incurred AU$8.66 million in trading losses and paid AU$3.89 million in fees.The case forms part of broader regulatory attention in Australia. ASIC has indicated that certain crypto products may fall under existing financial regulation. Other firms have also faced fines. Bit Trade, the local operator of Kraken, was fined AU$8 million in December 2024 over a leveraged “margin extension” product.Internationally, the European Securities and Markets Authority has suggested that crypto perpetual contracts could be treated as CFDs. In the United States, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is considering allowing broader access to crypto derivatives for retail traders. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Keep Calm and Carry OnAccording to Rudyard Kipling, if you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and trust yourself when all men doubt you, yours is the earth and everything that is in it. Of course, most investors would settle for an above-market return, but you get the point.There are many reasons for avoiding knee-jerk reactions to market volatility, one of the most obvious being that trying to time the market by rotating out of equities into so-called safe-haven assets before the latter have become prohibitively expensive is a nigh-on impossible task for the average investor.Likewise, any attempt to time a return to stocks runs the risk of missing out on the upside that follows a recovery, which is exacerbated by the speed with which markets recover.Then there is the fact that major corrections are more common than you might think. Duncan Lamont, Head of Strategic Research at Schroders, wrote an interesting piece recently in which he observed that over the past 54 years, global equities have experienced, at some point during each year, a 10% or more decline in 31 of those years.Over the same timeframe, global equities have experienced a 20% or more decline at some point during the year in 13 of those years.He adds that over long periods, the average gains, even within the course of a year, have far exceeded losses, noting that stocks have, on average, fallen by 15% and risen by 23% every year since 1972.“In periods of uncertainty or shock, markets can often sell off indiscriminately,” he says. “Good companies are sold alongside bad ones, becoming ‘mis-priced’. Staying invested makes sense.”Experienced, active investors might even go further and find buying opportunities within the turmoil.“Panic has a pejorative sense for good reason,” says Lamont. “It suggests an impulsive reaction that can have unintended negative consequences. For equity markets, history certainly shows the value of not panicking amid market turmoil.”Which Sectors Will Drive Dividends in 2026?This column has looked at various aspects of dividends in recent weeks from a regional perspective. But what are the key trends that impact shareholder payments globally in 2025, and how will this change this year?According to the latest edition of Capital Group’s Dividend Watch, global dividends rose 6% after adjustment for significant changes in dividend sequencing in some parts of the world, as well as for exchange rates and one-off payments, to reach a record $2.09 trillion in 2025.While growth was broadly based by both geography and sector, the financial sector was the most dynamic, with shareholder payments rising by almost 17%, followed by technology.Sectors that recorded a fall in dividends included mining and auto manufacturing, while oil, gas, and energy dividends also fell slightly, reflecting a handful of cuts and significant buyback programmes.Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) made the world’s largest increase thanks to surging demand for its chips, distributing an extra $3.6 billion and becoming the world’s fifth-largest payer in 2025. Novo Nordisk and Microsoft made the next largest increases, and the latter remained the world’s largest payer, with Exxon a distant second.Looking ahead, and bearing in mind that this document was published before the US started its war with Iran, the report suggested that if 2025 was the year that tariff-induced uncertainty upended the outlook for corporate earnings, 2026 could be the year those numbers come back into focus.Consensus earnings estimates were looking brighter and global equity markets broadening, with more companies driving returns outside the small handful of US technology stocks associated with artificial intelligence. On the downside, stocks have been expensive relative to historic levels.The conclusion was that whether or not markets pull back from their current high valuations, dividends have been well supported by the earnings outlook and could provide a key anchor of stability for investors, helping their total returns weather market volatility.Baby, I Can’t Wait (For My Trades)When Valerie Day sang about having something that she couldn't live without, she most certainly wasn’t referring to oil futures. But recent market activity suggests that, like the lead singer of Nu Shooz, a growing number of traders don’t want to hang around when it comes to speculating on the movement of ‘black gold’.Rising oil prices have been March’s hot economic story. Supply disruption caused by the conflict in the Middle East has seen filling station prices soar and US oil futures close above $100 for the first time since 2022.Trump: “We’ll be leaving very soon… what happens in [Hormuz] we’ll have nothing to do with”Other countries can “fend for themselves” if they want gas or oil from the Persian Gulf. pic.twitter.com/mZbaQNLCjA— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) March 31, 2026As of today, Brent crude futures for May were at $118 per barrel, while front-month Brent futures were on track for an all-time monthly gain of 63%, according to LSEG data that goes back to June 1988. Meanwhile, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate has gained 54%, the biggest jump since May 2020.The Brent contract price for June is currently just under £104 per barrel, pushed down by reports of positive signals from Iran’s leaders about the possibility of an end to hostilities. One analyst firm noted that, with crude now in triple digits, price action is being driven less by new disruptions and more by expectations around intervention and supply response timing.But while more traditional traders cooled their heels over the weekend waiting for futures markets to reopen, there was a surge of activity on blockchain-based platforms that offer round-the-clock access to tokenised oil exposure in the shape of perpetual futures, as well as other synthetic commodities.The exchange that benefited the most from this demand for decentralised, 24/7 crypto-native derivatives that never expire and don’t have a strike price was Hyperliquid, whose perpetual oil futures contract saw daily trading in excess of $1.7 billion, compared to previous daily volumes of around $20 million.This is an example of how, as an increasing number of real-world assets are traded on cryptocurrency platforms, investors looking to respond to events in real time are no longer constrained by conventional trading hours. This article was written by Paul Golden at www.financemagnates.com.

$4,719 per ounce. That is where spot gold trades on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, adding approximately 1% on the day after testing an intraday high of $4,750. The move extends a four-session winning streak that accelerated Tuesday with a 3.5% jump, the largest single-day gain since late January.In this article, I answer the question of why gold is surging today and present the latest gold price predictions, based on my more than 15 years of experience as an analyst and trader.Follow me on X for real-time gold market analysis: @ChmielDkWhy gold is going up today?The bounce follows gold's worst month since 2008. March saw the metal shed roughly 15% as the Iran conflict, a hawkish Federal Reserve, and forced liquidation of leveraged positions combined to push prices from above $5,100 to as low as $4,100 on March 23. As my analysis of that nine-session decline detailed, the selling exhausted itself at the 200-day EMA.Several macro factors are now supporting the recovery. The US dollar has softened modestly this week, reducing the headwind for non-dollar buyers. Markets are bracing for a data-heavy week: JOLTS job openings data on Tuesday, ADP payrolls and ISM Manufacturing PMI on Wednesday, and the critical Nonfarm Payrolls report on Friday. Any signs of labor market cooling would strengthen the case for Fed rate cuts, a direct tailwind for gold.Konstantinos Chrysikos, Head of Customer Relationship Management at Kudotrade, noted: "Gold could remain exposed to the developments in the Middle East and their impact on inflation expectations in the near-term. Additionally, upcoming US economic data could also influence monetary policy forecasts and the performance of gold."The geopolitical picture has shifted as well. Indian equity markets rallied sharply on April 1, with the Sensex jumping over 500 points on Iran war de-escalation hopes, a signal that risk appetite is selectively returning. For gold, reduced conflict intensity cuts both ways: it removes the safe-haven panic bid but also lowers oil prices, easing inflation fears and making rate cuts more likely.Goldman Sachs Maintains $5,400 Gold Price Prediction Despite 13% SelloffGoldman Sachs retained its bullish year-end target of $5,400 per ounce on March 31, one day before gold's fourth session of gains. Analysts Lina Thomas and Daan Struyven based the forecast on continued central bank purchases and their expectation of two additional US rate cuts in 2026.The call is significant because it came after gold had already fallen 13% since the Iran war began a month ago. The Goldman team argued that the market's repricing had overshot, reflecting what they described as an over-emphasis on the inflation channel relative to the growth drag. History, they noted, shows that growth concerns eventually dominate when geopolitical shocks hit commodity-dependent economies.The bank did acknowledge short-term risks. If the energy supply shock from the Iran conflict worsens, gold could drop as far as $3,800 per ounce. But the upside case is equally notable: if the war were to accelerate diversification away from traditional Western assets, the rally could exceed their base case.On the supply side, the bank expects official sector gold purchases to average around 60 tonnes per month once price volatility moderates, a pace consistent with the structural de-dollarization trend that has driven central bank buying since 2022. As my January analysis of Goldman's original gold price prediction detailed, the bank initially set the $5,400 target citing the same structural drivers and has not wavered through the correction.Gold Technical Analysis: XAU Consolidation Holds, 50 EMA Resistance NextFour sessions of gains sound impressive on a headline basis. But from a structural perspective, my chart shows that not much has changed. Gold remains in the same consolidation that has defined trading since the beginning of 2026, and specifically in the lower half of that range.The boundaries are clear. The lower support zone sits at the October 2025 highs in the $4,300-$4,400 area, reinforced by the 200-day exponential moving average at approximately $4,200. That level proved its significance on March 23, when gold briefly dipped to $4,100 intraday before printing a very long bullish pin bar, a powerful reversal candle that I analyzed in detail last week. That pin bar, with its extended lower wick and narrow body, provided the springboard for the current four-session bounce.The bounce has now carried price toward the midpoint of the volatility channel. The 50-day moving average falls near $4,800, and together with the lows from the second half of February, this area creates a local resistance zone that gold must clear to shift the near-term bias from neutral to bullish.The ultimate resistance remains the $5,400 area, the January 28 closing high, which is the highest closing price in gold's history. Although price briefly touched $5,600 the following day on January 29, it could not hold that level and the correction that followed has defined market structure ever since. As the comprehensive gold price prediction analysis from February established, a Reuters poll of 30 analysts placed the median 2026 forecast at $4,746.50, remarkably close to where gold trades today.UBS Targets $5,600 But Warns Gold Bull Run Nearing Late StageUBS set its year-end gold target at $5,600 per ounce, the most bullish among the major investment banks currently covering the metal. But the bank's precious-metals strategist Joni Teves offered a critical caveat in an interview published March 30: investors are likely seeing a late stage of bullion's bull run."We think that the gold cycle should broadly coincide with the Fed cycle, so that's why we expect that sort of tapering off toward the end of the year and prices consolidating lower in the coming years," Teves said.The timing concern is grounded in rate expectations. Before the Iran conflict, the market priced in multiple rate cuts for 2026. Since then, the probability of rates being held through December has jumped sharply. With the CME FedWatch tool now showing the market pricing in no change in rates this year, one of gold's key cyclical tailwinds has weakened.Teves still sees fresh highs later in the year, after a period of consolidation, driven by building portfolio allocations. "Our sense is that the market as a whole is still underinvested in gold," she said. "We think the uncertainty the market is facing right now further reinforces this trend of investors wanting to hold more diversified portfolios, and they view gold as a core part of that portfolio."On the current pullback, UBS views levels around $4,700 and any further dip as attractive entry points for investors. Teves acknowledged, however, that the ongoing Middle East conflict could produce material changes to the macroeconomic outlook that would shift gold's medium-to-long-term trajectory.2026 Gold Price Predictions: From $3,800 Bear Case to $6,300 Bull TargetThe range of institutional forecasts for gold in 2026 remains extraordinarily wide, reflecting genuine uncertainty about the interaction of war, monetary policy, and structural demand shifts. As my February analysis of the analyst predicting $7,300 showed, Fibonacci extension targets align with the upper end of institutional expectations.The bull case, led by JPMorgan at $6,300, rests on the assumption that central bank gold purchases will remain historically elevated and that the Fed will eventually pivot. Wells Fargo raised its target from $4,500-$4,700 to $6,100-$6,300 in late March, the sharpest upward revision from any major bank, explicitly calling for investors to buy the decline rather than chasing highs.The bear case centers on Goldman's $3,800 floor scenario and HSBC's lower bound of $3,950. Both require a significant deterioration in the energy picture and sustained hawkish monetary policy. The World Gold Council's scenario analysis from earlier this year also flagged a 5-20% downside risk under a successful reflation scenario.What stands out in the current forecast landscape: even after a 20% correction from January's $5,595 all-time high, the majority of major banks are projecting gold will end 2026 higher than where it trades today. The correction, for most institutional desks, has only widened the gap to their targets.FAQ, Gold Price AnalysisWhy is gold going up today? Gold is rising for a fourth consecutive session on April 1, 2026, trading at $4,719 per ounce. The drivers include a softening US dollar, Iran war de-escalation hopes that are reducing inflation pressure, and positioning ahead of key US employment data this week. Tuesday's 3.5% gain was the strongest single-day advance in two months.What is Goldman Sachs' gold price prediction for 2026? Goldman Sachs maintained its $5,400 per ounce year-end target on March 31, 2026, citing continued central bank gold purchases averaging 60 tonnes per month and expectations of two additional US rate cuts. The bank acknowledged a bear-case scenario of $3,800 if the energy supply shock from the Iran conflict worsens.Will gold reach $5,000 again in 2026? Most major investment banks expect gold to surpass $5,000 per ounce in 2026. Goldman Sachs targets $5,400, UBS projects $5,600, and JPMorgan forecasts $6,300 by year-end. The 50-day moving average near $4,800 is the first technical hurdle. A break above that level would open a path toward retesting the $5,000 round number.What are the key support levels for gold? The primary support zone sits at $4,300-$4,400, defined by October 2025 highs. The 200-day exponential moving average at $4,200 is the structural bull/bear dividing line and held during the March 23 intraday test to $4,100. Goldman Sachs' bear-case floor is $3,800 per ounce.How high can gold go in 2026? Institutional forecasts range from $5,400 (Goldman Sachs) to $6,300 (JPMorgan and Wells Fargo) for year-end 2026. UBS targets $5,600 but warns the gold cycle may be approaching its late stage. The all-time intraday high remains $5,595, set on January 29, 2026, while $5,400 represents the highest closing price in gold's history. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Retail investors are heading into the second quarter of 2026 with cautious optimism, but the picture underneath that headline number is more complicated, and potentially more useful, than a simple confidence reading, according to Saxo’s Q1 2026 Investor Forecast.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)Japan emerged as the clear favorite for the coming six months. Sixty-three percent of respondents expect the Japanese equity market to rise, more than any other major market covered in the survey. The global equity market came second at 57%, Europe third at 51%, and local markets at 48%. The US sits at the bottom, with only 40% expecting gains and 34% expecting a decline, the highest negative reading of any market tested. That gap between Japan and the US is not just a data point, it is a signal for brokers about where client interest is likely to concentrate over the period.US Skepticism Cuts Across BordersThe caution toward US equities holds across age groups, with 41% of the 18-35 cohort expecting an increase, 40% among the 36-60 group, and 39% among those aged 61 and above. The spread is narrow enough to suggest this is not a generational view, but a broadly shared one. The pattern echoes what Saxo's first Investor Forecast found in late 2025, when clients across 11 markets also expressed more confidence in global equities than in their home bourses, pointing to a persistent structural preference for international diversification over domestic conviction."Investors are clearly walking a fine line between optimism and caution," said Charu Chanana, Chief Investment Strategist at Saxo. "The standout result from this survey is the strong confidence in Japan compared with other major markets. While many investors remain wary of stretched valuations, particularly in the US, Japan is increasingly seen as a market where structural reforms and corporate improvements could continue to drive upside."The national breakdown adds further granularity. Japan, Singapore, and UK respondents show relatively stronger confidence in US markets, while French, Italian, Danish, and Dutch respondents lean more skeptical. A Stable Core, But a Minority Ready to MoveMost investors are not planning dramatic changes to how they allocate capital. Sixty-three percent say they will stay invested in the same regions, sectors, and asset classes over the next six months. Twenty-seven percent plan to add exposure in areas where they are not currently invested, and 10% say they may reduce the scope of their holdings. This split between continuity and expansion has direct product implications for brokers. The roughly one-in-four investors willing to move into new territory represent a meaningful segment, and data from Saxo's own client performance analysis published earlier this year showed that multi-product investors outperformed single-product investors in three of the past five years, with the gap widening most recently. Multi-product investors returned 15.8% in 2025 against 13.5% for those using a single product type, according to that report.Overvaluation Dominates the Macro AgendaAmong six themes that could prompt a strategy change, concern about market overvaluation drew the strongest response by a clear margin. Sixty-nine percent of respondents said this factor may influence how they invest, well ahead of Trump policy impacts at 57%, AI-driven opportunities at 56%, growth optimism at 54%, AI-related concerns at 53%, and European defence needs at 48%. The spread across age groups on overvaluation is notably narrow: 63% among the 18-35 cohort, 70% among the 36-60 group, and 69% among the 61-plus segment, suggesting this concern cuts across generational lines more cleanly than most other themes.Chanana added that the results should be read with one important caveat: most responses were collected before the US and Israel attacks on Iran on February 28, 2026. "That and the ensuing hardship is bound to have changed sentiment for many investors," she said.Younger and Female Investors Lean More BullishDemographic splits in the data are consistent enough to carry strategic weight. Women expect increases more often than men across every major market tested: 62% of women anticipate gains in the global market versus 57% of men, and 45% expect the US to rise versus 40% of men. Younger investors follow a similar pattern, with 70% of the 18-35 group expecting global equity gains compared to 59% of the 36-60 cohort and 52% of those aged 61 and above.Other 2026 data points to a broader generational shift in retail participation. Research published in February found Gen Z and millennial investors entering 2026 with a stronger appetite for risk, and a separate eToro survey from the same month found 87% of Gen Z respondents invest in markets every month, versus 68% of baby boomers. Together, these reports suggest the retail investor base is being reshaped by demographic inflows that tend to carry more risk tolerance and broader market engagement.On diversification intent, the age gradient also runs in a clear direction. Thirty-one percent of the 18-35 group plan to add new areas, compared with 28% of the 36-60 segment and 23% of those aged 61 and above. The share planning to reduce exposure rises with age from 6% to 10% to 13%. Brokers building out product roadmaps or onboarding flows may find these cohort patterns worth mapping against their own client demographics.What the Data Signals for the IndustryThe clearest signal for the CFD and retail brokerage sector may be the combination of stability at the top level, with two-thirds of clients staying put, and real divergence at the demographic and geographic layer. Brokers who treat their client base as homogeneous risk underserving the roughly one-in-four investors actively looking to expand, the younger and female cohorts consistently showing higher optimism, and the country-level differences in macro sensitivities that suggest national product and communication strategies may be worth more than a single global narrative. Saxo's own client growth trajectory, reaching 1.5 million clients with DKK 800 billion in assets by the end of 2024, reflects the broader trend of retail platforms benefiting from exactly this kind of engagement. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

The retail FX and CFD sector's growth between Q4 2021 and Q4 2025 was measurable across every dimension. Monthly trading volume across 52 tracked brokers rose from $7.1 trillion to $19.5 trillion, a 173% increase over four years. Active accounts doubled, from 2.35 million to 4.69 million. Yet the share of combined volume held by the five largest brokers moved by just 0.2 percentage points, from 38.4% to 38.2%, within the margin of rounding, according to FM Intelligence.Access the Full FM Intelligence Report: Top 5 Retail CFD Brokers - Same Volume Share, New NamesRetail CFD Top Five Hold 38% Volume Share After Four YearsAn FM Intelligence review of the five defining trends in CFD for 2025, published in December, found that three brokers had already crossed the $1 trillion monthly volume mark by Q3 of that year, a threshold that only IC Markets had consistently held in prior periods. That pre-announcement of the shift at the top of the rankings is now confirmed in the Q4 data.Only IC Markets and IG Group retained their top-five positions across the full four years. Their volumes grew substantially, IC Markets from $913 billion to $1.76 trillion and IG Group from $749 billion to $1.56 trillion, but both lost individual market share as the broader sample expanded faster.[#highlighted-links#] The three brokers that joined them in Q4 2025, EC Markets at $1.49 trillion, TMGM at $1.39 trillion, and JustMarkets at $1.24 trillion, replaced Plus500, Saxo Bank, and GAIN Capital, each of which grew in absolute terms but was outpaced. TMGM's volume rose 578% from its Q4 2021 level of $205 billion. FM Intelligence noted that EC Markets and JustMarkets were absent from the 2021 dataset, which limits direct comparison for both brokers.XTB Builds a Client Base Larger Than the Entire 2021 Top FiveVolume concentration held flat. Client concentration did not. The top five brokers by active accounts raised their combined share from 31.5% to 36.7% across the four-year period, a 5.2 percentage point increase that FM Intelligence attributed almost entirely to XTB.The Polish fintech's active account base grew from 127,000 in Q4 2021 to 850,000 in Q4 2025, a 569% increase, moving the broker from fifth place to first and giving it 18.1% of total tracked accounts. By Q4 2025, XTB alone held more accounts than the entire 2021 top five combined. XTB added 864,000 clients in full-year 2025, a pace its chief executive described as unprecedented in the company's two-decade history. The broker's expansion into stock and ETF fractional investing across European markets accompanied the growth in its client count. The other four brokers in the Q4 2025 accounts top five, EC Markets, IC Markets, JustMarkets, and D Prime, each held between 4.2% and 4.9%.Active CFD accounts across the industry exceeded 6 million by Q4 2025, defying the usual seasonal slowdown, FM Intelligence reported in February. A separate FM Intelligence analysis published the same month estimated that retail trading demand hit a record in early 2026, up 25% from the prior peak.Average monthly volume per 1,000 active accounts across the 52-broker sample rose 38%, from $3.0 billion in Q4 2021 to $4.2 billion in Q4 2025, indicating that trading activity outpaced client growth. The ratio varied sharply across the top brokers: TMGM generated $11.7 billion per 1,000 accounts, IC Markets $7.8 billion, and XTB $0.6 billion, a gap FM Intelligence attributed to differences in client profile, product mix, and trading frequency.The complete broker-by-broker breakdown, methodology disclosure, and full concentration metrics from this analysis are available on the FM Intelligence portal. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Webull UK removed commissions on all US and Hong Kong shares and launched a flexible Stocks and Shares ISA today (Wednesday), the company announced, pressing ahead with a product expansion strategy that has accelerated sharply over the past 12 months.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)The announcements, which the FCA-regulated firm described as part of broader growth plans for 2026, come roughly six months after Webull UK cut its US stock commissions to a flat $0.10 per trade and added London Stock Exchange-listed shares to its platform. Wednesday's move eliminates those US charges entirely and extends zero-commission pricing to Hong Kong equities, a step the company says few UK platforms have taken.Hong Kong Fills a Gap in UK Zero-Commission PricingZero-commission trading on US stocks has become near-universal among UK retail platforms, but pricing on Asian markets has been slower to fall. Webull UK said it is among the first brokers operating in the UK to bring Hong Kong shares into the zero-commission category, citing the market's liquidity and the volume of publicly available information on its listed companies as factors that make it well-suited to retail investors building diversified portfolios."Building a diverse portfolio is key to navigating volatility and this diversification, combined with sophisticated investment analysis tools on the platform and Webull's global expertise, will provide UK investors with everything they need to make well-informed decisions," Nick Saunders, Chief Executive Officer at Webull UK, commented.The parent company, Nasdaq-listed Webull Corporation (BULL), posted record revenue of $571 million in its first year as a public company, according to results published last month. Outside the US, Webull counted more than 760,000 funded accounts at year-end 2025, with Asia-Pacific customer assets exceeding $3 billion.ISA Market Gets Another EntrantThe Stocks and Shares ISA, available to UK residents aged 18 and over, sits inside a tax-efficient wrapper and offers access to ETFs and shares. Its flexible structure allows investors to withdraw and redeposit funds within the same tax year without losing their annual allowance, a feature that has become a competitive differentiator as platforms position themselves against more rigid legacy products.The UK ISA market has seen considerable activity in recent months. Robinhood UK launched its own Stocks and Shares ISA in February, offering zero account fees and a 2% cash bonus on eligible contributions. XTB entered the ISA market in December 2024 with a zero-fee Stocks and Shares product and has since layered on a Cash ISA with a 6% AER introductory rate. Saxo Bank launched a fee-free flexible ISA in April 2025 after reporting a six-fold increase in demand for its existing ISA offering, while eToro introduced a Cash ISA through a partnership with Moneyfarm in late 2025, pairing it with a 4.67% AER.UK Retail Demand Draws Platform InvestmentThe rush of ISA product launches reflects a broader shift in how retail-facing platforms approach the UK market. Research cited by XTB in its own ISA launch materials suggested one in five UK adults plans to begin investing small monthly amounts in 2026, pointing to a customer base that extends beyond experienced traders into first-time investors who may prioritize tax efficiency over access to specific instruments.For Webull, the ISA adds to a product suite that has expanded rapidly since the company received FCA authorization in October 2022. The platform has added fractional shares trading through a partnership with infrastructure provider Upvest, integrated TradingView for US equity order execution, and launched exchange-traded options in 2024. The company said further products are planned for the remainder of this year, without providing specifics.Webull Corporation operates across 14 markets in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Latin America, serving more than 26 million registered users globally, the company said. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.