Entercard, which provides card products and consumer loans through partnerships in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, has been co-owned by Swedbank and Barclays since 2005. It employs around 450 staff and serves 1.5 million customers. “Today we are forming the largest card business in the Nordics and Baltics,” said Tomas Hedberg, Deputy Chief Executive of Swedbank. “Through this acquisition, Swedbank continues to invest in and develop our business. This creates even greater opportunities to strengthen our customer offering.” The purchase price corresponds to 50 per cent of Entercard’s equity at the time of the transaction. In the first quarter of 2025, Entercard’s total equity was about SEK 5.2 billion. Entercard will retain its brand identity following the acquisition. Chief Executive Jan Haglund welcomed the move, stating: “For 20 years, Entercard has been on a strong growth journey. Becoming a full part of Swedbank, the leading financial group in Sweden and the Baltics, creates new business opportunities to further strengthen our operations.” The acquisition is expected to reduce Swedbank’s Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio by around 30 basis points upon completion. The bank described this as consistent with its 15/27 business plan. The post Swedbank Acquires Barclays’ Entercard Stake appeared first on LeapRate.

Expected to go live in January 2026, PlattsView will be integrated into Platts’ Market-On-Close (MOC) price assessment process for the U.S. Aluminium P1020 Midwest Transaction Premium (MWP), the industry’s benchmark for U.S. aluminium prices.  The platform will enable market participants to directly enter bids, offers and transaction data into the assessment process. CME Group will provide its CME Direct solution as the underlying technology, offering a real-time screen view of market activity. “PlattsView users will benefit from the ease of communication and the at-a-glance view of market activity,” commented Matt Thompson, Head of Platts Global Trading Solutions at S&P Global Commodity Insights. “We are excited about the enhanced transparency it will bring to the U.S. aluminium market and about our expanded work with CME Group in this important market.” Jin Hennig, Managing Director and Global Head of Metals at CME Group, added: “As regional price dynamics become increasingly important, our collaboration with PlattsView will enhance transparency for the U.S. aluminium community.” Platts said it is currently engaging with market participants and will demonstrate the new tool to the marketplace ahead of its launch. The initiative aims to deliver greater efficiency and visibility in one of the key industrial metals markets. The post Platts and CME Group to Launch Screen-Based Price Assessment Tool for US Aluminium Market appeared first on LeapRate.

The move highlights rapid growth in the global over-the-counter (OTC) crypto sector. It comes after OTC crypto trading volumes surged 112.6 percent in the first half of 2025, according to Finery Markets’ latest review.  The sector also recorded a 57.6 percent increase in total deals, cementing its position as one of the fastest-growing areas of digital finance. Through the alliance, Finery Markets’ infrastructure will power Caladan’s institutional liquidity offering, enabling access to more than 1,000 digital assets traded across 70 global exchanges.  Together, the firms aim to support a business representing an estimated $170 billion in annual trading volume. Caladan said the partnership would accelerate its ability to meet growing demand from institutional clients seeking secure and scalable access to crypto markets.  Finery Markets’ technology, known for its focus on operational efficiency and compliance, is expected to play a central role in scaling this liquidity provision. The expansion reflects a broader shift as institutional investors increasingly move into OTC trading to manage larger transactions away from public exchanges, reducing market impact and improving execution quality. Both companies described the tie-up as a step towards strengthening infrastructure for global digital asset markets.  The post Caladan and Finery Markets Join Forces to Tap OTC Crypto Surge appeared first on LeapRate.

In its 2024 assessment, FINMA confirmed that the emergency plans for Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) and Raiffeisen meet regulatory standards.  However, PostFinance’s plan remains insufficient, with the institution still lacking adequate recapitalisation capacity to absorb losses in the event of a crisis. PostFinance acknowledged the issue last year and has been raising the necessary funds since 2024, with completion expected by the end of 2025.  FINMA also criticised PostFinance’s alternative strategy, stating it does not currently guarantee the continuity of essential banking functions should restructuring prove unfeasible. By contrast, recovery plans for all three banks – PostFinance, Raiffeisen and ZKB – were approved. FINMA said its post–Credit Suisse assessment placed particular emphasis on trigger thresholds for recovery measures and scenario analysis, noting improvements across the institutions. Systemically important banks in Switzerland are required to demonstrate annually how they would preserve core functions, including deposits, payments and lending, if faced with insolvency.  They must also prove they can stabilise independently without state intervention. FINMA reiterated its support for an expanded “crisis toolkit,” as proposed by the Federal Council, to enhance the regulator’s ability to restructure or wind down troubled banks.  It said such measures would help bolster the resilience of the Swiss financial system. A separate assessment of UBS will follow later this year. The post FINMA Flags PostFinance Weakness in Emergency Planning appeared first on LeapRate.

Between June 2020 and January 2021, NBL misused more than US$68m of a client’s funds on six occasions to subscribe to shares in a Cayman fund for its own benefit, without the client’s consent. The firm retained the profits before repaying only the principal by mid-2021. The SFC also found that NBL knowingly facilitated a scheme led by Neo Ng Yu, which misappropriated around US$154m of the same client’s assets. The funds were purportedly invested in “liquidity provider units” of a sub-fund, but no such units existed. Instead, significant sums were channelled to Ng and his related entities. Investigators said NBL fabricated documents and provided false information to conceal the misuse of assets, later presenting contradictory explanations regarding the funds’ whereabouts. The SFC concluded that the misconduct was directly attributable to Lee, who personally gave false statements during the inquiry and maintained close ties with Ng. In determining the sanctions, the regulator cited the seriousness of the breaches, the loss of client funds, and the damage caused to investor confidence. NBL, which once held licences to trade securities, futures, forex and manage assets, was ordered to be wound up by Hong Kong’s High Court in 2022. The post Hong Kong Regulator Revokes Nerico Brothers Licence Over Client Asset Misuse appeared first on LeapRate.

The Swiss-based interdealer broker reported consolidated revenue, including joint ventures, of CHF 632.1 million for the six months, up 12.3% at constant exchange rates compared with the same period last year. Operating profit before depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 27.3% to CHF 114.7m, lifting the margin to 18.1% from 16.0% in 2024. Group net profit attributable to shareholders was CHF 70.2m, an increase of 20.4% at constant exchange rates, while basic earnings per share rose to CHF 9.14 from CHF 7.98. Reported revenue excluding joint ventures also advanced, climbing 10.8% at constant exchange rates to CHF 580.1m. The group highlighted growth in both its interdealer broking (IDB) business, which saw revenues climb 11.2% to CHF 607.6m, and its online forex trading operations in Japan, which surged 47.6% to CHF 24.5m. Despite foreign exchange headwinds and increased interest expenses from bond refinancing, the company maintained a robust balance sheet with net cash of CHF 278.3m as of 30 June, up 22.1% year-on-year. Looking ahead, Compagnie Financière Tradition said it would continue pursuing organic growth, with a focus on hybrid brokerage solutions, data services, and digitalisation initiatives. The group said its strong capital position leaves it well-placed to capture further opportunities amid ongoing uncertainty in global markets. The post Compagnie Financière Tradition Reports Strong First-Half Growth on Market Volatility appeared first on LeapRate.

In a release on Wednesday, IC Markets highlighted the Cypriot football club’s 2–0 victory in the opening match of the 2025–26 league season. The sponsorship agreement, extended earlier this year through 2027, reinforces IC Markets EU’s commitment to supporting both the club and the wider Limassol community.  The company described the renewal as part of a broader strategy to build connections beyond financial markets and align with institutions representing heritage, ambition and excellence. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with AEL Limassol,” said a spokesperson for IC Markets EU. “This renewal highlights our commitment not only to the club but also to the broader Limassol community. Football has the power to unite people, and we’re proud to stand alongside a team with such a storied history and loyal fanbase.” Founded in 1930, AEL Limassol is among Cyprus’s most historic and decorated football clubs, with success both domestically and internationally.  The renewed sponsorship provides the club with long-term backing as it seeks further achievements on and off the pitch during the current season. For IC Markets EU, the partnership reflects a strategy of using sport to strengthen its brand presence while engaging with communities.  The company said it looked forward to celebrating more successes with the club as the season progresses, building on the momentum of the opening victory. The post IC Markets EU Renews AEL Limassol Sponsorship appeared first on LeapRate.

The cancellation took effect on 28 July 2025 and was announced by ASIC on Thursday.  ASIC explained that under section 915B(3)(e) of the Corporations Act 2001, it has the authority to suspend or cancel an AFS licence where a licensee has not paid levies imposed under the ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Act 2017, including any associated late or shortfall penalties, for at least 12 months after the due date. BDS Accounting, which had held AFS Licence number 489230 since December 2017, was authorised to provide financial product advice and deal in superannuation, limited to self-managed superannuation funds. ASIC said the firm’s failure to settle its industry levies met the conditions for cancellation. The levies form part of the regulator’s cost recovery framework, which requires licensed entities to contribute to the cost of regulating the financial services industry. BDS Accounting has the right to seek a review of the decision by appealing to the Administrative Review Tribunal. The regulator regularly uses its powers under the Corporations Act to enforce compliance with levy obligations, viewing the timely payment of levies as essential to ensuring fair cost-sharing among market participants. The post ASIC Cancels BDS Accounting’s Licence Over Unpaid Levies appeared first on LeapRate.

The firm said on Wednesday that the products span agricultural commodities, energy, metals and freight, and are listed on the Shanghai International Energy Exchange, the Dalian Commodity Exchange and the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange.  The initiative follows Marex’s approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission to act as an Overseas Intermediary. Marex said demand for these contracts has been growing among corporates and exporters seeking to manage long-term risks and enhance price discovery in Chinese domestic commodities.  The firm added that expanding access to China Internationalised Futures Contracts supports its strategy to broaden its geographic footprint and strengthen its relevance to clients. The move comes after the opening of Marex’s new Hong Kong office earlier this year, a step that Chief Executive Officer for Asia Pacific, Arthur Fan, said underlined the firm’s regional ambitions. “We continue to look for new ways to connect our global clients to Asian markets, providing them with new options to manage their risk,” Fan said. “This access is further evidence of our commitment to invest both in Asia and in our product offering, even during uncertain times in global markets.” Chinese commodity exchange-traded derivatives have grown rapidly since international market access was introduced in 2018.  According to the Futures Industry Association, they accounted for more than half of all global commodity contracts traded in the first five months of 2025. The post Marex Offers Access to China Internationalised Futures Contracts appeared first on LeapRate.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) found that between 2021 and 2024, MWL operated a so-called “low cost advice project” using referrals from telemarketers, leading more than 750 clients to invest $155 million in Shield.  ASIC said MWL failed to act in clients’ best interests, used misleading statements of advice, and had undisclosed bonus and referral arrangements. Deputy Chair Sarah Court said: “Clients who seek advice from financial advisers should be able to trust that the advice they receive will be in their best interest. Failing to manage conflicts has the potential to cause consumers to be given financial product advice that may not suit their needs.” ASIC determined that Maikousis was the “driving force” behind the scheme and lacked adequate appreciation of the obligations owed by a financial services provider.  He has been banned from providing or controlling any financial services business until 2035. The cancellation of MWL’s licence takes effect from 25 September 2025. ASIC has directed the firm to remain a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority until August 2026, allowing clients time to lodge complaints. The regulator’s investigation into Shield continues, including proceedings against Equity Trustees over alleged due diligence failures. Since 2022, more than 5,800 consumers have invested $480 million in the fund. The post ASIC Cancels MWL’s Licence and Bans Director Over Advice Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

The bank said its new direct payment rails provide “high transaction speed and a scalable platform,” designed to reduce the number of transaction hops compared with the common PSP-driven model.  The integration aims to boost success rates while simplifying reconciliation for merchants. Through a single connection to Deutsche Bank’s Merchant Solutions platform, clients gain access to UPI alongside cards and other local methods.  The bank’s orchestration layer routes payments via selected providers, with Deutsche Bank remaining the counterparty of record. Merchants can now accept UPI through QR codes, payment links and collection requests, with real-time reporting available online. Oliver von Quadt, Deutsche Bank’s global head of merchant solutions – acceptance, said the firm sees “significant potential to continue to grow our merchant solutions business in India.”  “While still early days, we are seeing significant interest from our corporate clients and PSPs on this offering with the objective of improving the overall customer experience,” he added. UPI handled 172 billion transactions worth $2.88 trillion in 2024 and is recognised in seven other countries including Singapore, France and the UAE.  Daily UPI transactions in India are expected to reach one billion in coming years, underlining the scale of the opportunity for banks and payment providers. The post Deutsche Bank Optimises UPI Connectivity to Streamline Merchant Payments in India appeared first on LeapRate.

The move makes eToro the first non-Nordic broker to offer complimentary real-time access to Nasdaq Nordic equities data to its global retail client base. The development builds on eToro’s existing agreement with Nasdaq for U.S. equity data and underscores both firms’ efforts to broaden retail investor access to localised markets. “Since our founding in 2007, eToro has built a global investment platform serving the needs of users from 75 countries around the world,” said Yossi Brandes, VP of Execution Services at eToro. “Many retail investors still have a strong home bias and this partnership enables us to offer a broader range of local stocks as well as superior pricing data for our users investing in European companies.” Retail participation in the Nordic main market has risen steadily, increasing from 7.7% in 2018 to 10.6% in the first quarter of 2025. Nasdaq Nordic exchanges, home to companies such as Volvo, H&M, Nokia and Novo Nordisk, have also historically delivered some of the strongest long-term real returns globally. “Expanding access to real-time market data is foundational to building a more connected and informed global investor community,” said Brandon Tepper, Global Head of Data at Nasdaq. The partnership also supports eToro’s broader strategy of expanding access to local markets through collaborations with other global exchanges. The post eToro Expands Partnership with Nasdaq to Offer Nordic Equities Data appeared first on LeapRate.

The firm has adopted Centroid Bridge, an advanced connectivity, liquidity distribution and execution engine, to improve trading performance, broaden its product suite and enhance risk management.  The integration is designed to support OW Markets’ growth strategy as it seeks to deliver a more competitive service to retail and institutional clients. “At OW Markets, we are always seeking ways to enhance our services and provide our clients with the most efficient and reliable trading solutions,” said Mohammad Yaghi, Founder and CEO at OW Markets. “With Centroid’s technology stack in place, we are poised to aggressively expand our offerings and achieve even greater heights.” The partnership is expected to deliver tighter spreads, deeper market access and faster trade execution.  Centroid Bridge also offers built-in tools to monitor and manage risks in real time, alongside infrastructure designed to scale with growing demand. Cristian Vlasceanu, CEO of Centroid Solutions, said: “It’s always exciting to collaborate with brokerages that are rapidly expanding.”  “Our technology is built to perform in high-throughput environments, and we look forward to helping OW Markets achieve new milestones in efficiency and success.” By strengthening its operational backbone, OW Markets aims to combine scale with innovation, while offering more flexible liquidity solutions tailored for financial institutions. The post OW Markets Partners with Centroid Solutions to Strengthen Brokerage Operations appeared first on LeapRate.

According to FINRA, between January 2018 and December 2021 the firm’s written supervisory procedures were not reasonably designed to ensure compliance with federal securities law requirements.  The regulator explained that under Rule 15c2-8(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, firms must provide customers expected to participate in an IPO with a preliminary prospectus at least 48 hours before sending a confirmation of sale. FINRA said J.P. Morgan’s supervisory system did not adequately verify whether delivery had taken place.  For most of the roughly 400 IPOs distributed during the review period, there was no supervisory check on whether institutional clients received the required documents.  In some cases, it was stated that customers who had declined electronic delivery were not added to the mailing list for hard copies, contrary to the firm’s own procedures. The regulator noted that J.P. Morgan identified some of the deficiencies in October 2021 and subsequently revised its procedures in December 2021 and again in January 2024. Without admitting or denying the findings, J.P. Morgan consented to the sanctions, which include a censure and the $150,000 fine. The firm also waived any right to contest its ability to pay. The post FINRA Fines J.P. Morgan Securities $150,000 Over IPO Prospectus Lapses appeared first on LeapRate.

Wuermeling, who will also chair the Supervisory Board of parent company 21.finance AG, brings extensive experience in financial governance and regulation.  He served on the Executive Board of the Deutsche Bundesbank from 2016 to 2023 and has held senior roles including Executive in Residence at ESMT Berlin and Attorney-at-Law at A&O Shearman.  He has also taught at Universität Potsdam for more than 25 years and sat on several supervisory boards in asset management. Max Heinzle, founder and chief executive of 21X, said Wuermeling’s appointment would be “crucial in navigating the complexities of the rapidly evolving digital asset ecosystem and ensuring our continued compliance.”  He added that his experience at the Bundesbank and involvement with international bodies such as the ECB Supervisory Board and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision would help shape the company’s long-term strategy. Wuermeling said he was “excited to be part of the journey of a frontrunner fintech and to navigate with the entire team the digital future of finance.”  He added that distributed ledger technology was gaining momentum quickly and stressed the need for 21X to maintain its pace and scale while meeting regulatory requirements. The company said the appointment underscored its commitment to strong governance and regulatory rigour as it moves to expand digital asset trading. The post 21X Appoints Joachim Wuermeling to Supervisory Board Ahead of Secondary Market Launch appeared first on LeapRate.

The decision was reportedly made by the company’s supervisory board on August 26, with the appointment subject to approval by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF). Once confirmed, Osiński will oversee XTB’s risk management system. Osiński brings over 15 years of experience in risk and financial oversight. A graduate of the Poznań University of Economics with a master’s degree in computer science and econometrics, he has also completed the CFA Level 1 exam and a series of specialist training programmes. His career began at the Polish Financial Supervision Authority in 2008 before moving to TMS Brokers S.A. Brokerage House as a risk specialist.  He later worked at Alior Bank S.A. assessing capital requirements, before rejoining TMS Brokers in senior roles, including head of the cash flow department and risk manager. Since 2021, Osiński has been a management board member for risk at OANDA TMS Brokers S.A., where he also served as risk director and head of financial risk at the OANDA Group. His tenure with OANDA will conclude on 31 August. XTB said the appointment strengthens its governance framework by adding specialist expertise to the management board.  The company added that Osiński’s track record in risk oversight positions him to support its ongoing growth and regulatory compliance. The post XTB Appoints Bartosz Osiński to Board as Risk Management Lead appeared first on LeapRate.

PISCES, or the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System, will allow buyers and sellers of shares in private companies to trade on an intermittent basis.  It is the world’s first regulated private stock market and will operate initially within the FCA’s financial markets infrastructure sandbox before a permanent regime is finalised in 2030. Simon Walls, executive director of markets at the FCA, said the approval marked “a major milestone in our drive to boost growth and unlock capital investment,” adding that it would help seed “a competitive market that gives greater investor access to exciting growth companies.” LSE chief executive Julia Hoggett welcomed the approval, describing it as “a significant step towards the launch of our Private Securities Market later this year.”  She added that the initiative would support firms “across all stages of their growth” by strengthening the continuum between private and public markets. Emma Reynolds, economic secretary to the Treasury, said the development showed government, regulators and industry working together to enhance the UK’s capital markets.  “This government is committed to working with the regulators and business to enhance our capital markets offering, supporting economic growth, and putting more money in working people’s pockets as part of our Plan for Change,” she said. The post FCA Approves LSE as First Operator of New Private Stock Market PISCES appeared first on LeapRate.

The case centred on two ASX announcements made by TerraCom in February and April 2020, along with an open letter published in the Australian Financial Review and The Australian in March 2020.  In these communications, the company claimed that allegations made by a whistleblower were false and that its employees had been independently cleared. TerraCom later admitted the statements harmed the whistleblower by causing “hurt, humiliation, distress and embarrassment” and by damaging his reputation.  ASIC said the company had wrongly represented him as someone making baseless accusations for personal gain, despite an independent investigation partially supporting his claims. ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said the outcome sent a strong message. “ASIC took this case because whistleblowers shed light on important issues. Where corporations engage in conduct that harms whistleblowers, even unintentionally, they risk disincentivising others from coming forward. Companies should always properly consider and respond to the issues raised by whistleblowers,” she said. In addition to the $7.5 million penalty, TerraCom was ordered to pay ASIC’s legal costs of $1 million. The Federal Court proceedings followed a long-running dispute over a PricewaterhouseCoopers report commissioned by TerraCom into the allegations.  After several legal challenges, ASIC obtained access to the report in 2022. Civil penalty proceedings against four former TerraCom executives were dismissed last month. The post TerraCom Fined $7.5 Million in ASIC Whistleblower Case appeared first on LeapRate.

The integration is said to allow SKsoft clients to process international payments in more than 145 currencies across over 200 countries, while also gaining access to Corpay’s currency risk management services.  By consolidating payments and treasury functions into a single solution, the companies aim to enhance operational efficiency, visibility and control for enterprise users. “This partnership reflects Corpay’s continued investment and momentum within the Microsoft Dynamics space, strengthening our ERP strategy,” said Frank Mannarino, Vice President, Head of Channels & Alliances at Corpay Cross-Border Solutions.  “We are excited to partner with a marquee partner like SKsoft to continue to bring value to the ecosystem, providing shared clients with the seamless global payment and treasury capabilities they need to scale confidently.” SKsoft, which specialises in embedded banking and treasury automation for Dynamics 365, said the collaboration would remove the complexity of managing multiple global banking systems.  “By integrating Corpay’s proven cross-border payment capabilities, we are giving our clients the ability to initiate and manage international payments directly from Dynamics 365, reducing costs, improving visibility, and eliminating the complexity of separate global banking systems,” said Aynsley Keller, Chief Operating Officer of SKsoft. The combined solution is available immediately to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management clients, offering faster settlement, expanded foreign exchange coverage and improved cash flow optimisation. The post Corpay and SKsoft Partner to Streamline Cross-Border Payments appeared first on LeapRate.

Developed by the firm’s Data, Analytics & Innovation team, the tools aim to combine advanced technology with Citi Wealth’s personalised client service model.  Advisor Insights is said to provide bankers and advisors with a customised dashboard carrying timely messages on market developments, portfolios and current events, including commentary from Citi Wealth’s Chief Investment Office. AskWealth, meanwhile, is a generative AI-powered assistant that delivers instant answers across Citi’s Wealth ecosystem.  Citi explained that the tool is designed to help advisors and service teams resolve client queries quickly while providing access to market research and investment insights. “Advisor Insights and AskWealth are pivotal steps forward in the expansion of Citi Wealth’s AI, data and technological capabilities,” said Joe Bonanno, Head of Data, Analytics & Innovation.  “These platforms will save hours of time for our advisors, bankers and service teams while reinforcing for clients the personal and high-touch experience that is a tradition at our firm.” Advisor Insights is currently being piloted with advisors in Citigold and Citi Private Client North America, with plans to expand to Citi Private Bankers and international markets in late 2025 and early 2026. AskWealth is now available globally after its launch in Asia. “These new AI-powered tools are gamechangers for Citi Wealth,” said Andy Sieg, Head of Wealth. “They give our advisors sharper insights, streamline how we work, and open new possibilities for serving clients with speed and precision.” The post Citi Wealth Unveils AI-Powered Tools for Client Communications appeared first on LeapRate.