The alliance will see BMG leverage StoneX Payments’ technology platform and settlement network, giving it access to over 375 correspondent banks and payment endpoints across 180 countries.  The partnership is designed to improve payment efficiency, reduce reliance on intermediary banks, and expand access to underserved markets. StoneX Payments will facilitate foreign exchange and payment processing in more than 140 currencies through its API-driven system, including its new proprietary payment engine, XPay.  The integration is expected to enable faster settlement times, greater transparency, and validation of transaction data for BMG’s international clients. Thiago Vieira, global head of StoneX Payments, said the partnership “is another meaningful step on our journey to build products and services that facilitate money movement and payment distribution for international organisations globally.” “Through our proven infrastructure, and powered by our state-of-the-art, proprietary new payment engine, XPay, we now have the privilege of serving over 85 banking institutions,” added Vieira. Niels van Tol, head of business development at BMG, commented that the “represents a substantial evolution in the services we offer to our clients.” He added that StoneX’s global network and innovative infrastructure will allow the company to broaden its liquidity management capabilities with new currencies and “deliver enhanced flexibility and transparency in international transactions.” The post StoneX Partners with Bank Mendes Gans to Boost Cross-Border Payments appeared first on LeapRate.

The firm’s analysis of IvyDB Europe trading volumes between 2010 and 2025 is said to show that while the American options market has expanded dramatically, Europe’s story has been more restrained.  “It appears that European options markets tell a more subdued story over the past 15 years, compared to the U.S.,” the report noted. Among the regional standouts, the Netherlands and Denmark emerged as clear growth winners.  Dutch trading volumes have risen steadily, supported by retail investor participation, new product listings, and exchange-driven innovation.  Denmark’s market saw a sharper trajectory, with activity accelerating from 2020 onwards during the pandemic-era retail trading boom. By contrast, Spain and the UK have been in consistent decline. OptionsMetrics said Spain’s market is shown to have suffered a volatile but downward path, with occasional spikes during stress events before settling at low levels.  Meanwhile, they noted that the UK has seen a steadier fall, sliding from peaks in the mid-2010s to more modest volumes today. Germany, once weakened by a significant dip, has managed to climb back to previous levels. Meanwhile, larger markets such as France, Italy and Belgium have maintained relatively steady activity, punctuated by spikes during periods of market turbulence. The OptionsMetrics findings highlight Europe’s fragmented options landscape, where only a handful of markets have achieved growth momentum, leaving the region trailing the US in overall derivatives expansion. The post European Options Markets Lag US Growth: Dutch and Danish Trading Leading Gains appeared first on LeapRate.

Until now, customers wanting to trade crypto were required to open and use a separate Webull Pay account via a standalone app.  With the latest update, Webull has integrated those functions, enabling investors to manage their Webull Pay accounts and trade crypto alongside stocks and options in one place. The platform now supports 24/7 trading of more than 50 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana. Anthony Denier, U.S. chief executive and group president at Webull, said: “Our mission has always been to deliver a streamlined, user-centric investing experience.  “By reintegrating crypto trading into the Webull app, we are making it easier for customers to access and manage their entire portfolio, whether they’re trading stocks, options, or digital assets. This update removes friction and provides a seamless centralized platform for navigating all investment opportunities.” Stephen Yip, chief executive of Webull Pay, stated that “cryptocurrencies have become an essential part of today’s diversified investment strategies,” and the firm is “excited to again offer crypto trading through Webull to deliver a more unified and convenient experience that reflects how modern investors want to manage their portfolios.” At present, crypto trading through Webull is available only in the US and Brazil, with plans to expand to additional markets in the coming months. The post Webull Brings Back Crypto Trading for US Investors appeared first on LeapRate.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said Equity Trustees oversaw the investment of about A$160 million in retirement savings into Shield across 2023 and 2024.  The fund had “no track record,” ASIC said, and thousands of members ultimately saw their balances reduced. ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said: “Instead of acting as an effective gatekeeper for its members’ retirement savings, ASIC alleges Equity Trustees allowed thousands of members invest to in Shield which had no track record. Those members ultimately saw their super balances eroded.” She added that the case was part of ASIC’s broader efforts to safeguard superannuation savings: “Superannuation trustees play a critical role helping people save for their retirement. We expect them to do so with care and skill and put the interests of their members first.” ASIC alleges that Equity Trustees failed to exercise the diligence expected of a prudent trustee, act in the best financial interests of members, and ensure financial services were provided “efficiently, honestly and fairly.” Court noted the action was “the first action against a superannuation trustee in relation to this complex set of investigations,” warning that further cases were likely. ASIC is seeking declarations and civil penalties. The post ASIC Sues Equity Trustees Over Alleged Superannuation Due Diligence Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

The companies said in a press release that the collaboration expands their partnership from blockchain to AI-enabled global cash management, aiming to cut foreign exchange costs and improve risk management for Ant International and its clients.  Both companies are participants in the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s PathFin.ai programme, which seeks to advance AI adoption in financial services. The joint system is said to enable real-time data exchange and AI-powered FX forecasting, with Standard Chartered stating the integration allows it to predict Ant’s FX exposures with more than 90 per cent accuracy.  This, in turn, is expected to help manage risk more effectively and reduce clients’ hedging costs.  Falcon now forecasts Ant’s cashflow and FX exposures on hourly, daily and weekly bases, processing more than 60 per cent of Ant’s FX-related transactions and lowering FX costs by up to 60 per cent. Madhu Menon, Global Head of SC PrismFX Sales at Standard Chartered, said: “Our latest collaboration with Ant International sets the path for an innovative approach to managing and hedging FX risk and costs for Ant International and their clients globally.” Kelvin Li, General Manager of Platform Tech at Ant International, added: “By integrating Standard Chartered’s robust banking capabilities with Ant International’s innovative solutions, we are able to enhance the way businesses manage their global liquidity and FX strategy.” The partners said they would continue to expand their cooperation as cross-border transaction volumes rise. The post Standard Chartered and Ant International Unveil AI-Powered FX and Treasury Solution appeared first on LeapRate.

The post Clearstream to Launch Smart Realignment Service to Cut Settlement Fails appeared first on LeapRate.

The purchase price is comprised of $135 million at closing, which is expected in the fourth quarter of this year, subject to certain closing conditions, and up to an additional $65 million in potential future earn-outs. The transaction includes intelliflo’s U.S. subsidiaries, RedBlack and intelliflo Portfolio.  The company said intelliflo’s US-based subsidiaries will be established as a standalone business called RedBlack, run by a separate management team. Founded in 2004, London-headquartered intelliflo serves more than 30,000 professionals across 2,600 advisory firms, supporting the management of about £450 billion in client assets.  Its platform delivers tools for client onboarding, financial planning, compliance, and reporting, and integrates with over 120 third-party applications. Carlyle said its investment would help intelliflo expand in the UK and Australia. Equity financing will be provided by Carlyle Europe Technology Partners V, a €3 billion fund focused on technology investments. Fernando Chueca, managing director at Carlyle, said: “intelliflo is a mission-critical software provider to the UK’s wealth management ecosystem, with a deeply embedded and loyal customer base. We are excited to partner with Nick, Bryan, and the team to unlock the company’s full potential and deliver a new stage of growth.” Nick Eatock, intelliflo’s chief executive and founder, said Carlyle’s backing would enable the company to continue building innovative solutions for advisers in its core markets. Evercore advised Invesco, with HSF Kramer as legal adviser. Carlyle was advised by Gibson Dunn, with due diligence provided by Altman Solon, PwC, Oliver Wyman and Ringstone. The post Carlyle to Acquire intelliflo from Invesco in $200m Deal appeared first on LeapRate.

Revenue and other income rose 33 per cent year-on-year to HK$14.08 billion, while profit attributable to shareholders climbed 39 per cent to HK$8.52 billion.  The exchange operator said core business revenue grew 34 per cent, supported by record volumes in the cash equities and stock options markets, alongside higher depository fees and increased net investment income. Net investment income from corporate funds rose to HK$1.04 billion, compared with HK$901 million a year earlier, boosted by an exchange gain from a stronger U.S. dollar against the Hong Kong dollar.  Operating expenses increased 6 per cent, reflecting a HK$90 million fine imposed by the UK Financial Conduct Authority linked to the 2022 nickel market events. Excluding one-off items, costs rose 1 per cent. Chief executive Bonnie Y Chan said: “HKEX started 2025 from a position of strength, reporting the Group’s best-ever half-yearly revenue and profit. Volumes in the Cash Market, Derivatives Market and Stock Connect all reached record half-yearly highs and we regained our position as the world’s No.1 IPO venue by funds raised.” Chan added that HKEX is pressing ahead with initiatives to strengthen its markets in the second half, including a shorter settlement cycle, expanded paperless listing regime, and updated IPO price discovery requirements. The post HKEX Posts Record Half-Year Profit as IPO Market Rebounds appeared first on LeapRate.

The collaboration will centre on tokenised real-world assets, tokenised funds and regulated stablecoins, drawing on Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) to facilitate secure, compliant cross-chain transactions.  Use cases under development include tokenisation of assets such as real estate and bonds, bringing net asset value data for funds onchain, and enabling payment-versus-payment (PvP) settlement for foreign exchange and cross-border transactions.  Chainlink’s Proof of Reserve will also be used to provide transparency around stablecoin backing. A recent survey by SBI Digital Asset Holdings is said to have found that 76% of over 50 financial institutions surveyed intend to invest in tokenised securities to benefit from reduced costs and faster settlement, though the absence of institutional-grade infrastructure was highlighted as a key barrier to broader adoption. “It has been great working with the SBI team, they are one of the most forward-looking and technically advanced groups in the blockchain industry,” said Sergey Nazarov, co-founder of Chainlink.  “SBI’s choice to rely on the Chainlink standard for their digital asset transactions shows that the security/reliability, compliance features, and cross-border connectivity of Chainlink are what is needed to do high-value institutional transactions.” Yoshitaka Kitao, chairman and chief executive of SBI Holdings, said: “With our combined strengths, we are delighted to be working together on developing groundbreaking, secure, compliance-focused solutions … that accelerate the widespread adoption of digital assets in Japan and the region.” The post SBI Group Partners with Chainlink to Advance Institutional Digital Asset Adoption appeared first on LeapRate.

Between April 2020 and August 2023, USBI reportedly did not submit 42 SARs because it applied an incorrect monetary threshold when assessing suspicious transactions.  The firm used the $25,000 reporting threshold applicable to banks instead of the $5,000 threshold required for broker-dealers.  FINRA added that as a result, activity involving account intrusions, identity theft and internet scams went unreported. The regulator said the error reflected shortcomings in USBI’s anti-money laundering policies and procedures, in violation of its rules.  Broker-dealers must have systems capable of detecting and reporting transactions that meet the $5,000 threshold, whereas banks operate under a higher limit in some cases. The problem is said to have stemmed from a centralised compliance process across USBI and its banking affiliate, which led to the misapplication of the bank standard to brokerage accounts.  USBI discovered the mistake in August 2023 after reviewing a separate FINRA enforcement action. The firm then undertook remedial steps, including a six-year review of its reporting practices, retroactively filing the missing SARs, and updating internal procedures and staff training. FINRA noted USBI’s cooperation and prompt self-reporting in determining sanctions. The firm agreed to settle without admitting or denying the findings. The post FINRA Fines U.S. Bancorp Investments $500,000 Over Reporting Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

The company announced that the ETFs will debut on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the Taiwan Stock Exchange on 18 September.  The move is expected to give investors in Japan and Taiwan easier mutual access to each other’s capital markets while diversifying investment opportunities. In Japan, Nomura will introduce the “NEXT FUNDS TIP FactSet Taiwan Innovative Technology 50 Index Exchange Traded Fund” (code: 412A, nickname: NF Taiwan Tech 50 ETF).  The fund will track the TIP FactSet Taiwan Innovative Technology 50 Index, which selects companies that generate most of their revenues from the technology sector.  Nomura explained that eligible stocks are chosen based on factors including research and development activity, stock price momentum and profitability, before narrowing down to the top 50 by market capitalisation. At the same time, Nomura Asset Management Taiwan will list the “NEXT FUNDS – Nomura TOPIX Feeder ETF” (code: 009812) in Taipei.  The fund is designed to track the performance of the TOPIX Total Return Index, providing Taiwan investors with exposure to the largest ETF in Japan, the NEXT FUNDS TOPIX ETF. Nomura Asset Management, which listed its first ETF in Japan in 1995, manages more than ¥40 trillion ($265 billion) in ETFs as of July, accounting for 43% of Japan’s ETF market by assets under management and the largest share in Asia. The post Nomura to Launch First Cross-Listed ETFs in Japan and Taiwan appeared first on LeapRate.

The German stock exchange operator said the centre will serve as a strategic hub for technology and innovation, supporting capital markets platforms as well as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, enterprise IT and cloud engineering.  The firm added that it complements its existing global IT hubs and is expected to play a key role in its long-term digital agenda. “Our Hyderabad office allows us to access one of the most important technology talent pools in the world,” said Christoph Böhm, Chief Information and Chief Operating Officer of Deutsche Börse Group. “We are looking forward to accelerating our long-term digital agenda, support technology innovation, and enhance service continuity across global operations with the new Hyderabad colleagues in our One Global Team.” The Hyderabad GCC is expected to expand rapidly, with plans to recruit several hundred employees across a range of technology and operational functions.  The location was chosen for its status as one of India’s fastest-growing technology hubs, offering access to a deep pool of skilled professionals. To establish and scale the centre, Deutsche Börse Group has partnered with ANSR, a global specialist in building and managing capability centres for multinational enterprises. Lalit Ahuja, Founder and Chief Executive of ANSR, said: “Deutsche Börse Group’s expansion into Hyderabad further underscores the strategic shift global enterprises are making to leverage India as a hub for building future-ready capabilities.” The post Deutsche Börse Group Opens Technology and Operations Hub in Hyderabad appeared first on LeapRate.

Under the agreement, Luminex has integrated access to Nasdaq Canada’s CXD trading book, giving users an additional source of non-displayed liquidity.  The firm explained that the integration is designed to support efficient block trading, robust size discovery and potential price improvement opportunities, subject to regulatory approval. Luminex, owned and operated by U.S.-based LeveL Markets, has been providing natural block liquidity to buy-side traders for almost a decade.  The platform aims to minimise information leakage while offering participants the flexibility to source liquidity efficiently. Steve Miele, Chief Executive Officer of LeveL Markets, said: “Our partnership with Nasdaq Canada underscores the growing demand for seamless integration with advanced trading ecosystems that help amplify customer trading strategies.  Miele notes that the “collaboration not only enhances equities access for the buy-side and sell-side participants but also marks an important step in our global growth strategy.” “Partnering with LeveL Markets allows us to deliver smarter access to liquidity through seamless technology integration,” commented Dan Kessous, Chief Executive Officer of Nasdaq Canada. “This collaboration strengthens Nasdaq Canada’s role in connecting global participants to our market and reinforces our commitment to advancing the competitiveness of Canada’s trading ecosystem.” The post LeveL Markets and Nasdaq Canada Announce Trading Connectivity Partnership appeared first on LeapRate.

The firm explained that the upgrade, built on client feedback, allows eligible accounts to send approved funds directly to a crypto wallet.  The portal is also said to display the amount available for instant withdrawal upfront, removing uncertainty and reducing follow-up requests. The feature supports USDT and USDC and is integrated across the ACY Trading Platform, MT4, MT5 and Copy Trading.  To increase convenience, the broker has lifted its monthly allowance of fee-free crypto withdrawals from three to five. Ashley Jessen, Chief Operating Officer at ACY Securities, said: “We listened to our clients and affiliates. They wanted speed, clarity, and a frictionless way to access their money. Instant crypto withdrawals deliver exactly that, with the available instant amount shown upfront in the portal and payouts flowing straight to a client’s crypto wallet.  Jessen added that by lifting fee-free crypto withdrawals from three to five per month, the firm is “giving traders and partners more flexibility to manage cash flow, take profits, and scale opportunities with confidence.” The broker said the move strengthens its offering for both traders and affiliates. Faster payouts are designed to support recruitment and retention, while Copy Trading participants and partners can access commissions, performance fees, and subscription revenue more quickly. Instant withdrawals are being rolled out across eligible regions and remain subject to standard withdrawal requirements, ACY added. The post ACY Securities Rolls Out Instant Crypto Withdrawals for Clients and Affiliates appeared first on LeapRate.

The move was marked by a $100 million commercial paper transaction issued by Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC), with State Street Investment Management acting as the anchor investor and J.P. Morgan Securities as placement agent.  The deal showcased the platform’s ability to enable precision-timed settlement, including T+0 settlement, and automated lifecycle management through smart contracts. Integration with J.P. Morgan’s service is said to allow State Street to manage depository records for tokenised debt securities via a digital wallet.  The firm explained that the system is built on Kinexys Digital Assets, J.P. Morgan’s multi-asset tokenisation platform, and is currently available in the U.S. “Through our direct participation in J.P. Morgan’s Digital Debt Service, we are advancing our ability to deliver a fully integrated front-, middle-, and back-office solution built on blockchain technology,” said Donna Milrod, Chief Product Officer at State Street. “This launch reflects a meaningful step forward in our digital strategy — where we manage a digital wallet on-chain and lay the groundwork for interoperability across blockchain networks.” Pia McCusker, global head of Cash Management for State Street Investment Management, said the investment “demonstrates the tangible benefits this technology brings to our clients and positions them at the forefront of the digital transformation in fixed income markets.” Emma Lovett, credit lead for Markets Digital Assets at J.P. Morgan, said State Street’s role “represents another meaningful step forward in the institutional adoption of blockchain-based debt securities.” The post State Street Joins J.P. Morgan’s Digital Debt Service as First Third-Party Custodian appeared first on LeapRate.

Solomatin will report directly to Chief Technology Officer Richard Forss. With more than 20 years of experience in mission-critical IT infrastructure, Solomatin has overseen large-scale technology transformations at leading financial institutions, including FINAM, Home Credit and Finance Bank, and Svyaznoy Bank.  His track record spans improving reliability, boosting performance, and driving cost efficiency across private and public cloud environments. At EXANTE, Solomatin is expected to be responsible for shaping the firm’s technology operations strategy. His remit covers hybrid infrastructure, security, compliance, monitoring, production support, DevOps, service desk, process automation, and IT operations projects.  He will also lead EXANTE’s cloud transformation and automation efforts to align technology capabilities with the firm’s global growth and client service priorities. Forss said: “Sergei’s appointment reflects our continued investment in building a world-class technology platform. His leadership will be central to achieving the operational resilience, scalability, and efficiency targets that underpin EXANTE’s global growth strategy.” The hire comes as EXANTE advances its technology transformation programme, which aims to simplify architecture, strengthen resilience, and expand capacity to serve institutional clients and white-label partners worldwide. Founded in 2011, EXANTE provides access to more than one million financial instruments across 50 markets and eight asset classes through a single multi-currency account. The post EXANTE Names Sergei Solomatin as Director of IT Operations appeared first on LeapRate.

The company said in a release on Wednesday that the investment will support GC Partners’ push into new markets, beginning with the Gulf region and extending into Europe and other key territories.  It is also expected to fund the launch of a new digital platform and mobile app offering 24/7 account access, as well as an expanded product suite designed to improve client experience. Oliver Harris, founder of Montreux Capital Management, said: “Having recently exited another successful business venture, we are proud to invest in the future growth and development of GC Partners.” He explained that there are several strategic acquisitions in the pipeline expected to be completed in the near term.  “These deals will allow GC Partners to expand into regions where it currently has limited presence and offer new services that meet the evolving needs of our clients,” added Harris.  GC Partners chief executive Andrew Fundell welcomed the investment as a “significant milestone” for the company.  He said: “It allows us to strengthen our service offering, expand into key markets and bring new, innovative solutions to our clients. Most importantly, it ensures we can continue delivering continual improvements in speed, reliability, and the bespoke support our clients expect on a truly global scale.” Founded in 2003, GC Partners provides cross-border payment and currency solutions for individuals and businesses worldwide, combining technology-driven services with personalised support. The post Montreux Capital Management Invests Further £10m in GC Partners appeared first on LeapRate.

The move is said to be aimed at broadening access to advanced trading tools through its Kraken Pro platform. Founded in 2015, Capitalise.ai built a natural-language system that converts everyday text into executable trading strategies.  Its platform uses proprietary language models and big data infrastructure to process real-time and historical data across equities, crypto, FX, futures and options. A phased rollout of Capitalise.ai’s functionality within Kraken Pro is expected to begin later this year.  The integration is expected to allow users to design, test and automate complex trading strategies in natural language, eliminating the need for programming expertise.  Kraken said the technology will make it easier for traders of all backgrounds to access and deploy sophisticated approaches across both digital and traditional asset classes. “This acquisition gives Kraken Pro clients a powerful new way to act on ideas in real time—testing, optimizing, and executing bespoke strategies with unprecedented speed and confidence,” said Shannon Kurtas, Head of Exchange at Kraken.  “Capitalise.ai’s technology transforms how people interact with financial data—breaking down barriers that have long kept scalable, advanced strategies in the hands of a few. This is a major leap forward in democratizing access to pro-grade trading tools.” Capitalise.ai’s co-founders, Amir Shiovich and Shahar Rabin, together with core product and engineering staff, will join Kraken to continue developing automation technology within the Kraken Pro business unit. The post Kraken Buys Capitalise.ai to Add No-Code Automation to Kraken Pro appeared first on LeapRate.

Mukherjee has 13 years of experience in corporate finance and investment banking across the UK, US, and India.  She previously held roles at Goldman Sachs and Caterpillar, and most recently served as Vice President in Deutsche Bank’s investment banking division in London and New York, advising on M&A transactions worth more than $20 billion.  A qualified chartered accountant, she also holds an MBA from The Wharton School. The company explained that in her new role, Mukherjee will work closely with founder and CEO Christian Frahm to identify high-potential companies, lead acquisition strategy and structure founder-friendly transactions.  Frahm said: “Rupsa brings the right combination of M&A discipline and fintech fluency. Her ability to originate, structure, and integrate strategic acquisitions will be instrumental in unlocking new opportunities across our ecosystem.” United Fintech acts as a digital transformation platform for banks, asset managers and trading institutions, offering access to a portfolio of technology providers through a single platform.  To date, it has acquired six companies, including Athena, CobaltFX and Netdania, as part of its drive to modernise legacy systems and reduce vendor risk for financial institutions. “I’m thrilled to join United Fintech at such a pivotal moment,” Mukherjee said. “The opportunity to help scale a platform that is reshaping the financial services technology landscape is incredibly exciting.” The post United Fintech Names Rupsa Mukherjee Head of M&A appeared first on LeapRate.

Hassan, a veteran financial services executive, brings decades of experience in digital innovation, operational management, global banking, wealth management and regulatory affairs.  Most recently, she served as President of UBS Americas, where she led a $14 billion revenue business with more than 25,000 staff and oversaw the integration of Credit Suisse in the region.  Her career also includes senior leadership roles at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Morgan Stanley and Charles Schwab, following her early years at McKinsey & Company. Robert Cortright, DriveWealth’s founder and executive chairman, praised both the outgoing and incoming leaders. “Michael has overseen a period of significant growth, expansion into new markets and profitability over the last two years as CEO and we thank him for everything that he has accomplished,” he said.  “Naureen has a proven track record as an industry innovator and disruptor and is the perfect person to lead DriveWealth through our continued evolution and next phase of growth.” Hassan stated: “DriveWealth is truly changing how and where people invest and providing unique value and capabilities to partners across the globe. “I am honored to step into this role, to continue building on the great work Robert and Michael have done.” DriveWealth provides Brokerage-as-a-Service infrastructure across five continents, facilitating more than two million trades daily for business partners worldwide.  The post DriveWealth Appoints Naureen Hassan as Global CEO appeared first on LeapRate.