Bitcoin (BTC) price is doing something it has not done since October 2025: rising for eight consecutive sessions. On Monday, March 16, it is testing $74,500 per coin, the highest price since February 4, nearly a month and a half ago, and the move has cleared both the upper boundary of the six-week consolidation and the 50-day EMA in the process. This is the most constructive technical development of 2026 so far, and it deserves to be taken seriously. It also deserves to be contextualized honestly, because the main trend on the Bitcoin chart remains down, the 200 EMA is still 20% away, and the Fibonacci extension from this year's declines is pointing somewhere very uncomfortable.In this article, I will break down BTC/USDT technical analysis, examine what the breakout means and what it does not mean, and compile the most relevant Bitcoin price predictions for the rest of 2026. Based on my over 15 years of experience as an analyst and retail investor, here is what I am watching.Follow me on X for real-time crypto market analysis: @ChmielDkWhy Bitcoin Is Going Up? The Breakout MechanicsSunday's 2.2% gain was the move that mattered. It pushed Bitcoin above the $70,000-$72,000 upper boundary of the consolidation range that had capped every rally attempt since early February, and Monday's follow-through above the 50 EMA confirmed the breakout rather than dismissing it as a wick. The gains throughout this eight-session run have been modest individually - this is not the kind of explosive move that gets breathless coverage - but the cumulative effect is what counts. Bitcoin has quietly climbed from the $66,000 lows of the Iran war selloff to $74,500 without a single red session.The catalyst mix is a familiar one. As the earlier analysis covering Bitcoin's $72K surge noted, the combination of deeply negative funding rates being flushed out, recovering ETF inflows, and Clarity Act regulatory optimism has driven each of Bitcoin's meaningful bounces in 2026. The same cocktail is present now, with the added technical tailwind of a clean consolidation break providing momentum for systematic buyers and algo strategies to add exposure.Paul Howard, Senior Director at Wincent, frames the broader context precisely: "If geopolitical tensions such as the conflicts in Iran or Ukraine were to ease and commodities like oil and gold begin to stabilise, Bitcoin could enter a particularly strong phase in the second half of the year." Under those conditions, he believes "risk assets would likely be reintroduced into portfolios, potentially pushing Bitcoin toward the psychologically significant $100,000 level." The second half caveat is important - Howard is not calling this rally the beginning of a new bull market, but he is identifying the conditions that could make one possible.BTC Technical Analysis: What the Breakout Actually MeansAs my chart shows, Bitcoin has broken above the $70,000-$72,000 zone - the upper boundary of the consolidation that has defined this market since early February. The simultaneous clearance of the 50-day EMA gives the move technical validity and should, according to the principle of polarity change, see that zone now act as support on any retest from above.If Bitcoin holds above $70,000-$72,000 on such a retest - and that is still an "if" - the path opens toward my next key target: $82,000-$84,000. That zone marked the late 2025 lows, formed a significant floor on the chart during the late stages of last year's bull run, and now functions as meaningful overhead resistance that accumulated sellers need to be absorbed. A clean break through $82,000-$84,000 would then set up the test that matters most on my entire chart: the 200-day EMA near $88,000.That level is the one I have been watching as the dividing line between bull and bear territory since this correction began. We are still 20% away from it. Until Bitcoin reclaims $88,000, this is a correction within a downtrend, not a trend reversal. The February 26 analysis calling for $88,000 as the confirmation level remains unchanged.The Fibonacci extension is the part of my analysis that tempers enthusiasm most directly. Measuring from this year's peak-to-trough decline and the current corrective bounce, the 100% extension falls at $36,000 - the lowest Bitcoin prices since November 2023. That level becomes relevant only if the corrective rally fails and selling resumes with new force, but it sits on my chart as an honest structural target that the market's own mathematics is producing.The Case for Caution: This Is Still a Counter-Trend Move@CryptoSpotter05 puts the crowd sentiment problem cleanly: "A lot of influencers are now calling for BTC to reach $80K. Those same influencers were calling for $40K not long ago." The speed with which the narrative flips from maximum bearishness to $80K targets is itself a cautionary signal. He adds that he "still feels the worst may not be over" and that the current move may be forming a lower high within the broader bearish structure - precisely the scenario my Fibonacci extension supports.? $BTC Update & A ReminderI know a lot of influencers are now calling for $BTC to reach $80K. Funny enough, those same influencers were calling for $40K not long ago. Now suddenly the tone has changed.But remember, I shared this idea a month ago on Feb 11, when the market… https://t.co/q8hx3C1svC pic.twitter.com/3nXL4jwIXi— Crypto Spotter (@CryptoSpotter05) March 13, 2026@DaitoCrypto aggregates several institutional bear views worth noting. Fidelity Global Macro director Jurrien Timmer says "the bear cycle isn't over and Bitcoin's bottom may be near $60,000." Tech analyst Crypto Patel warns of more downside with average realised buys at $54,400, a level that functions as a gravitational centre if the market revisits where most holders are underwater. Fidelity Global Macro director Jurrien Timmer says the bear cycle isn't over and Bitcoin's bottom may be near $60,000. Tech analyst Crypto Patel warns of more downside with average realized buys at $54,400. CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost projects the next BTC ATH in early Feb 2028.— Daito (@DaitoCrypto) March 14, 2026CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost delivers the most structurally bearish long-term view, projecting the next Bitcoin all-time high in early February 2028 - meaning over 18 months of further consolidation or decline before the cycle truly turns.Bloomberg Intelligence's Mike McGlone, cited by @iamalijandro, sits at the extreme end: he is "reiterating his pessimistic forecast that Bitcoin could fall below $10,000 amid a macroeconomic reassessment of risk assets." ?️ Mike McGlone, Senior Commodity Strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, reiterated his pessimistic forecast, suggesting that $Bitcoin could fall below $10,000 amid a macroeconomic reassessment of risk assets.However, several market analysts disagree with this scenario, arguing…— Alijandro (@iamalijandro) March 14, 2026That scenario requires a simultaneous collapse in risk appetite, institutional exit, and regulatory reversal that is not the base case of any mainstream analyst, but it underscores how wide the range of credible outcomes remains for Bitcoin in 2026.Paul Howard of Wincent adds the important nuance that underpins the cautious middle ground: "My personal view remains that Bitcoin is unlikely to reach a new all-time high in 2026." That is a measured statement from someone with a constructive medium-term view, and it aligns with my own reading of the chart. A recovery to $88,000-$100,000 by year-end is possible. A new all-time high above $126,000 in 2026 requires a sequence of events - Fed pivot, Clarity Act, geopolitical stabilisation, and ETF flow resumption - that is asking a lot from a single calendar year.Bitcoin Price Predictions 2026: Where Analysts StandThe institutional consensus for 2026 has shifted materially since October's all-time high, with most credible forecasts now clustering in the $60,000-$100,000 range rather than the $150,000-$200,000 targets that populated research notes last year.At the bullish end, Standard Chartered's Geoff Kendrick maintains a $200,000 target for this cycle but has pushed the timeline out. VanEck's Matthew Sigel sees $180,000 as achievable before the cycle ends, while Bernstein targets $200,000 by end of 2025 - a forecast that has already been proven wrong, suggesting the timeline needs adjustment. Paul Howard of Wincent represents the institutional middle ground, seeing $100,000 as achievable in H2 2026 under the right macro conditions but doubting a new all-time high this year.At the bearish end, the earlier analysis covering the $50,000 primary bear target remains structurally valid as long as Bitcoin trades below the 200 EMA. My own Fibonacci extension at $36,000 sits below even JP Morgan's bear case and requires a genuine macro dislocation to activate.The earlier piece on how high Bitcoin can go noted that large wallets accumulated 53,000 BTC on-chain during the February lows, that accumulation zone at $60,000-$67,000 is now well below the market. Those holders are sitting on paper gains and provide a floor of conviction that was absent during the initial selloff. The question is whether institutional ETF flows return with enough force to sustain the breakout above $72,000, or whether Monday's high at $74,500 becomes the lower high that @CryptoSpotter05 warned about a month before anyone else was watching for it.FAQ, Bitcoin Price AnalysisWhy is Bitcoin going up today?Bitcoin is rising for the eighth consecutive session, testing $74,500 after Sunday's 2.2% move broke the six-week consolidation above the $70,000-$72,000 upper boundary and cleared the 50-day EMA. The technical breakout triggered systematic buying as momentum strategies added exposure, while recovering ETF inflows and Clarity Act optimism provide the fundamental backdrop. How high can Bitcoin go from here?As shown on my chart, the immediate target following the consolidation break is $82,000-$84,000, the late 2025 lows that acted as a significant floor and now represent overhead resistance. Beyond that, $88,000 (200 EMA) is the level I need to see broken for any conviction about a genuine trend reversal - we are currently 20% below it. How low can Bitcoin still go?Despite the eight-session winning streak, the main trend remains down. My Fibonacci extension from this year's decline projects $36,000 as the 100% extension - the lowest Bitcoin price since November 2023 - if the current corrective rally fails. Fidelity's Jurrien Timmer sees the bear cycle bottom near $60,000, while Crypto Patel warns of more downside with average realised buys at $54,400 as a gravitational centre. Is this the start of Bitcoin's recovery or a dead-cat bounce?My chart shows it is too early to call this a recovery. The consolidation break and 50 EMA clearance are genuine technical positives - the first in over six weeks. But as @CryptoSpotter05 correctly warned a month ago when predicting exactly this setup, the current structure is consistent with a lower high formation within a broader downtrend. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

As FX trading volumes in Singapore continue to grow, market participants are confident that the connectivity and trading infrastructure are in place to support current and future market requirements.FX Volumes Surge in SingaporeThe most recent triennial central bank survey of the global FX and OTC derivatives market, conducted by the Bank for International Settlements, found that average daily FX trading volumes in Singapore increased by 60% between April 2022 and April 2025, driven by robust growth in US dollar, Japanese yen, and euro trading.Volumes in FX spot, forwards, and swaps (which together accounted for 90% of Singapore’s turnover) rose by between 42% and 61%.Singapore strengthened its position as the third largest FX centre in the world after the UK and the US, with its share of global FX volumes rising to 11.8% and accounting for almost $1 trillion of FX trading every day.MAS Highlights Liquidity RoleThe executive director of the financial markets development department at MAS refers to deeper liquidity in the Asian time zone to support economic and hedging needs in the region as a key factor in this increase and highlighted Singapore’s role as an efficient price discovery hub.Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026, which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC.Banks Anchor Regional FX TeamsWith all of the top five global banks housing their regional FX sales and trading teams in Singapore, the city-state offers a deep and liquid market for the trading and hedging of G10 currencies, as well as Asian emerging market currencies.Electronic Trading Demands RiseAs more trading shifts to electronic platforms, the demands on infrastructure naturally increase—especially during volatile periods when activity spikes. That is the view of Jean-Philippe Malé, CEO SGX FX, who is satisfied that infrastructure development has kept pace with the development of the FX market.“The market continues to function smoothly, and that speaks to the depth of investment in infrastructure in Singapore,” he says. “We operate from Singapore to connect global participants to Asian currency risk with our on-premise and cloud-based environments to support trading at scale.”Infrastructure Supports FX ExpansionSingapore is a highly advanced economy with world-class digital infrastructure and ubiquitous internet access, and Interactive Brokers sees growth in domestic clients using its institutional-grade FX rates in support of their trading of overseas assets.“From our perspective, data centre capacity and trading bandwidth has not been an issue, and we are confident that the local infrastructure is more than capable of supporting future growth,” says Yujun Lin, CEO of Interactive Brokers Singapore.Chaitanya Peddada, chief operating officer of Spark Systems (a Singapore-based fintech that develops ultra-low latency FX trading platforms and technology solutions), also observes that Singapore’s data centre infrastructure has broadly kept pace with the growth in electronic FX trading, particularly as the market has moved towards more continuous, automated execution.Shift to Localised ProcessingA key shift has been the move to localised processing and matching, which has reduced reliance on offshore infrastructure and improved latency for institutional participants.“FX trading has become significantly more data-intensive,” he says. “Platforms are processing large volumes of market data, orders, and trade information on a near-continuous basis, placing increasing demands on infrastructure. As a result, the focus is on delivering consistent, sub-millisecond performance, resilience, and the ability to scale without introducing latency.”Singapore Positioned for FX GrowthWith strong global connectivity, sub-millisecond performance, and scalable infrastructure in place, Peddada reckons Singapore is well-positioned to support its continued expansion as a leading global FX trading hub.From a sell-side perspective, Singapore’s data centres have on the whole kept up with demand, suggests Philip Huang, chief risk officer at Orient Futures Singapore.“The infrastructure is stable and capable of supporting electronic FX trading,” he says. “That said, most liquidity in Asia is still concentrated in Tokyo (TY3), which remains the main price discovery centre. While Singapore (SG1) has strong CNH liquidity, broader G10 and regional FX liquidity is still largely anchored in Tokyo, New York, and London.”MAS Builds E-Trading InfrastructureOver the last few years, MAS has been working with banks and trading platforms to build up Singapore's e-trading infrastructure. The regulator hopes this will improve price discovery and FX trade execution in the region and provide market participants with reduced latency, better pricing, and liquidity.According to Malé, Singapore already has the fundamentals it needs to support its future electronic FX ambitions in the form of deep liquidity, global participation, and strong regulatory oversight.“That is why it consistently ranks among the top FX centres globally,” he says. “What is changing now is how firms trade, as more risk is managed across asset classes. For us, FX is part of our broader multi-asset platform, which allows participants to manage currency exposure alongside equities, rates, and commodities. That integrated set-up strengthens Singapore’s role in a market that is becoming more electronic and interconnected.”Connectivity and Matching EnginesSingapore’s rise as a major global FX centre has been closely linked to improvements in connectivity and trading infrastructure, and the city-state now benefits from strong regional and international network links, local matching capabilities, and an increasingly sophisticated institutional ecosystem—all of which support low-latency electronic trading, explains Peddada.“From our perspective, the ability to operate local matching engines across key FX centres—including Singapore, Tokyo, London, and New York—plays an important role in mitigating latency in a global market,” he says. “By matching trades closer to end users, participants can access liquidity more efficiently without relying solely on offshore infrastructure.”South East Asia Colocation Data Center Portfolio Report 2025: Singapore Dominates the Existing Market with a Power Capacity of More Than 780 MW - https://t.co/guyiBA7QmK https://t.co/7YkMcocVyc pic.twitter.com/OrYIF0TofQ— Latest News from Business Wire (@NewsFromBW) January 6, 2026Future Electronic FX ChallengesGiven Singapore’s status as a fast-growing and systemically important FX hub, Peddada believes the combination of low-latency infrastructure, deep connectivity, and institutional participation positions the market to play a leading role in the next phase of electronic FX development.Huang also agrees that Singapore has the connectivity and technical infrastructure needed to support further growth in electronic FX trading, although he acknowledges that other challenges remain.“The bigger issue is where pricing is generated,” he concludes. “Many liquidity providers still run their main pricing engines in other regional hubs. For Singapore to strengthen its position as an electronic FX hub, more liquidity providers would need to originate pricing directly from SG1 rather than simply distribute prices from other regional centres.” This article was written by Paul Golden at www.financemagnates.com.

Saxo Bank executive Casper Andreas Solbakken is stepping down after more than 20 years at the company.The departure comes shortly after ownership changes at Saxo Bank. Earlier this month, J. Safra Sarasin Group completed its acquisition of a majority stake in the Danish trading platform and installed Daniel Belfer as chief executive.Saxo Executive Solbakken Steps DownSolbakken announced his departure in a LinkedIn post on Monday. He wrote that “after 20 incredible years at Saxo Bank, the time has come for me to start a new chapter.”He said his time at the company “shaped me profoundly,” adding that it strengthened his leadership and broadened his perspective. He also said the experience reinforced his belief in “disciplined execution, strategic clarity, and strong collaboration across teams and functions.”Solbakken most recently served as Global Head of Commercial Offering & Experience at Saxo Bank. He assumed the role in May 2024.Before that, he held several senior leadership roles at the company. He served for around 10 months as Global Head of Products, Pricing and Platforms, and for almost two years as Global Head of Products and Services.From Student Assistant to Executive: ExitsHis earlier roles at Saxo Bank included Head of Equities for over two years. Prior to that, he worked for about 10 months as a Product Specialist for equities. Solbakken joined Saxo Bank as a quantitative trader and remained in the role for more than a decade.Before becoming a trader, he worked for over two years as a student assistant in the equities and derivatives division. Prior to joining Saxo Bank, he worked for just over two years as a student assistant at Nykredit.Ownership Deal Completes After Yearlong ApprovalAs Saxo Bank is now part of a new ownership structure, the combined entity will oversee more than $460 billion in client assets. J. Safra Sarasin manages over $460 billion and has around 5,000 employees across more than 35 locations. Its parent, the J. Safra Group, controls $590 billion in assets and operates in over 230 locations globally. The deal, approved by FINMA and Denmark’s FSA, took about a year to complete. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Finance Magnates announces the opening of nominations for the Finance Magnates Annual Awards 2026, marking the third edition of its annual awards programme, which recognises leading brands across online trading, fintech, payments, and related services. Nominations open today, March 16, 2026, and winners will be revealed live at the Gala Dinner in Limassol, Cyprus, on Friday, November 6, 2026.In an industry where trust can shape every decision, awards mean far more than a trophy. They show the market that a brand has earned attention, respect, and confidence. For nominees and winners, this kind of recognition can help build stronger brand awareness, create new business opportunities, and give clients and partners one more reason to believe in who they choose to work with.Why the Finance Magnates awards matterThe Finance Magnates Awards are designed to reflect real market input, not closed-door decisions. The process combines:Community voting (50%) through Finance Magnates channels for B2B categories, and investingLive channels for B2C categoriesExpert panel scoring (50%) by a panel of industry specialistsThis approach helps ensure winners are recognised for impact and reputation, supported by both community feedback and expert assessment.Awards 2026 timelineNominations phase (6-month window)Nominations open: March 16, 2026Nominations close: September 11, 2026Voting phase (21-day period)Voting opens: September 28, 2026Voting closes: October 16, 2026Gala Dinner and winners announcementAwards ceremony and winners announced: Friday, November 6, 2026 How the Awards workThe Awards follow three main stages:1) Open call for nominationsIndustry peers and supporters can nominate brands during the nominations period. Brands may veto nominations, but each participating brand must enter at least two categories based on its business type and activities.2) Voting (50/50)Community vote (50%)B2B categories: Finance Magnates channelsB2C categories: investingLive channelsExpert panel (50%)Each brand is recognised in the single award category where it achieves its highest final vote total.3) Gala Dinner winners revealWinners will be revealed at the Gala Dinner in Cyprus on Friday, 6th of November 2026, where trophies will bepresented on stage.Award groups for 2026 (B2B and B2C)The 2026 Awards are structured into B2B and B2C groups:B2C groups (Brokerage Brands)GlobalRegionalNationalB2B groups (Fintech Brands)Institutional TradingServices for BrokersTech for BrokersWinner exposure packages (available on request)Alongside the awards process, Finance Magnates offers optional winner-exposure packages designed to help brands communicate their nominations and results throughout the year.➡️Discover the Exclusive Exposure OpportunitiesThese options may include, depending on the nominated group :Pre-awards visibility for nominated brands (such as nominee announcements and social content)Gala Dinner attendance and on-site networking opportunitiesPost-awards winner announcements across Finance Magnates channelsWinner PR coverage and editorial formatsVisibility placements are linked to the winning category for the following yearBrand placement on the FM Awards winners' website for 12 monthsFor selected groups, winner interviews and directory listing supportBrands can submit a nomination and request the Awards information pack to receive full details on categories and exposure options.Gala Dinner: Friday, November 6, 2026, CyprusThe Finance Magnates Annual Awards will be celebrated at the Gala Dinner in Cyprus on Friday, November 6, 2026, bringing finalists, partners, and winners together for an in-person celebration and trophy presentation.How to be part of the Finance Magnates Awards 2026Nominations open on March 16, 2026 and run through September 11, 2026. Companies and industry professionals can nominate brands they believe have delivered strong results across products and services over the past year.Submit a nomination and request the Finance Magnates Awards 2026 information pack to get full details on categories, voting, and winner exposure options.Reflecting on Success: 2025 Award WinnersLast year, the Finance Magnates Annual Awards showcased a remarkable array of talent and innovation across the financial industry. We celebrated outstanding contributions from leaders in brokerage, fintech and payments sectors. By reflecting on their success, you can find inspiration for your entries in the upcoming 2025 awards.Relive the Finance Magnates Awards 2025 with our official video highlights. This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.

Beeks Financial Cloud Group (LSE: BKS) swung to a statutory pre-tax loss in the first half of its fiscal year after a structural change in how it prices Exchange Cloud contracts and a cluster of delayed deployments held back revenue recognition, the AIM-listed provider said today (Monday).Revenue for the six months ended December 31, 2025 fell 7% to £14.65 million from £15.79 million a year earlier. The company reported a statutory pre-tax loss of £1.87 million, reversing a £0.46 million profit in the same period of fiscal 2025. Gross profit slid 25% to £4.50 million as gross margin narrowed to 30% from 38%.Revenue-Share Model Pressures Near-Term MarginsThe financial weakness is tied to timing and model design, the company said, rather than any loss of clients or competitive pressure. Under Beeks' older fixed-price Exchange Cloud contracts, the company collected sizeable deployment fees upfront. Under the newer revenue-sharing arrangement, income builds gradually as exchanges and their participants generate transaction volumes, meaning infrastructure costs land on the books well before matching revenue arrives.The scale of the timing mismatch is significant. The prior-year first half included £3.30 million in upfront revenue from three deployments. The current period produced just £0.57 million in equivalent recognition. Over half of the 8-percentage-point gross margin decline can be attributed to that gap alone, according to the company.Underlying EBITDA, which strips out amortization, share-based payments, and one-off items, dropped 28% to £4.12 million, pulling the underlying EBITDA margin to 28% from 36%. On an underlying basis, the pre-tax result shifted to a loss of £0.69 million from a £1.89 million profit a year ago. Underlying diluted earnings per share came in at -0.68 pence, compared with a positive 2.61 pence in H1 fiscal 2025.Exchange Cloud Roster Grows to Seven VenuesDespite the earnings slide, Beeks added two exchange clients during the half: TMX Datalinx, part of Canada's TMX Group which operates the Toronto Stock Exchange among other venues, and nuam, the regional holding company consolidating the stock exchanges of Santiago, Bogotá, and Lima. Both signed under the revenue-sharing model and are expected to go live in the second half of the financial year.The company first announced its TMX tie-up in September 2025 as a means of simplifying access for traders seeking to connect to Canadian markets. The nuam deal, announced in December, extended Beeks' footprint across three South American national markets under a single agreement. The Exchange Cloud roster now stands at seven signed exchanges globally, with four on the revenue-sharing arrangement.Clients secured in fiscal 2025 are progressing. Kraken - the company's first crypto exchange - went live and reached monthly profitability in March 2026, ahead of schedule. The Australian Securities Exchange also went live in H1 as planned. Mexico's Grupo Bolsa Mexicana completed its initial deployment phase, with the remaining work expected to conclude in H2.Contract Wins Climb 23%, Final Month SurgesNew contract wins totalled £11.9 million in total contract value during the half, up 23% from £9.7 million a year earlier. Beeks' annualized committed monthly recurring revenue grew 15% to £32.80 million from £28.50 million in H1 fiscal 2025, reflecting an expanding contracted base.The final month of the period was particularly busy. Beeks said it signed £7 million in total contract value during December 2025 alone, including £6 million in Proximity Cloud agreements. Around half of that is expected to contribute to H2 revenue. The company also extended a deal with a large FX broker and signed an agreement with a major South African bank, alongside supporting the Johannesburg Stock Exchange's Colo 2.0 service.In December 2025, Beeks announced a £4 million five-year FX broker deal alongside a Canadian bank contract, with revenue from both expected to begin this half. A February trading update had already flagged the revenue shortfall and the revenue-share explanation, noting that the company had secured record contract volumes while booking less income, Monday's full interim results confirm those preliminary figures.AI Analytics Product Enters Early Commercial StageBeeks introduced Market Edge Intelligence during the half, an analytics platform it describes as delivering AI-powered insights and predictive alerts directly at the colocation edge. The company claims the product targets Tier 1 and Tier 2 financial organisations and can function as a standalone platform or sit alongside existing infrastructure. An unnamed Tier 1 global bank completed a proof-of-concept engagement and is now in contractual discussions, the company said.Beeks also made a minority investment of £0.8 million in Liquid-Mark, a networking technology firm, the company said, securing exclusive access to ultra-low-latency capabilities for use within its managed infrastructure platform.Full-Year Outlook Unchanged as H2 Backlog BuildsChief Executive Gordon McArthur pointed to the H2 pipeline to reassure investors. "We enter the second half with strong momentum and a customer base comprising some of the world's largest financial institutions, each with significant expansion opportunity," he said. "While the timing of contract wins and increasing prevalence of revenue share contracts means the impact of this sales momentum was not reflected in our financial performance in the first half, it lays the foundation for significant and enhanced profitable revenue growth in the years ahead. We remain focused on fulfilling our growth potential, bolstered by a robust pipeline, while maintaining strict financial discipline to support our long-term ambitions."The company said the second half will be supported by approximately £4.5 million in revenue recognition from contracts signed at the close of H1, along with the final Grupo Bolsa Mexicana deployment and the scheduled go-lives for TMX and nuam. The board said full-year performance remains on track with its expectations.The company posted 180% underlying profit growth a year earlier when fixed-price upfront deals dominated the mix. That comparative period also marked Kraken's entry as the first crypto exchange partner - the deployment of which now serves as the company's first live proof that the revenue-share model can reach profitability ahead of schedule. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

RoboForex said today (Monday) it is making swap-free trading available to every client on its platform, removing overnight holding fees entirely without adjusting spreads or adding new commissions in return, the company declared.The broker, which operates under a Belize FSC license, said the new account structure eliminates the charges traders pay when keeping positions open past the daily rollover. The firm claims its approach differs from comparable offerings elsewhere: rather than recouping the lost fee income by marking up spreads or applying additional charges, it is simply absorbing the cost. RoboForex described that practice, widening spreads or raising commissions in exchange for swap-free status, as common among other providers.Latin America Pilot Leads to Wider RolloutRoboForex said it ran a regional test across several Latin American countries last year before deciding to extend the feature globally. According to the broker, client feedback from that trial was strong enough to support a full launch."Following a successful test launch last year in several Latin American countries and strong positive feedback from clients, we decided to scale swap-free trading across all our markets," said Douglas Abreu, LATAM Operations Director at RoboForex.[#highlighted-links#] "This step reflects our broader focus on simplifying trading conditions and making costs more transparent and predictable, giving traders more flexibility in managing longer-term positions."The company added that swap-free status will apply to newly created accounts and will cover what it described as the most popular instruments, including metals and currency pairs. RoboForex did not specify which instruments are excluded from that coverage or disclose how many clients it expects to adopt the new account type.Cost Cutting Becomes a Broker BattlegroundThe move places RoboForex in a crowded field of retail brokers competing on fee reductions as a way to attract and retain traders. Vantage Markets launched a swap-free offering in Vietnam in September 2025, positioning the product as a way to prevent overnight charges from eating into returns. Versus Trade has similarly listed swap-free accounts among its core value propositions, alongside execution quality and reduced stop-out levels, as part of its pitch to retail traders.Swap-free accounts originated in Islamic finance, where rules prohibit paying or receiving interest. In recent years, brokers have increasingly widened the offering beyond that segment, marketing it to swing traders and position traders who hold trades over days or weeks and want a more predictable cost structure.Fee Reductions Extend Beyond Swap RemovalRoboForex tied the swap announcement to a broader picture of reduced costs it says it offers clients. The broker said it allows up to three free withdrawals per month and does not charge commissions on deposits. The company frames this combination as a low-barrier environment for traders managing both entry costs and ongoing position costs.The announcement is the latest in a run of product updates from the broker. In November 2025, RoboForex overhauled its copy trading program, expanding platform support to include MT4 and MT5 and adding a commission-sharing model for partners, an update that came as copy trading was estimated to represent 6-20% of retail broker volumes, according to figures from Brokeree Solutions. Separately, the broker's affiliated entity RoboMarkets obtained a full Category 1 brokerage licence from Dubai's Securities and Commodities Authority in September 2025, allowing it to onboard UAE clients and execute trades locally.RoboForex said the swap-free feature is available immediately to new account holders across all its markets. The broker did not provide data on current client numbers or projected uptake for the new account type. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Ant International has signed a sponsorship agreement with the Argentine Football Association (AFA), securing the rights to market its digital payment brands to audiences across Asia, the company announced today (Monday).Under the deal, the Singapore-based fintech becomes an Official Sponsor of the Argentine National Football Team for the Asia region, excluding the Middle East. The arrangement gives Ant International access to AFA's intellectual property and the likeness of Argentine players to run campaigns across its brand portfolio, including Alipay+, Antom, Bettr and WorldFirst, the company said.AFA Builds a Fintech Sponsor PortfolioThe signing adds Ant International to a growing list of financial technology firms that have struck regional deals with AFA in recent months. ATFX signed on as a regional sponsor in January 2026, targeting Asian and broader international markets with the team's brand. Before that, XBO.com was named official global sponsor in February 2025, joining a roster that already included multiple fintech and trading companies."Football is the ultimate universal language. It serves as a powerful bridge that transcends borders and connects the entire world," AFA president Claudio Fabian Tapia commented. "Through this partnership, we are excited to bring that connection to an even wider audience in Asia."The pattern reflects a deliberate commercial strategy by AFA. The association reportedly generates more than $80 million annually from sponsorships and has been aggressively pursuing Asian and Middle Eastern partners since at least 2018. PU Prime inked a regional sponsorship in March 2025 and later held an official signing ceremony in Madrid that June, signaling the federation's ongoing focus on building commercial relationships in Asia through the football property.Alipay+ Extends Its Sports Marketing PushAnt International, a subsidiary of China's Ant Group, already has sports marketing experience to draw on. In September 2025, it secured Alipay+ as an Official Payment Partner of the Laver Cup through 2029. The AFA deal extends that approach to team sports and a global audience tied to football.The company claims its Alipay+ platform connects 1.8 billion consumer accounts to more than 150 million merchants across the Asia Pacific, integrating over 300 payment methods. In February, India's government and central bank were reportedly in discussions with Ant International about linking Alipay+ with the country's instant payment system for cross-border transactions, Reuters reported.CEO Peng Yang positioned the Argentine partnership as consistent with that growth strategy. "Sports and tech are two critical bonds for communities and markets that break barriers and connect people," Yang said. "Together we will bring more extensive and enriched football experience and community impact through our Asia fintech and digital services network."World Cup Window Adds Urgency for SponsorsWith the 2026 FIFA World Cup set for North America this summer, Argentina enters as one of the tournament favorites after winning in Qatar in 2022, the country's third title after earlier victories in 1978 and 1986. That status has made AFA an attractive vehicle for brands looking to reach football fans across Asia in the months leading up to the tournament.The association has not limited its fintech partnerships to payment companies. Evest.com was named AFA's official online trading partner in January 2026, with the deals ranging from CFD brokers to crypto platforms and now cross-border payment infrastructure.Leandro Petersen, AFA's Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, described the Ant International agreement as more than a short-term marketing activation. "By joining forces, we aim to deepen our presence in Asia and achieve new heights in both sports and fin-tech," he said. Ant International operates more than 30 offices globally and describes itself as a provider of AI- and blockchain-powered payment, treasury, and digitalization solutions for merchants and financial institutions. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

XS.com has hired Simon-Peter Massabni as its new Head of Retail Sales, the broker announced today (Monday). Massabni, who most recently served as Country Manager for MENA Commercial Management at Exness, will lead what XS.com describes as a push to accelerate growth in retail markets worldwide. Massabni spent nearly three years at Exness as Country Manager for MENA Commercial Management, based in Limassol, Cyprus. In that role, he was involved in setting regional commercial plans at both the regional director and board level, overseeing acquisition and retention operations, partnership programs, and daily performance monitoring across Middle Eastern and North African markets, according to his professional history."The priority is to strengthen retail sales structures, empower teams, and create long-term value for clients through disciplined growth strategies aligned with the company's vision,” Massabni commented on the new hire.In his new role, XS.com says he will focus on client acquisition and retention frameworks, partnerships in regulated markets, and expanding the firm's market reach, though specific targets were not disclosed.MENA Track Record Drives the HireBefore Exness, Massabni spent roughly two years as Head of Business Development at ILimits Invest in Beirut, where he built the sales department, including processes, CRM architecture, staffing, and training. During that period, the company said he managed daily performance that exceeded $1 million in net deposits per month.His career in online trading dates to 2009, when he joined FXCM as Senior FX Sales covering Lebanon and the broader MENA region. He later rose to Sales Manager, running a team of five sales representatives and a retention unit of equal size, and delivered educational workshops at institutions including the American University of Beirut. MENA has become a high-priority growth market for several major retail brokers, with firms publicly pointing to trust, local talent, and mobile-first infrastructure as the drivers behind rising trading volumes in the region.After FXCM, Massabni held a Head of Sales role at CFI Financial Group in Beirut for three years, then moved to ICM Capital as Head of Business Development in Lebanon before joining ILimits and eventually Exness. The cumulative picture is of an executive who has spent most of his career building teams and sales infrastructure in the Middle East.XS.com Adds Commercial Talent After a Run of Leadership ChangesThe Massabni appointment follows several senior hires at XS.com over the past year. In February 2025, the broker named Stelios Pallis as Chief Technology Officer, bringing in an executive with four years of experience at GT Group. At the time, XS.com also announced a partnership with Brokeree Solutions to launch copy trading functionality, according to the company."His deep experience in retail sales strategy, regional expansion, and team development makes him a strong addition to XS.com," Wael Hammad, Group Chief Commercial Officer at XS.com, commented on the hire.Regulatory Push Underpins the Commercial ExpansionThe hiring activity sits alongside a period of active licensing work. Last October, XS.com secured approval from the UAE's Securities and Commodities Authority, its eighth regulatory approval, at a time when the UAE was attracting a growing number of CFD and cryptocurrency firms. Earlier that year, the broker added a Mauritius licence to its offshore portfolio, which already included Seychelles and Labuan.Hammad told FinanceMagnates.com in January that the firm opened new offices in Kuwait City and Dubai during 2025, citing the need to be closer to clients and partners in the Gulf. XS.com, which was founded in Australia in 2010, now holds licences across multiple jurisdictions and maintains offices in several locations globally.In January, Mateusz Wyka, a former Exness operations and project management executive, was appointed CEO of online trading firm YWO after building nearly four years of experience at the Limassol broker. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

16 per cent of Australia’s Gen Z population "completely trust" artificial intelligence (AI) platforms with their financial decisions, while 56 per cent and 52 per cent believe on financial information on social media and from finfluencers, respectively.A Survey to Examine the Investment Trends of the Young GenerationAustralia’s Moneysmart surveyed 1,127 Australians aged 18 to 28 to examine the role of modern technology and social media in their financial decision-making.The local financial regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), further found that 63 per cent of respondents use social media for financial information and guidance, while 30 per cent use YouTube and 18 per cent use AI platforms.However, 60 per cent still use formal or professional sources, while about 50 per cent turn to family and friends.Read more: How AI Guides Smart Spending and InvestingThe Aussie regulator's concern appears to be the dominance of social media in financial decision-making among young people. It is now urging them to ‘sense check’ the information they see online.“While Gen Z values credibility when seeking financial advice, what they see on social media is usually shaped by algorithms that are designed to drive clicks and views rather than provide accurate information,” said ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland.“Financial information on social media and accessed through AI tools can be incomplete, promotional, or misleading. Relying on it alone increases the risk of making a decision you may later regret.”[#highlighted-links#] Crypto Bets Are a ConcernThe regulator appears more concerned about the rising short-term investment in cryptocurrencies by this age group.The survey found that 23 per cent, or almost a quarter, of respondents own cryptocurrencies. Among them, 66 per cent take short-term, speculative bets. Additionally, 29 per cent trade based on social media and influencer content or recommendations.Moreover, 24 per cent of Gen Z crypto investors try to invest in new “coins”, while 15 per cent invest in them as a ‘bit of a punt’.You may also like: eToro CEO - “We’re in a Strong Position to Double Down on Crypto,” Adds Prediction MarketsSocial media advertisements have encouraged around 72 per cent of Aussie crypto investors in this age group to invest in this asset class in the past 12 months. Interestingly, 41 per cent were approached by someone offering to help them invest in crypto.“Short-term or speculative trading based on what’s popular online carries real risks, particularly in volatile markets like crypto,” Kirkland added.While the influence of social media on the financial habits of the younger generation is now clearly visible, ASIC has also had disputes with some local finfluencers. Meanwhile, the UAE remains the only country to mandate licensing for all finfluencers who give financial advice on social media platforms. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

IronFX cuts 150 rolesJob cuts at IronFX have emerged as the latest sign of pressure across the online trading industry. The broker laid off around 150 employees, or about 10% of its roughly 1,500‑strong workforce, with sources citing “efficiency” amid the AI wave as the main driver.​ The layoffs follow earlier reductions at other brokers, including Tradu/FXCM and eToro, and come as IronFX continues to operate with a Cyprus Investment Firm license, a British Virgin Islands offshore license and authorization from the UK Financial Conduct Authority.eToro's crypto expansion planMeanwhile, eToro CEO Yoni Assia said the fintech giant is in a strong position to expand its crypto offering and has introduced prediction markets within its new non-custodial crypto wallet.Speaking to Finance Magnates in Limassol, Assia noted that the feature was designed to stay separate from users’ main investments. He added that eToro is currently working with Polymarket and holding discussions with Kalshi as the company explores opportunities in the fast-emerging prediction markets sector.The CEO of eToro just revealed how they profited $50 million by integrating Bitcoin into their treasury strategy.Crypto is here to stay, it’s a new kind of global capital market. pic.twitter.com/eGEwTbltTe— Kashif Raza (@simplykashif) May 16, 2025Assia emphasized that prediction markets remain in the early stages of development and it is still unclear how much interest eToro users will show in them.War exposes insider risks in prediction marketsIn the wild west of prediction markets, the Iran war has drawn sharp attention to the growing risk of insider trading. Following the US strike on Iran in late February, users reportedly wagered hundreds of millions of dollars on outcomes ranging from the timing of attacks to a potential nuclear detonation. Data analytics firm Bubblemaps identified several suspected insiders who allegedly bet over a million dollars on the timing of the strike, while other analysts noted trading patterns that mirrored insider behavior around events involving Iran’s leadership.CFTC rules for prediction marketPrediction markets are indeed gaining mainstream attention, but new regulatory signals suggest the rules are tightening. CFTC issued new guidance for platforms interested in launching prediction markets, outlining standards that resemble a compliance test. The advisory requires platforms to demonstrate that their event contracts can resist market manipulation and insider trading before being approved for trading in the United States.At the same time, CFTC Chairman Michael Selig said the agency does not intend to decide which products people are allowed to trade and will avoid making policy through enforcement actions.Instead, he told an audience at the FIA Global Cleared Markets Conference in Florida that the CFTC plans to move away from “regulating through enforcement” and step back from enforcement-driven policymaking.Are prediction markets the next prop trading?Prediction markets are also emerging as a potential alternative for retail traders as regulators tighten oversight of simulated proprietary trading. Authorities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe have begun scrutinizing prop trading firms that rely more on challenge fees than real trading activity.Many of these firms operate in regulatory gray areas, often using simulated accounts rather than executing live trades. Recent enforcement cases and platform shutdowns have accelerated the industry’s search for new models.XTB adds kill switch to block hackersAway from prediction markets, XTB introduced an emergency lock feature that allows clients to freeze all activity on their account with a single tap if they suspect unauthorized access. When activated, the lock halts trading in all instruments, blocks withdrawals from all currency accounts, and disables all eWallet transactions, the company said. To restore access, users must first change their password and then pass a facial recognition check to confirm they are the legitimate account holder. XTB CEO Omar Arnaout said the feature is designed to give clients a fast way to regain control of their accounts amid rising digital and cybersecurity threats.Over half of Singapore CFD traders use one platformAs Singapore’s CFD market returns to growth, providers are under pressure to ensure their customer service meets the expectations of both new and existing clients. Firms need to handle inquiries, onboarding, and support efficiently to retain traders in a more competitive environment.According to Investment Trends associate research director Lorenzo Vignati, the focus in Singapore has shifted from expansion to engagement, with brokers now concentrating on reactivating traders who previously stopped trading. He noted that brokers cannot afford missteps with returning clients because first impressions are critical when these traders come back to the market.Global forex brokers target JapanJapan remains one of the world’s key retail foreign exchange markets, combining high trading volumes with a large and active base of retail traders. The country has more than 1.5 million retail FX traders and over 3 million active trading accounts, generating around $400 billion in daily FX turnover, putting it alongside London, New York, and Singapore as a major FX hub. A notable feature of Japan’s market is the dominance of domestic brokers in retail trading. Major local firms such as GMO Click Securities, SBI FX Trade, Rakuten Securities, DMM FX, and Monex Group have built extensive retail trading ecosystems, supported by established platforms and sizable customer bases.Revolut wins full UK bank licenceRevolut has received approval from the Prudential Regulation Authority to launch its UK bank, concluding a lengthy regulatory process. The license will allow the company to expand its services for around 13 million customers in its home market through its new entity, Revolut Bank UK Ltd.We’re now officially a fully licensed bank in the UK.As a bank, we’ll soon offer accounts protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £120,000 per person on eligible deposits. It also means we’ll be able to launch more banking features in the future… pic.twitter.com/fH7K2TQLDd— Revolut (@Revolut) March 11, 2026With this authorization, Revolut can operate as a fully licensed bank in the UK and offer deposit accounts covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. It now joins other major fintechs that have obtained full banking licenses, including UK-based Monzo and Starling and Germany’s N26.Executive Moves of the week: Traze, TarurexLastly, in the executive moves, Naeem Afzal has joined Traze, the sister CFDs broker brand of ZFX under Zeal Group, as Regional Sales Director, based in the United Arab Emirates. He brings nearly 20 years of experience in institutional and retail sales, most recently serving as Regional Sales Director at GO Markets.Also this week, CFD broker Taurex reappointed Matthew Wright as a Non-Executive Director, almost three years after he left for Exinity, bringing back an executive who previously led the firm during its Zenfinex phase. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Former investment banking executives have launched a Hong Kong‑based crypto proprietary trading firm dubbed Velotrade Re Limited. The founders, Gianluca Pizzituti and Vittorio De Angelis, previously held derivatives roles at JP Morgan, Dresdner Kleinwort, and Bank of America. Their earlier venture, Velotrade Management Limited, operates an active trade‑finance platform. However, the new company is a separate entity focused only on crypto trading.A New Revenue StructureMost prop firms rely on challenge fees when traders fail. Velotrade operates differently, its revenue comes from live market replication of profitable trader positions using institutional liquidity and algorithmic hedging, the Friday's announcement noted.Crypto prop trading uses a prop firm’s capital to trade only digital assets like bitcoin and ether. It is often through funded accounts that sit on demo or simulated infrastructure but link to real crypto liquidity and defined profit splits for traders. In the past two years, several players such as HyroTrader, Crypto Fund Trader, and PipFarm have moved into this space.Keep reading: From Pioneer to Leader: Crypto Fund Trader Announces $18 Million Paid to TradersBoth Pizzituti and De Angelis have extensive backgrounds with major global financial institutions before co-founding Velotrade. Pizzituti spent over five years at Dresdner Kleinwort in London, focusing on equity derivatives and OTC single-stock options market-making, before launching his own proprietary trading company, Colosseum Financials, in Singapore.De Angelis began his career in derivatives trading at JP Morgan and Dresdner Bank, later becoming Managing Director and Co-Head of Derivatives Trading at Bank of America in London.Velotrade limits its offering to crypto only, with leverage reportedly up to 6x on BTC and ETH. Funded traders can request payouts in USDC or USDT after 14 days.Crypto-Native Props Add On-Chain TransparencyUnlike the multi‑asset, FX‑ and CFD‑centric prop firms that dominate the industry, where traders usually operate on MT4/MT5 or similar platforms across currencies, indices and commodities, these newer crypto‑native outfits build around 24/7 digital markets.It also comprise exchange connectivity and proof‑of‑reserves style transparency. Crypto prop trading is attracting firms that now report sizeable payouts and transparent capital backing, such as Crypto Fund Trader. The firm recently disclosed that it has distributed more than $18 million to traders using a model built natively around blockchain infrastructure. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Seasoned FX and CFD sales executive Naeem Afzal has joined Traze, the sister CFDs broker brand of ZFX under the Zeal Group, as Regional Sales Director. Based in the United Arab Emirates, Afzal brings nearly two decades of experience in institutional and retail sales roles across the region’s brokerage sector.Career Spanning Leading FX BrokeragesAfzal most recently served as Regional Sales Director at GO Markets, a role he held for nearly two years until March 2026. Before that, he worked at Pepperstone as Premium Client Manager.His earlier career includes four years at IG, where he focused on high-net-worth client acquisition and was recognized for new business development in 2020.Besides his tenure at global brokerages, Afzal held senior positions at ICM Capital and CMS Financial, building expertise in institutional liquidity solutions, high-net-worth sales, and FX trading operations. His background spans business development, premium client services, and commercial strategy for both B2B and B2C markets.Announced the same day, Zeal Group strengthened its senior bench by appointing former Equiti Capital executive Ahmed Pasha as Global Head of Risk and Trading. It adds group-level risk and trading oversight that spans both brokerage brands and their multi‑asset operations.Other recent moves: Taurex Reunites With Former CEO Matthew Wright as Non-Executive DirectorTraze deepened its push into the Middle East last year after securing an SCA First Category License from the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority. This opened its Dubai-based entity to offer brokerage, portfolio management, and advisory services to both retail and institutional clients across the UAE and the wider region. The license built on Traze’s existing footprint, which already included an operational license in South Africa, and complemented ZFX’s UK and Seychelles operations that separately cater to professional, institutional, and offshore retail clients.Strengthening Traze’s Regional ExpansionIn another recent move, Traze last year underwent a leadership change at the top when former CEO Erkin Kamran stepped down to build a new DeFi-native platform that offers crypto, FX, and commodities trading on a decentralized exchange. It followed a tenure in which he helped Zeal Group’s sister brand secure its UAE SCA license and expand alongside ZFX’s operations in the UK, Seychelles, and South Africa.Additionally, Traze last month appointed ex-Doo Prime executive Hristo Marinov as LATAM Regional Director. It streghtened its push into Latin America and other emerging markets with a sales leader who has worked under multiple regulatory regimes, including ASIC, FCA, FSCA, CySEC, and FSA. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

The Financial Conduct Authority has banned Kasim Garipoglu from working in the UK financial services industry. The regulator concluded he is not a fit and proper person due to a lack of “honesty and integrity”.The FCA said Garipoglu owned a firm offering online trading in foreign exchange and contracts. Between April 2012 and December 2022, including the period when he served as chief executive and director and held regulatory approval, he repeatedly ignored regulatory obligations and undermined compliance controls.Regulator Cites “Money Laundering Risk”According to the authority, Garipoglu disregarded advice from colleagues and compliance staff who warned that some of his instructions were illegal and breached regulatory requirements. The regulator said he repeatedly overruled these warnings and prioritised commercial gain over compliance.Therese Chambers, joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight at the FCA, said Garipoglu had “consistently shown a blatant disregard of regulatory requirements” and chose to run his business in a way that created “significant risk that serious money laundering would be facilitated.”She added that he “has consistently sought to evade accountability” and that his conduct “fell far below the standards expected of individuals in senior positions.”Finance Magnates has reached out to Garipoglu for comment regarding the FCA’s decision. As of publication, no response has been received.Ex-CEO “Falsified Documents, Misled Regulators”The regulator said this behaviour means Garipoglu “poses an ongoing risk to consumers and to the integrity of the UK financial system.”The FCA noted that his actions weakened anti-money laundering controls and encouraged misconduct within the company. It said Garipoglu viewed the possibility of regulatory fines as a business risk that could be accepted in pursuit of commercial advantage.The regulator also found that Garipoglu deliberately provided false and misleading information to the FCA and other regulators. Examples included instructing the forgery of a document intended to show that an employee lived at a UK address with him, when neither individual did.The investigation also found he falsified a university degree certificate and submitted inaccurate declarations to the FCA as part of an authorisation application for another firm he owned.In a separate case, Garipoglu instructed a colleague to impersonate him in communications and during a phone call with a regulator in South Africa.The FCA also said he asked staff to take a mandatory anti-money laundering test on his behalf and later presented the result as his own. When questioned by the regulator, he denied the conduct. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Finalto, a global financial services provider specialising in liquidity, risk management and world‑class financial technology, is proud to be the top donor to the Samara Tenax project, initiated by current and former members of the Royal Air Force’s 99 Squadron in honour of Air Specialist (Class 1) Technician Sam Odotei, who sadly passed away on duty while serving with the squadron.Finalto’s contribution was formally recognised at a ceremony held at RAF Brize Norton, attended by Finalto UK & EU CEO Paul Groves, who was joined by Paul Jackson, Finalto Joint Head of Sales and Head of Marketing UK & EU. Also in attendance was Sam’s father, Eric Odotei, Group Head of Regulatory Reporting at Finalto.Wing Commander Nikki Lofthouse, Commander of 99 Squadron, said: “We are grateful to Finalto for their generous support of Samara Tenax. This project gives our squadron a meaningful way to honour the memory of a valued member of 99 Squadron and to build a legacy with lasting impact. We are certain Sam would be proud of these efforts.”Building communitySamara Tenax is an initiative of the TrueNorth Trust, which empowers serving military personnel, veterans, and their families by supporting projects that strengthen local communities around the world. The name honours both Sam and the symbolism of the samara - a seed with wings -combined with 99 Squadron’s motto Quisque tenax (“Each One Tenacious”).Samara Tenax also pays tribute to Sam’s Ghanaian heritage by directing resources toward the construction of a new community centre in Sakpe, a rural farming community in northern Ghana. The centre will serve as a hub for development initiatives, with a primary focus on educational programmes that help local farmers integrate traditional practices with modern agricultural methods to improve productivity and maximise crop yields. To help ensure the initiative is sustainable and impactful, the project leaders have partnered with a local foundation, Best Way Farms.Groves said: “The Samara Tenax project, dedicated to advancing education and improving living standards in rural communities, reflects values that are deeply embedded in Finalto’s culture. We are privileged to support this initiative and honoured to help commemorate the life and service of Sam Odotei, who will always remain part of the extended Finalto family.”Eric Odotei added: “Though Sam is no longer physically with us, his memory continues to tug gently at our hearts, reminding us to care for those less privileged than ourselves and to live with compassion in a world that can sometimes seem unfair. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Wing Commander Nikki Lofthouse and the TrueNorth Trust for bringing this initiative together. The generous support from Finalto will help the Samara Tenax project improve living standards and provide valuable education for farmers and their families in a rural community that has long faced limited opportunities and resources. As both Sam’s father and a member of the Finalto family, I feel deeply proud to be part of an organisation whose leadership demonstrates a genuine commitment to compassion, community, and making a meaningful difference.”In addition to Finalto’s corporate sponsorship, members of 99 Squadron have undertaken a series of ongoing fundraising initiatives to further support the project and strengthen Sam’s legacy. To learn more about Samara Tenax or to contribute to the project, please click here.Contact Finalto: sales@finalto.comMedia enquiries: Lara Hussaini (lara.hussaini@finalto.com)About FinaltoFinalto is an innovative prime brokerage that provides bespoke liquidity and fintech solutions. Our award-winning technology and expertise enable us to deliver effective, flexible service to a wide range of institutional clients globally, personalised to suit their needs. We deliver best-in-class pricing, execution and prime broker solutions across multiple assets, including CFDs on Equities, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos and rolling spot FX, Precious and Base Metals, and bespoke products such as NDFs. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

In the early 2000s, I learned to fly. This was, depending on your perspective, either a magnificent life-enriching pursuit or a spectacularly expensive way to spend Saturday mornings. My wife was supportive, on one non-negotiable condition: I was cleaned up, earthbound, and sitting opposite her in Selfridges for lunch by early afternoon.When you need to do something in precisely the right order, you need to get yourself a checklist. By Richard ForssEvery Saturday, I would drive up to Elstree, a small airfield in north London that sits, rather improbably, between a film studio and the suburban sprawl of Hertfordshire. For an hour, I would experience something genuinely extraordinary. There is a particular feeling you get when you are alone at the controls of an aircraft, a few thousand feet above the English countryside, that is very difficult to describe to anyone who hasn't done it. It is equal parts exhilaration, concentration and the quiet awareness that you are one bad decision away from a very short career.But this is not, despite appearances, a story about flying. It is a story about checklists. And, more specifically, about why the most tedious part of aviation turned out to be the most important thing it ever taught me.The checklist ritualBefore you start an aircraft engine, you run a checklist. Before you taxi, you run a checklist. Before you take off, you run a checklist: the engine run-up, the magneto checks, the carb heat, the instruments, the controls, the hatches and harnesses. After take-off, there is another checklist. Before you land, another. After you land, yet another. And you do not skip items. You do not do them from memory because you're feeling confident. You read them out, every single time, even if you have done it five hundred times before, because the one time you don't is the time something is wrong and you find out about it at entirely the wrong altitude.I learned those checklists so thoroughly that I can recite them today, more than two decades later, despite not having flown in years. They are engraved somewhere in the back of my brain, alongside my childhood phone number and the lyrics to Bohemian Rhapsody. The reason they stuck is not because I have a remarkable memory (I routinely forget where I've put my car keys) but because they were taught as a matter of life and death. Which, in aviation, they literally are.The aviation checklist, incidentally, exists because of a crash. In 1935 Boeing's Model 299, a plane the US Army had already decided to buy, stalled on its demonstration flight because the pilot, overwhelmed by the cockpit's complexity, forgot to release a locking mechanism on the controls. Two crew died. The plane was declared "too complex to fly." Boeing's answer was not to simplify the aircraft but to create a checklist. That checklist helped the 299, later known as the B-17 Flying Fortress, go on to fly 1.8 million miles without incident and play a decisive role in winning World War 2. The plane wasn't too complex to fly. It was too complex to fly from memory.Every checklist I have ever used, from Elstree to the server room, owes its existence to that insight.Nobody dies (probably)Releasing code into a production environment is not, I will concede, quite the same as lifting a single-engine aircraft off a runway in a crosswind. In fintech, nobody is going to die if your deployment goes wrong. Probably. But in a regulated financial services business, a botched release can produce consequences that, while not fatal, are certainly career-limiting and occasionally front-page-worthy.The parallel, though, is closer than most technology leaders would like to admit. A production release is a moment of controlled risk. You are moving from a safe test environment into the real world, where real clients have real money and real regulators have real expectations. The moment you push that button, you are the pilot on the runway. Everything up to this point has been preparation. What happens next depends entirely on whether you did the preparation properly.At EXANTE, we treat production releases with the same disciplined ritual I learned at Elstree. There is a checklist. It is followed every time. Not because our people are incapable of remembering what to do (they are experienced, talented professionals) but because memory is a liar. It tells you everything is fine. It tells you that you definitely checked that thing. It tells you this release is basically the same as the last one, so you can skip a few steps.Memory, in short, is the enemy of rigour. Checklists are the antidote.The boring magicThere is nothing glamorous about a checklist. Nobody has ever written a Hollywood screenplay about a man who diligently confirmed his deployment rollback procedure before cutting over to the new release. But there is a reason that aviation, where the consequences of error are as severe as they get, has built its entire safety culture around them. They work. Not because they are clever, but because they are relentless. They do not care that you are tired, or rushed, or confident, or distracted by the fact that someone has just pinged you on Slack about something unrelated. They simply sit there, waiting for you to confirm each step, one at a time, in order.The technology industry, for all its talk of agility and innovation, could learn this lesson more deeply. We have monitoring tools, automated tests, CI/CD pipelines; all wonderful things. But somewhere in the process, a human being needs to pause, look at a list, and confirm: have we actually done what we think we've done? Is the rollback ready? Have the stakeholders been notified? Are we confident this is the right build? Do we know what "good" looks like once it's live?These are not exciting questions. They are the most important questions.Cleared for take-offI no longer fly. My Saturday mornings have been reclaimed for less vertigo-inducing pursuits, and my wife no longer has to wonder whether I'll make it to Selfridges in one piece. But the checklists stayed with me. Not as a quaint memory of a hobby, but as a fundamental conviction about how serious work should be done.Every time we release code at EXANTE, I think of that little airfield in north London. I think of sitting in the cockpit, reading out each item, confirming each check, knowing that the ritual was the thing keeping me safe. The stakes in technology are different. Nobody dies. But the principle is identical: you follow the process, every time, because the one time you don't is the time you wish you had.And unlike flying, at least I can do this bit sitting down with a cup of tea.Richard Forss is CTO of EXANTE, a business of over 700 staff, where he leads a technology team of 230 and has not crashed anything, aircraft or production system, in several years. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Prediction markets are booming — from sports bets to contracts tied to geopolitical events. But would your exchange actually be allowed to list them in the U.S.?The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has just released new guidance for platforms launching event contracts. So we turned the regulator’s advisory into a quick test.Below is a simplified checklist based on the regulator’s latest advisory.1. Are You Operating a Regulated Exchange?If your platform operates as a Designated Contract Market (DCM) or plans to apply for such designation, the CFTC framework for derivatives exchanges will apply directly to the listing of prediction markets.Platforms operating offshore or outside the U.S. regulatory framework may face different legal and compliance considerations.Answer☐ Yes — continue to the checklist☐ No — U.S. listing may not be possible under the current framework2. Could the Contract Be Easily Manipulated?Under U.S. derivatives rules, exchanges are expected to list only contracts that are not readily susceptible to manipulation. Sports markets have already raised concerns among regulators. Contracts tied to individual incidents — such as player injuries or referee decisions — may be easier to manipulate because their outcome can be influenced by a small number of participants.Answer☐ Yes☐ No3. Do You Have Market Surveillance Systems in Place?Regulated exchanges are expected to monitor trading activity in real time and investigate irregular market behavior. This includes detecting disorderly trading, identifying anomalies in market activity, and accessing trader-level data if an investigation is required.As institutional trading firms and prime brokers explore ways to connect clients to prediction markets, regulators are placing greater emphasis on market surveillance and the detection of unusual trading patterns.Answer☐ Yes☐ No4. Is the Settlement Data Reliable and Transparent?Event contracts typically settle based on external data sources. Exchanges are expected to clearly define how the settlement outcome is calculated and where the underlying data comes from.Regulators emphasize the importance of accurate, reliable, and manipulation-resistant data sources, as well as safeguards that prevent premature disclosure of key data used in settlement calculations. Answer☐ Yes☐ No5. Have You Engaged With Relevant Authorities or Sports Leagues?For sports-related event contracts, regulators encourage exchanges to coordinate with relevant sports leagues or governing bodies.This may include consulting integrity units, establishing data-sharing arrangements, and ensuring that contract design aligns with the integrity standards of the relevant league.Answer☐ Yes☐ No6. Does the Contract Involve Sensitive or Restricted Events?U.S. law allows regulators to prohibit event contracts that are deemed contrary to the public interest. This may include contracts tied to events involving assassination, war, or terrorism. Earlier this month, markets speculating on the potential removal or death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sparked controversy and renewed debate about whether certain geopolitical contracts should be allowed.Answer☐ Yes☐ NoQuick InterpretationIf your answers mostly “Yes”, your platform may be structurally prepared to list prediction markets under the current regulatory framework. Several “No” answers might mean that your contracts could face regulatory scrutiny or delays.How might these rules apply in practice?The examples below show how different types of prediction market contracts might be viewed under the CFTC framework.The CFTC has also encouraged exchanges to engage with regulators early in the contract design process, particularly for markets that may carry higher manipulation risks. The guidance does not ban prediction markets. But it signals that exchanges launching event contracts will be expected to meet the same standards of market integrity as traditional derivatives venues — a test some contracts may struggle to pass. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Silver price is falling for the third straight session on Friday March 13, testing below $82 per ounce and the 50-day EMA, as the market gives back a portion of the gains built on this week's geopolitical tailwind. The white metal is now in a consolidation that could resolve in either direction, and the stakes are significant.In this article, I will break down XAG/USD technical analysis, examine the bearish case for silver that a growing number of analysts are making, and compile the key silver price predictions for the rest of 2026. Based on my over 15 years of experience as an analyst and retail investor, here is what I am watching.Follow me on X for real-time crypto market analysis: @ChmielDkWhy Silver Is Going Down? Three Sessions of SellingThe immediate trigger for this week's selling is straightforward: the risk premium is unwinding. Silver surged toward $90 earlier this week on the back of US-Iran geopolitical tensions and safe-haven demand, but as those tensions show no signs of immediate escalation, the hot money that drove the move is rotating back out. The dollar has also firmed, adding mechanical pressure to dollar-denominated commodities including silver.There is a deeper structural problem sitting underneath the weekly noise. Silver rose nearly $50 in a single month at the start of 2026, hitting the all-time high of $121.62 in January. It then lost the entire move in just two trading sessions - the most violent drawdown on this market since the 1980s Hunt Brothers episode.[#highlighted-links#] That kind of price action leaves psychological damage. Traders who chased the rally and were caught by the reversal are still sitting on losses, and many are using bounces to reduce exposure rather than add to it. As my earlier analysis of the 13% two-day collapse noted, the CME margin hike from 15% to 18% accelerated the forced liquidation cascade and broke the speculative momentum that had been building since October 2025.Silver Technical Analysis: The Same Box, Now Testing the FloorAs my technical analysis shows, silver has been falling for three consecutive sessions and is on Friday March 13 testing below $82 per ounce - the level of the 50-day EMA. That is a meaningful test, but it changes very little about the broader chart structure.Silver has been trading within the same consolidation range since early February. The lower boundary sits around $70 per ounce - the December and February lows. The upper boundary is the local peak zone at $90-$94, tested twice at the start of March. At $82, we are sitting in the middle of this channel. The market is digesting the extraordinary volatility of the year's opening weeks and appears to be consolidating before its next directional move.The two scenarios on my chart are clear and the outcomes diverge sharply. A break above $94 with volume opens the path back toward the all-time high near $120 with no meaningful technical resistance between those two levels - blue sky territory. A break below $70 activates a very different story: the path to the 200-day EMA at $60, and ultimately toward the October 2025 highs near $55, which together form a substantial structural support zone. From current levels, that downside scenario represents a decline of at least 35%.The 50 EMA at $82 is the immediate battle line. A daily close back above it on Friday or early next week would ease the near-term selling pressure and keep the consolidation symmetrical. A close below it would tilt the near-term bias toward testing $80 - the mid-channel support where the December 2025 historical highs also cluster - before any decision on the $70 boundary becomes relevant.The Bearish Case: Who Is Calling for Lower PricesThe silver bull community has dominated the narrative for most of 2025-2026, but a meaningful minority of analysts and market observers are making the opposite case - and their arguments deserve honest examination.Former JP Morgan Chief Strategist Marko Kolanovic is the most prominent institutional bear. He predicts silver could crash back to $50 per ounce in 2026, roughly half the January highs, arguing the rally was "driven by speculation rather than fundamentals" and that 50% drops are historically normal after such rapid gains. He is not wrong about the historical pattern - silver has a long track record of spectacular advances followed by equally spectacular collapses when the speculative overhang unwinds.On X, Arya Yalmmanian warns of "significant suffering for silver investors over the next 12 months," citing long-term sentiment models that show downside ahead. The note of humility is worth highlighting: he added he hopes his models are wrong this time. My long-term models, which are based exclusively on sentiment indicators, show that silver investors will suffer considerably over the next 12 months.I would like nothing more than for them to be wrong this time.— Ara Yalmanian (@AraYalmanian) March 11, 2026Yannis Kokkinias takes a more structural bearish view, pointing to a rising DXY, reduced global production numbers, and the argument that lower margin requirements going forward will "enable banks to slam prices via shorts." He is the most cynical: "technicals and fundamentals are obsolete - bankers control the price." That framing is common in the silver community and is partly informed by the decades-long history of position concentration in silver futures among a handful of large financial institutions.Patrick technicals or fundamentals are obsolete right now . For silver, everything is bearish. Margins increase or decrease, shortages, solar panels etc don't matter.Bangsters can drive the price down whenever they decide to. To any level.— Yannis Kokkinias (@kokkiyann) March 6, 2026The most measured bearish scenario comes from Sanju Lakshya who sees silver bottoming near the $60-$70 support zone and then spending extended time in a $60-$80 range rather than mounting a sustained recovery. That view aligns closely with my own chart's 200-day EMA target of $60 as the floor of the bear case and is perhaps the most technically grounded of the bearish views.#Silver forecast :I see bottoming near 60-70 Support Zone , and one more attempt to 95-105 before seeing long term consolidation in 60-80 Zone— Super Trader Lakshya #STL (@Sanju_Lakshya) February 2, 2026Why the Bull Case Is Still Alive at $82?The bearish views above represent a genuine minority amid broader optimism, and it is important to provide balance. The physical supply deficit that drove silver to $121 in January has not disappeared. The Silver Institute's data shows annual supply shortfalls running at 110-300 million ounces, and COMEX registered inventories remain severely depleted after the January delivery squeeze withdrew 33.45 million ounces in a single week.Bank of America's Michael Widmer maintains his $135-$309 target and the structural thesis behind it - gold-to-silver ratio compression, industrial demand from solar and AI infrastructure, and Eastern market buying - remains intact. Citi's $150 three-month forecast issued in late January was premised on "relentless Chinese buying and dollar weakness." The Chinese demand story has not changed. What changed is the dollar, which has partially recovered from its four-year lows.The critical point on my chart is $70. As long as silver holds above that lower consolidation boundary, the bull and bear cases remain evenly balanced and the upside to $120 is technically just as valid as the downside to $55. The break will tell us which story this market is telling.Silver Price Predictions 2026: From $50 to $309The forecast range for silver in 2026 remains one of the widest of any major asset class, reflecting genuine uncertainty about whether the physical market can sustain prices at multiples of historic norms.FAQ, Silver Price AnalysisHow low can silver go in 2026?As shown on my chart, a break below the $70 lower consolidation boundary opens the path to the 200-day EMA at $60, and ultimately toward the October 2025 highs near $55 - representing at least a 35% decline from Friday's $82 price. Why is silver going down this week?Silver is falling for a third consecutive session as the geopolitical risk premium built up earlier this week unwinds, the dollar firms from multi-year lows, and traders who chased the January $121 all-time high continue using bounces to reduce exposure. What is the silver price prediction for the rest of 2026?The range of credible forecasts spans from JP Morgan's $81 average and Kolanovic's $50 crash scenario at the bearish end to Bank of America's $135-$309 target and independent analyst Jochen Staiger's $185 projection at the bull end. My technical analysis identifies the $70 lower boundary as the pivotal level - above it, both scenarios remain open. Below it, the bear case accelerates toward $60 and then $55. A break above $94 opens the path back to $120 with no technical resistance in between.Is the silver bull market over?Not yet - but it is on notice. The supply deficit of 110-300 million ounces annually and the depleted COMEX registered inventories provide genuine structural support. The 50 EMA at $82 must hold on a closing basis for the near-term technical picture to remain neutral. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

IronFX, a prominent brand in the forex and contracts for differences (CFDs) industry, has laid off around 10% of its 1,500 workforce, FinanceMagnates.com understands. Sources said the reason behind the move was “efficiency” amid the AI wave.The specific catalyst for the layoffs at IronFX remains unconfirmed by the company, which has been largely unresponsive to inquiries, and no comments were provided by the time of publication.While IronFX holds a Cyprus Investment Firm (CIF) licence, it stopped offering services to retail CFD traders in the European Union a few years ago. Now, the broker appears to be operating primarily under an offshore licence from the British Virgin Islands.It also holds a licence from the UK Financial Conduct Authority.Despite its global operations, the broker has strong ties with Cyprus, as it was founded on the Mediterranean island in 2010 by Markos Kashiouris and Peter Economides. It received the Cyprus license the same year.Read more: IronFX Founder Quietly Joined Prop Trading Craze with ‘Ultimate’Brokers Reducing StaffThe staff cuts at IronFX follow a broader pattern of layoffs across the retail brokerage landscape. Finance Magnates earlier reported that eToro decided to cut 10% of its global workforce, while the operator of the FXCM and Tradu platform moved to cut more than 100 employees in 2025. The CEOs at eToro and FXCM cited AI adoption as a driver for restructuring.Still, it remains to be seen if AI is a strategic narrative for the sector, as by bundling performance-based redundancies and aggressive cost-cutting into a single, forward-looking message, brokers can often frame mass layoffs in a way that resonates more positively with investors.Elsewhere, IG Group has recently finalised the closure of its South African office, a unit that once employed roughly 90 people, completing a withdrawal that began nearly nine months ago. In 2023, IG Group had also moved to reduce its global workforce by 10%, and a few months later, another industry heavyweight, CMC Markets, announced a 17% staff reduction. This article was written by Arnab Shome, Adonis Adoni at www.financemagnates.com.

The US Department of the Treasury has sanctioned six people and two entities linked to an alleged North Korean IT worker fraud network. The network reportedly generates revenue to fund North Korea’s weapons program and frequently targets the cryptocurrency sector.Over the past year, the US has imposed sanctions on North Korean bankers and companies accused of moving cryptocurrency stolen through cybercrime and IT worker fraud to fund Pyongyang’s weapons programs. The network reportedly used shell companies, fake overseas firms, and intermediaries in China and Russia to conceal the transfers.Vietnam Firm Accused Laundering $2.5M CryptoThe Office of Foreign Assets Control announced the latest sanctions yesterday (Thursday). The designations include Amnokgang Technology Development Company, a North Korean firm accused of managing overseas IT workers, and Nguyen Quang Viet, CEO of Quangvietdnbg International Services Company Limited, a Vietnam-based company accused of laundering $2.5 million through cryptocurrency for the network.The individuals sanctioned are Do Phi Khanh, Hoang Van Nguyen, Yun Song Guk, Hoang Minh Quang, and York Louis Celestino Herrera. OFAC said the sanctions freeze all US assets connected to the designated parties and bar them from conducting financial transactions or business with US persons. Violations carry civil and criminal penalties.Today, Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned six individuals and two entities for their roles in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) government-orchestrated IT worker schemes that systematically defraud U.S. businesses and generate revenue to fund the…— Treasury Department (@USTreasury) March 12, 2026North Korea IT Workers Target CryptoFraudulent IT workers linked to North Korea have increasingly targeted industries including blockchain and cryptocurrency companies. A Google report in April 2025 noted that the infrastructure supporting these schemes has expanded globally.The sanctions also include 21 cryptocurrency addresses across Ethereum and Tron. Chainalysis said the “designation of addresses across multiple blockchain networks reflects [North Korea’s] increasingly multi-chain approach to moving funds.”Chainalysis added that North Korean IT worker schemes “represent a sophisticated and growing threat,” using fake identities to gain employment with companies and sometimes introducing malware to access sensitive information. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

The MENA region is emerging as a major centre for the financial trading industry, and Exness recognises that growth as both a market signal and a business priority.In a recent Finance Magnates executive interview, Mohammad Amer, Regional Commercial Director at Exness, said the MENA region is no longer just participating in global financial markets; it is now playing a key role in shaping them. He also said Exness views its presence at iFX EXPO Dubai as an important way to show its scale, connect with industry experts, and strengthen B2B relationships in the region.Why Dubai matters for Exness and the wider marketAmer described Dubai and the MENA region as a fast-growing fintech market, and said this is one reason Exness continues to invest in visibility and presence at events like iFX EXPO Dubai, where the company appeared as an elite sponsor.He said Exness uses the event to present its scale and market presence, while also engaging with industry experts and B2B partners in the region. In his view, this is not only about brand visibility but also about being active in a market expected to keep growing strongly in the coming years.According to Amer, the region is projected to be among the fastest-growing fintech markets, with strong year-on-year revenue growth through 2028. Within that context, Exness MENA remains a key part of the company’s regional focus.A mobile-first generation is changing expectationsA major theme throughout the interview was the rise of mobile-first trading behaviour in MENA, especially among younger users. Amer agreed that mobile is central to the market and pointed to the scale of mobile adoption in the region.He said the new generation of users expects more than just access to the markets. They also expect platform stability and strong performance, even during high-impact market events.“The new generation of users is not just expecting us to provide access to the market,” he said. “They are expecting stability, favourable conditions, including precise execution and tight spreads.”Amer said Exness responds to these demands through engineering, which he described as a core part of how the company manages performance and reliability requirements. In this sense, Exness is not only adapting its commercial approach but also focusing on platform quality for a market with high mobile usage and rising expectations.Local talent is a key part of regional successAmer also spoke about the role of local teams in delivering a better regional strategy and user experience.He said local talent helps an international company become a real regional partner because MENA employees bring cultural understanding, communication awareness, and knowledge of market-specific regulatory requirements.“Local talent is what turns an international company into a regional partnership,” Amer said.He added that local teams help companies understand both trader needs and regulations in a more practical way. This, he said, directly affects the user experience, especially when traders can speak with people who understand local communication styles and do not face language barriers.Amer also noted that this matters not only for newer users but also for more experienced traders, whose needs can be more complex. For Exness, local talent appears to be both an operational and customer experience priority.What the online trading industry may look like by 2030When asked about the wider growth of online trading platforms toward 2030, Amer said he expects the industry to favour fewer, stronger, and more capable companies.His view is that future winners will be those who can meet rising standards across regulation, engineering, and platform consistency. He also said AI should not be used only in marketing, but also in platform infrastructure.“It is not just about AI-driven marketing,” he said. “It is about taking AI under the hood to stress test the platforms and inspect pricing anomalies.”Amer’s comments suggest that scale alone may not be enough. In his view, firms will need stronger systems, stronger controls, and more consistent performance to remain competitive as the industry grows.MENA’s young population and the shift from access to capabilityAmer said MENA’s demographics are a major driver of change in the market. He pointed to a young population, noting that a large share of the region's population is under 30.He said this generation is not only looking for market access. They are also looking for “financial capabilities,” meaning they want brokers who support informed decision-making and long-term trading goals.This is where trust becomes central, he said. In his words, trust is not only a brand value, but it also has commercial value.“They are looking for trustworthy brokers.” “Trust is not just a brand value; it has a commercial value as well.”He added that traders are looking for brokers that can offer stability, speed in execution, and transparency. He also described a broader shift in the industry: from brokers that mainly provide access to brokers that also support financial literacy.According to Amer, younger traders want to better understand markets and make their own decisions, which increases the need for education and clearer communication. That point adds another layer to Exness' view of its role in the region.Amer’s outlook for 2026: The year of trustAsked for his prediction for 2026, Amer gave a direct answer: trust will be the main theme.“I would say it’s going to be the year of trust,” he said. “The focus will be about trust.”He linked this to market volatility and said that in uncertain conditions, traders will place more value on brokers that can demonstrate reliability and transparency in practice. He also pointed to instant withdrawals* as one example of a feature that supports trust, saying Exness has been offering this for years to experienced traders.For Exness, the message was clear: as the market grows and user expectations rise, trust, stability, speed, and transparency will matter more than ever.Read More about Exness*At Exness, over 98% of withdrawals are processed automatically. Processing times may vary depending on the chosen payment method. This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.