A company that has been operating under a brand-sharing arrangement with Octa is discontinuing that plan and will launch a new brand next month. New Brand and Migration PlanA source close to the broker told Finance Magnates that the entity has been working “for months” on the new identity and has now decided to fully shift its focus to the launch and rollout.The industry source mentioned that the rebrand is a strategic decision aimed at building a resilient platform for every trader and at delivering a secure, reliable and sustainable trading experience.While the brand identity and the visual design of its app and website will change, the source said its underlying trading infrastructure will remain in place.The group will continue to operate under its existing licenses in Mauritius and Comoros, and all clients currently on‑boarded under these licenses will be automatically migrated to the new broker entity once the brand is live.Read more: Octa breaks down its legal structureOf importance to note, Octa recently publicly detailed its brand and legal structure, directly addressing the controversy and mixed commentary that has emerged around the group in recent days.Octa Clarifies Multi-Entity Brand ModelThe broker framed this explanation as a clarification for market participants and media, emphasizing that several lesser-known aspects of its setup may have contributed to misunderstanding. According to the company, none of the Octa-linked companies are publicly listed, so they have not been legally obliged to publish detailed group-structure disclosures. It further stressed that there is no single global “Octa company” but an umbrella brand used by several separate e-brokerage entities, including Octa Markets Inc. and Octa Markets Cyprus Ltd. Each operates independently, holding its own license, maintaining its own regulator relationships and bearing full responsibility for compliance in its jurisdiction, even though they share the same Octa name, visual identity and marketing under a brand‑sharing framework. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

US President Donald Trump has named former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh as his choice to lead the US central bank. The decision sets up a possible change in the Federal Reserve’s relationship with the White House.Warsh is expected to replace current chair Jerome Powell when Powell’s term ends in May. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.Trump Picks Warsh, Criticizes Powell AgainTrump announced the decision today (Friday). He said he had known Warsh for a long time and expressed confidence in him. Trump said Warsh “will never let you down” and could be “one of the GREAT Fed Chairmen.”Trump appointed Powell as Fed chair in 2017. Over the past year, he has repeatedly criticised Powell for not cutting interest rates faster. Trump has said the benchmark rate should be closer to 1 per cent. It currently stands at about 3.6 per cent.Youngest Fed Governor Warsh Returns WashingtonWarsh served on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors from 2006 to 2011. He was appointed at age 35, making him the youngest governor in the Fed’s history. His term covered the period before and during the 2008–09 financial crisis.? BREAKING: President Trump just NOMINATED Kevin Warsh as the next Chairman of the Federal Reserve! Replacing Powell with a true insider who gets it, former Fed Governor, Wall Street vet, and critic of the old regime.This is HUGE for lower rates, growth, and putting America… pic.twitter.com/JZ43rfv0ri— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) January 30, 2026After leaving the Fed, Warsh became a fellow at the Hoover Institution. He also lectured at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.During his earlier time at the Fed, Warsh was often seen as a policy hawk. He warned about the risks of keeping interest rates too low. He also opposed some of the central bank’s ultra-loose policies after the recession. In more recent speeches and opinion pieces, he has supported lower rates, aligning more closely with Trump’s views.Nomination Raises Questions About Fed IndependenceThe move has renewed debate over the Fed’s independence. The central bank is designed to operate free from political pressure. Trump’s public criticism has sharpened that debate.Under the plan, Warsh would first join the Fed’s board. The seat is now held temporarily by White House adviser Stephen Miran. Warsh could then become chair when Powell’s term ends.Even if confirmed, Warsh would face limits. Rate decisions are made by a 19-member committee. Officials remain split between inflation concerns and signs of slower growth. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Xoala’s Head of Growth, Andrew Mreana, has left the London-based neobank and institutional payment solutions provider a little over a year after joining the firm. Mreana focused on expanding Xoala’s presence among Cyprus-based brokers during his tenure."After a little over one year, my journey as Head of Growth at XOALA has come to an end, Mreana mentioned on LinkedIn on Friday. "This chapter was full of learning, experimentation, and growth (in every sense of the word). I’m thankful for the people I worked with, the trust I was given, and the challenges that pushed me to think bigger and move faster."FX and CFD-Focused CareerA Cyprus-based FX and CFDs industry executive, Mreana joined Xoala around a year ago as Head of Growth, following several years at cTrader platform developer Spotware Systems in the same capacity. Spotware Systems is best known for its cTrader trading platform licensed to brokerages and other trading services providers.Mreana has built a long career in financial services, with a particular focus on forex and CFD brokers. Before joining Spotware, he served as a Call Center Manager and Head of Sales at an FX and CFD-focused firm. He has also launched several initiatives, including DOT Financial News.Exploring Next Steps After XoalaIn his post, Mreana described his time at Xoala as a period of learning, experimentation and growth, adding that he was thankful for the trust he received and the challenges that pushed him “to think bigger and move faster.”Other recent moves: Match-Prime Liquidity Hires Amana’s Kareem Harras as Head of MENA"Many thanks to the business partners I collaborated with over the past year. I truly appreciated the strong relationships we built along the way and I hope they will last for many years to come."He has not yet disclosed his next role, but his profile highlights experience across payments, prop trading platforms and banking services for multiple sectors. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Crypto exchange Bybit has unveiled a broad strategic shift toward what it describes as a “New Financial Platform,” an ecosystem designed to integrate retail banking services, institutional custody and traditional asset trading. The move signals an effort to extend beyond the company’s roots as a crypto derivatives exchange and into areas traditionally served by banks and multi-asset brokers. The strategy, outlined by co-founder and CEO Ben Zhou, places Bybit alongside other major crypto platforms seeking to position themselves as unified financial hubs where digital assets and traditional finance coexist. Similar initiatives are already underway at competitors such as Coinbase, highlighting a wider industry trend toward so-called “everything platforms.” “We are moving beyond niche crypto services to build a broader financial platform where crypto becomes part of everyday financial activity,” Zhou said. Building Out Retail and Institutional Capabilities At the centre of Bybit’s strategy are two initiatives aimed at different client segments. The first is MyBank, a planned retail banking layer scheduled for launch in February 2026. As Bloomberg reports, the planned MyBank accounts will include IBAN functionality, allowing users to hold and transfer balances in multiple fiat currencies, subject to regulatory approval. The second pillar is ByCustody, Bybit’s institutional custody framework. The company says the platform currently secures more than $5 billion in assets for over 30 professional asset managers and serves more than 2,000 institutional clients, representing year-on-year growth in demand from firms seeking segregated accounts and more traditional custody safeguards. Expanding TradFi Offerings Alongside Crypto Beyond banking and custody, Bybit is also expanding its traditional finance offering. Having introduced its first TradFi products in 2022, the exchange plans to list around 500 trading pairs by the first quarter of 2026, covering stock CFDs, foreign exchange, commodities and indices. These products are designed to sit alongside Bybit’s existing crypto markets within a single trading environment. The platform is supported by a global payments network, which Bybit says connects to nearly 2,000 local banks, more than 58 fiat gateways and underpins the issuance of 2.7 million Bybit Cards worldwide. Regulatory Context Still Taking Shape So far, there has been no direct public response from regulators or the wider financial community to Bybit’s announcement. The company has repeatedly stressed, however, that all elements of its expanded platform remain subject to regulatory approval and will only be launched once the necessary authorisations are in place. Bybit has indicated that certain components, including banking-related services that, according to Bloomberg, would involve Georgia-licensed lender Pave Bank, will depend on approval from local regulators, with other jurisdictions potentially involved as the strategy develops. The emphasis on pending regulatory clearances suggests that the company’s ambitions are conditional on securing a “green light” from supervisory authorities rather than a unilateral rollout. Implications for Brokers and Banks For traditional brokers and banks, Bybit’s announcement underscores the direction of travel within the crypto industry rather than an immediate competitive threat. Large crypto exchanges are increasingly leveraging their global user bases, payments infrastructure and around-the-clock operating models to explore services beyond spot and derivatives trading. Whether these platforms can establish themselves as full-service financial providers will ultimately depend on execution and regulatory acceptance. What is clear is that the boundary between crypto platforms and mainstream financial services continues to narrow, raising new strategic questions for incumbents about how they compete, partner or coexist with these expanding ecosystems. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

NinjaTrader Group, a provider of retail futures trading services, announced the expansion of its futures offering into Europe through Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Limited, a MiFID-regulated investment firm. The launch will initially cover the Netherlands and Germany.The move comes amid broader industry trends, as European CFD brokers increasingly consider adding futures and options while regulatory restrictions on over-the-counter derivatives tighten. A survey by Acuiti for CME Group found four in five firms not currently offering listed products are planning or evaluating the change. The shift is driven by compliance requirements, risk reduction, growing demand for exchange-traded products, and competition from U.S. brokers expanding into Europe.European Traders Gain US, EU FuturesThe European futures platform provides charting tools, order flow visualization, execution capabilities, and a futures trading simulator. Clients of PEDSL-CY will be able to access futures contracts listed on regulated U.S. and European venues. NinjaTrader plans to expand into additional EU markets, including France and Italy, later this year.“As trader behavior evolves across Europe, traders are gravitating toward futures-first exchange traded products,” said Martin Franchi, CEO of NinjaTrader Group. He added that NinjaTrader provides a futures platform with competitive pricing and integrated educational tools to support skill development and long-term trading outcomes.Expansion Aligns with PINC IntegrationThe expansion comes as European retail traders increasingly seek exchange-traded products for transparency, regulatory clarity, and long-term market access. NinjaTrader joins other global brokers offering EU clients access to exchange-listed products in compliance with local regulations. NinjaTrader expands to Europe as retail traders embrace U.S. futures markets https://t.co/9MtGVFlZJP— Crain's Chicago Business (@CrainsChicago) January 30, 2026The move is part of NinjaTrader Group’s integration into the PINC Group, which also includes Kraken, a cryptocurrency platform with more than 15 million clients worldwide.NinjaTrader Expands Services with Prop PlatformsThe European launch builds on NinjaTrader’s broader product strategy. Last year, the company entered the prop trading space with the launch of NinjaTrader Prop and Tradovate Prop under NT Technologies. The platforms support prop trader evaluations, offer advanced risk controls, integrate with third-party tools such as TradingView, and provide charting, order flow, and other trading features, extending NinjaTrader’s existing futures services. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

XTB revealed a fundamental change in how its clients are deploying capital, according to preliminary results for 2025 released yesterday (Thursday). Stocks now represent the largest asset class on the platform by nominal value, overtaking contracts for difference that built the company's business over the past decade.XTB Client Assets Shift Away from CFDs Client-held stock positions reached 15.1 billion zlotys (around $3.8 billion) at year-end, nearly doubling from 7.9 billion zlotys twelve months earlier. Exchange-traded funds climbed even faster, jumping 110% to 12.1 billion zlotys. Combined, these two long-term investment products now account for 60% of total client assets.CFD positions grew just 26% to 12.7 billion zlotys, falling to third place in the asset breakdown. That's a sharp reversal for a product that generated most of XTB's revenue through 2023 and once dominated client portfolios.XTB Client Assets in Nominal Value (in PLN millions) at Period End:The figures came from XTB's preliminary 2025 results, which painted a mixed picture: profit fell 24%, but the company laid out aggressive product expansion plans for 2026. Judging by the stock's performance, investors focused on the growth story rather than the earnings miss. Moreover, the results turned out to be better than analysts' median forecasts.First Trades Tell the StoryThe shift becomes clearer when looking at what new clients do first. In 2019, 80% of new European Union customers opened their first position in CFDs. By 2025, that figure dropped to just 7%.“The transformation of XTB from a CFD broker to a modern FinTech entity providing a universal investment application has been progressing in recent years,” the fintech commented in the statement. “This transformation will continue into 2026 and beyond.”Stocks captured 38% of first trades last year, with investment plans at 28% and ETFs at 27%. The trend accelerated from 2023, when CFDs still represented 13% of initial transactions.XTB has been pushing this transformation since 2024, adding tax-advantaged retirement accounts in Poland (IKE and IKZE), Britain (ISA), and France (PEA). The company now manages over 174,000 of these long-term savings accounts, up from effectively zero two years ago.Revenue Mix Stays Tilted to DerivativesThere's also visible gold fever among retail traders. Gold-linked CFDs alone accounted for 38% of all derivative trading volume in 2025, followed by the Nasdaq 100 index at 28%. Total client assets under custody hit 45.8 billion zlotys, up 67% year-over-year. Cash balances grew 56% to 5.9 billion zlotys, suggesting clients are parking more money on the platform between trades.The company processed 53 million transactions on stocks, ETFs and investment plans in 2025, nearly triple the prior year's volume. That compares with 8.9 million CFD contracts measured in lots, using the broker's standardized unit. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Gold plunged as much as 8% on Friday, January 30, 2026, testing $4,941 per ounce level during European trading hours. Silver price experienced an even more dramatic collapse, crashing over 17% from Thursday's peak of $120 down to $95 per ounce in what traders described as a "capitulation event". While both metals have recovered slightly from their intraday lows, gold now trading around $5,180 (down 4.77%) and silver hovering just below the psychological $100 level, the volatility remains extremely elevated. This sudden reversal comes mere hours after both metals tested all-time highs: gold touched $5,595 and silver reached $120.45 per ounce on Thursday.The crash represents the most severe single-day decline in over a decade for both metals. In this article, I examine why silver price is falling and why gold is going down, analyzing XAU/USD and XAG/USD charts.Silver and Gold Price: When Did Metals Last Fall This Hard?The magnitude of Friday's collapse rivals the worst single-day crashes in modern precious metals history. The last time gold fell with comparable force was April 15, 2013, when it plummeted 9% (losing $140.30) to $1,361.10. the biggest one-day fall in 30 years at that time. On that same infamous day, silver crashed 11%, shedding $2.97 to close at $23.361 per ounce.Silver's trauma is even fresher. On December 29, 2025, the white metal logged its worst day since February 2021, plunging 8.7% after breaching $80 per ounce. The intraday swing was even more vicious—15% peak-to-trough, representing the biggest high-to-low change going back to August 2020, when silver dropped 16.85%.Today's 8% gold decline ranks among the worst sessions in three decades. The 17% silver crash exceeds even the December nightmare and approaches the extreme dislocations seen only during major liquidity crises.Follow me on X for more gold, silver and commodity market analysis: @ChmielDkWhy Silver And Gold Prices Are Going Down?Friday's precious metals massacre isn't the result of a single catalyst but rather a perfect storm of powerful forces that simultaneously hammered the market after months of uninterrupted gains.Fed Chair Uncertainty Triggers Risk ReassessmentPresident Trump's announcement that he would name a new Federal Reserve Chair on Friday created immediate market turbulence. Speculation centered on Kevin Warsh, a former Fed governor known for advocating "regime change" at the central bank and calling for lower interest rates. The uncertainty around monetary policy direction triggered a broad repricing of non-yielding assets like gold and silver.Konstantinos Chrysikos, Head of Customer Relationship Management at Kudotrade, explained that "gold pulled back toward the USD 5,000 level on Friday, as investors reassessed positioning ahead of the expected announcement of the next chair of the Federal Reserve." Despite the dramatic intraday correction, he emphasized the metal "remains on track to close both the week and the month higher."Profit-Taking After Record-Breaking RallyGold had tested $5,595 per ounce just hours before the crash, while silver touched $120.45, both representing all-time highs achieved on January 29. After seven consecutive sessions of gains and gold's 20%+ monthly surge marking its strongest performance in decades, the market was severely overextended.Ahmad Assiri, Research Strategist at Pepperstone, provided crucial context: "gold has gained more than 20% since the start of the month, marking its strongest monthly performance in decades. Moves of this magnitude are rare and are certainly not the result of short term speculation alone. They point instead to a genuine reallocation of capital."Government Shutdown Averted - Removing One Gold TailwindKathleen Brooks, Research Director at XTB, observed that "the momentum rally faces challenges at dizzy heights" after "extreme price moves across asset classes on Thursday." She highlighted that "the prospect of another US government shutdown appears to have been averted" through a bipartisan funding deal.Brooks noted this development "should be good for risk sentiment, and it is a massive relief for consumer and business confidence as we move through Q1." Paradoxically, reduced political chaos removed one of gold's key support pillars, the fear premium that had been priced into the metal throughout January.Dollar Weakness Paradox and Positioning ReassessmentAssiri highlighted a critical market anomaly: the US dollar is "trading near its lowest levels in years, around levels last seen in early 2022." This move "cannot be explained solely by interest rate differentials but also reflects a confidence issue tied to recent actions and signals from the US administration".Silver and Gold Technical Analysis: Critical Support and Resistance LevelsThe violent price action has reset the technical landscape for both metals, with key levels now coming into sharp focus that will determine whether this correction extends or finds a floor.Gold's Technical PictureGold fell as much as 8% on Friday, testing the $4,941 per ounce level at a critical moment during the session. However, part of the decline has been corrected, and currently the quotations are down 5.4%, with the yellow metal changing hands at just under $5,090 per ounce. Volatility remains extremely high.The sudden drop follows Thursday's test of historical highs at the $5,600 level, after which came the long-awaited downward correction and profit-taking. So far, however, we have stopped at the psychological level of $5,000, which will now likely play the role of an important support level.Gold has behind it as many as seven consecutive up sessions, and even despite this correction, it is still up 18% in 2026 alone.Key Question: Will $5,000 hold the decline, or will selling accelerate?According to my technical analysis, if gold continues falling, my critical support zone centers on $4,550, representing late 2025 highs that coincide with the 50-day exponential moving average (50 EMA). This zone extends down to $4,360 per ounce, the October 2025 peak.We've finally established a clear resistance zone at $5,400-5,450 per ounce—the area where Thursday's all-time high was rejected.Silver's Technical StructureSilver on Friday is down just under 14%. At a critical moment during the session, however, it plunged by over 17%, starting from the $120 level and stopping near the round psychological support level of $100 per ounce. Throughout this period, silver is still up approximately 40% year-to-date.Resistance zone on silver's chart is currently defined by peaks first tested on January 26 in the $112-117 range.My primary support at $100 per ounce extends down to $93, the January 14 peak. Even if silver breaks lower, we have another broad support zone between $70-80 per ounce, established by late 2025 highs and reinforced by the 50-day exponential moving average (50 EMA).Key Technical Levels TableThe technical picture suggests both metals are testing critical psychological levels that held during the December correction. Gold's ability to maintain above $5,000 and silver's defense of $100 will be crucial in determining whether this represents a buyable dip or the start of a deeper retracement toward the extended support zones.What Happens Next? Price Predictions for Gold and SilverBull Case: Support Holds, December Playbook RepeatsIf gold stabilizes above $5,000 and silver defends $100, we could see a scenario similar to mid-December when both metals bounced sharply from comparable technical levels. The fundamental drivers remain powerfully supportive:Central bank buying continues unabated, with the Polish central bank leading recent accumulationDollar weakness at multi-year lows (near early 2022 levels) despite Fed policy uncertaintyGeopolitical fragmentation accelerating with EU-India trade deals and UK-China dialogueETF inflows remained robust throughout January despite today's selloffBoth metals remain dramatically higher year-to-date (+18% gold, +40% silver)Bear Case: Extended Correction to Test Deeper SupportIf $5,000 fails for gold or $100 breaks for silver, the next support zones come into focus:Gold: $4,550-$4,360 (50 EMA confluence with late 2025/October 2025 peaks)Silver: $93 down to $70-$80 (50 EMA zone, late 2025 highs)A decline to these levels would represent a 10-15% correction from current prices—painful but historically normal after 20%+ monthly rallies. The April 2013 crash saw gold fall 25% over several months before finding a bottom, though that occurred in a very different fundamental environment.Gold and Silver Price Predictions TableGold Price Forecasts for 2026Silver Price Forecasts for 2026FAQ: Gold and Silver Crash ExplainedWhy is gold falling today?Gold fell as much as 8% on January 30, 2026 due to profit-taking after hitting $5,595 (all-time high) Thursday, combined with uncertainty around President Trump's Fed Chair announcement. Kevin Warsh's expected nomination signals potentially less aggressive monetary stimulus, pressuring non-yielding assets. Despite the correction, gold remains up 18% year-to-date.What is the gold price now?As of Friday afternoon European time, gold trades around $5,180 per ounce, down 4.77% from Thursday's close but recovered from an intraday low of $4,941. The metal is testing critical psychological support at $5,000.Why is silver crashing today?Silver plunged 17% peak-to-trough (from $120 to $95) in history's most volatile session since August 2020. The crash reflects extreme profit-taking after silver's 40% year-to-date gain, Fed Chair uncertainty, and silver's typical pattern of amplifying gold's moves. The metal currently trades just below $100.Will gold fall below $5,000?If $5,000 fails, the next major support sits at $4,550-$4,360 (50-day EMA zone, late 2025 highs). However, experts like Pepperstone's Ahmad Assiri note corrections after 20%+ rallies are "normal and unlikely to be deep" absent major shifts in geopolitics or dollar strength. Central bank buying and ETF inflows remain supportive.When was the last time gold and silver fell this hard?Gold's 8% drop matches the April 15, 2013 crash (-9%, biggest in 30 years) and exceeds October 2025's -6% decline. Silver's 17% plunge surpasses December 29, 2025 (-8.7%), August 2020 (-16.85%), and approaches only March 2020 COVID panic levels. This ranks among the worst precious metals crashes in modern history.Should I buy gold now?This depends entirely on your risk tolerance and time horizon. Current prices offer a 10-15% discount from Thursday's highs, and fundamental drivers (dollar weakness, geopolitical fragmentation, central bank buying) remain intact. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Binance said it plans to convert the Secure Asset Fund for Users Fund’s $1 billion stablecoin reserves into Bitcoin over the next 30 days.Binance Plans Bitcoin Conversion For SAFUBinance communicated the SAFU decision in an open letter to the crypto community. The exchange said it considers Bitcoin a core asset within the crypto ecosystem and is prepared to manage market uncertainty while supporting its long-term role.The SAFU Fund was established in 2018 to protect users during extreme events. It has mainly been held in stablecoins to limit exposure to price volatility. The planned conversion represents a shift away from dollar-linked assets toward direct exposure to Bitcoin.SAFU Fund Replenished If Value DropsBinance said it will monitor both the SAFU Fund and Bitcoin’s price. If market volatility reduces the fund’s value below $800 million, the exchange said it will add Bitcoin to restore the fund to $1 billion.? LATEST: Binance announces it will convert its SAFU fund's ~$1B stablecoin reserves into BTC over the next 30 days, with plans to replenish to $1B if Bitcoin drops below $80K. pic.twitter.com/2NEIi6d2vD— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) January 30, 2026In the letter, Binance said, “This initiative is part of Binance’s long-term commitment to the industry, and we will continue to advance related work and gradually share more progress with the community.” The exchange also referred to wider pressure on crypto platforms to improve risk management, governance, and operational standards.Binance said that by late 2025 it had verified about $162.8 billion in user assets through its Proof of Reserves system, covering 45 asset categories.Crypto Risk Scrutiny Follows Trust WalletThe SAFU decision comes amid broader scrutiny of risk management across the crypto sector. About a month earlier, Trust Wallet, a crypto wallet platform linked to Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, reported a security incident that led to losses of at least $7 million in digital assets. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

One of the hardest decisions a company can make is to wind down its operations. It's not just emotional and complex but also often misunderstood from the outside. And while closures are hard, they don't have to be chaotic, unfair or damaging to the people who trusted the brand. FundingTicks is a strong example of what it looks like to wind down operations with integrity, placing traders first, communicating clearly, and ensuring every user is treated with fairness and respect.This is a story of responsibility.1) Winding down a Business Doesn’t Mean Abandoning Your CustomersFundingTicks approached its wind-down with a clear principle: customers should never carry the burden of internal business decisions. That’s why the process was handled in a way that prioritized users from the very beginning.2) Refunds and Rewards Were Treated as a Commitment, Not an OptionWhen a business winds down, the most important question for users is simple:“What’s next? Where can I address my concerns?”FundingTicks made sure there was no confusion. All eligible users were refunded and paid, and handled in a structured and transparent way.Instead of leaving traders hesitant or worried, FundingTicks ensured that users had access to clear summaries and detailed breakdowns through their dashboard, so they could verify everything for themselves.3) A Proper Winddown Is Built on Transparency and StructureFundingTicks demonstrated what “doing it right” looks like by ensuring:Eligibility criteria were defined and consistently applied.Rewards and refunds decisions were based on account status at the cutoff time.Processing was handled in good faith, with proper verification steps.Users had access to full breakdowns and clear confirmation steps.This isn’t just good operational practice, it’s what protects traders and preserves credibility.4) How you exit is just as important as how you enter.By refunding users, paying reward splits, and treating traders with respect and as a whole throughout the process, FundingTicks proved that accountability matters, especially in the final chapter. In simple words, FundingTicks has set a benchmark for the prop firm industry of how to both operate or wind down a firm.And with $30 million in rewards paid to traders, FundingTicks leaves behind more than a closure announcement. It leaves behind a legacy of contribution, fairness, and responsibility. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

[#highlighted-links#] The Argentine Football Association (AFA) today announced a strategic partnership with Evest.com, which becomes the Official Online Trading Partner of the Argentina National Football Teams across the Middle East and Africa.This collaboration brings together two leading brands that operate at the highest level of global performance. As reigning World Champions, Argentina represents excellence, discipline, and success under pressure—values that closely align with the precision, strategy, and confidence required in online trading.In both elite football and financial markets, results are driven by preparation, insight, and the ability to make decisive moves at the right moment. This shared mindset creates a natural synergy between AFA and Evest.com, uniting the passion of world-class sport with the innovation of digital trading.As Official Online Trading Partner, Evest.com will activate the partnership through exclusive digital campaigns, fan engagement initiatives, and branded content, connecting millions of football supporters with the spirit, ambition, and winning mentality of the Argentina National Teams as they prepare to defend their title on the biggest stage in world football in 2026.The partnership symbolizes a powerful alliance between tradition and innovation: one of the most iconic and successful football institutions in history joining forces with a fast-growing global trading brand. Together, AFA and Evest.com aim to create long-term value while strengthening their international presence and engagement with fans worldwide.In this Occassion Ali Hasan CEO of Evest said :“Becoming the Official Online Trading Partner of the Argentine Football Association is a defining moment for Evest.com. World champions are built on strategy, discipline, and confidence—exactly the same principles that drive successful trading. This partnership represents the coming together of two leading brands, united by performance, ambition, and global vision.”Leandro Petersen Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer at AFA, Commented on this strategic Partnership: “At AFA, we continue to expand our global partnerships with brands that share our values and international outlook. We are pleased to welcome Evest.com as our Official Online Trading Partner in MENA. This agreement reflects a strong synergy between elite football and innovative digital industries, and reinforces the global prestige of the Argentina National Teams.” This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Match2Pay, a cryptocurrency payment gateway, has announced its integration with Binance Pay’s payment infrastructure. Brokers, prop firms, fintech and other merchants using the company’s system will now have access to instant crypto deposits. The move comes as crypto deposits gain traction across the retail brokerage sector. In November 2025, eToro, a social trading and multi-asset brokerage platform, introduced crypto deposits in the UAE, citing demand from clients accustomed to a crypto-native payment experience. How Binance Pay Fits into Match2PayBinance Pay operates within the broader Binance ecosystem, which serves more than 300 million users globally. Around 45 million users actively transact through Binance Pay, which has processed more than $250 billion in payments since launching in 2021 and is used across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.Merchants can enable Binance Pay through Match2Pay and access Binance users via existing dashboards, webhooks and payment workflows, without changes to their operational setup.Unlike on-chain transfers, Binance Pay functions as an internal payment network, allowing deposits to be credited instantly without waiting for blockchain confirmations. Match2Pay says this reduces common failure points such as incorrect network selection, address errors, variable fees, or transactions remaining pending.Because Binance Pay users are already verified through Binance’s KYC process, the company expects fewer rejected deposits and lower support requirements for merchants. Each transaction is handled through a hosted checkout page, with payment status updates delivered via Match2Pay’s existing API workflow.“Merchants want crypto deposits that are reliable and easy for users to complete,” said Andrey Kalashnikov, Head of Match2Pay. Why Crypto Deposits Matter to BrokersCrypto deposits have become a strategic issue for retail FX and CFD brokers, reshaping acquisition, retention and operational models. Earlier Shift Markets highlighted that without native crypto deposit capabilities, brokers often force clients to route funds through exchanges, weakening control over onboarding and limiting access to transaction-level data that informs risk management and client profiling.Industry data show that stablecoins – cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a fixed value, typically pegged to the US dollar – now account for more than 60% of deposit volumes in some markets. In 2025, Australia-based multi-asset broker Eightcap reported stablecoins making up between 10% and 20% of global deposits, rising to around 40% in Latin America and Southeast Asia.Stablecoins have moved closer to the financial mainstream following regulatory developments in the United States. The passage of the GENIUS Act in July 2025 established a formal framework for stablecoin issuance and oversight, adding regulatory clarity and reinforcing their role as a mainstream funding instrument rather than a niche alternative. This article was written by Adonis Adoni at www.financemagnates.com.

Gold experienced sharp intraday fluctuations following the Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision, trimming earlier losses on Thursday after peaking near $5,600. XAUUSD was trading around $5,315, down 1.83%, underscoring just how quickly price action can accelerate and reverse in volatile conditions. In markets like these, the difference between brokers is no longer theoretical. When prices move this fast, infrastructure decides outcomes.Such movements serve as a reminder that in today’s markets, volatility is no longer an exception — it is a defining feature. When price action moves this rapidly, a broker's technical stability becomes the primary driver of the trading outcomes. In environments where some platforms retreat to protect their own interests, VT Markets remains committed to maintaining a robust environment by leveraging deep, multi-bank liquidity pools and institutional-grade execution infrastructure. This is part of a dedicated effort to ensure traders stay connected to the market and actively manage risk exactly when it matters most, rather than being forced to absorb it.When Markets Move Fast, Some Brokers Pull BackDuring volatile XAU/USD sessions, many traders face order rejections and frozen platforms. While labeled as "risk controls," these are often liquidity gates used by under-capitalised brokers to shield their own balance sheets.From a trader’s perspective, the result is catastrophic: Stop-losses fail to trigger at the intended levels, positions cannot be managed, and execution latency spikes. When a broker limits execution during volatility, market risk does not disappear; it is unilaterally shifted from the broker’s balance sheet directly onto the trader. Liquidity Access Under Stress is the Real DifferentiatorAt the core of these disruptions is a factor rarely discussed in marketing materials: liquidity access under stress.In stable markets, many trading platforms appear comparable. However, the true test of a broker occurs during high-impact news events — such as Fed pivots or geopolitical shifts — when market depth typically evaporates. In these moments, pricing gaps widen, order books thin, and brokers are forced to filter or reject trades to protect their own exposure, often leading to massive slippage or the total disabling of trade buttons.This is where the liquidity engine proves its value. By consolidating real-time feeds from Tier-1 investment banks and non-bank market makers, a trustworthy broker should be capable of maintaining an order book that remains resilient even during extreme price gaps. This institutional-grade setup ensures that if one provider pulls back, others in the pool absorb the flow. For the trader, this translates into superior fill rates and reduced asymmetric slippage when it matters most. By investing in this architecture, VT Markets ensures its clients are tapped into a global network designed for performance under pressure. In essence, stability is not merely a marketing claim; it is a promise to keep traders connected to the market regardless of how fast it moves. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

IG Group expects to launch “a crypto proposition” for its customers in Singapore, Australia, and the UAE in the second half of 2026, following the completion of its acquisition of Independent Reserve, a crypto exchange.Expanding Crypto Services in APAC and the Middle EastAlthough the London-listed broker announced its decision to acquire Independent Reserve last September, the acquisition was completed today (Friday). The initial enterprise value of the deal was set at AU$178 million.The deal was completed after receiving approval from the Singapore regulator.[#highlighted-links#] “This acquisition strengthens our crypto capabilities and positions us to meet growing customer demand across APAC and the Middle East,” said Matt Macklin, Managing Director of Asia Pacific and the Middle East at IG.Under the terms of the deal, IG also onboarded the leadership team and employees of the crypto exchange, who will retain a 30 per cent shareholding.“Combining our crypto expertise with IG’s scale across APAC and the Middle East supports our aim to bring trusted, regulated crypto trading to a wider audience,” added Adrian Przelozny, CEO and co-founder of Independent Reserve.Bringing Value with CryptoIndependent Reserve generated A$35.3 million in revenue in FY25, a sharp increase from A$18.8 million in the previous year. It also reported EBITDA of A$9.9 million, with a margin of 28.2 per cent.The platform has 129,400 funded accounts, with A$1.7 billion in assets under custody, and an average of 116,000 monthly active customers.IG previously stated that it valued Independent Reserve at five times its annual revenue for the last financial year.The London-listed broker’s interest in crypto became clearer when it began offering digital assets to its customers in June through a partnership with Uphold. It also became the first UK-listed broker to secure the Financial Conduct Authority’s crypto registration.FinanceMagnates.com earlier reported that IG generated £0.3 million in revenue from spot cryptocurrency trading between June and August last year. The total number of active monthly crypto traders also reached 9,700. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

Copy trading has revolutionized the investment landscape by allowing everyday investors to mirror the trades of experienced market players automatically. This innovative approach bridges the gap between seasoned traders and newcomers, enabling those with limited market knowledge to potentially achieve returns similar to experts. By understanding how to effectively implement copy trading, you can build a diversified portfolio that leverages professional trading strategies without spending hours analyzing markets.What is Copy Trading and Why It's Revolutionizing InvestingCopy trading is an automated investment method where your trading account replicates the positions of another trader in real-time. When a lead trader opens a position, the same trade is automatically executed in your account at proportional sizes based on your settings. This differs significantly from traditional approaches where investors need to research, analyze, and execute every trade independently.The growth of copy trading has been remarkable in recent years. According to recent industry reports, platforms like Roboforex have seen user growth exceeding 200% since 2009, with millions of investors now participating in copy trading globally. This surge reflects a fundamental shift in how people approach financial markets.The appeal extends across various investor segments for several compelling reasons:For newcomers, copy trading removes the steep learning curve typically associated with market analysisWorking professionals gain access to trading opportunities without sacrificing their timeExperienced investors can diversify their strategies by following traders with expertise in different marketsRisk-averse individuals can follow conservative traders with proven track records of steady returnsCopy trading platforms serve as the critical infrastructure connecting lead traders with followers. These platforms vet traders, display performance metrics, and handle the technical aspects of trade replication. Notable platforms include Roboforex, which specializes in forex, and offers multi-asset copying across stocks and commodities.The democratization effect cannot be overstated. Previously, retail investors had limited access to professional trading strategies unless they paid substantial fees for managed accounts. Copy trading has disrupted this model by creating direct connections between lead traders and followers, often with more transparent fee structures based on performance.How Copy Trading Works: The Mechanics Behind the ScenesThe copy trading process operates through a sophisticated yet straightforward workflowA lead trader executes a trade on their account (e.g., buying 100 shares of Apple)The copy trading platform detects this action through API integrationThe system calculates the appropriate position size for each follower based on allocation settingsThe same trade is automatically executed in followers' accounts, adjusted proportionallyAll subsequent actions (stop-loss adjustments, take-profit changes, or closing positions) are similarly replicatedAllocation methods typically follow one of two approaches. With proportional allocation, if a leader invests 5% of their portfolio in a trade, followers will invest the same percentage of their funds. Fixed allocation allows followers to assign a specific amount to each copied trader, limiting exposure.Timing differences occasionally occur due to market volatility or execution delays, but most modern platforms minimize these discrepancies to milliseconds, ensuring followers receive nearly identical entry and exit points as their chosen leaders.Copy Trading vs. Social Trading vs. Mirror Trading: Understanding the DifferencesWhile often used interchangeably, these three approaches differ in meaningful ways:Copy Trading offers fully automated trade replication with no intervention required from the follower once initial settings are establishedSocial Trading emphasizes community discussion and sharing of trading ideas, where users make manual decisions based on social feeds and peer insightsMirror Trading focuses on algorithmic strategy replication rather than following individual traders, often with predefined entry/exit rulesThe key advantage of copy trading lies in its simplicity and automation. Unlike social trading, which requires followers to actively participate in trading decisions, copy trading works in the background once configured. This makes it particularly suited for investors seeking passive income opportunities without continuous market monitoring.Copy Trading vs. Manual Trading: When to Use Each ApproachThe decision between copy trading and manual trading depends largely on your circumstances and goals:Time availability: Manual trading typically demands 2-4 hours daily for analysis and execution, while copy trading requires just 1-2 hours weekly for portfolio reviewMarket knowledge: Manual trading needs substantial market understanding, whereas copy trading can work with minimal expertiseControl preference: Manual trading offers complete control over each position, while copy trading delegates decisions to your chosen expertsMany investors find the optimal approach combines both methods. For example, a follower might allocate 70% of their capital to copy trading established experts while manually trading the remaining 30% in markets where they have personal expertise. This hybrid approach provides learning opportunities alongside the efficiency of automated position management.During volatile market conditions, copy trading can provide stability through following professionals who have experience navigating turbulence, particularly valuable for followers who might otherwise make emotional decisions during market swings. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Liquidity providers face a persistent question: how do brokers extract more value from client relationships without adding friction or risk? The answer, according to institutional liquidity provider X Open Hub, lies in combining two distinct value streams. The first is execution quality. The second is what happens to funds between trades.X Open Hub will return to iFX EXPO Dubai from February 10 to 12, 2026, at booth #156 in the Dubai World Trade Centre. The institutional liquidity and execution provider plans to discuss multi-asset infrastructure, order book depth, and a newer addition to its service stack: the Interest Plan, which pays institutional interest rates of up to 3.7% on hedge account balances.The Interest Plan launched in the second half of 2025. Brokers using X Open Hub's liquidity services now earn daily accrued interest on funds held in segregated hedge accounts. Rates range from 1.5% to 3.7%, depending on balance size and currency. The system operates without manual intervention. Balances accrue interest overnight. Funds remain accessible for trading at any time.For brokers managing thin margins and high operational costs, the model introduces a secondary revenue stream that does not depend on trading volume or client acquisition. Interest accrues whether markets are active or quiet. The approach mirrors how traditional financial institutions manage idle capital, but applies it to the forex and CFD trading ecosystem.What brokers will discuss at booth #156The Dubai event offers brokers a chance to review execution performance, compare liquidity depth, and assess integration timelines. X Open Hub's team will walk through technical specifications, pricing models, and onboarding processes. Demonstrations will focus on order execution during simulated volatility and how the Interest Plan integrates with existing broker operations.Attendees will also learn how X Open Hub maintains stability during periods of extreme market movement. The provider's infrastructure includes redundancy protocols, failover systems, and 24/7 monitoring. Brokers operating in emerging markets or serving clients in multiple time zones will find particular relevance in the uptime guarantees and geographical distribution of servers.The Interest Plan will receive dedicated attention during booth discussions. X Open Hub will outline how brokers can activate the feature, how rates are calculated, and how interest payments appear in account statements. The provider will also address common questions about fund accessibility, currency eligibility, and the mechanics of daily accrual.Recognition at UF AWARDS MEA 2026X Open Hub has been nominated for multiple categories at the UF AWARDS MEA 2026, which takes place during the iFX EXPO Dubai agenda. Every vote reflects the provider's work in liquidity provision, execution quality, and broker support services. Cast your vote for X Open Hub here.The recognition adds weight to X Open Hub's positioning in the Middle East and Africa markets, where demand for institutional-grade infrastructure continues to grow. Brokers in the region face increasing pressure to meet regulatory standards, deliver competitive spreads, and offer stable execution. Consequently, the mere UF AWARDS nomination signals that X Open Hub's approach aligns with those priorities.Meeting logistics and next stepsBrokers planning to attend iFX EXPO Dubai can schedule meetings in advance through the X Open Hub website. The provider recommends booking early, as booth traffic tends to peak during the middle hours of each expo day. Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-scheduled meetings allow for deeper technical discussions and customized demonstrations.Those unable to attend the event in person will have access to remote consultations and virtual product tours. X Open Hub maintains a global support team across multiple time zones, ensuring brokers in any region receive timely responses to technical and commercial inquiries.The February expo marks the beginning of X Open Hub's 2026 event calendar. The provider plans additional appearances at regional conferences and trading summits throughout the year. Each event will focus on practical demonstrations, performance benchmarks, and direct conversations with broker decision-makers.Brokers interested in exploring the Interest Plan or reviewing liquidity options ahead of the Dubai event can visit the X Open Hub website or contact the provider's business development team. The Interest Plan page includes rate tables, eligibility criteria, and a breakdown of how daily accruals translate into monthly returns. The liquidity services page outlines supported instruments, execution models, and integration requirements.X Open Hub's presence at iFX EXPO Dubai reflects a broader industry shift toward infrastructure that delivers multiple forms of value. Execution quality remains the foundation. But as competition intensifies and profit margins narrow, brokers are looking for partners who offer more than just access to liquidity. The Interest Plan represents one answer to that demand, a way to turn static capital into a revenue stream without adding complexity to broker operations.Meet X Open Hub at iFX EXPO Dubai 2026. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

The Australian unit of CMC Invest, the share trading division of CMC Markets (LON: CMCX), revealed that around 75 per cent of all trades in the country last year were ‘buy’ orders. The four most traded instruments by Aussies were the ‘big four’ exchange-traded funds: IVV, VGS, VAS and NDQ.Interestingly, Aussie investors showed a bias towards local stocks, with total executions for ASX-listed stocks almost six times higher than those for US stocks.“A Difficult Year to Navigate”“On the surface, 2025 appeared positive, looking at the returns of major indices, both here and abroad. However, in practice, it was a difficult year to navigate,” said Director of Premium Client Trading ANZ at CMC Invest, Fraser Allan. “Rates remained higher for longer, trade tensions resurfaced, AI-driven enthusiasm intensified, and geopolitical pressures persisted. Euphoric rallies in gold and silver added to the sense of unease, pointing to growing uncertainty in global markets.”He further stressed that traders on the CMC Invest platform showed “resilience and discipline”, adding: “When uncertainty rose, clients chose patience over panic. When opportunities emerged, they stepped forward with conviction.”[#highlighted-links#] CMC Invest has also become the second-largest share market trading platform in Australia, with a client base of over 1 million. This followed Australia’s ANZ Group transferring its investment client base to CMC Markets in 2021.Apart from Australia, the stock trading platform is also available in the UK and Singapore. Notably, it operates separately from the CMC Markets platform, which primarily offers forex and contracts for difference (CFD) instruments.Last year, the institutional division of CMC Markets secured an extended technology partnership with Westpac Banking, one of Australia’s four major banks, to provide white-label trading platforms for the bank’s retail share trading services. Its push in the region became more visible when it partnered with New Zealand’s ASB Bank, a major financial institution with around 1.5 million customers, for a similar white-label technology agreement.Nvidia Dominates, While Tesla Dip Attracted InvestorsWhen it comes to individual stocks, CMC Invest’s Aussie investors focused mainly on two US stocks: Nvidia and Tesla. While the semiconductor stock was the most traded on the platform, 77 per cent of orders for the electric car maker were on the buy side, largely reflecting a tendency to buy during price falls.Interestingly, Bitcoin ranked ninth overall among traded instruments and fourth when ETFs are excluded. Around 82 per cent of Bitcoin orders were placed on the buy side.“Looking ahead to 2026, uncertainty and market volatility are likely to persist,” Allan added. “Against this backdrop, we expect investors to remain active in identifying opportunities, both domestically and offshore.” This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

CFTC has removed a controversial proposal to ban political and sports‑related prediction markets, while simultaneously launching a joint crypto rulemaking push with the SEC that aims to keep digital asset trading onshore.​In his first public speech as the Chair, Michael Selig said he has directed CFTC staff to withdraw the 2024 event contracts rule proposal that would have prohibited political and sports‑related event contracts.“I have directed CFTC staff to withdraw the 2024 event contracts rule proposal that would prohibit political and sports-related event contracts and the 2025 staff advisory, which cautioned registrants about offering access to sports-related event contracts due to ongoing litigation.”.@ChairmanSelig and @SECPaulSAtkins: Team Trump readies crypto plan so Americans can count on their future: https://t.co/ObfRCCv3h5— CFTC (@CFTC) January 29, 2026Selig said the advisory, issued with the aim of flagging legal risk, had instead “contributed to uncertainty” in the market and needed to be rolled back.​2024 Event Contract Ban Pulled Back Selig framed the reversal as the first step in a broader reset of the agency’s approach to prediction markets, which he called “event contracts” and said have operated within the CFTC’s jurisdiction for more than two decades.He has now ordered staff to begin drafting a new event‑contracts rulemaking designed to provide “clear standards” and legal certainty for exchanges and intermediaries. The chairman also instructed staff to reassess the CFTC’s role in pending federal court cases involving jurisdictional issues and to coordinate with the SEC on a joint interpretation of Title VII definitions to better distinguish between commodity options, security options, swaps and security‑based swaps.​Keep reading: New CFTC Chief Previously Led SEC's Crypto Task Force – A Clear Signal to MarketsAt the same time, Selig used the speech to set out “Project Crypto,” a formal partnership with SEC Chairman Paul Atkins that will create a shared federal framework for digital asset markets.Joint “Project Crypto” and Perps Onshoring The initiative will focus on a common crypto asset taxonomy, clearer jurisdictional lines between the agencies and the removal of duplicative compliance requirements that have pushed activity offshore. Selig backed Atkins’s view that “most crypto assets trading today are not securities” and has asked staff at both agencies to consider joint codification of Atkins’s taxonomy as an interim measure while Congress finalizes broader market‑structure legislation.​Beyond prediction markets, Selig directed CFTC staff to develop rules expanding eligible tokenized collateral, onshoring “true” perpetual futures and clarifying when leveraged retail crypto contracts can rely on the “actual delivery” exception off‑exchange. He also floated the creation of a new designated contract market category for retail leveraged crypto trading and signaled that the CFTC will explore safe harbors and potential innovation exemptions for software developers, non‑custodial wallets, DeFi protocols and other on‑chain infrastructure. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Bitcoin plunged 6.4% to an intraday low of $83,383 on Thursday, January 29, 2026, its lowest level in more than two months, as Bitcoin ETFs recorded over $1.1 billion in weekly outflows and traders repositioned for further downside amid rare earth tariff tensions and Fed uncertainty. The selloff triggered $319 million in liquidations and pushed 97% of expiring call options out-of-the-money, signaling a decisive shift in market sentiment.In this article I am answering the question of why Bitcoin is going down today, analyzing BTC/USDT chart and checking the newest Bitcoin price predictions.Bitcoin Price Crashes to Two-Month LowBitcoin (BTC) is trading at $3,728 after touching an intraday low of $83,383 on Thursday, the lowest price since November 21 and a stunning reversal from Tuesday's high near $90,400. The 6.4% decline came swiftly as Bitcoin started the day at $90,315 before sellers overwhelmed the market.The selloff extended across the entire cryptocurrency sector, with 90 of the top 100 digital assets trading in the red:Daily trading volume surged to approximately $48-49 billion as the selloff accelerated, suggesting forced liquidations and rapid unwinding of leveraged positions. Bitcoin's total market capitalization fell to about $1.69-1.72 trillion, down approximately 4-5% on the day.Why Bitcoin Is Falling? Five Key Drivers Behind Today's Selloff1. Massive ETF Outflows Hit $1.1 BillionBitcoin spot ETFs recorded -$1,137.4 million in net outflows over five consecutive trading days from January 20-26, marking the heaviest weekly exodus since early January.Daily ETF Outflow Breakdown:January 20: -$204.1MJanuary 21: -$309.5MJanuary 22: -$527.9M (peak selling day)January 23: -$22.3MJanuary 26: -$73.5MThe outflows were highly concentrated in three major products accounting for approximately 92% of total exits:Fidelity FBTC: -$757.20MGrayscale GBTC: -$289.8-408.10MBlackRock IBIT: -$508.7MArk 21Shares ARKB: -$48.90MThis concentration suggests institutional repositioning rather than broad retail panic—larger allocators who "tend to move first and move size" are reducing Bitcoin exposure.2. Capital Rotation to Precious MetalsAccording to Paul Howard, Director at Wincent: "Cryptocurrency markets have been the victim of risk capital flowing into the still popular commodities trade. We have seen large inflows and trades in perpetual tokenized gold, silver and uranium products. This has attracted capital and trading away from the crypto spot majors."The numbers tell the story:Gold: Surged past $5,600 per ounce (up 30% YTD)Silver: Hit record high of $120 per ounce (up 65% in January alone)Bitcoin: Down 33% from October's $126,000 peakXTB analyst notes: "ETF outflows, limited buying activity from Bitcoin-accumulating companies, and disappointing BTC performance compared to indices or precious metals are causing global capital's attention to shift away from crypto."3. Rare Earth Tariffs Spike VolatilityThe US announcement of price floors for rare earth minerals triggered a sharp increase in crypto market volatility. Howard explains: "Volatility has picked up and is now trading above 40 (following the US's statement on price floors for rare earths). This headline added to the 5% sell-off the last 24h catching some by surprise."The tariff concerns echo previous market disruptions when Trump's threats of 100% tariffs on Chinese goods and China's rare earth export restrictions sent shockwaves through risk assets in late 2025.4. Federal Reserve Holds Rates, Uncertainty PersistsThe Federal Reserve held interest rates unchanged at 3.50%-3.75% at Wednesday's FOMC meeting, but provided limited clarity on future rate cuts. Chairman Jerome Powell's cautious stance disappointed traders hoping for more dovish signals.The combination of persistent Fed hawkishness and escalating geopolitical tensions dampened investor appetite for riskier assets like cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin's correlation with traditional risk assets reasserted itself after months of divergence.5. Options Market Shows Bearish PositioningA staggering $9 billion in Bitcoin options expire on January 30, but Howard notes this "reflects <1% of BTC market cap and is not so significant compared to quarterly expiries".What matters more is the positioning:97% of call option notional likely to expire out-of-the-moneyNearly 50% of put options now in-the-moneyElevated volume in January 88k and 85k putsFebruary $105k calls became the 3rd most actively traded contract on Deribit—suggesting traders hedging or hoping for recovery"Today's downside movement has further hurt those holding calls," Howard explains. "We now see repositioning for more downside in the crypto majors as demonstrated by the volume in the Jan 88k and 85k puts at 88k."The outlook, he adds, "indicates what a lot of crypto traders are feeling right now, that their market is long overdue a commodity style catchup."Liquidation Cascade: $319 Million Wiped OutThe sharp price decline triggered a massive liquidation event totaling $319.25 million across major cryptocurrency assets.Liquidation Breakdown:Long positions liquidated: $307.59M (96.3%)Short positions liquidated: $11.66M (3.7%)The overwhelming dominance of long liquidations indicates bullish traders were caught off-guard by the speed and magnitude of the reversal. Many had positioned for continued upside after Bitcoin briefly cleared $90,000 earlier in the week, only to see those positions forcibly closed as prices plunged through stop-loss levels.Technical Analysis: Testing Critical SupportAs a technical analyst, I've identified that Bitcoin is currently testing the lower boundary of the consolidation range established since November 2025. The intraday low of $83,383 represents the lowest value in over two months and a critical test of support.Current Technical PictureAccording to the XTB analyst: "RSI is slipping toward 35, suggesting conditions increasingly close to oversold, and on MACD we see another bearish crossover. Price is currently traded about 20% below the 200-session EMA200 (red line), and the decline was recently halted at the 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the decline from October 2025 (from around $126,000)."Key Technical Indicators:RSI: Approaching 35 (oversold territory)MACD: Bearish crossover confirmedDistance from 200 EMA: -20%Fibonacci: Held at 38.2% retracement ($83k-84k zone)Support and Resistance LevelsThe XTB analyst notes: "Key resistance is currently around $91,000 (23.6% Fibonacci and EMA50, orange line), while key support is $79-80,000 i.e. 'correction bottom' from October. The next important support is $75,000 i.e. levels from the panic selloff in April 2025."How Low Can Bitcoin Go?From my analysis, the trend remains clearly bearish with the upper consolidation boundary around $94,000 and the critical 200-day moving average serving as the boundary separating uptrend from downtrend at approximately $98,000.Bitcoin has now reached my short-term bearish target with two additional objectives ahead:Primary target: Around $74,000Ultra-bearish target: Around $52,000 (based on halving cycle theory)The current test of the lower consolidation boundary could bring a rebound similar to mid-December, when Bitcoin bounced from comparable levels. However, for Bitcoin to return to a bullish trend, it would need to break above the current consolidation and reclaim the 200-day EMA, returning to at least $98,000, ideally above the psychological $100,000 level.If Bitcoin fails to reclaim these levels, I will continue targeting at least $74,000.Follow me on X for more Bitcoin and crypto market analysis: @ChmielDkFAQ, Bitcoin Price AnalysisWhy is Bitcoin going down today?Bitcoin dropped 6.4% to $83,383 on January 29, 2026, due to five consecutive days of ETF outflows totaling $1.137 billion, capital rotation into surging precious metals (gold $5,600, silver $120), US rare earth tariff announcements spiking volatility above 40, and bearish options market positioning with 97% of calls out-of-the-money.What is the Bitcoin price now?Bitcoin is trading at $84,233-84,623 as of Thursday, January 29, 2026, after hitting an intraday low of $83,383, the lowest level since November, representing a 33% decline from October's $126,000 peak.Why is crypto crashing today?The broader crypto market is down due to institutional repositioning (concentrated exits from three major ETFs representing 92% of outflows), Fed maintaining rates at 3.50%-3.75% without dovish guidance, geopolitical tensions, and capital flowing into precious metals which are significantly outperforming cryptocurrencies.Will Bitcoin fall to $70,000?Technical analysis suggests Bitcoin has reached a short-term bearish target at $83k with additional targets at $74,000 and an ultra-bearish scenario at $52,000 if the halving cycle peak occurred in October 2025. Key support at $79,000-80,000 and $75,000 must hold to prevent further declines.Should I buy Bitcoin now?Bitcoin is testing critical support at $83,000-84,000 with RSI approaching oversold levels (35) and trading 20% below its 200-day EMA, conditions that historically preceded rebounds like December's bounce from similar levels. However, the trend remains bearish with potential targets at $74k-$52k if support fails. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

The Polish-listed broker XTB reported a 24% drop in 2025 net profit to PLN 643.8 million, as sharply higher marketing and operating costs more than offset record revenues driven by strong client and volume growth.According to the preliminary results released Thursday, total operating income rose 15% year‑on‑year to PLN 2,146.8 million, up from PLN 1,873.4 million in 2024. This was boosted by a 70% increase in active clients to 1,189,422 and a 41.3% rise in CFD volume to 8,866,381 lots. However, EBIT declined 15% to PLN 834.3 million as operating expenses jumped 48% to PLN 1,312.5 million from PLN 886.7 million.Favorable Conditions in Key AssetsThe group said the revenue increase reflected more clients, higher trading activity and favorable conditions in key asset classes, even as profitability per lot fell to PLN 215 from PLN 275.In the fourth quarter alone, operating income climbed to PLN 610.1 million from PLN 465.4 million a year earlier, supported by strong demand for commodity and U.S. index CFDs and a quarter‑on‑quarter rebound in unit profitability per lot to PLN 208.Net profit in the fourth quarter slipped 5% year‑on‑year to PLN 180.5 million, as costs continued to trend higher.XTB highlighted that Q4 revenues benefited from elevated client trading in gold, cocoa and natural gas, while trading in equity indices remained comparatively subdued despite record levels in major U.S. benchmarks.More financial reports: Virtu Financial’s Trading Income Jumps 34% in 2025 amid Market VolatilityOn the cost side, marketing was the main driver of the 2025 expense surge. Marketing spend increased by PLN 240.2 million year‑on‑year to PLN 585 million as the group rolled out broad multi‑market campaigns and sponsorships, including its largest‑ever global branding push in the second half. Expanding Client Base The client base expanded rapidly despite higher outlays. XTB acquired 864,286 new clients in 2025, up 73% from 498,438 in 2024, taking total clients to 2,164,867 from 1,361,564. The number of active clients rose from 701,089 to 1,189,422, although average operating income per active client fell to PLN 1.8 thousand from PLN 2.7 thousand as lower unit profitability and a more mass‑market profile diluted per‑client revenue.Client assets on the platform increased to PLN 45.8 billion from PLN 27.5 billion, driven by higher holdings in shares and ETFs as well as larger CFD positions and cash balances. ​Looking ahead, the Management Board warned that cost inflation will continue. It estimates that total operating expenses in 2026 could be up to around 30% higher than in 2025, with marketing potentially rising by about 50% as the group continues to chase client growth and brand visibility. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

KuCoin EU has launched a fully MiCAR-regulated crypto trading platform for users in 29 European Economic Area markets, stepping into Europe’s new regulated era for digital assets. The Austria-based unit aims to combine stricter oversight with a familiar retail trading interface for European clients.According to the official announcement, the platform operates as a licensed Crypto-Asset Service Provider under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation and falls under the supervision of Austria’s Financial Market Authority.The structure gives KuCoin EU a single regulatory base from which it can serve clients across most of the EEA. The launch marks one of the first major rollouts of a MiCA-aligned venue by a global exchange group.Vienna Launch Marks Shift to Regulated AccessKuCoin EU announced the platform at a VIP gala at Vienna’s Spanish Riding School. Managing Directors Christian Niedermueller, Sabina Liu and Audrey Lim activated the platform live on stage.Vienna ?? was epic.Great to be on the ground for the KuCoin EU event and to see KuCoin officially secure their MiCA license a a big milestone for the exchange and for the European crypto space in general.Beautiful venue, lots of interviews, and a clear signal of what’s coming… pic.twitter.com/LXrXz9t3MC— Sjuul | AltCryptoGems (@AltCryptoGems) January 28, 2026The exchange framed the launch as the result of detailed work to match technology and operations with European regulatory requirements. Liu highlighted Europe’s importance as a financial hub and positioned KuCoin EU as a deliberate long-term bet on the region. Compliance-First Growth from an Austrian HubThe Austrian hub model allows KuCoin to plug into the EEA via MiCAR while answering directly to a national supervisor. The structure mirrors the direction of travel for many large exchanges as the EU tightens rules on unlicensed offshore platforms and demands higher standards on conduct, transparency and asset protection.Continue reading: Capital.com’s Crypto Ambitions Become Imminent as It Secures a MiCA License in CyprusAt launch, KuCoin EU offers spot trading, euro deposits and withdrawals, and local customer support for European users. The launch comes as crypto exchanges shift focus to traditional markets. For instance, rival Bybit has announced plans to roll out retail banking services in February. Unveiled by CEO Ben Zhou during a live keynote, the service will reportedly provide users with personal IBAN accounts for sending and receiving funds in multiple currencies, with U.S. dollar transfers available at launch.Additionally, Bitpanda is reportedly gearing up for a Frankfurt stock market listing in the first half of 2026, aiming for a valuation between €4 billion and €5 billion. While a first-quarter debut remains possible, the company has yet to finalize its plans, and the timeline could still change. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.