Corpay has strengthened its board with the appointment of senior Shell executive David Bunch, adding global operational expertise as the corporate payments firm continues expanding its international footprint. Bunch, who is based in London, serves as Group Executive Vice President for Mobility & Convenience at Shell, where he oversees one of the world’s largest branded retail and mobility networks.  His responsibilities span more than 40,000 sites worldwide, serving 30 million customers a day. His career has included leadership roles across Europe, North America and Asia, and he previously chaired Shell UK Ltd. He has also held a non-executive position at the UK Department for Transport. Corpay Chairman and CEO Ron Clarke said Bunch brings significant large-scale operational and regulatory experience to the board. Clarke described him as “an accomplished, practical global operator,” adding that his background in digital platforms and international oversight will be “additive” as Corpay continues to grow. Bunch stated that Corpay is “at the forefront of the digital shift in corporate payments,” noting that his experience in mobility and digital ecosystems gives him a strong appreciation of the firm’s value proposition as companies seek simpler ways to manage spend. The post Corpay Adds Shell Executive David Bunch to Board appeared first on LeapRate.

CME Group has reported a new single-day record in natural gas futures and options trading, with 2.58 million contracts exchanged on 20 January as U.S. heating demand increased sharply. The figure represents a 15% rise from the previous record set in November 2018. CME Group said the surge highlights the scale of hedging activity among market participants seeking to manage exposure amid fluctuating energy prices. “As demand for heating increases across the U.S., clients are turning to our natural gas markets in record numbers to manage their price risk,” said Peter Keavey, Global Head of Energy and Environmental Products at CME Group. He added that the company remains focused on providing deep on-screen liquidity to support effective hedging in all market conditions. Alongside the overall record, Henry Hub options volume reached 811,662 contracts, marking a 28% increase from the prior high. Dutch TTF options also set a new record with 35,480 contracts traded, up 202%. CME Group said the performance reflects robust participation across its global natural gas complex as traders adjust positions in response to colder weather patterns and rising consumption.  The post CME Group Reports Record Natural Gas Trading as Demand Surges appeared first on LeapRate.

Barclays has entered a multiyear strategic agreement with market data and analytics provider FactSet in a move the bank says will accelerate its long-term data strategy and enhance digital capabilities across its global operations. Announcing the partnership, Barclays said the collaboration will allow the bank to integrate FactSet’s technology, datasets and analytical tools to deliver more sophisticated, data-driven solutions for clients.  The firm added that the agreement comes at a time when demand for flexible, transparent market data architecture is increasing. “Market data is undergoing an intense period of change whereby customers of market data providers are evolving from consumers to co-creators of capabilities to yield competitive insights,” said Georges Lauchard, Chief Operating Officer of Barclays’ Investment Bank. Under the arrangement, Barclays will gain access to a broad suite of FactSet products, including workflow tools and enabling technologies, with both companies working jointly to tailor solutions for client needs.  FactSet said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to “shaping the future of capital markets,” adding that it expects the collaboration to set new standards for efficiency and transparency. Goran Skoko, Chief Revenue Officer at FactSet, said the agreement places both firms in a strong position to develop next-generation data tools. Barclays has also been invited to join FactSet’s Client Advisory Board, where it will help guide the design of future products and technologies. The post Barclays Signs Multiyear Data Partnership With FactSet appeared first on LeapRate.

ForecastEx, the prediction market platform owned by Interactive Brokers, has appointed Dr Philip Tetlock to its Board of Directors as it seeks to expand its global footprint and strengthen market governance. Interactive Brokers said Tetlock’s appointment brings internationally recognised expertise in probability-based judgement and decision-making under uncertainty, disciplines that align directly with ForecastEx’s model.  The company said his presence will support stronger oversight in areas including market integrity, risk management and outcome resolution. Thomas Peterffy, Founder and Chairman of Interactive Brokers, said the company looks forward to leveraging Tetlock’s “deep understanding of the forecasting space to enhance our platform and empower investors to trade the probabilities of future outcomes.” ForecastEx operates as a CFTC-registered Designated Contract Market and Derivative Clearing Organisation for forecast contracts, which allow institutions and individuals to hedge or take positions on risks linked to macroeconomic conditions, climate events and other benchmarks.  The firm said these products provide monthly returns on invested capital and offer a means for traders to manage portfolio risks through probability-based views of future events. Tetlock, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania with appointments across the School of Arts & Sciences and the Wharton School, is widely recognised for his work on forecasting accuracy and expert judgement.  His publications include Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction. The post Dr Philip Tetlock Joins ForecastEx Board appeared first on LeapRate.

Growing client base In 2025, Spotware welcomed 104 new clients and 2 million new traders to cTrader, bringing the total to more than 11 million – a reflection of the world’s growing trust in our platform. In the same period, live USD trading volume on cTrader grew by 105% as a result of a significant rise in trading activity across both broker and prop firm segments.   Traders trust brokers and prop firms who partner with cTrader. Built on Traders First, cTrader is known for its transparency and safeguards designed to prevent manipulation, making it a strong signal of credibility. cTrader Mobile: fastest trading experience Our renowned mobile platform, recently awarded Best Mobile Trading App, continues to set the benchmark for speed, reliability and usability. Navigation in the app is smooth. We optimise cTrader Mobile continuously for exceptional speed, with five times faster launch times and minimal latency across live and demo trading. Trading is efficient with advanced charting tools and real-time execution. In 2025, the app was tested across different networks, setups and regions, including mainland China. The results confirm that cTrader performs flawlessly. Within a year, cTrader was highly rated on Trustpilot by over 1,200 traders of all levels worldwide as a premium mobile trading experience. cBridge: a cost-efficient liquidity bridge After years of development, Spotware introduced cBridge to market in 2025. A modern, broker-focused solution for liquidity connectivity, cBridge is highly cost-efficient, eliminating volume fees and hidden charges entirely. It combines a scalable modular architecture and workflow-first design. The validation of cross-settings and intuitive health checks of rule sets ensure safe operation. cTrader Store: a trader hub and growth engine for brokers cTrader Store has evolved into a central hub for traders. In less than a year, purchases increased sixfold. Millions of users now access thousands of trading bots, indicators and plugins, making it easier than ever to customise trading strategies and improve performance. For brokers and prop firms, cTrader Store provides an additional acquisition channel via dedicated Brokers, Props and Prop Challenges sections. It delivers built-in exposure to a daily audience of 10,000+ traders, helping to attract new clients organically at no extra cost. Native Python support In 2025, cTrader introduced industry-leading native Python support for the development of algorithms in cTrader Algo. Python is now the second language supported by cTrader Algo, along with C#. Unlike other platforms with limited or partial Python support, cTrader allows the creation of cBots and indicators directly in the platform. Traders and developers have a robust, production-ready environment for building sophisticated, automated strategies with full access to market data and execution tools. Scaling operations with AI In 2025, Spotware integrated AI into its core business operations, resulting in the faster development and delivery of new features for brokers and traders, as well as faster hypothesis validation. This significantly increased the frequency and quality of releases.  AI implementation has also strengthened our support operations. Broker support response speed has increased by 33%. In trader support, an AI-driven automation solution integrated with our internal knowledge base analyses incoming enquiries and generates responses automatically. As a result, 60% of trader enquiries are resolved by AI in an average of three minutes. Powerful real-time trader support Trader support is often limited or entirely absent in the industry. cTrader takes a different, trader-centric stance. Guided by trader feedback and current trends, we provide dedicated, real-time support to traders directly in the channels they use the most: email, ctrader.com, Discord and social media. Our support is accessible, responsive and practical, in line with our Traders First approach and our commitment to a consistently high standard of trader service. Website revamp In September 2025, Spotware launched a completely new corporate website to reflect the company’s product-led philosophy and commitment to delivering clear, measurable value to brokerages and prop firms. Site visitors will find a modern, premium brand identity, intuitive user journeys tailored to key audiences, and a comprehensive media kit with ready-to-use brand assets. The site also serves as a strategic tool for partners to quickly find relevant resources and to communicate their competitive advantages more effectively to traders. Global recognition In 2025, Spotware took part in all major industry events in the key regions of Europe, MEA, Asia and LATAM. We fostered closer collaborations, forged new connections and created new partnership opportunities. We received numerous industry awards recognising our position as a leader in innovation, performance and trader experience: Top Trading Platform for Brokers, Finance Magnates 2025 Best Trading App, Forex Expo Dubai 2025 Best Trading Platform, UF AWARDS Global 2025 Best Trading Platform, UF AWARDS MEA 2025 Best Trading Platform, UF AWARDS LATAM 2025 Best Trading Platform, UF AWARDS APAC 2025 Best Mobile Trading App, Global Forex Awards B2B 2025 “Spotware has always been at the forefront of innovation, and 2025 underscored this more than ever. We clearly demonstrated to the industry that we have evolved beyond a single-product platform developer, expanding our product offering through the introduction of cBridge and the rapid growth of cTrader Store. Behind this shift was a major upgrade in how we plan, build and deliver. We implemented AI across our core operations, significantly expanding our capabilities and setting a stronger foundation for what comes next. These milestones set a clear direction for 2026—and we will take it further.” — Ilia Iarovitcyn, CEO, Spotware   We are grateful to our teams, clients, partners and community for driving growth in 2025. Spotware is no longer defined by a single product. In a fast-moving industry, we will continue to innovate and build new solutions to stay at the leading edge of trading technology.  Next up: 2026. The post 2025 marked Spotware’s shift beyond a single product appeared first on LeapRate.

Market response In terms of where we are in the markets this morning, US Stock benchmarks ended Wednesday on a strong footing, echoing relief over the tariff reprieve for the eight European nations initially targeted. The S&P 500 advanced 78 points (1.2%) to 6,875, the Nasdaq 100 added 339 points (1.4%) to 25,326, with the Dow Jones climbing 588 points (1.2%) to 49,077. Both European and US equity index futures are also pointing to higher markets at respective cash opens this morning. From Tokyo, JGB yields eased from their record highs across longer-dated bonds, further calming market nerves. The USD/JPY, however, continues to fluctuate around ¥158.00, largely undeterred by recent verbal intervention. USD/JPY resistance remains in play at current levels, with a break north potentially unearthing a move to as far as ¥160.00. The question is whether the BoJ intervenes in this region. Also noteworthy is that the risk-on rally and positive December jobs data from Australia aided a solid bid in the AUD this morning versus G10 peers. Unemployment cooled to 4.1% from 4.3% in November, with about 65,000 new jobs created versus around 30,000 forecasted. Along with a robust rally in the AUD overnight, a hawkish repricing in the RBA cash rate unfolded, suggesting a 60% probability for a hike at next month’s meeting. Day ahead will focus on US PCE numbers While attention will remain on discussions regarding Greenland, and with Aussie jobs data in the rear-view mirror, today’s macro focus is on the final estimate for Q3 25 US GDP at 1:30 pm GMT, initial jobless claims for the week ending 17 January also at 1:30 pm, and the November PCE inflation numbers at 3:00 pm. Additionally, the Q4 25 New Zealand CPI inflation figures will land later at 9:45 pm.  Ultimately, I believe that the PCE report will dominate the headlines today. As shown from the LSEG economic calendar below, price pressures are expected to remain steady at 2.8% for the YY core measure, while decelerating modestly for the headline YY print at 2.7% (from 2.8% in October). This is a pace I would describe as sticky and reinforces the Fed’s wait-and-see stance to ease policy. Note that the Fed projects only one rate cut this year, while markets are still betting on two, with the first expected either in June or July’s meeting, with another likely in Q4. Of course, an upside surprise in the inflation data today – I would want to see around 2.9% or 3.0% – would likely trigger a USD bid as traders potentially price out some of the Fed rate-cut easing. Conversely, anything around the 2.6% mark today would have the opposite effect and bring April’s meeting firmly to the table for the first rate cut.  The post TACOs are back on the menu appeared first on LeapRate.

iSAM has expanded its UK presence with the relocation of its London headquarters to a new site on Leadenhall Street, marking the latest phase of the company’s global growth strategy.  The move follows a year of rapid international expansion that included opening an office in Cyprus in May and relocating to a larger Hong Kong site in June. The group comprises iSAM Funds, a $6.5bn alternative asset manager specialising in systematic investing, and iSAM Securities, an algorithmic trading, market-making and technology provider.  The relocation comes amid significant investment in talent, infrastructure and product development across both businesses. Recent initiatives from iSAM Securities include the launch of Radar Surge, an intelligent book and execution optimisation platform; Parallax, a transparent risk-sharing model; and expanded market-making capabilities designed to serve a broader institutional client base. Neill Burger of iSAM said the headquarters move reflects the firm’s “progress” and “scale of our ambitions,” adding that the group is focused on building “the ultimate algorithmic trading company.”  He said the expansion is aligned with rising global demand and the need to enhance capabilities as the client base grows and diversifies. Burger added that iSAM remains committed to identifying market opportunities, investing in skilled personnel and developing robust, fast-execution solutions.  “Their success is intrinsically linked to our own,” he said, describing the new London headquarters as an important milestone in the company’s ongoing growth trajectory. The post iSAM Strengthens UK Footprint With Move to New London Headquarters appeared first on LeapRate.

Euronext Corporate Solutions and Inderes have entered a new partnership aimed at simplifying regulatory and investor communication processes for Swedish listed companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.  The collaboration introduces a suite of digital tools intended to reduce administrative burdens and support companies throughout their public-market lifecycle. The tools will help issuers manage regulatory disclosures, press release distribution, investor engagement and compliance tasks more efficiently. Both firms said the goal is to free up internal resources so companies can focus more on growth, innovation and accessing public funding. Inderes CEO Mikael Rautanen said the partnership is designed to help remove obstacles that deter Swedish growth companies from going public.  “Our shared goal with Euronext Corporate Solutions is to make public ownership as straightforward as possible,” he said. Rautanen added that by lowering barriers to entry, more companies will be able to take advantage of the capital markets’ “growth potential.” Julien Tessier, CEO of Euronext Corporate Solutions, said the initiative provides a coordinated framework for SMEs seeking to meet listing requirements and communicate with investors. He noted that the company brings long-standing expertise in governance, compliance and investor relations across Europe. The partnership is intended to support a more efficient public-markets ecosystem in Sweden, where smaller issuers often face resource constraints when navigating regulatory processes. The post Euronext Corporate Solutions and Inderes Launch Partnership to Support Swedish SMEs appeared first on LeapRate.

Inyova SICAV has joined SIX Swiss Exchange as a new issuer of exchange-traded funds, listing its first product as the platform expands access to actively managed, sustainability-focused strategies.  The Inyova Impact Investing Active Equity Fund EUR UCITS ETF, tradable in Swiss francs, targets companies whose products and services contribute to sustainable development while generating measurable environmental and social impact. The actively managed fund invests globally across themes including renewable energy, electromobility, medical technology, gender equality and human rights.  Inyova said the ETF is designed to move beyond thematic exposure by emphasising active ownership and quantifiable impact objectives, aiming to create long-term value for investors. SIX said the launch strengthens its range of impact-oriented and actively managed ETFs. Inyova becomes the first new ETF issuer to join the exchange in 2026, following a record 2025 that saw more than 300 new products listed and seven issuers added.  SIX now hosts 36 ETF providers offering over 2,100 products. Ultumus, a SIX company, is providing operational infrastructure support for the new ETF. Dr Tillmann Lang, chairman and co-founder of Inyova, said the launch “enable[s] investors to pursue their financial goals while achieving sustainability impact and staying fully aligned with their values,” adding that the ETF offers a diversified, research-driven portfolio of companies driving positive outcomes. Danielle Reischuk, senior ETFs and ETPs sales manager at SIX Swiss Exchange, said the listing “enriches the spectrum of sustainability-oriented investment solutions” on the marketplace and reflects the exchange’s commitment to supporting innovative issuers. The post Inyova SICAV Becomes Latest ETF Issuer on SIX Swiss Exchange appeared first on LeapRate.

Miami International Holdings (MIAX) has completed the sale of 90 percent of MIAX Derivatives Exchange (MIAXdx) to a joint venture formed by Robinhood Markets and Susquehanna International Group.  MIAX retains a 10 percent stake in the platform, which is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as both a Designated Contract Market and Derivatives Clearing Organisation. MIAXdx is authorised to list and clear fully collateralised futures, options on futures and swaps. The company said the sale aligns with its strategy of partnering with industry leaders while enabling MIAX to concentrate on organic growth across its core exchange businesses. Thomas Gallagher, Chairman and CEO of MIAX, said the sale “reaffirms our strategy of partnering with industry leaders to accelerate our growth strategies”, adding that the retained stake gives MIAX exposure to the expanding prediction market sector.  He believes the deal “unlocks significant value” for shareholders while positioning MIAXdx for long-term success under its new ownership structure. Robinhood said acquiring MIAXdx strengthens its push into prediction markets and enhances its futures and derivatives capabilities.  JB Mackenzie, VP and GM of Futures and International at Robinhood, stated that the purchase “accelerates our investment in the prediction markets and improves our position to deliver a better experience for customers”. The companies said they expect to explore further collaboration opportunities as the market for event-based and derivative products continues to grow. The post MIAX Sells Majority Stake in MIAXdx to Robinhood–Susquehanna Venture appeared first on LeapRate.

Barclays Europe has begun the formal process to relocate its European headquarters from Dublin to Paris, following a review that the bank said highlighted the strategic advantages of situating leadership closer to its Continental investment banking operations. The lender, which operates in the region through Barclays Bank Ireland, said its business in Continental Europe is making an increasingly important contribution to the wider group.  It added that moving the headquarters would improve oversight and governance, while supporting the growth of its investment banking franchise. Barclays stressed that it remains committed to Ireland, where its Corporate Banking and Private Bank units will continue to operate with Dublin-based client and operational teams. Francesco Ceccato, CEO of Barclays Europe, said the headquarters shift represented “a strategic milestone that will enhance our ability to serve clients across Continental Europe while reinforcing our commitment to strong governance”.  He added that internal discussions had confirmed that the relocation was “the right step forward”. The bank is seeking regulatory approval to convert Barclays Europe into a Societas Europaea (SE). Once completed, the entity will be renamed Barclays Europe SE, with the legal transition expected by the end of 2026.  The headquarters move to Paris is planned for the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory sign-off. The post Barclays to Shift European Headquarters From Dublin to Paris appeared first on LeapRate.

Fiserv has announced a strategic partnership with Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company (SMCC) to introduce its Clover payments and business management platform to millions of small businesses across Japan.  The agreement marks an expansion of Fiserv’s Asia-Pacific presence and aims to accelerate the country’s shift toward cashless commerce. The Clover suite, expected to launch in late 2026, will be customised for Japan’s retail, hospitality and professional services sectors.  The companies said the platform will support multistore operations, smartphone-based tools and centralised management dashboards, helping small businesses modernise their workflows and adopt digital payments more efficiently. Japan is targeting a cashless payments rate of 65 percent by 2030, and Fiserv said Clover could play a meaningful role in supporting that national objective.  Mike Lyons, CEO of Fiserv, said the partnership would “empower small businesses in Japan with technology that simplifies operations and fuels growth” while extending the company’s international reach. Yukihiko Onishi, President and CEO of SMCC, believes the combination of Fiserv’s technology and SMCC’s expertise in advancing Japan’s cashless economy would “create new opportunities for growth and success for businesses.” Fiserv has been expanding Clover globally, with recent launches in Brazil and Australia. The post Fiserv and Sumitomo Mitsui to Roll Out Clover Payments Platform Across Japan appeared first on LeapRate.

Clearstream has joined the Luxembourg Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (LPEA) as it seeks to strengthen its position in Europe’s private markets infrastructure sector.  The company said the membership supports its long-term strategy to advance private market development in Luxembourg and across the region. Clearstream services more than EUR 340 billion in private assets and has built a decade-long track record in semi-liquid private market infrastructure, supporting asset managers and wealth managers with distribution and operational frameworks.  The firm said joining the LPEA provides additional opportunities to share technical expertise, contribute to industry dialogue and collaborate on best practices. The association represents private equity and venture capital interests in Luxembourg, offering a platform for members to engage in regulatory, operational and market developments.  Clearstream said the partnership will help it remain ahead of regulatory and technical changes while strengthening its ability to deliver scalable and secure solutions to clients. Pierre Mottion of Clearstream Fund Services said the company’s membership “reflects our long-term strategy to strengthen the private market ecosystem in Luxembourg and across Europe,” adding that collaborating with industry peers will help drive innovation and operational excellence. The post Clearstream Joins LPEA to Deepen Role in Private Markets Ecosystem appeared first on LeapRate.

Plaee has partnered with Crypto.com’s U.S. derivatives arm to launch a fully CFTC-compliant prediction market technology platform, aiming to serve operators, fintech firms and trading brokers as the sector scales toward an expected $1 trillion in trading volume. The company said the agreement integrates Crypto.com | Derivatives North America’s institutional liquidity and regulatory framework with Plaee’s CRM systems and retention technology.  The result is an API-first, “plug-and-play” infrastructure that allows operators to launch event-based trading products, including sports, politics and macroeconomic contracts, within weeks. Plaee said the technology removes key barriers for operators by simplifying regulatory requirements, providing access to deep liquidity and shortening deployment time. “By partnering with Crypto.com, we are removing the three biggest hurdles for operators: regulatory complexity, liquidity, and time-to-market,” said Plaee CEO Leon Okun. Crypto.com holds designated contract market status with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, meaning all end-users become members of the DCM.  The firm said the partnership ensures trades executed through Plaee’s platform meet the highest regulatory standards. Travis McGhee, Crypto.com’s Global Head of Predictions, said the collaboration allows the company to extend its institutional infrastructure to a wider group of operators and maintain its “lead in the industry.” Key features of the integration include CFTC-licensed event contracts, direct access to liquidity pools for faster execution, and turnkey onboarding with AI-powered retention tools. The post Plaee and Crypto.com Launch CFTC-Compliant Prediction Market Infrastructure in the U.S. appeared first on LeapRate.

Henkel Korea has appointed Deutsche Bank and NHN KCP to provide payment gateway services for its B2B platform. The collaboration links Deutsche Bank’s global payments network with NHN KCP’s market-leading gateway technology.  The upgraded infrastructure will support online payments for major brands such as Schwarzkopf Professional and Shiseido Professional, enabling distributors and customers to complete transactions through credit cards and bank transfers. Hyun-Nam Park, Deutsche Bank’s Chief Country Officer for South Korea, said the appointment highlights the bank’s track record in delivering localised solutions for multinational clients operating in the region.  “We are delighted to support Henkel Korea in this way and look forward to expanding this model to other multinational clients,” he stated. NHN KCP CEO Jun Seok Park believes the partnership showcases strong synergy between Deutsche Bank’s global expertise and NHN KCP’s position as Korea’s leading gateway provider.  He added that the companies aim to help Henkel grow its digital commerce capabilities and strengthen partnerships with global beauty and consumer brands. The agreement builds on the firms’ existing merchant solutions framework, which provides payment processing, settlement and authentication services.  They plan to expand integrated payment offerings across global merchant networks, starting with Henkel Korea’s operations, as digital commerce adoption accelerates in the region. The post Henkel Korea Appoints Deutsche Bank and NHN KCP as Payment Gateway Providers appeared first on LeapRate.

LINE NEXT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with JPYC Inc. to explore adding the JPYC yen-based stablecoin to its upcoming stablecoin wallet. Under the agreement, the companies will examine opportunities to integrate JPYC, convertible 1:1 with the Japanese yen, across LINE NEXT’s services, including payment features and reward programmes.  Their initial focus is on enabling JPYC within the stablecoin wallet that users will access through LINE Messenger. LINE NEXT and JPYC will also assess technical requirements to ensure safe and compliant use of yen-based stablecoins, while exploring broader applications beyond Web3.  Possible areas include consumer payment services and new digital reward mechanisms. Once integrated, the companies plan to jointly develop campaigns to encourage adoption. Youngsu Ko, CEO of LINE NEXT, said: “For Web3 to truly take root in Japan, it is essential to deliver simple and intuitive experiences powered by yen-based stablecoins.” He described the partnership as an “important first step” toward enabling everyday payments and reward systems. JPYC CEO Noritaka Okabe said incorporating stablecoins into widely used consumer platforms represents “a significant advancement” for digital payments in Japan, noting that expanding convenience in daily life is key to long-term adoption. The post LINE NEXT Partners With JPYC to Explore Adding Yen Stablecoin to Its Services appeared first on LeapRate.

GCEX Group has added Gold Futures CFDs to its product suite, strengthening the digital prime broker’s multi-asset capabilities as it expands across traditional and digital markets.  The introduction marks a significant step for the firm, which serves institutional and professional clients in the UK, EU and UAE. The new products offer an alternative to rolling spot instruments and non-expiring CFDs by providing exposure through a defined contract period.  GCEX’s first listed contract is the GCG26 (February 2026 Gold Future), giving clients access to CFDs based on exchange-listed futures prices. Lars Holst, CEO of GCEX, said the launch “reflects the ongoing development of our product suite and our commitment to supporting client requirements across both traditional and digital markets.”  He added that the company remains focused on institutional-grade instruments backed by strong regulatory governance. The Futures CFDs embed cost-of-carry within the pricing structure and remove overnight financing charges. Contracts must be closed before expiry, after which GCEX will settle positions automatically at the final settlement price. Expiry details are displayed in the company’s XplorTrader platform. The post GCEX Expands Offering With Launch of Gold Futures CFDs appeared first on LeapRate.

Fintel has completed the £11 million acquisition of Pearson Ham Group’s insurance pricing data business, strengthening its Software and Data division and accelerating its push to become a core technology partner to the UK retail financial services sector. The deal, completed through Fintel’s Defaqto business, includes an initial £7.5 million payment and deferred consideration of £3.5 million payable in April and July 2026. Fintel said the acquisition will be earnings-accretive for the full year ending December 2026. The pricing division provides proprietary market-wide pricing data to the insurance sector and will bolster Defaqto’s product and pricing datasets.  Fintel said combining this data with its generative and agentic AI capabilities will support growth of its Matrix 360 platform and strengthen Defaqto ratings, benefiting product manufacturers and price-comparison services. John Milliken, CEO of Fintel Software & Data, said the acquired business was “profitable, growing, cash generative” and offered a “rich historic data set” that would help the industry better understand and deliver consumer value. Fintel CEO Matt Timmins believes the transaction marks an “important milestone” in expanding the group’s data capabilities and reinforces its position as a strategic partner to financial services firms. Pearson Ham’s market-pricing CEO, Stephen Kennedy, stated that the team was “delighted to become part of the Defaqto family,” adding that strong synergies would deliver significant benefits to clients. The post Fintel Buys Pearson Ham Insurance Pricing Unit for £11m appeared first on LeapRate.

Worldline has partnered with embedded-finance platform YouLend to launch Cash Advance, a new funding solution designed to speed access to capital for small and medium-sized businesses across Europe.  The companies said eligible merchants can receive up to €250,000 in as little as 48 hours, with no paperwork and repayments linked automatically to daily turnover. The service uses Worldline’s payments infrastructure and YouLend’s data-driven underwriting technology to deliver personalised offers based on real-time transaction data.  The firms explained that the experience removes traditional friction and uncertainty in the lending process, supporting businesses looking to stabilise cash flow, restock inventory or invest in expansion. Joachim Goyvaerts, Worldline’s head of SMBs, said the aim was “to make business financing as frictionless and personalised as possible,” adding that the collaboration marked a major step in delivering embedded financial services tailored to modern merchants. Luke Trayfoot, YouLend’s global head of strategic partnerships, said the companies had built a “customer-first financing solution” suited to payment service providers seeking to enhance value-added services. Cash Advance has already been rolled out in Belgium and the Netherlands, with further European expansion planned. Worldline and YouLend said additional features would be introduced to meet evolving business needs across different markets. The post Worldline and YouLend Launch Cash Advance appeared first on LeapRate.

The New York Stock Exchange has unveiled plans to develop a tokenised securities platform that would enable 24/7 trading, fractional share purchases and immediate settlement via blockchain technology.  The exchange, part of Intercontinental Exchange, said the initiative remains subject to regulatory approval. The platform will integrate the NYSE’s Pillar matching engine with blockchain-based post-trade processes, supporting settlement across multiple chains. Tokenised shares will remain fungible with traditionally issued securities, with investors retaining dividend and governance rights. The project is a central part of ICE’s broader digital strategy, which includes preparing its clearing operations for round-the-clock markets and exploring the use of tokenised collateral.  ICE is working with major banks, including BNY and Citi to support tokenised deposits across its clearinghouses, enabling members to transfer money and meet margin obligations outside traditional banking hours. “For more than two centuries, the NYSE has transformed the way markets operate,” said Lynn Martin, president of NYSE Group.  She added that moving towards fully on-chain solutions would marry trust and established regulatory standards with modern technology. Michael Blaugrund, ICE’s vice president of strategic initiatives, said supporting tokenised securities marked “a pivotal step” in the firm’s strategy to operate on-chain infrastructure for trading, settlement, custody and capital formation. The post NYSE Plans Tokenised Securities Platform Offering 24/7 Trading appeared first on LeapRate.