Singapore, March 2026 - Finalto, a global financial services provider specialising in liquidity, risk management and world-class financial technology, is pleased to renew its sponsorship of rugby at the Singapore Cricket Club (SCC), one of Singapore’s premier sport and lifestyle clubs.Finalto has been a sponsor of SCC Rugby since 2024. In light of the successful collaboration, the company has renewed its sponsorship for the 2026 season, reinforcing its commitment to supporting local sporting excellence and community development in Singapore.The SCC is the oldest rugby club in Singapore. The club’s teams compete domestically in the Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) and Singapore Touch leagues. The SCC Rugby section includes competing teams, Women’s Touch (Stingers), Men’s Under 21s, 3rd XV (Lions), 2nd XV (Tankards), 1st XV (Prems) and Vets (Growlers).Finalto Asia CEO Alex MacKinnon said the renewal strengthens Finalto’s brand presence in the region while supporting the continued development of rugby in Singapore.MacKinnon said: “We’re proud to renew our support for SCC Rugby for the 2026 season, championing excellence, developing talent and reinforcing Finalto’s commitment to sport and community in Singapore, the home of Finalto Asia.”SCC Rugby Section Convenor Mandeep Tahim said: “On behalf of the entire Singapore Cricket Club Rugby Section, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our valued sponsor, Finalto, for their continued and generous support into the 2026 season. Their partnership has been instrumental in enabling us to successfully defend the Singapore National Rugby Title, integrate promising academy players into our men's section as Junior Sports Members (JSMs), equip our JSMs with SCC training kit, and provide them with invaluable tour experiences that build character, skills, and lifelong memories. This sponsorship goes far beyond the field—it's helping nurture the next generation of rugby talent in Singapore while strengthening our club's proud legacy.“About FinaltoFinalto is an innovative prime brokerage that provides bespoke liquidity and fintech solutions. Our award-winning technology and expertise enable us to deliver effective, flexible service to a wide range of institutional clients globally, personalised to suit their needs. We deliver best-in-class pricing, execution and prime broker solutions across multiple assets, including CFDs on Equities, Indices, Commodities, Cryptos and rolling spot FX, Precious and Base Metals, and bespoke products such as NDFs.About Singapore Cricket Club RugbyThe Singapore Cricket Club Rugby Section is the oldest and most established rugby club in Singapore, forming part of the wider Singapore Cricket Club, which dates back to 1852. The section places strong emphasis on development through its Rugby Academy, which provides structured training pathways for youth players and feeds into senior teams, reinforcing the club’s commitment to growing the sport in Singapore.Media enquiries: Lara Hussaini (lara.hussaini@finalto.com) This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

OANDA Securities, the Japanese unit of OANDA, will discontinue support for MetaTrader 4 later this year. The broker cited “cybersecurity requirements” and the platform’s “lack of ongoing maintenance” as the main reasons.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).The decision follows earlier steps to scale back MT4 services. In 2024, the company shut down two MT4 servers and asked clients to “consider using MT5,” according to earlier reporting. The move reflects a broader industry shift as brokers gradually transition users to MetaTrader 5 while support for MT4 declines.OANDA Sets November 2026 MT4 ShutdownThe Japanese unit of OANDA said MT4 services will end at the close of trading on November 27, 2026. The company linked the decision to a “tightening of cybersecurity standards” and “efforts to strengthen internal systems” to protect client assets and personal data.The broker stated that MT4 “has been out for a long time” and is no longer covered by maintenance from MetaQuotes. It added that meeting “the latest security requirements” had become difficult under the current setup.The phase-out process has already begun. Today (Firday), the firm suspended the creation of new MT4 sub-accounts on its Tokyo server. The next step is scheduled for September 25, 2026, when new order placement on MT4 will be halted after trading hours. Full termination will follow in November.After the cutoff date, users will no longer be able to log in or execute trades on MT4.OANDA Urges MT5 Migration Ahead ShutdownThe company said details on how remaining open positions will be handled will be provided at a later stage. Clients without open positions but with account balances have been asked to transfer funds to other account types, including MT5, fxTrade, or TradingView.For customers using the MT4 New York server, trading will remain available through fxTrade or TradingView after MT4 is discontinued.The company is encouraging clients to migrate to MT5 as soon as possible. It said the newer platform offers improved performance, including faster processing through 64-bit architecture, more chart timeframes, and enhanced backtesting capabilities. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

The Federal Court of Australia has imposed an AU$10 million fine on Binance Australia Derivatives after the company admitted to misclassifying more than 85% of its local clients. Those wrongly labelled customers went on to rack up AU$8.66 million in trading losses while paying AU$3.89 million in fees. Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)The 2023 Regulatory ReckoningThe trouble began in early 2023, when the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) launched a targeted review of Binance’s local operations – the exchange offered to Australian users leveraged crypto derivative products. These products have become particularly popular, allowing traders to speculate on the price movements of a digital asset without actually owning it.According to CoinGecko, the ten largest crypto perpetual exchanges processed a staggering US$92.9 trillion in trading volume in 2025, up 64.6% on the previous yearNonetheless, ASIC alleged that between July 2022 and April 2023, the exchange had misclassified more than 500 retail clients as wholesale investors, stripping away key consumer protections.Sarah Court, then ASIC’s deputy chair, described Binance’s compliance systems as “woefully inadequate”, noting that clients had suffered avoidable losses as a result. The regulator further accused the company of failing to provide services “efficiently, honestly and fairly.”Faced with mounting scrutiny, Binance opted for retreat, requesting the cancellation of its Australian Financial Services licence later that year. It was a swift exit, though not a clean one.How Not to Classify ClientsAccording to ASIC, Binance admitted to exposing 524 retail investors to high-risk crypto derivatives without appropriate safeguards, owing to their erroneous categorisation as wholesale clients.Prospective “sophisticated investors” were reportedly allowed unlimited attempts at a multiple-choice quiz until they passed. Senior compliance staff had also been found to provide scant review of applications or supporting documents. In one instance, a client was deemed a professional investor simply by self-certifying as an “exempt public authority.”ASIC vs CryptoASIC’s pursuit of Binance is part of a wider campaign. The regulator has increasingly argued that many crypto products are, in substance, conventional financial instruments dressed in tech jargon, and should be regulated accordingly.Others have already felt the sting. Bit Trade, the Australian operator of Kraken, was fined AU$8 million in December 2024 over a leveraged “margin extension” product. Europe, too, is stirring. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has warned that crypto perpetuals could be treated as CFDs, bringing them under familiar – and stricter – rules.Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is preparing to open the door to crypto perps. For years, American traders have been largely confined to spot markets and more traditional instruments. The direction of travel for crypto derivatives, then, appears increasingly clear. This article was written by Adonis Adoni at www.financemagnates.com.

OKX has decided not to rush its U.S. initial public offering, saying it will only take the step when it can guarantee long-term shareholder value. The exchange, recently valued at $25 billion after a deal tied to the New York Stock Exchange’s parent company, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), plans to focus on building growth and stability first.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)Last week, Kraken also paused its long-discussed initial public offering, adding to the list of major crypto firms that are stepping back from public market ambitions amid uncertainty.Executives Urge Patience Before ListingSpeaking at the Digital Asset Summit in New York, as reported by Coinbase, OKX General Manager and Chief Marketing Officer Haider Rafique said the company would list only when confident of delivering sustainable returns. “We will go public when we have confidence that we can give back shareholder value,” he said. Rafique said the company intentionally priced its latest valuation conservatively to support future performance. “I think we did underprice ourselves when you look at our revenue growth, our licenses, and our assets. That was very intentional,” he noted.He added that past listings such as Coinbase’s have shown the risks of entering public markets too early, citing their share price decline since debut.Read more: Kraken Halts IPO Plans as Weak Market Dents Crypto Valuations: Report Kraken, which had previously explored a multibillion-dollar listing, reportedly decided to freeze its IPO plans as market conditions deteriorated and investor appetite for crypto-exposed equities weakenedBuilding Scale Before Market EntryFounded in Asia, OKX has grown into one of the largest global crypto exchanges, particularly in derivatives trading. On CoinMarketCap, it ranks second in derivatives behind Binance, with daily trading volumes of more than $20 billion. The company’s partnership with ICE is also expected to support development of blockchain-based infrastructure for tokenized assets. OKX aims to play a role in bringing traditional products like equities onto blockchain networks in the future.Crypto IPO activity has been stop‑start over the past cycle: Coinbase’s 2021 direct listing remains the flagship exchange IPO, with other listed crypto plays coming mostly from miners and infrastructure names, such as Iris Energy in 2021, Bitdeer in 2023, and SPAC-style deals like Bakkt’s NYSE listing via VPC Impact Acquisition. More recently, IPO talk has shifted to a pipeline rather than completed deals, with firms like Circle, eToro, Gemini, BitGo, Consensys, and Kraken variously filing, exploring, or preparing listings, many of which have been delayed or reshaped as markets turned. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

A sharp oil rally in recent weeks has highlighted how slowly top crypto exchanges roll out new derivatives, according to TradingView Chief Growth Officer Rauan Khassan.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)Speaking on dYdX Foundation’s March analyst call, Khassan said few of the top‑10 crypto venues listed oil perpetuals even as prices spiked. This has left newer platforms, such as Polymarket and Hyperliquid, to move first.Commodities Demand and Usage SplitCME’s push into around‑the‑clock crypto derivatives and energy exposure supports Khassan’s criticism of slow product rollout on major crypto venues. The Wall Street Journal recently reported how CME is preparing to offer more flexible, nearly 24/7 access to oil and other commodity futures as demand grows for instruments that trade through geopolitical shocks and weekend newsflow. According to Khassan, traditional stocks and listed futures still generate the largest share of TradingView activity, but crypto consistently accounts for 35–40 percent of user engagement on the platform. Over the past 12 months, he described the main theme as “all around commodities,” led by gold and then oil.Additionally, internal TradingView data from November showed tether‑backed gold symbols had just crossed 1 million unique users, compared with 4–5 million users looking at classic gold CFD symbols.As of Wednesday, gold was up nearly 2% at 4,555 dollars per ounce after rebounding more than 450 dollars from Monday’s lows in less than 48 hours.UPDATE: Gold gains over 2 percent as dollar weakens and oil prices drop? LIVE updates: https://t.co/GFAyl8kCfk pic.twitter.com/tWN12cxS5p— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) March 25, 2026That implies crypto‑backed commodity products currently operate at under 20 percent of the audience that legacy instruments reach on TradingView.Keep reading: Scope Prime Rolls Out 24/7 Gold CFD to All Institutional ClientsHe added that several exchanges first tried to capture commodities interest by adding CFDs in ways that complicated their platforms, and are now shifting to a more systematic use of perpetual and futures contracts. Yet when oil rallied, most large exchanges still did not offer oil perps, even though around 80 percent of users typically wait for their main venue to list new instruments instead of switching to niche platforms.However, a few specialist and derivatives‑heavy exchanges already list oil and broader energy perpetuals, proving that the instruments are technically and operationally feasible on crypto rails. For instance, BitMEX has listed a WTIUSDT perpetual swap with up to 25x leverage, giving traders linear USDT‑margined exposure to West Texas Intermediate crude without holding the underlying.DeFi Adoption and UX FrictionKhassan also argued that decentralized exchanges failed to convert the 2022 Luna and FTX crises into lasting retail adoption, despite running and available at the time.He said insiders see DEX onboarding as simple—open a wallet, connect it, then trade—but “two extra steps” remain enough to deter the “simple guy” retail trader. In his view, this user preference for the easiest possible onboarding path explains why centralized platforms continue to dominate retail volumes despite repeated stress events in the sector.Recently, the collapsed crypto exchange FTX announced that it will begin a fourth round of creditor payouts on 31 March 2026, advancing its Chapter 11 plan after returning about $12 billion across two earlier distributions last year. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Dynamic Works has appointed Ramy Abouzaid as Regional Manager for the Gulf Cooperation Council region, as the company builds its presence in the Middle East.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).The firm develops Syntellicore, a brokerage technology ecosystem used by FX and CFD brokers. The platform provides core infrastructure for client management and trading operations.Dynamic Works Expands GCC Operations LeadershipAbouzaid joins with experience in the retail trading sector. He previously held senior roles at ATFX, Alpari, and Axi. His background includes work in commercial strategy and operational execution across brokerage firms.Dynamic Works is headquartered in Cyprus and employs more than 60 staff. It operates offices in Limassol and Nicosia. The company is also establishing a presence in Dubai as part of its GCC strategy.According to the firm, Abouzaid has been involved in the setup and development of regulated brokerage businesses. His experience covers multiple stages, from launch to scaling, including aligning systems with business needs.Angelos Gregoriou, Co-Founder and CEO of Dynamic Works, said the appointment comes during a period of growth in the region. He said Abouzaid’s background combines brokerage and technology experience and is expected to support wider adoption of the company’s platform in the GCC.Firm Positions Full-Stack Platform RegionallyAbouzaid said the move aligns with his experience in the sector. He noted that “the strength of a firm’s technical ecosystem is a key factor” in achieving market position. He added that he has seen “the challenges that brokers face daily” and aims to support firms with practical technology solutions.Syntellicore is designed for financial institutions and includes tools for client onboarding, KYC and identity verification, and back-office functions. The platform also integrates features such as anomaly detection and customer scoring.It also offers a white-label client portal, a mobile application, and partner management tools. Dynamic Works is positioning the system as a full-stack solution for brokerage firms in the GCC market. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

StoneX, the operator of the retail CFD and forex trading platform Forex.com, has launched a new Securitization Banking, Lending & Capital Markets platform, expanding its institutional services in structured finance and capital formation. Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).The platform will offer clients capital markets solutions, lending capabilities, and investment opportunities across multiple asset classes. The firm said the launch is intended to expand its role in the institutional credit market and offer clients additional liquidity and financing.Building on this institutional focus, StoneX Digital, part of StoneX Group, has introduced a digital asset lending platform for institutional traders. The feature lets clients access liquidity without selling crypto holdings. Bitcoin is the initial collateral, with other large-cap cryptocurrencies planned.StoneX Extends Fixed Income Platform ServicesThe new platform builds on StoneX’s fixed income sales and trading business. By combining market access, capital markets expertise, and structured financing capabilities, the firm intends to help clients access liquidity and financing across both traditional and emerging asset sectors.The team will support a range of global structured finance activities. Its mandate includes banking advisory services, lending solutions, and investment opportunities in platforms and portfolios. Particular emphasis will be placed on non-traditional asset sectors, where flexible capital and structuring expertise can be critical.“Clients are increasingly looking for partners who can help them navigate complex financing structures and unlock value across specialized asset classes,” said Robert Laforte, Global Head of Fixed Income Sales at StoneX. “By expanding our capabilities in securitization banking, lending, and capital markets, we are building on the strength of our fixed income offering to deliver more integrated financing and capital markets solutions.”StoneX Names Head for Structured FinanceStoneX has been developing the platform for over a year as an extension of its fixed income business. The firm is actively hiring banking and analytics professionals to support global growth.To lead the platform, StoneX has appointed Rob Sannicandro, a structured finance veteran with more than 20 years of experience building banking teams at major Wall Street institutions. Sannicandro will oversee the development of advisory, lending, and investment capabilities. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

The Financial Conduct Authority has outlined plans to expand its use of artificial intelligence and data tools under its 2026/27 work programme, a move that could affect high-risk retail trading segments such as CFDs by enabling faster supervision.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!).On fees, the FCA proposed a 1% increase in minimum and application fees, below inflation. The annual funding requirement will rise by 0.7%, the lowest in a decade, with headcount kept flat to manage costs.The regulator said a new authorisation tool is being developed internally and will be integrated into existing systems, part of its broader push to become “a smarter, more data-driven regulator.”Generative AI to Accelerate FCA AuthorisationsThe FCA said it will use generative AI to streamline supervision and reduce administrative burdens. The technology will review firm submissions and support faster decisions, with rollout planned across authorisations and supervision after testing. The programme also includes plans to integrate AI into workflows to detect harm earlier and improve case handling. A sandbox will test automated data feeds between firms and the regulator to improve the speed and reliability of information.Sandbox Expansion and Reporting ChangesThe FCA will expand its Supercharged Sandbox, allowing firms to test AI-driven products with synthetic data. Reporting requirements will be reduced by removing some data returns, and more processes will move onto the My FCA platform. The regulator also aims to speed up authorisations and simplify forms.FCA Plans Global Presence, Market ReformsThe programme includes measures to support markets and consumers. These include consulting on pension charge caps, proposals to remove the seven-day IPO research waiting period, and plans to expand the FCA’s presence in the United Arab Emirates, China and India.The regulator confirmed it will begin supervising Buy Now Pay Later from July, including affordability checks and authorisation reviews. In financial crime, it is developing a “single, end-to-end, intelligence-led service” to identify and stop harmful promotions more quickly.Perimeter Report Flags AI, Prediction Market RisksNikhil Rathi, CEO, FCA, said the programme will help “identify risks sooner, make faster, more consistent decisions and reduce unnecessary burdens on firms.”Separately, the FCA’s perimeter report highlighted areas for possible legislative change, including financial promotions, betting products and payments. It also flagged risks outside its remit, such as AML-only firms, the use of AI in financial guidance, and speculative prediction markets. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

The SEC’s new crypto rules are being framed as a long-awaited source of clarity. But industry participants say the picture is more complicated.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)For exchanges and brokers, the immediate effect is more about a shift toward a structured, and in some ways more demanding, operating environment.From Listing Clarity to Ongoing Oversight Industry participants broadly agree that clearer definitions are a step forward. The distinction between digital commodities, securities, and other token categories provides a more consistent framework for evaluating assets at the listing stage — something that has historically been a major source of uncertainty. However, clarity does not eliminate complexity. “Clearer taxonomy may not automatically make listing decisions ‘easier’, but it makes them more predictable — and that’s far more valuable,” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. She noted that exchanges have long struggled not with assessing projects themselves, but with uncertainty around how tokens might be classified over time — a risk that extends beyond the initial listing decision. That uncertainty is now being reshaped rather than removed. According to Kyrylo Khomiakov, Regional Head of CEE, Central Asia and Africa at Binance, the new framework improves early-stage classification but does not replace the need for case-by-case legal analysis. Tokens that are marketed with expectations of profit may still fall under securities laws depending on issuer behavior and disclosures, meaning that regulatory risk continues throughout the lifecycle of an asset, not just at the point of listing. In practice, this shifts the burden toward ongoing monitoring. Exchanges are expected to track how tokens evolve, how they are positioned in the market, and whether they remain within their initial classification — particularly in scenarios where safe harbor provisions may apply.That risk is not theoretical. Between 2023 and 2024, more than 2,600 tokens were listed across major exchanges, with about 25% later delisted — often due to regulatory, liquidity, or compliance issues. Enforcement activity has also been significant, with U.S. regulators initiating well over 100 crypto-related cases over the past decade, highlighting how classification risk can emerge well after a token is launched. Why Classification Remains a Moving Target At the same time, the impact of the new framework is unlikely to be uniform across the market. Alexander Kuptsikevich, Senior Market Analyst at FxPro, expects the changes to primarily benefit higher-quality projects rather than the broader long tail of crypto assets. “To be honest, it is unlikely that the latest changes will trigger another major boom,” he said. “Instead, we are likely to see increased confidence from high-quality developers aiming to embed stricter supply-generation rules into their protocols from the beginning.” The market itself remains highly concentrated. The top 10 tokens account for roughly 80–85% of total market capitalization, while thousands of smaller assets make up a long tail with limited liquidity. More than 90% of tokens fall into this category, often trading with low daily volumes.He added that the changes are unlikely to significantly affect meme tokens and smaller projects that were never designed with exchange listings in mind. In that sense, the new regulatory approach may act less as a catalyst for growth and more as a filter, reinforcing the divide between institutional-grade assets and speculative segments of the market. A Market That Favors Scale and Compliance The proposed safe harbor regime could further support this shift. Rather than simply increasing the volume of token issuance, industry participants expect it to encourage more disciplined project design, with greater emphasis on long-term utility and compliance from the outset. For exchanges and brokers, the net effect is a trade-off. On one hand, clearer classification reduces ambiguity and allows firms to build more consistent internal frameworks for listing and risk management. On the other, it introduces additional requirements around due diligence, monitoring, and documentation — particularly as tokens move through different stages of their lifecycle. As Khomiakov notes, this dual effect ultimately favors larger players with established compliance infrastructure. Binance points to its internal processes — including dedicated compliance teams and ongoing risk monitoring — as a foundation for operating within a more structured regulatory environment. “I see this as part of a broader transition,” Chen said. “The industry is moving from a phase defined by experimentation to one defined by clarity, accountability, and infrastructure.” For brokers and exchanges, clearer rules do not reduce the workload. They change it — from uncertainty at the listing stage to continuous oversight over how assets are used and evolve. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

CMC CapX, the capital markets arm of London-based broker CMC Markets, launched a retail investor engagement platform called Spotlight today (Thursday), giving FTSE-listed companies a channel to communicate directly with individual shareholders through company profiles and executive video presentations.Ten companies enrolled on the platform before its public debut, the CMC said, pointing to that pre-launch interest as early evidence of demand for more direct engagement tools between public companies and their retail investor base.Spotlight broadens what CMC CapX already does, covering IPOs, secondary placings, and private equity access. Last October, the platform piloted tokenised share trade execution in partnership with StrikeX, its first move into blockchain-based transaction settlement, reflecting a pattern of incremental product additions since the division launched in 2022.Bypassing Traditional IR ChannelsSpotlight is designed, according to CMC CapX, to reduce the distance between company management and retail shareholders who traditionally relied on brokerage research or press releases for information. The platform offers interactive presentations from senior executives and what the company calls dynamic company profiles, though CMC CapX has not detailed how these differ substantively from investor relations pages companies already host on their own websites."Effective investor engagement is critical to successful capital markets activity," Tom Curran, Head of Corporate Broking at CMC Markets, commented. "Spotlight gives companies a direct and scalable way to communicate their story, while giving investors better access to management and clearer insight into the businesses they are backing."The launch sits within a wider push by UK retail brokers and fintechs to deepen the connection between listed companies and individual investors. The UK's retail investment participation rate has been under scrutiny for several years, with analysts and policymakers questioning whether domestic savers hold enough exposure to UK equities to support the country's capital markets ambitions.ASX Expansion on the HorizonCMC CapX said Spotlight is expected to contribute to revenue growth as it expands internationally, with ASX-listed companies identified as the next target market. The company provided no timeline for the Australian rollout or targets for the number of companies it expects to onboard there.The broader FTSE landscape has faced persistent questions about the depth of domestic retail shareholding, which gives tools like Spotlight a potential tailwind if retail participation in UK public markets continues to build. CMC Markets, founded in 1989, reported more than 2 million user logins across its trading and investing platforms as of November 2025, a figure that includes users from partnership arrangements with Revolut, ANZ Bank, and St George.CMC CapX hinted at plans for tokenized asset offerings as far back as July 2025, signalling the division's appetite for product expansion well beyond its original IPO-focused remit. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Scope Prime, the institutional arm of Rostro Group, has completed the full rollout of DIGIXAU, a gold CFD product that runs continuously, including on evenings and weekends, the company said today (Thursday).The move extends the firm's existing gold trading access beyond conventional market hours. Institutional clients can now hedge gold positions, adjust exposure and manage risk as events unfold, without waiting for markets to reopen. The product is structured as a CFD, keeping it within Scope Prime's over-the-counter liquidity framework.Weekend Trading Closes a Market GapTraditional gold markets shut down on Friday evening and resume late Sunday, leaving a window where traders are exposed to news and price risk without the ability to respond. Scope Prime said DIGIXAU closes that window by maintaining a continuous order book through the weekend. The launch comes after Scope Prime updated its gold spread structure in January, citing sustained repricing in precious metals driven by persistent volatility."Amid unprecedented global economic uncertainty, access to safe-haven assets has never been more important," Daniel Lawrance, Chief Executive Officer at Scope Prime, commented. "DIGIXAU provides what traditional gold products cannot - the ability to trade and manage positions at any time, including weekends. As more market-moving events occur outside standard hours, uninterrupted access is increasingly critical."Gold's role as a safe-haven asset has grown significantly, with the metal testing record highs earlier this year and volumes surging across CFD platforms. A Finance Magnates analysis in January argued that gold's shifting market dynamics are forcing liquidity providers to rethink how their products are structured, pointing to growing client demand outside standard trading windows as one of the key pressure points.Lawrance also pointed to internal infrastructure work as what made the full rollout possible. "Recent enhancements to our crypto CFD liquidity, pricing and depth have enabled us to deliver this product across our full institutional client base," he added.Crypto Architecture Carries Over to GoldDIGIXAU sits within Scope Prime's crypto CFD infrastructure, a structure the company has been building out over the past year. The product is offered through MMCD Resources Ltd, regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the Seychelles, the same entity that governs Scope Prime's digital asset CFD business. That framework, built to support continuous trading in crypto markets, is what makes 24/7 gold exposure technically feasible in a CFD format.Scope Prime expanded its crypto CFD offering to 77 new instruments and moved to round-the-clock trading in August 2025, and subsequently integrated liquidity from major crypto exchanges and market makers to deepen its order book and improve pricing. Rostro had also flagged wider ambitions in digital asset infrastructure, with the launch of prime services for crypto CFDs in mid-2025 alongside plans to add spot trading capabilities.Rising Gold Volumes Provide the BackdropThe broader market context supports demand for the product. Gold has become the dominant trading instrument at major CFD brokers, with volumes more than doubling at some platforms as the metal extended a sustained rally. Market participants are increasingly trading on geopolitical and macroeconomic developments that tend to emerge outside regular market hours, a pattern that reinforces the case for always-available products.Scope Prime has been broadening its product mix across asset classes in recent months, including the launch of futures and options trading for institutional clients in February 2026, which added on-exchange access to metals, indices, and soft commodities. Rostro Group, for its part, secured a Category 5 license in the UAE in late 2025, extending its regulatory footprint as the group continues to expand into new markets. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

TradeZero said today (Thursday) it has extended its brokerage services into Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, and Denmark, adding four countries to the single-market footprint the firm established in the Netherlands when it entered Europe last November.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)TradeZero Europe Enters Four Markets After Netherlands DebutThe Amsterdam-headquartered entity operates under a MiFID investment firm license issued in the Netherlands and offers European retail clients direct access to U.S. equities and options through TradeZero's ZeroPro and TZ1 platforms, the company said. Accounts are denominated in U.S. dollars, with no currency conversion applied at the individual trade level, according to the firm.The move comes as retail trading activity on the continent has been climbing. Retail trading demand hit a record in early 2026, rising 25% above its prior peak, as individual investors continued buying into market dips and adding positions during periods of elevated volatility."With our continued expansion in Europe, we are extending access to the same institutional-grade tools and trading environment that define the TradeZero experience," said Dan Pipitone, Co-Founder & CEO of TradeZero Holding Corp.[#highlighted-links#] "From real-time data and intuitive software to our proprietary short locator tool and integrated stock scanning capabilities, our focus remains on supporting active traders with technology built around their workflow."TradeZero's per-share commission model scales costs with trade volume rather than applying flat or notional-based fees, a structure the company says benefits high-frequency traders. The firm also offers what it describes as extended pre- and post-market sessions and long and short bi-directional trading outside standard hours, capabilities it says have drawn active traders across its other markets.Integrated Scanner Precedes Geographic PushThe expansion also follows TradeZero's rollout of ProScanner, a real-time U.S. equity market scanning tool built directly into ZeroPro and TZ1 that the company says allows traders to monitor momentum, gap activity, and volume changes without leaving their trading workspace. TradeZero includes the scanner at no extra charge, according to its website. The tool supports three simultaneous scanning windows and real-time filter updates, the company said.The broader European retail brokerage landscape is shifting at the same time. Europe's top securities regulator acknowledged in March 2026 that MiFID II rules have become too complex and too costly for retail investors, signaling possible revisions to the framework under which TradeZero Europe and its peers operate. Meanwhile, European brokers are pivoting toward futures and options as regulatory pressure on over-the-counter derivatives intensifies, putting them in more direct competition with the U.S. equity access model TradeZero is bringing to the continent."This expansion reflects the strength of the foundation we established in the Netherlands," Michiel Lerou, CEO of TradeZero Europe B.V., added. "As we expand into additional European markets, our focus remains on supporting active traders while contributing to fair and orderly markets through disciplined operations, sound risk management, and a trading environment supported by a 24/7 customer service framework designed to assist traders across time zones."U.S. Broker Eyes Wider European ReachTradeZero initially entered Europe in November 2025, launching a Netherlands-only entity positioned as a provider of direct U.S. equity and options trading for retail clients on the continent. The parent company, TradeZero Holding Corp., also operates regulated brokerage subsidiaries in other international markets, including Canada, where the firm received regulatory approval in 2022. The firm's expansion model has historically followed a phased country-by-country approach rather than a single-market-entry strategy.The company did not disclose client numbers for its European operations, revenue targets, or a timeline for further geographic expansion beyond the four markets announced Thursday. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

XTB, the Warsaw-listed investment app (WSE: XTB), has signed a sponsorship agreement with Paris La Défense Arena, Europe's largest indoor venue, the company said today (Thursday). The deal, which includes in-venue branding, client hospitality access, and planned financial education initiatives, comes as XTB's French client base grew 50% year-over-year by the end of 2025, according to the firm.France at the Center of XTB's Western PushThe partnership is XTB's most prominent brand push in France to date, arriving just days after the firm published its full-year 2025 results, which showed record operating income of PLN 2.15 billion but a 24.8% decline in net profit, driven largely by a near-70% increase in marketing spend to PLN 584.9 million. CEO Omar Arnaout has publicly flagged France as one of XTB's priority growth markets, with the company aiming to rank among the country's top investment platforms. The French client count growing 50% in 2025 supports that ambition, though XTB did not disclose absolute numbers for the country."This partnership is more than our presence in the world of entertainment," Arnaout said in a statement. "Live events today have a unique power: they connect people and build shared emotions. The arena deal fits a broader pattern of marketing investments that XTB has been making in France. In April 2025, the firm launched French PEA accounts, a tax-advantaged investment vehicle with more than 7 million active holders in France, targeting a retail investor pool far larger than the country's leveraged trading community. That pivot makes strategic sense given the landscape: as FinanceMagnates.com reported last year, the number of active FX/CFD traders in France has fallen below 30,000, a four-year low, while one in three online investors in the country describes themselves as a novice or advanced beginner, highlighting the appetite for educational resources and simpler products.Europe's Largest Arena, a Mass-Market AudienceParis La Défense Arena, which can accommodate more than 45,000 concertgoers and hosts around 1.8 million visitors annually, describes itself as the second-largest entertainment center in the world. XTB said the venue could attract up to 3 million visitors per year by 2027, and that more than 90% of its current audience comes from France, making it a concentrated local marketing vehicle. The venue is also the subject of a pending acquisition by Live Nation, which announced an agreement to buy the arena from Ovalto in January 2026, subject to clearance from the French Competition Authority.“We want as XTB to be present in moments that are important to our audiences and remain memorable,” Arnaout added. “Working with the largest arena in Europe is not just sponsorship, but joining forces of two leaders who together create experiences at the highest level."Live Events Market Provides the BackdropXTB cited the growth of the live events industry as a rationale for the tie-up. Global live events and concert revenue reached $23.64 billion in 2024 and is projected to climb to $40.65 billion by 2032 at an annual growth rate of around 8.8%, according to data cited by the company. France's domestic market alone is forecast to reach approximately $13 billion by 2033, growing at roughly 6% per year, the firm said.Beyond the branding presence inside the arena, XTB said it will offer its clients priority access to the venue and a range of hospitality options. The company also plans initiatives tied to financial education, in line with its broader positioning as an investment platform for audiences with varying levels of experience. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

LiteFinance Ends Its 20th Anniversary Challenge with Spectacular Gala Dinner in Dubai.From a business meeting to a helicopter tour and a grand gala dinner, see how LiteFinance's 2025 celebration came to a magnificent close. In one of the world's most luxurious destinations, surrounded by glittering skyscrapers and the turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf, LiteFinance hosted an unforgettable evening destined to become part of the company's history. An exclusive gala dinner marked the conclusion of the 20th Anniversary Challenge and celebrated LiteFinance's 20th anniversary. The five-star Atlantis The Royal provided the perfect setting. It is a place where dreams become reality and evenings are filled with the atmosphere of an Arabian fairytale. The company made every effort to ensure that the gala dinner was truly special and memorable for its guests. The celebration took place on February 6 and 7, 2026. It was not only a fitting finale to the year but also the beginning of a new chapter in LiteFinance's journey. Celebrating Great Achievements To honor its 20th anniversary, LiteFinance launched a large-scale contest, the 20th Anniversary Challenge, with a total prize fund of $1,000,000. The stakes were high, the competition intensified with each passing month, and the results ultimately exceeded all expectations: Around 550,000 participants from across the globe took part in the Anniversary Challenge. Welcome Evening: Celebration Begins The celebration started even before the official gala dinner. After checking in at Atlantis The Royal, guests were invited to unwind, connect with one another, and exchange ideas. To ensure a seamless experience, LiteFinance developed a special mobile app designed to help guests easily navigate the sprawling hotel complex. LiteFinance chose the perfect setting for its Welcome Evening at the open-air Emerald Lawn. The elegant decor and pleasant weather created an atmosphere of modern luxury. As discussions eased from formal business matters into more relaxed and personal exchanges, a sense of unity emerged, built on shared ambitions, sincere emotions, and mutual respect.From Business to New Horizons The following day was dedicated to business. Guests came together for an engaging meeting where LiteFinance unveiled new services, reviewed the key achievements of 2025, and outlined its vision for future growth. The meeting also brought together representatives of key industry partners. Representatives of Finance Magnates were also among the invited guests. A wide range of topics was covered, including: Innovations to the LiteFinance online platform designed to expand trading opportunities.Enhancements to mobile applications and partner tools.The evolving role of the LiteFinance blog as both an educational resource and a promotional tool. Results of 2025, achievements, and plans for the future. Following the presentations, the discussion continued in a more informal setting, creating the ideal environment for an open and constructive exchange of ideas. The meeting proved valuable for both company representatives and LiteFinance's back-office team, providing an opportunity to share insights and align on future plans. Helicopter Tour: Reaching New Heights As a prelude to the main event, guests enjoyed a private helicopter tour offering sweeping views of Dubai. Gala Dinner: Highlight of the Celebration The evening culminated in its most anticipated moment. The Diamond Ballroom was transformed into a space of luxury and vibrant energy: spotlights swept across the hall, musicians performed live, and dancers glowed in neon hues. Every detail underscored the historic significance of the occasion. Taking the stage, Kristina Leonova, CEO of LiteFinance, spoke to the guests: "Twenty years ago, LiteFinance began with a simple idea: that doing the right thing, consistently, would lead to lasting success. What started as a vision has grown into a company we are all proud of today. That journey has not always been easy, but it has always been meaningful. This company has seen change — new technologies, new markets, new ways of working. But what has remained constant is our commitment to excellence and to the people who make LiteFinance what it is. To our founders and early leaders — thank you for the courage to begin. To our employees, past and present — you are the heart of this company. Your dedication, professionalism, and belief in our mission have carried us through every chapter of this story. To our clients and partners — thank you for your trust and loyalty over the years. Long-term relationships are the true measure of success, and we are honored to have grown alongside you".The evening unfolded with an exceptional program: Captivating dance performances created exclusively for the gala dinner. Timeless international hits performed live by a band from Italy. Exquisite culinary creations crafted by some of Dubai's finest chefs. The spotlight then shifted to the winners of the LiteFinance 20th Anniversary Challenge. Through their determination, commitment, and professionalism, they set an inspiring example for the entire community. The awards were presented as follows: 1st place: NoName555 – $50,000; 2nd place: minmyatmin – $30,000; 3rd place: Phoenixman – $20,000. Another memorable moment of the evening was the award ceremony honoring the company's top partners. It is their dedication that strengthens the LiteFinance brand worldwide. Thanks to their efforts, the company continues to pursue its core mission: making online trading accessible and user-friendly for everyone and continuously improving the quality of its services. Toward New Horizons The LiteFinance gala dinner was more than a celebration of success. It marked the beginning of a new chapter. The company continues to strengthen its international partnerships while inspiring clients and partners to reach new heights. Held in Dubai, the gala dinner became a powerful symbol of unity, ambition, and confidence that the best is still to come. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

ViewTrade and Kuwait-based IDS Fintech have completed Financial Information eXchange (FIX) protocol certification, connecting the US trading technology provider's order management infrastructure to IDS Fintech's platform and giving GCC broker-dealer clients a path to route orders to American markets, the companies said today (Thursday).The certification uses the FIX protocol, a standardized electronic messaging framework widely adopted in institutional trading, to link ViewTrade's systems with IDS Fintech's VESTIO platform. According to both firms, IDS Fintech clients can now access US execution venues without replacing their existing technology stack. ViewTrade said the arrangement also covers European and Asian markets alongside the US.The Kuwait announcement fits into a broader pattern of cross-border connectivity deals for ViewTrade. In February 2026, the company signed an agreement with Bruce Markets to allow financial institutions across Asia and the Middle East to access US equities during overnight trading sessions, an arrangement aimed at the same regional demand for off-hours US market access.GCC Clients Get a Route to US ExecutionHisham Jomaa, chief operating officer of IDS Fintech, described the certification as a "turn-key solution" for GCC banking and brokerage clients that want to access US, European, and Asian markets while retaining IDS Fintech's end-user tools.[#highlighted-links#] The company already connects to global venues via Reuters Order Routing and LSEG, and holds certified independent software vendor status for Boursa Kuwait. Jomaa said the ViewTrade FIX link adds a native-protocol route alongside those existing channels."Our GCC banking and brokerage clients can now leverage IDS-FINTECH's advanced end-user tools while benefiting from ViewTrade's extensive order management capabilities across the US, Europe, and Asia," Jomaa said. "It's about giving our clients a ready-to-go bridge to the world's most liquid markets."Samer Helbaoui, ViewTrade's vice president for Gulf Regional Growth, added the certification "supports firms seeking flexible integration frameworks aligned with widely adopted industry standards." Kuwait's Brokerage Sector in the CrosshairsIDS Fintech traces its technology lineage to parent company IDS and more than 30 years of regional operations, and says it provides solutions to a substantial portion of Kuwait's brokerage firms. Its VESTIO platform spans wealth management, portfolio analytics, rebalancing tools, and multi-market online trading. The company has been extending its footprint into the UAE in parallel with its established Kuwaiti base.Kuwait and the broader Gulf have attracted growing interest from international fintech and trading infrastructure providers, with the country's sophisticated financial market and highly valued currency making it a target for firms looking to capture institutional and retail flows from the region's expanding investor base.ViewTrade Builds Out Third-Party IntegrationsThe IDS Fintech certification is the latest addition to a series of partnership-led expansions ViewTrade has pursued across its open-architecture platform. The company, which says it has served more than 300 clients in more than 30 countries over nearly three decades, rebranded its technology arm as ViewTrade Technology Corporation in late 2024 while reporting $339 billion in annual trading flow. Before that, it partnered with Israeli investment firm IBI Investment House in April 2024 to provide IBI clients with international market access through its NextGen platform.On the operational side, the two companies said the FIX link is designed to improve straight-through processing from order entry through allocation and confirmation, with fewer manual interventions and cleaner audit trails. Neither firm disclosed data on expected cost savings or measurable performance improvements from the certification. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Crypto payments are no longer a fringe experiment. For an increasing number of digital-first businesses, they are becoming a practical tool to reduce costs, improve conversion rates, and reach a global customer base that expects modern payment options. A recent case study from CryptoProcessing, the crypto payment gateway by CoinsPaid, shows how this shift works in practice through its collaboration with proprietary trading firm PropShopTrader.Crypto payments are entering the mainstreamMerchant adoption of cryptocurrency payments has accelerated over the past few years. A joint survey conducted by PayPal and the National Cryptocurrency Association found that nearly 40% of merchants already accept crypto payments, while 84% expect crypto to become a common payment method within five years. Importantly, adoption is being driven by customers themselves: 88% of merchants reported that users have asked about paying with crypto.This trend is reflected globally. Industry research estimates that tens of thousands of online merchants now support crypto payments, with stablecoins playing a central role thanks to their lower volatility and faster settlement times.Against this backdrop, companies operating in fintech, trading, and digital services are increasingly reassessing their reliance on card-only payment models.Why PropShopTrader looked beyond card paymentsPropShopTrader is an Estonia-based proprietary trading firm that evaluates and funds traders from around the world. Before integrating crypto payments, the company relied exclusively on card transactions. While familiar and widely used, card payments brought several challenges: higher processing fees, exposure to chargebacks, and limited flexibility for a globally distributed, crypto-savvy audience.“Integrating CryptoProcessing by CoinsPaid changed how we think about payments. We’ve reduced chargebacks, optimised fees, and expanded access to traders around the world. We especially value the ability to accept multiple cryptocurrencies while automatically converting everything to USDC. It gives us the flexibility of crypto with the stability we need to run our business confidently,” shared Ashley Kozak, Founder and Managing Partner at PropShopTrader.Implementing CryptoProcessingBy integrating CryptoProcessing’s payment gateway, PropShopTrader has enabled users to pay with more than 20 cryptocurrencies, while the business itself can automatically convert incoming funds into USDC or fiat. This removes exposure to market volatility while preserving the benefits of blockchain-based payments.Equally important is compliance. Operating within the EU regulatory framework, PropShopTrader required a solution with built-in AML monitoring, transaction screening, and transparent reporting. CryptoProcessing’s infrastructure provides these safeguards, allowing the company to expand its payment options without increasing regulatory or operational risk.Measurable business resultsThe impact of crypto payments became visible shortly after launch. Around 7% of PropShopTrader’s clients began using cryptocurrency to fund their accounts, indicating clear demand from a segment that may have otherwise faced friction at checkout. At the same time, the company reported a reduction of approximately 3% in average transaction costs and an overall revenue increase of about 5%, driven by improved conversion and broader accessibility.These figures highlight a key point often overlooked in discussions around crypto payments: adoption does not need to be universal to be meaningful. Even partial uptake can deliver measurable financial benefits.Why CryptoProcessing resonates with businessesCryptoProcessing’s appeal lies in its balance between innovation and practicality. Businesses gain access to a wide range of digital assets and blockchain rails, while still benefiting from instant settlements, treasury management tools, and regulatory safeguards. For companies serving international or digitally native audiences, this combination can translate directly into lower costs and higher customer satisfaction.More broadly, crypto payments are increasingly seen as a strategic advantage rather than a speculative bet. As stablecoins become more integrated into mainstream payment flows — including support through platforms like Apple Pay, the gap between traditional and crypto payments continues to narrow.A practical example of crypto in actionThe PropShopTrader case illustrates how crypto payments can move beyond theory and hype. By working with CryptoProcessing, the company has addressed real operational pain points while opening the door to new customer segments. The result was not just a more modern checkout experience, but tangible improvements in cost efficiency and revenue.As global commerce becomes increasingly digital and borderless, examples like this suggest that crypto payments are evolving into a core component of modern payment strategies — especially for businesses willing to meet their customers where they already are. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

The Indian securities market regulator has partnered with Google to put a “verified” badge on locally regulated trading apps available on the Indian Play Store. Although the regulator said that the label will also be extended to apps of other regulated intermediaries, it remains unclear whether offshore-regulated contracts for differences (CFDs) brokers will be able to receive it.How Will the “Verified” Badge Impact CFD Apps?CFD brokers are not regulated in India, but their operations are also not outright illegal. The area where they clearly break the law is when taking payments, as Indian forex laws restrict the movement of funds outside the country for trading.The forex payments breach also comes under the purview of the Indian central bank, and not the securities market regulator.India is a big market for CFD brokers, but companies operating there have become cautious over the years. Multiple major brands have pulled their services out of the country following actions by local authorities against some platforms.[#highlighted-links#] With the “verified” label, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) aims to tackle the issue of fraudulent trading apps, as scammers even “impersonate genuine apps that eventually deceive gullible investors into believing that their investments made through the fake apps are directed to the regulated securities market.”Currently, the search engine giant has put the verified badge on over 600 Indian trading apps.About a year ago, the regulator rolled out a new payment verification system designed to help retail investors distinguish between legitimate brokers and unauthorised entities operating in the country’s financial markets.Fight Against FinfluencersSEBI also asked Google to use its artificial intelligence to track finfluencers who are breaching local regulations.“We have also requested Google to actively take up their own AI measures, and we will help them develop them so they can track those influencers who transgress our regulations,” said SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey during the launch of the “verified” app initiative yesterday (Wednesday).Read more: How Prop Firms Win India Without Saying ‘Forex’ or ‘CFDs’He also revealed that the regulator is actively monitoring digital platforms for misleading investment content and has flagged more than 130,000 instances, which were eventually escalated for takedown.Furthermore, around 66 cases of fake trading apps have been flagged on app stores and taken down.Interestingly, many Indian finfluencers are openly promoting CFD trading, despite these apps operating in the country in a grey area. It remains to be seen whether the curb on illegal financial content will apply to these finfluencers as well. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

ZenithBlox, a Toronto-based compliance-first blockchain middleware company, today introduced Compliance-Orchestrated Blockchain Infrastructure (COBI), a new architecture designed to address one of the most persistent barriers to enterprise blockchain adoption: the cost and complexity of integrating blockchain with existing financial systems while maintaining regulatory compliance.The launch comes as financial institutions, payment providers, and digital asset operators expand work on blockchain-based settlement, tokenization, and cross-border transaction systems under increasing regulatory scrutiny. In many regulated deployments, the large majority of budget and delivery time sits not in the ledger technology itself, but in integration with existing systems, compliance logic, and regulatory sign-off — a cost structure that helps explain why many enterprise blockchain projects stall at the pilot stage.COBI positions compliance orchestration as the primary control layer governing blockchain execution, enforcing regulatory and institutional rules before transactions occur rather than monitoring them after settlement.Integration and Compliance Complexity as Key Barriers to Enterprise Blockchain DeploymentWhen banks or payment service providers connect blockchain infrastructure to existing systems — SWIFT, core banking, ERP platforms, and regulatory reporting — the integration effort is substantial. Custom-built connections, manually implemented compliance checks, and jurisdiction-specific regulatory logic compound into three recurring failure modes: integration cost that exceeds pilot budgets, delivery timelines that outlast internal sponsorship, and compliance logic that is difficult to audit and expensive to update across jurisdictions.ZenithBlox’s view is that these are architectural failures, not implementation failures. COBI addresses them by treating compliance orchestration and integration as a core architectural concern.Overview of the COBI Architecture and Its Layered DesignCOBI organizes blockchain execution around four layers. The Process Layer allows business and compliance teams to define workflows visually using BPMN 2.0, which are then compiled into executable components. The Policy Layer evaluates every transaction against jurisdiction-aware compliance rules before execution, producing a complete audit trail. The Orchestration Layer connects legacy systems with blockchain networks via pre-built adapters for SWIFT, SAP, Temenos, and major blockchain protocols. The Execution Layer treats blockchain networks as settlement runtimes that process only pre-authorized transactions.In practice, blockchain becomes a governed component within a larger enterprise system. Integration effort shifts from custom engineering toward reusable orchestration and configuration.Implications of COBI for Financial Institutions and Digital Asset OperatorsFor payment service providers, COBI’s orchestration layer connects blockchain settlement rails without requiring a rebuild of existing payment infrastructure. For cross-border corridor operators, dual-jurisdiction compliance becomes architectural rather than manual — when regulatory rules change, the rulebook is updated instead of rewriting integration code. For stablecoin and digital asset operators, transaction-level policy enforcement means minting, burning, and transfers are evaluated against compliance rules before execution. For tokenization platforms, investor eligibility, jurisdictional restrictions, and transfer controls are enforced at the transaction boundary rather than inside opaque smart-contract logic.Atlas for Sovereign DeploymentsFor central bank digital currencies, regulated payment systems, and national digital infrastructure, ZenithBlox has developed Atlas — a regulator-facing control plane built on COBI. Atlas allows sovereign authorities to define and enforce governance rulebooks while leaving execution infrastructure to operators.Institutional ValidationZenithBlox’s ecosystem includes Circle Alliance Program certification (regulated stablecoin infrastructure), TradeTrust-Ready Partner status with IMDA Singapore (UNCITRAL MLETR-compliant trade documentation), Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure (MBISB) collaboration, and Microsoft for Startups membership.“The biggest cost driver in regulated blockchain projects is not the ledger. It’s the custom integration and compliance work wrapped around it. COBI turns that from bespoke engineering into a governed middleware layer.” — Dr. Fodé Touré, Founder & CEO, ZenithBloxFor financial institutions, the challenge is no longer the blockchain itself, but the architecture used to govern how it connects to existing financial systems. COBI reflects a compliance-first execution model in which policy is enforced before transactions occur, rather than reviewed after the factAbout ZenithBlox:ZenithBlox https://www.zenithblox.com/ is a compliance-first blockchain middleware platform headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with an engineering subsidiary in Morocco. The company provides regulated financial institutions, payment service providers, and government agencies with the infrastructure to adopt blockchain technology without compromising compliance accountability. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Global financial technology firm Airwallex has appointed former New Zealand Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sir Bill English as Chair of its New Zealand board.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)Expanding Role in New ZealandSince entering the New Zealand market in 2023, Airwallex has rapidly grown. The fintech now reportedly supports more than 1,000 local firms and handles about NZ$2.4 billion in annual payment flows, representing 240% year-on-year growth. According to the announcement, almost 20% of the country’s digital and tech companies use the platform for cross-border transactions.Airwallex’s Head of ANZ, James Teodorini welcomed English’s appointment as a reflection of the company’s continued investment in New Zealand. He added that its focus on building trusted financial infrastructure helps local businesses grow at home and compete globally.You may also like: Robinhood Backs Itself With $1.5 Billion Share Buyback as Stock Declines“Sir Bill brings an exceptional understanding of New Zealand’s economy and public institutions, alongside deep experience in leadership, risk and long-term decision-making,” Teodorini mentioned.“Sir Bill’s experience will help us keep scaling effectively as demand continues to grow, stay close to what New Zealand businesses need, and continue investing in products and partnerships that make it easier to operate across borders.”English joins as an independent director, bringing experience in economic policy and international trade. He said Airwallex plays an important role in helping New Zealand exporters and technology firms operate globally.Growth, Licenses and Tougher OversightSince the start of last year, Airwallex has combined strong growth, new licenses and fresh funding with closer regulatory scrutiny. Last year, it reported annualized transaction volume climbed to about $200 billion, up 92% year-on-year, while annualized revenue reached roughly $900 million, an 89% increase.During the same period, the company secured a MiFID investment firm license from the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets.But it has not been without challenges. In January, AUSTRAC ordered Airwallex to appoint an external auditor to review its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing compliance after concerns that its monitoring controls had not kept pace with its growth and risk profile. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Cleaning Up on Predictions?The predictions market has not exactly covered itself in glory in recent times. Reports that punters were placing significant bets on the timing of a nuclear strike as a result of the conflict between the US and Iran left a particularly sour taste.Singapore Summit: Meet the largest APAC brokers you know (and those you still don't!)As Finance Magnates has reported, platforms have taken a variety of measures to establish their credibility and reassure users that they are not allowing customers to make large sums by trading on insider information, whether that is military intelligence or locker room conversations.It is ironic, though, that one of the leading players in this space has turned to Palantir to help it develop a next-generation sports integrity platform.According to Polymarket founder and CEO Shayne Coplan, the partnership will allow his business to apply world-class analytics and monitoring to sports markets while building tools that can help leagues and teams maintain confidence in the games.Tradermayne: Polymarket Just Partnered With Palantir And It Is A Massive Deal."This is a massive partnership here between Polymarket between Palantir. Obviously, the move towards more regulations. They're gonna be working with Palantir's ability to detect data integrity using… pic.twitter.com/9BVp6VUzEY— The Order Book (@OrderBookShow) March 17, 2026This is nothing new, of course. Gambling firms already monitor betting patterns on sports events, and a number of high-profile individuals in various sports have been sanctioned for either using inside information to bet on the outcome of contests or manipulating events to produce a specific outcome.In addition, the announcement could have come at a better time. While the firm, sometimes referred to as the scariest AI company on the planet, continues to embed itself at the very top of the US defence sector, concerns have been expressed over its influence on both sides of the Atlantic.In the US, Palantir’s work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been a major talking point in midterm election campaigns, as candidates seek to undermine their rivals by pointing to their links to the software firm.In the UK, where the Financial Conduct Authority has given Palantir a contract to analyse internal intelligence data as part of its drive to combat financial crime, members of parliament have suggested that such sensitive information should not be made available to a company that already has hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of contracts with the health service and the UK defence sector.Boris Johnson Has an Opinion on Crypto. Really?‘It is better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt’: this quote from Abraham Lincoln feels particularly appropriate when discussing the latest pearl of wisdom from Boris Johnson.In a desperate attempt to remain relevant after a stint as prime minister that was widely considered to be among the very worst in British history, BoJo continues to sound off about various issues, ranging from weight loss to Brexit, in his role as the country’s most overpaid newspaper columnist.Cryptocurrency is the subject of Johnson’s latest rant. In a column earlier this month, he referred to Bitcoin as a ‘giant Ponzi scheme’ built on collective belief rather than tangible value and went on to suggest that investors would be better advised to put their money into Pikachu Pokémon cards.I've long suspected Bitcoin is a giant Ponzi scheme and now I'm hearing tales of woe that make me fear I'm right.https://t.co/rTny2NBaYB— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) March 13, 2026The backlash was swift, with many observers pointing out that referencing schemes where investors had lost money is a reminder that scammers will use whatever means at their disposal to dupe unsuspecting targets, rather than evidence that the protocol is flawed.As one expert explained, a large proportion of the losses attributed to cryptocurrency are due to phishing, fraudulent investment schemes, or unauthorised intermediaries, rather than the blockchain network itself. Consequently, regulators are progressively distinguishing between the enforcement of crypto fraud and the technical categorisation of digital assets.It is hard to say how many people would take financial advice from a man who apparently needed an £800,000 credit facility to cover expenses, including childcare and divorce costs, when he was occupying the highest office in the UK government.His previous comments describing being paid a quarter of a million pounds a year for producing what could charitably be described as unremarkable copy for a different national newspaper as ‘chicken feed’ as long ago as 2009 – when he was also the mayor of London on a yearly income of around £140,000 – should be a red flag to anyone who remains to be convinced that he is an unreliable source of investment guidance.Squaring the Institutional Crypto CircleWe live in a society where growth is seen as essential for our economic (and personal) development. A country’s financial health is measured by GDP, and social media is awash with shortcuts to physical and emotional wealth.In this context, a survey of institutional investors revealing that interest in operational crypto adoption was unchanged from the first half of 2025 to the last six months of last year does not appear to bode well for those promoting digital assets.The findings of the GlobalData survey suggest that much of the stablecoin growth seen in 2025 may have been driven by usage rather than the result of deeper core system integration by regulated financial institutions.The report highlights how advancements in regulation led to considerable noise regarding the adoption of cryptocurrency by financial institutions in several advanced economies last year, driven by the expectation that institutional participation will achieve the usage scale that new decentralised financial services have struggled to attain.However, there is also recognition that the process of institutionalisation inherently contradicts the foundational principles of cryptocurrency, where early adopters chose decentralised money to bypass intermediaries and maintain anonymity.What was once heralded as the first genuinely borderless currency and method of transferring money has now found itself seeking national regulatory approvals and undergoing institutions’ AML/KYC checks to operate, all the while losing some of the momentum and use cases that initially made the technology popular.Consequently, increased institutional involvement will not necessarily lead to greater usage for the industry on a global scale, especially if the original value proposition becomes compromised.Nonetheless, institutional participation will be crucial for the adoption of digital assets in the US, which was the only market to demonstrate a significant rise in organisational plans for cryptocurrency adoption. This article was written by Paul Golden at www.financemagnates.com.