The Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed new rules aimed at improving how firms, including CFD brokers, report operational incidents and issues involving third-party providers.The regulator said the changes are designed to make reporting “clearer, more consistent, and easier for firms to follow.” The updated framework is intended to help authorities respond more quickly to disruptions such as cyber attacks or power outages. It also aims to give CFD brokers and other financial firms greater certainty on what to report and when.Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026, which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC.The move comes as cyber threats increase in frequency and complexity. The FCA said that in 2025, more than 40% of reported cyber incidents involved third parties. Recent disruptions, including outages affecting services linked to Cloudflare and Amazon Web Services, have highlighted the sector’s reliance on external providers.Single Portal Introduced for Reporting RequirementsThe FCA said firms have not always reported incidents consistently and industry participants requested clearer guidance. In response, the regulator launched a consultation in December 2024 and refined rules to reduce burden while ensuring key information is received early.Under the new framework, the FCA, the Prudential Regulation Authority, and the Bank of England will operate a single reporting system. Most directly supervised firms can submit short-form reports, with clearer guidance on thresholds, definitions, and responsibilities, and duplicative requirements have been removed for payment service providers and credit rating agencies.Cyber and Third-Party Risks MonitoredMark Francis said “resilience is being tested like never before,” noting “growing cyber threats” and firms’ increasing reliance on third parties. He added the changes give “clearer rules and practical guidance” and help the FCA “spot risks, share insights and strengthen sector-wide resilience.”The regulator said it will use reported data to identify trends and share insights with the industry. Where incidents involve third-party providers, the information will help assess supply chain risks, highlight the most exposed services, and identify potential critical third parties within the UK financial system.Guidance and Implementation TimelineAlongside the rules, the FCA has published finalised guidance on incident and third-party reporting, including examples, thresholds, and form instructions. Firms, including CFD brokers, have 12 months to prepare before the rules take effect on 18 March 2027. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

The SEC has clarified its position on how crypto assets should be classified. For brokers, that clarity comes with a new layer of responsibility. SEC Chairman Paul Atkins presented the long-awaited token taxonomy, developed in coordination with the CFTC. The new rules confirm that tokens meeting the definition of investment contracts remain subject to securities regulation, while other categories, such as payment stablecoins, digital commodities, and collectibles, fall outside securities rules.For much of the brokerage industry, this framework defines where brokers can participate without triggering full securities rules. But the guidance also shifts how risk is managed. After more than a decade of uncertainty, this interpretation will provide market participants with a clear understanding of how the SEC treats crypto assets under federal securities laws.This is what regulatory agencies are supposed to do: draw clear lines in clear terms. https://t.co/wij5cA7N2i— Paul Atkins (@SECPaulSAtkins) March 17, 2026From Legal Uncertainty to Operational Responsibility For years, the main risk for brokers was unpredictability. A token could be listed and later reclassified, exposing firms to enforcement action. That risk has now moved into day-to-day operations. The SEC made clear that a token’s status can change depending on how it is marketed and used. An asset initially treated as a non-security may fall under securities rules if it is presented as part of an investment offering with an expectation of profit. This means classification is no longer fixed. A token’s regulatory status can evolve as its ecosystem develops or as its positioning changes. In practice, this turns classification into a continuous process rather than a one-time listing decision. Brokers will need to monitor how assets are used and be able to explain their classification if regulators question it.Safe Harbor Raises the Stakes The proposed four-year “safe harbor” for crypto startups adds another layer. The idea is to allow projects to launch and raise capital under lighter requirements for a defined period, provided they meet certain conditions. If implemented, this could increase the volume of new token issuance.As Atkins framed it: “Such a safe harbor would provide crypto innovators bespoke pathways to raise capital in the US while providing appropriate investor protections.” For brokers, that means more assets entering the market at an earlier stage, when classification is less settled. Participation in such offerings may also require closer tracking of how projects evolve over time. If a token later meets the definition of a security, earlier assumptions may come under review. A Shift in Where Risk Sits The SEC’s approach gives the market more structure. It also changes where decisions are made. Previously, much of the uncertainty sat with regulators. Now, more of it sits with market participants. Brokers will have to move from reacting to regulatory action toward making and defending classification decisions in real time. The rules are clearer. The margin for error may be narrower. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Trading 212, an early disruptor of zero-commission trading in the UK and Europe, has secured authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to offer self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs). The expansion in the trading platforms’ product suite has been some time in the making. According to the Financial Times, the FCA had granted approval in February 2026. Yet, Trading 212 had indicated as early as April 2020 on its community forum that it intended to launch such accounts within a year.The Do-It-Yourself Pension BoomSIPPs, a flexible form of pension that allows individuals to choose and manage their own investments, have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional, provider-led retirement plans. In the UK alone, industry estimates suggest more than 6.5 million users collectively manage some £650 billion assets in SIPPs by late 2025.Competitors have taken note. CMC Markets, for instance, introduced its own offering for the UK market through CMC Invest, its equities platform, in 2024.A similar trend is evident elsewhere in Europe. In Poland, tax-advantaged retirement wrappers such as IKE (Indywidualne Konto Emerytalne) and IKZE (Indywidualne Konto Zabezpieczenia Emerytalnego) have attracted growing interest. XTB, a retail broker, added 63,500 accounts in December 2025 alone, bringing its total to over 820,000 – roughly a third of all securities accounts registered with the country’s central depository. The surge was driven in part by intensified marketing of these retirement products.Trading 212 Is Pushing the Crypto Envelope Trading 212’s expansion into SIPPs also follows a recent brush with the UK regulator. Earlier in 2026, it ran into difficulty after the FCA found it had offered crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) without proper authorisation. The company subsequently applied for, and obtained, the necessary permissions. ETNs – debt instruments linked to the performance of underlying assets – were previously barred from inclusion in SIPPs, but the regulator reversed that stance in October 2025.Meanwhile, the trading platform has already moved to expand its crypto footprint. In October 2025, it introduced crypto trading via its Cypriot entity, established the previous year under a CASP licence from the local regulator.For all its geographic spread, though, the UK remains central to the company’s business. In 2024, Trading 212 reported a net profit of £43.7 million on revenues of £194.1million, with its UK operations contributing £150 million. This article was written by Adonis Adoni at www.financemagnates.com.

Devexperts has pushed a new round of changes to its DXtrade trading platform, touching the trader-facing interface on both web and mobile as well as back-end tools available to broker clients. The company says the update, which includes a redesigned sidebar order-entry panel, a new fixed home workspace, an overhauled mobile order-entry screen, and REST API settings management, will improve usability and reduce manual work for brokers running the platform.“We are always looking at ways we can evolve and improve DXtrade,” said Jon Light, Senior Director of Product Management, “guaranteeing that both our clients and their traders are receiving a market-leading experience at all times.”One Panel Meant to Rule the Web TerminalThe most visible change on the web side is the sidebar order entry redesign. Devexperts says the update consolidates all trading workflows: new orders, modifications, closes, and cancellations into a single panel on the right side of the web terminal, arguing this removes the need for traders to navigate multiple areas of the interface to carry out basic actions.The new sidebar purportedly supports Market, Limit, Stop, and OCO order types, with Stop Loss and Take Profit settings delivered through what the company calls a "four-parameter logic" system. Devexperts also claims the Positions and Orders widgets are now connected to the platform's color-coded instrument linking system, keeping instrument displays synchronized across linked widgets. “The relationships we form with our clients are for the long term and ensuring the platform is supported and optimized with the latest updates is absolutely part of this process,” Light added.[#highlighted-links#] “We hope firms and traders alike enjoy this latest new and improved iteration of DXtrade, and look forward to introducing further updates in due course.” Alongside the sidebar, DXtrade is introducing what the company calls a fixed home workspace for the web terminal, which Devexperts says will provide a cleaner default environment built around essential widgets only, with the stated goal of reducing interface clutter for newer traders.Earlier this month, Devexperts also partnered with theScreener to embed market research data directly into the platform, and separately opened its DXcharts library to custom JavaScript indicators built by broker development teams.Mobile Order Entry Pitched as a Single-Screen ExperienceOn the mobile side, Devexperts has redesigned the trade and order entry screen for its native app. The company says opening an instrument from the watchlist will now launch a single dedicated screen combining both the chart and the order entry panel, rather than requiring traders to switch between views.The redesigned view reportedly presents order type selection, volume, margin impact, spread, and order value in one place. Stop Loss and Take Profit inputs sit behind expandable controls to keep the default screen uncluttered, while landscape mode now purportedly offers a split-screen layout with the chart and order panel side by side, Devexperts said.The mobile push is arriving in a period of broad activity across rival platforms. cTrader Mobile 5.6, released in January, introduced a series of retail-focused improvements around transparency and visual clarity, while DXtrade refreshed its own mobile app in March 2025.The previous July, Devexperts rolled out a mobile web interface for DXtrade that the company said would let traders access core functions through a phone browser without needing the native app installed.REST API Access Targets Broker OverheadThe update most likely to attract attention from larger operations is the new REST API support for settings management. Devexperts claims this will allow firms to automate profile configuration and settings changes across multiple environments without manual input from dealing teams, a pain point the company says affects brokers managing several concurrent setups. The firm also says the API opens the door to more complex automation scenarios, such as scheduled profile switches, though it offered no specifics on how many clients currently face that bottleneck.Devexperts has been steadily adding broker-facing integrations to DXtrade. In January, the company connected the platform to Arizet Labs' PropTech suite, saying it would give prop firm clients access to CRM, risk management, and payout automation tools from within the same environment. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Finance Magnates is moving its monthly Compliance Report from PDF format to the FM Intelligence Portal, a digital intelligence hub that provides financial firms with ongoing access to regulatory, compliance, risk, and governance updates.The March 2026 Compliance Report is the final edition that will be released as a PDF. Going forward, all compliance updates and intelligence coverage will be published inside the FM Intelligence Portal, where users can access free daily updates and monitor key regulatory changes in a more timely format.This move marks an important step in how Finance Magnates delivers compliance intelligence to the market. Instead of relying solely on periodic reports, firms can now access a more up-to-date stream of insights through the portal.What is the FM Intelligence Portal?The FM Intelligence Portal is Finance Magnates’ online platform for intelligence-led coverage across compliance, regulation, risk, governance, and related market developments.It is designed to support decision-makers who need a reliable view of regulatory activity and its business impact. Through the portal, users can access daily updates, track key developments, and stay informed about issues affecting product structures, internal controls, licensing, and strategic planning.For compliance teams, legal teams, senior management, and business leaders, the portal offers a more practical way to stay close to market and regulatory change.What the March 2026 Compliance Report coversThe March 2026 edition focuses on several important issues now affecting brokers, trading firms, compliance teams, and senior executives.1. Crypto perpetual futures and ESMA classificationOne of the main topics in this edition is ESMA's classification of crypto perpetual futures as CFDs. This is a major regulatory point for firms active in digital assets and leveraged trading products.The report examines what this change may mean for product oversight, internal review, and platform readiness in a market with very high global trading activity.2. Leverage changes and risk control pressureThe report also reviews changes in retail leverage, including the gap between EU retail leverage levels and offshore offerings.For firms operating across multiple regions, this brings added pressure on risk controls, client treatment, disclosure standards, and broader operational readiness. The report helps readers assess how these shifts may affect existing structures and future planning.3. Investor protections, licensing, and compliance exposureAnother key section covers mandatory margin close-out, negative-balance protection, risk warnings, and potential MiCA-related gaps.These issues continue to shape the compliance agenda for firms serving retail clients or expanding their regulated product offering. The report highlights the areas that may require closer legal and operational review.4. AI oversight and governance expectationsThe March edition also examines AI oversight, with a focus on the FCA’s attention on systemic AI risk, vendor concentration, and board-level governance.As firms continue to bring AI into compliance workflows, internal operations, and client-facing functions, expectations around governance, accountability, and control are becoming more important. This section is especially relevant for senior teams reviewing how AI is being used across the business.Why this matters for B2B financial firmsThe March 2026 Compliance Report is designed for a professional audience seeking clear, business-focused insight into regulatory change.This includes:C-level executivesCompliance officersLegal and regulatory teamsRisk managersDepartment heads and business leadersFor these groups, the value is not only in understanding what has changed, but also in identifying what action may be needed across business lines, controls, governance, and product strategy.[#highlighted-links#] From static reports to ongoing intelligenceThe move from PDF reports to the FM Intelligence Portal reflects a wider shift in how firms consume compliance information.Regulatory change is continuous, and many businesses now need more frequent updates rather than waiting for monthly or periodic reports. The portal is built to meet that need by providing users with free daily intelligence in an easier-to-follow, easier-to-use format.This makes the FM Intelligence Portal not just a content destination but an ongoing resource for firms that want to strengthen awareness, support internal planning, and respond more quickly to regulatory developments.Access the final PDF report and start using the portalUsers can now create a free account to download the March 2026 Compliance Report, which is the last edition available in PDF format, and begin using the FM Intelligence Portal for free daily access to compliance and risk intelligence.Trusted by compliance teams, legal advisers, and financial executives, Finance Magnates’ compliance coverage continues through a format designed for more frequent access and greater business use. This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.

On St. Patrick's Day, as 2 million spectators flood the streets of New York City, USA₮ (https://usat.io/), a digital dollar issued by Anchorage Digital Bank, is taking over Times Square. The brand activation combines synchronized digital billboards with a street-level campaign designed to introduce digital dollar payments to a mainstream audience. The activation coincides with the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade, the world's oldest and largest, drawing more than 150,000 marchers through the heart of the city.The campaign will feature coordinated imagery across several of Times Square's most recognizable digital screens, culminating in a synchronized share-of-voice takeover that transforms multiple screens into a single, unified visual, showing how digital dollars move between people in an instant.** At street level, brand ambassadors will distribute 25,000 promotional postcards throughout Times Square and along the parade route, inviting passersby to scan a QR code to download the Rumble Wallet and claim $10 in USA₮, free, right from their phone. The activation kicks off at 10 AM ET and ends at 11:59 PM ET.The activation reflects a growing shift in fintech marketing toward experiential campaigns that translate complex financial technology into tangible consumer experiences, using high-traffic cultural moments and large-scale digital displays to capture public attention.The mechanic is simple by design. Scan. Download. Receive. It is the same technology that already moves money for more than 550 million people worldwide, now available to anyone walking through Times Square with a smartphone in their pocket.Stablecoins are blockchain-based digital dollars designed to maintain a stable value while enabling instant, internet-native payments between digital wallets. They combine the price stability of traditional currency with the speed and programmability of blockchain networks.“USA₮ builds on the principles that made USD₮ the most widely used stablecoin in the world,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether. “Today, USD₮ is used by more than 550 million people globally, helping move digital dollars across the internet instantly and reliably. USA₮ brings those same foundations to a new audience, making it easier for people to experience how digital dollars can function in everyday life.”"Times Square on St. Patrick's Day is one of the most electric environments in the world," said Bo Hines, CEO of Tether USA₮. "We are not just running ads, we are handing people the future of money and letting them use it on the spot. This activation invites people to experience the next generation of money right on their smartphones. By pairing digital billboards with a dynamic street activation, we are turning a complex technology into something people can see, experience, and use for themselves."Digital dollars no longer require a tutorial. They require an opportunity. Large-scale activations like this have become an increasingly common strategy for fintech and technology brands looking to bridge the gap between digital infrastructure and mainstream awareness - and USA₮ is making that bridge as short as a QR code scan.USA₮ is a digital dollar designed to maintain a 1:1 value with the U.S. dollar while enabling instant digital payments through blockchain networks. Send it, receive it, spend it - globally, in seconds, using compatible wallets and applications**. Moving money should feel as simple as sending a message. With USA₮, it does.About USA₮USA₮ is a U.S.-regulated dollar-backed stablecoin that Tether, the global leader in stablecoin technology, is supporting. Purpose-built to serve the U.S. market and support American regulatory standards, USA₮ is the foundational rail for the next generation of American commerce, trade, and finance.Tether’s support for USA₮ underscores its commitment to driving U.S. dominance and leadership in the evolving digital asset economy. As part of the broader Tether ecosystem, USA₮ will set a new benchmark in the U.S. for utility-driven stablecoins designed to deliver long-term value, strong governance, and real-world applications.Important Note:USA₮ is not legal tender (as described in section 5103 of title 31, United States Code) and is not issued, backed, approved, or guaranteed by the U.S. government. USA₮ is not subject to the insurance protections of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), or any other government agency. The press release is published by Tether Operations, S.A. de C.V. for informational purposes only.Tether Operations, S.A. de C.V. is not the issuer of USA₮. The issuer of USA₮ is Anchorage Digital Bank, N.A. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

It has been two weeks since anyone moved the needle on iFOREX Financial Trading Holdings on the London Stock Exchange, and the silence is becoming hard to ignore. The CFD broker, which listed on the LSE's Main Market on February 25 after an eight-month delay, is sitting at around 207 pence per share, roughly 6% above its 195p offer price, but that figure tells investors almost nothing useful.A Free Float That's More Like a Free FreezeThe arithmetic here is straightforward. When iFOREX priced its IPO at 195 pence, it issued 4,487,179 new ordinary shares, representing just 20.2% of its total share capital. No existing shareholders sold down their stakes. The raise totaled £8.75 million against a company valuation of roughly £43.3 million.That leaves only one-fifth of the company available to trade, and even within that slice, institutional investors who participated in the placing are typically under informal expectations not to flip quickly. Founder Eyal Carmon, who holds 58.91% of the company post-listing and is selling nothing, has agreed to a 12-month lock-up, as have the company's directors and senior managers. The result is a stock with so little tradeable supply that a single motivated buyer or seller could move the price by a meaningful percentage, which also means most cautious investors simply won't touch it.The Debut Pop That Quickly Went QuietThe first day of trading looked more promising. Shares opened above the offer price and quickly moved roughly 6% higher, driven by a small burst of post-IPO enthusiasm. CEO Itai Sadeh called the listing "a pivotal moment in iFOREX's evolution," and noted that the oversubscribed placing "reflects investor confidence in our strategy, solid fundamentals and scalable operating model."But that momentum evaporated fast. Within days, volume dried up entirely. By the first week of March, the shares were effectively frozen. No analysts cover the stock. No major institutional holders have disclosed positions. And with a market cap of just over £46 million at current prices, the company sits well below the threshold that would attract meaningful attention from UK equity fund managers.Financials That Didn't Exactly Build ExcitementThe numbers published ahead of the listing didn't give investors much to work with, either. iFOREX reported 2025 revenue of $48.8 million, slightly below the $50.1 million recorded in 2024. Adjusted EBITDA for the year is expected to come in at around $4 million, down sharply from $9.7 million the previous year. Net profit for the first half of 2025 was just over $1.2 million, a 63.5% drop compared with the same period in 2024.The company attributed some of the weakness to low market volatility during the third quarter and the prolonged uncertainty surrounding its IPO timeline. It also acknowledged in the prospectus that a "short-term revenue initiative" it tried during that difficult stretch "was ineffective and... promptly reversed." The prospectus added that "the Group has positive momentum into FY26," though that characterization comes from the company itself.One structural concern that analysts flagged ahead of the listing remains unresolved: over 95% of iFOREX's revenue comes from its British Virgin Islands-regulated offshore entity, while its Cyprus-registered firm contributes the rest. The broker operates primarily in Japan, India, and the Middle East, but holds no license in any of those markets, relying instead on reverse solicitation arrangements that regulators in those jurisdictions have increasingly questioned.The eToro ContrastThe comparison to eToro is instructive, even if the two companies are playing in different leagues. When eToro finally completed its long-awaited US IPO last year, it came in at a $4 billion-plus valuation, was 10 times oversubscribed, and attracted significant institutional interest off the back of a crypto trading boom and surging retail engagement. The stock has had its own struggles since listing. eToro posted record 2025 revenue of $868 million yet its shares have faced pressure amid broader market turbulence, but at least it has a market. Trades happen every day. Analysts write about it. Investors argue about it.iFOREX, by contrast, completed an IPO more comparable in scale to a small regional listing. It raised less than $11 million in gross proceeds and trades on a market where the broader IPO pipeline has been sputtering for years. The London Stock Exchange has been losing ground to New York as a listing destination for some time, and smaller listings on its Main Market often disappear from the radar within weeks of debut.For iFOREX shares to start moving meaningfully, a few things would need to happen. The company would need to deliver financial results that exceed the underwhelming 2025 figures. It would need to secure at least one of the regulatory licenses it's targeting in Australia, the UAE, Malaysia, Chile, or the UK - progress on any of those fronts could serve as a genuine catalyst. And it would need to attract a market maker or analyst willing to put the stock in front of investors who weren't part of the original placing. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Crypto Platforms Target Traditional TradesThe line between traditional and decentralised finance has been blurring for some time. Recent developments are set to make it even harder to see, as three of the major crypto trading platforms offer products that were once the preserve of conventional brokerage firms.Kraken’s announcement of a move into perpetual futures for tokenised stocks for non-US clients in late February enables 24/7 trading of equity price exposure with up to 20 times leverage, allowing for long and short positions and capital efficiency.The initial listings include perpetual futures tracking tokenised versions of some of the world’s most widely followed equity indices, commodities, and publicly traded companies.Perpetual futures have been described as the missing link in tokenised equities, facilitating continuous trading without expiry and using funding rates to keep prices aligned with spot markets.Read more: Kraken’s xStocks Hits $25 Billion in Tokenized Trades in Under Eight MonthsAlmost at the same time, Coinbase made stock trading fully available to all its US-based users, allowing them to buy, sell, and manage stocks and ETFs alongside their crypto holdings.Adding stocks and ETFs to its range of products has been described as a way of providing existing users with more options for staying active on the platform, while at the same time positioning Coinbase as a potential alternative to multi-asset trading apps that already combine traditional and decentralised financial instruments.Should this move lead to increased trading volumes among current customers and draw in equity-focused investors seeking access to cryptocurrency, it will boost Coinbase’s options for generating transaction and subscription revenue in the longer term.Furthermore, supporting stock and ETF trading aligns with the company’s aim to offer institutional stablecoin payments and custody services and indicates a wider effort to establish itself as core infrastructure for both digital and traditional assets.At the same time, Binance reintroduced tokenised US stock trading through a partnership with Ondo Finance, offering a limited number of blockchain-based tokens for assets including Apple, Tesla, and Nvidia. These tokens trade on Binance Alpha within the Binance Web3 wallet, providing round-the-clock exposure to equities, mainly for non-US users.The exchange had previously withdrawn its tokenised stock offering in 2021 amid regulatory concerns. It will be hoping that the latest version of the service will live up to Fortune’s billing as the next big thing in crypto.Passive Approach Pays OffWith investor numbers rising in many key markets and demand for ETFs continuing to grow, many investment firms have been keen to promote the merits of active investment management.In this context, Morningstar’s latest European active/passive barometer (which measured the performance of active funds against their passive counterparts in the second half of last year) will have made uncomfortable reading for active managers.Despite the normalisation of monetary policy and volatility in credit risk giving active bond managers plenty of levers to pull, passive funds had the upper hand in 2025. The one-year success rate of active managers in the eurozone large-cap equity category was 17.3% at the end of last year, down from 23.2% in June 2025 but slightly up from 15% at the end of 2024.However, over the 10-year period to the end of 2025, the success rate was just 3.8%.One reason to be growing more cautious here on European equities? Despite it's relative discount to U.S. equities, Europe on a nominal level is trading at the 84th percentile of its historical valuation range. pic.twitter.com/sXTwo5NmOa— Blake Millard, CFA (@BlakeMillardCFA) March 12, 2026Government bonds remain the area in fixed income where an active approach is more at risk of underperforming passive peers over long periods. Success rates in the investment-grade corporate bond segment tend to decrease over time due to the impact of higher fees compared with passive peers, although not to the same extent as seen in the government bond categories.The report found that active managers tend to achieve higher success rates only within mid- and small-cap equity categories or where the average passive counterpart shows a structural bias towards a particular economic sector or is concentrated on a few individual names.Read more: Saxo Bank Japan Broadens European Stock Offering, Including UBS and FerrariSpreading the LoadAfter a few years in the doldrums, multi-asset strategies have enjoyed something of a recovery over the last 12 months.The rationale behind multi-asset investment is simple – if your portfolio contains a mix of property, investment-grade and high-yield credit, commodities, and other alternatives in addition to equities and bonds, diversification will smooth out returns over time.Bloomberg data indicates that this approach worked well for investors in four of the five major periods of market turmoil since 2000 (the dotcom crash, the global financial crisis, Covid, the 2022 inflation shock, and liberation day).Only in 2022 did multi-asset investments fail to deliver positive returns, although losses were still lower than for global equities or a 60–40 global equities/UK gilts strategy.According to Christopher Mahon, head of dynamic real return, multi-asset, at Columbia Threadneedle, and his colleague, multi-asset fund manager Ben Rodriguez, the disappointment of 2022 is unlikely to happen again.Their view that the balance between risk and return is better now than it was four years ago is based in part on the performance of multi-asset funds after Trump’s large trade tariffs, where they fell less than equity funds and recovered more quickly.The current generation of central bankers has rejected the zero interest rate approach, with the result that government bond yields are now not only normal but quite attractive at levels previously seen in 2000. This is the same level as when the classic multi-asset diversification strategy was developed and went on to have 15–20 years of success.Mahon and Rodriguez believe diversification is back. Downside protection is once again possible, and the rise in yields is not limited to government bonds, with many asset classes seeing the same effect. This article was written by Paul Golden at www.financemagnates.com.

Most crypto assets are not securities, according to new guidance jointly issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The interpretation, issued by the two regulators in a joint statement on Tuesday, sets out how federal laws apply to digital assets. It defines when a token moves from being a security to a commodity and syncs the approaches of the two regulators to crypto regulation.The SEC has long considered many crypto tokens, particularly those sold through initial coin offerings (ICOs) or linked to profit expectations, as securities under the Howey Test. It placed them under its oversight. In contrast, the CFTC has treated major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether as commodities under the Commodity Exchange Act, also bringing them within its jurisdiction.Coordinated Regulatory Approach“After more than a decade of uncertainty, this interpretation will provide market participants with a clear understanding of how the Commission treats crypto assets under federal securities laws,” commented SEC Chairman Paul Atkins. “It also acknowledges what the former administration refused to recognize – that most crypto assets are not themselves securities.”Before this joint interpretation, the duo applied crypto laws inconsistently, often relying on case‑by‑case enforcement and court decisions to determine whether a token was a security or a commodity. The joint interpretation now creates a clear classification system for different types of digital assets, including commodities, collectibles, utility tokens, stablecoins, and securities. It explains how a crypto asset that isn’t a security on its own can still fall under securities laws if it becomes part of an investment contract, and how it can later move out of that category.Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026, which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC.The CFTC confirmed it will apply the Commodity Exchange Act in line with the SEC’s approach. CFTC Chair Michael Selig said the decision provides long-awaited clarity for innovators and investors. Atkins called the interpretation a long-overdue step that “draws clear lines in clear terms.”The joint release supports ongoing efforts in Congress to establish a unified market structure for digital assets. The interpretation will be published on both agencies’ websites and in the Federal Register.Crypto Tokens Get Clearer US RulebookThe new joint interpretation now gives crypto firms a clearer line on whether a token sits in SEC or CFTC territory, reduces the risk that the same asset is treated differently over time, and lowers the odds of “regulation-by-enforcement” that has dominated the US market so far. For an industry that has long operated under the threat that a token might be deemed a security only after launch, the explicit acknowledgment that most crypto assets are not themselves securities, and that investment contracts can end, directly tackles the legal grey zone.In the US, crypto has been shifting to a more structured rulebook with clearer roles for the SEC, CFTC and Congress. Lawmakers pushed market‑structure and stablecoin bills such as the GENIUS Act. At the same time, the SEC has opened the door to spot bitcoin and ether ETFs and relaxed some earlier banking constraints, which has driven institutional adoption via listed products rather than offshore exchanges. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Anthony Wollenberg, a non-executive director and founder shareholder at eToro’s UK branch, has stepped down from the board, ending a tenure that stretched back more than 14 years to the company's earliest years in Britain. His departure, recorded via Companies House filings, removes one of the last remaining links to the founding-era leadership of the FCA-regulated UK subsidiary.Wollenberg, a 76-year-old London-based solicitor, was formally appointed to the eToro UK board on March 2, 2012, at a time when the social trading platform was still a niche player with ambitions far exceeding its then-modest UK presence. What followed was one of the longest continuous board tenures at the UK entity.A Founder Shareholder, Not Just a Board NameHis role was never operational in the traditional executive sense, but Wollenberg's presence on the eToro UK board carried weight that went beyond the typical non-executive appointment. He was a founder shareholder of eToro Group Limited, meaning he had a personal stake in the company's success long before it became a household name in retail trading.That status became relevant again in recent years. When Wollenberg joined the board of ADVFN Plc, the London-listed financial data platform, in April 2022, his ADVFN appointment documentation specifically cited his eToro founder shareholder role as a key credential, at a moment when eToro's planned Nasdaq listing was beginning to attract serious Wall Street attention.[#highlighted-links#] He left the ADVFN board in January 2025. Prior to that, he had also served as a director at IFX Group, the forex broker, giving him a career-spanning view of retail trading long before the term "fintech" became fashionable.From Law Firms to FCA BoardroomsBut Wollenberg built his reputation in law, not finance. Though the two have been difficult to separate throughout his career. He founded the law firm Rakisons, which later merged with Steptoe & Johnson, the US firm with a strong transatlantic financial services practice. He also held senior roles at Dentons and Salans, two of the world's largest law firm networks, and served as an arbitrator at the London Court of International Arbitration.Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026, which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC.His legal specialty - securities, derivatives, gaming law, and financial fraud prosecution - made him a natural fit for a fast-growing FCA-regulated trading platform navigating a complex regulatory environment. Since 2019, Wollenberg has operated as an independent freelance solicitor, continuing to advise in those same areas. He also holds a personal management license from the UK Gambling Commission and is a founding member of the International Association of Gaming Attorneys, reflecting a career that has consistently bridged financial services and gaming regulation.Board Turnover at eToro UK AcceleratesWollenberg is not the first long-serving board member to exit the eToro UK entity in recent years. Shalom Berkovitz, who spent seven years on the board, left when he retired, while hedge fund veteran Lord Stanley Fink joined as a non-executive director in March 2021, bringing a distinctly different institutional profile to the board. Daniel Moczulski, who leads eToro's UK commercial operations, has become one of the more visible faces of the company's British business in recent years, discussing market trends and investor sentiment with increasing regularity.eToro's Turbulent Post-IPO PeriodWollenberg's exit lands at a difficult stretch for the company he helped build from its earliest UK days. eToro completed its long-awaited Nasdaq IPO in May 2025, pricing shares at $67 under the ETOR ticker in what was one of the most anticipated fintech listings of the year. The debut was strong, shares soared nearly 40% on their first day. Since then, however, the stock has lost close to half its value, even as the company reported record full-year revenues for 2025.In January 2026, the company confirmed it was cutting approximately 7% of its global workforce, with CEO Yoni Assia writing to staff that the firm had taken "the difficult decision to reduce our global headcount." Artificial intelligence was cited as a partial driver of the restructuring, a framing shared by other brokers undergoing similar cuts at the time, as AI increasingly features in broker layoff justifications across the industry.Wollenberg's resignation leaves eToro UK without one of its most legally experienced board members, and one of the few remaining individuals who was there when the UK entity was first taking shape. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Arizona has filed criminal charges against Kalshi, accusing the New York-based prediction markets platform of running an unlicensed gambling business and accepting bets on elections. Attorney General Kris Mayes said the company “may brand itself as a prediction market, but it is taking illegal bets on Arizona elections,” which violates state law.The 20-count filing in Maricopa County Superior Court claims Kalshi allowed Arizona residents to wager on professional and college sports, individual player performances, and political outcomes.Gambling or Trading ProductsProsecutors cited bets on the 2028 U.S. presidential race and upcoming 2026 state elections, including the governor and secretary of state contests.Arizona said it filed criminal charges against Kalshi for operating an illegal gambling business in the state. https://t.co/EMoFtUsRZ5— Bloomberg (@business) March 17, 2026Kalshi said in a statement that Arizona’s accusations rest on “paper-thin arguments,” arguing that its platform operates as a financial exchange regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The company added that different states should not oversee a “nationwide financial exchange.”You may also like: Polymarket Grabs Nearly 55% of Prediction Markets as Iran Bets Test CFTC CrackdownArizona’s action comes amid a broader regional and national fight over how to regulate Kalshi’s event contracts, with the company now entangled in dozens of cases that pit its claim of exclusive federal oversight by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission against the authority of states to enforce their gambling laws.In recent weeks, Kalshi has preemptively sued regulators in states including Arizona, Iowa and Utah after pushback on its sports and political markets, while several states and tribal authorities have launched their own actions to block in-state access to the platform.Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026, which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC.Attorney General Mayes said Kalshi has a pattern of suing states rather than complying with their wagering laws. The company recently filed cases against Iowa, Utah, and Arizona to block state enforcement.Courts have issued mixed rulings so far: a judge in Tennessee allowed Kalshi to keep operating under a temporary stay, while decisions in states such as Maryland, Massachusetts and Ohio have backed state powers to treat the firm’s contracts as gambling products subject to local licensing rules.States Push Back on CFTCA federal judge in Ohio recently rejected Kalshi’s bid for an injunction, ruling that the state’s authority to regulate gambling outweighed the firm’s operational claims. The Arizona case marks the first criminal prosecution against Kalshi by a state.The latest development comes as a defiance to a growing campaign by federal regulators to claim sole authority over prediction markets, deepening a clear split between Washington and the states. CFTC Chair Michael Selig has recently pushed a moreassertive line, directing the agency to intervene in court battles. He insists that federal derivatives rules, not state gambling codes, should govern event contracts. He has cast the wave of state enforcement against platforms such as Kalshi, Coinbase, Crypto.com and Polymarket as part of a broader state-led offensive. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Cboe Global Markets said it submitted a proposal to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to offer near 24x5 trading of U.S. equities on its Cboe EDGX Equities Exchange. The company said it aims to begin in December 2026, pending regulatory approval and the readiness of industry infrastructure.Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026, which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC.In addition to its near 24x5 trading plans, Cboe also intends to launch a prediction market framework offering partial payouts for non-binary outcomes. The contracts aim to expand outcome-based trading. Retail platforms such as Robinhood and Kalshi have seen uptake. Exchanges including Intercontinental Exchange and CME Group have tested similar event-based instruments alongside traditional derivatives.Cboe Files SEC for Extended TradingAccording to the filing, all listed NMS stocks would be available for trading from Sunday evening to Friday evening, with a short pause each weekday evening. U.S. market holidays would be excluded. Trades would be cleared through the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation.Oliver Sung, Head of North American Equities at Cboe, said the filing "is the latest step in ensuring we are ready to offer overnight trading once the industry launches in December." He added that Cboe "has a strong track record of operating liquid, around-the-clock derivatives and FX markets, and will leverage that expertise to ensure robust market and investor protections are in place."?NEW: CBOE FILES FOR 24x5 STOCK TRADING WITH SEC Cboe Global Markets submits proposal to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to extend Equities trading to 24/5, targeting a December 2026 launch. pic.twitter.com/GfX2zdhR7f— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) March 17, 2026Cboe Sees Growing After-Hours Equities DemandCboe noted that demand for U.S. equities outside standard trading hours has grown. EDGX and another Cboe exchange currently offer early morning trading, with average daily volume rising 590% from February 2022 to February 2026.The company has also operated around-the-clock trading in its proprietary index futures and options and in its Global FX markets. Trading in its index options during Global Trading Hours has reached record levels, as investors hedge or reposition ahead of U.S. market openings. Cboe FX operates a 24x5 market with continuous operational coverage and client support across time zones.Cboe said critical steps for overnight equities trading include expanding market access and ensuring high-quality, real-time data. The company continues to grow its Cboe One U.S. Equities Feed, which consolidates data from its four U.S. equities exchanges. In 2025, those exchanges accounted for 20.2% of U.S. on-exchange equities trading. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Roman Kalinin has taken a new role as Chief Executive Officer at RKX Financial, according to a LinkedIn update shared today.Kalinin moves into the role after holding senior positions in the trading and brokerage sector. Most recently, he worked at Doo Group as Chief Growth Officer and previously served as Sales Director at Doo Prime.Doo Group has recently adjusted its operations in Cyprus. Its brokerage arm, Doo Prime, appeared to be vacating a Limassol office following staff reductions. The company said it is “realigning its operational structure” as part of a broader strategy to improve efficiency and focus on key regions.Fibo Group CEO Oversaw Regulatory OperationsBefore joining Doo Group, Kalinin spent more than five years as Chief Executive Officer and a board member at Fibo Group Holdings Ltd, a Cyprus Investment Firm licensed by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026, which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC.During his tenure at Fibo Group, he oversaw business strategy and regulatory compliance, including capital adequacy, internal controls, and reporting obligations. He also supervised anti-money laundering policies and coordinated board-level decision-making.Platform Provides Forex Metals Indices ExecutionIn parallel, he served as Head of International Sales and Commercial functions at Fibo Group, where he managed global sales operations and commercial strategy.RKX Financial operates as a multi-asset trading platform, offering execution across forex, metals, indices, equities, and cryptocurrencies. The company provides access through MetaTrader platforms and uses smart order routing technology.Cyprus License Allows D Prime DerivativesD Prime was recently rebranded from Doo Prime. Doo Group received a Cyprus Investment Firm license in September last year, which it announced publicly in November. The license allows the company to offer derivative products, including contracts for difference, across Europe.The broker also holds licenses in several other jurisdictions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Indonesia.Doo Group confirmed that its Malaysian office was recently inspected by local authorities as part of a nationwide campaign targeting illegal call centres and similar operations. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Few prop trading firms offer traders a real and fair chance at the markets. A study on prop trading outcomes shows that a meagre 6% of prop traders complete all challenge phases and get funded. And when they do, many of those are denied payouts, or their payouts are delayed by days or weeks. That’s partly due to the operational opacity that many prop trading industry players still practice to the traders’ detriment. Hola Prime, a leading global prop firm, breaks this pattern by placing traders first. Its recent “Fastest Payout Prop Firm” award win at the UF AWARDS MEA 2026 ceremony during iFX EXPO Dubai proves it.“Winning the ‘Fastest Payout Firm’ title marks an important milestone for Hola Prime, reaffirming our position as facilitators always at the traders’ side. Along with our Zero Payouts Denial policy, this perfectly aligns with our Traders’ First Approach,” said Somesh Kapuria, CEO.This intolerance for opacity and denied payouts is evident in every aspect of the prop firm’s offering. From onboarding to making the very first withdrawal, traders are empowered in various ways. ‘We are traders’- the structure behind the catchy taglineTransparency, discipline, a strong sense of community, and a well-structured reward system are the defining features of Hola Prime. Built meticulously and with purpose, its platform offers smooth navigation across the various challenges, with clear and achievable profit targets.With a team of financial industry professionals and traders at the helm, Hola Prime was the first prop firm to establish a Risk and Compliance Department. This pioneering and proactive approach to prop trading positions it as a trendsetter in the industry.Its ethos and commitment to changing the status quo are reflected in everyday practice. Operational integrity and ultra-fast payouts, with an average settling time of only 33 minutes, are the standard at Hola Prime. Furthermore, traders can easily access daily payout transparency reports and gain detailed insights into the entire transaction history at the firm level. All these elements are at the center of Hola Prime’s “We are traders” philosophy, rooted in trading practicalities and operational ethics.Championing prop trading payoutsHola Prime comes with a compelling value proposition that no other prop firm has dared to validate before - fast payouts and 24/7 account accessibility. For traders, this can be broken down into immediate benefits:Zero Payout Denials. For the first time, traders can enjoy the surety of getting their promised profit split. Also, at Hola Prime, all payment processes are publicly traceable and verifiable. This eliminates the “black box” standard that has dominated the prop trading industry so far, restoring traders’ confidence in prop trading as a system that works for them, not against them. In short, if rules are followed, your withdrawal request will be processed in minutes. No unpleasant surprises.World-record Payout Speed. Access to profits can make or break a trader’s experience. Hola Prime understands this. That’s why every withdrawal is processed in 33 minutes and 48 seconds on average, and sometimes even less. The fastest payout took 3 minutes and 37 seconds to reach the trader’s account - a record still hard to match in the prop space.10-point Payout System. Unlike many of its competitors, Hola Prime implements pre-trade compliance, real-time profit calculation, surge buffers, and automated rails, pushing controls further upstream for seamless scale. This helps eliminate the pressure associated with traditional multi-day audits.Full Transparency. With live dashboards and daily reports right on tap, traders gain a full picture of their earnings and performance in real time. All these features working concurrently have earned Hola Prime a leading place in MENA’s prop trading space. The “Fastest Payout Prop Firm” title from the UF AWARDS MEA 2026 has a solid backing in the company’s offering for traders in the region and worldwide. Its Forex and Futures trading programs are designed from the ground up to offer traders a “fair shot” at trading on the financial markets.From the trading station to the basketball pitch - the same valueHola Prime’s reputation exceeds the boundaries of the trading space. By choosing a high-profile NBA player like Karl-Anthony Towns as its brand ambassador, the prop firm connects the world of sports and trading. The statement is clear: in trading, just like in basketball, strategy, meticulous planning, and staying the course matter. The rest is just noise.To open an account or explore Hola Prime’s full offering, visit the website. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

MH Markets announces that its affiliated company, MH MARKETS (PTY) LTD, has obtained authorization from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), marking a significant regulatory milestone in the company’s international growth strategy.Registered as a Financial Services Provider under the FSCA, MH MARKETS (PTY) LTD holds registration number 2025/603612/07. The entity is authorized as a Category I Financial Services Provider with a Crypto Assets subcategory. Under the framework of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act (FAIS), the company is permitted to provide advice and intermediary services related to crypto assets.The authorization represents a critical checkpoint in MH Markets’ broader compliance roadmap. As regulatory oversight continues to evolve across financial markets, MH Markets has steadily expanded its licensing and governance infrastructure to ensure that client protection, transparency, and regulatory accountability remain at the center of its operations.MH Markets views the license of MH MARKETS (PTY) LTD as a strategic step in strengthening its presence across the African financial landscape. South Africa represents a key market within the Group’s long-term regional growth strategy, and establishing a locally authorized entity reinforces the company’s commitment to operating within well-defined regulatory frameworks. By aligning its operations with FSCA standards, MH Markets continues to advance its global compliance agenda while expanding access to regulated financial services and modern trading infrastructure for clients across the region.South Africa’s financial regulatory environment is widely recognized for its structured oversight and investor protection mechanisms. By obtaining FSCA authorization, MH MARKETS (PTY) LTD positions itself within a jurisdiction known for strong compliance standards and regulatory supervision. This move reinforces the Group’s focus on maintaining responsible operations while expanding access to modern financial products, including services linked to digital assets.The authorization also supports MH Markets’ broader expansion strategy across the African region. In recent years, the company has steadily built payment infrastructure tailored to local markets to improve accessibility for traders and investors. Clients across several African countries can now access localized deposit and withdrawal options, including mobile money services and regional banking integrations.Through these regional solutions, MH Markets now supports local payment channels in Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania via trusted partners such as ZotaPay, Transact365, and KoraPay, enabling clients to transact through familiar and widely used financial systems. Alongside these localized services, the company continues to maintain global payment methods such as credit card deposits, international wire transfers, and cryptocurrency transactions.To further support regional accessibility, MH Markets accepts multiple local currencies, including EGP, NGN, TZS, GHS, XOF, KES, and UGX, helping clients transact in currencies commonly used within their domestic markets. The integration of both local and global payment systems reflects the Group’s effort to simplify account funding while maintaining operational efficiency across borders.The addition of the FSCA-licensed entity represents another step in MH Markets’ ongoing effort to strengthen its international regulatory presence. By combining licensing milestones with region-specific financial infrastructure, the Group continues to build a framework designed to support responsible market participation while maintaining high compliance standards.As MH Markets expands its presence across Africa and other global markets, regulatory alignment remains a core priority. The authorization of MH MARKETS (PTY) LTD under the FSCA reflects the Group’s commitment to delivering financial services through a structure that emphasizes compliance, transparency, and long-term operational integrity. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Fintech marketing is not “run ads and hope.” Your buyers take time. They compare. They ask. They research. They check reviews. They look for proof that your brand is real, safe, and stable. A multi-channel marketing strategy solves this by keeping your brand present throughout the decision cycle. It also reduces risk: if one channel slows down, the rest continue to work.This guide emphasises the marketing flow, detailing the sequence of actions and their rationale, while illustrating how to plan a cohesive campaign that enhances brand awareness, builds trust, and delivers results.Why fintech brands need more than one channelFintech buyers (both B2B and trader audiences) have 3 common traits:1) Longer decision time: People don’t switch providers in one click. They need reasons, proof, and time.2) Trust is the main barrier: In finance, trust is not a “nice to have.” It’s the gate.3) They research in many places: Search, news, social, email, video, peers, webinars, reviews and events all play a role.If you show up in only one place, you look smaller than you are. If you show up in many places with a clear, consistent message, you look established, and that changes how people perceive your brand.The multi-channel marketing cycleA good multi-channel plan follows a loop. Think of it as 6 stages:Awareness → 2) Interest → 3) Trust → 4) Intent → 5) Conversion → 6) Retention & advocacyEach stage serves a distinct purpose. Channels are essential tools that guide people to the next stage.Below is a clean campaign flow you can utilise.Stage 1: Awareness (get on the radar)Goal: Reach the right people and create first recognition.What works best here:Short, clear messages that explain what you do in one short lineRepeated exposure (people rarely act on the first time they see you)Channel roles (examples):Display ads: fast reach and repeat visibilitySocial media posts: fast distribution and sharingPR/news mentions: adds credibility while also creating awarenessAwareness is not about clicks. It’s about memory. Your goal is to become familiar.What to measure:Reach / impressionsFrequency (how many times the same person sees you)Brand search lift (more people searching your brand name)Stage 2: Interest (give them a reason to care)Goal: Make the audience think: “This is relevant to me.”At this stage, your content should be more informative than promotional:A clear problem statementA point of view (“here’s what we think is changing”)A simple way to learn moreChannel roles (examples):Articles and explainers: show expertise and build attention timeShort videos: explain a topic fastEmail (light touch): bring them back when they’re readyWhat to measure:Time on page/scroll depthVideo watch timeReturn visitorsStage 3: Trust (remove doubt)Goal: Demonstrate that you are reliable, trustworthy, and deserving of a conversation.In fintech, trust is built with:Third-party signals (coverage, quotes, features)Proof points (case studies, results, clear client types)Leadership visibility (show the people behind the brand)Consistency (same message, same quality, over time)Channel roles (examples):Thought leadership and expert commentaryExecutive Interviews with leadersCase studies and customer storiesReviewsWhat to measure:Growth in branded trafficDirect traffic (people typing your site)Sales feedback (“people mention they saw you”)Stage 4: Intent (help them choose)Goal: Support decision-making for people who are now comparing options.At this stage, the buyer is looking for:Clear differences (why you VS competitors)Product details that match their needsPricing logic (even if you don’t show full pricing)Risk and compliance comfortChannel roles (examples):Comparison pages / “best for” pagesProduct pages that answer common questionsFAQ pages and informative pagesWebinars or demos (live proof, with Q&A)What to measure:Clicks to “contact sales” / “book demo”High-intent page views (pricing, demo, contact)Attendance rate / Q&A volumeStage 5: Conversion (turn intent into action)Goal: Get the action that matters: demo, lead, account, trial, or deposit.Conversion happens when you remove friction:Simple formsClear CTAFast follow-upOffer that matches the stage (don’t push “buy now” too early)Channel roles (examples):Email sequences (invite → reminder → follow-up)Retargeting (bring back high-intent visitors)Webinars with a clear next stepSales enablement content (one-page PDF, deck, proof assets)What to measure:Conversion rate by channelCost per lead (paid channels)Lead quality (sales accepted leads)Stage 6: Retention and advocacy (keep them active and turn them into fans)Goal: Reduce churn, increase usage, and create word-of-mouth.In fintech, retention is marketing too:Education content keeps users engagedUpdates build confidence (“this product is alive”)Community builds habitChannel roles (examples):Newsletters for existing usersProduct update emailsEducation content and sessionsCommunity and social touchpointsWhat to measure:Repeat usageUpgrade rateReferrals and review volumeWhy does multi-channel work better than single-channel1) It matches real buyer behaviourPeople don’t act in one place. Multi-channel meets them where they already are.2) It builds trust fasterRepeated exposure across different formats is a trust signal by itself.3) It improves performance in every channelWhen your PR and content grow branded searches, your paid ads often get cheaper.When your email list grows, you rely less on paid.When your SEO pages rank, you get steady demand.Channels support each other.4) It reduces riskIf one channel declines, the system continues to operate.A simple multi-channel campaign flow (example you can copy)Here’s a clean flow you can run in 6–8 weeks:1) Start with one “core topic”Example: “How fintech firms can reduce payment fails” or “How brokers can build trust in 2026”2) Create 1 core assetA strong article, report, or webinar topic.3) Break it into smaller assets5–8 social posts2 short videos1 email invite1 landing page with a clear CTA4) Run awareness support for 2–3 weeksLight display and social distribution to build reach.5) Move into intent and conversionWebinar/demo push, retargeting, and follow-up emails.6) Close the loopPublish a recap, share results, and feed learnings into the next campaign.This is how you turn “content” into an actual marketing engine.How to plan your channel mix (quick rules)If your goal is brand awareness, focus on reach, frequency and third-party signalsIf your goal is leads: focus on one conversion event (e.g. webinar) and build the content around itIf your goal is trader sign-ups: focus on high-intent content (comparisons, reviews, clear “why us” pages)If your goal is enterprise deals: focus on trust assets + proof + steady visibility over timeHow Finance Magnates and investingLive can support a multi-channel campaignUsing Finance Magnates and investingLive together can help because they support two different parts of your reach:Finance Magnates helps you stay visible to the industry side of the market (the people who plan, approve, and influence business decisions).investingLive helps you stay visible to the market side of the market (the people who follow markets daily and take action as traders or investors).Where they fit in a multi-channel plan1) When you need wide awareness: Finance Magnates and investingLive can place your brand next to relevant finance content, helping you reach the right audience more than once (which is how awareness is built).2) When you need trust signals: Being present in established financial media settings fosters trust. In fintech, that “seen in the right places” feeling often reduces doubt and makes later steps easier.3) When you need a demand that turns into action: When you combine visibility with clear next steps (a landing page, a webinar signup, a demo request, or a “learn more” page), you can move from “people noticed us” to “people engaged with us.”4) When you need consistency across formats: A campaign usually needs more than one format (articles, email, display, social, video). Finance Magnates and investingLive can help you keep the same message repeated across formats, without copying and pasting the same content everywhere.Let’s Plan Your CampaignAre you ready to get results? Let’s build a campaign together that fits your goals and gets you in front of the right audience. This article was written by Dora Christofi at www.financemagnates.com.

Large financial institutions are beginning to address how existing compliance frameworks apply to prediction markets, marking one of the first clear signs that the sector is entering the scope of formal corporate policy. JPMorgan Chase is among the first to review its internal rules on employee participation in event-based trading. According to Barron’s, citing sources familiar with the matter, the bank is considering whether to issue more explicit guidance for its roughly 320,000 employees on the use of platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket. The review does not signal a move into prediction markets as a business line. Instead, it highlights a more immediate issue: how established rules — particularly around insider trading and the use of confidential information — extend to a new type of asset.Extending Existing Rules to a New Asset Class In practice, this means applying existing standards to unfamiliar ground. If adopted, such guidance would make it explicit that employees cannot use material non-public information when trading event contracts, just as they cannot in equities or derivatives. This effectively brings prediction markets into the same compliance perimeter as traditional financial instruments. This is one of the first institutional responses to prediction markets as a category rather than a curiosity. Until recently, activity on these platforms largely sat outside formal corporate policies. The shift also reflects a broader alignment between corporate compliance and regulatory thinking. The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has already indicated that insider trading rules can apply to prediction markets, particularly in cases involving misappropriation of confidential information. Lawmakers have also begun to examine whether additional restrictions are needed for trading tied to sensitive events.Why This Is Becoming a Compliance Issue Recent market activity has made these questions harder to ignore. Contracts linked to geopolitical developments, corporate events, and economic outcomes create scenarios where informational advantages can exist — even if proving misuse remains complex. At the same time, prediction markets are increasingly used as a source of alternative data and sentiment signals. This creates a tension for institutions: the same markets that provide useful information may also introduce new compliance risks. JPMorgan’s review is an early example of how that tension is being addressed. More broadly, it suggests that prediction markets are moving into a phase where both regulators and corporations are beginning to treat them as part of the financial system’s existing rule set, rather than as a separate category. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Gold did something unusual on Monday: it dropped toward $4,900, its lowest level in a month, during an active Middle East conflict in which the Strait of Hormuz is partially blocked and oil is trading near $84 per barrel. By Tuesday March 17, it has bounced back above the $5,000 psychological level and is trading at $5,016 per ounce, but the Monday move exposed a fragility in the gold rally that the precious metals community cannot ignore. The same forces that drove gold from $2,600 to over $5,400 in twelve months - dollar weakness, dovish Fed expectations, central bank buying - are now running in reverse, at least temporarily.In this article, I will break down why gold and silver are falling, examine technical analysis of both XAU/USD and XAG/USD charts, and compile the most significant price predictions for 2026, including Robert Kiyosaki's extraordinary new forecast. Based on my over 15 years of experience as an analyst and retail investor, here is what I am watching.Follow me on X for real-time gold and silver market analysis: @ChmielDkWhy Gold Is Going Down? The Dollar, Rates, and the Oil ParadoxGold initially spiked from $5,296 to $5,423 when Iran threatened the Strait of Hormuz - the instinctive safe-haven reaction. It then reversed hard, losing more than 6% from that intraday high in a matter of sessions. The Dollar Index has recovered sharply, climbing above 100.2 - its highest level since May 2025 - making gold significantly more expensive for buyers using non-dollar currencies. As Linh Tran, Market Analyst at XS.com, explains: "A stronger greenback makes gold more expensive for investors holding other currencies, thereby exerting downward pressure on the precious metal."The dollar recovery is itself a consequence of oil: the Hormuz closure has pushed Brent toward $84, reigniting inflation fears that reduce the probability of Fed rate cuts in June from 57% just weeks ago to below 49% today.The 10-year Treasury yield sitting at 4.2-4.3% creates the second layer of pressure. As Tran puts it, "when bond yields rise, the opportunity cost of holding gold increases, which tends to reduce the appeal of the non-yielding asset." Gold rallied from $2,600 to $5,400 largely on the expectation that yields would fall as the Fed cut rates. That thesis is now in question, and gold is repricing accordingly.Kevin Warsh's nomination as the next Fed Chair in early February added a structural dimension to the selling. Markets read Warsh as more hawkish on inflation than his predecessor, and the CME subsequently raised margin requirements on metal futures - triggering the same forced liquidation cascade that hit silver in January.Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026, which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC.Why Silver Is Falling?Silver's situation mirrors gold's but with added volatility from its industrial character. Monday marked the fourth consecutive session of losses, with silver dropping to $77 per ounce - its lowest level in a month - before bouncing to close barely positive, up just 0.2%. Tuesday is so far producing more of the same: silver is losing 0.15% and trading just above the $80 critical support level.Rania Gule, Senior Market Analyst at XS.com, identifies the primary driver: "The current decline in silver is not merely a temporary correction, but a deeper repricing of market expectations regarding the path of U.S. interest rates - the most influential factor in the short term for non-yielding assets." She notes that fading rate cut expectations "reshape investor behaviour toward alternative assets, as the opportunity cost of holding the white metal rises in a monetary environment that still offers relatively stable or positive real yields."The December 2025 analysis covering Kiyosaki's original $200 silver prediction noted this exact risk - the precious metals rally was built partly on dovish Fed assumptions that could reverse. The January surge analysis projecting $6,000 gold and the $375 silver forecast were both predicated on continued dollar weakness and easing. That assumption has been tested hard in March.Gold Technical Analysis: XAU/USD Consolidating Near HighsAs my chart shows, gold is still consolidating near its historical highs set in late January around $5,600. The structure is a defined range with clear boundaries. The lower boundary sits around $4,850-$4,900, where the 50-day MA runs and where the February lows formed. The upper boundary is the January 28 peak at $5,400, retested at the beginning of March. At $5,016 on Tuesday, we are in the middle of this channel - the white metal is consolidating, not collapsing.The Monday dip to $4,900 was alarming as an intraday event but the key question is whether it becomes the beginning of a more sustained selloff or simply a liquidity flush of the kind described above. If the consolidation breaks downward, my chart shows a sequence of meaningful supports: $4,550 (the late 2025 historical highs), then $4,360, and ultimately $4,200 - the 200-day MA, which for me is the level that separates a bull trend from a bear trend. As long as gold holds above $4,200, the structural uptrend that began in late 2024 remains intact.Only a sustained break below $4,200 would force a fundamental reassessment of the bull case. Above $5,400 - the January high - and gold opens the path toward new all-time highs and the analyst targets above $6,000.Silver at a Pivotal LevelSilver's chart tells the same story as gold's but with higher stakes at the current price. As my analysis shows, silver has been trading in a defined consolidation range for over a month. The upper boundary is $90-$94 - last tested in late February. The lower boundary is $70 - the December and early February lows. At $80, we are exactly in the middle of this range.The $80 level is not simply the midpoint. It is also the site of the 50-day EMA and the December 2025 historical highs - two independent technical forces converging at the same price. Silver has bounced from this level three separate times since early March, which gives it credibility as support. Crucially, the price is currently sitting just below the 50 EMA - a level it needs to reclaim on a closing basis to ease the near-term selling pressure.Below the consolidation, the 200-day MA sits just above $60-$62, and the ultimate structural support is the October 2025 historical highs at $54 per ounce - a 33% decline from current levels. That is the extreme bear case. The bull case is the mirror image: a break above $94 reopens the path to the all-time high at $120, with no meaningful technical resistance between those two levels.Kiyosaki's $35,000 Gold Price Prediction: The Bubble Bust ThesisRobert Kiyosaki's latest forecast, posted to his 2.4 million X followers on March 16 and generating over 407,000 views, is his most dramatic yet. "I predict gold will hit $35,000 an ounce one year after the gold bubble goes pop," he wrote, framing it around what he calls "the biggest bubble bust in history." In the same post he set $200 silver, $750,000 Bitcoin, and $95,000 Ethereum as the one-year-post-crash targets.BIGGEST BUBBLE BUSTI do not know what pin, what event will pop the biggest bubbles in histor. What ever the event, the pin is near.It’s not IF. It’s WHEN.When the bubbles go bust I predict gold will hit $35,000 an ounce one year after the gold bubble goes pop..I predict…— Robert Kiyosaki (@theRealKiyosaki) March 16, 2026The internal logic of Kiyosaki's thesis is consistent with his previous calls, even if the numbers are extraordinary. He has long argued that fiat currency debasement, fiscal deficits, and unsustainable debt levels will ultimately produce a global financial crisis that destroys paper assets and hyperinflates real ones. The December 2025 FinanceMagnates.com analysis covering his $200 silver call noted his track record of directionally correct but temporally imprecise forecasts - he was right that silver would reach $80, then $100, then $120, but the timing of each target slipped. A $35,000 gold price implies a roughly 6x rally from current levels and a market capitalization for gold above $175 trillion, exceeding the total value of all global equities.The "when not if" framing matters here. Kiyosaki is not making a 2026 price call. He is making a structural argument that the current monetary system produces a crisis, and that precious metals benefit enormously in the aftermath. Whether that crisis arrives in 2026, 2028, or 2032 is the variable his forecast does not pin down.Gold Price Predictions 2026: The Institutional RangeThe Wall Street consensus for gold in 2026 remains broadly bullish despite the March correction, with most forecasts clustering in the $5,000-$6,500 range for year-end. Goldman Sachs has maintained its $6,000 target, citing continued central bank buying and dollar weakness as structural tailwinds. UBS and Citigroup have published similar forecasts, with Citi flagging $6,000 as achievable if the Fed cuts twice before year-end.The bear cases are less publicized but not absent. AInvest notes that "a hawkish pivot from the Fed at the March 18 meeting - removing rate cuts from 2026 projections - could trigger significant volatility" and a test of the lower consolidation boundary at $4,850-$4,900. A break below $4,200 (200 MA) would represent a structural breakdown that no major institution is currently forecasting but that my chart identifies as the level to watch.FAQWhy is gold going down in March 2026?Gold is falling because the dollar has strengthened to its highest level since May 2025, with the DXY climbing above 100.2, making gold more expensive for non-dollar buyers. Simultaneously, the 10-year Treasury yield is sitting at 4.2-4.3%, raising the opportunity cost of holding a non-yielding asset. How high can gold go in 2026?As shown on my chart, a break above the $5,400 upper consolidation boundary - the January 28 all-time high - reopens the path toward Goldman Sachs' $6,000 target and Citigroup's $6,000+ scenario, both requiring two Fed cuts before year-end. Robert Kiyosaki's extreme scenario puts gold at $35,000 one year after what he calls the biggest bubble bust in history.How low can gold go before the bull trend breaks?As shown on my chart, the sequence of supports below the current $5,016 price runs through $4,550 (late 2025 historical highs), then $4,360, and ultimately the 200-day EMA at $4,200 - the level I identify as the dividing line between bull and bear trend. As long as gold holds above $4,200, the structural uptrend that began in late 2024 remains intact. A sustained close below that level would be the first genuine signal of a trend reversal.Why is silver falling alongside gold?Silver is under the same dollar and rates pressure as gold, but faces the additional headwind of fading industrial demand expectations as growth forecasts are revised lower. Rania Gule of XS.com identifies "fading expectations of near-term rate cuts" as the primary driver, noting the shift in Fed tone "from easing to caution" raises the opportunity cost of holding silver. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Spotware Systems said today (Tuesday) it recently launched cBridge, a standalone liquidity bridge designed to connect brokers to multiple liquidity providers across different trading platforms. The company claims the product can reduce bridge costs by up to 80% for high-volume brokers by replacing per-trade billing with a flat infrastructure pricing model.Under the existing industry norm, brokers typically pay bridge fees that scale with trading volume, meaning costs climb as client activity grows. Spotware says cBridge upends that model by charging based on the number of servers and connections involved, keeping expenses consistent regardless of how much business flows through the system. The company argues the benefit compounds as broker volumes rise, since margins expand rather than being absorbed by rising vendor fees."For years, brokers have taken for granted that bridge costs rise with volume, and that managing routing rules means dealing with disconnected tables spread across multiple screens," said Ilia Iarovitcyn, CEO of Spotware Systems. Platform-Agnostic Design Targets MT4 and MT5 UsersOne of the product's central claims is platform neutrality. cBridge is built to connect cTrader alongside MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and FIX API environments to multiple liquidity providers through a single interface, according to the company. Unified quote pricing and routing rules apply across all connected servers, Spotware said, with ready integrations and protocol coverage across trading, pricing and reporting functions.This cross-platform approach matters in a broker landscape that remains heavily fragmented. The MetaTrader ecosystem still commands a large share of retail and institutional broker infrastructure, while cTrader has been gaining ground, particularly among prop trading firms and tech-focused brokers. By positioning cBridge as compatible with all major platforms, Spotware appears to be pitching the product to a wider addressable market than its own client base, and competing more directly with dedicated bridge providers such as TakeProfitTech, whose MT5 bridge technology has seen growing adoption among offshore broker clients."cBridge brings fixed infrastructure-based pricing and an operations-first interface, because as a broker grows, its margins should improve - not its vendor's revenue."Spotware frames the design philosophy under what it calls a "Be Open" principle, aimed at giving brokers more flexibility in how they build their technology stack. Whether that translates into broader adoption beyond existing cTrader clients remains to be seen.Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026, which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC.Routing Logic Gets a Visual OverhaulManaging order routing is one of the more labor-intensive tasks in broker operations, and Spotware says cBridge includes several interface features aimed at reducing that burden. Color-coded validation lets dealing teams scan complex rule sets more quickly, the company said, while inactive rules are flagged within the routing grid. Hovering over any rule is claimed to surface the underlying issue directly, whether a deleted symbol, a conflicting parameter, or an entry overridden by a higher-priority rule.The system also runs cross-setting validation checks across symbols, streams and routing rules, including what Spotware describes as the bridge-to-platform boundary, where configuration conflicts can go undetected during initial setup. Spotware's broader infrastructure push has been telegraphed for some time. CEO Iarovitcyn discussed the cBridge launch in a February interview with FinanceMagnates.com, alongside the company's record 2025 growth figures and AI integration plans, signaling that the product had been in development as part of a wider expansion of Spotware's broker services.A Broader Shift in Spotware's StrategyThe cBridge launch comes as Spotware has been reporting rapid growth across its core business. The company said in January that cTrader trading volumes doubled year-on-year in 2025, adding roughly 2 million new users to the platform. That growth has coincided with an expansion of partnerships, including a deal with iSAM Securities to give retail brokers access to risk management and execution tools directly through the cTrader ecosystem.With cBridge, Spotware is making an explicit move beyond its identity as a single-platform vendor. The product is marketed to any broker running MT4 or MT5 infrastructure, not just existing cTrader clients, which represents a meaningful shift in the company's go-to-market positioning. Spotware was founded in 2010 and employs more than 200 people. The company said brokers can request a demo through the cbridge.com website. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Loyal Primus, the global multi-asset brokerage firm, today announced a significant milestone in its corporate journey following its acquisition by a newly structured institutional management group with a strong background in financial services governance, compliance, and capital markets.The strategic transaction marks a transformational chapter for Loyal Primus, positioning the company under leadership with enhanced regulatory expertise, strengthened capital structure, and institutional-grade operational oversight.A Strategic Transition, Not Just a Change in OwnershipThe acquisition reflects a broader vision: to elevate Loyal Primus from a fast-growing brokerage brand into a globally recognised financial services institution built on governance, transparency, and long-term sustainability.The new controlling management group brings:Extensive experience in regulated financial marketsStrengthened compliance infrastructureInstitutional risk management frameworksCapital backing to support long-term expansionThis transition reinforces Loyal Primus’ commitment to responsible growth in an increasingly regulated and sophisticated trading environment.Strengthening Governance and Market ConfidenceUnder the new ownership structure, Loyal Primus will implement enhanced internal governance standards, focusing on:Risk oversight and capital adequacy managementRegulatory alignment across operating jurisdictionsStrengthened client fund safeguarding protocolsInstitutional-level operational controlsThe company emphasised that client accounts, trading conditions, and daily operations remain uninterrupted, with improvements focused primarily on governance and strategic expansion.Positioning for the Next Phase of Global ExpansionWith a reinforced capital structure and experienced leadership team, Loyal Primus aims to accelerate:Regulatory footprint enhancementTechnology infrastructure upgradesInstitutional partnerships Regional market expansionThe new management group’s mandate is clear: transform Loyal Primus into a benchmark brokerage brand that balances innovation with discipline.A Message to Clients and Partners“This transaction represents more than a change in ownership, it is a commitment to building a stronger, more resilient Loyal Primus,” said a spokesperson from the newly appointed management team. “Our focus is credibility, sustainability, and delivering long-term value to our clients and partners.” This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.