Payment service providers and electronic money institutions used to choose a crypto OTC desk the way they'd choose a broker: whoever showed the tightest spread won the flow. That calculation is no longer sufficient as PSPs route more of their core business through stablecoins. The question a PSP is asking now, when evaluating a desk, is who can function as settlement infrastructure the business can depend on every day."These institutions aren't looking for another trading venue. They're looking for settlement capability, and that's especially true across regions like Africa and LATAM, where institutional demand keeps deepening," says Nicola Boldrini, growth lead of FinchTrade.FinchTrade is a Swiss VASP-licensed institutional OTC desk providing PSPs, EMIs, and regional exchanges with liquidity access and regulated fiat settlement across jurisdictions.Stablecoin Payments Have Outgrown Traditional OTC RelationshipsFor a PSP running continuous cross-border flow, the OTC relationships available to it were mostly built for episodic, large-block trades, priced and settled on their own timeline. That gap shows up as a direct cost. Pre-funding requirements across multiple liquidity providers lock up working capital before a single payment moves. Each additional provider relationship brings its own pricing feed, its own settlement timing, and its own reconciliation process. Managing these fragmented relationships introduces additional operational overhead a treasury team ends up managing manually, corridor by corridor.Why OTC Execution Alone No Longer Solves the ProblemExecution quality — moving large trades without disturbing the market, at a competitive price — was traditionally the primary criterion for selecting an OTC desk. That's still necessary, but it no longer determines whether the relationship works for a PSP managing a constant payment flow. A desk that executes well but settles slowly, requires fresh pre-funding for every corridor, or takes weeks to onboard a new relationship still leaves capital locked and corridors waiting to launch. Settlement reliability, capital efficiency, onboarding speed, and the ability to sustain high-frequency flow are what actually decide whether a PSP can scale.How FinchTrade Approaches Settlement InfrastructureFinchTrade built its model around these requirements rather than around execution alone. For a PSP, that means:Margin-based collateral instead of full pre-funding, so capital isn't locked up across every corridor before a trade clearsNon-custodial execution, so the PSP retains control of its own assets throughoutSettlement cycles built for continuous flow, not single large trades processed on their own scheduleAutomated, fast onboarding, designed to get a new corridor live without a multi-week manual review cycleA single liquidity relationship in place of several fragmented provider connectionsTogether, these elements align OTC functionality more closely with the operational requirements of PSPs and EMIs.The Business Benefit: What Changes for a PSP's Treasury and OperationsThe practical effect shows up in three places for a PSP:Working capital that would otherwise sit in pre-funded positions becomes available to deploy elsewhere.Reconciliation gets simpler, because volume runs through one provider relationship instead of several, each settling on a different schedule. Expansion into a new corridor moves faster, because the PSP isn't rebuilding a liquidity relationship (pricing, onboarding, settlement terms) from scratch every time it enters a new market.The Strategic Implication: OTC Selection Is Becoming an Infrastructure DecisionThe broader context is the continued growth of stablecoin-based payment activity across both emerging and developed markets. As transaction volumes multiply, PSPs are under growing pressure to standardise settlement processes and reduce operational fragmentation, and OTC infrastructure is becoming embedded in payment flows rather than sitting at the edge of trading activity. For a PSP weighing which corridors to enter next, the desk it settles through is becoming as strategic a choice as the markets it's entering: the corridors that activate fastest are the ones where the settlement layer was never the bottleneck to begin with.About FinchTradeFinchTrade is a Swiss-regulated institutional OTC desk and crypto liquidity provider headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, serving payment service providers, EMIs, exchanges, and corporate treasuries. FinchTrade’s innovative solutions empower companies to optimize crypto payment systems and ensure high liquidity and regulatory compliance.This article was submitted by an advertiser. The views and content expressed are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect the views of Finance Magnates. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

FP Markets – global Forex and CFD broker – has expanded its equity offering to include share CFD for Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SPCX). Alongside a rich selection of existing stock CFDs, this addition is available to trade immediately via FP Markets MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and cTrader platforms. Trading SPCX through CFDs with FP Markets offers clients exposure to post-IPO volatility, the ability to take both long and short positions, flexible leverage, and access to institutional-grade trading tools. SpaceX made its long-awaited stock market debut on 12 June, raising an initial record US$75 billion. However, following the underwriters exercising what is known as the overallotment greenshoe option, the final total raised was around US$86 billion – the largest IPO in history. While SPCX was initially priced at US$135 per share, demand drove its share price to US$150 at the open and eclipsed US$200 shortly after on 16 June before collapsing to test pre-IPO levels. Large IPOs tend to experience a depreciation in their first year of trading. This was seen in companies like Meta Platforms (META), which dropped in its first year before surging. Consequently, while the SPCX stock could navigate beyond its IPO level, equity bulls may step in, matching historical norms.FP Markets Chief Marketing Officer John Lewis expressed enthusiasm for the new offering, saying: ‘With the ongoing momentum in the AI trade and global stock indices near all-time highs, demand for high-growth technology companies is unprecedented. Adding SPCX to the CFD offering underscores our commitment to offering investors flexibility and the opportunity to trade a widely watched stock on our broad selection of world-class trading platforms’.Media Contact: John Lewis (Chief Marketing Officer) – j.lewis@fpmarkets.com About FP Markets:FP Markets is a global, multi-regulated, award-winning broker established in Sydney, Australia in 2005. The broker offers 10,000+ CFD instruments across seven asset classes, available on industry-leading platforms including MetaTrader 4/5, TradingView, and cTrader. FP Markets' regulatory presence includes the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa, and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) of Kenya. For more information, visit www.fpmarkets.com This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

“To the best of my knowledge, ESMA is not currently engaged in any substantive discussions regarding retail prop trading,” Dr George Theocharides, CySEC’s Chairman and ESMA’s Chairman of Risk Standing Committee, told Finance Magnates. It was only two years ago when Paris held discussions for the first time about oversight. A popular opinion in the market was that retail prop trading would be swallowed by MIFID II, specifically under the provision that governs traditional proprietary trading. Just a year ago, Theocharides mentioned that retail prop trading was “on the radar.”But now, it appears that the market has moved down the regulatory pecking order and out of the discussion. ESMA itself did not wish to comment on the matter.“While the topic may be monitored as part of broader market developments, it does not appear to rank among the Authority’s immediate priorities, given the relatively limited size of the sector,” Theocharides explained. However, the market’s shifting landscape might soon necessitate a return to deliberations.For one thing, retail prop trading right now is booming. Over 1,050% Search Interest Increase in Germany Data from Google Trends reveals a significant spike in search interest across the UK, US, and Germany over the last five years. Germany witnessed an explosive over 1,050% surge in search queries for "prop firm," with February 2026 being the highest point, representing a massive surge in public curiosity that dwarfs all previous years. This absolute fever pitch is seen worldwide.The growth is being fuelled primarily by Gen Z and millennials, who are drawn to the chance to trade with significant capital without risking their own savings. In the 2026 edition of Deloitte’s Fast 50 for the Middle East and Cyprus, which ranks the fastest-growing tech companies in the region, two prop firms, Funding Pips and FundedNext, were included. Even if this growth persists and the market swells enough to draw Paris back in, regulatory inertia may also reflect a simpler fact: the business model exists in a legal grey area. These firms are not financial institutions. They are simulation platforms, or as the label suggests, educational institutions. However, the industry is undergoing a structural shift that departs from that label.Some 100 Prop Firms Closed Between 2024-25 Increasingly, the retail prop firm and the regulated brokerage models are merging.Prague-based prop trading giant FTMO has bought retail broker OANDA; prop firm The Trading Pit launched CFD broker TTP Markets; and major Australian broker Axi introduced its prop arm Axi Select. We have also seen retail broker ATFX launch ATFunded. And so on. This trend is born out of necessity. MetaQuotes had forced the industry’s hand back in 2024 when it revoked access to MT4 and MT5 licenses from prop firms, and forced retail brokers that were renting server space to prop firms to drop them as clients or lose their own access. The extent to which regulatory intervention influenced MetaQuotes’ crackdown remains difficult to quantify. However, when the CFTC, the US regulator, initiated its 2023 raid and asset freeze against My Forex Funds, which facilitated simulated trades via MetaTrader software, it served as a definitive shot across the bow. After MetaQuotes laid down the law, prop firms had to migrate to alternative platforms or buy actual broker licenses. According to FM Intelligence, between early 2024 and late 2025, it is estimated that up to 100 prop firms ceased operations, wiping out nearly 14% of the market. Indeed, the MetaQuotes incident was a major catalyst for the wipeout. But, it also exposed an uncomfortable truth about the market’s economics. Statistics from FPFX indicate that only 7% of prop traders who purchase a challenge successfully secure a payout. Consequently, many firms rely heavily on a steady stream of evaluation fees from the 93% who fail to cover their operational expenses and pay out successful traders. It is ironic that for an industry that markets its services as educational, it is remarkably efficient at ensuring that prop traders learn only how quickly an entry fee can vanish. Nonetheless, this business model creates a glaring vulnerability where a decline in new registrations could trigger a liquidity crisis. ATFX recently paused its ATFunded operations, noting the need to assess whether the model is sustainable for the long term.At the same time, with hundreds of copycat prop firms flooding the market, competition became cutthroat. Firms began trying to out-advertise each other by offering unsustainable perks. Add to that the fact that prop firms are highly vulnerable to exploitation by sophisticated actors who know how to game the system.Apart from large prop firms with deep pockets, the model is not easy to sustain for the rest.The combination with retail brokerage, then, creates a funnel: the prop firm attracts beginner traders through low-cost challenges, with the ultimate goal of converting them into traditional retail clients who trade with their own money on a regulated platform. Before hitting the brakes, ATFX reported that it had converted over 10% of its prop traders into brokerage clients in South America.FundingPips, on the other hand, lets prop traders move their rewards to Tradin, its regulated broker, and receive a 30% trading bonus on top.This hybridisation poses a regulatory dilemma: can a retail prop trading firm still be called an educational entity if it survives by acting, in effect, as an Introducing Broker (IB) for its own regulated brokerage?It’s worth mentioning that a substantial segment of the market has acquired licenses for their brokerages in jurisdictions with lighter oversight, with Mauritius being an increasingly popular choice.Prop Trading in the US is Moving Toward Regulation While Europe appears to have shelved discussions about regulation, the view from the United States suggests that a crackdown may be approaching. Large American prop firms are already beginning to seek registration with the CFTC, the competent authority. The CFTC’s actions against My Forex Funds may have loomed large in the market’s mind, prompting a better-safe-than-sorry approach. Major players like Topstep are now registered IBs, which allows them to pass client orders to a Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) for execution and clearing – for example, Plus500 acts as Topstep’s FCM.There is a similar requirement under MiFID II rules, where a firm generally needs a Reception and Transmission of Orders (RTO) license to route client orders for execution and earn commissions on those trades. But there has been no indication that prop firms in the Old Continent are going in that direction.The Drags of Regulatory Ambiguity The current situation is creating some bizarre situations. Crypto Fund Trader, a Switzerland-based firm, recently posted an alarming announcement on social media claiming an "unauthorised transfer of funds" and a security breach at their office. Footage of a supposed break-in circulated online, causing a brouhaha in the community. At the end, though, the firm revealed the entire incident was a staged marketing stunt to promote a new account type.Under MiFID II, such tactics would likely be flagged as the rules prohibit marketing that misleads clients or creates unnecessary alarm.The lack of oversight also contributes to a significant information gap. On Reddit, many novices appear to believe they are managing a firm’s actual cash. The promotional language used by many firms, terms like "Funded Account" or "Professional Trader,” implies real market access.This might have also contributed to the fever pitch in search queries in 2026.When beginners do not realise they are in a simulated environment, they cannot accurately assess the risks involved, particularly the risk that the firm may not have the liquidity to pay out their winnings if they are successful.It would be interesting to see whether the drive by ESMA to clamp down on “aggressive marketing” will provide another catalyst for bringing the retail prop sector back into the regulatory fold.Here's the truth pic.twitter.com/Fh1PPqWtIL— Crypto Fund Trader (@CFTradercom) June 9, 2026Finance or Gaming?If you pay a fee to enter a challenge, follow a strict list of complicated rules and receive a prize if you win, you are describing a structure that sounds more like a casino-like game than a financial investment.Italy’s financial regulator, Consob, explicitly warned in 2024 that prop firm websites promote exercises that "simulate online trading in a type of finance video game." Market stakeholders previously echoed this sentiment during ESMA’s initial deliberations on oversight, asserting that the gaming regulatory frameworks represented the necessary trajectory for the sector’s evolution.If such a distinction holds, this would also blow a hole in the market's “education” label. Still, other than warnings, there has been no indication that regulators are actively moving to reclassify retail prop trading. For the time being, the regulatory stalemate will probably persist. It may very well take a significant scandal or a high-profile incident similar to the My Forex Funds case to bring prop trading back into ESMA’s radar. This article was written by Adonis Adoni at www.financemagnates.com.

While the industry was busy debating prediction markets and crypto convergence, Brussels quietly dropped a regulatory bomb. No fanfare. No emergency sessions. Just a political agreement that changes the business of running a retail broker from A to Z. Meet the Retail Investment Strategy. Agreed in December 2025. And somehow still missing from most brokers’ radar.Here is the short version. The EU decided that retail investors deserve better. Fairer fees. Honest advertising. Clearer products. And somebody to b lame when things go wrong. Spoiler: that somebody is you.Your Pricing Just Got a RefereeFor a decade, the compliance conversation in this industry has been about disclosure. Show the client what they are paying. Put it in the KID. Send the cost statement. Job done. Go home.That era is over.The centrepiece of the RIS is three words: value for money. Under the new rules, manufacturers and distributors must identify every cost an investor bears and prove those costs are justified and proportionate. Products will be tested against peer-group benchmarks of comparable instruments. If your product charges materially more than the peer group with no defensible reason, it should not be approved for sale to retail investors.MiCA Countdown: 7 Days to GoWhat is changing on 1 July 2026?On 1 July 2026, a significant milestone will be reached in the implementation of the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).For many crypto-asset service providers, this marks the end of the transitional… pic.twitter.com/vHobV2D9EQ— CryptoUK ?? (@CryptoUKAssoc) June 24, 2026Not just disclosed. Not just flagged. Not approved for sale.For CFD brokers and social trading platforms, this lands directly on spread pricing, overnight financing rates, and conversion fees. These have historically been competitive weapons.Continue reading: NAGA Wins EU Crypto License Days Before MiCA DeadlineWays to win clients at the front end while recovering margin through the product. The RIS puts a benchmark microscope on that entire model. This is the clause that rewrites your pricing strategy, product governance, and distribution economics simultaneously. And it is the one that most operators have not connected to their P&L yet.Your Finfluencer Just Became Your LiabilityThe second major provision is the one that will quietly reshape acquisition channels everywhere. The EU’s approach to finfluencers is not to license them. It is far smarter and far more uncomfortable for brokers. It makes you responsible for them.Where a broker uses a social media personality to promote products, the firm must hold a written agreement with that person, maintain their contact details on file, and exercise documented control over what they post. Marketing must be fair, clear, and not misleading across all digital channels. Everything gets archived for the life of the client relationship.The Influencer Posts. The Broker AnswersEvery paid promotion, every commission-based content creator, every brand ambassador arrangement now sits inside your compliance perimeter. Content review, contractual framework, record-keeping. All of it becomes a supervisory expectation, not a nice-to-have. A new MiFID Article 5a also targets unauthorized activity through digital channels, and a new ESMA database will publicly name entities caught operating without authorization. The era of loosely governed digital promotion in retail finance is closing fast.Three More Changes Most Brokers Are Sleeping OnInvestor categorization gets reformed. Clients can now opt for professional status more easily. The portfolio threshold drops, and a new education criterion is added. For CFD operators, a wave of reclassification requests is a plausible near-term outcome. Professional status changes the leverage and protection picture significantly.Suitability requirements are simplified for non-complex, cost-efficient products. Lower friction for retail investors entering markets. That is the whole macro point of the EU’s Savings and Investments Union agenda.You may also like: “New EU Rules May Attract More Serious Asset Managers to Cyprus,” Says CySEC ChairPRIIPs Key Information Documents get rebuilt with a clean product-at-a-glance section covering costs, risk, and recommended holding period. KIDs also become machine-readable, enabling direct product comparison. Benchmark-ready disclosure is no longer optional.The Clock Is Ticking. But You Still Have TimeThe Official Journal publication is expected by mid-2026. From that date, firms have 30 months to comply. That puts the hard deadline at the end of 2028.Thirty months sounds generous. It is not. Rebuilding pricing governance, formalising influencer frameworks, restructuring product disclosure, and stress-testing your cost model against a benchmark that does not exist yet takes longer than most compliance teams expect.Άρθρο του Δρ. Θεοχαρίδη με θέμα Σταθερή ανάπτυξη της κεφαλαιαγοράς υπό το βλέμμα της ΕΚΚ στον «ΦΙΛΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΟ»Article by Dr. Theocharides titled “Steady development of the capital market under the supervision of CySEC” in “Phileleftheros”. (in Greek)https://t.co/TRoNtd2Cik— CySEC - Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (@CySEC_official) January 13, 2026The firms that treat this as a 2028 problem will spend 2027 in emergency mode. The firms that treat it as a 2026 strategic priority will have rebuilt their model before the regulator even shows up.CySEC Chairman George Theocharides has said it consistently. The rules come from Europe. Not from national regulators moving independently. From Europe. He was right. The rule is now agreed. And the clock started in December.The question is not whether this changes your business. It already has. The question is whether you find out now or in 2027 when the pressure is real, and the runway is gone. This article was written by Badea Alexandru Gabriel at www.financemagnates.com.

NAGA Group’s audited figures have pushed its 2025 EBITDA 12 per cent higher than the preliminary numbers, to EUR 3.7 million. The preliminary figure, published last February, was EUR 3.3 million.The audited revenue came in at EUR 62.4 million, lower than the previous year’s EUR 63.2 million, while the FX-adjusted figure was EUR 65.4 million.NAGA Is ProfitableInterestingly, NAGA also closed its first profitable quarter in the first three months of 2026, with half a million euros in net profit. EBITDA for the period came in at EUR 2.3 million, while the EBITDA margin also improved to 15.8 per cent from 6.1 per cent a year earlier.“The audited financial statements for 2025 confirm the successful completion of an important transformation phase for NAGA,” said Octavian Patrascu, CEO of The NAGA Group. “The strong start to 2026 demonstrates that these efforts are translating into tangible financial results.”Recently, NAGA also secured a MiCA licence, which cements its crypto ambitions for continental Europe.“A Leaner” Model2025 was also an important year for NAGA after its merger with the former CAPEX Group. The integration of platforms, processes, and teams is now complete, optimising NAGA’s operating model and reducing its cost base while continuing to invest in future growth.Patrascu also highlighted that the integration has made NAGA “a leaner, more efficient, and increasingly scalable operating model.”Meanwhile, the audited figures also showed that NAGA's marketing investment increased by 15.6 per cent. The higher spend was also reflected in a 37.5 per cent increase in new funded accounts, while reducing customer acquisition costs by 16.5 per cent.Interestingly, NAGA has positioned itself as a super app under the Naga One brand. This appears to be the aim of other big players as well. CMC has publicly put forward its three-phase plan to roll out Super App features, while IG is also pursuing a similar ambition. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

Market participants have identified a wide range of opportunities for capitalising on Singapore’s status as a regional leader in asset tokenisation infrastructure.The Investment Management Association of Singapore (IMAS) has taken various steps to accelerate understanding and adoption of tokenisation among the investment community. One example is its support for education-focused initiatives, including a foundational e-learning module developed with support from Schroders, Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow and Phillip Capital.IMAS CEO Carmen Wee suggests that the industry can only progress by building shared knowledge and readiness and says her organisation is uniquely positioned to help its members identify emerging opportunities.Automation, Transparency and Faster SettlementSo, what do these potential benefits look like? According to Justin Christopher, head of Asia at Calastone, some of the clearest gains are operational: automation, transparency and shorter settlement cycles.“Integrated properly, tokenisation removes manual reconciliation, embeds compliance into workflows and strengthens risk control,” he says. “Commercially, it also extends distribution.Tokenised instruments can reach beyond traditional channels into digital-native platforms and new liquidity venues without stepping outside regulated frameworks.”Looking ahead, Christopher reckons the real opportunity is market-wide efficiency in the form of programmable assets interacting with tokenised cash and collateral, enabling delivery-versus-payment models and more efficient capital movement.However, he acknowledges that this will only materialise if tokenisation becomes part of trusted market infrastructure where digital and traditional instruments operate seamlessly together rather than in fragmented parallel systems.“The infrastructure must support both models working together efficiently and securely,” adds Christopher. “Tokenisation will only succeed when it is interoperable, production-grade and connected to global distribution networks.”Bridging Traditional Finance and Blockchain NetworksThe main current and potential future benefits of adopting tokenisation are that financial entities may continue to use their current TradFi infrastructure together with a public blockchain infrastructure while avoiding the creation of separate processing silos for each asset class.Blockchain also allows for a shortening of the settlement cycle, continuous transactions without any cut-off, and fractionalisation of assets.That is the view of Hubert Grignon Dumoulin, digital assets senior expert at CACEIS, who notes that industry stakeholders benefit from the network effect of the crypto assets ecosystem while supporting the internet-based finance that is key to attracting digital-native investors and simplifying cross-border distribution of financial products.“The increased scale will reduce operational costs, while opening up new business models associated with DeFi protocols, organisations and more,” he says. “This technological revolution promises to be so transformative that market participants are cautiously studying the optimal and most secure ways to embrace tokenisation.”Improving Collateral Mobility and Capital EfficiencyFor institutional investors, tokenisation can improve collateral mobility and enable atomic settlement, reducing counterparty and operational risk. For asset owners and investors, fractionalisation and programmability could expand access to assets that were previously operationally complex or illiquid.“The longer-term opportunity is a more interoperable financial system where assets, cash and data move seamlessly across networks, unlocking new business models,” explains Alvin Chia, head of digital assets innovation Asia Pacific for Northern Trust.Real-time movement of high-quality assets and clear visibility of exposures enhance liquidity and risk detection, agrees Chetan Karkhanis, SVP, digital asset partnership development at Franklin Templeton.“In the near future, the real upside is flexibility,” he says. “Because tokenisation allows assets to be fractionalised, distributed more broadly and embedded with logic that automates certain actions, it creates room for new product design and more tailored investment access, particularly in APAC, where cross-border capital flows are significant. Over time, that flexibility could lower barriers to entry and make markets more responsive to investor needs.”Real-Time Treasury and Asset MovementGiven the programmability of tokenised assets, certain processes can be further automated through smart contracts based on predefined conditions to streamline workflows and lower operational costs.“Tokenisation could also support the real economy by enabling trade and financial assets to be distributed to a broader pool of investors, potentially expanding access to financing,” suggests Ankur Kanwar, head of transaction banking & cash management, Singapore and ASEAN and global at Standard Chartered.The bank has introduced a tokenised SGD and USD account balances solution for Ant International on the latter’s blockchain-based real-time global treasury management platform, building on learnings from the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Guardian initiative.“The solution was co-created with Ant International and aims to enable it to future-proof its treasury and shift to real-time, 24/7 movement of value in SGD and USD,” says Kanwar.New Products and Broader Investor AccessTokenised products have opened up new distribution channels, particularly to digitally native investors, while stablecoins and tokenised money market funds give users the ability to move value or rebalance risk within minutes rather than days.Meanwhile, tokenised gold products and oil perpetual futures have gained traction for trading and hedging macro events that happen over the weekend or outside of conventional trading hours.“For institutions, the ability to post digital cash or tokenised treasuries intraday reduces settlement risk and improves collateral efficiency,” says Duncan Trenholme, managing director of TP ICAP Fusion Digital Assets, who adds that the longer-term implications are more significant.When cash and collateral can move in minutes, funding transitions from broad overnight blocks to precise intraday slices. The short end of the rates curve begins to reflect these finer temporal units, meaning collateral spreads tighten and reuse cycles accelerate.“At the same time, on-chain-native derivatives lower the marginal cost of creating and servicing instruments, making it commercially viable to build more granular markets, meaning more bespoke exposures and more acute trading strategies for clients,” adds Trenholme.“Examples include on-chain prediction markets and on-chain derivatives markets. The compression of time and the expansion of the investable universe is where the real commercial impact of tokenisation will be felt.”Lowering Barriers for Retail InvestorsFor retail investors, tokenisation has the potential to lower entry barriers through fractional ownership and broaden access to traditionally illiquid asset classes. On the other hand, it creates opportunities for intermediaries to streamline post-trade processes and rethink distribution models.“Furthermore, if liquidity and standards mature over time, tokenisation could support more efficient capital formation and portfolio diversification,” concludes Huan Kiat, fintech director at PhillipCapital. “Ultimately, its long-term impact will depend on whether it delivers tangible improvements in cost, access and execution compared with traditional structures.” This article was written by Paul Golden at www.financemagnates.com.

At the FM Singapore Summit 2026 in Singapore, an intriguing interview focused maintained that modern traders are becoming more self-directed, more diversified and less willing to tolerate fragmented trading experiences, forcing brokers to compete on usability as much as pricing. The discussion at the Craft Stage featured Edmund Lee, Growth Manager for Singapore at TradingView, and Kenny Wan, Head of Sales at Penguin Securities, according to event and company information.Article DraftRetail trading in Asia is becoming broader, faster and more deliberate, with investors increasingly moving across asset classes and demanding smoother trading journeys from analysis to execution, speakers said at the FM Singapore Summit 2026 in Singapore.During a Craft Stage panel titled “Key Trends Shaping Modern Trading Behavior,” Edmund Lee of TradingView and Kenny Wan of Penguin Securities argued that the retail investor of 2026 looks very different from the one brokers served a decade ago. Rather than chasing a single market, today’s users are arriving with more information, stronger views and a clearer sense of how they want to allocate risk, they said.Lee opened with platform data showing steady growth in trading interest across regions, citing global user growth of about 10%, ASEAN growth of 15% and Singapore growth of 19%. Momentum in Southeast AsiaHe said the figures point to particularly strong momentum in Southeast Asia, where trading participation is rising alongside user expectations for speed, personalization, community features and seamless access across devices and services.Read more: “Stablecoins Are like Sending an Email and Fiat Is like Sending a Letter in the Post”: FM Singapore 2026 HighlightsWan said that picture matched what Penguin Securities is seeing among clients in the region. “These clients are actually quite well-versed and they know what they want to invest in,” he said, adding that many now do their own research before committing capital to equities, bonds, crypto, gold and other instruments.A central theme of the session was the rise of the multi-asset trader. Lee said platforms are evolving into multi-asset ecosystems as global players bring together CFDs, equities, crypto and futures, while Wan said diversification has become a defining behavior rather than a secondary consideration.Rise of the Multi-Asset Trader“I think the story really is about diversification and not just focus on one asset class,” Wan said. He contrasted that with the more concentrated habits of earlier retail cohorts, arguing that younger and more market-aware investors now respond to macro events, rate decisions and geopolitical tension by shifting across products rather than staying anchored to equities alone.Commodities emerged as one of the clearest examples of that shift. Lee cited data showing Singapore posting 55% growth in commodities trading, while Wan said clients were using instruments such as gold and oil both as defensive hedges and as speculative trades.Wan offered one of the panel’s more memorable anecdotes when he described people in Singapore queueing at banks and bullion dealers to buy gold, a sign, he suggested, that commodities have moved further into the retail mainstream. “People are actually buying gold for speculative purposes,” he said, arguing that the asset class remains relevant whenever geopolitical stress pushes investors to rethink risk.More from the event: “For Founders, Singapore Is Less a Destination and More a Launchpad”: Lessons from FM Singapore Summit 2026The panel also highlighted how trading preferences are widening beyond traditional equities. Lee said gold and Bitcoin ranked consistently among top-traded symbols across regions, while Singapore showed a more mixed profile that also included names such as Nvidia, suggesting traders are blending macro, thematic and speculative exposures in the same portfolio.Consensus on User ExperienceIf there was one point of strongest agreement, it was on user experience. Lee pointed to growth in broker connectivity, including a 49% increase globally and 31% in ASEAN, as evidence that traders want to move directly from charting and research to execution without leaving the platform.Wan said that demand is changing the basis of competition in brokerage. “Right now people talk about user experience about the connectivity itself more so than spread and pricing,” he said, arguing that investors increasingly value the ability to monitor multiple asset classes in one portfolio view instead of switching between several platforms.The discussion suggested that brokers and fintech firms in Asia are facing a more complex customer than before: one that is informed, diversified and impatient with friction. For firms hoping to stay relevant, the message from the panel was that access alone is no longer enough; platforms must also deliver context, convenience and a unified trading experience. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

MetaQuotes has expanded its infrastructure network with a new hosting location in Amsterdam, allowing brokers to deploy MetaTrader 5 backup servers in the Dutch capital.The Amsterdam launch comes as MetaQuotes continues to expand the infrastructure supporting its broker ecosystem. At the Finance Magnates London Summit 2025, the company said it had invested "millions" in global server infrastructure, with hosting locations across major financial hubs including London, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo.Amsterdam Hosting Reduces Infrastructure Outage RisksThe move gives brokers another option for building resilient trading infrastructure as firms seek to reduce operational risks and improve platform uptime.A backup server is a key component of MetaTrader 5's high-availability architecture. It continuously synchronizes with the primary trading server and can take over operations if the main site experiences a critical failure.Read More: Are Third-Party Bridge Providers Being Priced Out By MetaQuotes?According to MetaQuotes, the new Amsterdam location is intended to “strengthen” geographic redundancy. Brokers can place backup servers in a different country from their primary trading servers, reducing exposure to disruptions affecting a single data centre, network provider, or region.For example, a broker operating its primary trading server in London can deploy a backup server in Amsterdam. MetaQuotes said this geographic separation can help improve business continuity during infrastructure outages.New Hosting Option Available Through MT5Amsterdam is one of Europe's largest financial and network hubs, providing connectivity to brokers, liquidity providers, and financial institutions. The company said the location offers firms greater flexibility when designing fault-tolerant trading systems.Beyond Core Trading PlatformsThe infrastructure expansion comes as MetaQuotes broadens its product offering beyond MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. In 2025, the company introduced a volume-based pricing model for its Ultency liquidity bridge and launched metatrader.com, a financial information portal for traders and developers. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

INGOT Brokers has brought in seasoned FX and CFDs executive Nidal Abdel Hadi as a Strategy Consultant, adding a Dubai‑based industry veteran to support its regional and business plans. Abdel Hadi, who has spent more than two decades in trading and brokerage roles, joins INGOT after back‑to‑back CEO positions at CFI’s Dubai unit and CMS Financial.His role at INGOT focuses on strategy and consulting, with responsibilities that include business planning and advisory work tied to artificial intelligence and small‑business consulting. He lists the position as a full‑time Strategy Consultant role that started in 2026, based in Dubai. From CFI Dubai to CMS FinancialAbdel Hadi’s recent career has revolved around MENA‑focused brokers. He joined CFI in 2018 as Deputy Chief Executive Officer in Dubai. Over time he moved into the top role at Credit Financier Invest DIFC Limited, the group’s licensed Dubai subsidiary, and served as CEO there.Keep reading: INGOT Brokers Enters Europe with New Cyprus Office after Obtaining CySEC LicenseAfter his tenure at CFI Dubai, Abdel Hadi took on a CEO‑board advisor mandate at a confidential firm in the United Arab Emirates between April 2024 and May 2025. He then became Group Chief Executive Officer of CMS Financial, an Arabic market‑focused CFDs broker, in May 2025. He held that role until February 2026, giving him a direct line of sight into retail derivatives activity across Arab markets before moving to INGOT.Institutional Sales and Swissquote BackgroundBefore his Dubai CEO appointments, Abdel Hadi held senior institutional sales roles at regional and Swiss brokers. He worked as Head of Institutional Sales at ADS Securities in Abu Dhabi, focusing on institutional relationships and financial structuring. Prior to that, he spent two years at Swissquote in Geneva as Head of Institutional Sales, with responsibilities that included strategic planning and work tied to investment banking.Recently, INGOT Brokers stepped into the European Union by opening a new office in Limassol, Cyprus, adding the island to an existing footprint that already includes Australia, Dubai, Jordan and Kenya. The broker secured a Cyprus Investment Firm licence from CySEC in November 2025 but has yet to start operating under it, leaving its precise plans for European clients and products open. The move comes at a time when Cyprus remains a key regulatory hub for retail FX and CFDs thanks to its talent pool and supervisory framework, even as the island faces growing competition from Dubai, where several established brokers have shifted licences or closed local operations. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Binance, the world's largest exchange by volume, enters July without EU authorisation. Tether's USDT has already been delisted across major regulated venues. For the first time, a single regulatory framework covers all 30 EEA states, and most of the old market does not fit inside it.July 1 Marks the End of Europe's Transition Period On July 1, Europe's crypto market stops running on legacy rules. The grandfathering period built into MiCA expires definitively across all 30 EEA countries. ESMA confirmed in April that there will be no extensions. Firms that were already operating legally before MiCA came fully into force in December 2024 had up to 18 months to transition. Some member states shortened that window. Germany ended it in December 2025, the Netherlands a full year before the EU-wide cutoff. July 1 closes the final wave. Those without a licence must either transfer clients to an authorised provider or wind down. ESMA has been unambiguous that operating without authorisation after the deadline is a breach of EU law, and national regulators in France and the Netherlands have already signalled active enforcement. Europe's New Licensed Crypto Market The licensed population runs to around 200 firms, but the exchanges operating at meaningful scale are a much shorter list. By late June, approximately 14 entities held authorisation specifically to operate a trading platform under MiCA - the licence category covering crypto trading venues. The major names and their regulatory home bases:Despite the low conversion rate, the licensed platforms already account for an estimated 95% of EU crypto transaction volume, suggesting the market's centre of gravity was already concentrated before the deadline. Malta, Luxembourg, and Austria absorbed the majority of major exchange licences. Ireland set a higher bar with no virtual offices, genuine operational presence required. This approach filtered out all but the most committed applicants. Luxembourg is officially our MiCA home ??We're looking forward to welcoming users from across the EU to Coinbase. https://t.co/6YiRoJRdJA— Coinbase ?️ (@coinbase) June 24, 2026The licensed pool also extends beyond crypto natives. BBVA received MiCA authorisation in Spain. Trade Republic and N26 secured German BaFin approvals covering crypto services within their broader platforms. Clearstream and Société Générale–Forge are licensed for institutional asset servicing and stablecoin issuance.Broker-adjacent fintechs are joining as well: NAGA Group said its CySEC-regulated entity, NAGA X Ltd, received MiCA authorisation on June 24, days before the July 1 cutoff.The competitive dynamic is already shifting toward the licensed perimeter. OKX is offering EU users migrating from unlicensed platforms a deposit bonus of up to 8%. The Companies Still Outside the System Binance is the most consequential unlicensed player. The world's largest crypto exchange by volume filed its MiCA application with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission in January 2026 through a newly created Greek subsidiary. In June, Reuters reported that the HCMC was set to reject the application, with separate sources suggesting the ECB had intervened behind the scenes before a formal decision was reached. On June 21, Binance withdrew the Greek application. The company said Europe remains an important market and expressed confidence in securing a licence "in the coming months." Binance is now exploring an application in other European countries, however, no formal submission has been confirmed.Binance has decided to withdraw its MiCA licence application in Greece and pursue authorisation in another EU Member State.— Binance (@binance) June 24, 2026Without a MiCA authorisation, Binance has no clear legal basis to actively serve EU clients. However, as of June 25, the practical consequences of this outcome had not been officially clarified.The company said it would take steps before July 1 to remain compliant, warned that “some users may be impacted,” and said it remained confident it could secure a MiCA licence “in the coming months.”In the meantime, we will take the necessary steps before 1 July to remain compliant with applicable requirements. This means some users may be impacted, and we will communicate directly with affected users to provide clear information on next steps.— Binance (@binance) June 24, 2026Other major exchanges have said nothing. MEXC, HTX, and Bitfinex have made no public announcements about MiCA applications or exit plans. That absence of communication is itself the answer. A number of smaller platforms have already acted without announcement, quietly geoblocking EU IP addresses in the weeks before the deadline. In France alone, approximately 90 operators had no MiCA licence as the deadline approached.For firms that remain outside the regime, the regulatory risk increases sharply after July 1. In France, the AMF has warned that continuing to serve EU customers post-deadline can result in criminal prosecution - up to two years in prison and a €30,000 fine for individuals. What Will Actually Change for Traders The most immediate change is likely to be a smaller choice of regulated platforms, and alongside that, a narrower product range on the ones that remain. For those staying on licensed platforms, the most visible product-level change is stablecoins. USDT is already gone from the major regulated venues. Coinbase, Kraken, Crypto.com, and Binance's EU entity all delisted it for retail users ahead of the deadline. Tether has not pursued MiCA authorisation and has no announced plans to do so. The authorised alternatives are USDC and EURC from Circle, plus 18 additional regulated tokens across 14 authorised EMT issuers - 12 euro-denominated, seven dollar-denominated. The choice of regulated stablecoins exists, but it is significantly narrower.Industry participants say the impact goes beyond token listings. The transition away from USDT will affect payment rails used by brokers, payment providers, and traders across Europe.Derivatives are a separate issue. MiCA does not cover futures or leveraged products, they fall under MiFID II. Only exchanges holding both a MiCA CASP licence and a MiFID II authorisation can legally offer perpetual futures and leveraged trading to EU retail clients. As of mid-2026, that list is short: Kraken and Gemini are among the few with both. For most EU retail traders, that effectively limits leveraged crypto trading to a handful of venues. On client protection, MiCA requires asset segregation, formal complaints procedures, and capital requirements - formal guarantees that unlicensed platforms do not provide. But the risk runs the other way too. Traders unwilling to accept a narrower product range may migrate to offshore exchanges outside MiCA's reach, where those protections do not apply. It is the same pattern that played out after ESMA's 2018 CFD intervention, and regulators are aware of it. Passporting changes how regulated services are delivered across the bloc: a single EU licence now covers all 30 EEA states, meaning a trader in Warsaw or Lisbon accesses the same regulated platform as one in Amsterdam. What the New Market Will Look Like The CFD industry offers the closest precedent. After ESMA's 2018 intervention with leverage caps, binary options ban offshore firms relocated, retail traders partially migrated, and the EU market consolidated around a smaller group of well-capitalised, compliant operators. The structure of the industry changed permanently. The CFD experience suggests crypto could follow a similar trajectory. Short term: some retail volume migrates to offshore exchanges and DeFi protocols, both of which sit outside MiCA's scope. MiCA includes measures intended to limit that outcome, including the explicit prohibition on third-country solicitation and the custody outsourcing ban were designed precisely to close that route. Whether enforcement is effective enough is a different question. Medium term, the structural shift is already visible in who secured licences. Traditional banks and financial infrastructure firms are now MiCA-authorised alongside the crypto natives.OKX founder and CEO Star Xu framed the shift in similar terms, arguing that MiCA is not simply a licensing hurdle but a test of whether compliance has real authority inside crypto firms.That is not incidental. The compliance costs of MiCA - licensing alone runs €500,000 to €2 million, with annual compliance adding €250,000 or more - effectively filter out smaller players and favour firms with existing regulatory infrastructure. Unlike Banks and large fintechs, most crypto startups do not have that infrastructure. The result is a market that looks increasingly like the rest of regulated European finance: fewer participants, larger average size, more institutional capital, and a competitive dynamic where regulatory access is as important as product quality. For brokers and institutional players already operating within that framework, that is familiar territory. For the crypto-native firms that built their business on operating outside the regulatory perimeter, July 1 marks a significant narrowing of that space in Europe. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

Choosing a broker is a major step for retail traders in the Asia-Pacific region. As we head into 2026, the CFD brokerage market focuses on strict rules, modern trading platforms, and extensive trader education. Traders in Asia need brokers that offer direct access to global markets while maintaining capital security through top-tier regulation and negative balance protection.In this review, we examine the features of three established retail CFD brokers: iForex Asia, AvaTrade, and Pepperstone. We detail the facts to help you understand what each provider offers regarding trading style integration, experience level support, and platform availability. All three operate at a similar market tier. They provide access for retail traders and back it up with standard financial safety codes.Risk Warning: Trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs) carries a high risk to your capital. You can lose more than your initial deposit. Make sure you fully understand the mechanics of leverage and the risks before you open a live trading account.How We Evaluated These BrokersTo provide an informative look at the brokers operating in Asia for 2026, we tested iForex Asia, AvaTrade, and Pepperstone against a specific set of criteria.First, we looked at their regulation. We checked for licenses from global authorities and local bodies relevant to Asian traders. Keeping client funds safe is a top priority. We verified that each broker uses standard safety measures, like keeping client money in separate bank accounts and offering negative balance protection.Second, we tested the trading platforms. Some traders prefer industry-standard software like MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5. Others want the simple layout of a proprietary web platform or the execution of cTrader and TradingView. We looked at the layout, the charting tools, the execution speed, and mobile app functionality.Third, we reviewed the trading conditions. This covers the spread models for major assets, standard fee structures, minimum deposit limits, and how many financial instruments you can actually trade.Finally, we looked at the educational materials. Educational support is helpful for traders who want to improve their strategies, making it a notable factor in the retail space.Quick Overview: iForex Asia, AvaTrade, and PepperstoneiForex Asia FeaturesRunning since 1996, iForex is one of the oldest retail CFD brokers in the industry. It has a unique setup in the Asian market by focusing on its own custom trading platform and deep educational resources. iForex Asia provides a personalized experience rather than relying on automated bots or complex third-party software.Regulation & SafetyiForex uses a dual-regulation setup to keep clients safe across different regions. Its European branch is licensed and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number 143/11. For international clients, including traders in the Asia-Pacific region, the broker's services are regulated by the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVI FSC).Because of these rules, iForex Asia has to follow strict security protocols. Client funds are kept in separate bank accounts. This prevents the broker from using your money for its own daily operations. iForex Asia also offers negative balance protection. If the market suddenly crashes, your retail account cannot drop below zero, ensuring you never lose more money than your balance.Platform FXnetInstead of using third-party platforms like MetaTrader, iForex Asia built its own software called FXnet. The platform is entirely web-based. You do not have to download any software or deal with complex installations. You can log in directly from any standard web browser. They also offer functional mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.FXnet focuses strongly on keeping things simple visually without removing important technical tools. One of its features is "Pulse", a live newsfeed that streams market updates, economic data, and financial analysis right into your trading screen. Alongside economic calendars and trading signals, FXnet includes solid charting tools and a range of technical indicators. However, FXnet does not support automated trading or algorithmic bots like Expert Advisors.Trading Instruments & ConditionsiForex Asia gives clients access to over 750 financial instruments traded as CFDs. You can trade more than 100 foreign exchange pairs, including major, minor, and exotic currencies. The broker also offers global stocks, over 30 global stock indices, and a variety of commodities like gold, silver, and crude oil. Furthermore, you get access to popular cryptocurrencies and more than 30 Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs).iForex Asia uses a spread-only model for its trading costs. This means there are no hidden fees charged per trade on the standard assets. The broker generally offers fixed spreads. Fixed spreads give traders stable and predictable costs, which helps during major news events when variable spreads often spike. The minimum deposit is approachable at around $100.Education & SupportiForex Asia shows a strong dedication to trader education. The broker caters heavily to self-directed traders who appreciate professional training. iForex offers personalized 1-on-1 coaching sessions for active registered clients.This direct coaching is backed up by a massive digital library. It holds video courses, live webinars, and detailed market updates. The material covers basics like margin, leverage, and pip calculation, and moves to advanced topics like chart patterns and trading economic news.Pros & ConsAvaTrade FeaturesFounded in 2006 and based in Dublin, AvaTrade is a major entity in the global retail brokerage space. In Asia, AvaTrade is known for offering a massive variety of trading platforms and maintaining strict regulatory compliance across multiple top-tier regions. AvaTrade caters to technical traders who require advanced setups, varied software options, or automated systems.Regulation & SafetyAvaTrade has a highly accomplished regulatory record in the online brokerage industry. It holds a license from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), a top-tier regulator that monitors the APAC region. AvaTrade is also regulated by the Financial Services Agency (FSA) in Japan, the Central Bank of Ireland, and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa.Holding licenses in multiple jurisdictions forces the broker to maintain high financial transparency. AvaTrade strictly follows rules covering client funds. It holds capital in separate tier-one bank accounts and provides negative balance protection across its branches.Platforms MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGOAvaTrade offers a very large choice of trading software. The broker fully supports both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the two most popular retail trading platforms in the world. By using MetaTrader, traders can access advanced charting, run backtests on historical data, and load up custom technical indicators built by third-party developers.Outside of MetaTrader, the broker offers its own mobile app called AvaTradeGO. This makes mobile trading and portfolio management very smooth. AvaTrade also offers AvaOptions, a separate platform built just for trading vanilla foreign exchange options. This is a complex product type that few standard retail CFD brokers offer.Trading Instruments & ConditionsAvaTrade offers over 1,000 individual financial instruments. Traders can speculate on a wide array of markets including forex pairs, raw commodities, global indices, single stocks, international bonds, and cryptocurrencies. Having access to vanilla FX options gives advanced traders highly specific ways to hedge.AvaTrade bases its pricing mostly on variable spreads. The exact conditions depend on the account type and platform in use. The spreads on major pairs like the EUR/USD are competitive within the industry average. AvaTrade keeps the entry barrier low with a minimum required deposit of about $100.Copy Trading & AutomationAvaTrade integrates automated trading natively. Because it runs the full MetaTrader suite, clients have complete access to run Expert Advisors (EAs) and algorithmic trading scripts coded in MQL4 and MQL5. For social trading, AvaTrade offers integrated copy trading through AvaSocial and DupliTrade. These tools let retail users automatically mirror the trades of highly experienced accounts.Pros & ConsPepperstone FeaturesFounded in 2010 and based in Australia, Pepperstone is recognized as an execution-focused CFD provider. For the Asian market, Pepperstone sets itself apart by offering raw pricing, fast execution speeds, and deep integration with professional platforms that algo developers and scalpers utilize.Regulation & SafetyPepperstone is strictly regulated globally. It is authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, ASIC in Australia, and CySEC in Europe. For the Asia-Pacific region, clients often sign up through international branches such as the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB). The broker maintains strict internal auditing processes and open corporate governance.Pepperstone provides negative balance protection and holds all client money safely in separate tier-one bank accounts. This ensures operational funds do not mix with client capital.Platform cTrader, TradingView & MetaTraderPepperstone offers a thorough lineup of advanced trading technology. The broker fully supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Beyond MetaTrader, Pepperstone natively supports cTrader. cTrader is heavily favored by institutional scalpers because it has a clean layout, Level-II depth of market pricing, and smart order routing.Adding to its appeal, Pepperstone has deep integration with TradingView. Traders can link their Pepperstone accounts straight into TradingView. This lets you place trades directly from web-based charts while using thousands of custom indicators built by the community.Trading Instruments & ConditionsThe strength of Pepperstone is in its pricing model and execution speed. Clients get access to over 1,200 CFDs covering major and minor forex pairs, indices, raw commodities, global stocks, and crypto.Pepperstone runs two main account types. The Standard account has no commissions but uses wider variable spreads. The Razor account uses an ECN-style model that passes raw interbank spreads straight to the trader. During busy trading hours, spreads on major pairs like EUR/USD often hit 0.0 pips. In exchange for this raw spread, Pepperstone charges a flat commission per trade. The broker does not enforce a hard minimum deposit, but funding it with at least $200 is standard practice to cover margin limits.Execution Speed & Algo TradingPepperstone leverages deep liquidity pools and server architecture placed close to global financial hubs. Its execution speeds mitigate slippage and requotes. The platform actively supports and optimizes professional automated trading, cBots, and social copy trading.Pros & ConsSummary of Broker FeaturesThe Asian retail brokerage sector is highly competitive. Each broker evaluates varying technical requirements and market approaches.iForex Asia provides a custom FXnet platform and fixed spread pricing. It focuses heavily on 1-on-1 coaching and dense educational content.AvaTrade supports automated software, third-party Expert Advisors, and Vanilla FX Options. It incorporates copy trading into MT4 and offers a proprietary AvaOptions terminal.Pepperstone offers raw interbank spreads, ultra-fast execution, and institutional depth-of-market tools. It directly links with cTrader and TradingView to support self-directed algorithmic developers.Frequently Asked QuestionsIs iForex Asia regulated?Yes. iForex runs on a dual-regulation setup. Its main European branch is regulated by CySEC. Its international operations serving clients in the Asia-Pacific region are regulated by the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVI FSC). It also provides negative balance protection and maintains separate bank accounts.What specific platform does iForex operate on?iForex uses a custom web-based platform called FXnet. iForex does not offer access to MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5. You can log into FXnet easily from any standard web browser. It also runs as a mobile app for both iOS and Android platforms.Does Pepperstone support algorithmic trading?Yes. Pepperstone provides server support for MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader. It supports algorithmic trading scripts, automated bots, Expert Advisors (EAs), and cBots. It optimizes its high-speed servers to handle programmatic execution.Is AvaTrade regulated within the Asian market?Yes. AvaTrade holds regulations across multiple global jurisdictions. AvaTrade holds active licenses from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Financial Services Agency (FSA) based in Japan.What is the minimum deposit for these brokers?The entry point remains very low. iForex Asia and AvaTrade require a standard minimum deposit of about $100. Pepperstone does not enforce a strict minimum, though depositing at least $200 is recommended to cover the margin constraints on live trades.Which broker offers cTrader?Pepperstone natively supports cTrader. The platform is designed for fast execution, robust charting, and algorithmic cBot integration, making it a prominent alternative to MetaTrader software.Disclaimer: CFDs are highly complex instruments and come with a significant risk of losing money rapidly due to the mechanics of financial leverage. You should carefully consider whether you fully understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Always align your personal trading decisions with your current financial situation, available capital, and overall risk tolerance. This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.

The proprietary trading space is crowded, but traders are increasingly separating the substance from the noise. At the UF AWARDS Global 2026, presented this June at the iFX Expo in Cyprus, the industry officially recognized that shift. OneFunded took home the award for the fastest-growing prop firm globally. This milestone highlights a company that has expanded its global footprint by focusing on trader experience rather than relying on heavy promotional spend.Scale through concrete resultsThe numbers driving this recognition offer a clear view of OneFunded’s rapid market penetration. The prop trading firm now supports a community of over 25,000 active traders across more than 160 countries. More importantly, execution has kept pace with acquisition, with over $800,000 already paid out to funded traders worldwide. In an industry where credibility is earned through reliable withdrawals, these figures demonstrate operational stability and a sustainable business model.An evaluation model traders wantGrowth in the prop space often comes from aggressive marketing, but OneFunded took a different route. The firm built an evaluation model based on transparent rules, achievable targets, and real payouts. By stripping away hidden conditions and focusing on a platform that continuously evolves alongside its users, OneFunded created an environment that traders naturally gravitate toward. The award serves as formal industry confirmation of what the community already knew.The foundation of trader trustAnastasiia Kaplunenko, CEO of OneFunded, views the accolade as a testament to the community rather than just corporate success. "This award belongs to every trader who chose OneFunded and came back," she explains. "We didn't grow because we were the loudest; we grew because traders found what they were looking for and kept coming back. That's not luck. It's trust."The next era of tradingAs the market matures, retail and professional participants are actively seeking firms that treat them as peers rather than just clients. OneFunded’s trajectory shows that when a firm prioritizes clear rules and reliable payouts, rapid global expansion follows naturally.Discover OneFunded and join 25,000+ funded traders worldwide.About OneFundedOneFunded is a global proprietary trading firm designed to empower retail and professional traders. By offering transparent evaluation models, fair trading conditions, and reliable payouts, OneFunded provides traders across 160+ countries with the capital and platform infrastructure they need to succeed in the financial markets. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Indonesia is the latest to take a tougher stance on finfluencers. The Financial Services Authority (OKJ) of Southeast Asia’s largest economy is requiring them to disclose paid promotions and obtain investment advisory licenses to recommend capital market products. More importantly, the regulator has shifted its focus from individual accountability to corporate liability by issuing guidelines that will hold companies responsible for information shared by finfluncuers as part of marketing deals. Crypto influencers will need to have competency certification and knowledge in the financial services sector, although what this entails was not specified. Global Efforts Intensify, but Challenges Remain The move reflects a growing international consensus on the risks of unregulated financial advice.A 2024 BaFin study found that over 50% of GenZ and millennials trust social media with financial advice. New Zealand's Financial Markets Authority recently joined 16 counterparts in a second annual Global Week of Action against unlawful influencers. This coordinated effort spans five continents and includes major trading hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia. However, the borderless and ephemeral nature of digital platforms complicates these efforts, as well as finding the demarcation line between “financial education” and advice.The United Arab Emirates introduced a first-of-its-kind framework to regulate finfluencers in 2025. However, Finance Magnates has found that many regulated finfluencers might not be complying with disclosure requirements, as neither their approved social media handles nor their posts indicate any licences. In practice, regulating finfluencers is also a logistical headache: regulators are already stretched and sifting through thousands of TikTok videos to establish compliance is a tall order. To address these challenges, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is leveraging advanced AI and web-scraping tools to track platforms such as X, Instagram, and YouTube. This technology helps identify unregistered individuals providing unlicensed financial guidance. According to SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey, these efforts led to the removal of over 120,000 deceptive social media posts in 2026.In Europe, CySEC has placed the issue high on its 2026 agenda. Thus far, the regulator has focused on issuing guidance regarding the dangers of social media as a source of financial information, but a concrete plan has yet to be established. This article was written by Adonis Adoni at www.financemagnates.com.

Gold (XAU/USD) traded at $3,976.90 per ounce on Thursday, June 25, 2026, holding below the $4,000 level for the first time since November 2025 after Wednesday's close at $3,991 marked the first sub-$4,000 daily close in seven months. The metal is down roughly 5% year-to-date and about 29% below the $5,595 record set on January 29, with a stronger dollar and rising Federal Reserve rate-hike odds driving the slide. This week's catalyst is the May PCE inflation report, due Thursday.In this article, I am answering the question why gold is falling down today and how low its price may go.Follow me on X for real-time market analysis: @ChmielDkGold Technical Analysis: The $4,000 Polarity FlipThe story on my chart this week is a polarity change. The $4,000 area, which acted as support at the March 2026 lows and again through June, broke on Wednesday's close and is now being retested from below as resistance. Price tagged an intraday low of $3,959 on Wednesday before stabilizing near $3,976 on Thursday. In 15+ years as a trader and analyst, 10 of them at FinanceMagnates.com, I have watched gold defend the $4,000 zone repeatedly, which is why this first close beneath it carries weight on my analyst page read of the trend.The 50-day and 200-day moving averages continue to converge toward a death cross, and they sit closer now than when my June 22 analysis first flagged the setup. The trend turned lower in early June, when gold lost its 200-day average, the level I tracked in my June 8 analysis. My Fibonacci extension off the 2025 advance still points to $3,440, the 100% level, roughly 15% below spot and about 39% under the January record.The bias stays bearish below $4,000. A daily close back above it would reset the flip, and only a reclaim of the 200 EMA near $4,300 would reopen the upside, the same boundary I mapped in my early-May chart work.Why Is Gold Falling Below $4,000?Gold is falling because the rate story turned against it. The Federal Reserve held in June but signaled a hawkish bias, and markets now price roughly 68% odds of a September hike, up from 29% a week earlier. That repricing lifted real Treasury yields and pushed the dollar to its highest level in more than a year, both negative for a non-yielding asset."Gold prices remain under pressure, reaching multi-month lows," said Bas Kooijman, CEO and Asset Manager at DHF Capital S.A. He attributes the move to expectations of tighter policy and a firm dollar.The geopolitical bid also faded. Progress in US-Iran talks pulled oil back to a four-month low, removing the war premium that had supported bullion and easing the inflation concern that kept the Fed hawkish. Gold failed to rally during the conflict and is now selling off on its resolution, an unusual sequence that underlines how much the rate channel dominates this tape.The drivers behind the break below $4,000:Fed repricing: September hike odds near 68%, up from 29% a week earlierDollar strength: DXY at a one-year-plus high, raising the cost of gold abroadIran de-escalation: oil at a four-month low, war premium drainedReal yields: higher carry cost on non-yielding bullionInstitutional Flows and the Rate-Hike RepricingAttention turns to Thursday's PCE report, which Kooijman expects could prove decisive for the Fed's next move. A hotter reading would reinforce the hike case and pressure gold further, while a soft print could spark a technical bounce into the $4,000 retest. The longer-term bid has not vanished. Central banks bought 244 net tonnes in the first quarter of 2026, and Kooijman noted that "ongoing central bank purchases support the longer-term outlook for gold." My read is that this official-sector demand limits the depth of the correction over time but has not stopped the rate-driven leg lower.How Low Can Gold Go? XAU/USD Price PredictionsThe institutional range remains wide, and most desks still sit above spot even after trimming targets. Deutsche Bank cut its year-end call to $4,800 from $6,000, a downgrade that still implies a bounce of about 20% from current levels. Brandon Aversano, founder of Alloy, called the "$4,800 year-end target" reasonable, adding that he does not expect a straight line and sees gold capable of revisiting $5,000 before year-end if geopolitical risk and central-bank buying re-accelerate. My view is that this is the credible upper path, but it needs a catalyst my chart does not show today.Goldman Sachs still targets $4,900 and the Reuters poll median sits at $4,746, both above spot. My read is that these figures have trailed the 2026 reversal all year and assume a Fed pivot that has not arrived. The extreme upside belongs to Wells Fargo at $6,100 to $6,300 and JPMorgan at $6,000, both of which I covered when UBP rebuilt its bullion book at $6,000. I track those as ceilings, not near-term paths.Deutsche Bank's own bear scenario near $3,800 is the closest mainstream forecast to my $3,440 target, and it triggers on the same input I am watching, three to four Fed hikes.FAQ, Gold Price AnalysisWhy is gold falling below $4,000? Gold lost the $4,000 level because the Federal Reserve signaled a hawkish hold and markets moved to price roughly 68% odds of a September rate hike. That lifted real yields and pushed the dollar to a one-year high. US-Iran de-escalation also drained the war premium, sending oil to a four-month low and removing a key support for bullion.How low can gold go in 2026? My Fibonacci extension off the 2025 advance targets $3,440, the 100% level, roughly 15% below the current $3,976 price and about 39% under the January record of $5,595. That objective stays in play while gold trades below $4,000. A daily close back above the 200 EMA near $4,300 would neutralize the bearish setup.Is the $4,000 level still support for gold? No. Wednesday's close at $3,991 was the first below $4,000 since November 2025, and on my chart the level has flipped from support to resistance. Gold is now retesting it from below, a polarity change that strengthens the bearish case unless price reclaims $4,000 on a daily closing basis.What is a death cross and is gold forming one? A death cross forms when the 50-day moving average falls below the 200-day, a signal traders read as a shift to a bearish medium-term trend. Gold's 50-day and 200-day lines are converging now and sit closer than they did on June 22. The cross is not confirmed yet, but the gap continues to narrow. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Waypoint Trading Solutions, a unit of Reston-based Transaction Network Services (TNS), says it will provide connectivity to the Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE) from the Dallas venue's first day of trading. The move adds TXSE, which won regulatory approval last year and is preparing to launch in 2026, to a US equities roster the company says already covers all 22 national exchanges.TXSE has not begun trading. It secured approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission to operate as a national securities exchange in September 2025, and has signaled it expects to open later this year. Waypoint's announcement stakes out access to a venue whose order flow does not yet exist.Connectivity Lands Before the Exchange DoesThe pattern is familiar. When 24X National Exchange prepared its extended-hours US stock platform last year, TNS lined up market data connectivity ahead of the launch, pitching access to firms in Asia that wanted to trade American shares during local hours. Waypoint is running the same playbook for TXSE.Being live on day one matters for connectivity firms because brokers and trading desks route through whichever networks already reach a venue. Tom Lazenga, president of Waypoint, said in the announcement that "it was important to our clients that we establish connectivity... from day one," framing the link as part of the firm's US markets coverage.TXSE arrives with heavy financial backing. Public filings and reports list investors including BlackRock, Citadel Securities and Charles Schwab, joined more recently by JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Bank of America, with capital raised above $250 million. The exchange is pitching itself as a lower-cost rival to the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.Rick Yoder, TXSE's chief technology officer, said the exchange "has built a modern proprietary trading platform designed for high throughput and speed," a claim that will not be tested until live trading begins.Infrastructure Firms Chase the Same Exchange BusinessWaypoint is not alone in courting exchanges and the firms that trade on them. Beeks Financial Cloud has spent the past year signing venues to its Exchange Cloud service, and booked about $10 million of contracts in June across a Tier 1 bank, a financial services client and a US equities exchange.Beeks works differently from Waypoint. It builds managed infrastructure next to trading venues and, increasingly, takes a cut of transaction revenue rather than charging fixed fees. Others compete on the network and data layer. Pico sells low-latency connectivity and its Corvil analytics tools across global data centers, while IPC Systems runs its Connexus Cloud trading network.A Network Built on the Old Radianz BusinessWaypoint splits its services into three lines. Radianz provides trading connectivity through what the company calls the world's largest financial extranet, Xpress offers a managed low-latency platform, and Sentinel handles market data. The Radianz piece is the most established, with roots going back more than two decades.That network changed hands this year. TNS closed its acquisition of BT's Radianz business in early 2026, folding the cloud platform that connects thousands of brokers, exchanges and clearinghouses into its own low-latency network. Waypoint is the brand under which TNS now sells the combined offering.The company says its ecosystem reaches more than 800 exchanges, venues and service providers across over 70 countries, and that more than 1,000 financial institutions rely on it. TNS has used that footprint to embed itself in other firms' systems, including a deal in which Broadridge built TNS connectivity into its futures and options software.For now, the announcement reflects vendor positioning more than market activity. Whether day-one connectivity turns into business depends on how many issuers and traders TXSE can pull away from the incumbents once it opens. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

cTrader has been recognised as Best Mobile Trading App at UF AWARDS GLOBAL 2026, held as part of iFX EXPO International 2026 (16–18 June, Limassol). The award confirms cTrader Mobile's standing as a benchmark for mobile trading in FX/CFD. Available in every app store across the globe, it is highly valued among traders for such capabilities as advanced take profit (server-side scaling out), algo trading with free cloud execution, superior native charting, Quick Trade, price alerts and the risk-reward tool on the charts. As mobile trading grows and trader expectations rise with it, cTrader Mobile keeps pace – continuously upgraded based on real trader feedback to ensure a best-in-class trading experience. With over 11 million traders using cTrader today, from beginners to market experts, Traders First™ approach behind each update is proving its worth. cTrader Mobile is also becoming a powerful acquisition tool for brokers. The AppsFlyer integration lets brokers promote their branded cTrader mobile apps. Through the AppsFlyer SDK, brokers can launch, track and optimise their mobile advertising campaigns – seeing which channels bring high-intent leads, how traders behave after installation and how ad budgets can be allocated more effectively. Meanwhile, the recently launched cTrader Leads programme helps brokers convert existing platform demand into high-intent prospects – traders who are already actively exploring cTrader products. In the cross-broker cTrader app, new traders on demo accounts are invited to browse a list of trusted brokers, and once they register, a personalised onboarding flow guides them towards a first deposit and live trading. Newly onboarded brokers receive additional visibility within the list, helping them establish their presence from the start. Spotware continues to develop solutions with a focus on the priorities that matter most to brokers today, from trader acquisition to long-term competitive edge. cTrader will also continue to evolve around trader needs, staying true to the Traders First™ approach. Talk to the Sales team to discuss how Spotware’s solutions can support your business goals. About cTradercTrader is a premium trading platform launched in 2010, built on Traders First™ principles, serving over 11 million traders of all experience levels as well as 300+ brokers and prop firms. With advanced native charting, built-in social trading and free cloud execution for trading bots, cTrader delivers an excellent trading experience with best-in-class trader support. In 2026 it became the first platform in FX/CFD trading to deliver official MCP servers for AI-powered trading, enabling traders to connect AI agents for daily operations. cTrader Store is a central hub for traders, offering thousands of bots, indicators, copy strategies, prop challenges and plugins. For brokers and prop firms, it helps convert existing demand for cTrader into high-intent prospects through cTrader Leads programme. As an Open Trading Platform™, cTrader supports brokers and prop firms with 100+ third-party integrations via APIs and plugins. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Dubai's main financial free zone handled $13 trillion in over-the-counter transactions in the fourth quarter of 2025, more than double the value and volume of a year earlier. Most of that growth came from derivatives, with the activity concentrated in foreign exchange and interest rates, the Dubai Financial Services Authority said in its annual report published Thursday.The OTC figure is the standout data point for trading firms, though the regulator chose to lead its announcement with registration growth and a jump in Dubai's global ranking. The DIFC licensed 182 new firms in 2025, a 16% increase that brought the total to 1,050 regulated entities, and Dubai climbed to seventh in the Global Financial Centres Index published in March, up from 11th. The registration pace follows the rollout of DFSA Connect, a digital authorization platform that coincided with an 18% rise in applications.FX and Rates Drive a Doubling in OTC FlowsThe DFSA tied the OTC growth to a wider pool of participant firms and rising client demand, alongside Dubai's position connecting trading windows across Asia, Europe and the Americas. The report noted that recent OTC growth has sat largely in derivatives, with a concentration in foreign exchange and interest rate products.That mix reflects the institutional broking and dealing activity migrating to the centre. TP ICAP tripled its Dubai footprint last year, citing the DIFC as a bridge between Asian markets and the MENA region, and operating as a Category 3A firm under DFSA rules.Banking told a similar story of scale. Combined balance sheets of DIFC banks reached $251 billion at year-end, up 19% on the year, according to the report.The report is the first annual filing under Chief Executive Mark Steward, the former FCA enforcement director who took over in May. "This momentum has continued into 2026 against a backdrop of ongoing global uncertainty," Steward said.Brokers and Liquidity Providers Keep Choosing DubaiThe firms arriving in 2025 cut across retail brokerage, prime services and payments. Retail FX and CFD broker Fortrade picked up a DIFC license in November, while institutional liquidity provider B2PRIME secured DFSA authorization in August through its B2B Prime Services MENA unit, with an endorsement to hold client assets.Part of the draw is leverage. The DFSA permits up to 50:1 on major currency pairs for retail clients, against 30:1 caps in the European Union and the United Kingdom, which has made DIFC entities a distribution route for firms serving customers across the region. Capital.com reported that more than half of its first-half 2025 volume, around $800 billion, came from MENA.Asset managers added to the inflow. DIFC said it now ranks as a top-five global hub for hedge funds, with the number registered doubling to 87, a trend tracked across the Gulf as managers weigh full funds against representative offices. The report put assets under management across the 321-firm wealth and asset management sector at $176 billion, a figure the regulator attributes to the whole sector rather than to the 121 fund managers alone, a distinction the press release does not draw.Scam Alerts Climb 69% as Growth Brings New RisksThe expansion carried a heavier supervisory load. The DFSA issued 49 consumer alerts in 2025, up 69% from 29 a year earlier, and fielded 705 complaints, a 5% increase. More than half concerned firms, individuals or scams outside its jurisdiction.Enforcement worked on 17 investigations and concluded seven, but took action against only one individual. One focus was so-called bait-and-switch activity, in which DIFC-based firms referred investors to related firms in poorly regulated jurisdictions. The pattern echoes a recent DFSA ban on a former SVS Securities chief executive who had taken up a role at a DIFC firm despite an earlier UK prohibition.Cyber risk also rose with the activity. The DFSA recorded a 91% increase in notifications of cyber-related incidents and a 153% increase in cyber risk breaches identified through targeted assessments. "We try to encourage firms to look forward and be proactive," Enforcement Managing Director Alan Linning said in the report.Crypto Rules Shift Suitability Onto FirmsUpdated crypto token rules were finalized in December and took effect in January 2026. The changes move responsibility for assessing whether individual tokens are suitable onto authorized firms themselves, supported by added governance and disclosure requirements, the regulator said.The DFSA also recognized three stablecoins for use in financial services during 2025: Circle's USDC and EURC, and Ripple's RLUSD. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Kalshi is in talks to raise money at a valuation of around $40 billion, a price that would nearly double what investors paid for the prediction market operator just last month. The company could close the round as soon as the third quarter, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the discussions.Kalshi declined to comment on the talks. They come only weeks after the firm raised $1 billion at a $22 billion valuation, a round backed by Coatue, Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz and Morgan Stanley.Valuation Climbs From $5 Billion to $40 Billion in a YearThe proposed figure caps a steep run. Kalshi was valued at about $5 billion earlier last year and $11 billion in December, before the May round lifted it to $22 billion, according to the Financial Times. A close near $40 billion would roughly double that price again in a matter of weeks.Trading activity has moved the same way. Kalshi pulled in more than $17 billion in volume last month, up from less than $5 billion a year earlier, the paper reported. The platform recently crossed $100 billion in lifetime notional volume, helped by heavy World Cup activity.Investors Pile Into a Crowded Prediction MarketThe talks land in a sector that has drawn a wave of capital. Rival Polymarket held early discussions last October about a round that could value it between $12 billion and $15 billion, while offers at the time valued Kalshi at more than $10 billion.The field has grown more crowded since. Gemini secured a CFTC license in December after a five-year wait, letting the Winklevoss-founded exchange offer event contracts alongside Kalshi and Polymarket.Kalshi still holds the largest share of that market. It accounted for roughly two-thirds of US prediction market volume in mid-October, against Polymarket's share of about a third, based on Dune Analytics data.State Lawsuits and a CME Challenge Cloud the OutlookThe enthusiasm sits against a thickening legal backdrop. CME Group sued the Commodity Futures Trading Commission last week over the regulator's approval of Kalshi's perpetual futures, arguing the contracts are swaps that belong under tougher rules.Several US states have moved against the company as it expanded. Arizona filed criminal charges in March, accusing Kalshi of running a gambling business without a license and offering illegal wagers on elections. A Massachusetts judge in February barred it from offering sports markets in that state on public health and safety grounds.Kalshi is contesting both cases. The company argues its event contracts should be regulated as derivatives by the CFTC, now led by a Trump appointee, which would let it sidestep state gambling rules.The firm's rise has tracked a friendlier mood in Washington. President Donald Trump last month called several critics of the platforms "scum" in a social media post, and his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, joined Kalshi as an adviser in early 2025.Sports Bets Dominate, and Most Wagers LoseFor all the investor interest, the underlying business still looks a lot like betting. Sports wagers make up about 65% of Kalshi's volume, and multi-leg combo bets, similar to the parlays offered by sportsbooks, have proved popular since their rollout last September, the Financial Times reported.Roughly two-thirds of bets placed on Kalshi lose money, a person familiar with the company's operations told the paper.Institutional money is still edging in. A slice of derivatives firms already trade event contracts and many more are weighing entry, while brokers and exchanges build the plumbing to connect professional desks to the venues. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Cross-border wealth has been a gamechanger for high net worth advisors in Singapore, with wealthy individuals from Asia and beyond continuing to see the city-state as a desirable location.Parag Khanna, founder and CEO at AlphaGeo, notes in the Henley private wealth migration report 2025 that Singapore is solidifying its reputation as a global wealth haven. The report predicted that Singapore would add 1,600 new millionaires last year. According to Oliver Wyman, the three largest cross-border wealth hubs - Switzerland, Hong Kong and Singapore - are expected to capture nearly two-thirds of new inflows through 2029 as geopolitical uncertainty and diversification needs among ultra-high net worth clients sustain demand for booking centres in safe havens.Two Types of Wealth Clients in SingaporeHigh net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals in Singapore typically fall into two distinct categories, observes Simon Hopkins, managing partner East West Private Wealth.“The first are hyper-sophisticated and typically already have trusted advisors and structures in place to route their wealth into Singapore-based repositories and overseas counterparties,” he says. “These could include family office arrangements under the enhanced tier fund tax incentive of section 13U or the Singapore resident fund scheme of section 130 of the Singapore Income Tax Act.”As the name suggests, these structures are often accompanied by resident status, leading to citizenship in some cases. Singaporeans do not pay income tax on income sourced outside Singapore and hence many have structures outside the country and remit in the funds they need.“For service providers, therefore, tax is usually not the primary differentiator in offering services, with many brokers and private banks promoting high commission insurance contracts as well as structured products that generate high fees,” adds Hopkins.Changing Wealth Priorities and Family Office ModelsThe wealth priorities of the new generation of entrepreneurs and the owners of inherited wealth tend to be different to previous generations. They expect access to global investment opportunities as well as global connections, which family offices don’t have the reach or resources to deliver.This has given rise to a new form of multi-family office, staffed by experienced principals who are more often than not managing their own money alongside their clients and who charge fees that are not dependent on turnover of their client’s assets.Each client or family’s needs are unique but there are some common themes, suggests Polka Mishra, partner at Javelin Wealth Management.“Priorities are anchored around capital preservation, liquidity planning and estate planning,” she says. “In a more uncertain market environment, clients are increasingly focused on limiting downside risk while maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet both planned needs - such as retirement - and unplanned opportunities.”At the same time, succession planning has become more prominent, with clients thinking more deliberately about how to transfer wealth efficiently, preserve control where appropriate and keep arrangements aligned with evolving family intentions.Diversification, Structure and Investment StrategyThere is a strong preference to move to portable structures for succession planning in the form of trusts, variable capital companies and family offices, which remove a lot of hassles in building wealth beyond one generation, according to Mahesh Sethuraman, CEO Saxo Singapore.“There is also a rising trend of increased diversification between public markets, private markets and alternate assets, between private banks and online brokers and between active and passive management strategies,” he says.Capital preservation is as critical as returns, with most clients adopting a core (focus on capital preservation and steady returns) and satellite (hunting for high returns) approach to wealth building.“At the same time, we are seeing a growing demand for more human engagement,” adds Sethuraman. “Despite being digitally savvy, many of these clients still value access to relationship managers and market strategists, particularly when navigating market volatility or making more complex investment decisions.”Multi-Jurisdictional Wealth and Integrated EcosystemsIndividuals require solutions that are adaptable across multiple jurisdictions and generations, and this is no longer a niche requirement but a structural reality for globally connected families, explains Henry Shin, CEO WRISE Prestige Hong Kong.“In many cases, wealth is created in one jurisdiction, deployed across several others and ultimately transferred to beneficiaries who may be educated, reside or hold citizenship in entirely different regions,” he says. “This creates a constant interplay between regulatory regimes, tax exposures and legal frameworks that cannot be addressed in isolation.”At the same time, the inter-generational dimension is becoming more pronounced. Founders are increasingly focused on preservation and succession, while the next generation is more globally mobile, digitally native and often more impact-driven in their investment approach.Aligning these differing priorities requires more than traditional planning. It calls for structures and strategies that are flexible, forward looking and able to evolve over time without fragmentation.“In this context, solutions must be designed to travel seamlessly across borders while remaining robust enough to withstand regulatory change and generational transition,” says Shin. “This is where a fully integrated ecosystem becomes critical.”What this enables in practice is not just geographic coverage but true coordination. Clients benefit from a unified strategy that reflects local regulatory nuance while maintaining global consistency, reducing the risk of inefficiencies or unintended consequences across jurisdictions.It also allows for continuity over time, ensuring that as family needs evolve across generations, the underlying framework remains coherent and adaptable.“Ultimately, the ability to offer everything clients need within a single, connected ecosystem is not about convenience alone,” suggests Shin. “It is about delivering clarity and resilience in an increasingly complex global landscape.”Singapore is emerging as a key bridge between Western markets and Asian investorsNot geography,Strategic positioning.https://t.co/uc0TVUeCTN— IBTimes SG (@IBTimesSG) June 10, 2026Succession, Compliance and Global Wealth PressureMishra also refers to a rise in demand for solutions that are both multi-jurisdictional and multi-generational.“Families often have assets, businesses and residences spread across several countries, which creates tax and compliance complexity that needs thoughtful cross-border structuring,” she agrees. “At the same time, a major wealth transfer is underway in Asia, so those same structures must be robust enough to handle succession, governance and very different expectations from the next generation.”With trade wars, increasing geopolitical instability and the unsustainability of public finances in the US and most developed markets, there is a greater urgency in spreading the net wide both in terms of accessing multiple jurisdictions but also in investment decisions, adds Sethuraman.“Demand for diversification has never been greater,” he concludes. “On the back of the Iran war and the resultant ripple effects across the globe, the jurisdiction where the assets are custodised has also become a dominant conversation, with Singapore being seen as a favourable destination for its jurisdictional safety, rule of law, political neutrality and stability.” This article was written by Paul Golden at www.financemagnates.com.

Digital assets are no longer stuck in a “crypto winter” so much as a period of industrial rewiring, according to panelists at the FM Singapore Summit 2026, who said the sector is increasingly being shaped by banks, custodians and institutional allocators rather than the speculative traders who dominated earlier cycles. The discussion painted a picture of a market that is still fragmented and cautious, but also more regulated, more connected and more useful to mainstream finance than it was even a few years ago.Market Winter, Not Market DeathThe panel, titled “Buying the Deep: Digital Asset Adoption in APAC and Beyond,” centered on whether the latest downturn has stalled adoption or merely changed its form.It brought together David Jenkins, the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Openmarkets Group, Chris Knight, the Managing Director of LMAX Digital, Andrew Leelarthaepin the Head of Business Product Maybank Investment Banking Group, Luke Boland, the Head of Fintech at Standard Chartered, Karl Mohan, the EVP for Financial Services and Crypto.com, and Zann Kwan, the Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of REVO.Continue reading: “For Founders, Singapore Is Less a Destination and More a Launchpad”: Lessons from FM Singapore Summit 2026Knight argued that the industry is not in hibernation at all, but undergoing a hard rewiring as banks and market infrastructure providers build the plumbing needed for institutional participation.Boland echoed that view, saying the bank’s digital asset work had moved beyond siloed projects into broader internal coordination across risk, compliance and custody functions.Leelarthaepin of Maybank Investment Banking said digital asset adoption in Asia-Pacific is still growing, but warned that the region’s many regulatory regimes remain a practical obstacle. Karl Mohan of Crypto.com framed the shift more bluntly: in his view, the old “cowboys” and arbitrage-heavy business models that flourished in the 2021 bull market have largely disappeared, replaced by a more serious, institution-led market.What Institutions WantA recurring theme was that the next phase of adoption will depend less on hype and more on operational efficiency. Panelists repeatedly highlighted custody, connectivity, settlement and collateral management as the real bottlenecks holding the market back.Knight said credit risk remains one of the biggest unresolved issues, adding that large institutions still need clearer central clearing and stronger counterparty structures before they can participate at scale.Boland said the industry is already seeing practical use cases move into production, including collateral mirroring with tokenized money market funds in the UAE, which he said the bank plans to roll out in other custody markets. He also argued that stablecoins have become an important settlement layer because they make money movement faster and more flexible, particularly in a 24/7 market.Stablecoins as Capital ToolsIf one message cut through the discussion, it was that stablecoins are no longer just a payment story. Mohan said their real value lies in “capital efficiency,” allowing traders and funds to move collateral quickly and stay active over weekends and outside traditional banking hours.Knight used a vivid comparison, saying stablecoins are like sending an email while fiat still feels like mailing a letter and waiting for the post office to open.Zann Kwan, managing partner and chief investment officer at REVO, said many allocators had reduced risk exposure after a difficult year, but still held stablecoins and could redeploy capital with “a click of a button” when conditions improved.More from the event: “When AI Is a Black Box, Traders Either Distrust It Completely or Trust It Far Too Much”: Insights from FM Singapore Summit 2026She said the market had shifted from broad exposure across dozens of tokens to a narrower focus on top assets, even as pockets of activity continued in derivatives, tokenized products and M&A.Regulation and Regional MomentumThe panel was notably upbeat about regulatory progress in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, even while acknowledging the patchwork nature of local rules. Mohan said the days of setting up in offshore jurisdictions and servicing the world from there are over, because major markets now have some form of regulatory framework.He argued that once the US fully settles its own rules, other markets will be forced to follow because capital tends to move toward the largest and most liquid venues.Leelarthaepin said regional regulators have been progressively more open to innovation, citing Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and the Philippines as examples of jurisdictions that have built workable paths for digital assets. Still, he said fragmentation remains a challenge for large institutions operating across multiple markets, with compliance requirements often varying from one jurisdiction to another.Human Stories and AnecdotesThe panel also offered several personal moments that underscored how far the industry has come. Kwan recalled that, a decade ago, even her daughter’s bank account had been shut down because of her family’s involvement in crypto, making it difficult to handle even basic expenses such as school fees. She said the fact that banking access is now far less hostile marks an important form of progress for the industry.Mohan, meanwhile, described the rise of 24/7 trading as crypto’s most important contribution to traditional finance, saying it solved a problem that decades of legacy markets had not. He also pointed to the convergence of AI and crypto as the next frontier, arguing that agentic trading systems linked to stablecoin wallets could eventually make every piece of information, from headlines to social media posts, tradable in real time.Broader ImplicationsThe discussion suggested that digital assets are entering a more mature phase in which infrastructure, compliance and utility matter more than pure speculation.Banks and institutions are increasingly treating the asset class as part of a broader financial toolkit, whether for investment exposure, treasury management or faster collateral deployment. That does not mean the market has solved its structural problems, but it does suggest the industry is moving from experimentation to integration.For APAC in particular, the panel’s message was that the region has a real chance to remain at the forefront if regulators and market participants continue building practical rails for institutional use. The next cycle, they implied, may not be about whether digital assets survive. It will be about which firms can make them work in everyday finance. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.