Cboe Global Markets revealed its trading volume for December and the full year 2025 this week, reporting record derivatives activity in the year, with total options volume reaching 4.6 billion contracts across its four U.S. options exchanges.  Average daily volume rose to 18.4 million contracts, marking the sixth consecutive year of record trading. Multi-listed options traded 3.4 billion contracts over the year, while proprietary index products recorded 1.2 billion.  The S&P 500 Index options franchise continued to expand, with a record 970.6 million contracts traded and zero-days-to-expiry (0DTE) products representing 59% of total SPX activity. The company also highlighted strong performance across its international equities platforms. Cboe Europe Equities posted record average daily notional volume of €12.8 billion and a 25% overall market share. Global FX also set multiple records, including a spot ADNV of $49.7 billion. Off-exchange U.S. equities trading saw BIDS Trading report a yearly ADV of 155 million matched shares, nearly doubling year on year. Cboe released preliminary fourth-quarter guidance on revenue per contract and net capture, noting expected RPC of $0.317 across total options and $1.717 for futures. The post Cboe posts record 2025 derivatives volumes appeared first on LeapRate.

Marqeta has appointed Patti Kangwankij as its next chief financial officer, with the real estate technology executive set to join the Nasdaq-listed payments company on 9 February.  She replaces Mike Milotich, who became chief executive in September 2025. The group said Kangwankij will oversee all financial operations as Marqeta works to accelerate growth and strengthen profitability. She joins from Roofstock, where she serves as CFO, and previously held senior roles at Stripe and JPMorgan Chase. Milotich said: “We are thrilled to welcome Patti to the Marqeta team. She brings deep payments industry expertise, and her leadership will be a critical asset as we continue to execute our strategy, scale our platform, and enable customer innovation in card issuing.” He added that she is “the right leader to guide our finance organisation and help accelerate our momentum”. Kangwankij said she was “honoured to join Marqeta at such a pivotal moment”, pointing to the firm’s “customer-centric approach” and strong industry relationships.  She stated that she looked forward to helping drive “sustainable growth and deliver long-term value for shareholders”. The post Marqeta Appoints New CFO as Growth Strategy Advances appeared first on LeapRate.

Alpaca has announced plans to enter India’s rapidly expanding financial services market through the acquisition of Zincmoney IFSC Private Limited, a broker-dealer regulated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority and operating from Gujarat International Finance Tec-City. The announcement, made on Wednesday, marks a significant step in Alpaca’s expansion. The company, known for its self-clearing broker-dealer platform and brokerage infrastructure APIs, said the deal will provide a regulated operational foothold in India and accelerate its mission to broaden access to modern financial services worldwide. Chief executive Yoshi Yokokawa said the acquisition is “critical to building truly global brokerage infrastructure,” adding that Zincmoney had “established itself in GIFT City by working closely with Indian financial institutions and fintechs.”  He added that the combined team and licences would allow Alpaca to serve the Indian market directly while supporting partners requiring compliant access to U.S. securities and other investment solutions. Zincmoney’s capabilities span both Indian and international investments, including access to global securities, IFSC-listed products and portfolio tools aimed at areas such as overseas education and restricted stock unit management.  These offerings are expected to sit alongside Alpaca’s existing multi-asset infrastructure, which enables partners to integrate trading, custody and wealth management products through APIs. The deal also includes Zincmoney’s payment service provider, supporting customer transfers across India. Zincmoney’s Mayuresh Kini said joining Alpaca would “accelerate what we set out to build,” highlighting the goal of making global investing and IFSC products accessible to Indian households. Kini will become CEO of Alpaca India once regulatory approvals are secured. The post Alpaca to Acquire Zincmoney appeared first on LeapRate.

StoneX Digital, a division of StoneX Group, has secured its Crypto-Asset Service Provider licence under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, enabling the firm to expand regulated digital-asset services across all EU member states. The authorisation, granted by the Central Bank of Ireland, allows StoneX Digital to offer digital-asset execution and custody under what it described as one of the world’s most stringent regulatory frameworks.  The firm has already been operating as a Virtual Asset Service Provider for more than a year. StoneX stated that the licence strengthens its ability to serve institutional and corporate clients seeking regulated access to digital-asset markets.  Chief Executive Brian Mulcahy said the goal is to help clients integrate new technologies into existing investment processes by reducing friction between traditional and digital finance. Chief Operating Officer Stuart Davison said the approval aligns with StoneX’s long-term strategy of building scalable, regulated infrastructure to support innovation without disrupting clients’ operations. Launched in 2022, StoneX Digital provides institutional trading tools and market access. The firm said demand for regulated providers continues to rise as financial institutions look for established partners in digital assets. The post StoneX Digital Secures EU MiCA Licence to Expand Regulated Crypto Services appeared first on LeapRate.

Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission has fined Saxo Capital Markets HK Limited (SCMHK) $4 million and issued a formal reprimand after finding regulatory breaches in the distribution of virtual-asset products between November 2018 and November 2022. According to the SFC, SCMHK allowed retail clients to trade 32 virtual-asset funds and related products through its online platform, despite regulatory guidance stating such products should be offered only to professional investors. The firm executed 1,446 transactions during the period, including 21 exchange-traded derivative products considered complex. The SFC found that SCMHK failed to assess clients’ knowledge of virtual assets, did not provide adequate product information or warnings, and lacked proper due-diligence procedures.  The regulator added that deficiencies in group-level protocols meant the products were not flagged as virtual-asset related and were therefore made available to all users of the platform. They also said SCMHK did not ensure transactions were suitable for clients and failed to gather sufficient information to assess the knowledge of derivatives among 87 clients who traded exchange-traded virtual-asset derivatives. The SFC noted several mitigating factors, including the firm’s self-reporting, cooperation and voluntary compensation of client losses. SCMHK has since ceased carrying out regulated activities. The regulator concluded that the failures constituted breaches of the Guidelines on Online Distribution and Advisory Platforms and the Code of Conduct. The post Saxo Capital Markets HK Fined $4 Million the SFC appeared first on LeapRate.

KBC Securities and Van Lanschot Kempen Investment Banking plan to merge their equities businesses into a 50/50 joint venture, creating what the firms describe as a leading equities broker in the Benelux with specialist expertise in European real estate and life sciences. The new entity, expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026 pending regulatory approval, will operate under its own licence and combine equity research, sales, sales-trading, trading and ECM execution.  It will also serve as the exclusive distribution channel for all ECM transactions for both parent institutions. The companies said that for investors, the joint venture will expand research coverage to around 230 stocks, with a strong emphasis on Benelux companies and European thematic sectors.  For corporates, the combination will offer broader investor reach by uniting Van Lanschot Kempen’s pan-European, U.S. and domestic networks with KBC Securities’ Western European and Belgian bases. Executives said the move will enhance liquidity, placing power and client services.  KBC Group CEO Johan Thijs called the partnership “a pivotal step”, while Van Lanschot Kempen Chair Maarten Edixhoven said it was “a perfect match” that strengthens long-term growth. KBC Securities CEO Geert Cleuren described the venture as a “Benelux powerhouse”. The firms said the transaction will improve profitability for activities in scope, with negligible impact on capital ratios. Existing client services will remain unchanged until completion. https://newsroom.kbc.com/kbc-securities-and-van-lanschot-kempen-investment-banking-announce-joint-venture-in-equities The post KBC Securities and Van Lanschot Kempen to Form Benelux Equities Joint Venture appeared first on LeapRate.

TradingView has introduced a suite of new on-chain indicators designed to give traders deeper insight into crypto market behaviour beyond price movements.  The update, announced by the charting platform on 6 January, adds more than 30 blockchain-based metrics grouped into four categories: Financials, Network, Ownership and Social. The Financials set includes tools such as realised market cap, which values coins based on their last movement on the blockchain rather than current market price. TradingView said this can offer “a more accurate reflection of what participants actually paid,” helping traders identify accumulation phases and longer-term areas of interest.  Another metric, the RVT ratio, compares market value with on-chain transaction activity to gauge whether price levels are supported by real usage. Network indicators track user activity, including active addresses, transaction count and transaction volume. Rising readings may reinforce price trends, while divergences can signal speculative moves.  Metrics that follow large transactions also aim to highlight institutional flows, alongside total value locked figures for decentralised finance protocols. The Ownership category breaks down token distribution by wallet size, allowing analysis of different holder groups, from retail buyers to so-called whales. Thresholds can be customised depending on the asset or strategy. Finally, new Social indicators measure sentiment, engagement and mention dominance across online channels. TradingView said this can help users spot “early phases of growing interest” in a token. According to the platform, combining these datasets gives traders “a deeper view of the market” and supports more informed decision-making. The post TradingView Adds Crypto Fundamentals as Indicators to Platform appeared first on LeapRate.

TradeStation announced Tuesday that it has launched TITAN X, a major upgrade to its trading platform, which is said to be designed to give active traders more powerful multi-asset tools, broader customisation and enhanced charting capabilities. The platform, available on both PC and Mac with multi-monitor support, introduces a single integrated order ticket for trading across stocks, options and futures, according to the company.  Users can access TITAN X through the HUB portal on TradeStation.com, where the software can be downloaded directly. TITAN X reportedly offers prebuilt and fully customisable layouts tailored to different trading styles, including day trading, futures and options.  Workspaces are automatically saved and can be renamed or detached onto separate monitors. Charting functions have been expanded, with the platform supporting an unlimited number of charts and eleven chart types. Newly added formats include Equivolume, which adjusts bar width based on volume, and Heikin-Ashi, which smooths price action to emphasise trends.  Users can configure time frames, apply studies such as RSI and Ichimoku clouds, and modify colours, grid settings and trade display preferences. TradeStation added that a redesigned Matrix tool provides real-time market depth in a vertical ladder format, enabling users to place, drag and modify orders directly, while a new Price Increment control allows traders to aggregate depth-of-market data, which may be particularly useful in futures products such as E-mini S&P 500 contracts. TradeStation describes TITAN X as the core of a wider ecosystem that includes HUB, its mobile app, APIs and an existing desktop platform. The post TradeStation Launches TITAN X Trading Platform appeared first on LeapRate.

Thunes has announced a partnership with Nigeria’s Sterling Bank aimed at improving cross-border payment options for Nigerians living abroad. The agreement, unveiled in Singapore and Lagos, will allow Sterling Bank customers overseas to make instant transfers to Nigeria using Thunes’ Direct Global Network.  The companies said the collaboration is designed to support the estimated 17 million Nigerians living outside the country who require reliable and fast remittance services. Thunes noted that nearly half of diaspora consumers in Europe send money home regularly, highlighting the importance of efficient payment channels. The partnership will initially focus on multiple European markets. Daniel Parreira, SVP for Africa at Thunes, said the partnership “marks another significant milestone” in the company’s regional expansion and would improve “convenience, speed, and confidence” for users managing finances across borders. Ayodeji Saba, Head of Switch & Remittances at Sterling Bank, said the agreement reflects the bank’s commitment to making transfers “faster, more reliable, and more affordable” for its customers abroad. The companies said the initiative supports broader goals of financial inclusion and aims to simplify money management for diaspora communities, while enabling more transparent and direct funding of Nigerian accounts. The post Thunes Partners With Sterling Bank in Nigeria to Enhance Cross-Border Transfers appeared first on LeapRate.

Broadridge Financial Solutions has completed its acquisition of Acolin, expanding its cross-border fund distribution and regulatory services for global asset managers. Acolin, based in Zurich, provides distribution support for more than 350 clients, offering access to over 3,000 distributors across more than 30 countries. Its services span fund registrations, legal representation and ongoing compliance management. Broadridge believes the deal will strengthen its ability to support fund launches, market entry and regulatory compliance.  Michael Tae, Group President of Funds, Issuer and Data-driven Solutions, said combining Acolin’s distribution and compliance tools with Broadridge’s analytics and investor communications would allow the firm “to deliver more extensive regulatory and fund compliance services across the fund lifecycle”. He added the transaction would help asset managers “create the right products, at the right time, and for the right markets”. The acquisition deepens Broadridge’s push into data-driven solutions and expands its European footprint, building on its existing fund servicing, investor communications and technology businesses. The post Broadridge Completes Acquisition of Acolin appeared first on LeapRate.

Brazilian digital bank PicPay has filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of its Class A shares. PicPay, the country’s second-largest digital bank by customer numbers, said the size and price range of the planned offering have not yet been determined and remain subject to market conditions and completion of the SEC review process. If the deal proceeds, the company intends to list on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker “PICS”. Citigroup, BofA Securities and RBC Capital Markets will act as joint global coordinators, with Mizuho and Wolfe | Nomura Alliance serving as joint bookrunners. FT Partners has been appointed as co-manager. PicPay also disclosed that Bicycle Capital, a growth equity investor focused on scalable businesses in Latin America, has indicated its non-binding interest in purchasing shares as part of the IPO. PicPay’s planned listing comes amid rising global investor interest in Latin American fintechs, several of which have sought listings in the U.S. in recent years.  The post PicPay Files for U.S. IPO on Nasdaq appeared first on LeapRate.

SIX reported a marked rise in listings, capital raising and trading activity across its Swiss and Spanish exchanges in 2025, alongside record highs for the SMI and IBEX 35 benchmarks. The Swiss Market Index crossed 13,000 points for the first time in February, closing the year at 13,267.5, up 14.4%. Spain’s IBEX 35 finished 2025 at 17,308, a 49.3% annual rise after breaching 17,000 points in December. Trading turnover across both markets increased 15.5% year on year to CHF 1.63 trillion. Turnover on SIX Swiss Exchange rose 12.8% to CHF 1.14 trillion, while the Swiss ETF segment grew 47.6% to CHF 124.3 billion, nearing its 2019 record. BME Exchange turnover climbed 24.3% to €525.3 billion, led by a 34.1% increase in fixed income. SIX recorded nearly 85 million transactions during the year, an 8.9% increase, with Swiss ETF trades reaching a record 3.37 million. Spain saw strong growth in securitised derivatives, up 32.5%. Twenty companies listed across the two exchanges, including Swiss IPOs from BioVersys, Amrize and SMG Swiss Marketplace Group. BioVersys and SMG together raised over CHF 1 billion, while Swiss companies raised CHF 2.7 billion via capital increases. In Spain, listed companies raised €10.9 billion, almost 80% more than in 2024. SIX also reported record activity in structured products, with 169,099 listings in Switzerland, and continued expansion in ETFs and ETPs. Gregor Braun, Head of Cash Market Sales, said 2025 had been “a very successful year” and that SIX is well positioned “to shape the future of capital markets together.” The post SIX Exchanges Hit New Highs in 2025, See Strong Capital Raising appeared first on LeapRate.

CME Group reported record trading activity across multiple asset classes in 2025, with average daily volume rising 6% year on year to 28.1 million contracts.  The world’s largest derivatives marketplace also achieved record quarterly and December volumes, driven by heightened activity in interest rate, equity index, metals and cryptocurrency products. Interest rate products were the biggest contributors, with annual average daily volume rising 4% to 14.2 million contracts. CME said U.S. Treasury futures and options reached a record 8.3 million contracts, while SOFR futures and options climbed to 5.4 million. Equity index trading increased 8% to 7.4 million contracts, supported by strong demand for Micro E-mini futures linked to the Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500. Metals volumes surged 34% to a record 988,000 contracts, including record activity in Micro Gold and Micro Silver futures. Cryptocurrency derivatives were among the fastest-growing segments. Annual average daily volume jumped 139% to 278,000 contracts, equal to about $12 billion in notional value. CME also reported record activity in Micro Ether and Micro Bitcoin futures. International markets contributed significantly, with average daily volume outside the United States rising 8% to 8.4 million contracts. EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions both posted record participation. Fourth-quarter activity also set new highs, with average daily volume reaching 27.4 million contracts. December alone saw record metals and cryptocurrency volumes, alongside strong demand for Treasury options and natural gas contracts. The post CME Group Posts Record Trading Volumes as 2025 Activity Surges appeared first on LeapRate.

VoPay International has chosen Qatar as the location for its new global headquarters, a move the fintech infrastructure provider says will accelerate financial modernisation across the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia. The company stated that the Doha base will serve as its primary hub for developing and operating digital financial infrastructure for central banks, financial institutions and large public-sector organisations.  VoPay plans to hire more than 400 staff in Qatar over the next three years across engineering, compliance, data and security roles. Founder and chief executive Hamed Arbabi said the decision “reflects a deep alignment with the country’s long-term vision for economic diversification and digital leadership”. He added that Qatar offers “a unique platform for scaling financial infrastructure that connects regions, institutions, and markets”. VoPay’s expansion has been supported by Invest Qatar, whose chief executive, Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani, said the firm’s arrival reinforces the country’s ambition to be a leading hub for advanced financial technologies. Qatar is seeking to position itself as a major centre for cross-border financial connectivity. The government’s long-term strategy, Qatar National Vision 2030, emphasises developing a diversified, knowledge-based economy backed by technology and international partnerships. VoPay said its Doha headquarters will coordinate programmes aimed at linking regional financial systems with international banking networks through applied artificial intelligence and scalable digital platforms. The company provides modular infrastructure enabling banks and enterprises to embed and modernise financial capabilities without building internal systems. The post VoPay Sets Up Global Headquarters in Qatar appeared first on LeapRate.

Standard Chartered has expanded its Global Chief Investment Office as part of a broader push to strengthen its Affluent business, appointing two veteran strategists to lead its equities and fixed-income functions. The bank said Sundeep Gantori has joined as Chief Investment Officer for Equities, where he will oversee equity strategy and support client and frontline adoption of the CIO’s views.  Based in Singapore, Gantori brings nearly 20 years of experience and previously served as CIO Equity Strategist at UBS Global Wealth Management, focusing on global technology sectors and helping manage the firm’s global AI portfolio. Jonathan Liang has been appointed Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income & FX. He will be based in Hong Kong and lead strategy across fixed income, FX and commodities.  Liang joins from J.P. Morgan Asset Management, where he was Head of Asia ex-Japan Investment Specialists within the Global Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities group. His responsibilities included advising global financial institutions, fintech platforms and sovereign clients. Both executives will report to Global CIO Steve Brice, who said the appointments reaffirm the bank’s focus on delivering consistent, insight-driven advice to affluent customers.  “As we continue to invest in our business and build our capabilities, Sundeep’s and Jonathan’s vast experience will strengthen Standard Chartered’s wealth advisory capabilities,” Brice said. The expansion follows the recent addition of regional CIOs and forms part of the bank’s strategy to place its investment office at the centre of its wealth proposition as it seeks growth across priority Asian markets. The post Standard Chartered Strengthens Wealth Unit With Two Senior CIO Appointments appeared first on LeapRate.

Fiinu reported its first-ever monthly group-wide net profit in November, marking what the fintech described as a key validation of its operating model as it moves into 2026.  The company credited the improvement to organisational changes, tighter cost discipline and restructuring at its Polish subsidiary Everfex. The fintech, known for its Plugin Overdraft product, said the November result included exceptional items but warned that performance may continue to fluctuate month to month.  Average monthly cash burn in recent months was below £200,000, while the year-end cash balance stood at about £5.34 million. The board highlighted major management changes at Everfex following Fiinu’s acquisition of the business in August 2025.  The company added that former leadership figures Karol and Marta Oleksa have been replaced by a more senior team. Dr Marko Sjoblom has taken over as CEO, with Adam Narczewski appointed as a senior executive officer acting under delegated authority. Fiinu said the shift significantly improves governance and oversight at the subsidiary. The firm has also issued formal notices alleging breaches of non-compete obligations under the share purchase agreement for Everfex. The case is currently in pre-trial proceedings. Chair David Hopton said the governance review made clear that a new management structure would help accelerate integration.  He added that the profitability milestone reflects both the Everfex acquisition and improved cost control. Fiinu expects to launch the Plugin Overdraft in partnership with Manx Financial Group in the first quarter of 2026. The post Fiinu Hits First Profitable Month as It Reshapes Polish Business appeared first on LeapRate.

Genesis Wealth has added two senior financial advisers from JPMorgan Chase as the firm continues to position itself as a destination for experienced, bank-based advisers seeking greater autonomy.  The pair previously oversaw a combined $650 million (about £510 million) in client assets. Todd Brase, based in Illinois, brings 24 years of experience, including 22 at JPMorgan Chase, where he managed around $350 million in assets.  The company said his practice specialises in high-net-worth individuals and families.  Dray Henderson, also based in Illinois, has 25 years of experience and previously oversaw $301 million in assets. A Wealth Management Certified Professional, he focuses on retirement planning, tax efficiency and wealth transfer. Genesis Wealth, a non-OSJ branch office within LPL Financial, said the hires reflect strong momentum in its adviser recruitment pipeline.  Founder and Managing Partner Kosta Tanglis said the firm appeals to senior advisers seeking “greater freedom and intentionality” in how they serve clients. Co-founder Bryan Schneider said the platform allows advisers to enhance planning and client service “without compromise,” supported by turnkey infrastructure, including staff, technology and Chicago-area office space. Both advisers cited the ability to deliver more personalised and independent advice as key reasons for their move.  The post Genesis Wealth Recruits Two Veteran Advisers Who Previously Managed £650 Million appeared first on LeapRate.

KCM Trade said over the weekend that it has expanded into Africa in a move the contracts-for-difference broker described as a major step in its global growth strategy.  While not specifying any countries, the firm said it began operations on the continent on 1 January, targeting what it sees as one of the world’s fastest-growing economic regions. The group said Africa’s GDP is projected to grow by more than 4% annually, supporting long-term investment opportunities.  CEO Ryan T. stated that the region remains “relatively green yet rich in long-term potential,” adding that KCM Trade aims to bring international standards and advanced technology to local markets. A core part of the strategy is localisation. The broker plans to work closely with regional communities to help develop a sustainable trading ecosystem and increase market participation.  “We are entering the market with a long-term perspective,” Ryan said, highlighting plans to invest in education, support traders and foster financial inclusion as the company builds its African presence. The post KCM Trade Enters African Market in Bid to Build Long-Term Regional Presence appeared first on LeapRate.

Interactive Brokers Group reported December brokerage metrics showing rising client equity and account growth, even as trading activity slowed from the previous month. The electronic broker said Daily Average Revenue Trades reached 3.384 million, up 4% from a year earlier but down 21% from November.  Client equity ended the month at $779.9 billion, 37% higher than a year ago and 1% above November’s level. Margin loan balances rose 40% year-on-year to $90.2 billion, while client credit balances increased 34% to $160.1 billion. Client accounts totalled 4.399 million, up 32% year-on-year and 2% month-on-month. Average commission per cleared commissionable order was $2.57, including exchange, clearing and regulatory fees. The company also reported a $0.6 million gain on its U.S. government securities portfolio for the quarter and a $1.2 million gain for the full year. Its currency diversification benchmark, the GLOBAL, increased 0.28% in December and 2.049% year-to-date. Interactive Brokers disclosed execution metrics for its IBKR PRO clients, noting that the average U.S. Reg-NMS stock trade was $22,608 in December.  The total cost of executing and clearing such trades was about 3.0 basis points of trade money during the month, compared with a 2.6-basis-point average over the past 12 months. The post Interactive Brokers Reports Higher Client Equity Despite Slower MoM Trading Activity appeared first on LeapRate.

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited has appointed Kay Lo Hei Rose to its statutory Risk Management Committee, replacing former Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited chairman Xing Guiwei. HKEX said the appointment, effective 1 January, was made in accordance with the Securities and Futures Ordinance. Lo Hei Rose recently became chairman of Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited and joins the committee as its newest member. The Risk Management Committee, which advises the HKEX board on the adequacy of risk safeguards across the group’s clearing houses, will continue to be chaired by Carlson Tong.  HKEX confirmed the full list of members as: Carlson Tong, Chow Woo Mo Fong Susan, Ho Hon Kit Daryl, Kay Lo Hei Rose, Kwok Pui Fong Miranda, Leung Chung Yin Rico, Leung Pak Hon Hugo and Sun Yu. Lo Hei Rose’s inclusion follows other recent governance adjustments across Hong Kong’s financial infrastructure operators. HKEX reiterated that the appointment followed the prescribed regulatory process and takes effect immediately. The post HKEX Appoints New Member to Statutory Risk Committee appeared first on LeapRate.