Retail forex deposits across major US platforms slipped 0.8% in November 2025, falling to $495.7 million from October's $499.9 million as the industry posted its third consecutive monthly decline.The slide extended a losing streak that began in September and pushed total deposits below the $500 million mark for the first time in months. Year-over-year, the industry shed 3% from November 2024's $509.7 million, reflecting persistent headwinds facing currency traders despite pockets of growth at smaller platforms.Interactive Brokers Suffers Sharp PullbackInteractive Brokers recorded the month's steepest decline, plunging 20% to $25.7 million from October's $31.0 million. The $5.2 million outflow marked the broker's worst monthly performance in recent periods and wiped out gains accumulated earlier in the year.Despite the November setback, Interactive Brokers posted a modest 1% year-over-year gain from November 2024's $25.6 million, suggesting the platform retained some longer-term client acquisition momentum even as short-term flows reversed.Charles Schwab declined 2.4% to $58.5 million from $59.9 million, shedding $1.4 million during the month. The institutional broker faced steeper annual pressure with deposits down 10% from November 2024's $64.4 million, marking one of the sharper year-over-year declines among major platforms.Smaller Platforms Buck Industry Weaknesstastyfx emerged as November's strongest performer among major brokers, jumping 2.8% to $47.5 million from October's $46.2 million. The $1.3 million monthly gain bucked the broader downtrend and extended the platform's recovery from earlier weakness. Year-over-year, tastyfx posted a 10% gain from November 2024's $42.8 million.Trading.com delivered the month's most impressive performance with a 16.4% surge to $3.0 million from October's $2.5 million. The $498,000 monthly gain represented the highest percentage increase among tracked brokers. The platform showed even stronger annual momentum with deposits up 37% from November 2024's $1.9 million, marking the fastest growth rate in the industry.Market Leaders Show Mixed ResultsGAIN Capital held steady with a marginal 0.1% increase to $215.8 million from October's $215.4 million, adding just $316,000 in new deposits. The platform maintained its position as the largest US retail forex broker by client funds. Year-over-year, GAIN Capital posted a 5% gain from November 2024's $204.6 million, demonstrating resilience amid industry-wide pressure.OANDA inched up 0.2% to $145.2 million from October's $144.9 million, gaining $325,000 during the month. However, the broker faced steeper annual headwinds with deposits down 17% from November 2024's $170.4 million, reflecting sustained client fund outflows over the past year.The November decline continued a pattern that began in September when deposits first turned negative after a brief summer recovery. The three-month slide has now erased gains posted during mid-2025 as traders pulled back from currency positions amid shifting market conditions. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

FCA-regulated spread betting and contracts for difference provider Trade Nation is bringing TD365 under its brand. The TD365 name will be retired, and customers will access trading accounts under the Trade Nation brand.The development follows Trade Nation’s recent strengthening of its senior management team. Philippe Capelle joined as Chief Marketing Officer. Other recent appointments include Kypros Zoumidou, Managing Director, and Chief Executive Officer Jon Noble, both previously holding senior roles at London-listed broker IG Group. Zoumidou later served as Chief Executive Officer of Capital.com.TD365 Consolidation Speeds Platform Feature RolloutAndrew Merry, Chief Commercial Officer at Trade Nation, said: "This is only an incremental brand change that will have no impact on our award-winning trading services and will deliver greater clarity for our customers globally."Trade Nation said the consolidation is intended to simplify the login process. Customers will continue to trade as normal, with no impact on accounts, funds, or open positions. The company added that new platform features, including the ability to link accounts with TradingView, will be introduced more quickly.Regulatory Status Unchanged Across Multiple JurisdictionsThe move does not affect regulatory status. Trade Nation remains authorised and regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the Securities Commission of the Bahamas, the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles, and South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority.Trade Nation Returns to Profit in UK OperationsThe operational changes and management appointments coincide with Trade Nation’s return to profitability in its UK operations for the year ending 30 November 2024. The firm reported a net profit of £996,766, compared with a £2.2 million loss in 2023. Revenue increased to £21.7 million from £13.4 million, and gross profit rose to £18.1 million. Operating profit reached £636,136, up from a £2.6 million loss the previous year. Lower tax charges, controlled administrative expenses, higher interest income, and the absence of prior hedging losses supported the improvement. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Bitcoin price lost nearly 3% over the weekend and although it attempted a bounce on Monday, January 26, 2026, gaining 1.3%, it still trades at just $87,665. BTC is holding below last week's local lows, beneath the moving average grid, and opening a direct path to test the lower boundary of the two-month consolidation range between $85,000 and $82,000. According to my technical analysis, in the medium term Bitcoin continues to target last year's April lows around $74,000, or as low as $68,000 on the weekly chart where the 200-week exponential moving average currently runs.However, the ultra bearish Bitcoin price predictions suggest, that the oldest crypto token can move even lower, below $53,000, testing the lows from September 2024. It would mean a correction of up to 40% from recent peaks.Why Bitcoin Is Going Down Today?Why Bitcoin is going down today boils down to a mix of deteriorating global risk sentiment, renewed carry-trade unwind fears, unpredictable US policy volatility, and sustained institutional outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs. Bitcoin came under notable pressure over the weekend, with Joel Kruger, the LMAX strategist explaining that crypto markets "bore the brunt of deteriorating global risk sentiment following Friday's close" as concerns around "the unpredictability of the US administration, renewed fears of an unwind in the yen carry trade, and broader implications for global growth drove defensive positioning".He adds that "in the absence of liquid participation from traditional markets, the 24/7 nature of crypto amplified the move, accelerating downside momentum through Saturday and Sunday". This weekend cascade saw Bitcoin plunge nearly $4,000 in a two-hour window amid heavy derivatives selling, wiping out more than $500 million in leveraged long positions in roughly an hour.The selloff extended into the new week, with Bitcoin briefly dipping below $90,000. Simon Peters from eToro notes that Bitcoin is going down “as general market sentiment remains cautious amid geopolitical tensions between the US and NATO, fresh tariff threats on Canadian imports and macroeconomic uncertainty", while Japanese bond yields surged to multi-decade highs.Bitcoin Technical AnalysisOn my Bitcoin chart, the structure is clear: price is below the moving average grid, consolidation support is being tested, and three distinct downside targets are now in play depending on how deeply the correction runs.Current Bitcoin price: $87,665 (Monday, January 26, 2026) Weekend low: $86,500 (nearly 3% Sunday loss)Recent peak: $98,000 (mid-January, down ~10.5% since) Position: Below 50 EMA and 200 EMA, confirming downtrend structureFor real-time Bitcoin technical analysis as my chart tests the $82,000-$85,000 consolidation lower band with medium-term $74,000 and extreme $53,000 targets active, follow me on X (Twitter) @ChmielDk. I provide moving average updates, Fibonacci projections, and ETF flow insights on why Bitcoin is going down and how low it can go.How Low Can Bitcoin Go? 3 TargetsShort-Term Target: $82,000-$85,000 Consolidation Lower BandAs you can see on my chart, Bitcoin has been locked in a two-month consolidation range with the lower boundary between $82,000 and $85,000. Price is currently holding just above this zone at $87,665, but the moving average structure (below both 50 and 200 EMA) and sustained selling pressure have opened a direct path to test this lower band.Prediction markets reflect this scenario, with the highest probability (46%) assigned to Bitcoin finishing in the $86,000-$88,000 range, followed by 36% for $88,000-$90,000, and 10.5% for $84,000-$86,000, meaning traders see a roughly 56% chance Bitcoin tests or breaks below $88,000 in the very near term.According to my technical analysis, if the $85,000-$82,000 zone breaks, Bitcoin moves immediately into the medium-term target range.Medium-Term Target: $74,000 April Lows or $68,000 (200-Week EMA)From my conducted technical analysis, in the medium term Bitcoin continues to aim for last year's April lows around $74,000, which represents a decline of roughly 15.6% from current levels. This zone marked the 2025 cycle low and serves as a major historical support area that has not been retested since spring.Alternatively, on weekly chart, I identify another critical medium-term target at $68,000, where the 200-week exponential moving average currently runs. This moving average is the classic long-term bull/bear dividing line; a test of this level would represent a 22.4% decline from current prices but would still technically preserve the longer-term uptrend structure if it holds.Extreme Bearish Target: $53,000 (-40% Fibonacci Extension)If on my current Bitcoin chart I stretch the Fibonacci extension grid, measuring the downtrend from October to November and then the attempted correction in the following weeks, the picture becomes more sobering.The 100% Fibonacci extension level falls near $53,000, which would test the lows from September 2024 and represent a correction of up to 40% from the January peak near $98,000.This is the same extreme downside scenario I outlined in my earlier technical breakdown, where I warned of a potential 40% slump to the $50,000 zone based on Fibonacci extensions. While this is a tail-risk outcome, it remains technically valid if macro conditions worsen, ETF outflows accelerate further, and derivatives deleveraging intensifies.My Bitcoin Downside RoadmapDespite the bearish near-term setup, not all analysts see the current correction as the start of a structural bear market. Paul Howard, Director at Wicent argues that while "the whiplash from the Trump administration's macro (tariff) policy continues to drive volatility in the digital assets world" and short-term pricing remains under pressure, "zoom out and looking longer term, there are a greater range of institutional products than ever before".He continues: "Legislation and frameworks that will enhance adoption and use cases for cryptocurrency have been put in place that position the sector well for the mid-long term. So whilst there will be further consolidation with almost daily policy changes on this front, I expect longer term average BTC price action will be almost inevitable to the upside".FAQ: Bitcoin Price AnalysisWhy is Bitcoin going down today?Bitcoin is going down today due to deteriorating global risk sentiment, renewed yen carry-trade unwind fears, and Trump administration tariff policy whiplash. LMAX strategist notes crypto markets "bore the brunt of deteriorating global risk sentiment" as "unpredictability of the US administration, renewed fears of an unwind in the yen carry trade, and broader implications for global growth drove defensive positioning". How low can Bitcoin go?According to my technical analysis, Bitcoin has three downside targets: short-term $82,000-$85,000 (consolidation lower band, -3% to -6%), medium-term $74,000 (April lows, -15.6%) or $68,000 (200-week EMA, -22.4%), and extreme $53,000 (100% Fibonacci extension, -40% correction). What is Bitcoin price prediction for 2026?My Bitcoin price prediction: near-term test of $82,000-$85,000 consolidation lower band likely within days, followed by decision point. If macro worsens and Fed stays hawkish Wednesday, medium-term targets $74,000 (April lows) or $68,000 (200-week EMA) activate on my chart. Why is Bitcoin falling after hitting $98,000?Bitcoin falling from $98,000 peak due to macro headwinds overwhelming bullish fundamentals. Bitcoin now $87,665 (-10.5% from highs), lost nearly 3% over weekend as "24/7 nature of crypto amplified the move, accelerating downside momentum through Saturday and Sunday" per LMAX. Is Bitcoin going to $50,000?According to my technical analysis, Bitcoin could fall to around $53,000 (close to $50,000 zone) in an extreme bearish scenario. If I stretch Fibonacci extension grid on my Bitcoin chart, measuring October-November downtrend and subsequent correction, 100% extension falls near $53,000, testing September 2024 lows. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Transcrypt, a European crypto payments provider, has officially rebranded as Transacta while simultaneously expanding its operations into the U.S. market. Over the past year, the company has undergone a comprehensive transformation, significantly expanding its regulatory and operational footprint across Estonia, Canada, and Switzerland. This includes a recent partnership with Swiss-regulated Rocket Soft AG (a FINMA-supervised SRO member) and a strategic partnership with zerohash, a leading crypto and stablecoin infrastructure provider serving some of the world’s most trusted institutions.According to Transacta, the rebrand and U.S. expansion — alongside the launch of new payment solutions tailored for luxury retailers — mark a significant moment for the Estonian company as it looks to become a truly global payment provider. “Outgrowing our original brand”Following several years of infrastructure and compliance development,the company is now expanding beyond Europe. The rebrand reflects more than a visual update and marks the next stage of Transacta’s growth, which the company describes as “outgrowing the place where it all started.”Dmitrijs Maceraliks, CEO of Transacta, commented: “Although we have maintained a relatively low public profile, we began privately onboarding merchants in luxury and high-value industries in 2019. By 2023, we had surpassed €1 billion in processed transaction volume. This allowed us to accumulate the operational knowledge and regulatory expertise required to execute a full-scale rebrand by the end of 2025.”Alongside its crypto payment infrastructure, Transacta has also launched card processing services for businesses and plans to actively expand its suite of payment solutions. The company offers processing services and a broad range of local payment methods, tailored to the regulatory and operational requirements of different markets — reinforcing its position as a multi-rail payments provider serving international merchants.The Expertise that Transacta Brings to the U.S.Founded in 2019, Transcrypt — now Transacta — has built a strong client base among luxury retailers operating in complex, high-value markets. While maintaining a discreet public presence, the company has long supported sectors where transaction size, privacy, and regulatory precision are critical — including private aviation, yachting, fine art, luxury retail, and international real estate.The expertise Transacta brings to the U.S. market has been shaped by years of navigating multi-jurisdictional compliance, international client verification, and settlement flows that must remain both fast and fully auditable. The company provides the infrastructure enabling merchants to accept cryptocurrency from verified buyers while receiving same-day fiat settlement in EUR, USD, GBP, and CHF — expertise shaped by years of supporting high-value transactions.Partnership with zerohash further strengthens its regulatory base, enabling the company to expand services and increase its footprint in the U.S. market.Dmitrijs Maceraliks, CEO of Transacta, adds: “Integrating with an infrastructure provider like zerohash required full legal and regulatory alignment across multiple U.S. states and international jurisdictions.”Crypto in Luxury Commerce: What Matters MostLuxury retailers are increasingly adapting to the evolving payment preferences of their high-net-worth customers, many of whom now expect cryptocurrency to be offered alongside traditional payment methods. Crypto is no longer speculative or niche wealth — it has become part of the global capital distribution. Today, there are an estimated 560 million crypto holders worldwide, with adoption growing fastest in luxury-driven markets. As a result, many businesses are now taking serious steps to integrate cryptocurrency to attract crypto-affluent buyers. However, the luxury segment introduces challenges that many payment providers underestimate. High-value transactions demand enhanced security checks, advanced client verification, and strict AML controls. Luxury goods and art markets are consistently cited among the top sectors exposed to financial crime risks, requiring transaction monitoring and documentation.Merchants depend on payment providers to manage transaction monitoring, asset custody, and regulatory reporting — allowing businesses to settle funds quickly without direct exposure to crypto market volatility. In this context, choosing a provider with proven experience in high-value, cross-border transactions becomes critical.Built to be a Reliable PartnerWhile the company’s name has changed, its strategic focus remains consistent. Transacta aims to deliver payment solutions tailored to international merchants handling high-value transactions and operating under bespoke client requirements.“Our core value has always been the merchants we work with. Seven years ago, we deliberately focused on building close, long-term partnerships in industries where trust and security are the most important. That commitment to reliability continues to shape how Transacta operates today and into the future.”— Dmitrijs Maceraliks, CEO of TransactaFounded in Estonia in 2018 as Transcrypt OÜ, Transacta provides a regulated payment infrastructure that enables merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments with instant fiat settlement. The company also offers online card processing, access to over 100 local payment methods worldwide, crypto exchange services, wallet functionality, and on- and off-ramp solutions. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

LUGANO, SWITZERLAND – January 26, 2026– Telcoin Association announced today that its TEL token is now listed on Kraken, one of the world's largest and most established cryptocurrency exchanges. With over 13 million registered users across 190+ countries, Kraken provides TEL with immediate access to a global trading community on regulated infrastructure spanning the United States, Europe, and major markets worldwide.TEL is the native token of Telcoin Network, the telecommunications blockchain standard. By aligning GSMA mobile operators around the same blockchain and token, Telcoin harnesses their global reach to connect billions of users through shared infrastructure for the next generation of money, capital markets, and finance.The listing connects two platforms building regulated bridges between traditional finance and blockchain. Kraken was the first cryptocurrency exchange to receive a U.S. bank charter and holds licenses under FinCEN, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority, and European regulators through MiCA. In parallel with the Telcoin Association's work uniting telecoms around blockchain, Telcoin Digital Asset Bank, a subsidiary of Telcoin, received the first Digital Asset Depository Institution charter in U.S. history in November and issued eUSD, the first bank-issued stablecoin, in December.Users can now buy, sell, and hold TEL directly on Kraken. Deposits and withdrawals are enabled on Polygon Network, with trading live against USD and EUR."Kraken has spent over a decade proving that regulated exchanges can operate at global scale," said Parker Spann, Founder of Telcoin Association. "Telcoin Network is proving that mobile operators can run blockchain as a network service, unifying telecoms and their subscribers around shared infrastructure. This listing gives Kraken's traders access to the Internet of Money, and gives our community access to one of the most trusted platforms in the industry."The listing arrives as Telcoin Network prepares for mainnet launch in 2026, with mobile network operators activating as validators across multiple continents. This expanded exchange access builds liquidity and community reach in advance of full network deployment, positioning TEL holders to participate as the network transitions from development to live operations.About Telcoin AssociationTelcoin Association governs Telcoin Network and TEL, establishing the blockchain and token standard for the global telecommunications industry. By coordinating infrastructure deployment and validation by mobile network operators and the GSMA consortium, Telcoin Network connects blockchain services to every mobile phone globally. The Association operates as a Swiss Verein, providing democratic governance through four Miner Groups and five specialized Councils.About KrakenFounded in 2011, Kraken is one of the world's largest and longest-operating cryptocurrency exchanges. The first cryptocurrency company to receive a U.S. bank charter, Kraken serves over 13 million users across 190+ countries under regulatory oversight including FinCEN, the UK Financial Conduct Authority, and European authorities through MiCA. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

UK-based contracts for differences (CFDs) broker One Global Market (OGM) reported a modest recovery in its financial position for the year ended 30 September 2025. According to the company’s latest Companies House filing, OGM generated £424,270 in turnover in FY25, down from £521,342 a year earlier. The decline reflects a year of reduced client activity, as the broker voluntarily paused trading operations during a 13-month platform migration aimed at strengthening its long-term infrastructure and regulatory footing. Profitability Maintained Despite Lower Revenue Despite the drop in revenue, OGM remained profitable. The company posted a pre-tax profit of £25,015 for FY25, compared with £41,273 in the prior year. Administrative expenses rose only marginally to £410,213, indicating tight cost control during a period of lower turnover. The financials show that while headline earnings softened, the firm avoided a return to losses and preserved its operational base, including its experienced management team and client relationships, during the transition period. Cash Flow Turns Sharply Positive The most significant shift came on the cash-flow side. OGM generated £411,579 in net cash from operating activities in FY25, a sharp reversal from a £710,469 cash outflow in the previous year. As a result, cash and cash equivalents increased to £613,443 at year-end, up from £200,071 a year earlier. The improvement was driven primarily by changes in working capital, including movements in amounts owed by group companies, rather than by higher trading income.Restructuring Year Sets Stage for 2026 In its strategic report, OGM said it completed the platform migration while maintaining regulatory compliance and securing continued funding support from its group. Client trading was paused from September 2024 through the end of FY25 to allow for a controlled transition, during which the firm retained all 41 client relationships. Looking ahead, the broker said it is positioned to resume operations in 2026 with a focus on UK-based, sophisticated and professional clients, supported by upgraded infrastructure and capital backing. OGM’s FY25 results reflect a stabilisation phase rather than a growth cycle. Revenue remained subdued, but profitability was preserved and liquidity strengthened following a year of deliberate operational pause. For the broker, the coming year will test whether the infrastructure investments and strategic reset can translate into renewed client activity and sustainable revenue growth under tighter regulatory and market conditions. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

ADSS said it has entered into a partnership with SGX FX to strengthen its market-making capabilities and expand its presence across the EMEA region.The move follows recent activity by SGX FX to add new liquidity providers to its platform. BBVA recently partnered with SGX FX to support trading in Latin American currencies by placing its pricing on the exchange’s FX network. The Spanish bank deployed a distribution engine at the NY4 data centre in New York, giving traders access to prices in major regional currency pairs. Its liquidity sits alongside other providers serving banks, asset managers and hedge funds.ADSS Expands FX Reach Across MENAADSS said the agreement will allow it to use SGX FX’s trading technology and regional network to meet rising demand for foreign exchange trading in the Middle East. The broker described SGX FX as its preferred partner for this activity.Dan Squires, chief commercial officer at ADSS, said the MENA region, “particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi,” has been seeing “explosive growth in the financial sector.” He said the partnership reflects ADSS’s focus on staying active in the market and serving institutional clients.Expands Market-Making, Buy-Side Roles RegionallyUnder the arrangement, ADSS will act as a market maker on SGX FX platforms, including MaxxTrader and BidFX. It will also join the platform as a buy-side taker. The companies said this structure is intended to broaden ADSS’s role in regional FX markets.Roger Lee, global head of sales at SGX FX, said the firm is partnering with ADSS, “a leader in the UAE’s brokerage industry.” He said the companies share a focus on “driving innovation and growth in the MENA region’s rapidly expanding financial markets,” as well as across EMEA. He added that the aim is to deliver FX trading services across both “making and taking paradigms” for institutional clients. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Gold price exploded past the psychologically significant $5,000 barrier on Monday, January 26, 2026, reaching an intraday high of $5,111 per ounce and marking the sixth consecutive session of gains. Silver mirrored this explosive momentum, breaking through the $100 threshold and currently trading near $110 per ounce after establishing session highs above $109.The white metal is rising much more dynamically, pushing the gold-to-silver ratio down to the lowest point in 15 years. In this article, I analyze the XAU/USD, XAG/USD, and XAU/XAG charts and answer the question of how high gold and silver prices could go.Why Gold Is Surging Today? Record-Breaking Rally ContinuesAccording to my technical analysis, gold has been rising for six consecutive sessions and has tested the highest levels in two months while simultaneously approaching the all-time highs tested on October 20. As shown on my chart, gold is up 18% year-to-date in 2026, adding to the remarkable 65% surge recorded throughout 2025. Moreover, this represents the sixth consecutive month of gold price increases.The rally has been fueled by multiple converging factors including Federal Reserve rate cut expectations, escalating geopolitical tensions around Greenland and Trump's tariff threats, dollar weakness, and massive central bank diversification away from US Treasuries."Gold emphatically broke through the psychological barrier of $5,000 per ounce,” Jakub Bartoszek, CEO of Cashify Gold, described the breakthrough. “This is a ‘safe haven’ in a completely new form." He noted that "this record is a direct response from the world to signals from Davos," explaining that "investors are pricing in risks related to Donald Trump's announcements: both plans to establish a Peace Council, which could shake the foundations of the UN, and the proposal to purchase Greenland."Record gold prices are making the metal the dominant asset in trading activity at a growing number of CFD brokers. Last week, Australian broker Axi confirmed this trend through its market analyst, Thiago Duarte, who said that “interest in gold trading has more than doubled, firmly keeping XAU as the most traded instrument across the platform.”Major Bank Gold Price PredictionsGoldman Sachs raised its December 2026 gold price target to $5,400 per ounce, up $500 from the previous forecast of $4,900, citing continued private-sector diversification and sustained central bank buying at approximately 60 tonnes per month. The investment bank's analysts assume that private investors who bought gold as a hedge against macro policy risks will maintain these positions through year-end.Even more bullish, Bank of America projects gold could reach $6,000 per ounce by spring 2026, representing a potential 20% increase from current all-time highs. Their analysis notes that "the average increase in gold during four upward cycles was about 300% over 43 months".Among the 28 analysts surveyed by the London Bullion Market Association, 22 expect gold to reach highs above $5,000 in 2026, five forecast prices breaking through $6,000, and one prediction sees gold as high as $7,000 per ounce.Gold Price (XAU/USD) Technical AnalysisAs shown on my chart, the previous resistance level at $4,850 has now transformed into new support, and if the current momentum continues, the psychologically significant $5,000 level will immediately become the new floor. Since we are in a price discovery phase, it's difficult to predict what comes next for gold.Key support zones I've identified:Primary support: $4,360 to $4,550 (October-December peaks zone)50-day EMA support: Approximately $4,115 per ounceCritical breakdown level: $3,800 (200-day EMA)According to my analysis, if gold were to correct. and such a correction would certainly be healthy, the zone between $4,360 and $4,550 per ounce is where we can expect at least part of the accumulated buy limit orders to materialize. This support zone is additionally reinforced by the 50-day exponential moving average, which currently sits around $4,115 per ounce.In reality, gold could fall as much as 25% from current levels and, although media headlines would certainly declare it a catastrophe, looking at the level where the 200-day exponential moving average sits, the dividing line between uptrend and downtrend, such a deep correction could develop. The 200 EMA currently falls at the $3,800 level.Ray Youssef, founder of NoOnes, explained gold's current appeal: "Gold is the primary beneficiary of this market environment. With global debt expanding, yield rates compressing, and central banks still stacking up the precious metal in their reserves, gold's uptrend remains structurally supported."For retail traders, the challenge is less about identifying the target and more about execution: sizing, drawdown tolerance, and timing entries in volatile conditions. These execution-level questions are increasingly being addressed in live environments, including trader-focused sessions at Dubai’s Trading Festival, where strategies are dissected beyond headline price targetsSilver Price Surges to $110: Industrial Demand Drives Historic RallySilver has dramatically outpaced gold's already-impressive performance, currently trading near $107.50-$110 per ounce after testing resistance above $109. According to my technical analysis, silver has gained 53% year-to-date in 2026, following a 50% surge in 2025, marking the ninth consecutive month of increases for this precious metal.For context, when this rally started in May 2025, silver was trading at just $33 per ounce, meaning prices have more than tripled in less than nine months."Silver breaking through the $100 barrier is not an ordinary price correction, but the result of a global 'short squeeze' on physical metal," added Bartoszek. He emphasized that "today, silver is becoming for the AI era what oil was for the combustion era, essential and irreplaceable fuel." Bartoszek noted the "drastic drainage of LBMA and COMEX vaults" and concluded that "this is a market breakthrough that has overtaken forecasts by entire years."How High Can Silver Go?Industrial demand remains the primary structural support for silver prices, with consumption reaching 680 million ounces in 2024, accounting for approximately 60% of total global silver demand. Looking ahead, energy transition projects are forecast to drive substantial consumption:Solar PV capacity: Expected to reach 665 GW in 2026, supporting 120-125 million ounces of demandElectric vehicle production: Forecast at 14-15 million units, adding 70-75 million ouncesGrid infrastructure and data centers: Contributing an additional 15-20 million ouncesAccording to my technical analysis of the daily chart, after very strong strengthening at the end of last week of over 7%, on Monday silver prices rose by another 6%, establishing intraday highs at nearly $110 per ounce. As I observe on my chart, the situation closely resembles what we see on gold, with an important support zone formed by the highs from the turn of this year and last year, between the $70-81 per ounce range, extending through $74 per ounce where the 50 EMA falls.The psychological $100 level was conquered last Friday with prices closing above it, so it should now provide a floor for further increases. Meanwhile, the 200 EMA still requires several dozen percent gains, as this average is only around $52 per ounce, a level we last paid for silver at the end of November, which already seemed very high at the time, yet current prices have more than doubled.Some analysts are currently targeting $200, or even $375 per ounce.Please also check the previous gold and silver price articles written by me:Gold-Silver Ratio Hits 15-Year LowsThe pace of silver's strengthening has decisively outpaced gold, which is particularly evident in the popular gold-silver ratio chart. According to my analysis, this ratio reached its peak in April of last year and has been declining very dynamically since then.Just six months ago, one ounce of gold could purchase approximately 120 ounces of silver, whereas today we can buy only 46 ounces of silver per ounce of gold, the lowest value since 2011, or 15 years. The dynamics of the decline in recent months is perfectly illustrated by the monthly chart.Current Gold-Silver Ratio Metrics:Current ratio: 46:1 (15-year low)April 2025 peak: 120:1Historical low (March 2011): 32:1Decline timeframe: 9 months of compressionThe gold-silver ratio has compressed sharply from above 100:1 in April 2025 to approximately 48.3:1 currently. If this momentum continues, we could soon test the level of just 32 ounces, last observed in March 2011.Kathleen Brooks, Research Director at XTB, posed a provocative question: "Is gold the ultimate anti-Trump trade?" She noted that "the dollar is the weakest currency in the G10 FX space so far this year" while "the gold price has rallied more than 17%, and is now above $5,000 per ounce." Brooks concluded that "if the US's radical policy positions are feeding demand for gold, then the yellow metal could become the ultimate anti-Trump trade."For real-time gold and silver analysis follow me on X (Twitter) @ChmielDk. I provide technical breakdowns, Fibonacci projections, institutional forecasts, and trading insights on precious metals and crypto markets.FAQ: Gold and Silver PriceWhy is gold going up today?Gold is rising due to multiple converging factors including Federal Reserve rate cut expectations (150 basis points projected for 2026), geopolitical tensions around Trump's tariff threats and Greenland proposals, dollar weakness, and sustained central bank buying that has pushed foreign US Treasury holdings to 2013 lows.How high can gold go in 2026?Major banks forecast gold reaching $5,400 to $6,000 per ounce by late 2026, with Goldman Sachs targeting $5,400, Bank of America projecting $6,000 by spring, and OCBC Bank forecasting $5,600 by year-end. Some analysts even see potential for $7,000 in extended scenarios.Why is silver surging faster than gold?Silver is surging due to industrial demand from AI infrastructure, solar panels (120-125 million ounces), electric vehicles (70-75 million ounces), and supply constraints since 70% of silver is produced as a by-product of other mining. This has created a "short squeeze" on physical metal as LBMA and COMEX inventories drain.Should I buy gold or silver now?This depends on your investment objectives and risk tolerance. Gold provides safe-haven protection and central bank demand support, while silver offers higher volatility with industrial demand drivers. According to my technical analysis, both metals have key support levels (gold at $4,360-$4,550, silver at $70-81) that could provide entry points on corrections. Will gold continue rising in 2026?Institutional forecasts suggest continued upside, with Goldman Sachs projecting 60 tonnes per month of central bank buying and private investors maintaining hedge positions through year-end. Key risks include Fed policy changes, geopolitical resolution, or dollar strength that could temporarily pause the rally. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

It’s paradoxical that in today's digital era, sending money abroad still feels like a chore because a single transfer from Africa to Europe, for example, might still detour through an intermediary bank in the United States, adding days of delay and extra fees. In all of this, smaller companies and individual remitters feel the pain, often having their funds frozen in transit for days, while paying multiple layers of transaction fees.Not only that, senders have little insight into where their money is (and in some cases what the final charges will be), due to convoluted, opaque routing that makes tracking nearly impossible. Coupled with the fact that traditional networks operate mainly on weekday business hours, means that weekends and holidays can halt cross-border payments entirely, compounding delays further.To solve these issues, the industry at large has been pursuing two paths, i.e., upgrading traditional payment rails and embracing digital assets. On one hand, banks and payment networks have deployed domestic real-time networks (like Faster Payments in the UK or SEPA Instant in Europe), showing that money can move quickly within a single region. However, those gains often evaporate at the border because transfers might settle in seconds domestically yet still crawl internationally, since separate national systems don’t sync up.On the other hand, blockchain tech has enabled a new class of borderless, always-on money movement with stablecoins shuttling value across the globe 24/7, often within seconds. However, they still represent only a small fraction of global flows (though that share is growing fast) because many institutions are still waiting for clearer rules and reliable bridges between crypto and traditional finance. As a result, “rail-agnostic” payment infrastructures have emerged and gained massive traction since the end-users don't need to know which route is used, all while allowing them to receive the money quickly and securely. In short, rather than ripping out the existing system, this approach improves the roads that money travels by leveraging every available option and eliminating unnecessary detours.Toward a Unified Financial InfrastructureThis vision of a frictionless global finance ecosystem is already in the offing with OpenPayd leading the way. Conjured to be a universal financial infrastructure for the digital economy, through a single API, it offers businesses multi-currency accounts, foreign exchange, global payment processing, and even stablecoin connectivity, all under one umbrella. In effect, a company can move funds in whatever form makes sense (euros, dollars, or tokenized dollars) without juggling multiple bank portals or crypto wallets. The platform bridges conventional banking networks and blockchain networks seamlessly, meaning that a transfer might go out via the regular banking system or via crypto rails, but to the business and its users, it looks the same.The benefits of this unified approach are already evident with businesses using OpenPayd having reported much faster settlement times and fewer operational headaches. For instance, the platform enables clients to assign virtual IBANs (unique bank account numbers) to end-users for automatic reconciliation of incoming payments, eliminating manual tracking. Not only that, since OpenPayd is fully licensed, even crypto transactions are handled with bank-grade compliance. This is not just hearsay, as the platform has already processed over €130 billion in annual transaction volume for 800+ businesses, proving that their core USP works at scale.A shape of things to come?The significance of this kind of rail-agnostic infrastructure is that it removes old frictions without forcing users to change how they do business, meaning that an entrepreneur in one country can reach customers worldwide through a single integration. A global online marketplace can pay out sellers around the world in minutes, improving trust and cash flow. Even consumers benefit as these advances filter down into everyday apps (from quicker e-commerce refunds to instant family remittances).Therefore, as demand for instant, affordable global payments reaches new highs every passing day, the antiquated delays of correspondent banking are becoming relics of the past. In their place, a new universal financial infrastructure is emerging, one where moving money across borders is as seamless as sending a text. In this regard, OpenPayd has shown that when payment rails become interoperable and invisible, commerce can run at internet-like speed. This shift not only boosts efficiency but also lays the groundwork for a more inclusive global economy. Interesting times ahead, to say the least! This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

The head of prediction market platform Kalshi thinks his company is creating an entirely new professional category, putting full-time event bettors in the same league as Instagram influencers and Airbnb hosts.Tarek Mansour, Kalshi's CEO, drew parallels between his platform and consumer tech giants that birthed novel occupations over the past two decades. Instagram created content creators, Airbnb turned spare bedrooms into income generators, and Uber transformed idle cars into money-makers, he argued in a LinkedIn post responding to a New York Times (NYT) profile of professional prediction market traders.“Kalshi: prediction market traders,” Mansour wrote, listing his platform alongside the tech companies that “succeeded by unlocking an underutilized asset and building the rails to make it productive.”Turning Hunches Into IncomeMansour's thesis centers on information as an untapped resource. Before prediction markets scaled up, someone with deep knowledge of FDA approval timelines or baseball statistics could do little more than “win a debate with your uncle on Thanksgiving,” he wrote.Now that expertise can generate income. The New York Times piece profiled traders like Domer, a pseudonymous bettor quoted by the NYT who made $2.6 million on Polymarket since January 2022, and Joel Holsinger, 26, who quit his corporate accounting job to trade full time and crossed $144,000 in profits.These sharps, as top traders call themselves, study everything from congressional floor vote attendance to climate models. Some knocked on a thousand doors during California's 2021 recall election to gauge sentiment. Others built custom dashboards to predict Rotten Tomatoes scores.The work pays. Jonathan Zubkoff, a Long Island trader, said he made over $1 million in 2025. Another trader called Iabvek pulled in $2.5 million since November 2024, despite losing $350,000 on a single bet about Romania's presidential election.But this elite group represents a tiny fraction of participants. Analysis of 1.7 million Polymarket addresses showed 70% of traders lose money, mirroring the dismal win rates seen in retail CFD trading where casual participants subsidize sophisticated players.Volume Surge Attracts MoneyKalshi recently crossed $100 billion in annualized trading volume, according to Mansour. Polymarket recorded 491,000 active monthly traders last month, per data from The Block. The sector hit a record $702 million in daily volume earlier this month, with platforms posting all-time highs despite facing regulatory headwinds.The trader influx includes naive money from sports bettors and casual gamblers, creating opportunities for sophisticated players. “Right now, my mentality is just, ‘I need to go,’” Holsinger told the Times, fueled by Zyn pouches and Celsius energy drinks.But the comparison to gig economy jobs cuts both ways. While Airbnb hosts and Uber drivers created legitimate income streams, they also faced criticism for low earnings and lack of protections. Prediction markets carry similar risks, with most users losing money.Concerns About Problem GamblingHowever, an academic study published last month found correlations between easy sports gambling access and declining credit scores, rising bankruptcies, and missed loan payments.Insider trading concerns also plague the industry. Domer estimated there was an “85–90 percent” chance a Polymarket user who made over $1 million in 24 hours betting on Venezuela's political situation had inside information. He put the probability at “98–99 percent” for another trader who won over $400,000 on a Google search trends bet.The insider trading issue has exposed a sharp divide between regulated platforms like Kalshi and offshore competitors like Polymarket, with competition shifting away from product features toward governance and institutional credibility.“If I made $2.5 million last year, someone else lost that,” Domer said, explaining why many successful traders operate pseudonymously to avoid attention from the IRS or angry opponents.Kalshi itself faces court battles, with a Massachusetts ruling threatening the platform's sports contracts even as the sector posts record fee revenue exceeding $2.7 million.“Millions of people now actively rely on prediction markets, whether they are arbitraging price inefficiencies to make the market more accurate, or utilizing the forecasts as a complement to their news feed,” Mansour wrote, thanking the Times for spotlighting the traders who “made prediction markets what they are today.” This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Sage Capital is expanding beyond crypto prime brokerage services by launching a private banking service designed for crypto professionals. It has also introduced a proprietary unified trading platform for liquidity, execution, risk management, and Transaction Cost Analysis (TCA).Integrating End-to-End Crypto ServicesAnnounced today (Monday), the company can now enable hedge funds, asset managers, trading firms, brokers, corporate treasuries, and digital asset treasuries to connect banking, market access, capital, and technology through one regulated counterparty.“We have created a single environment, with unified onboarding, which connects every part of the financial workflow for institutional digital asset clients, reducing operational risk, speeding up the movement of funds, minimising counterparty exposure, and improving capital efficiency,” said Nathan Sage, CEO at Sage Capital Management.“In particular, the launch of our banking service, fully integrated into our digital asset infrastructure, is a major step, setting new standards in how institutional clients access, manage, and deploy capital across digital asset markets.”[#highlighted-links#] Setting Apart from CompetitorsThe new services were launched months after the firm expanded its partnership with Finery Markets to offer 10x leverage through a trilateral arrangement with Gold-i, creating a unified infrastructure for trading across more than 200 digital assets.Last year, Sage also partnered with EDXM to provide institutional access to perpetual futures liquidity.Now, the company is highlighting that its integrated financial network consists of four key pillars: banking, market access, capital engine, and the Sage platform.“Our new offering sets us apart from competitors, with one integrated financial network, powered by a unified technology platform and built for institutional scale,” the CEO added.“We are giving institutions the ability to operate end-to-end across banking, liquidity, capital, and technology without friction, and are ultimately making institutional participation in digital assets more accessible than ever.”FinanceMagnates.com earlier this month reported that Sage Capital had onboarded a new Sales Director, Jason Keogh, who brings three decades of experience to the company. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

Cboe's spot platform processed $1.07 billion in total December volumes with average daily turnover of $48.6 billion across 22 trading sessions, slipping 2.3% from November's $49.6 billion daily pace but still up 18.5% from December 2024's $41.0 billion.The pullback marked the first monthly decline since August and came as currency volatility subsided following the Federal Reserve's December rate decision. FXSpotStream's institutional ECN saw sharper deceleration, with total average daily volume falling to $123.1 billion from November's $125.0 billion, though the figure remained 34% above December 2024's $92.1 billion.CLS Group, which settles the bulk of institutional FX transactions, reported average daily volumes of $2.38 trillion in December, up 17% year-over-year. The settlement giant saw spot volumes rise 8.9%, FX swaps increase 19.2%, and forwards jump 25.2% compared to December 2024.European Platforms Close Strong YearDeutsche Börse's 360T platform posted December volumes of $741.2 billion with average daily turnover of $32.2 billion, maintaining steady activity levels despite reduced volatility in euro crosses. Euronext FX processed $481.5 billion in total monthly volumes with daily averages reaching $30.1 billion.The European venues benefited from year-end rebalancing flows and corporate hedging activity, though trading remained below October's three-month highs when dollar volatility drove activity across major platforms.Tokyo Financial Exchange's Click 365 retail-focused platform recorded 1.58 million contracts in December with daily averages of 68,736, down 0.7% from November but up 3% year-over-year. The yen-denominated platform continued to recover from mid-year lows as Japanese retail traders returned to currency markets.Full-Year Picture Shows Broad GainsFor calendar 2025, Cboe FX reported record annual spot volumes with average daily notional reaching $49.7 billion, surpassing 2024's record of $45.4 billion by roughly 9.5%. The Chicago-based venue benefited from heightened currency volatility tied to Federal Reserve policy shifts and geopolitical uncertainty that drove strong performance throughout the year.Institutional traders faced a choppy environment in late 2025 as central banks diverged on policy paths. The Fed delivered three quarter-point rate cuts between September and December while the European Central Bank held rates steady through year-end, creating trading opportunities in major crosses that sustained activity levels well above historical norms.The December slowdown suggested some institutional desks reduced risk ahead of year-end, a typical pattern as banks lock in annual profits and hedge fund managers close positions. Trading volumes typically rebound in January as new capital enters the market and macro positioning resumes. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Global online trading provider joins the region's premier one-make racing series for the 2025/2026 season, spanning six rounds across four Gulf nationsSTARTRADER, a leading global online trading provider, has been announced as an official partner of the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East, the region's most prestigious single-marque motorsport series. The multi-round partnership will see STARTRADER's brand featured across the 2025/2026 season, which spans six rounds in Bahrain, Qatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia.The Season ContinuesAfter exciting opening rounds in Bahrain, Qatar, and Dubai, the new Porsche Carrer Cup Middle East season now moves forward across the Gulf, continuing its journey through a series of world-class circuits:Abu Dhabi (31 January - 1 February 2026)Bahrain (10 - 12 April 2026)Saudi Arabia (17 - 19 April 2026)A Natural AlignmentBased at Bahrain International Circuit, the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East has established itself as a proving ground for regional and international talent. The series welcomes drivers in the Pro, ProAm, and Masters categories, as well as professional racing teams, providing a platform where skill and strategy determine results on identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup machinery. For STARTRADER, this philosophy mirrors its own approach to the markets: providing traders with equal access to powerful tools and platforms, allowing preparation and discipline to define success.Shared Standards, Shared ValuesThe partnership reflects a deep alignment in principles that drive excellence in both motorsport and trading. In one-make racing, victory is measured in fractions of a second. In trading, precision execution separates opportunity from missed potential. Both disciplines demand composure under pressure, sound risk management, and the ability to adapt and perform when it matters most. Championships are not won in a single lap, just as lasting success in the markets is built trade after trade, season after season.Executive Commentary"Motorsport represents the pinnacle of precision, performance, and preparation. Our partnership with the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East reflects our commitment to excellence and our belief that, whether on the track or in the markets, success is earned through discipline, strategy, and the relentless pursuit of improvement." Peter Karsten, CEO, STARTRADER "We are proud to welcome STARTRADER as a partner and to have their support for the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East. This partnership reflects our shared values of performance, precision as well as ambition and underlines the rising profile and appeal of our championship. It will play an important role in supporting the continued growth and development of the series across the region." Robert Lechner, Head & Promoter, Porsche Carrera Cup Middle EastStandard of ExcellenceThe partnership reinforces STARTRADER's continued investment in the Middle East region, bringing global standards of excellence to traders while supporting the development of motorsport talent. As the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East continues to nurture the next generation of racing champions, STARTRADER remains committed to empowering traders with the knowledge, tools and platforms to reach their full potential.About STARTRADERSTARTRADER https://www.startrader.com/ is a global broker that provides its clients with opportunities to trade financial instruments online. STARTRADER services both Partners and Retail Clients, who can trade using the MetaTrader Platform, the STAR-APP, and using STAR-COPY. As a global broker, STARTRADER holds a client-first approach as our core principle.Regulated in 5 jurisdictions (ASIC, FSA, FSC, FSCA, and CMA), STARTRADER upholds strong governance alongside sustainable growth. STARTRADER's team comprises dedicated professionals working collaboratively to deliver quality service to its Partners and Clients. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

The Upside Funding, a Hong Kong-registered prop firm, rolled out a redesigned brand and website to mark almost 12 months since launch, trying to position itself against a backdrop of sector turbulence that saw dozens of competitors exit the market in the last two years.The firm, launched in early 2025 by Charles Finkelstein, former Country Treasurer at Citibank Australia, and his team of ex-Citi managing directors, operates in a prop trading sector that continues to see significant attrition. The refresh comes as the company transitions from its startup phase into what it calls an "established presence" in the challenge-based trading space."We entered this market because we saw a fundamental gap between what retail traders were being offered and what we knew was possible from our years at institutional level," Finkelstein said in a statement.Institutional Background in Retail MarketThe company's founders bring backgrounds from Citibank's trading and treasury operations, where Finkelstein worked for over 30 years across Hong Kong, Australia, and London. He served more than half that time as managing director and head of G10 Risk Treasury for the Asia-Pacific region before departing in 2023.According to the press release, the Upside Funding uses proprietary hedging infrastructure and risk protocols that mirror systems typically deployed at investment banks, according to the company. The company claims that approach distinguishes it from competitors founded by retail traders or marketing professionals, though the firm still operates challenge-based evaluations in simulated trading environments like most prop trading companies.The firm offers traders capital allocation across multiple account sizes and asset classes, with profit splits reaching 90%. Its most notable feature remains the potential for top performers to qualify for salaried positions paying up to $350,000 annually, a structure uncommon in the primarily commission-based sector.Sector Consolidation ContinuesThe rebrand arrives during continued consolidation across prop trading, with estimates suggesting 80 to 100 firms disappeared from the market in 2024 alone. Recent weeks saw FundingTicks begin winding down operations after cutting profit shares and imposing new trading restrictions.The sector has shown geographic variations in profitability, with South Asian markets allowing firms to break even in roughly one month compared to six months in the United States. Industry trackers like Prop Firm Match recorded approximately $325 million in total payouts to traders in 2025, with FundedNext leading at nearly $108 million. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

Plus500 (LON: PLUS) has introduced weekly options, starting with contracts on gold, oil, the Nasdaq 100, and the S&P 500. It has plans to add more options contracts for additional assets.A Product for Active TradersThese contracts will refresh every seven days. According to the broker, these weekly contracts have been introduced with active traders in mind, giving them more frequent entry points to capitalise on short-term price swings.Although these weekly options are available to all Plus500 clients, direct access will depend on regulatory approvals. However, for now, these weekly options will be available only outside the US as a part of its CFD platform.The new products have been introduced at a time when demand for options contracts has been rising globally, especially amid market volatility.The Growing Options Demand GloballyUS-listed options hit a record in 2025 for the sixth consecutive year, with total volume reaching 15.2 billion contracts, 26 per cent higher than the previous year. On average, 61 million contracts were traded daily, with strong growth across all segments.Gold options trading, mostly taking place on CME’s COMEX, hit a record in October 2025, when average daily volume (ADV) reached 156,000 contracts. Although the gold options ADV on the platform fell to 96,000 contracts in December, the recent gold rally may have pushed the figures higher.Index options averaged about 5 million contracts daily in 2025, including an average daily volume of 3.9 million contracts in SPX.The weekly options are an addition to Plus500’s existing range of derivative products. The broker offers options contracts for differences (CFDs) in most jurisdictions, while in the United States it provides regulated direct access to futures and options trading.Although CFD brokers in the UK and Europe are required to show the percentage of losing customers, they do not provide data on losses by product type. Notably, the Australian regulator recently revealed that 85 per cent of retail clients trading options CFDs lost money in 2025. However, the regulator did not clarify which clients are suitable to trade these options CFDs. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

Totality (ex-Saxo Australia) appoints new CEOThis week, Totality, formerly known as Saxo Australia, appointed Rasmus Korfits as its new Chief Executive Officer. His promotion comes about a year after the brokerage underwent a change in majority ownership.Korfits has been with the company for more than seven years, making the appointment an internal promotion. He replaces Adam Smith, who led the firm for almost seven years and oversaw its rebranding from Saxo Australia to Totality. Smith has now left the company.Learn more about Totality's appointment of new CEO.After 32 years, Saxo’s second hire steps downAt the same time, Saxo Bank announced that Thomas Dam, its Director for Nordic VIPs and Ultra-High Net Worth Clients, has completed his final day with the company. Dam was Saxo’s second employee and spent 32 years at the firm.Over more than three decades at Saxo, Dam held several senior roles, including Senior Manager, Institutional, Regional Head of Nordic and Key Accounts, and Head of Relationship Management.Show more about the exit of Thomas Dam from Saxo. Rostro names strategy chief amid expansion into cryptoElsewhere, Sam Steele joined Rostro Group as Group Chief Strategy Officer. His appointment follows a series of recent leadership changes at the financial services holding firm, including the hiring of Kate Mason-Keaney as Chief People and Organization Officer and the promotion of Pavel Spirin to Group Chief Growth Officer.The leadership shake-up comes as the four-year-old company positions itself for what it describes as an “aggressive growth” phase. Rostro, which owns the retail brokerage Scope (formerly Scope Markets), is expanding beyond traditional brokerage into digital assets, investment services, and payments.Discover more about Rostro's new appointment of Group Chief Strategy Officer.GBM names new operations head for global marketsIn London, prime brokerage firm GBM Securities appointed Maria Antsupova as Head of Operations for Global Markets. Antsupova joins the firm after holding the same role at ITI Capital, where she oversaw operational functions supporting global trading activities.ITI Capital positions itself as a brokerage focused on emerging markets and caters to a diverse client base that includes private clients, proprietary trading firms, banks, hedge funds, institutional investors, and corporates.Learn more about the appointment of GBM Securities as the new Head of Operations for Global Markets.CMC Markets’ marketing head joins creative agencyAfter two decades in the financial services industry, Victoria Paling, who served as Global Head of Institutional and Corporate Marketing and EMEA Head of Retail at CMC Markets, is making a move to the creative digital sector.Rabid Rat is a digital agency specializing in creative projects such as brand videos, teasers, video games, and interactive content. The firm tailors its work to client needs, blending storytelling and technology to deliver customized campaigns across various industries.Disclose more about the transition of CMC Market's head into creative agency.Ex-ATFX MENA marketing head rejoins MultiBankJohny Giacaman assumed the role of Chief Business Operations Officer at MultiBank Group, marking his return to the company after a previous senior executive stint.In his new capacity, Giacaman will oversee business operations across the group. Before rejoining MultiBank, he served as Chief Marketing Officer at ATFX MENA, where he spent over a year and a half shaping marketing strategy and brand development for the region.Show more about ex-ATFX MENA marketing head rejoining Multibank.Former Squared Financial exec joins EquitiAdditionally, Equiti Group enlisted Noureldeen Al-Hammoury as its Chief Market Strategist, a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing market analysis and research activities for the company’s global client base.The appointment followed a series of leadership changes announced in August last year, when Equiti named Sartaj Singh as Chief Technology Officer, Rick Fulton as Chief Risk and Audit Officer, and Sean Hong as Chief Financial Officer.Highlight more about Equiti group's enlisting of Noureldeen Al-Hammoury as its Chief Market Strategist.IronFX loses another exec to FXGlobeLambros Savva joined FXGlobe.com as Head of Operations after nearly a decade with IronFX. His appointment marks a move from one Cyprus-based broker to another, following an extended tenure during which he advanced through several key roles.He began his career at IronFX in July 2016 as a Customer Support Officer and went on to serve as Sales Coordinator, Sales Manager, Head of Sales and Customer Support, and later Head of Business Development, a position he held from February 2022 until the end of December 2025.Show more about IronFX's latest executive changes.IC Markets’ prop unit hires former NAGA execLastly, IC Markets appointed Petros Kalaitzis as General Manager of its proprietary trading division. Kalaitzis brings extensive experience from multiple senior and executive positions across the financial services industry.The broker has also been stepping up its marketing efforts through high-profile sponsorships. It recently signed an agreement with Australian tennis player Alexei Popyrin ahead of the 2026 season.Learn more about IC Markets appointment of Petros Kalaitzis as General Manager of its prop trading division. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

MFF founder recounts struggles after CFTC freezeIn an exclusive interview with Finance Magnates following the abrupt shutdown of My Forex Funds (MFF) in 2023, CEO and founder Murtuza Kazmi detailed the financial and emotional toll of the CFTC’s enforcement action.The regulator’s sudden asset freeze wiped out one of the largest players in the prop trading space overnight, cutting off payments to traders and employees alike.Dear MFF Family and Prop Community,Our roadmap is more than just a plan; it’s a journey we’re taking together with our community. We’re opening the doors to transparency - keeping you informed of each step, challenge, and achievement along the way. From early victories to… pic.twitter.com/hNGC9yTFwv— MyForexFunds (@MyForexFunds) November 6, 2025Reflecting on the saga, Kazmi insisted that MFF “would have won the case regardless” and argued that the alleged misconduct by regulators unfairly destroyed market confidence.FundingTicks prop firm winds downThere is no doubt prop trading firms are under growing strain. This week, FundingTicks announced plans to wind down its operations as part of what it calls a “strategic plan” to redirect resources toward areas that provide greater long-term value for clients and partners.The announcement follows a wave of backlash last year, when FundingTicks introduced controversial rule changes for its traders. These included a one-minute minimum trade hold for scalping strategies, tougher daily profit targets, and lower profit splits.Plus500 halts new CFD onboarding in SpainStruggles are also visible in the CFD space. Plus500 stopped opening new CFD trading accounts for residents in Spain. This step comes against the backdrop of Spain enforcing some of Europe’s toughest rules on how firms can promote and distribute CFDs to non-professional clients.Regulators in the country heavily restrict marketing, bonuses, and high-leverage offerings, pushing providers to reassess whether acquiring new retail CFD customers in Spain remains viable.Tickmill posts 40% jump in volumesHowever, not all is doom and gloom. Tickmill closed 2025 on a strong note, processing $2.36 trillion in client trading volume across 123 million trades over the year. Average monthly volumes climbed 40% compared with 2024, while the total number of trades executed rose 24%. December 2025 was the broker’s busiest month, with client turnover reaching $300 billion, highlighting a year-end surge in market engagement.XTB volumes surge 76%Also soaring, XTB’s Polish clients traded 16 billion zlotysin securities on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in 2025, a 76.3% jump from the prior year that still trailed the firm’s 115% surge in account numbers. That growth left XTB controlling about 33% of all Polish brokerage accounts but only 1.7% of WSE trading volume, according to market data cited by financial daily Parkiet.XTB Financial Performance and ForecastsHeading into its preliminary fourth-quarter results, the public-listed broker expects a rebound, as analysts at Noble Securities forecast a 205 million zloty net profit for Q4 2025, lifting estimated full-year earnings to 673 million zlotys.cTrader volume doublesTech providers are also seeing solid growth. Spotware reported a 105% year-on-year jump in live USD trading volumes on its cTrader platform in 2025, as the number of traders using the venue climbed past 11 million. The growth underscores cTrader’s strengthening position in the multi-asset trading platform space. Over the same period, the fintech expanded beyond its flagship platform by launching a liquidity bridge, growing its marketplace offering and embedding AI across core operations. It also onboarded 104 new clients, deepening its reach among both brokers and proprietary trading firms.eToro leads Australia’s CFD marketDown under, eToro controls 45 percent of existing CFD traders, while Capital.com captured 14 percent of newly opened CFD accounts, the highest share among brokers, according to ASIC.The market itself is highly concentrated, with only a handful of brokers taking most of the business. After eToro, Plus500’s Australian unit holds 12 percent, IG 8 percent, and Pepperstone and CMC Markets 7 percent each, leaving little room for smaller rivals.However, the regulator is tightening the grip. ASIC secured about AU$40 million (US$27 million) in refunds for more than 38,000 retail CFD investors after a review of the sector. It found that over half the CFD brokers in the country either offered “margin discounts” to retail traders or breached other obligations."InstiTail" trading gains momentumMeanwhile, brokers are increasingly giving retail traders access to tools and concepts that were once the preserve of institutional desks, narrowing some of the practical gaps between the two segments. With margins under pressure globally, retail and institutional players have strong incentives to standardize technology, share infrastructure and grow volumes. However, key differences persist around latency requirements, how balance sheets are deployed, and the level of customization expected on pricing, risk and workflow.How Singapore institutions rethink cryptoCan crypto really earn a permanent place alongside FX in institutional portfolios? Institutional traders in Singapore are taking a closer look at this. However, significant hurdles still need to be cleared.?? ADOPTION: Singapore Exchange will introduce Bitcoin and Ethereum perpetual futures on Nov 24, adding regulated crypto derivatives to its product lineup.Singapore’s broader crypto landscape remains strong, with 94% public awareness and a 15th-place ranking on the global… pic.twitter.com/BvVFV1rKP5— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) November 17, 2025Questions around liquidity depth, counterparty risk and operational readiness continue to hold some firms back. Regulators, meanwhile, draw a firm line between the two markets. FX is governed by long‑standing capital markets and banking rules, while crypto falls under the Payment Services Act and related Monetary Authority of Singapore frameworks for digital payment tokens, keeping digital assets in a separate regulatory bucket.Shareholder activism: loud in US, quiet in EuropeAway from this industry, shareholder activism reached a record level in 2025, with 255 campaigns launched worldwide, surpassing the previous peak in 2018.#ShareholderActivism surged to record highs in 2025, with activist campaigns reshaping boardrooms and corporate strategies at targets across the globe.— Barclays Investment Bank (@BarclaysCIB) January 16, 2026More investors than ever now see activism as a way to force change and unlock value at listed companies, offering a source of alpha just as traditional stock-picking continues to lose ground to passive strategies and indexing. Yet this surge has not been evenly spread across markets. In Europe, shareholder activism fell by almost 20 percent in 2025, dropping to its lowest level in a decade and highlighting a stark contrast with the more assertive US landscape.Davos 2026: tokenization is “the name of the game”Discussions on digital assets at the World Economic Forum have evolved beyond speculation to focus on tangible, real-world applications. This year’s narrative reflected a more mature stage in the industry’s development, where implementation, rather than ideology, dominated the agenda. Global financial leaders described tokenization and stablecoins as the defining trends of 2026, signaling a shift toward institutional adoption.Gold leads trading activity at AxiMeanwhile, recent volatility in precious metals is reshaping the market landscape. Gold has emerged as the leading trading instrument at Australian broker Axi, underscoring a wider trend across the CFD sector as traders flock to the heightened volatility in precious metals. The metal surged to a record high of about $4,888 per ounce earlier this week before easing to around $4,836. After rising 65% in 2025, gold has already gained another 12% in the opening weeks of 2026, extending its remarkable rally.In institutional liquidity, sticking to “business as usual”can be risky when market conditions undergo major changes. For a long time, the industry has viewed gold (XAU) and silver (XAG) pricing, spreads, and financing costs as largely fixed. But the latest moves in precious metals aren’t just another market trend—they represent a fundamental change in how these markets function. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Grayscale has filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to launch a spot exchange-traded fund tracking the cryptocurrency BNB. The filing, submitted on Friday, marks one of the asset manager’s largest moves beyond Bitcoin and Ether.According to the registration statement, the proposed Grayscale BNB ETF would hold BNB directly and issue shares designed to reflect the token’s market value, minus fees and expenses. The fund is intended to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol GBNB, subject to regulatory approval, Cointelegraph reported.Grayscale Files SEC Approval Spot BNBIf approved, the ETF would allow US investors to gain regulated exposure to BNB without needing to custody the token themselves or hold it on crypto exchanges.BNB is the native token of the Binance ecosystem and is used to pay transaction fees on the BNB Smart Chain, participate in onchain governance, and receive trading fee discounts on Binance’s platform. At the time of filing, BNB was the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, valued at $120.5 billion.Grayscale Joins VanEck BNB ETF RaceGrayscale’s filing follows previous efforts to bring a BNB-linked ETF to the US market. Investment manager VanEck has also submitted a registration statement for a BNB ETF, including an amended Form S-1 seeking a Nasdaq listing under the ticker VBNB, and is further along in the regulatory review process.? @Grayscale has filed an S-1 with the SEC to convert its BNB Trust into a spot BNB ETF, following the trust’s Delaware registration on January 8.The ETF is planned to trade on NYSE Arca and would be backed 1:1 by BNB held in cold storage. If approved, it would give investors… pic.twitter.com/mv4UC2Qr7D— Watcher.News (@watchernewsx) January 23, 2026The move reflects Grayscale’s strategy to expand its crypto investment offerings after the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the United States. Spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs now hold more than $100 billion in assets under management, showing strong investor demand for regulated crypto exposure. A BNB-linked product would provide access to a token closely tied to a major crypto exchange ecosystem, extending investor options beyond base-layer networks.Crypto ETFs Gain Ground in Costa Rica, Australia, and UKCosta Rica’s Banco Nacional plans a spot Bitcoin ETF, its first crypto product offered through a bank, priced in USD with a $100 minimum. Internationally, Australia’s ASX launched the VanEck Bitcoin ETF, and the UK’s FCA approved two WisdomTree crypto ETPs, with 21Shares preparing another. These developments reflect growing demand for regulated crypto investment products. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority has opened a consultation on its proposed rules for cryptoasset firms. The consultation marks the final stage in the regulator’s series of proposals for the sector. Responses will be accepted until 12 March 2026.The FCA recently outlined requirements for firms planning to carry out regulated cryptoasset activities. Applications for authorisation under the Financial Services and Markets Act are expected to open in September this year, ahead of the regime’s launch in October next year. Firms must comply with governance, operational resilience, financial crime, and Consumer Duty requirements. Existing FSMA-authorised firms must vary their permissions, while firms currently registered under anti-money laundering or payment regulations will need full authorisation, as “there will be no automatic conversion.”Scope of the ConsultationThe consultation seeks input on how the Consumer Duty, conduct standards, dispute resolution, safeguarding, and other regulatory requirements should apply to cryptoasset businesses. It also covers the treatment of retail collateral in crypto borrowing, the use of credit to purchase cryptoassets, and guidance on where firms should be based.FCA ObjectivesThe FCA said the proposals aim to "deliver good outcomes for customers while supporting them to navigate their financial lives" and to maintain a market "where innovation can thrive, but where people understand the risks." The regulator noted that while it continues to develop the regime following government legislation, crypto remains largely unregulated outside rules on financial promotions and financial crime.Key Areas in the ConsultationSpecific areas addressed in the consultation include the Consumer Duty, which provides guidance to ensure firms deliver fair outcomes for retail customers; dispute resolution rules covering complaints handling and redress; and Conduct of Business Standards, which apply key conduct rules to crypto activities. Other measures cover credit for crypto purchases, training and competence standards for staff, the categorisation of crypto firms under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime, regulatory reporting requirements, safeguarding rules for custody of specified investment cryptoassets, retail collateral protections, and location policy guidance.Previous Proposals and GuidanceThe FCA said the consultation follows earlier proposals issued in December 2025, which outlined the application of crypto rules in line with traditional finance principles. These included providing clear information to consumers, proportionate requirements for firms, and flexibility to support innovation.The regulator also highlighted previous consultations on stablecoin issuance, cryptoasset custody, prudential rules, conduct of business, and market abuse. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

IC Markets has appointed Petros Kalaitzis as General Manager for its prop trading division.Kalaitzis, who has held multiple senior and executive roles in the financial services industry, said he is “very excited to be here and looking forward to make IC Funded as successful as IC Markets.”The company has also been active in sponsorships. IC Markets signed an agreement with Australian tennis player Alexei Popyrin ahead of the 2026 season. The broker was earlier named official forex trading partner of the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, with branding on the car’s nose, front wing, halo, and cockpit headrests.IC Markets Appoints Executive to Prop TradingBefore joining IC Markets, Kalaitzis worked at FunderPro as Deputy CEO and Chief Strategy Officer for one year and seven months. He also held leadership positions at Tools for Brokers, including Managing Director for one year and three months and Sales Manager for eight months.His earlier experience includes roles at The Trading Pit as Managing Director and COO for six months, Chief Experience Officer at NAGA for nine months, and Head of Client Services for Listed Derivatives at Tickmill for nearly three years.IC Funded offers a proprietary trading program for professional traders. The company has said it aims to “grow the program and expand its presence” in the trading industry.Prop Firms Bridge Gap Between TradersIC Markets’ appointment of a new General Manager reflects the growing role of prop trading in retail trading, a topic discussed at the recent Finance Magnates London Summit. Industry discussions highlighted both the benefits and limitations of prop trading. While the model opens access and supports trader development, structural challenges—such as evaluation processes and short-term performance targets—remain. The market has responded with increasing adoption of prop programs, which are viewed as complementary to brokers. Firms and brokers together form a framework that expands participation, encourages disciplined trading, and contributes to broader market growth. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.