Mastercard released its SpendingPule report on December 23, revealing that U.S. retail sales rose 3.9 per cent year-on-year during the holiday trading period as shoppers combined online browsing with in-store purchases.  According to the preliminary data from Mastercard, the figures, covering 1 November to 21 December and excluding automotive sales, showed e-commerce rose 7.4 per cent while in-store spending increased 2.9 per cent.  Mastercard said consumers shopped early, made use of promotions and continued to seek convenience. Michelle Meyer, chief economist at Mastercard Economics Institute, said shoppers “demonstrated flexibility and confidence”, blending channels to secure value. The data showed apparel spending climbed 7.8 per cent, supported by seasonal deals and colder weather. Online apparel sales rose 8.5 per cent, while in-store spending increased 7.0 per cent. Jewellery sales were up 1.6 per cent. Dining also remained a significant part of holiday activity, with restaurant spending rising 5.2 per cent as consumers prioritised shared experiences and social gatherings. Mastercard highlighted that artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping retail behaviour. Its AI Enthusiasm Index suggests the United States is a global leader in AI adoption, influencing areas such as personalised recommendations and inventory management.  The company said deeper integration of AI is likely to make shopping “even more seamless and experiential”. With several days still remaining in the season when the data were compiled, Mastercard said the trends pointed to a continued shift toward omnichannel shopping and experience-led spending. The post Mastercard Says U.S. Holiday Sales Rose 3.9% as Shoppers Blend Online and High-Street Spending appeared first on LeapRate.

Belgravia Hartford Capital has signed a non-binding letter of intent with DelphX Capital Markets to collaborate on the first commercial QCS transaction, the Canadian investment issuer said on Monday. Under the proposed arrangement, Belgravia is expected to become the inaugural corporate purchaser of a QCS collateralised put option, a structure designed to protect corporate bitcoin treasury holdings.  The transaction remains subject to definitive documentation, regulatory approval and market conditions, and the companies cautioned that there is no assurance it will be completed. Belgravia is also expected to provide advisory and structuring support for the planned launch of QCS products, including programme documentation, compliance processes and coordination with the designated placement agent.  The LOI is non-binding except for confidentiality, regulatory and disclosure provisions and may be terminated at any time. DelphX develops structured products through its vehicle Quantem LLC, enabling broker-dealers to offer new private placement securities.  Its collateralised put options are designed to provide secured protection against bond-rating downgrades or losses on cryptocurrency holdings. Its collateralised reference notes allow investors to assume capped downgrade or crypto-loss exposure in return for enhanced yields.  All instruments are fully collateralised and held in custody by U.S. Bank. Belgravia said its investment strategy focuses on cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, media and digital-streaming opportunities. It invests across public and private companies but warned that its holdings are high-risk and may expose shareholders to volatility and losses. The post Belgravia Hartford Signs LOI to Support DelphX’s First Crypto-Linked QCS Transaction appeared first on LeapRate.

GSTechnologies announced on Monday that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Finferno, a Poland-registered Virtual Asset Service Provider, as the fintech group seeks to accelerate the expansion of its digital asset operations across Central Europe.  The deal, funded entirely from existing cash resources, involves the purchase of Finferno’s entire issued share capital for an undisclosed sum. The company said the acquisition will support the growth of its GS Fintech division, which focuses on digital asset exchange and wealth-management services.  It is also expected to enable GST to pilot new products and services in Poland, a market the group views as increasingly attractive due to strong economic growth forecasts and rising cryptocurrency adoption. GST described the acquisition as a strategic move to strengthen its presence in regions where digital-asset uptake is expanding rapidly. The company said Poland and wider Central Europe offer significant long-term opportunities, reflecting both consumer adoption trends and a supportive operating environment. Tone Goh, Chairman of GST, said he was “very pleased to be announcing the acquisition of Finferno, which will add to GST’s growing digital asset capabilities.”  He added that the transaction aligns with plans to grow the group’s international footprint in markets with strong potential, adding that Poland and Central Europe “offer attractive opportunities” for investment. The post GSTechnologies to Acquire Polish Virtual Asset Service Provider Finferno appeared first on LeapRate.

BGC Group reaffirmed its revenue and pre-tax Adjusted Earnings guidance for the final quarter of 2025, maintaining the outlook first issued alongside its financial results on 6 November.  The company said its forecasts for the three months to 31 December remain unchanged, with details available in its earlier release. In its Q3 earnings release, BGC said it expects revenue for Q4 to be between $720 million and $770 million, above the $572.3 million reported in Q4 2024.  Meanwhile, the company expects Q4 2025 pre-tax adjusted earnings to be between $152.5 million and $167.5 million, above the $129.5 million reported in Q4 last year.  The update reiterated BGC’s reliance on several non-GAAP performance metrics that the group uses to assess underlying operating trends. These include pre- and post-tax Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA, Liquidity and Constant Currency revenue comparisons.  BGC also highlighted its use of Constant Currency reporting to strip out the impact of FX volatility on period-to-period comparisons, particularly given the company’s exposure to euro and sterling revenues. The group said these measures should be viewed as supplementary to GAAP results rather than replacements. The post BGC Reaffirms Fourth-Quarter 2025 Outlook appeared first on LeapRate.

TradingView has expanded its fixed-income offering with the addition of over-the-counter government bond data provided by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), giving users access to pricing insights for 4,734 global sovereign bonds. The platform said the integration will help traders and investors better understand liquidity conditions and market sentiment in fixed income, where much of the trading occurs away from exchanges.  OTC bond data reflects bilateral trading activity, often revealing pricing differences that are not visible on traditional venues. ICE, a major global operator of exchanges, clearing houses and market infrastructure, supplies the data.  Known for its depth and transparency, ICE’s fixed-income information is widely used across the financial industry. TradingView said its latest addition is consistent with its goal of expanding global data coverage and improving the analytical tools available to retail and professional users. The new OTC data can be accessed directly from TradingView charts.  The company said the enhancement allows users to explore markets more effectively, supported by a network of hundreds of data feeds and access to more than two million tradable instruments worldwide.  The post TradingView Adds OTC Government Bond Data from ICE appeared first on LeapRate.

FINRA has fined Digital Brokerage Services LLC (DBS) $85,000 and issued a censure after finding the firm distributed misleading retail communications relating to crypto assets between July and September 2022. DBS, which operates a mobile trading platform for self-directed retail investors, shared promotional content on social media and its website that failed to provide fair and balanced information about crypto-related products. FINRA said some communications made unbalanced comparisons, including stating that cash is “prone to counterfeiting,” unlike crypto, without adequately explaining the significant risks associated with digital assets. Other materials encouraged users to “get into crypto” with small investment amounts but omitted warnings that the assets were speculative and carried a high risk of loss. FINRA also found that several communications did not clearly distinguish between services offered by DBS and those offered by an unaffiliated entity providing crypto trading through the app, potentially confusing investors about regulatory protections. The regulator found multiple breaches of FINRA Rule 2210, which governs member communications with the public, and Rule 2010. After being notified, DBS withdrew or updated the problematic content and reviewed its wider approach to describing crypto services. DBS agreed to the settlement without admitting or denying the findings. The sanctions will take effect on a date set by FINRA. The post Digital Brokerage Services Fined $85,000 Over Crypto Communications Breaches appeared first on LeapRate.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has fined Osaic Institutions, Inc. $650,000 and issued a censure after finding widespread deficiencies in the firm’s anti-money laundering (AML) programme dating back to 2021. Osaic, previously known as Infinex Investments, has been registered with FINRA since 1994 and operates around 950 branches.  The regulator said the firm failed to maintain an AML system reasonably designed to identify and report suspicious activity across a range of customer transactions. According to the settlement, the firm relied on inadequate exception reports that did not capture numerous red flags, including third-party wire transfers and transactions involving high-risk jurisdictions.  In several cases, exception reports were not reviewed, or were reviewed months late, undermining the firm’s ability to detect potentially suspicious trades or money movements. FINRA stated that the firm also failed to conduct ongoing customer due diligence, noting that it did not develop risk profiles for domestic clients and only designated foreign accounts as high-risk in late 2023. The firm was found to have no procedures for updating customer information on a risk basis. Osaic agreed to the sanctions without admitting or denying the findings. It must also certify within 60 days that it has remediated the issues and implemented a compliant AML programme. The settlement resolves allegations under FINRA Rules 3310 and 2010, which require firms to maintain effective AML procedures and observe high standards of conduct. The post FINRA Fines Osaic Institutions $650,000 Over AML Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

Barclays has appointed Hiroshi Minoura as Chairman of Investment Banking in Japan. Minoura has served as a Senior Adviser to Barclays’ investment banking arm in Japan since July 2024.  In his new role, he will provide strategic leadership, expand the division’s client base and support the firm’s broader global priorities.  The bank said he will draw on nearly five decades of industry experience to help accelerate activity in mergers and acquisitions and deepen client engagement. Before joining Barclays, Minoura held senior roles at BofA Securities Japan and spent 37 years at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, including positions as Vice Chairman and Deputy President. Barclays highlighted Japan as a core growth market for its global investment banking franchise, citing rising outbound M&A activity among Japanese companies and strong foreign inflows supported by low interest rates, corporate governance reforms and a weaker yen. Yuzo Otsuka, Head of Investment Banking in Japan, believes the appointment “underscores our commitment to capturing growth opportunities in Japan.”  He added that Minoura “has been an outstanding adviser and a terrific inspiration to our team,” and that the bank expects to deliver “even greater value” to clients under his expanded leadership. The post Barclays Names Hiroshi Minoura Chairman of Investment Banking in Japan appeared first on LeapRate.

The U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has censured Carter, Terry & Company and imposed financial penalties after finding the Atlanta-based brokerage failed to supervise recommendations involving Unit Investment Trusts (UITs).  The firm, which has been a FINRA member since 1985 and serves mainly retail clients, agreed to the settlement without admitting or denying the findings. FINRA said that since June 2020, Carter Terry failed to establish, maintain and enforce a supervisory system and written supervisory procedures designed to comply with Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI).  The regulator found that the firm did not adequately monitor early UIT redemptions, transactions that can lead customers to incur unnecessary sales charges when proceeds are rolled into new UITs. According to the settlement, Carter Terry executed more than $61 million in UIT transactions but had no written policies addressing UIT recommendations until April 2023.  Even after procedures were added, FINRA said they did not require supervisors to assess the costs associated with early redemptions or determine whether the transactions were in clients’ best interests. The failures allowed one representative to repeatedly recommend early UIT sales and reinvest proceeds into new UITs, including successive series of the same products. FINRA said this caused customers to incur $176,590.57 in avoidable costs. Under the settlement, Carter Terry was censured, fined $75,000, and ordered to pay restitution. The firm must also certify within 90 days that it has remediated the supervisory weaknesses identified and implemented compliant written procedures. The post FINRA Fines Carter, Terry & Company and Orders Restitution Over Supervisory Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

TradingView has expanded its market coverage with the addition of CME Group options data, giving traders broader access to one of the world’s largest derivatives marketplaces.  The integration allows users to analyse and trade a wider range of CME options contracts, supporting more advanced strategies in areas such as risk management, volatility assessment and macro hedging. CME Group’s derivatives markets span equities, energy, agriculture and metals, and are widely used by professional market participants due to their liquidity, transparent pricing and benchmark contract structures.  TradingView said the latest integration is aimed at enhancing the analytical tools available to traders seeking deeper insights into global markets. The new data set includes options on major futures such as crude oil and the E-mini S&P 500, enabling traders to respond to geopolitical events, supply shocks or shifts in equity-market sentiment.  TradingView noted that searching for CME options via Supercharts will display underlying assets rather than individual contracts, which then open the corresponding option chain.  The company stated the update is part of its broader effort to integrate more international data feeds and strengthen its position as a comprehensive global market platform. With access to more than two million instruments worldwide, TradingView said it aims to remain the “only entry point you need” for global markets. The post TradingView Adds CME Options Data to Platform appeared first on LeapRate.

TradingView has expanded the availability of volume data across a wide range of National Stock Exchange of India indices, offering traders more detailed insight into market participation and sector-level activity.  Until now, volume figures were available only for the Nifty 50 and Nifty Bank Index. Because the NSE does not provide official index-level volume, TradingView has implemented a rules-based methodology.  Daily volumes are calculated by summing the trading volumes of all constituent stocks, while intraday volumes use minute-by-minute data from each component. The calculation automatically adjusts whenever index components change. The expansion covers major sector indices such as Nifty FMCG, Nifty Auto, Nifty IT, Nifty Pharma, Nifty Financial Services, Nifty Healthcare, Nifty Media, Nifty Private Bank, Nifty PSU Bank and Nifty Realty. Broader benchmarks including the Nifty 500, Nifty 200, Nifty Next 50, Nifty MidCap and Nifty SmallCap indices are also now supported. TradingView said the enhancement provides consistent volume data across all chart resolutions, enabling both intraday and long-term analysis.  The platform has also reiterated that users can view volume figures on symbol pages or overlay them directly on Supercharts using the Volume indicator. The company said it will continue expanding coverage across additional NSE indices. It added that TradingView’s global data network now connects to hundreds of feeds, offering access to more than two million instruments worldwide. The post TradingView Extends Volume Data to More NSE Indices to Enhance Market Analysis appeared first on LeapRate.

Nomura has opened new premises in the Dubai International Financial Centre as the firm expands its wealth-management presence across the Middle East.  The office upgrade follows the launch of Nomura’s Dubai operation in 2023, which leverages the expertise of Nomura Singapore Limited and forms part of a strategy to build its international wealth-management franchise in the MEASA region. The expansion reflects strong growth since opening, supported by the hiring of senior relationship managers and rising demand from regional clients.  While Nomura initially focused on serving the South Asian diaspora, the firm now plans to broaden coverage to high-net-worth individuals, single-family offices and external asset managers across the UAE and the wider Gulf. DIFC officials said the opening highlights Dubai’s continued appeal as a leading global financial hub. Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, said Nomura’s decision “reflects both the strength of their regional growth story, century-long expertise that is valued by clients, and the depth of opportunity Dubai offers global firms.” Ravi Raju, Head of International Wealth Management at Nomura, said the new space would support the firm’s growing team and client base. “This move into a larger space will allow us to cater to our expanding team in Dubai and to better serve our growing client franchise in this region,” he said. The post Nomura Expands in Dubai with New DIFC Offices appeared first on LeapRate.

TradingView has expanded its broker network with the addition of Riyad Capital, giving users the ability to trade Saudi equities directly from the platform.  Riyad Capital, licensed by the Saudi Capital Market Authority, is one of the Kingdom’s leading investment managers and brokerages, offering access to the Tadawul, the Stock Exchange of Saudi Arabia. Through the new integration, traders can analyse Saudi markets on TradingView’s Supercharts and execute orders without leaving the platform.  TradingView said users simply need to open the trading panel, select Riyad Capital and log into their accounts. Riyad Capital is also providing a range of value-added services to support clients, including competitively priced margin lending and a broad suite of equity research.  The brokerage stated that its offering combines local market access with institutional routing and margin-financing options designed to cater to both retail and professional traders. The rollout forms part of TradingView’s wider effort to expand global broker connectivity and deepen its presence in fast-growing markets.  The company said further details about Riyad Capital’s services are available on the broker’s profile page on TradingView. The integration comes as international investor interest in Saudi Arabia continues to grow, supported by rising liquidity on the Tadawul and increasing foreign participation. The post TradingView Adds Direct Riyad Capital Integration for Saudi Equity Trading appeared first on LeapRate.

B2PRIME Group has expanded its distribution network through a new integration with Your Bourse, allowing brokers to access the firm’s multi-asset liquidity across FX, metals, indices, commodities and crypto CFDs. The partnership, announced on Monday, is said to give B2PRIME clients an additional venue offering low-latency performance and high-volume stability.  The firm explained that brokers using Your Bourse’s routing and aggregation tools can connect directly to B2PRIME, benefiting from flexible routing, faster onboarding and smoother migration for those adding a new point-of-presence venue. Alex Tsepaev, Chief Strategy Officer at B2PRIME, said the integration “boosts B2PRIME’s visibility and gives our clients more flexibility in how they tap into our liquidity,” especially for firms already relying on Your Bourse as core trading infrastructure. For regulated brokers and high-volume firms, the link adds redundancy, seamless failover between hubs and consistent execution across regions. B2PRIME said the setup enables institutions to diversify liquidity without major infrastructure changes. Your Bourse’s Chief Revenue Officer, Kate Rutkovskaya, stated that the firm was “happy to welcome B2PRIME to the Your Bourse liquidity provider pool,” adding that the integration would allow brokers to “diversify their liquidity mix” by accessing regulated, multi-asset liquidity through the platform. The post B2PRIME and Your Bourse Partner to Expand Low-Latency Liquidity Access appeared first on LeapRate.

The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation has formally launched its Collateral-in-Lieu (CIL) service through its Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, working with BNY’s Global Collateral Platform.  BNY Securities Finance and Federated Hermes completed the first repo trade using the new clearing option. The service is designed to improve margin efficiency and accelerate the industry’s shift toward central clearing as required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Treasury-market mandate.  It maintains the haircut posted in triparty arrangements while applying a CCP lien “in lieu” of a sponsor guarantee and margin posting in most cases, eliminating double-margining for some members. DTCC said the model builds on existing Sponsored Service processes while offering both operational streamlining and broader access to cleared repo.  BNY’s triparty infrastructure will support settlement and collateral management for both done-away and done-with trading styles. Laura Klimpel, DTCC Managing Director, stated that the launch “underscores our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that enhance margin and capital efficiency for all types of firms.”  BNY’s Nate Wuerffel described the service as “a major step forward in the path to central clearing,” while Federated Hermes’ Susan Hill said it would help the firm “deliver value to clients while meeting evolving regulatory requirements.” BNY’s Nehal Udeshi added that the service creates “greater capacity” to support client activity and strengthens market resilience. DTCC expects adoption to rise ahead of mandatory clearing deadlines in late 2026 and mid-2027. The post DTCC and BNY Launch Collateral-in-Lieu Service as First Trade Completed appeared first on LeapRate.

FanDuel and CME Group announced this week that they have launched FanDuel Predicts, a new event-trading platform designed to let U.S. customers bet on financial, cultural and sporting outcomes.  The service went live in Alabama, Alaska, South Carolina, North Dakota and South Dakota, with a phased national rollout planned into early 2026. The platform will allow users to buy and sell event contracts priced between $0.01 and $0.99, choosing “Yes” or “No” on whether an event will occur.  FanDuel said the app will be available on the Apple and Google app stores and will require full identity verification, including a birth date, Social Security number, address, banking details and a government-issued ID. Users will be able to trade on indicators such as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100, oil and gas prices, gold, cryptocurrencies, GDP and CPI.  Sports-related contracts will be available only in states without legal online sports betting, except on tribal lands. FanDuel will remove sports markets in states that subsequently legalise sports betting. “We’re giving our customers a new platform to engage with the world around them – whether that’s the next Fed rate decision or a sports event,” said James Cooper, Senior Vice-President at FanDuel.  CME Group’s Lynne Fitzpatrick added that its prediction markets would “enable a new generation of users to express their views on global benchmarks, economic indicators, sports and more.” FanDuel said users will have access to deposit limits, alerts and self-exclusion tools, with mental-health support provided by Kindbridge Behaviour Health. The post FanDuel and CME Group Launch Prediction Market Platform in Five States appeared first on LeapRate.

HSBC announced Tuesday that Ann Godbehere, the bank’s senior independent director, will retire from the board at the group’s annual general meeting in 2026. Brendan Nelson, HSBC’s group chair, thanked Godbehere for her “considerable contribution” and said he fully respected her decision to step down for personal and lifestyle reasons.  He noted the timing follows the completion of the bank’s chair search. Godbehere stated that it had been a privilege to serve on the board and praised the colleagues she had worked with during her tenure.  She added that she wished the board and management “every success” as the bank continues executing its strategy. The post HSBC Senior Independent Director to Step Down in 2026 appeared first on LeapRate.

The Financial Conduct Authority has cancelled the registration of First Money Services, a Small Payment Institution, after finding the firm failed to meet key regulatory requirements under the Payment Services Regulations 2017. In a Final Notice dated 22 December, the regulator said the company did not provide payment services within 12 months of being registered and had failed to remain compliant with anti-money laundering obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations.  The FCA also found the firm had reported providing payment services after its HMRC registration had ended. The decision follows a previous notice issued to the business, which did not challenge the move within the 28-day referral window. As a result, the cancellation took effect immediately. The regulator noted that the action was necessary to support its consumer protection and market integrity objectives.  Small Payment Institutions must meet specific conditions to operate legally, including maintaining up-to-date AML registrations and demonstrating active provision of payment services. The cancellation means First Money Services is no longer authorised to undertake regulated payment activities in the UK, and the FCA reminded firms of the importance of maintaining full compliance throughout their registration period. The post FCA Cancels Registration of First Money Services Over Compliance Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

Equiti Group has appointed Dhanesh Chandrashekhar Arole as its new Head of Data and AI, strengthening the fintech firm’s capability in advanced analytics as it pursues growth across global markets. Arole joins from senior roles in high-growth technology companies and major international platforms, including Meta.  Equiti said his background in software architecture, system design and engineering leadership will support its strategy to build a more intelligent, insight-driven trading ecosystem. The appointment aligns with Equiti’s Q4 2025 focus on expanding data and AI capabilities as online trading activity rises across the MENA region and the UAE positions itself as a global investment hub.  Sartaj Singh, Equiti’s chief technology officer, stated that the firm had already established “a strong data backbone,” and Arole would help accelerate the development of data products and AI applications.  Arole remarked that data-driven tools were reshaping the speed and transparency of financial markets, adding that he aims to deliver “smarter decisions, deeper insights and truly transformative products.” The post Equiti Appoints New Head of Data and AI appeared first on LeapRate.

Alfa Financial Software has announced that Duncan Magrath, its chief financial officer and an executive director, plans to retire at the end of 2026 after more than six years with the company. The asset-finance software specialist said its board would begin the search for a successor immediately.  Magrath joined Alfa in March 2020 and has overseen the firm’s shift towards a software-as-a-service model, helping establish new internal processes and building out the finance team. Chief executive Andrew Denton thanked Magrath for his contribution, saying he had played a “huge” role as the company evolved into a SaaS-focused organisation.  Denton added that Magrath had provided guidance and support to colleagues and helped create a platform for future growth. Magrath commented that he had “thoroughly enjoyed” his time at Alfa and highlighted the company’s culture as a defining feature of his experience.  He said he remains enthusiastic about the final year of his tenure and intends to pursue interests outside full-time executive work following his retirement. Alfa stated the transition would be managed carefully to ensure continuity across its finance and operational functions. The post Alfa Financial Confirms CFO to Retire at the End of 2026 appeared first on LeapRate.