The deal, signed on Wednesday, follows a Memorandum of Understanding between HKEX and CMU OmniClear earlier this year and expands their long-term collaboration with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), which will retain an 80% holding. HKEX Chief Executive Bonnie Y Chan said the investment “reflects our commitment to building a diversified and vibrant multi-asset class product network, supporting the long-term resilience of our markets.” The partnership will focus on developing post-trade securities infrastructure, expanding investor CSD services, and enhancing collateral management capabilities.  CMU OmniClear currently manages around HK$5 trillion in assets and supports Bond Connect and Swap Connect initiatives, both jointly developed by HKEX and the HKMA. Eddie Yue, HKMA Chief Executive, said the collaboration “marks a significant milestone in the development of Hong Kong’s financial infrastructure,” adding that it would transform CMU into a “multi-asset class platform” connecting investors in China, Hong Kong, and global markets. Proceeds from the investment will fund future market development initiatives and further integration across Hong Kong’s bond, repo, and derivatives markets, reinforcing its status as a key global financial and RMB hub. The post HKEX Takes 20% Stake in CMU OmniClear appeared first on LeapRate.

Why Cape Town? Exness chose Cape Town for the same reasons the city has become a magnet for startups across Africa: a deep talent pool, strong academic institutions, and a culture of creativity grounded in practical problem-solving. The city attracts founders and specialists who are not only building for local markets, but for a connected continent and planet. This makes it an ideal base for Exness, whose technology-driven model depends equally on innovation and trust. Our presence is not symbolic; it is strategic. By embedding ourselves within South Africa’s fintech capital, we align global expertise with local talent, ensuring that what we build truly reflects the realities and ambitions of African traders. A regional hub with a local heart Our Cape Town office is a regional hub for Sub-Saharan Africa, acting as a bridge between our global operations and local communities. From here, we can respond more quickly, deliver tailored education initiatives, and work more closely with partners and regulators. Proximity makes a difference. When support, analysis, and product development happen where traders operate, feedback is faster and solutions become more relevant. That is the essence of localization: building with traders, not just for them. Understanding the modern African trader Today’s African traders are informed, ambitious, and globally connected. They expect more from their brokers: more control, more clarity, more efficiency. Control means fast, predictable access to funds. At Exness, our payment model enables automatic withdrawals1 whenever processors allow, giving clients reliable and dependable access to their capital. Clarity means transparent costs and clear communication. We publish trading costs and even historical pricing data, so traders can verify, compare, and plan with confidence. Efficiency is characterized by precision, with stable spreads, consistent execution, and technology that performs reliably under pressure. These three principles—control, clarity, and efficiency form the backbone of every product and service we deliver.  Trust through regulation and governance Operating responsibly in Africa means embracing regulation. Our Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) license in South Africa demonstrates our commitment to meeting local standards, while our license with Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority (CMA) reinforces the same principle across the region. Regulatory frameworks are not constraints; they are enablers of trust. They protect clients, promote transparency, and strengthen the credibility of the industry as a whole. For Exness, compliance is more than a requirement; it is an integral part of how we build sustainable participation in financial markets. Investing in people and knowledge A local office is only as strong as the people who power it. That is why we are investing in South African professionals: client-support specialists and technologists who understand both the market and its nuances. By nurturing local talent, we not only enhance the quality of our service but also contribute to the evolution of the ecosystem. Our goal is to raise the standard of financial literacy and empower a generation of professionals who can compete globally. A long-term vision for Africa This expansion is not a short-term market entry; it is a long-term commitment to the region’s growth and development. Africa’s potential lies not only in its size, but also in its creativity and adaptability. By combining advanced technology with responsible governance, we can help build a trading environment where participation is broad, informed, and sustainable. Empowering sustainable participation means offering better-than-market conditions, along with transparency and genuine proximity to clients. This enables more people to engage with the markets confidently and responsibly, and demonstrates how we can transform Africa’s trading growth into lasting progress. 1. At Exness, over 98% of withdrawals are processed automatically. Processing times may vary depending on the chosen payment method. The post Cape Town’s moment: Building a sustainable future for African traders appeared first on LeapRate.

Announced during the Singapore FinTech Festival 2025, the collaboration combines Finmo’s Smart Treasury platform with Standard Chartered’s global banking infrastructure.  The initiative is said to enable Finmo clients to open and manage multi-currency accounts in Singapore initially, with expansion planned to the UAE, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom. “By connecting Standard Chartered’s global infrastructure with Finmo’s Smart Treasury platform, businesses can simplify global money movement and gain real-time visibility across entities and currencies,” said Richard Oh, Co-founder and Head of Strategy & Network Partnerships at Finmo. Finmo will integrate Standard Chartered’s banking APIs, becoming one of the few treasury systems with direct access to institutional-grade multi-market currency accounts.  This will allow finance teams to automate cross-border payments, execute FX transactions, and monitor liquidity in real time. Luke Boland, Head of Fintech for ASEAN, South Asia and GCNA at Standard Chartered, said: “Our collaboration with Finmo reflects our shared vision of helping businesses gain faster access to multi-currency liquidity while improving transparency and control across global operations.” The partnership underscores both firms’ commitment to modernising treasury infrastructure and enhancing financial connectivity for high-growth enterprises. The post Finmo and Standard Chartered Partner on Global Currency Account Integration appeared first on LeapRate.

The new app integrates point-of-sale systems, digital payments, financing, and growth support into one ecosystem.  Backed by ANEXT Bank, one of Singapore’s first digital banks, MSMEs can access credit faster and manage financing more efficiently. “Singapore has shown how a pro-MSME digital agenda can translate into strong economic vitality,” said Ian Cheong, CEO of EPOS. “With EPOS360, even a neighbourhood food stall can launch an online menu, access an instant small loan, and set up a weekend promotion in minutes.” The AI-driven Antom Copilot feature simplifies business management by analysing sales data, competition, and market trends to suggest inventory adjustments, generate marketing content, and optimise cash flow.  Merchants can also manage accounts in multiple currencies and benefit from same-day settlements for selected payment methods. Initially launched in Singapore, EPOS360 will expand to Malaysia as a mini app within Touch ’n Go in early 2026, before reaching additional ASEAN markets.  Available in multiple languages, the platform aims to empower MSMEs to digitise and scale efficiently while improving customer engagement. The post Ant International’s Antom Launches AI App appeared first on LeapRate.

The company, listed on Nasdaq under the ticker RILY, said the new name reflects its “evolution over the last three decades from a financial services platform to a portfolio of diverse, distinct companies.”  The group’s holdings span financial services, telecom, retail, and investments in equity, debt, and venture capital. Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer Bryant Riley said: “The decision to rename as BRC Group Holdings reflects our evolution over the last three decades.  “We have grown through opportunistic investments in diversified financial services, telecom and retail, and today, we take a significant step forward in encouraging our portfolio companies to cultivate their unique brand identities and define their futures.” The new name also pays tribute to the firm’s origins, as its founding entity in 1997, B. Riley & Co, was commonly referred to as BRC.  Despite the rebrand, the company’s stock symbol will remain RILY, with no changes to its preferred share or tradeable senior note tickers. The post B. Riley Financial to Rebrand as BRC Group Holdings from 2026 appeared first on LeapRate.

The digital bank said the launch of SoFi Crypto allows customers to buy, sell and hold popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana directly within its mobile app, combining traditional banking and crypto investing on one regulated platform. “Today marks a pivotal moment when banking meets crypto in one app, on a trusted platform,” said Anthony Noto, CEO of SoFi. “It’s critical to give our members a secure and regulated way to step into the future of money.” SoFi said its platform offers bank-grade security and transparency, with customers able to move funds seamlessly between their SoFi bank accounts and crypto holdings.  The service includes educational tools and simple guidance for new investors, while experienced users can benefit from faster, integrated trading. The launch comes as crypto ownership in the U.S. continues to grow, with SoFi reporting that 60% of its crypto-owning members would prefer to trade through a licensed bank.  The rollout forms part of SoFi’s broader strategy to embed blockchain across its ecosystem, including plans for a U.S. dollar stablecoin and blockchain-based remittance services. The post SoFi Becomes First Nationally Chartered Bank to Offer Crypto Trading appeared first on LeapRate.

The platform, customised for T. Rowe Price, helps traders, analysts and portfolio managers manage corporate bond deals from roadshow to pricing.  By aggregating deal data from multiple providers, the system provides a consolidated, real-time view of market activity and enables efficient collaboration across teams. “The new issue application, built to our specifications and delivered through the Genesis platform, enables a scalable and repeatable investment process in the primary bond market,” said Dwayne Middleton, Global Head of Fixed Income Trading at T. Rowe Price.  “By addressing data fragmentation and improving collaboration, we now have a modern, integrated tool to view the market and assess opportunities with greater speed and precision.” James Harrison, co-founder and CEO of Genesis Global, said: “We believe that PBI gives T. Rowe Price an edge in the highly competitive market for corporate bond deals.” Initially covering investment-grade corporate bonds, the system will later be extended to high-yield and emerging-market debt.  The solution replaces T. Rowe Price’s in-house platform and integrates with its order management and modelling systems, helping automate workflows across offices in Baltimore, London and Hong Kong. The post T. Rowe Price Adopts Genesis Primary Bond Issuance Solution appeared first on LeapRate.

Based in Hong Kong, Mastrangelo will lead Barclays’ Global Markets operations across the region, focusing on expanding product offerings and client relationships.  He will report functionally to Adeel Khan, Head of Global Markets, and regionally to Jaideep Khanna, CEO, Asia Pacific. Mastrangelo joins from Société Générale, where he most recently served as Head of Equities for Asia Pacific.  With nearly 20 years of experience across structuring, trading and platform development in Paris and Hong Kong, he has a track record of driving growth in fast-moving markets. “Jean-François has demonstrated an exceptional ability to build and lead high-performing teams in dynamic markets,” Khan said. “His deep understanding of the region, combined with a global perspective, will be pivotal as we accelerate growth and deliver for our clients in Asia Pacific.” Khanna added that the appointment “reflects our commitment to investing in talent and building our platform to offer best-in-class products and services for our clients.” The move comes as Barclays continues to build out its regional markets franchise to capture growing opportunities in Asia’s expanding capital markets. The post Barclays Names Jean-François Mastrangelo Head of Markets for Asia Pacific appeared first on LeapRate.

The new feature allows shoppers to split purchases between $30 and $1,500 into four equal payments over six weeks, with automatic instalments and no hidden charges.  Launching ahead of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping period, PayPal said the service aims to make budgeting easier during the holiday season. “PayPal has served Canadians for over 15 years and is one of the most trusted brands across the country,” said Michelle Gill, General Manager, Small Business and Financial Services at PayPal.  “Pay in 4 helps Canadians manage cash flow without late fees or hidden costs.” PayPal’s 2025 Festive Spending Survey found that 60% of Canadians who haven’t yet used BNPL would consider doing so if there were no fees.  Businesses also benefit, with PayPal reporting that merchants offering BNPL options see higher conversion rates and larger average order values. The launch coincides with a partnership with Cadillac Fairview, allowing shoppers to use Pay in 4 for online purchases and participate in festive experiences at malls in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver. The post PayPal Launches No-Fee ‘Pay in 4’ Buy Now, Pay Later Option in Canada appeared first on LeapRate.

Under the agreement, State Street will support Albilad Capital’s securities services offering in Saudi Arabia by combining its global technology and product expertise with Albilad’s local market experience.  The partnership aims to strengthen the country’s capital market infrastructure and introduce advanced global investment solutions to domestic clients. “We are delighted to collaborate with Albilad Capital to support its clients and growth,” commented State Street Chairman and CEO Ron O’Hanley.  “By combining State Street’s global capabilities with Albilad Capital’s market knowledge, we will meet the growing demand for sophisticated investment solutions and help support the Kingdom’s ambitions to become a leading financial centre.” Zaid AlMufarih, CEO of Albilad Capital, said the agreement would enhance market competitiveness and localise global knowledge.  “We are proud of this agreement that combines State Street’s global expertise and advanced infrastructure with our leadership in the local market,” he stated. State Street, which has served clients in Saudi Arabia for over 25 years, manages $127 billion in assets under custody or administration and $60 billion in assets under management in the Kingdom. The post State Street Signs Strategic Agreement with Albilad Capital in Saudi Arabia appeared first on LeapRate.

The online trading platform explained that Vega uses advanced artificial intelligence to “transform complex market data into actionable insights,” helping investors make better-informed decisions.  Available exclusively to Webull’s U.S. customers at no cost, Vega is said to integrate news, technical data, and earnings information into one platform to create a more intuitive trading experience. Anthony Denier, Group President and U.S. CEO of Webull, commented: “The amount of information available to investors today is both a strength and a challenge. With Vega, we’re helping traders navigate that landscape with greater clarity and confidence.” Vega’s features include Options Statistics Insights, which identifies unusual options activity; Portfolio Review, analysing investor behaviour against goals; and Plain-Language Orders, which allow trades to be placed via natural voice commands.  The system also offers real-time personalised alerts through Vega Insights. Vega “evolves alongside each investor,” Webull stated. The feature supports both novice and experienced traders, aiming to make “powerful investing intelligence accessible to everyone” as part of Webull’s mission to democratise markets. The post Webull Launches Vega, Its AI-Powered Investment Decision Partner appeared first on LeapRate.

According to FINRA, the Minneapolis-based firm overstated statistical data on its quarterly Rule 606(a) reports covering customer order handling in U.S. securities and options.  The errors stemmed from a coding issue that caused one vendor to miscalculate the value of options orders, while other reports failed to disclose complete details about payment-for-order-flow and profit-sharing arrangements with execution venues. FINRA said Piper Sandler’s supervisory systems were not “reasonably designed” to ensure compliance with the reporting rule, noting deficiencies in its written supervisory procedures and lack of proper reviews of vendor data. The regulator added that accurate reporting is essential for transparency and investor protection, helping clients assess how firms route and execute their orders. Piper Sandler, which employs about 1,400 registered representatives across more than 70 offices, accepted FINRA’s findings without admitting or denying them. The firm has since corrected the errors, enhanced its disclosures, and revised its compliance procedures. The sanction includes a censure and a fine, which the firm has agreed to pay following acceptance of the settlement. The post Piper Sandler Fined $95,000 by FINRA Over Reporting Failures appeared first on LeapRate.

Brown has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of MIAX Futures and Chief Strategy Officer at MIAX Holdings. He will oversee the company’s growth strategy, including the planned launch of futures based on the Bloomberg 500 Index in early 2026, pending regulatory approval. “Shelly is a seasoned executive with a deep understanding of the roadmap to launching several key futures products,” said Thomas Gallagher, Chairman and CEO of MIAX. “I can’t think of anyone who brings more operational knowledge and efficiency to the table than him.” Ferraro, meanwhile, has been named President of MIAX Products, LLC, where he will lead efforts to expand the firm’s proprietary product range, including Bloomberg equity index derivatives.  He will retain his existing position as Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. Gallagher praised Ferraro’s “expert guidance” in developing MIAX Futures and said the company’s investment in technology has positioned it for new product expansion. The post MIAX Appoints Shelly Brown as Chief Executive Officer of MIAX Futures appeared first on LeapRate.

Under the partnership, the bank will provide transaction banking and financial markets services to support DeCard’s operations in Singapore.  This includes managing cardholder top-up processing, account management, and fiat-to-stablecoin settlements, alongside liquidity and FX hedging through Standard Chartered’s financial markets division. The launch marks the first phase of the collaboration, with plans to expand into other key markets.  The partnership comes amid growing demand for regulated digital-asset payment solutions that combine the speed and transparency of blockchain-based finance with the reliability of traditional banking systems. “This partnership is in line with our continued efforts to offer banking solutions for innovative fintech partners,” said Dhiraj Bajaj, Global Head of TB FI Sales at Standard Chartered. “Our investments in platforms and solutions allow us to be the trusted banking partner bridging TradFi to DeFi.” DCS Chief Commercial Officer Joan Han believes the collaboration will help bring “secure, transparent, and efficient stablecoin payments to the mainstream,” setting a benchmark for responsible digital asset use in daily life. Standard Chartered will also provide API connectivity and virtual account infrastructure to enhance reconciliation and payment visibility for DeCard cardholders. The post Standard Chartered Partners with DCS to Power Stablecoin-Linked Credit Card in Singapore appeared first on LeapRate.

The fintech company stated that October’s total marked a 13 percent rise from September’s $339 billion, reflecting accelerating adoption of tokenised settlement solutions in institutional markets. Broadridge believes its DLR system, the largest institutional platform for settling tokenised real assets, demonstrates growing industry confidence in distributed ledger technology.  The platform is said to support real-time settlement of repurchase agreements, enhancing liquidity and operational efficiency across the capital markets. According to Broadridge’s latest white paper, more than 80 percent of early adopters cited tokenisation’s potential to improve transparency and deepen investor engagement. Broadridge described tokenisation as a “transformative force” reshaping market structure and remarked that it is committed to supporting digital asset trading across its global platforms. The company added that it continues to invest in technologies that underpin a “digital-first financial ecosystem,” positioning itself as a leader in tokenised trading infrastructure as institutional adoption expands. The post Broadridge’s Blockchain Repo Platform Hits $385 Billion Daily Volume in October appeared first on LeapRate.

McCann, who will report directly to Chief Executive Helen Lofthouse, joins from Norton Rose Fulbright, where she is a partner in the corporate team.  She previously spent five years at the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), where she rose to Chief General Counsel, leading the regulator’s legal and enforcement group overseeing banking, insurance, and superannuation supervision. Lofthouse said she was delighted with the appointment, adding that McCann’s experience would support ASX’s focus on market integrity and policy leadership.  “Lucinda’s appointment will build on the strong track record of our ASX Compliance team,” Lofthouse commented. McCann succeeds Daniel Moran, who stepped down in July after 15 years at ASX. The exchange said the appointment aligns with its renewed emphasis on governance and transparency, following its October decision to assume direct responsibility for future editions of the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations.  Former Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Philip Lowe will chair the new independent advisory group supporting that framework. The post ASX Appoints Lucinda McCann as Chief Compliance Officer appeared first on LeapRate.

The initiative builds on a partnership unveiled last year and responds to rising demand for high-quality collateral amid regulatory changes and new liquidity frameworks. The service integrates real-time data from Euroclear’s Collateral Highway, which now manages more than €2 trillion in collateral and external collateral pools.  Clients can configure multiple optimisation models and run “what-if” scenarios to determine the most efficient collateral deployment, all while ensuring full data segregation and security. Marije Verhelst, Euroclear’s Head of Product Strategy and Product Development for Collateral Management and Securities Lending, said the launch “addresses the growing demand from broker-dealers for more control over their collateral allocations through tailored models.” Transcend CEO Bimal Kadikar added that the partnership “enables seamless connectivity with Euroclear while maintaining neutrality and segregation for multi-venue optimisation.” The new solution aims to improve liquidity management and operational efficiency across the financial system, offering clients venue-neutral flexibility and transparency in collateral usage. The post Euroclear and Transcend Launch New Collateral Optimisation Service appeared first on LeapRate.

The company said Admirals MENA had applied for the cancellation of its licence to deal in investments as principal, a move it described as part of a broader strategy to streamline its international footprint and focus on markets offering the greatest potential for sustainable growth. Following the application, the FSRA approved the cancellation of the FSP. In a brief statement, Admirals said the decision “underscores Admirals Group AS’s continued strategic focus on optimising its global operations and concentrating resources in regions with the strongest potential for sustainable growth and operational excellence.” Admirals Group, which provides multi-asset trading and investment services, has been consolidating its operations amid an increasingly competitive regulatory landscape.  In September, Admiral Markets AS said it had entered into an agreement to divest its wholly owned subsidiary, Admiral Markets AS (Jordan) Ltd, a licensed investment firm, as part of the group’s strategy to refine its geographic footprint and align operations with its long-term priorities. The post Admirals Group Cancels Financial Services Permission to Refocus Global Operations appeared first on LeapRate.

According to FINRA, the Los Angeles-based brokerage failed to maintain possession or control of clients’ fully paid and excess margin securities, violating the Securities Exchange Act’s Customer Protection Rule.  The firm also lacked adequate systems and written procedures to ensure compliance, resulting in deficits that at times exceeded 100,000 shares valued at more than $2 million. The regulator said Wedbush further failed to include required mark-up and mark-down disclosures on more than 1,300 retail customer trade confirmations for municipal, corporate, and agency debt transactions. Between August 2022 and August 2023, FINRA found that the firm did not enter prevailing market prices in its systems in a timely manner and lacked adequate supervisory procedures to ensure compliance with disclosure rules. Wedbush, which employs around 500 registered representatives across 70 offices, accepted the findings without admitting or denying the allegations. The firm has since amended its supervisory procedures. The sanction follows FINRA’s routine cycle examinations and marks the latest in a series of enforcement actions targeting firms’ compliance with customer asset and disclosure obligations. The post Wedbush Fined $150,000 by FINRA appeared first on LeapRate.

The Chicago-based exchange operator said total average daily volume (ADV) in options reached 21.4 million contracts, a 47 percent increase from a year earlier. Cboe revealed the surge was driven by record trading in multi-listed options, which climbed to a monthly ADV of 15.9 million contracts, and a strong performance in its proprietary index options, which rose 38.6 percent to 5.5 million contracts. Trading in S&P 500 Index (SPX) options set multiple records during the month, including a new monthly ADV of 4.4 million contracts, a zero-days-to-expiry (0DTE) options record of 2.7 million, and a single-day peak of 6.4 million contracts on October 10. Equity trading also strengthened, with U.S. on-exchange activity up nearly 57 percent year-on-year to 2.02 billion shares, while off-exchange trading rose almost threefold. Cboe’s European and Canadian equity volumes increased 25 percent and 34 percent, respectively, while its futures activity rose 39 percent from a year earlier. The post Cboe Sets Record Monthly Options Volume in October appeared first on LeapRate.