Binance allowed hundreds of millions of dollars to move through suspicious accounts even after promising to strengthen compliance as part of a $4.3 billion US criminal settlement in 2023, according to an exclusive Financial Times (FT) investigation.Binance Let Suspicious Accounts Trade After $4.3B US SettlementInternal files reviewed by the FT reveal accounts with red flags - including connections to terror financing networks, impossible login patterns, and failed identity checks - kept trading well after the November 2023 plea agreement. The leaked data covers transactions from 2021 through this year.One account belonged to a resident of a Venezuelan slum who moved $93 million through Binance between 2021 and 2025. Part of those funds came from a network later accused by US authorities of secretly moving money for Iran and Lebanon's Hizbollah.Binance allowed suspicious accounts to operate even after 2023 US plea agreement https://t.co/5EEWGrwMCg— Financial Times (@FT) December 22, 2025The FT obtained data for 13 suspicious accounts that handled $1.7 billion in transactions, with $144 million occurring after the settlement. One account registered to a 25-year-old Venezuelan woman received over $177 million in crypto over two years and changed payment bank details 647 times in 14 months, cycling through 496 unique accounts across the Americas."That qualifies as suspicious," Stefan Cassella, a former federal prosecutor, commented for FT. "It looks like someone is acting as a money-transmitting business."The FT dropped the bombshell months after the SEC abandoned its lawsuit against Binance, which accused the exchange of artificially inflating trading volumes. Other allegations included the diversion of customer funds and misleading investors about the exchange’s surveillance controls.Concerns over Binance’s operations were also raised this year by France, which launched a criminal investigation in early 2025.Physically Impossible Activity Went UndetectedThe account tied to the Venezuelan bank employee showed access from Caracas at 3:56 p.m. on February 24, 2025, then from Osaka, Japan, at 1:30 a.m. the next day, a physically impossible sequence.All 13 accounts received funds totaling $29 million in Tether stablecoin from accounts later frozen by Israel under anti-terrorism law. Nearly all came from four crypto wallets linked to Tawfiq Al-Law, a Syrian accused of moving money for Hizbollah and Iran-backed Houthis. Israel seized the accounts in May 2023, and the US Treasury sanctioned Al-Law in March 2024.Binance told the FT it "maintains strict compliance controls and a zero-tolerance approach to illicit activity" with "robust systems in place to flag and investigate suspicious transactions."Trump Pardon Complicates OversightPresident Donald Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao in October for violating US anti-money laundering laws. The Trump family subsequently expanded business ties with the exchange this month through World Liberty Financial, announcing a "massive expansion" of its USD1 stablecoin on Binance.The Justice Department and Treasury appointed two independent monitors in May 2024 to oversee Binance's compliance. Many transactions the FT reviewed occurred after monitoring began.Jessica Davis, a former Canadian intelligence official, said Trump's pardon loosened the compliance environment. "Previously, the incentive was: keep your CEO out of jail," she commented to FT. "Yes, there are fines, but part of the problem is that we're just talking about so much money being made on these platforms that even a billion-dollar fine becomes fairly meaningless." This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

How FYNXT Empowers Brokerages for 2026: Interview with CRO Stephen Miles at FMLS 2025Finance Magnates Co-CEO, Andrea Badiola Mateos, interviewed Stephen Miles, Chief Revenue Officer at FYNXT, a rapidly growing brokerage technology provider transforming the industry with its modular brokerage platform.Stephen shared valuable insights into the operational challenges brokerages face and explained how FYNXT is helping firms not only keep pace but also take the lead in the market.Brokerages Must Go Digital to CompeteMiles stated that the brokerage industry is at a turning point. Technology is essential; it has become mission-critical. FYNXT is responding to this challenge by providing a unified yet modular platform that enables brokers to scale quickly and stand out in an increasingly competitive market.“Having a modular technology approach is key to giving brokerages a competitive advantage,” said Miles.?WATCH THE COMPLETE INTERVIEW Solving for Growth, Speed, and RetentionFYNXT's platform assists brokerages in three key areas:Accelerating new client acquisitionBoosting trading volumesEnhancing customer retentionFor senior decision-makers such as CEOs and COOs, the advantages are both strategic and operational. The platform enables them to protect their existing customer base, unlock new growth opportunities, and improve the trading experience for clients.Inside the IB Manager: Transforming a Traditional ChannelOne of FYNXT’s most talked-about features is the IB Manager. This platform automates and streamlines IB operations, traditionally one of the most manual, low-tech areas of brokerage.“This has been a part of the business held together by spreadsheets and promises, We’ve automated it into an ecosystem of value.”The results? Brokerages using FYNXT’s IB system have seen:Faster onboardingQuicker and more accurate settlementsUp to an 11x increase in IB lifetime valueBuild vs. Buy: Why Modular WinsMany brokerages ask: Should we build this ourselves?Stephen addressed this directly:“Most brokers still spend heavily on in-house builds. But they hit technical walls, lack the right architecture, or don’t have the latest dev skills. That’s when they come to us.”FYNXT’s modular, API-first platform offers the best of both worlds: the adaptability of custom development, with the efficiency and scalability of commercial off-the-shelf solutions.Strategic Advice for 2026: Differentiate or DisappearAs the interview closed, Stephen gave one key recommendation to brokers preparing for 2026:“It’s going to be a heavily differentiated world. Modernise your operations with FYNXT and build a go-to-market strategy that stands out.”? Watch the Full Executive InterviewClick to watch the full interview with Stephen Miles on how FYNXT is transforming the brokerage ecosystem.About FYNXTFYNXT is a Singapore-based and an ISO-Certified fintech that provides NXT-Gen Low Code Digital front office solutions to Multi-Asset Brokers. Our digital solutions are designed for optimum utility and seamless integration. Whether start-up or existing FX, CFD or multi-asset broker, FYNXT’s plug & play products ensure that your daily operational requirements are met without compromise. This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.

Josip Heit, Senior Strategy Advisor at Apertum Blockchain, has officially announced a strategic expansion initiative aimed at strengthening Apertum’s position as a decentralized Layer-1 infrastructure built for accessibility, transparency, and long-term adoption. The announcement comes amid a broader shift in the blockchain industry, as major financial institutions transition from early skepticism to active participation in digital asset ecosystems.Apertum, a Layer-1 blockchain utilizing Avalanche’s subnet technology, has recently achieved a rare zero-vulnerability result in a comprehensive audit conducted by CertiK, a leading Web3 security firm. This finding places Apertum among a small percentage of blockchain networks globally recognized for strong technical and security standards.“This expansion reflects a critical phase in blockchain industry evolution,” said Heit. “As the industry matures, Apertum’s focus remains on building infrastructure that is secure, transparent, and accessible to real-world users — not just early adopters or institutions.”From Technical Barriers to Inclusive AccessHeit’s announcement traces the evolution of blockchain technology, contrasting the early days of Bitcoin and Ethereum with Apertum’s mission to create a more inclusive and accessible blockchain ecosystem. Heit explained that both shared a key trait in their early days: they were designed for the few.“Bitcoin in 2009 had no price, no exchanges, just a whitepaper, a few cypherpunks in forums, and a small group of early adopters running code on their laptops,” said Heit.“They were built by the technical, the nerds, the early adopters who knew where to find GitHub links and forum posts. They were not for your average person working a 9–10 hour day, supporting a family, or afraid of making mistakes with their savings.”In contrast, Apertum’s early phase has taken a different direction by focusing on accessibility rather than reserving the blockchain for elite miners. The team at Apertum asked, “What if the first years of a blockchain were designed to onboard everyday people, businesses, and communities through tools they can easily understand?” This approach ensures that blockchain technology is accessible to everyone, even those with zero technical knowledge.Bridging Institutional Shifts and Public AdoptionHeit’s announcement contextualizes Apertum’s growth within a broader market narrative. Between 2017 and 2019, financial executives from major institutions publicly criticized cryptocurrencies. Statements such as “Bitcoin is a fraud” (JPMorgan), “rat poison squared” (Warren Buffett), and “money laundering” (BlackRock) reflected early resistance to digital assets. However, by 2025, the landscape had dramatically shifted. The same major firms are now leading the way in crypto adoption. BlackRock operates one of the world’s most successful Bitcoin ETFs, while JPMorgan has integrated Bitcoin exposure into its client offerings, providing custody solutions.“As we move from defamation to adoption, this shift marks the inevitable mainstreaming of crypto,” said Heit. “In 2017, institutions dismissed Bitcoin as a passing trend. In 2025, they are not only embracing it, they are offering it as a premium financial product. This is the pattern the crypto industry follows: defamation, quiet adoption, and full integration. Now, we are in the quiet adoption phase, it’s still early.”Security, Structure, and Strategic MilestonesIn 2025, under Heit’s strategic advisor, Apertum transitioned from concept to live ecosystem, integrating with partners, rolling out dApps, and growing a user base focused on organic growth and long-term sustainability. For less than a year from launch, Apertum has processed over 7 million transactions, supports 300,000+ unique wallet addresses, and is integrated with CoinMarketCap. Its native token, $APTM, is currently listed on major exchanges including MEXC, BingX, BitMart, and Poloniex.Apertum combines over 15 years of crypto history, learning from past mistakes and refusing to repeat them. The project prioritizes accessibility over hardware dominance, focusing on a hybrid ecosystem where participation and rewards are driven by active contributions, not just technical resources. Its Proof-of-Transparency culture ensures full accountability, making every action verifiable on-chain, and fostering an environment where users, builders, and entrepreneurs can engage with trust and transparency.The strategic expansion builds on a significant technical milestone. Apertum’s recent audit by CertiK identified no vulnerabilities — a rare outcome among Layer-1 networks. This result reinforces the platform’s architectural focus on decentralization and operational integrity.“A secure foundation is essential,” Heit stated. “We’ve prioritized security and transparency from day one, and the audit results validate that approach.”Strategic Roadmap for 2026 and BeyondLooking ahead, Heit outlined Apertum’s roadmap priorities:Scaling Decentralized Ecosystem InfrastructureEnhancing Stability and Growth of DeFi ProductsPioneering AI-Driven Blockchain Prediction ModelsExpanding Global Market Footprint and AdoptionStrengthening Network Decentralization and Validator InvolvementFostering Blockchain Innovation Built on ApertumApertum's development remains independent of venture capital or institutional funding, focusing solely on organic growth and DAO-led governance to maintain its decentralized and transparent approach.“We’re not chasing trends,” said Josip Heit. “We’re building infrastructure that works — for users, developers, and businesses navigating the shift from traditional systems to decentralized frameworks.”About ApertumApertum https://apertum.io/ is a leading Layer-1 blockchain ecosystem, launched on January 30, 2025. Built on Avalanche’s subnet technology, it provides high performance, scalability, and long-term sustainability. Featuring DAO-based governance, deflationary tokenomics, and EVM compatibility, the project focuses entirely on organic growth and true decentralization. Recently, Apertum was recognized with the Top Layer-1 Blockchain Award at the FinanceFeeds and Crypto.News Awards 2025. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Interactive Brokers (NASDAQ: IBKR) has filed an application with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a national trust bank charter, joining dozens of fintech companies pursuing banking licenses in the United States, including PayPal and Crypto.com.Interactive Brokers Applies for US National Trust Bank CharterThe brokerage, known primarily for its retail trading platform, submitted the application on December 20. If approved, the proposed Interactive National Trust Bank would offer custodial and securities lending services to mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.The biggest benefit is operating under a single federal regulator (the OCC) rather than obtaining separate money transmitter or payment licenses in all 50 states. National banks can operate across state lines without needing permission from each state, which dramatically simplifies complianceA company spokesperson confirmed the application to Bloomberg but declined to provide additional details about the timing or strategy behind the move.The move comes as the company reports an increase in its client base to more than 4.31 million, representing a 30% year-on-year jump. At the same time, it has recently added access to UAE-listed stocks, expanding its global trading offering.When it comes to banking licenses, however, Interactive Brokers is entering a crowded field.Applications Surge Past 30 This YearMore than 30 companies have applied to become banks in the US this year, according to Klaros Group, a consulting firm that helps companies navigate the licensing process. PayPal filed its application earlier this month, targeting US retail and small business lending, while online payments processor Mercury Technologies submitted its own paperwork the same week.The rush reflects a broader trend of fintech firms seeking to bring banking operations in-house rather than relying on partner banks. Several major players have already moved down this path. Circle applied to become a US national trust bank in July following its IPO, while Ripple filed a similar application days later. Crypto.com joined the queue in October.Outside the US, the pattern continues. Revolut secured a banking license in Mexico in October, though its full UK banking license remains on hold over concerns about global risk controls. Wise is exploring both a UK banking license and US trust bank approval for direct dollar settlements.Regulatory Hurdles AheadThe OCC application process can take months or longer, with regulators scrutinizing capital requirements, compliance systems and management teams. National trust bank charters allow firms to operate across state lines but come with strict oversight requirements.Interactive Brokers already handles custody for client securities through its existing platform, but a bank charter would enable it to formalize and expand those services to institutional clients like mutual funds and ETFs.The company has not disclosed a timeline for when it expects the OCC to rule on its application. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

The Australian financial services regulator has issued a warning against “pump-and-dump” operators following the conviction of four individuals who used Telegram group chats to push up the share prices of Australian stocks before selling them at inflated prices.Bust of a Pump-and-Dump SchemeThe four offenders have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment, to be served through intensive corrections orders (ICOs), and must also pay thousands of dollars in penalties. All pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit market manipulation and dealing with the proceeds of crime.“This group used social media to rig the market, artificially pump up penny stocks, then dump them for quick profits, leaving everyday investors to bear the losses,” said ASIC Chair Joe Longo.The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) also warned that pump-and-dump operators are increasingly targeting Australian investors ahead of the holiday period.Scammers, including those involved in fraudulent activity, are using the identities of Australian celebrities to lure potential victims onto messaging apps.Regulators Are ConcernedPump-and-dump schemes have become so widespread that they were a key topic of discussion among financial regulators from Australia, Asia, Europe and North America at a meeting in London last month, the Australian regulator said.The regulator added that these schemes are becoming more sophisticated, with criminal gangs increasingly involved.Cybercriminals are also hacking brokerage accounts to place trades, exploiting regulatory gaps in cross-border trading, and running social media advertisements to attract potential traders.“Pump-and-dump operators target small-cap stocks with low liquidity, which means that when misleading announcements or rumours are spread, they can have a large impact on share prices,” said ASIC’s Amanda Zeller, Senior Executive Leader for Market Integrity.Other global counterparts of ASIC have also issued warnings and taken action against pump-and-dump schemes and their operators. New Zealand’s Financial Markets Authority (FMA), the United States’ Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have all issued public warnings about such schemes. This article was written by Arnab Shome at www.financemagnates.com.

CFTC acting chief Caroline Pham joins MoonPayA key US markets enforcer is switching from regulation to crypto innovation. Crypto payments firm MoonPay confirmed that Caroline D. Pham, the acting Chair of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), will join the company as its Chief Legal Officer.Trump has nominated Michael Selig, a lawyer with extensive crypto policy experience, to become the permanent CFTC chair. His nomination is still pending a final vote in the Senate.Learn more about CFTC’s leadership shake-up and Pham’s move into crypto.Deriv names new Chief Growth OfficerIn the CFD space, Deriv promoted Prakash Bhudia as Chief Growth Officer. The move followed a period that saw the broker secure new licenses and further consolidate its executive leadership under CEO Rakshit Choudhary.Bhudia joined Deriv in 2022 as Head of Dealing before stepping into the role of Head of Trading and Growth. He brings close to 20 years of trading and risk management experience across key global financial hubs, including Tokyo, New York, and London.Show more about Deriv's promotion of Prakash Bhudia as Chief Growth Officer.TradeLocker hires trading tech veteranAt the same time, TradeLocker brought Alex Skolar as Chief Product Officer. Skolar joined the trading technology firm from London-based Velexa, part of EXANTE, where he held the same role.Based in London, Skolar brings nearly three decades of trading technology experience from leading industry brands. He previously served as Head of Product and Platform Management at ThinkMarkets.Display more about TradeLocker's appointment of Alex Skolar as Chief Product Officer.Sam Irwin Joins Crypto.com as Director of VIP Relationship ManagementIn the crypto space, Sam Irwin joined Crypto.com as Director of VIP Relationship Management. His move follows Crypto.com’s acquisition of Cyprus-based A.N. Allnew Investments Ltd, a CySEC-regulated broker holding a MiFID license, and the firm’s hiring of former IG Group CEO Kevin Algeo as Senior Vice President of Capital Markets..Irwin previously spent around 18 years at IG Group in a range of senior positions. His most recent role there was Head of Client Management for the UK.Highlight more about Sam Irwin's transition to Crypto.com.N26 hires UBS executive Mike Dargan as CEOAnother major move involved N26's choosing of UBS Group AG senior executive Mike Dargan as its next CEO, a move that comes as the Berlin-based neobank faces fresh restrictions from Germany’s financial regulator BaFin.Dargan brings more than 25 years of international banking and fintech experience, including senior roles at UBS, Standard Chartered, and Merrill Lynch. At UBS, he most recently served as Group Chief Operations and Technology Officer, where he led the bank’s global digitization strategy.Show more about N26 appointment of UBS' executive as CEO.IG CEO joins Sportradar board as firm eyes prediction marketsLastly, Sportradar Group AG elected IG Group CEO Breon Corcoran to its Board of Directors as it explores expansion into iGaming and prediction markets while keeping its core focus on sports-centric products.The company has started piloting its iGaming offering in Brazil, using AI-powered client acquisition and retention tools within an integrated model. Sportradar intends to scale this approach into larger jurisdictions, including the US, if the Brazilian rollout proves successful. Learn more about IG CEO new role at Sportradar board. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

A new forecast from Citigroup has reignited optimism in the crypto market, projecting Bitcoin to climb as high as $143,000 over the next 12 months. The Wall Street bank argues that improving U.S. regulation, surging ETF inflows, and renewed investor appetite could fuel a significant recovery after a turbulent year for digital assets.According to the Wall Street Journal, Citi’s analysts, Alex Saunders, Dirk Willer, and Vinh Vo, believe the recent shift in U.S. policy has changed the tone around digital assets.Lawmakers’ progress on the so-called Clarity Act, which aims to define the regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, is also expected to accelerate institutional participation and stabilize market sentiment.Regulatory Easing Shapes Market OutlookAccording to SoSoValue, spot Bitcoin ETFs saw net outflows of $161 million, while spot Ethereum ETFs recorded $96.62 million in outflows, extending their losing streak to six consecutive days. In contrast, spot Solana ETFs attracted $13.16 million in net inflows, and spot XRP ETFs gained $30.41 million.On Dec. 18 (ET), spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded net outflows of $161 million. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net outflows of $96.62 million, marking six consecutive days of net outflows. Spot Solana ETFs posted net inflows of $13.16 million, while spot XRP ETFs recorded net inflows of $30.41… pic.twitter.com/Y5JAEuIGUc— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) December 19, 2025In Citi’s base case, Bitcoin’s 12-month target stands at $143,000 — an approximate 62% gain from its current price near $88,000. The bullish scenario pushes that expectation even higher, to $189,000, driven by “increased end-investor demand” and expanded ETF participation. Ether, meanwhile, could rise 46% to around $4,304.You may also like: Bitcoin Price Collapse Signals Risk-Off Mood in Crypto MarketsHowever, a downturn remains possible. Under its bear case, Citi projects Bitcoin retreating to $78,500, citing global recession risks that could drain risk appetite from the market. In such conditions, ether could fall to about $1,270.Trump’s Pledge and the Year of RecoveryDigital assets have rebounded since U.S. President Donald Trump announced his administration’s support for crypto development earlier this year. His stance prompted regulators to ease off litigation against major platforms and to explore tailored rules for crypto trading, custody, and taxation.Still, the sector endured a sharp correction in November, with Bitcoin losing more than $18,000 in one month — its steepest drop since 2021. Strategy, the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, trimmed its 2025 earnings outlook, highlighting how market volatility continues to test investor confidence.Analysts Eye Key Support LevelsCiti highlights $70,000 as a critical price floor — roughly Bitcoin’s level before Trump’s 2024 election victory. As long as the price holds above that threshold, analysts consider upward momentum intact. They argue that ETF-driven demand, coupled with a firming equity market, provides a base for crypto’s next growth phase.At the time of publication, Bitcoin was trading at $88,298, representing a 3% increase in the past day and a 2% decline in the past week. Across the crypto market, the market is looking bullish. Ethereum is up nearly 8%, despite a nearly 4% decline in the past week. Technically, Bitcoin is in a consolidation, trading at around a price range last seen in April. The price is locked in within a support of $84,320 and a price resistance of $93,044. The RSI is neither in the overbought or at the oversold conditions. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

XTB secured regulatory approval in Cyprus to offer spot cryptocurrency trading, sidestepping months of political deadlock in its home market over implementing the EU's digital asset framework.In the background, there was an open letter to the president, a veto of a bill that runs to more than 300 pages in its Polish version, and an attempt to force it through parliament again in exactly the same form that the head of state had refused to sign.After 11 Months Waiting, XTB Takes Crypto Business to CyprusThe Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) authorized XTB's local entity to provide spot crypto services under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. The broker plans to roll out trading to clients in Cyprus first, then expand to other jurisdictions once it clears regulatory hurdles there."This step will allow us not only to enhance our offering but also fully test this new feature before the planned rollout to other jurisdictions," Omar Arnaout, XTB's CEO, said in a statement.The Cyprus move comes after XTB's public push for Poland to adopt MiCA legislation failed. President Karol Nawrocki has not signed a crypto bill that passed parliament, leaving Poland more than 11 months behind other EU members in implementing the bloc's digital asset rules.Crypto Plans Date Back to Early 2025XTB first signaled its spot crypto ambitions in January when it posted a job listing for a "Head of Crypto" to build a digital asset trading platform. Filip Kaczmarzyk, the broker's head of trading, confirmed to FinanceMagnate.com that spot cryptocurrencies were under review, though he noted other products took priority at the time.The company has offered crypto CFDs since 2018 but wanted to add actual digital assets to compete with platforms already providing spot trading.Poland's draft crypto law became a flashpoint between industry players. XTB wrote an open letter to the president in November arguing that the absence of regulation posed bigger risks than any flaws in the proposed legislation. The broker warned that Polish investors were being pushed to offshore platforms outside national supervision.“Without a local law, Polish investment firms cannot obtain the necessary licenses,” XTB says in a letter signed by two board members, including Jakub Kubacki and Kaczmarzyk.334-Page Bill Drew Fire From OppositionCritics including Sławomir Mentzen, leader of the opposition Konfederacja party, called Poland's proposed law "the most unfriendly in Europe." The bill runs to 334 pages compared to 23 in Austria and 16 in Romania. It hands oversight to the Financial Supervision Authority, or KNF, a regulator Mentzen accused of hostility toward crypto innovation.The legislation includes a 0.4% tax on gross revenues that industry voices said would burden operators. Mentzen warned the regulator could blacklist companies "without the right to appeal."Parliament passed the same bill a second time without changes, creating an unusual political standoff that left no clear path forward for domestic crypto regulation. The question is why the president would sign it now, and why the government is so determined to push it through in its unchanged form.XTB acknowledged regulatory concerns but insisted that operating without any framework created worse problems. The company said only foreign entities could legally serve Polish customers under current rules, potentially costing the government tax revenue.The Cyprus authorization lets XTB move forward with spot crypto trading while Poland's legislative process remains stuck. The broker said it would maintain both CFD and spot crypto products as separate instruments once services launch. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.

APM Capital Markets Limited, formerly BUX Financial Services, posted a post-tax loss of £3.0 million for the 15-month period ending 31 March 2025. This is slightly higher than the £2.9 million loss recorded in the previous 12 months. According to UK company filings, the company attributes the decline to a strategic pause and corporate restructuring following its sale in the second quarter of 2024.Net Trading Profit Collapses Amid RestructuringAudited statements show net trading profit fell from £843k in 2023 to just £37k, while administrative expenses remained significant at £2.36 million. Other operating income, previously boosted by £1.85 million in intercompany fees, dropped to zero. The strategic report notes: "The key reason for this are due to a reduction in the client base and halt in trading operations as a result of the sale process." The report adds that 2024’s strategy was "not to grow the business" but to position it for sale and relaunch.Earlier this year, the firm appointed Joshua Owen as CEO following UAE-based APM Capital’s acquisition of BUX’s UK unit. Owen, now also an Executive Director on APM Capital Markets’ board, replaced Salim Sebbata, who joined Capital.com.Net Assets Rise Amid Cash DeclineNet assets rose slightly to £1.536 million, supported by £3.115 million raised through share issuance. Cash and cash equivalents fell from £6.28 million to £2.75 million, reflecting a £6.6 million net cash outflow from operations and reductions in creditor balances.The company is preparing a rebrand and a dual-market strategy targeting retail and corporate clients. Retail offerings will focus on digital access, educational tools, and platform usability, while corporate services will include bespoke trading solutions. Technology Upgrades, Rebrand Planned AheadAPM highlighted its risk management and regulatory compliance. The firm operates under the FCA, follows the Investment Firms Prudential Regime, and maintains an Internal Capital Adequacy and Risk Assessment process. Looking ahead, the firm plans technology upgrades, a global rebrand, strengthened compliance measures, and the introduction of exchange-traded derivatives. APM stated: "While revenue performance over the period has been impacted by this transitional activity. These short-term financial results are in line with expectations and reflect deliberate investment into repositioning." This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

The court‑appointed administrator of Terraform Labs has sued Jump Trading, alleging the high‑speed trading firm illegally profited from and helped fuel the Terra ecosystem’s $40 billion collapse. The complaint, filed in federal court in Illinois, seeks $4 billion in damages from Jump, its co‑founder William DiSomma and former Jump Crypto president Kanav Kariya, the Wall Street Journal reported. The official winding down what remains of Terraform Labs has launched a high‑stakes lawsuit against Jump Trading, arguing that the Chicago trading firm did not just trade around Terra’s collapse but helped shape it while pulling billions out of the ecosystem.Allegations of ManipulationThe complaint turns the spotlight back on TerraUSD’s supposedly self-stabilising design and alleges that, behind the marketing, a confidential rescue agreement with Jump kept the stablecoin peg alive and misled investors about how the system really worked.Todd Snyder, the court‑appointed plan administrator for Terraform Labs, reportedly filed the case in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, seeking $4 billion in damages from Jump Trading LLC, co‑founder William DiSomma and former Jump Crypto president Kanav Kariya. Recently, US court sentenced Do Kwon, the co-founder of Terraform Labs, to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud investors, following the collapse of the Terra ecosystem that wiped out an estimated $40 billion in investor funds.Keep reading: Terraform Labs’ Do Kwon Gets 15 Years in Prison in the USAt the core of the complaint is an alleged secret agreement under which Jump committed to support UST’s peg during periods of stress, while also receiving significant benefits in Luna and other tokens. The administrator claims Jump then used that position to help stabilise UST temporarily, sold large quantities of Luna into a market that believed the system’s algorithm worked as advertised and ultimately exited with billions in gains as ordinary holders were left with near‑worthless tokens.Terra’s 2022 crash and industry falloutTerraform Labs’ experiment began to unravel in 2022, when its algorithmic stablecoin TerraUSD slipped its dollar peg and failed to recover, triggering a rapid loss of confidence. The Terra crisis rippled across a crypto market already under pressure, contributing to a series of failures in leveraged trading venues, lenders and hedge funds. That wave culminated later in 2022 with the collapse of Sam Bankman‑Fried’s FTX exchange, as exposures to Terra‑linked losses and broader market stress undermined balance sheets across the sector.In a separate track, the Singapore‑based company agreed in 2024 to pay roughly $4.5 billion to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to resolve a civil securities fraud case that focused on misleading disclosures around TerraUSD and related products. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

DraftKings, which is listed on Nasdaq, announced the launch of DraftKings Predictions. The move marks the company’s entry into prediction markets. The product operates under the oversight of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.At launch, DraftKings Predictions will connect to the CME Group. The company said this will provide access to a wide range of contracts, including economic indicators, global benchmarks, and sports events. The platform is also expected to integrate Railbird Technologies and its exchange business in the future, following DraftKings’ recent acquisition.DraftKings App Offers Sports, Finance MarketsThe product is offered as a standalone mobile app and web platform. It allows eligible users to trade on real-world outcomes. Initially, markets include sports and finance, with plans to expand into entertainment and culture over time.Corey Gottlieb, Chief Product Officer of DraftKings, described the launch as a “significant milestone.” He added that the company aims to deliver an experience reflecting customer interest and real-time activity. He also referenced partnerships with ESPN and NBCUniversal.The business operates through a wholly owned subsidiary registered with the CFTC as an Introducing Broker. The unit is also a member of the National Futures Association. Event contracts will be available in 38 states, including sports contracts in states where traditional sports betting is restricted, such as California, Florida, Georgia, and Texas.DraftKings Predictions went live in 38 states this morning, 17 of them with sports event contracts, including California, Texas and Florida. pic.twitter.com/7rmPPEIiF8— Dustin Gouker (@DustinGouker) December 19, 2025CFTC-Registered Event Trading Goes Live NationwideDraftKings said it has applied its responsible gaming framework to event contracts through a Responsible Trading program. The program emphasizes education and participation controls. Users can set limits, take breaks, or self-exclude. Educational materials are available within the app and on the DraftKings website.DraftKings Predictions is now available to eligible U.S. residents. The company said the app will appear in major app stores as the rollout continues over the next few days.Prediction Markets See Record Growth, ChallengesThe launch of DraftKings Predictions comes as the broader prediction market sector is experiencing significant growth. Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket reported over $7.4 billion in trades in October, a record for the sector. Activity is increasingly dominated by sports contracts, surpassing political and economic predictions. Robinhood also reported rising engagement, with 2.5 billion contracts traded in October. The expansion has drawn attention from regulators, including Romania, which blocked Polymarket over gambling concerns. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission has launched a consultation on a proposed Directive requiring Crypto-Asset Service Providers to submit prudential and financial information. The initiative follows a previous CySEC consultation on proposed fees and reporting under MiCA. The consultation is open until 12 January 2026. Responses must be submitted via email in Word format, specifying whether the submitter is an individual, enterprise, or organized group.Crypto Firms Face New Reporting RequirementsUnder the draft Directive, authorized CASPs must provide periodic updates under the EU MiCA regulation. They must also submit financial reports, including trial balance, balance sheet, and profit and loss statements, as well as audited annual financial statements. The reporting framework aligns with existing prudential requirements for investment firms.Category 2 and 3 CASPs will report quarterly, while Category 1 CASPs will report annually. CASPs must revise submitted data if audited results differ, within five months of the end of the financial year.Regulator Reviews MiCA Applications, Stablecoins, PropCySEC Chair Dr. George Theocharides said the regulator is monitoring AI use in investment firms and reviewing multiple MiCA applications without rushing approvals. Crypto-asset service providers, including Revolut and eToro, undergo extensive scrutiny before licensing. Stablecoins and prop trading remain areas of ongoing attention due to potential risks to financial stability. Theocharides also noted that investor deception continues despite regulatory measures. The agency monitors finfluencers and issues guidance to ensure promotions comply with EU rules, emphasizing careful and gradual oversight.Cyprus Firms Face Stricter Compliance RequirementsTheocharides’ observations reflect the broader regulatory environment Cyprus firms will face in 2025. CySEC is increasing supervision of investment firms, funds, and crypto-asset service providers. In 2024, the regulator carried out over 850 audits, issued €2.76 million in fines, and revoked multiple licenses. Key EU regulations, including MiCA, AML Package, AIFMD II, and DORA, will further shape compliance and investor protection. Despite stricter oversight, Cyprus’ financial sector expanded, with 80 new entities authorized and firms actively seeking MiCA licensing under the evolving framework. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Coinbase has sued Connecticut, Illinois and Michigan in federal court, arguing that state officials are unlawfully trying to regulate prediction markets as gambling products. The crypto exchange wants judges to confirm that event-based contracts on its platform fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), not state gaming regulators, Coinbase's Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal announced on X.Coinbase has filed federal lawsuits against Connecticut, Michigan and Illinois, arguing that those states cannot use gambling statutes to shut down or restrict prediction markets.The complaints seek declaratory and injunctive relief that would establish CFTC as the sole regulator of event contracts listed on its platform.What Coinbase Is Fighting OverPrediction markets allow users to buy and sell contracts linked to future outcomes, from sports results to monetary policy decisions or election results. The contracts settle based on whether an event occurs, which makes them a form of derivative whose value depends on a future state of the world.Today @coinbase filed lawsuits in CT, MI, and IL to confirm what is clear: prediction markets fall squarely under the jurisdiction of the @CFTC, not any individual state gaming regulator (let alone 50). State efforts to control or outright block these markets stifle innovation…— paulgrewal.eth (@iampaulgrewal) December 19, 2025State gaming agencies in Connecticut, Illinois and other jurisdictions argue that many of these contracts, especially sports-related ones, function as unlicensed betting and therefore fall under gambling law.Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal framed the lawsuits as a test of federal preemption, insisting that “prediction markets fall squarely under the jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, not any individual state gaming regulator.” He described state attempts to control or block these markets as efforts that “stifle innovation and violate the law.”Continue reading: Coinbase Enters Prediction Markets as the Amazonification of Financial Platforms Gathers PaceGrewal drew a sharp line between prediction markets and traditional sportsbooks, arguing that “casinos win only if you lose and set odds to maximize their profits,” while “prediction markets are neutral exchanges, indifferent to price, that match buyers and sellers.”States Push Back as Industry Tensions RiseCoinbase’s Illinois filing states that it brought the case to stop officials from “unlawfully applying Illinois gambling laws to federally regulated transactions” that it says fall under the CFTC’s exclusive jurisdiction.“Prediction markets are fundamentally different from sportsbooks. Casinos win only if you lose and set odds to maximize their profits. Prediction markets are neutral exchanges, indifferent to price, that match buyers and sellers,” Grewal argued. Coinbase recently announced that it is entering the prediction markets business through a partnership with Kalshi, extending its offering beyond traditional crypto trading. Coinbase is not the only firm targeting prediction markets, as Robinhood has already developed a rapidly growing business in this area through its partnership with Kalshi. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

For the better part of a decade, the cryptocurrency industry measured its success almost exclusively through the lens of price action. Bull markets were validated by green candles; bear markets were defined by their absence. However, as 2025 draws to a close, a distinct shift in sentiment has taken hold. With the total crypto market cap sitting at $3.27 trillion and Bitcoin trading steadily around $90,191 as of early December 2025, the fixation on volatility is being replaced by a focus on permanence. The narrative has moved from speculative cycles to legislative architecture. Binance Blockchain Week 2025 highlighted this maturity. Instead of speculative token hype, the discussions focused on the legal structures that define the modern financial system. The atmosphere at the event indicated a sector that has stopped asking for permission and started building against a backdrop of more regulatory clarity. Richard Teng, Co-CEO of Binance, captured the magnitude of this transition during the event, noting the disconnect between lingering skepticism and actual market behavior. "The best is yet to come—institutions are only just getting started in crypto," Teng stated. This institutional entry is no longer theoretical; it is being codified by legislative breakthroughs in the United States that are dismantling the Gensler-led regulation by enforcement era. From Ambiguity to Law The primary driver of this structural shift is the transition from vague regulatory guidance to hard law. The most significant milestone of 2025 was the signing of the GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins). This legislation has effectively ended the debate over the legitimacy of digital dollars. By establishing a federal regulatory system for payment stablecoins, the Act mandates a strictly 1:1 reserve backing with high-quality liquid assets, specifically US dollars and Treasuries. Crucially, it bans algorithmic mechanisms that rely on endogenous collateral, prioritizing insolvency protections where token holders maintain priority claims. The data confirms the shift. Stablecoin capitalization hit $312.63 billion on December 10—up 49.17% since the start of the year. This expansion shows that digital dollars now serve as a permanent liquidity infrastructure rather than temporary tools for exchange trading. Parallel to this is the progress of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY Act), which has passed the House and moved for Senate consideration. This bill addresses the industry's most persistent headache: the jurisdictional turf war between the SEC and CFTC. The Act createsthree distinct asset categories: Digital Commodities, Investment Contract Assets, and Permitted Payment Stablecoins. Perhaps most importantly, it introduces a certification mechanism allowing assets to transition from "investment contracts" (SEC oversight) to "digital commodities" (CFTC oversight) once a blockchain network proves it is sufficiently decentralized and functional. Complementing these efforts is the discussion draft from the Senate Agriculture Committee, led by Senators Boozman and Booker. This bill aims to close the final gap by granting the CFTC exclusive jurisdiction over digital commodity spot markets, a sector that previously lacked a dedicated federal regulator. By requiring exchanges to register and strictly segregate customer funds, this legislative trifecta is replacing uncertainty with a compliance playbook that institutions can actually audit. Why Structure Outweighs Speculation The argument for 2026 is that legal clarity is the precursor to massive capital deployment. While retail traders may fret over short-term price movements, institutional investors are looking at the regulatory green light. The data supports this view. Despite Bitcoin's price consolidating with a slight year-to-date adjustment of -1.17%, institutional commitment has deepened. In 2025 alone, US spot Bitcoin ETFs saw net inflows of $22.47 billion, while Ethereum ETFs attracted $10.43 billion. Furthermore, the market is broadening beyond the two majors. Following the launch of spot ETFs for other assets in late 2025, US spot XRP ETFs have already seen $944.13 million in inflows, and the Solana ETF has attracted $656.61 million. Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, emphasized during the panel that the market has yet to fully price in the removal of regulatory risk. "Regulatory clarity in the world's largest economy is a game-changer. People are under-pricing that," Garlinghouse observed. Binance itself reflects this corporate evolution. Teng pointed out that Binance adapted by securing licenses in 21 jurisdictions, making it the most regulated entity in the sector. The company also reorganized its staff and assigned 22% of its workforce to compliance roles. This reflects a wider industry reality where expansion depends on meeting regulatory standards. However, the ultimate goal of these rails is utility, not just asset accumulation. The infrastructure is being built to support high-velocity, low-cost financial activity. "Speed and cost are table stakes—what matters is liquidity and utility," said Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation.The 2026 Outlook As the industry looks toward 2026, the divergence in asset performance, such as BNB rising 26.67% year-to-date while other major assets consolidate, suggests a market that is becoming more discerning. The era of a rising tide lifting all boats is likely over, replaced by a market that rewards utility and regulatory standing. With the policy foundation now largely established, the coming year will likely be defined by implementation. The industry has moved past the need to justify its existence and is now occupied with the work of integrating into the global financial market. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

OneRoyal has announced Dominic Poynter as its new Chief Commercial Officer. Mr. Poynter was internally promoted after a very successful stint as the broker’s Chief Marketing Officer. During his tenure as CMO, he helped secure an extremely valuable brand ambassador in Diego Forlán. Leveraging his 25 years of experience, Dominic spearheaded the company’s marketing efforts across multiple verticals. A Unified StrategyAccording to the industry veteran, during his time at the helm of OneRoyal’s marketing department, he implemented a unified marketing strategy that aligned multiple business and commercial operations to successfully serve different global regions. This was achieved by bringing together the global marketing and sales teams, while effectively utilising and securing valuable partnerships. These efforts paid dividends, increasing OneRoyal’s brand visibility and global reputation as a market-leading broker. It bolstered the premier broker’s already illustrious multi-decade standing. Over Two Decades of ExperienceDominic brought over twenty years of experience to OneRoyal, having previously held C-level positions at numerous high-profile companies. Fulfilling roles across multiple departments, Dominic contributed valuable, in-depth knowledge of the industry and the latest market trends. His career advancement was meteoric, a testament to his work ethic. After serving as Director of Marketing Operations at easyMarkets, Dominic moved to ATFX as Head of Marketing, then to HYCM as the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, before finally landing at OneRoyal as Head of Marketing. Moving forward, Dominic will be leveraging his wealth of knowledge and experience in his new position as Chief Commercial Officer. Award-winning LeadershipWhile heading up OneRoyal’s Marketing Department, Dominic helped the company gain recognition for its outstanding service by promoting its long list of industry awards. Its most recent win was at this year’s Smart Vision Summit Egypt, where the company was named Best Forex Broker 2025. OneRoyal also received the Finance Magnates award for the MENA region’s Most Innovative Broker for 2025. The company’s drive to innovate, enabling it to offer its clients the most advanced tools for analysis and trading, helps propel the industry forward. About OneRoyalOneRoyal has been serving both retail and professional traders since 2006. Founded on the mission to grow alongside its traders, OneRoyal has spent decades developing and expanding its products and services to help clients pursue their financial goals. To find out more about OneRoyal and what it offers, visit their website. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

TikTok has formally moved to separate its US business from Chinese parent ByteDance. The company announced that a group led by Oracle Corp. has agreed to buy its US operations. The deal, resembling the rejected Project Texas, could resolve a long-running US-China issue and meet Biden-era sell-or-ban requirements.Last year, TikTok faced a deadline to comply with a US law requiring ByteDance to sell the app or face a nationwide ban. The company filed an emergency request with the Supreme Court while appealing a lower court ruling. US officials cited national security risks, including potential access to user data and influence over content. Details of the Joint VentureChief Executive Officer Shou Chew informed staff in an internal memo that TikTok and ByteDance had signed binding agreements to form a US joint venture. The new entity will be majority-owned by American investors. Chew said he was “pleased to share some great news” and noted agreements with Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX had been signed. He said the deal is expected to close on Jan. 22, 2026, but “there’s more work to be done.”Chinese regulators have not yet indicated whether they will approve the transaction.US Operations and GovernanceThe memo said the US joint venture will operate independently. It will control data protection, content moderation and algorithm security in the United States. Chew added the company will be “governed by a new seven-member majority-American board of directors.” Oracle shares rose about 5.2% in early trading on Friday, Bloomberg reported.TikTok has signed a deal to form a new U.S. joint venture controlled by mostly American investors that include Oracle Corporation, Silver Lake and MGX, according to an internal memo sent by TikTok CEO Shou Chew and obtained by ABC News. https://t.co/bnIv9OMbye pic.twitter.com/RHwlzMWzHp— ABC News (@ABC) December 19, 2025Ownership StructureThe structure matches a plan outlined by the White House in September. That proposal valued TikTok’s US business at about $14 billion, subject to China’s approval. Under the ownership plan, Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX will each hold 15%. Affiliates of existing ByteDance investors will hold 30.1%, while ByteDance retains 19.9%.Remaining Ties and Algorithm IssuesThe arrangement does not fully sever ties with ByteDance. Previous reporting indicated the parent company could retain about half of the US unit’s profits. Critics have said this may conflict with a US national security law, which requires TikTok US and ByteDance to have no operational relationship. ByteDance is expected to license its recommendation algorithm to the US entity, retrained using US data secured by Oracle. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

For CFD brokers, the first 72 hours are decisive. Yet most of them witness the same pattern unfold: traders register, hesitate at KYC, explore briefly, and bounce off. By the time a follow-up email arrives, they've already started trading with a competitor. This is no longer a conversion issue, but rather an engagement matter. How do some brokers manage to keep traders engaged long-term?Amid rising lead acquisition costs for brokers and lower switching costs for traders, general emails and reactive call centre outreach no longer cut it. Traders want platforms that understand them, guide them, and adapt to their behaviour in real time. The brokers who will lead the way in 2026 will be those who create in-platform experiences that feel personal, supportive, and impossible to leave.Gamification, a mission-driven effort brokers are yet to unlockWhen gamification entered the realm of trading, it was often associated with badges, trading competitions, and leaderboards. Despite their novelty, these tactics proved their limitations. They failed to address the real challenge: re-engaging traders after they’ve experienced friction, doubt, and loss. The solution? Smarter gamification.What smart gamification looks likeIf gamification changed the game for brokers and traders alike, smart gamification opens the door to infinitely more possibilities. Creeping into the hearts and minds of FX marketers, smart gamification is making significant strides towards mainstream marketing. It builds adaptive, data-driven user journeys that respond to each trader's behaviour, skill level, and risk profile in real time. Most importantly, it blends behavioural personalisation, automation, and subtle UX design into a cohesive retention strategy that works invisibly in the background.Solitics has engineered a Smart Gamification module exactly within its customer engagement environment that deploys the full-blown mechanics. But how does it work? In practice, there are multiple functionalities at play, including: Widgets that engage traders through interactive gamified popups, such as quizzes, bonuses, trading competitions, or other popup ‘games’ triggered in real time based on trader behaviour.Missions that guide traders towards completing milestones (e.g., onboarding, KYC document uploading, depositing, and exploring the trading platform). These milestones progress dynamically, depending on each trader’s actions.Bonus Engine Integration that allows Missions and Widgets to attribute rewards, using the customer’s bonus configuration.Mission Boards that offer users a direct and comprehensive view of their active missions, progress, and rewards in a unified interface.Industry-Specific Mission Boards that provide trading-themed designs, offering a mission experience that looks and feels native to the trading environment.These components create a feedback loop where each interaction informs the next, and the platform continuously adapts.The power of hidden personalisationEach trader interacts with the platform differently. So gamification is also uniquely adapted to match their interests, expectations, and behaviours.Two traders might encounter the same Bonus promotion with identical design and branding. But behind the scenes, numbers, weighting, and outcomes are dynamically calibrated based on each user's history, behaviour, or risk level. A high-value trader sees larger rewards. A hesitant new user receives smaller, frequent wins to build confidence. A disengaged trader gets a perfectly timed reactivation offer. This is hidden personalisation at play, where traders see familiarity and brokers enjoy precision.The same principle applies to missions. A confident trader receives missions that encourage the use of advanced tools or portfolio diversification. A trader stalled at KYC sees a simplified verification mission with tangible rewards. The interface feels consistent, and the strategy behind it leaves nothing to chance.Solving drop-offs and improving retentionSmart gamification addresses critical moments: onboarding, KYC, first deposits, first losses, and platform exploration.Onboarding transforms from passive forms into interactive journeys where missions guide traders step by step, with rewards reinforcing progress. KYC becomes palatable through mission framing and context-aware pop-ups reminding traders of potential benefits awaiting verification. First deposits gain clarity through missions tied to funding milestones. First losses are softened when traders are encouraged through missions centred on education, demo practice, or structured trades with bonus buffers. Platform exploration deepens engagement through missions encouraging new asset classes, analytical tools, or community features.Whatever the situation, the result is proactive engagement. Brokers can guide traders before friction even arises. This is a decisive step forward and a trend likely to define customer engagement in 2026 and beyond.The shift defining 2026The brokerage industry is at a crossroads. As acquisition costs become unsustainable and regulatory scrutiny tightens, traders are more demanding than ever.The brokers who thrive in 2026 won't compete on spreads and asset coverage. They'll compete on in-platform experiences that feel personal and genuinely supportive. At the centre of this shift is gamification. Shaping into structured, behaviour-driven journeys, gamification blends engagement, education, and incentivisation. Against this backdrop, traders will expect platforms to adapt to their goals, experience level, and risk tolerance.Early adopters of smart gamification are already seeing results: higher completion rates, longer sessions, improved retention, and better lifetime value. The question isn't whether this works. It's whether brokers will adopt it before their competitors do.The infrastructure behind the shiftDelivering this personalisation at scale requires infrastructure. Platforms with real-time data activation and integrated smart gamification capabilities, such as Solitics, are helping brokers deliver these new experiences at scale, shaping the next generation of user engagement in the trading industry.The brokers who recognise this shift early will define the standard. Are you among those who will define the norm in 2026? Learn more about modern, personalised trader engagement atSolitics.com. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Dupoin continues to move forward with its expansion across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with Egypt playing an important role in its regional growth plans. The company’s participation at Smart Vision Summit Egypt 2025 reflected more than just market presence. It highlighted Dupoin’s long-term intention to build a trusted, stable and region-focused trading platform for MENA traders.Rather than focusing only on rapid market entry, Dupoin’s strategy in MENA is built around long-term foundations. These include local understanding, reliable support and strong protection for traders. Egypt has become a key base within this strategy, allowing the company to stay closer to one of the region’s most active trading communities while supporting wider regional expansion.A core part of this approach is Dupoin’s operational office in Egypt. The local presence allows the company to respond faster to trader needs, provide clearer communication and offer support that better reflects regional market behaviour. Dupoin views its MENA office not as a sales point, but as a support and engagement hub that helps build long-term trust with traders across the region.This direction was strongly reinforced when Dupoin received the Innovation to Trust & Safety Award at Smart Vision Summit Egypt 2025. The award recognised the company’s work in strengthening platform security, transparency and client protection. More importantly, it reflected Dupoin’s broader vision for MENA; to raise trust standards as trading activity in the region continues to grow.For Dupoin, the award is not only a recognition of past efforts, but a signal of its future roadmap. As more traders in MENA face fast-moving markets and higher volatility, the company believes that trust, safety and platform stability will become even more important than execution speed alone. The award supports Dupoin’s aim to position itself as a platform that traders can rely on during both calm and uncertain market conditions.Looking ahead, Dupoin plans to build on this momentum by further strengthening its regional infrastructure, improving risk management tools and expanding education-focused initiatives for traders. The next phase of its MENA strategy will focus on deeper regional engagement, stronger support systems and consistent global standards adapted to local needs.With Egypt acting as a regional anchor, Dupoin sees clear opportunities to grow across neighbouring MENA markets while maintaining a steady and sustainable expansion pace. As the company moves into its next growth phase, its focus remains clear: combine reliable technology, strong safety standards and regional understanding to support traders over the long term. This article was written by FM Contributors at www.financemagnates.com.

Financial markets faced several overlapping developments this year that shaped trading activity, asset prices, and operational stability. These ranged from sharp moves in gold and major equities to cloud and internet outages affecting trading access, alongside episodes of politically driven volatility in digital assets. Together, these trends reflected markets’ continued sensitivity to technology reliability, policy direction, and shifts in investor risk perception.1. Gold’s Explosive 2025 Sets Up a Pivotal Year AheadGold has rarely dominated market conversations the way it has in 2025, with a rally of about 59.5% and multiple fresh record highs, forcing investors to rethink how they use the metal in portfolios.After such an exceptional year, the pressing question is whether the same mix of geopolitical tension, easier monetary policy, and robust central bank buying can keep pushing prices higher in 2026, or whether some of those supports will fade.Unlike past cycles that hinged on a single catalyst, this year’s advance rests on several overlapping forces that reinforced each other. Persistent geopolitical friction and elevated trade uncertainty pushed investors into defensive positions, boosting demand for assets perceived as resilient in crises.Forecasts for 2026 are now split into two broad camps: those who see more room to run, and those who warn that such strong gains set up a more fragile starting point.2. Cloud and Data Failures Disrupt Global Trading PlatformsInternet and infrastructure outages remained a key operational risk for financial markets and online trading platforms, reflecting the industry’s dependence on a small group of cloud providers. Early disruptions at Amazon Web Services affected Binance and KuCoin, temporarily halting withdrawals, while Rabby and DeBank also reported brief outages.Following the recent AWS disruption, our services have been fully restored.All user funds remain 100% safe, and platform data is fully intact. Deposits, withdrawals, and trading are now operating smoothly.We’re taking steps to further strengthen system resilience and minimize… https://t.co/dwV4UzbSC8— BC Wong (@BC_KuCoin) April 15, 2025 A later AWS incident impacted Robinhood and Coinbase, along with platforms such as Venmo, Amazon, Prime Video, Snapchat, Canva, and Roblox.Brokerage platforms also faced internal failures. European broker XTB suffered a multi-hour outage that restricted client trading and briefly suspended CFDs. Cloudflare outages affected brokers including Monaxa, Skilling, Xtrade, and FXPro.We're aware many users are currently unable to access Coinbase due to an AWS outage.Our team is working on the issue and we'll provide updates here. All funds are safe.— Coinbase Support (@CoinbaseSupport) October 20, 2025 Finance Magnates Intelligence estimated that such disruptions may have cost an average CFD broker about $1.58 billion in lost trading volume, or roughly 1% of monthly revenue. Within three weeks, scheduled Cloudflare maintenance in Chicago and Detroit caused brief interruptions for firms including The5ers and Topstep.The most market-wide disruption occurred when CME Group halted trading after a cooling-system failure at a CyrusOne data center, freezing prices across several futures markets. Overall, the incidents highlighted continued exposure to concentrated technology risks affecting access, pricing, and execution.Due to a cooling issue at CyrusOne data centers, our markets are currently halted. Support is working to resolve the issue in the near term and will advise clients of Pre-Open details as soon as they are available.— CME Group (@CMEGroup) November 28, 20253. Trump’s Inauguration and Market VolatilityDonald Trump was sworn in as US president, coinciding with notable market movements in digital assets. On the day of the inauguration, Bitcoin reached a new all-time high near $110,000, with a market capitalization above $2.1 trillion. The surge was linked to expectations regarding Trump’s support for digital assets and regulatory reconsideration.Speculative tokens associated with Trump and the first lady also moved sharply. The TRUMP token climbed to $74 before falling to $38, later recovering toward $63. The MELANIA token debuted near $12. Heavy speculative trading triggered more than $1.2 billion in liquidations affecting over 400,000 traders. Major altcoins, including SOL, DOGE, and ADA, fell between 6% and 8%. Bitcoin remained relatively stable.Does the US impact Europe's policy making? “I wouldn’t say so," said CySEC Chair.4. Investors Watch Closely as US Stocks Adjust to New Tariff MeasuresUS equities showed tentative stabilization after a period of volatility tied to new tariff measures. The administration introduced steep duties on several trading partners, including China, India, and Vietnam. The tariffs targeted technology and automotive sectors, raising concerns over higher production costs and supply chain pressure. Potential retaliation from China, the EU, and Canada added to market uncertainty.Major indices closed mostly lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 fell, while the Nasdaq was largely unchanged, supported by select technology shares. Apple extended losses, Microsoft declined slightly, and Tesla fell amid concerns over tariffs and demand.5. The Year Nvidia Ruled Wall StreetAlso, this year, Nvidia dominated equity markets, transforming from an AI beneficiary into the world’s most valuable listed company for much of the year.At various points, Nvidia leapfrogged Microsoft and Apple to sit alone at the top of the global league table, helped by a market cap that climbed into the 4 trillion to 5 trillion-dollar range by late 2025. Real-time data on Google Finance showed Nvidia valued at about 4.5 trillion dollars, cementing its status as the benchmark AI stock.Additionally, Nvidia’s third quarter of fiscal 2026 saw a record $57 billion in revenue, up 22% from the previous quarter and 62% from the year-ago quarter, Finance Magnates reported. This came amid intense demand for AI accelerators from hyperscalers such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and xAI.WATCH: Nvidia, the world's first $5 trillion semiconductor company, will report earnings results next week, with investors watching for AI forecasts that could sway global tech markets and ease bubble concerns. Here is the top business news for next week https://t.co/RGzin6AMK9 pic.twitter.com/YidJoitx53— Reuters Business (@ReutersBiz) November 15, 2025By late October, it went further, becoming the first firm in history to reach around a 5 trillion-dollar market value. Next year’s outlook shows that the debate around Nvidia will shift from whether AI demand is real to how long it can stay ahead of rivals amid supply constraints.What Could Shape Markets in the Coming Months: Trade to TechnologyLooking ahead to 2026, markets are expected to remain influenced by a mix of policy, technology, and asset-specific dynamics. Gold enters the year with a divided outlook following its strong 2025 performance. Nvidia’s trajectory will increasingly be judged on its ability to sustain growth amid intensifying competition and supply constraints. Trade policy may also remain a source of volatility, with new tariff measures and potential retaliation adding pressure to supply chains and equity valuations. At the same time, persistent infrastructure vulnerabilities across cloud and data providers suggest that operational resilience will remain a continuing area of risk for trading platforms and exchanges. This article was written by Jared Kirui, Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

If you only watched the price ticker this year, you might think 2025 was just another boom-and-bust cycle. Bitcoin (BTC) roared to $126,000, headlines screamed about “digital gold,” and then the inevitable gravity of Q4 set in, bringing all of us back down to earth.A lot was happening behind the charts. From Washington and policy shifts, through London prime brokerage desks, to European regulation. Here are the top five stories that shaped the cryptocurrency market in 2025 and that also matter for the CFDs industry:1. Ripple’s $1.25 Billion Infrastructure PlayFor years, crypto companies were content to stay in their lane, but Ripple Labs smashed that convention in April. By acquiring Hidden Road Partners for $1.25 billion, the blockchain payments firm bought a seat at the adult table of global finance.“We are at an inflection point for the next phase of digital asset adoption, the US market is effectively open for the first time due to the regulatory overhang of the former SEC coming to an end, and the market is maturing to address the needs of traditional finance,” said Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple.The deal gives Ripple a massive prime brokerage network and the ability to handle credit and clearing for traditional assets. Mid-sized FX and CFD brokers are looking nervously at their liquidity providers, realizing that the entities powering their trade execution might soon be owned by the very crypto giants they used to view as niche competitors.How companies should approach Europe for crypto license? “Once an entity has a MiFID licence, extending it to include a MiCA licence is indeed a simpler process,” revealed CySEC Chair.2. The U.S. Government Turns “Hodler”The regulatory frost in the United States evaporated this year. The pivot began in March with an executive order creating a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, halting the sale of seized assets. But the real structural change came in July. President Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law, finally giving stablecoin issuers a federal playbook.This ended the era of “regulation by enforcement” that had paralyzed the sector. For the first time, U.S. institutions had clear rules of the road, and the government itself legitimized Bitcoin as a sovereign store of value.The psychological impact on the market was immediate, signaling that the world's largest economy was officially open for digital asset business.3. Bitcoin’s $126,000 CeilingMarket optimism, fueled by the friendly regulatory stance, pushed Bitcoin to a record high of roughly $126,000 in early October. The rally was a textbook “Trump Trade,” driven by the strategic reserve announcements and relentless inflows into spot ETFs.? TOM LEE JUST SAID LIVE ON CNBC ?BITCOIN IS GOING TO $126,000 IN THE NEXT 60 DAYS!!! ??#Bitcoin #Crypto #TomLee #BTC #Bullish #CryptoNews #CryptoMarket pic.twitter.com/6sjd7tLI6o— Crypto News Hunters ? (@CryptoNewsHntrs) December 1, 2025But trees don't grow to the sky. As the year closes, we’re seeing a harsh 30% correction, dragging prices back toward the $90,000 handle. The pullback serves as a reminder that even with sovereign backing, these markets remain ferociously volatile, rewarding the patient but punishing the latecomers who bought the top.“Setting a new all-time-highs (ATHs) for BTC was a welcome event for the industry, dusting off ghosts from the past and demonstrating that despite all the setbacks, Bitcoin continues to win interest,” Paul Howard, the Director at Wincent, commented for FinanceMagnates.com. “The advent of new ETFs such as Solana has opened the asset class to new participants and provided opportunities for hedging and wider involvement from financial institutions.”4. MiCA’s Full Weight Reshapes European OperationsWhile the U.S. moved toward deregulation, Europe’s crypto market underwent a “hard reset” in 2025 as the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation took full effect. The full “Crypto-Asset Service Provider” (CASP) regime mandated that brokers segregate client assets with unprecedented rigor and adhere to strict new rules on stablecoin. Exchanges were forced to delist non-compliant “Asset-Referenced Tokens” (ARTs) that lacked proper EU authorized issuers, including USDT, significantly narrowing the range of tradable assets available to European retail clients compared to their global counterparts.MiCA has officially been in force for a year, but it continues to spark controversy, and not all countries have implemented it yet. The regulation has generated significant debate, including in Poland.5. Crypto Exchanges Want a Slice of the CFD MarketFor a decade, FX brokers profited by adding crypto CFDs to their platforms. In 2025, the crypto exchanges returned fire. Major venues started aggressively offering CFDs on traditional assets, blurring the distinction between “crypto exchange” and “broker.”Bybit was arguably the most aggressive mover in 2025. They didn't just add a few stocks. They fully integrated a “TradFi” account that links directly to MetaTrader 5 (MT5).Moreover, Bitget rebranded itself in mid-2025 as a “Universal Exchange” (UEX), explicitly dropping the “Crypto Exchange” moniker in some marketing materials. Moreover, in December, the platform launched a private beta of the Bitget TradFi offering, allowing users to trade CFDs using USDT as a margin.What Will 2026 Bring? Bitcoin Price PredictionI wrote about Bitcoin prices on FinanceMagnates.com almost every single week, covering both the sharp gains in the first part of the year and the steep declines in recent months, including the so-called death cross and the risk of a correction toward $74,000.So what could 2026 bring? According to my latest technical analysis, the outlook points to a gradual recovery of losses, a return to all-time highs, and a move into a price discovery phase. Support may come from strong gold prices and a persistently weak U.S. dollar.What do other experts think about Bitcoin? Peter Brandt, a Wall Street and trading veteran, argues that the price could slide by as much as 80%, potentially falling to around $25,000. He outlined this view in one of his recent posts on X.Bitcoin investors, do you know:1. Bull cycles have experienced exponential decay2. BTC's bull cycles have undergone parabolic advances3. The violation of previous parabolas have all declined <80%4. The current parabolic advance has been violated20% of ATH = $25,240 pic.twitter.com/0hWAaEd6Dy— Peter Brandt (@PeterLBrandt) December 14, 2025Optimists, however, remain active in the market. Fundstrat predicts Bitcoin could be worth ten times more, about $250,000, by the end of 2026, driven by inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs. Until recently, similar forecasts were shared by Goldman Sachs and Standard Chartered, although both later cut their targets from $250,000 to $150,000 following a 30% drop from this year’s all-time high.2025 brought many changes to the cryptocurrency market, and 2026 will certainly try to match them. It will certainly not be irrelevant for the CFD industry. This article was written by Damian Chmiel at www.financemagnates.com.