Breaking: CFTC Levies $7m Fine on FXCM, Forced to Quit US Market

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has just issued an order against Forex Forex Foreign exchange or forex is the act of converting one nation’s currency into another nation’s currency (that possesses a different currency); for example, the converting of British Pounds into US Dollars, and vice versa. The exchange of currencies can be done over a physical counter, such as at a Bureau de Change, or over the internet via broker platforms, where currency speculation takes place, known as forex trading.The foreign exchange market, by its very nature, is the world’s largest tradi Foreign exchange or forex is the act of converting one nation’s currency into another nation’s currency (that possesses a different currency); for example, the converting of British Pounds into US Dollars, and vice versa. The exchange of currencies can be done over a physical counter, such as at a Bureau de Change, or over the internet via broker platforms, where currency speculation takes place, known as forex trading.The foreign exchange market, by its very nature, is the world’s largest tradi Read this Term Capital Markets, LLC (NASDAQ:FXCM), settling charges with the foreign exchange brokerage for $7 million in a civil monetary penalty for engaging in false and misleading solicitations. As such, FXCM and its CEO Drew Niv will be required to withdraw from CFTC Regulation Regulation Like any other industry with a high net worth, the financial services industry is tightly regulated to help curb illicit behavior and manipulation. Each asset class has its own set of protocols put in place to combat their respective forms of abuse.In the foreign exchange space, regulation is assumed by authorities in multiple jurisdictions, though ultimately lacking a binding international order. Who are the Industry’s Leading Regulators?Regulators such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority ( Like any other industry with a high net worth, the financial services industry is tightly regulated to help curb illicit behavior and manipulation. Each asset class has its own set of protocols put in place to combat their respective forms of abuse.In the foreign exchange space, regulation is assumed by authorities in multiple jurisdictions, though ultimately lacking a binding international order. Who are the Industry’s Leading Regulators?Regulators such as the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority ( Read this Term, per a regulatory filing.

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In particular, the CFTC order outlined charges against FXCM and its parent company, FXCM Holdings, LLC (FXCM Holdings), as well as the two paramount members of the group, Drew Niv, and William Ahdout. The order finds that between the period beginning September 4, 2009, through to at least 2014, FXCM engaged in false and misleading solicitations to its retail FX customers by concealing its relationship with its most important market maker.

An official announcement from the company detailing the sale of FXCM's US accounts reads: “The named FXCM entities and principals neither admit nor deny the allegations associated with the settlements.”

FXCM CEO Drew Niv at Finance Magnates London Summit 2016

In addition, the CFTC asserted that FXCM had misrepresented that its 'No Dealing Desk' platform had no conflicts of interest with its customers. FXCM, FXCM Holdings, and CEO Drew Niv are collectively responsible for FXCM making false statements to the National Futures Association (NFA) about its relationship with the market maker.

Consequently, a collective $7 million civil monetary penalty was levied as well as a cease and desist order from further violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations. Furthermore, FXCM, Mr. Niv, and Mr. Ahdout have agreed to withdraw from CFTC registration and never again to seek to register with the CFTC. Per the order and subsequent settlement, FXCM did not admit nor deny the charges.

FXCM is currently the largest Retail Foreign Exchange Dealer (RFED) in the US, with an estimated market share of approximately 34.0% in December. It is unclear what the fallout will be for the US FX market following the CFTC order. The shakeup could prompt a Jefferies/Leucadia takeover, given the company's existing financial obligations and past deal with Leucadia in the aftermath of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) crisis.

The news also comes during after hours trading in the US - prior to the enforcement action, FXCM's share prices (NASDAQ:FXCM) had already been trading in range of its 52-week low of $6.65, having closed at $6.85 on Monday.

According to Gretchen L. Lowe, Principal Deputy Director and Chief Counsel of the CFTC’s Division of Enforcement, in a recent statement on the order: “Full and truthful disclosure to customers and honest discourse with self-regulatory organizations such as NFA are vital to the integrity and oversight of our markets. Today’s action’s demonstrates that the CFTC is committed to protecting customers from harm in the markets it regulates.”

Permanent NFA Ban Given

Following the CFTC order, the National Futures Association (NFA) also stipulated that the group’s founders William Ahdout and Dror (Drew) Niv, as well as FXCM, have been forced to withdraw from NFA membership, and are also facing a permanent ban. The effective date for these actions is February 21, 2017. The NFA has accepted the settlement offer of FXCM, and the aforementioned individuals neither admitted nor denied the allegations outlined in the order.