Bitcoin Picks: US Regulator Gets Heavy-Handed and Issues Fine against Bitcoin Exchange
Saturday,13/12/2014|15:06GMTby
Adil Siddiqui
News of Microsoft joining the Bitcoin band-wagon adds light to the virtual currency sector despite regulatory fines for a provider of multiple unauthorised exchanges in the US.
Virtual currencies welcomed the acceptance of bitcoins by one of the largest corporates on the planet, thus supporting the wider campaign of acceptance for the disputed asset class. Also, a further fine for an unregulated provider coupled with some new partnerships made for another eventful week in the world of digital currencies.
One of the world's most recognised technology brands, Microsoft, added a new payment method to its website. Details showed that the firm had indicated on its Payments page that it will accept bitcoin to top up a Microsoft account. Bitcoin funds can then be used to purchase apps, games and videos for its Windows, Windows Phone and Xbox systems.
Dutch Provider Extends European Foothold in Romania
Coinzone, an Amsterdam-based Bitcoin payment solutions provider, has recently forged two partnerships that are expected to benefit the adoption of Bitcoin in Romania. The new partnership supports the development among retailers in the developing country.
CoinDesk reports that LocalBitcoins, one of the more popular traditional services for users looking to exchange bitcoins, has suspended its services in Germany. Reports state that Bafin had contacted the provider.
A California man, Ethan Burnside, has been fined a total of $58,387.07 by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for breaching securities regulations through his operation of several digital currency platforms. Burnside is believed to be involved in the timings of three separate venues, including LTC-Global Virtual Stock Exchange, which offered shares in LTC-Global for litecoin. BTC Virtual Stock Exchange, a bitcoin-denominated securities exchange and LTC-Mining, which sold bitcoin and litecoin-denominated “LTC mining bonds.”
Virtual currencies welcomed the acceptance of bitcoins by one of the largest corporates on the planet, thus supporting the wider campaign of acceptance for the disputed asset class. Also, a further fine for an unregulated provider coupled with some new partnerships made for another eventful week in the world of digital currencies.
One of the world's most recognised technology brands, Microsoft, added a new payment method to its website. Details showed that the firm had indicated on its Payments page that it will accept bitcoin to top up a Microsoft account. Bitcoin funds can then be used to purchase apps, games and videos for its Windows, Windows Phone and Xbox systems.
Dutch Provider Extends European Foothold in Romania
Coinzone, an Amsterdam-based Bitcoin payment solutions provider, has recently forged two partnerships that are expected to benefit the adoption of Bitcoin in Romania. The new partnership supports the development among retailers in the developing country.
CoinDesk reports that LocalBitcoins, one of the more popular traditional services for users looking to exchange bitcoins, has suspended its services in Germany. Reports state that Bafin had contacted the provider.
A California man, Ethan Burnside, has been fined a total of $58,387.07 by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for breaching securities regulations through his operation of several digital currency platforms. Burnside is believed to be involved in the timings of three separate venues, including LTC-Global Virtual Stock Exchange, which offered shares in LTC-Global for litecoin. BTC Virtual Stock Exchange, a bitcoin-denominated securities exchange and LTC-Mining, which sold bitcoin and litecoin-denominated “LTC mining bonds.”
Retail Trading & Prop Firms in 2025: Five Defining Trends - And One Prediction for 2026
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
