During the passing week the top news in the global online trading industry included new deals between financial institutions, but also the ongoing repercussions of the international crackdown on binary options.

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Saxo Bank integrates Autochartist

On Monday we reported that Saxo Bank launched a new partnership with Autochartist, helping facilitate a range of functionalities via the use of automated technical analysis and live trade signals across asset classes for its clients.

In particular, the new collaboration will entail an integration of Autochartist’s tools into SaxoTraderGO, its online trading platform, in essence strengthening the ability of its clients to utilize automated analysis. The partnership is important as it creates a unified portal for Saxo’s clients to garner this type of information and trade signals.

Left with no other options

On Tuesday we exclusively revealed that OptionBit has substantially reduced its workforce in the European Union, following the introduction of stricter regulation of the binary options brokerages regulated by CySEC. OptionBit was one of the first brokerages in the industry, maintaining client relationships all over the world. This downsizing comes only a couple of weeks after Banc de Binary closed its doors.

As an example of how Cyprus is not as welcoming as it was before, forex and binary options brokerage BDSwiss has reached a settlement with the regulators for €150,000 over suspected violations of business conduct.

Think Liquidity acquisition

On Wednesday it was revealed that the risk management unit of IS Prime, IS Prime Risk Services Inc, is acquiring the assets of one of the most popular risk management service providers for brokers, Think Liquidity.

In an exclusive interview following the news, Managing Partners of IS Prime Jonathan Brewer and Raj Sitlani discussed the latest company and industry developments. Brexit, Trump, FCA regulations and more were all on the table.

PFSOFT

On Thursday, trading software developer PFSOFT announced a partnership with Maybank’s prime broker arm, part of investment banking unit Maybank Kim Eng Holdings Ltd, to give its clients access to global equity and derivatives markets using Protrader.

Roman Nalivayko, Global Head of Business Development at PFSOFT, added: “It’s well known execution is one of the key elements of a multi-asset business. With this integration, all of our existing clients as well as those who plan to implement Protrader can now access all of the major equity and derivative markets including US, Europe and Asia using one single and trusted counterparty.”

Limited leverage

On Friday we reported that Exness was forced to limit ‘Unlimited’ leverage to 1:200. The changes are set to take effect on the 31st of January 2017, introducing a default tier of 1:50 with experienced traders allowed to change the levels to a higher ratio.

This came a day after HotForex announced that, in addition to termination of trading bonuses and rewards, it will lower the default leverage ratio offered to its clients to 1:50, effective 29 January 2017. This is all done in response to new regulations by CySEC regarding the operations of licensed trading firms.