Read today's FX/CFDs, crypto and fintech sectors' dynamic news.
Exness Promotes Samantha Hooi to
Head of Events
Exness, a top forex and CFDs
trading provider, has promoted Samantha Hooi, one of its event managers, to Head
of Events. Hooi announced her promotion on LinkedIn on Tuesday.
The elevation comes nearly six years after Hoo joined the brokerage firm in July
2017 at its office in Lumpur, Malaysia. Speaking on the promotion, Hoo
expressed excitement at “the opportunity to bring even more energy and success
to our partners and clients.”
Ex FINRA-Registered Broker
Arrested for crypto Investment Fraud
The US Department of Justice
(DOJ) disclosed on Tuesday that 27-year-old Rashawn Russell, a former
investment banker and broker registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (FINRA) was arrested on Monday in New York for allegedly operating a cryptocurrency
investment fraud scheme.
Citing a court document, the DOJ
alleges that the ex-FINRA registered broker misappropriated much of the funds
he solicited from investors, using them to gamble and pay select investors.
“Russell is charged with one
count of wire fraud. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in
prison,” the DOJ added.
New Bybit's Headquarters in Dubai
As part of the new wave of crypto firms entering Dubai, Bybit, the third
most popular digital assets exchange in the world, is set to open its global
headquarters in the emirate in mid-April.
Bybit is among the first crypto exchange service providers to receive
in-principle approval to operate in Dubai. The exchange is using this
opportunity to strengthen its community-oriented platform by encouraging its
partners and affiliates to exchange ideas and leverage the resources available
at the new hub.
"With the opening of our global headquarters in Dubai, we are
building a cadence to bolster our presence in the region and become a trusted
partner for global traders and investors," Ben Zhou, the Co-Founder and
CEO of Bybit, said.
Ben Zhou, the Co-Founder and CEO of Bybit
Sterling Trading Tech Launches Calculation Service
Sterling
Trading Tech (STT) has unveiled a new calculation service for FINRA member
firms that cater to the regulator's updated portfolio margining requirements.
The new service has been launched in response to the recent changes to the
requirements, which FINRA postponed from 1 April 2021, to later in 2023.
STT has
developed the service after receiving feedback from clients and the industry,
which called for a tool to generate the data elements required for this
additional reporting. The service will cater to firms approved by FINRA for
portfolio margin, including the concentration position requirements and global
margin supplement details.
Bitcoin Breaks $30,000
Bitcoin crossed the $30,000 mark on Tuesday for the first time since 10 June 2022. The rally of cryptocurrency was fueled by the banking crisis in the United States that resulted in the shuttering of three banks in a mere four days. In Europe too, UBS hastily acquired rival Credit Suisse, a deal backed by the Swiss regulator to avoid a banking crisis.
According to Coinmarketcap, Bitcoin jumped more than 6.2 percent in the past 24 hours and is now holding a market cap of over $582.1 billion. The cryptocurrency is up 80 percent year-to-date, as it started the year with a value of about $16,600.
Other top cryptocurrencies also gained in the latest rally. Ether, the second-largest crypto in terms of market cap, is up by 3 percent, while Binance Coin gained over 5 percent. Solana, with a gain of about 11 percent, became one of the few cryptocurrencies with double-digit gains in the past 24 hours.
Central Bank of Montenegro Partners with Ripple
The Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG) has signed an agreement to collaborate with blockchain technology firm, Ripple. Together, the two will develop a strategy and a pilot program for the launch of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in Montenegro.
The project of the CBDC launch will consist of multiple stages, including the identification of the practical application of a digital currency and the design to simulate its circulation and use under controlled conditions.
"Through the project, the CBCG will work with the Government of Montenegro and Montenegro’s academia to create a practical digital currency or secure currency solution to test the main blockchain technology’s functionality and potential. It will also analyse the advantages and risks that CBDCs or national stablecoins could pose concerning electronic means of payment availability, security, efficiency, compliance with regulations, and most importantly, the protection of end users’ rights and privacy," said the Governor of CBCG, Radoje Žugić.
Bank of England Building Britcoin Team
The Bank of England is recruiting to build a team of 30 people for the development of a CBDC, which Britain's Prime Minister (then the Chancellor), Rishi Sunak, informally termed as Britcoin.
"A team of 30 seems like quite a significant resource to focus on the digital pound," Ian Taylor, an adviser to the trade association CryptoUK, told the Times. "It shows the impact it would have, and that the bank [is] serious about it."
However, the Bank of England Governor, Andrew Bailey is skeptical of a CBDC, as he questioned the need for a digital pound in front of the parliament’s Treasury Select Committee.
Cypator Launches Crypto Trading
Cypator, a crypto trading Electronic Communication Network (ECN), launched spot crypto trading services on Tuesday for institutional participants. In addition, its services are available with the prime broker, Hidden Road, which acts as a counterparty to all trades and facilitates both the credit risk and settlement of the transactions.
Currently, Cypator ECN supports only crypto spot trading on a non-disclosed basis, but the company has plans to expand the offerings further.
"As an experienced team we looked at the crypto market and identified a gap in the trading liquidity infrastructure," said Ayal Jedeikin, the Founder and CEO of Cypator. "We can now provide our clients with a counterparty who is willing to take on the risk and for a complementary trading solution which leverages that to enable all players to trade with each other in a seamless manner. With Hidden Road, we found a best of breed prime broker who is focused on being a ‘true’ prime broker while we will focus on providing the best institutional grade trading solution."
FTX Bankruptcy Administrators Get $32.5M
The legal expanse of the bankruptcy process of the collapsed crypto exchange, FTX totaled around $32.5 million in February, which was received by lawyers and advisors. The figure surfaced with the court filings for monthly fee statements.
That figure did not include the $305,000 received in February by the Restructuring Chief and CEO, John J. Ray III. On top of that, his remuneration for March came in at $329,173, as he billed $1,300 per hour and reported working 255.9 hours in March.
Meanwhile, FTX still did not return the funds of its creditors. Only the Japanese entity of FTX began the compensation process. Furthermore, the Cyprus-regulated European entity of FTX launched a website to process customer withdrawals.
Exness Promotes Samantha Hooi to
Head of Events
Exness, a top forex and CFDs
trading provider, has promoted Samantha Hooi, one of its event managers, to Head
of Events. Hooi announced her promotion on LinkedIn on Tuesday.
The elevation comes nearly six years after Hoo joined the brokerage firm in July
2017 at its office in Lumpur, Malaysia. Speaking on the promotion, Hoo
expressed excitement at “the opportunity to bring even more energy and success
to our partners and clients.”
Ex FINRA-Registered Broker
Arrested for crypto Investment Fraud
The US Department of Justice
(DOJ) disclosed on Tuesday that 27-year-old Rashawn Russell, a former
investment banker and broker registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (FINRA) was arrested on Monday in New York for allegedly operating a cryptocurrency
investment fraud scheme.
Citing a court document, the DOJ
alleges that the ex-FINRA registered broker misappropriated much of the funds
he solicited from investors, using them to gamble and pay select investors.
“Russell is charged with one
count of wire fraud. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in
prison,” the DOJ added.
New Bybit's Headquarters in Dubai
As part of the new wave of crypto firms entering Dubai, Bybit, the third
most popular digital assets exchange in the world, is set to open its global
headquarters in the emirate in mid-April.
Bybit is among the first crypto exchange service providers to receive
in-principle approval to operate in Dubai. The exchange is using this
opportunity to strengthen its community-oriented platform by encouraging its
partners and affiliates to exchange ideas and leverage the resources available
at the new hub.
"With the opening of our global headquarters in Dubai, we are
building a cadence to bolster our presence in the region and become a trusted
partner for global traders and investors," Ben Zhou, the Co-Founder and
CEO of Bybit, said.
Ben Zhou, the Co-Founder and CEO of Bybit
Sterling Trading Tech Launches Calculation Service
Sterling
Trading Tech (STT) has unveiled a new calculation service for FINRA member
firms that cater to the regulator's updated portfolio margining requirements.
The new service has been launched in response to the recent changes to the
requirements, which FINRA postponed from 1 April 2021, to later in 2023.
STT has
developed the service after receiving feedback from clients and the industry,
which called for a tool to generate the data elements required for this
additional reporting. The service will cater to firms approved by FINRA for
portfolio margin, including the concentration position requirements and global
margin supplement details.
Bitcoin Breaks $30,000
Bitcoin crossed the $30,000 mark on Tuesday for the first time since 10 June 2022. The rally of cryptocurrency was fueled by the banking crisis in the United States that resulted in the shuttering of three banks in a mere four days. In Europe too, UBS hastily acquired rival Credit Suisse, a deal backed by the Swiss regulator to avoid a banking crisis.
According to Coinmarketcap, Bitcoin jumped more than 6.2 percent in the past 24 hours and is now holding a market cap of over $582.1 billion. The cryptocurrency is up 80 percent year-to-date, as it started the year with a value of about $16,600.
Other top cryptocurrencies also gained in the latest rally. Ether, the second-largest crypto in terms of market cap, is up by 3 percent, while Binance Coin gained over 5 percent. Solana, with a gain of about 11 percent, became one of the few cryptocurrencies with double-digit gains in the past 24 hours.
Central Bank of Montenegro Partners with Ripple
The Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG) has signed an agreement to collaborate with blockchain technology firm, Ripple. Together, the two will develop a strategy and a pilot program for the launch of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in Montenegro.
The project of the CBDC launch will consist of multiple stages, including the identification of the practical application of a digital currency and the design to simulate its circulation and use under controlled conditions.
"Through the project, the CBCG will work with the Government of Montenegro and Montenegro’s academia to create a practical digital currency or secure currency solution to test the main blockchain technology’s functionality and potential. It will also analyse the advantages and risks that CBDCs or national stablecoins could pose concerning electronic means of payment availability, security, efficiency, compliance with regulations, and most importantly, the protection of end users’ rights and privacy," said the Governor of CBCG, Radoje Žugić.
Bank of England Building Britcoin Team
The Bank of England is recruiting to build a team of 30 people for the development of a CBDC, which Britain's Prime Minister (then the Chancellor), Rishi Sunak, informally termed as Britcoin.
"A team of 30 seems like quite a significant resource to focus on the digital pound," Ian Taylor, an adviser to the trade association CryptoUK, told the Times. "It shows the impact it would have, and that the bank [is] serious about it."
However, the Bank of England Governor, Andrew Bailey is skeptical of a CBDC, as he questioned the need for a digital pound in front of the parliament’s Treasury Select Committee.
Cypator Launches Crypto Trading
Cypator, a crypto trading Electronic Communication Network (ECN), launched spot crypto trading services on Tuesday for institutional participants. In addition, its services are available with the prime broker, Hidden Road, which acts as a counterparty to all trades and facilitates both the credit risk and settlement of the transactions.
Currently, Cypator ECN supports only crypto spot trading on a non-disclosed basis, but the company has plans to expand the offerings further.
"As an experienced team we looked at the crypto market and identified a gap in the trading liquidity infrastructure," said Ayal Jedeikin, the Founder and CEO of Cypator. "We can now provide our clients with a counterparty who is willing to take on the risk and for a complementary trading solution which leverages that to enable all players to trade with each other in a seamless manner. With Hidden Road, we found a best of breed prime broker who is focused on being a ‘true’ prime broker while we will focus on providing the best institutional grade trading solution."
FTX Bankruptcy Administrators Get $32.5M
The legal expanse of the bankruptcy process of the collapsed crypto exchange, FTX totaled around $32.5 million in February, which was received by lawyers and advisors. The figure surfaced with the court filings for monthly fee statements.
That figure did not include the $305,000 received in February by the Restructuring Chief and CEO, John J. Ray III. On top of that, his remuneration for March came in at $329,173, as he billed $1,300 per hour and reported working 255.9 hours in March.
Meanwhile, FTX still did not return the funds of its creditors. Only the Japanese entity of FTX began the compensation process. Furthermore, the Cyprus-regulated European entity of FTX launched a website to process customer withdrawals.
Financial Commission Approves Monstrade Giving Clients Mediation and €20K Coverage
Hannah Hill on Innovation, Branding & Award-Winning Technology | Executive Interview | AXI
Hannah Hill on Innovation, Branding & Award-Winning Technology | Executive Interview | AXI
Recorded live at FMLS:25, this executive interview features Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at AXI, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following AXI’s win for Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
Recorded live at FMLS:25, this executive interview features Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at AXI, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following AXI’s win for Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Hannah shares insights on:
🔹What winning the Finance Magnates award means for AXI’s credibility and innovation
🔹How the launch of AXI Select, the capital allocation program, is redefining industry standards
🔹The development and rollout of the AXI trading app across multiple markets
🔹Driving brand evolution alongside technological advancements
🔹Encouraging and recognizing teams behind the scenes
🔹The role of marketing, content, and social media in building product awareness
Hannah explains why standout products, strategic branding, and a focus on innovation are key to growing visibility and staying ahead in a competitive brokerage landscape.
🏆 Award Highlight: Most Innovative Broker of the Year 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #MostInnovativeBroker #TradingTechnology #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview #AXI
Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25
In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide.
We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand.
We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error.
We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.
In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide.
We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand.
We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error.
We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.
Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner.
In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner.
In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences.
We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading.
This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025.
🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on:
🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation
🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth
🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations
🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords
🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally
🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy
🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t
Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market.
🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025
👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events.
#FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates
👍 Facebook: /financemagnates
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates
🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates
▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles.
We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading.
You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts.
We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services.
Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance.
📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage.
Connect with us:
🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates
👍 Facebook: /financemagnates
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates
🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates
▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official
#Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights
