Also, Marex announced H1 2023 results; Bill St. Louis heads FINRA's enforcement.
Read today's FX/CFDs, crypto and fintech sectors' dynamic news.
ZilBank Eyes
Business Opportunities in Bahrain
The US fintech
entrepreneur, Sabeer Nelli is making a strategic move by expanding his business,
ZilBank, to Bahrain. According to the company’s statement, the decision is driven
by Bahrain’s favorable regulations, strong financial sector, and pivotal role
as a gateway to the Middle East.
ZilBank’s
products and services include a fee-free business checking account with
multi-account management on a single platform, alongside instant money
transfers and wire transfers. This step reportedly fosters growth and financial
innovation in the region.
Oman Launches
$370M Data Hosting and Crypto Mining Center
Oman’s Ministry
of Transport, Communication, and Information Technology (MTCIT) launched a data hosting and crypto mining center costing USD
$370 million in
Salalah on August 13. Developed by Exahertz International, a subsidiary of
Afaaq for Advanced Technologies, the facility boasts 11MW of initial capacity,
scalable to support more than 15,000 mining machines by October.
FM
In a statement,
the Middle Eastern nation disclosed plans for crypto-mining data
centers, with multiple centers set to be launched in Salalah and Al Jabal Al
Akhdar. Additionally, the project aims to engage locals through employment and
internship initiatives.
SoftBank’s Arm
Holdings Pursues Landmark IPO amid AI Revolution
Arm Holdings,
the subsidiary of SoftBank Group, has submitted an application for what could
become the largest initial public offering (IPO) in the US for 2023. The IPO
filing, led by Barclays, Goldman Sachs Group, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and
Mizuho Financial Group, signals an important step in the tech space, according
to a report by Bloomberg.
Arm plans to
start its roadshow in early September, followed by IPO pricing in the
subsequent week, with expected valuation estimates ranging from USD $60 billion
to USD $70 billion. While the initial target was to raise up to USD $10
billion, SoftBank’s decision to retain a larger stake after acquiring Vision
Fund’s shares might influence the final figures.
The UK’s
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
has announced the cancellation of the Part 4A permission previously granted to
the MECO Group. This cancellation effectively terminated the MECO Group’s
authorization to conduct regulated activities, the regulator said.
However, the
regulatory reports submitted by the group for the period spanning April 1,
2022, to March 31, 2023, revealed no income generated from the approved
regulated activities. Additionally, there is reportedly no evidence suggesting
that the company has been actively conducting these activities.
ASIC Takes Action on
Sydney Adviser
On 5 July
2023, ASIC started legal proceedings against the former Sydney financial adviser,
David Valvo and his affiliated company, Your Financial Freedom Pty Ltd. The court
subsequently froze their assets, prevented Valvo from departing Australia, and
mandated he surrender his passport.
Investigations
into the financial services and superannuation fees charged by both parties
between 2015 and 2021 are ongoing.
"The
orders were varied on 7 July and 4 August 2023 with Mr Valvo's consent. The
matter is listed for a case management hearing on 29 September 2023," ASIC
commented.
DMALINK Partners with
Danske Bank
DMALINK, an
EM-focused institutional FX ECN, has enhanced its Scandinavian currency offerings
by partnering with Danske Bank A/S. This partnership will let DMALINK's
buy-side clients access specialized liquidity for Scandinavian currencies. Both
firms are excited about the partnership, noting its alignment with their growth
objectives.
"Scandinavian
currencies such as DKK, NOK, and SEK are important to our clients' portfolio.
Users can access Danske Bank's tailored pricing across pre-set liquidity pools,
underpinned by advanced analytics," Michael Siwek, the Founding Partner
and Global Head of Sales at DMALINK, commented.
SoftBank's Arm Targets
Mega IPO
SoftBank
Group Corp.'s Arm Holdings Ltd. is progressing towards what could be 2023's
biggest initial public offering (IPO). The IPO, led by multiple renowned banks,
aims to capitalize on Arm's potential in artificial intelligence computing. The
forthcoming debut could influence other companies' IPO strategies and is
expected to boost SoftBank after its previous losses.
Arm
initially targeted raising between $8 billion and $10 billion for its IPO.
However, this goal might be adjusted downwards as SoftBank has chosen to retain
a larger portion of the company after acquiring Vision Fund's share. According
to the documents, this purchase set Arm's valuation at over $64 billion.
Marex Announces H1 2023
Results
Marex Group
plc showcased impressive results for the first half of 2023, marking a significant
growth in revenue and profitability. Benefiting from strategic investments and
acquisitions, Marex has expanded its global presence and improved margins.
The
acquired ED&F Man Capital Markets business is performing well, and
Marex continues its focus on sustainable energy solutions.
Source: Marex
Eurex Introduces Daily
Options
Eurex will launch
Daily Options for the EURO STOXX 50 Index, addressing the rising institutional
demand for short-term expiry options. These new options will be settled based
on the day's closing index price. This innovative solution caters to investors
aiming to adjust their strategies around specific market events.
"Particularly
against the backdrop of increasingly volatile markets, Daily Options are
another innovative solution for the professional market to efficiently manage
exposures in a regulated and transparent market environment," Randolf
Roth, the Member of the Eurex Executive Board, said.
Bill St. Louis Heads
FINRA's Enforcement
Bill St. Louis
FINRA has
appointed Bill St. Louis as its Head of Enforcement. St. Louis, who has
extensive experience in FINRA, will now oversee around 350 enforcement
staff across the US. Robert Cook, the CEO of FINRA, expressed confidence in St.
Louis's capabilities and his commitment to maintaining market integrity.
"It is
a privilege to lead such a talented and expert group of Enforcement
professionals who are dedicated to FINRA's mission of investor protection and
market integrity," St. Louis commented. "I look forward to
strengthening FINRA's Regulatory Operations, ensuring integrated oversight and
increasing safety in the market as we advance our important work through the
regulatory opportunities and challenges ahead."
SFC Penalizes China
Industrial Securities
The
Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) fined China Industrial Securities
International Brokerage Limited $3.5 million for lapses in monitoring
suspicious trading and recording client orders. SFC's investigations revealed
that the company didn't effectively implement post-trade monitoring and failed
to comply with telephone order recording regulations.
SEC Charges Fintech
Adviser Titan
The SEC has
charged fintech investment adviser, Titan Global Capital Management USA, with
deceiving investors through its advertisement content. Titan agreed to pay over
$1 million without admitting guilt to settle the allegations. The charges
pertain to misleading statements on hypothetical performance metrics.
"The
Commission amended the marketing rule to allow for the use of hypothetical
performance metrics but only if advisers comply with requirements reasonably
designed to prevent fraud," Osman Nawaz, the Chief of Enforcement's
Complex Financial Instruments Unit at the SEC, commented.
Auros Integrates AWS Nitro
Enclaves
The crypto
trading firm, Auros announced its integration with AWS Nitro Enclaves to
fortify its on-chain trading security. This advanced security solution offers
isolated computing environments, bolstering the safety of Auros' trade
executions and data. The move aims to shield Auros from potential threats,
ensuring the secure handling of sensitive data.
ZilBank Eyes
Business Opportunities in Bahrain
The US fintech
entrepreneur, Sabeer Nelli is making a strategic move by expanding his business,
ZilBank, to Bahrain. According to the company’s statement, the decision is driven
by Bahrain’s favorable regulations, strong financial sector, and pivotal role
as a gateway to the Middle East.
ZilBank’s
products and services include a fee-free business checking account with
multi-account management on a single platform, alongside instant money
transfers and wire transfers. This step reportedly fosters growth and financial
innovation in the region.
Oman Launches
$370M Data Hosting and Crypto Mining Center
Oman’s Ministry
of Transport, Communication, and Information Technology (MTCIT) launched a data hosting and crypto mining center costing USD
$370 million in
Salalah on August 13. Developed by Exahertz International, a subsidiary of
Afaaq for Advanced Technologies, the facility boasts 11MW of initial capacity,
scalable to support more than 15,000 mining machines by October.
FM
In a statement,
the Middle Eastern nation disclosed plans for crypto-mining data
centers, with multiple centers set to be launched in Salalah and Al Jabal Al
Akhdar. Additionally, the project aims to engage locals through employment and
internship initiatives.
SoftBank’s Arm
Holdings Pursues Landmark IPO amid AI Revolution
Arm Holdings,
the subsidiary of SoftBank Group, has submitted an application for what could
become the largest initial public offering (IPO) in the US for 2023. The IPO
filing, led by Barclays, Goldman Sachs Group, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and
Mizuho Financial Group, signals an important step in the tech space, according
to a report by Bloomberg.
Arm plans to
start its roadshow in early September, followed by IPO pricing in the
subsequent week, with expected valuation estimates ranging from USD $60 billion
to USD $70 billion. While the initial target was to raise up to USD $10
billion, SoftBank’s decision to retain a larger stake after acquiring Vision
Fund’s shares might influence the final figures.
The UK’s
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
has announced the cancellation of the Part 4A permission previously granted to
the MECO Group. This cancellation effectively terminated the MECO Group’s
authorization to conduct regulated activities, the regulator said.
However, the
regulatory reports submitted by the group for the period spanning April 1,
2022, to March 31, 2023, revealed no income generated from the approved
regulated activities. Additionally, there is reportedly no evidence suggesting
that the company has been actively conducting these activities.
ASIC Takes Action on
Sydney Adviser
On 5 July
2023, ASIC started legal proceedings against the former Sydney financial adviser,
David Valvo and his affiliated company, Your Financial Freedom Pty Ltd. The court
subsequently froze their assets, prevented Valvo from departing Australia, and
mandated he surrender his passport.
Investigations
into the financial services and superannuation fees charged by both parties
between 2015 and 2021 are ongoing.
"The
orders were varied on 7 July and 4 August 2023 with Mr Valvo's consent. The
matter is listed for a case management hearing on 29 September 2023," ASIC
commented.
DMALINK Partners with
Danske Bank
DMALINK, an
EM-focused institutional FX ECN, has enhanced its Scandinavian currency offerings
by partnering with Danske Bank A/S. This partnership will let DMALINK's
buy-side clients access specialized liquidity for Scandinavian currencies. Both
firms are excited about the partnership, noting its alignment with their growth
objectives.
"Scandinavian
currencies such as DKK, NOK, and SEK are important to our clients' portfolio.
Users can access Danske Bank's tailored pricing across pre-set liquidity pools,
underpinned by advanced analytics," Michael Siwek, the Founding Partner
and Global Head of Sales at DMALINK, commented.
SoftBank's Arm Targets
Mega IPO
SoftBank
Group Corp.'s Arm Holdings Ltd. is progressing towards what could be 2023's
biggest initial public offering (IPO). The IPO, led by multiple renowned banks,
aims to capitalize on Arm's potential in artificial intelligence computing. The
forthcoming debut could influence other companies' IPO strategies and is
expected to boost SoftBank after its previous losses.
Arm
initially targeted raising between $8 billion and $10 billion for its IPO.
However, this goal might be adjusted downwards as SoftBank has chosen to retain
a larger portion of the company after acquiring Vision Fund's share. According
to the documents, this purchase set Arm's valuation at over $64 billion.
Marex Announces H1 2023
Results
Marex Group
plc showcased impressive results for the first half of 2023, marking a significant
growth in revenue and profitability. Benefiting from strategic investments and
acquisitions, Marex has expanded its global presence and improved margins.
The
acquired ED&F Man Capital Markets business is performing well, and
Marex continues its focus on sustainable energy solutions.
Source: Marex
Eurex Introduces Daily
Options
Eurex will launch
Daily Options for the EURO STOXX 50 Index, addressing the rising institutional
demand for short-term expiry options. These new options will be settled based
on the day's closing index price. This innovative solution caters to investors
aiming to adjust their strategies around specific market events.
"Particularly
against the backdrop of increasingly volatile markets, Daily Options are
another innovative solution for the professional market to efficiently manage
exposures in a regulated and transparent market environment," Randolf
Roth, the Member of the Eurex Executive Board, said.
Bill St. Louis Heads
FINRA's Enforcement
Bill St. Louis
FINRA has
appointed Bill St. Louis as its Head of Enforcement. St. Louis, who has
extensive experience in FINRA, will now oversee around 350 enforcement
staff across the US. Robert Cook, the CEO of FINRA, expressed confidence in St.
Louis's capabilities and his commitment to maintaining market integrity.
"It is
a privilege to lead such a talented and expert group of Enforcement
professionals who are dedicated to FINRA's mission of investor protection and
market integrity," St. Louis commented. "I look forward to
strengthening FINRA's Regulatory Operations, ensuring integrated oversight and
increasing safety in the market as we advance our important work through the
regulatory opportunities and challenges ahead."
SFC Penalizes China
Industrial Securities
The
Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) fined China Industrial Securities
International Brokerage Limited $3.5 million for lapses in monitoring
suspicious trading and recording client orders. SFC's investigations revealed
that the company didn't effectively implement post-trade monitoring and failed
to comply with telephone order recording regulations.
SEC Charges Fintech
Adviser Titan
The SEC has
charged fintech investment adviser, Titan Global Capital Management USA, with
deceiving investors through its advertisement content. Titan agreed to pay over
$1 million without admitting guilt to settle the allegations. The charges
pertain to misleading statements on hypothetical performance metrics.
"The
Commission amended the marketing rule to allow for the use of hypothetical
performance metrics but only if advisers comply with requirements reasonably
designed to prevent fraud," Osman Nawaz, the Chief of Enforcement's
Complex Financial Instruments Unit at the SEC, commented.
Auros Integrates AWS Nitro
Enclaves
The crypto
trading firm, Auros announced its integration with AWS Nitro Enclaves to
fortify its on-chain trading security. This advanced security solution offers
isolated computing environments, bolstering the safety of Auros' trade
executions and data. The move aims to shield Auros from potential threats,
ensuring the secure handling of sensitive data.
XTB Profit Drops 24% as Gold Rally Fails to Offset Soaring Marketing Spend
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
