Brent surged ~$78/bbl as US hit nuclear sites; futures dipped on global market jitters.
Iran votes to close the Strait of Hormuz, but risks cutting its own exports.
Markets assume a short conflict; if Hormuz stays open, volatility may fade.
If Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices will certainly soar (Bloomberg).
With US strikes hitting Tehran and threats swirling around the Strait of
Hormuz, investors are weighing geopolitics against portfolio stability and the potential for soaring oil prices.
Asia wasn’t immune. Markets from Tokyo to Sydney shed modest gains as
the risk premium climbed. Japan even saw its defense sector rallying amid
renewed geopolitical concern.
The Hormuz Card: Oil Drama or Serious Threat?
By Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons.
Here’s where things get spicy: Iran’s parliament backed a plan to close
the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for ~20% of the world’s daily
oil movements. But approvals still require the green light from the Supreme
National Security Council. If executed, the impact would be seismic: oil would
soar, and where it ended up would be anyone’s guess. That spike would cascade
through refinery costs, insurance premiums, and consumer prices.
Yet, analysts are skeptical about whether Tehran would actually shut
the passage. This naval route is vital for Iran’s own oil exports, especially
to China—a move to close it would be economic self‑sabotage. The US and allies
have naval forces deployed nearby, and Iran lacks legal cover to block the
strait outright.
Market Outlook: Fear vs. Fundamentals
Most analysts expect this to be a short‑lived flare‑up rather than a
protracted war. “Not crazy” oil forecasts from veteran strategists suggest
prices will retreat once the initial panic fades. Defense
stocks have popped, but broader markets are trading with guarded optimism.
Plus500's Founder Has An Outlandish Piece of Advice
While the Israeli broker is expanding its presence in the US and offers extensive oil and other energy contracts in the country, its founder, Alon Gonen, has become something of an internet personality with his market moving piece of advice.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," he said in a video posted on LinkedIn. "The regime opponents in Iran are enemies of the Iranian regime. That means they are our friends."
"Israel should bomb the prisons in Iran — in a way that allows the prisoners to escape. This would create a wave of euphoria among the Persian people, something that could truly bring down the Persian regime."
Tech, Trade & Trendspotting
In tech-heavy sectors, firms tied to oil logistics, shipping insurance,
and semiconductor supply chains could feel ripple effects. Elevated crude
prices mean higher transportation costs—possibly pressuring margins in e‑commerce
and manufacturing sectors. Similarly, alternative energy firms or pipelines
bypassing Hormuz might draw investor attention as geopolitical insurance plays
take hold.
What Traders Should Watch
Iran’s next move: Will Tehran escalate or hold? A missile or cyber
strike could reignite volatility.
Hormuz traffic: So far, commercial shipping keeps flowing—watch
satellite data and tanker insurance premiums.
U.S. response: Additional military deployments or sanctions could tone it
down, or pour gas on the fire.
Seasonal demand: Summer fuel consumption in the northern hemisphere
could exacerbate price swings.
Brace, Don’t Panic?
Oil is in a volatility tailspin—but not a free-fall. High prices suit
defense suppliers and energy traders buying coverage. But equities, especially
in tech and manufacturing, are treading water amid uncertainty. The smart play
for now? Don’t bet the ranch—banks and big-spenders will watch Tehran more than
Trump.
With US strikes hitting Tehran and threats swirling around the Strait of
Hormuz, investors are weighing geopolitics against portfolio stability and the potential for soaring oil prices.
Asia wasn’t immune. Markets from Tokyo to Sydney shed modest gains as
the risk premium climbed. Japan even saw its defense sector rallying amid
renewed geopolitical concern.
The Hormuz Card: Oil Drama or Serious Threat?
By Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons.
Here’s where things get spicy: Iran’s parliament backed a plan to close
the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for ~20% of the world’s daily
oil movements. But approvals still require the green light from the Supreme
National Security Council. If executed, the impact would be seismic: oil would
soar, and where it ended up would be anyone’s guess. That spike would cascade
through refinery costs, insurance premiums, and consumer prices.
Yet, analysts are skeptical about whether Tehran would actually shut
the passage. This naval route is vital for Iran’s own oil exports, especially
to China—a move to close it would be economic self‑sabotage. The US and allies
have naval forces deployed nearby, and Iran lacks legal cover to block the
strait outright.
Market Outlook: Fear vs. Fundamentals
Most analysts expect this to be a short‑lived flare‑up rather than a
protracted war. “Not crazy” oil forecasts from veteran strategists suggest
prices will retreat once the initial panic fades. Defense
stocks have popped, but broader markets are trading with guarded optimism.
Plus500's Founder Has An Outlandish Piece of Advice
While the Israeli broker is expanding its presence in the US and offers extensive oil and other energy contracts in the country, its founder, Alon Gonen, has become something of an internet personality with his market moving piece of advice.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," he said in a video posted on LinkedIn. "The regime opponents in Iran are enemies of the Iranian regime. That means they are our friends."
"Israel should bomb the prisons in Iran — in a way that allows the prisoners to escape. This would create a wave of euphoria among the Persian people, something that could truly bring down the Persian regime."
Tech, Trade & Trendspotting
In tech-heavy sectors, firms tied to oil logistics, shipping insurance,
and semiconductor supply chains could feel ripple effects. Elevated crude
prices mean higher transportation costs—possibly pressuring margins in e‑commerce
and manufacturing sectors. Similarly, alternative energy firms or pipelines
bypassing Hormuz might draw investor attention as geopolitical insurance plays
take hold.
What Traders Should Watch
Iran’s next move: Will Tehran escalate or hold? A missile or cyber
strike could reignite volatility.
Hormuz traffic: So far, commercial shipping keeps flowing—watch
satellite data and tanker insurance premiums.
U.S. response: Additional military deployments or sanctions could tone it
down, or pour gas on the fire.
Seasonal demand: Summer fuel consumption in the northern hemisphere
could exacerbate price swings.
Brace, Don’t Panic?
Oil is in a volatility tailspin—but not a free-fall. High prices suit
defense suppliers and energy traders buying coverage. But equities, especially
in tech and manufacturing, are treading water amid uncertainty. The smart play
for now? Don’t bet the ranch—banks and big-spenders will watch Tehran more than
Trump.
Louis Parks has lived and worked in and around the Middle East for much of his professional career. He writes about the meeting of the tech and finance worlds.
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
Executive Interview | Jas Shah | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Jas Shah | FMLS:25
Interview with Jas Shah
Builder | Adviser | Fintech Writer | Product Strategist
In this episode, Jonathan Fine sat down with Jas Shah, one of the most thoughtful voices in global fintech. Known for his work across advisory, product, stablecoins, and his widely read writing, Jas brings a rare combination of industry insight and plain-spoken clarity.
We talk about his first impression of the Summit, the projects that keep him busy today, and how they connect to the stablecoin panel he joined. Jas shares his view on the link between fintech, wealthtech and retail brokers, especially as firms like Revolut, eToro and Trading212 blur long-standing lines in the market.
We also explore what stablecoin adoption might look like for retail investment platforms, including a few product and UX angles that are not obvious at first glance.
To close, Jas explains how he thinks about writing, and how he approaches “shipping” pieces that spark debate across the industry.
Interview with Jas Shah
Builder | Adviser | Fintech Writer | Product Strategist
In this episode, Jonathan Fine sat down with Jas Shah, one of the most thoughtful voices in global fintech. Known for his work across advisory, product, stablecoins, and his widely read writing, Jas brings a rare combination of industry insight and plain-spoken clarity.
We talk about his first impression of the Summit, the projects that keep him busy today, and how they connect to the stablecoin panel he joined. Jas shares his view on the link between fintech, wealthtech and retail brokers, especially as firms like Revolut, eToro and Trading212 blur long-standing lines in the market.
We also explore what stablecoin adoption might look like for retail investment platforms, including a few product and UX angles that are not obvious at first glance.
To close, Jas explains how he thinks about writing, and how he approaches “shipping” pieces that spark debate across the industry.
