Job cuts at IronFX have emerged as the most recent signal of stress throughout the net buying and selling business. The dealer laid off round 150 staff, or about 10% of its roughly 1,500‑robust workforce, with sources citing “effectivity” amid the AI wave as the primary driver.
The layoffs comply with earlier reductions at different brokers, together with Tradu/FXCM and eToro, and are available as IronFX continues to function with a Cyprus Funding Agency license, a British Virgin Islands offshore license and authorization from the UK Monetary Conduct Authority.
eToro’s crypto growth plan
In the meantime, eToro CEO Yoni Assia stated the fintech big is in a
robust place to develop its crypto providing and has launched prediction markets inside its new non-custodial crypto pockets.
Talking to Finance Magnates in Limassol, Assia famous that
the function was designed to remain separate from customers’ foremost investments. He
added that eToro is at present working with Polymarket and holding discussions
with Kalshi as the corporate explores alternatives within the fast-emerging
prediction markets sector.
The CEO of eToro simply revealed how they profited $50 million by integrating Bitcoin into their treasury technique.
Crypto is right here to remain, it’s a brand new form of international capital market. pic.twitter.com/eGEwTbltTe
— Kashif Raza (@simplykashif) May 16, 2025
Assia emphasised that prediction markets stay within the early
levels of improvement and it’s nonetheless unclear how a lot curiosity eToro customers
will present in them.
Conflict exposes insider dangers in prediction markets
Within the wild west of prediction markets, the Iran warfare has
drawn sharp consideration to the rising danger of insider buying and selling.
Following the US
strike on Iran in late February, customers reportedly wagered tons of of hundreds of thousands
of {dollars} on outcomes starting from the timing of assaults to a possible
nuclear detonation.
Knowledge analytics agency Bubblemaps recognized a number of suspected
insiders who allegedly wager over 1,000,000 {dollars} on the timing of the strike,
whereas different analysts famous buying and selling patterns that mirrored insider conduct
round occasions involving Iran’s management.
CFTC guidelines for prediction market
Prediction markets are certainly gaining mainstream consideration, however new
regulatory indicators counsel the principles are tightening. CFTC issued new steering for platforms
concerned about launching prediction markets, outlining requirements that resemble a
compliance take a look at.
The advisory requires platforms to exhibit that their
occasion contracts can resist market manipulation and insider buying and selling earlier than being
accredited for buying and selling in the US.
On the identical time, CFTC Chairman Michael Selig stated the company doesn’t intend to determine which merchandise persons are allowed to commerce and
will keep away from making coverage by way of enforcement actions.
As an alternative, he instructed an viewers on the FIA International Cleared
Markets Convention in Florida that the CFTC plans to maneuver away from “regulating
by way of enforcement” and step again from enforcement-driven policymaking.
Are prediction markets the subsequent prop buying and selling?
Prediction markets are additionally rising as a possible different
for retail merchants as regulators tighten oversight of simulated proprietary buying and selling. Authorities within the U.S., Canada, and Europe have begun scrutinizing
prop buying and selling companies that rely extra on problem charges than actual buying and selling exercise.
Retail prop buying and selling vs. prediction markets
Many of those companies function in regulatory grey areas, usually
utilizing simulated accounts reasonably than executing stay trades. Latest enforcement
instances and platform shutdowns have accelerated the business’s seek for new
fashions.
XTB provides kill swap to dam hackers
Away from prediction markets, XTB launched an emergency lock function that permits purchasers to freeze all exercise on their account with a single faucet if they think unauthorized entry. When activated, the lock halts buying and selling in all devices, blocks withdrawals from all forex accounts, and disables all eWallet transactions, the corporate stated.
To revive entry, customers should first change their password after which go a facial recognition examine to verify they’re the professional account holder.
XTB CEO Omar Arnaout stated the function is designed to provide purchasers a quick technique to regain management of their accounts amid rising digital and cybersecurity threats.
Over half of Singapore CFD merchants use one platform
As Singapore’s CFD market returns to development, suppliers are beneath stress to make sure their customer support meets the expectations of each new and present purchasers. Corporations must deal with inquiries, onboarding, and assist effectively to retain merchants in a extra aggressive atmosphere.
In keeping with Funding Tendencies affiliate analysis director Lorenzo Vignati, the main focus in Singapore has shifted from growth to engagement, with brokers now concentrating on reactivating merchants who beforehand stopped buying and selling.
He famous that brokers can’t afford missteps with returning purchasers as a result of first impressions are important when these merchants come again to the market.
International foreign exchange brokers goal Japan
Japan stays one of many world’s key retail overseas alternate markets, combining excessive buying and selling volumes with a big and lively base of retail merchants. The nation has greater than 1.5 million retail FX merchants and over 3 million lively buying and selling accounts, producing round $400 billion in every day FX turnover, placing it alongside London, New York, and Singapore as a significant FX hub.
A notable function of Japan’s market is the dominance of home brokers in retail buying and selling. Main native companies akin to GMO Click on Securities, SBI FX Commerce, Rakuten Securities, DMM FX, and Monex Group have constructed intensive retail buying and selling ecosystems, supported by established platforms and sizable buyer bases.
Revolut wins full UK financial institution licence
Revolut has acquired approval from the Prudential Regulation Authority to launch its UK financial institution, concluding a prolonged regulatory course of. The license will permit the corporate to develop its companies for round 13 million prospects in its dwelling market by way of its new entity, Revolut Financial institution UK Ltd.
We’re now formally a completely licensed financial institution within the UK.
As a financial institution, we’ll quickly supply accounts protected by the Monetary Providers Compensation Scheme (FSCS) as much as £120,000 per individual on eligible deposits.
It additionally means we’ll have the ability to launch extra banking options sooner or later… pic.twitter.com/fH7K2TQLDd
— Revolut (@Revolut) March 11, 2026
With this authorization, Revolut can function as a completely licensed financial institution within the UK and supply deposit accounts lined by the Monetary Providers Compensation Scheme. It now joins different main fintechs which have obtained full banking licenses, together with UK-based Monzo and Starling and Germany’s N26.
Govt Strikes of the week: Traze, Tarurex
Lastly, within the government strikes, Naeem Afzal has joined Traze, the sister CFDs dealer model of ZFX beneath Zeal Group, as Regional Gross sales Director, primarily based within the United Arab Emirates.
He brings practically 20 years of expertise in institutional and retail gross sales, most lately serving as Regional Gross sales Director at GO Markets.
Additionally this week, CFD dealer Taurex reappointed Matthew Wright as a Non-Govt Director, virtually three years after he left for Exinity, bringing again an government who beforehand led the agency throughout its Zenfinex section.
Job cuts at IronFX have emerged as the most recent signal of stress throughout the net buying and selling business. The dealer laid off round 150 staff, or about 10% of its roughly 1,500‑robust workforce, with sources citing “effectivity” amid the AI wave as the primary driver.
The layoffs comply with earlier reductions at different brokers, together with Tradu/FXCM and eToro, and are available as IronFX continues to function with a Cyprus Funding Agency license, a British Virgin Islands offshore license and authorization from the UK Monetary Conduct Authority.
eToro’s crypto growth plan
In the meantime, eToro CEO Yoni Assia stated the fintech big is in a
robust place to develop its crypto providing and has launched prediction markets inside its new non-custodial crypto pockets.
Talking to Finance Magnates in Limassol, Assia famous that
the function was designed to remain separate from customers’ foremost investments. He
added that eToro is at present working with Polymarket and holding discussions
with Kalshi as the corporate explores alternatives within the fast-emerging
prediction markets sector.
The CEO of eToro simply revealed how they profited $50 million by integrating Bitcoin into their treasury technique.
Crypto is right here to remain, it’s a brand new form of international capital market. pic.twitter.com/eGEwTbltTe
— Kashif Raza (@simplykashif) May 16, 2025
Assia emphasised that prediction markets stay within the early
levels of improvement and it’s nonetheless unclear how a lot curiosity eToro customers
will present in them.
Conflict exposes insider dangers in prediction markets
Within the wild west of prediction markets, the Iran warfare has
drawn sharp consideration to the rising danger of insider buying and selling.
Following the US
strike on Iran in late February, customers reportedly wagered tons of of hundreds of thousands
of {dollars} on outcomes starting from the timing of assaults to a possible
nuclear detonation.
Knowledge analytics agency Bubblemaps recognized a number of suspected
insiders who allegedly wager over 1,000,000 {dollars} on the timing of the strike,
whereas different analysts famous buying and selling patterns that mirrored insider conduct
round occasions involving Iran’s management.
CFTC guidelines for prediction market
Prediction markets are certainly gaining mainstream consideration, however new
regulatory indicators counsel the principles are tightening. CFTC issued new steering for platforms
concerned about launching prediction markets, outlining requirements that resemble a
compliance take a look at.
The advisory requires platforms to exhibit that their
occasion contracts can resist market manipulation and insider buying and selling earlier than being
accredited for buying and selling in the US.
On the identical time, CFTC Chairman Michael Selig stated the company doesn’t intend to determine which merchandise persons are allowed to commerce and
will keep away from making coverage by way of enforcement actions.
As an alternative, he instructed an viewers on the FIA International Cleared
Markets Convention in Florida that the CFTC plans to maneuver away from “regulating
by way of enforcement” and step again from enforcement-driven policymaking.
Are prediction markets the subsequent prop buying and selling?
Prediction markets are additionally rising as a possible different
for retail merchants as regulators tighten oversight of simulated proprietary buying and selling. Authorities within the U.S., Canada, and Europe have begun scrutinizing
prop buying and selling companies that rely extra on problem charges than actual buying and selling exercise.
Retail prop buying and selling vs. prediction markets
Many of those companies function in regulatory grey areas, usually
utilizing simulated accounts reasonably than executing stay trades. Latest enforcement
instances and platform shutdowns have accelerated the business’s seek for new
fashions.
XTB provides kill swap to dam hackers
Away from prediction markets, XTB launched an emergency lock function that permits purchasers to freeze all exercise on their account with a single faucet if they think unauthorized entry. When activated, the lock halts buying and selling in all devices, blocks withdrawals from all forex accounts, and disables all eWallet transactions, the corporate stated.
To revive entry, customers should first change their password after which go a facial recognition examine to verify they’re the professional account holder.
XTB CEO Omar Arnaout stated the function is designed to provide purchasers a quick technique to regain management of their accounts amid rising digital and cybersecurity threats.
Over half of Singapore CFD merchants use one platform
As Singapore’s CFD market returns to development, suppliers are beneath stress to make sure their customer support meets the expectations of each new and present purchasers. Corporations must deal with inquiries, onboarding, and assist effectively to retain merchants in a extra aggressive atmosphere.
In keeping with Funding Tendencies affiliate analysis director Lorenzo Vignati, the main focus in Singapore has shifted from growth to engagement, with brokers now concentrating on reactivating merchants who beforehand stopped buying and selling.
He famous that brokers can’t afford missteps with returning purchasers as a result of first impressions are important when these merchants come again to the market.
International foreign exchange brokers goal Japan
Japan stays one of many world’s key retail overseas alternate markets, combining excessive buying and selling volumes with a big and lively base of retail merchants. The nation has greater than 1.5 million retail FX merchants and over 3 million lively buying and selling accounts, producing round $400 billion in every day FX turnover, placing it alongside London, New York, and Singapore as a significant FX hub.
A notable function of Japan’s market is the dominance of home brokers in retail buying and selling. Main native companies akin to GMO Click on Securities, SBI FX Commerce, Rakuten Securities, DMM FX, and Monex Group have constructed intensive retail buying and selling ecosystems, supported by established platforms and sizable buyer bases.
Revolut wins full UK financial institution licence
Revolut has acquired approval from the Prudential Regulation Authority to launch its UK financial institution, concluding a prolonged regulatory course of. The license will permit the corporate to develop its companies for round 13 million prospects in its dwelling market by way of its new entity, Revolut Financial institution UK Ltd.
We’re now formally a completely licensed financial institution within the UK.
As a financial institution, we’ll quickly supply accounts protected by the Monetary Providers Compensation Scheme (FSCS) as much as £120,000 per individual on eligible deposits.
It additionally means we’ll have the ability to launch extra banking options sooner or later… pic.twitter.com/fH7K2TQLDd
— Revolut (@Revolut) March 11, 2026
With this authorization, Revolut can function as a completely licensed financial institution within the UK and supply deposit accounts lined by the Monetary Providers Compensation Scheme. It now joins different main fintechs which have obtained full banking licenses, together with UK-based Monzo and Starling and Germany’s N26.
Govt Strikes of the week: Traze, Tarurex
Lastly, within the government strikes, Naeem Afzal has joined Traze, the sister CFDs dealer model of ZFX beneath Zeal Group, as Regional Gross sales Director, primarily based within the United Arab Emirates.
He brings practically 20 years of expertise in institutional and retail gross sales, most lately serving as Regional Gross sales Director at GO Markets.
Additionally this week, CFD dealer Taurex reappointed Matthew Wright as a Non-Govt Director, virtually three years after he left for Exinity, bringing again an government who beforehand led the agency throughout its Zenfinex section.
