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Category: Broker News

  • Maria Sharapova Joins CFI as Global Brand Ambassador in Strategic Partnership

    Maria Sharapova Joins CFI as Global Brand Ambassador in Strategic Partnership

    In a bold move that blends sporting excellence with financial innovation, CFI Financial Group has announced tennis legend and entrepreneur Maria Sharapova as its new global brand ambassador. The multi-year partnership marks a significant milestone in CFI’s evolution as a purpose-driven trading platform with global reach.

    Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic medalist, joins CFI alongside Formula 1™ icon Lewis Hamilton, reinforcing the company’s commitment to aligning with figures who embody discipline, resilience, and international influence.

    “CFI’s focus on innovation, education, and empowering individuals resonated with me,” said Sharapova. “Whether in sport or business, success comes down to being intentional, prepared, and willing to learn. I’m proud to support CFI’s mission to inform, inspire, and connect with individuals pursuing their own paths to growth.”

    The announcement underscores CFI’s ambition to deepen its emotional connection with clients and inspire broader inclusion in the financial world. Sharapova’s multifaceted career—from elite athlete to investor and designer—mirrors the values CFI champions: precision, adaptability, and vision.

    Ziad Melhem, CEO of CFI Financial Group, praised the partnership: “Maria Sharapova is a symbol of elite performance and long-term vision. Her journey reflects the mindset we promote at CFI—where ambition, emotional intelligence, and adaptability are key traits of successful traders and investors.”

    Sharapova will spearhead high-impact campaigns and strategic appearances aimed at engaging global audiences. Her presence is expected to amplify CFI’s brand visibility and reinforce its position as a trusted provider of trading and investment solutions.

    The collaboration adds to CFI’s growing portfolio of high-profile partnerships, which includes AC Milan, FIBA WASL, and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. #

    With Sharapova now on board, CFI continues to redefine the intersection of finance, sport, and global influence.

  • CFI Partners with Etihad Arena to Elevate Trading Brand Across UAE Entertainment Scene

    CFI Partners with Etihad Arena to Elevate Trading Brand Across UAE Entertainment Scene

    In a bold move to fuse finance with entertainment, CFI Financial Group has been named the Official Online Trading Partner of Etihad Arena, the UAE’s largest indoor venue and a regional hub for world-class events.

    The partnership grants CFI premium brand visibility across Etihad Arena’s packed calendar of concerts, sporting spectacles, and cultural showcases. As part of the deal, CFI will operate a dedicated fan activation space, host clients in a luxury hospitality suite, and offer VIP experiences including meet-and-greets and exclusive giveaways.

    “Etihad Arena has become a regional hub for entertainment, sports and culture, and we are thrilled to join forces with a venue that shares our passion for high performance and innovation,” said Ziad Melhem, CEO of CFI Financial Group.

    The collaboration reflects CFI’s strategy to deepen engagement with audiences through lifestyle platforms, complementing its existing partnerships with AC Milan, MI Cape Town, and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

    Marcus Osborne, General Manager at Etihad Arena, welcomed the alliance: “This partnership reflects our shared vision of delivering extraordinary experiences to fans while championing innovation and excellence.”

    With this latest move, CFI continues to expand its footprint across the MENA region, blending financial literacy with immersive brand experiences and positioning itself as a dynamic force in both trading and entertainment.

  • Exness Halts New Registrations in India Amid Regulatory Uncertainty

    Exness Halts New Registrations in India Amid Regulatory Uncertainty

    Global forex broker Exness has abruptly suspended new client registrations in India, sparking concern among traders and affiliate partners. The move, which took effect late last week, blocks access to account creation for users with Indian IP addresses. Visitors are now redirected to a simplified login page, with no option to sign up.

    The company has yet to issue a formal statement explaining the decision or clarifying whether the restriction is temporary. Affiliate partners were notified to cease all client acquisition efforts in India, further fueling speculation about the broker’s future in the region.

    Despite the registration freeze, existing Indian clients remain unaffected. Users with active accounts can continue trading without disruption, according to current access paths.

    India has long been a key growth market for offshore brokers like Exness, which operated locally through affiliates and introducing brokers. However, the country’s tightening regulatory landscape — including stricter oversight from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) — may be prompting a strategic retreat.

    As of now, Exness has not indicated whether similar restrictions will be applied in other jurisdictions. The situation remains fluid, with industry observers awaiting further updates.

  • eToro Secures MAS Licence, Launches Singapore Expansion

    eToro Secures MAS Licence, Launches Singapore Expansion

    Global trading platform eToro has officially entered the Singapore market following the approval and activation of its Capital Markets Services (CMS) licence by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The move marks a significant milestone in the company’s Asia-Pacific growth strategy.

    The licence enables eligible retail investors in Singapore to access a wide array of financial instruments via eToro’s social investing platform, including stocks from over 20 global exchanges, ETFs, and derivatives.

    Yoni Assia, Co-Founder and CEO of eToro, hailed the development as a strategic leap: “Singapore is one of the most dynamic financial markets in Asia-Pacific and a gateway to global capital flows. By activating our CMS licence, we are advancing our mission to open the world’s markets and empower investors with the tools to grow their knowledge and wealth”.

    The expansion follows the appointment of Yaki Razmovich as Managing Director for Singapore and Asia. Razmovich will oversee regional operations and spearhead eToro’s efforts to build local partnerships and invest in talent.

    With over 40 million registered users globally, eToro continues to position itself as a leader in collaborative investing. The company’s platform allows users to interact, view portfolios, and access educational resources through features like the Virtual Portfolio and eToro Academy.

    This latest move underscores Singapore’s growing appeal as a fintech hub, even as regulators maintain strict oversight of financial services providers operating in the region.

  • Markets.com Cyprus Appoints Andreas Kyriacou as New CEO Following Leadership Transition

    Markets.com Cyprus Appoints Andreas Kyriacou as New CEO Following Leadership Transition

    Markets.com Cyprus has announced the appointment of Andreas Kyriacou as its new Managing Director and CEO, succeeding Stavros Ch. Anastasiou, who recently stepped down from the role. Kyriacou will oversee operations exclusively for the Cyprus-based entity, Safecap Investments, which operates under the CySEC regulatory framework.

    Kyriacou brings over a decade of experience in financial services, with a strong background in financial reporting, regulatory compliance, tax planning, and risk management. Prior to joining Markets.com in December 2024, he held senior roles at FXGlobe and IronFX, and began his career at PwC Cyprus. He is a Chartered Accountant certified by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

    His appointment comes amid broader changes at Markets.com, including the recent surrender of its FCA license in the UK, signaling a strategic pivot toward jurisdictions with more flexible regulatory environments. The company continues to operate under licenses in South Africa and St Vincent and the Grenadines, though leadership for those entities remains unconfirmed.

    Markets.com has also expanded its offerings in recent years, partnering with TradingView and Worldpay to enhance its trading platform and global payment capabilities.

  • ATFX Reinforces LATAM Strategy with Michael Mirarchi

    ATFX Reinforces LATAM Strategy with Michael Mirarchi

    In a strategic move to deepen its institutional presence in emerging markets, ATFX Connect has appointed Michael Mirarchi as Managing Director of Institutional Sales for Latin America. The announcement underscores the firm’s commitment to expanding its global footprint and delivering tailored solutions to professional clients across the region.

    Mirarchi brings over 15 years of experience in institutional sales, brokerage, and trading technology. His career began in New York, where he supported the early growth of margin FX trading and liquidity provision. He has since held senior roles at major financial institutions and helped launch regulated entities across the UK, EU, and Latin America. His expertise also spans digital asset infrastructure and Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licensing, making him a key figure in bridging traditional finance with emerging technologies.

    In his new role, Mirarchi will spearhead efforts to expand ATFX Connect’s institutional coverage in Latin America, focusing on white-label brokerage offerings, digital asset trading, and the rollout of regional non-deliverable forwards (NDFs). He will also lead initiatives to strengthen the firm’s regulatory presence in the region.

    “Latin America’s online trading sector is evolving rapidly,” Mirarchi said. “We’re focused on delivering institutional-grade solutions that meet the unique needs of professional clients in this dynamic market.”

    Wei Qiang Zhang, Managing Director of ATFX Connect, added: “Michael’s appointment is a pivotal step in our long-term strategy. His deep understanding of the LATAM market and institutional expertise will accelerate our growth and enhance our service offering.”

    ATFX Connect, the institutional arm of the ATFX Group, continues to expand its reach by combining global infrastructure with local insight. The firm offers bespoke liquidity solutions across FX, indices, commodities, and precious metals, serving hedge funds, banks, asset managers, and other professional traders.

  • Markets.com Surrenders FCA License as CEO Steps Down Amid Strategic Shift

    Markets.com Surrenders FCA License as CEO Steps Down Amid Strategic Shift

    Online brokerage Markets.com has officially relinquished its license from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), marking a significant pivot in its regulatory and operational strategy. The move coincides with the departure of Chief Executive Officer Stavros Ch Anastasiou, who had led the firm since 2023.

    Anastasiou joined Markets.com from Safecap Investments Limited, where he served as Executive Director. His tenure at Markets.com was characterized by efforts to streamline operations and navigate evolving regulatory landscapes. The company has not yet announced a successor, and details surrounding its future leadership remain undisclosed.

    The decision to surrender the FCA license suggests a potential shift away from the UK market or a reconfiguration of the firm’s global compliance framework. Industry analysts speculate that Markets.com may be consolidating its regulatory footprint or redirecting resources toward jurisdictions with more flexible oversight.

    Finance Magnates, which first reported the development, noted that the company has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the rationale behind the license withdrawal or the CEO’s exit. The FCA has not commented on the matter.

    This development adds to a growing trend of brokers reassessing their regulatory affiliations amid tightening compliance requirements and shifting market dynamics. Observers will be watching closely to see how Markets.com repositions itself in the competitive online trading space.

    Markets.com is a global online brokerage offering CFD trading across forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and ETFs. Originally part of Playtech’s financial division, it now operates under the Finalto brand, which was acquired by Gopher Investments in 2022.

    The platform is known for its proprietary Marketsx interface, alongside support for MetaTrader 4 and 5, and integrates real-time sentiment tools, technical analysis, and fundamental data. It has held regulatory licenses in jurisdictions including Cyprus (CySEC), South Africa (FSCA), Australia (ASIC), and previously the UK (FCA), though it recently surrendered its FCA license amid strategic restructuring.

  • FXPrimus Unveils Synthetic Indices, Offering Traders a Headline-Free Market Experience

    FXPrimus Unveils Synthetic Indices, Offering Traders a Headline-Free Market Experience

    FXPrimus has launched a new suite of trading instruments known as Synthetic Indices, designed to operate independently of global news and economic events. This strategic move aims to attract technically focused and short-term traders seeking consistency in market behavior.

    The Synthetic Indices, now available on the MetaTrader 5 platform, simulate real market price movements using mathematical models and random number generators. Unlike traditional instruments, they are unaffected by central bank decisions, geopolitical tensions, or economic data releases.

    “Our goal is to empower traders with instruments that reward skill over speculation,” FXPrimus stated. “Synthetic Indices provide a focused space where the trader’s edge matters more than breaking news.”

    These indices offer 24/7 trading and are tailored for those who rely on pattern recognition and technical execution. The offering includes four distinct series, each engineered with specific volatility profiles to support both manual and automated strategies.

    The launch is part of FXPrimus’ broader platform expansion, which includes the introduction of PrimoConnect, a proprietary social trading network, alongside a redesigned website and updated client portal. The broker also announced plans to increase leverage up to 1:2000.

    FXPrimus emphasized that the Synthetic Indices are available to eligible clients under Primus Markets and represent an alternative to traditional markets for traders seeking uninterrupted price action.

  • Inside the XTB Hack: A Client’s $38,000 Loss Sparks Security Overhaul

    Inside the XTB Hack: A Client’s $38,000 Loss Sparks Security Overhaul

    In a chilling exposé that’s rattling the fintech corridors of Central Europe, Polish brokerage giant XTB finds itself at the center of a cybersecurity storm. A long-time client claims to have lost nearly 150,000 Polish zloty ($38,000) in what appears to be a calculated and highly technical account breach.

    The alleged victim, a five-year XTB user, took to social media over the weekend with a detailed account of how his portfolio—once valued at nearly 200,000 zloty—was systematically drained. The method? Hundreds of rapid-fire trades on obscure, low-liquidity assets, including nano-cap stocks like Spruce Power. The trades were executed in such a way that the victim’s account consistently lost money, while a suspected second account profited from the other side of each transaction.

    The client described the attack as a “programmed slaughter,” noting that even long-held securities and untouched ETFs were liquidated within minutes. Notably, the hacker didn’t attempt direct withdrawals—XTB restricts those to verified bank accounts—but instead exploited the trading mechanism itself.

    When the client reached out to XTB’s support, he claims he was met with indifference: “I get calls like yours all day, every day. Nothing can be done.” His formal complaints were reportedly dismissed twice, with the broker citing its terms of service that place password security squarely on the customer.

    The breach exposed a critical vulnerability: the client had not enabled two-factor authentication (2FA), a feature XTB introduced as optional in 2024. But the fallout was swift. Within hours of the viral post, XTB announced a sweeping security overhaul. Starting July 14, users will be able to activate Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP) via apps like Google Authenticator. By Q4 2025, 2FA will be mandatory for all new accounts.

    Adam Dubiel, XTB’s Chief Product & Technology Officer, stated: “Security of XTB client funds is our highest priority.” The firm is also launching a campaign to educate users on cybersecurity best practices.

    The scandal sent shockwaves through the Warsaw Stock Exchange, with XTB’s shares plunging over 6% on Monday before rebounding slightly the next day. Industry experts like Michał Masłowski of Poland’s Individual Investors Association stressed that 2FA should be non-negotiable: “Even small amounts require robust protection.”

    Mateusz Samołyk, a financial blogger who helped amplify the case, urged XTB to implement real-time monitoring of suspicious activity and location-based login alerts. He claims to have submitted these recommendations directly to the broker.

    The firm says it is investigating and encourages affected clients to use official complaint channels.

    As the fintech world grapples with rising cyber threats, this incident serves as a stark reminder: in the digital age, security isn’t optional—it’s survival.

    Founded in 2002, XTB has grown into a global fintech leader, offering trading in forex, commodities, indices, stocks, ETFs, and bonds across 13 countries. Headquartered in Warsaw, Poland, the firm serves over 1.36 million clients and employs more than 1,000 staff. It’s regulated by top-tier authorities including the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and KNF (Poland). Listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange since 2016, XTB reported PLN 1.87 billion ($445 million) in revenue for 2024.

    The company has built its reputation on proprietary technology like xStation, celebrity ambassadors including Zlatan Ibrahimović and José Mourinho, and a commitment to investor education and transparency.

  • PrimeXBT Supercharges Trading Conditions with Tighter Spreads and Higher Leverage

    PrimeXBT Supercharges Trading Conditions with Tighter Spreads and Higher Leverage

    In a bold move to reinforce its position as a trader-first brokerage, PrimeXBT has announced a comprehensive upgrade to its trading platforms—MetaTrader 5, PXTrader, and Crypto Futures. These enhancements aim to streamline trading execution, boost risk management capabilities, and reduce the cost of trading for clients worldwide.

    Gold Spreads Slashed to Increase Cost Efficiency

    One of the headline improvements is a substantial reduction in Gold (XAU/USD) spreads, which have been trimmed to as low as 20–25 points on MetaTrader 5 and PXTrader. Even during heightened market volatility, these tighter spreads make gold trading more viable for retail and professional traders alike, reducing slippage and boosting profitability.

    Leverage Uplift Across Key Asset Classes

    PrimeXBT has also overhauled its leverage offerings, giving traders more flexibility across both traditional and crypto instruments:

    • Bitcoin leverage raised to 200x, offering substantial upside potential for experienced traders with sound risk strategies.
    • Altcoins now tradable with leverage up to 150x, facilitating exposure to higher-risk, high-reward markets.
    • Enhanced leverage for Forex majors, indices, and precious metals, including Gold and Silver, allows tactical positioning with reduced margin requirements.

    This shift caters especially to short-term traders and scalpers, enabling them to extract more value from intraday price moves while maintaining risk controls through other platform features.

    PXTrader Stop-Out Level Halved

    In response to user feedback, PrimeXBT has reduced the stop-out level on PXTrader from 100% to 50%. This gives traders more breathing room during volatile swings, helping prevent early liquidation and allowing for potential recovery trades without immediate margin calls.

    Multi-Account Functionality for Strategic Segmentation

    The MT5 platform now supports multi-account setup, allowing users to manage distinct trading strategies across separate currency wallets. This modular approach simplifies accounting, enables risk compartmentalization, and offers greater transparency in performance tracking—especially useful for traders managing portfolios across asset classes or time frames.

    Advanced Risk Management on Crypto Futures

    Crypto Futures users will benefit from Bracketed Stop Loss and Take Profit orders in hedge mode, improving precision in trade exits. Additionally, the platform now displays estimated liquidation levels directly on price charts, equipping users with proactive insights into margin requirements and risk exposure.

    Global Reach Meets Institutional-Grade Tools

    With over 1 million registered users spanning 150+ countries, PrimeXBT continues to position itself at the intersection of traditional and digital finance. These platform enhancements reflect a growing trend among brokerages to deliver institutional-grade features tailored for the evolving needs of retail clients.

    The broker’s latest upgrades were reportedly driven by extensive client feedback and internal market research, emphasizing its commitment to listening, adapting, and innovating.

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