ADVFN UK Market News

Tag: Brokers

  • FCA Issues Warning Over Fraudulent Broker Impersonating XTB

    FCA Issues Warning Over Fraudulent Broker Impersonating XTB

    The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a warning about a fraudulent firm operating under the name “XTB Online,” which is unlawfully offering financial services while misusing the branding of the legitimate broker XTB.

    According to the FCA, this unregistered entity is falsely claiming to be based at One Canada Square in Canary Wharf and is using a website and contact details that may appear credible. However, the regulator confirmed that “XTB Online” is not authorised to provide financial services in the UK and has no affiliation with the FCA-regulated XTB Limited.

    The clone firm has replicated branding elements and address details to mislead investors. The FCA emphasized that individuals dealing with such unauthorised firms are not protected by the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), leaving them vulnerable to financial loss.

    Consumers are urged to verify any firm’s credentials using the FCA’s register before engaging in financial transactions. The regulator also warned against responding to unsolicited contact from firms claiming to be regulated.

    For more info please visit: https://www.fca.org.uk/news/warnings/xtb-online

  • iFOREX Scores Again—Now Trading on the Pitch with Lech Poznań

    iFOREX Scores Again—Now Trading on the Pitch with Lech Poznań

    iFOREX is ramping up its brand visibility ahead of its anticipated IPO by partnering with Polish football champions Lech Poznań. The broker has been named the club’s Official Online Trading Partner and non-exclusive Official Sleeve Partner for the upcoming season. This move follows a recent renewal of its sponsorship with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, reinforcing iFOREX’s growing presence in European sports marketing.

    CEO Itai Sadeh described the partnership as a strategic step in connecting with European communities and expanding the company’s global footprint. With Lech Poznań boasting a strong domestic following and significant social media reach, the collaboration is expected to enhance iFOREX’s brand exposure across multiple channels.

    While financial terms weren’t disclosed, the sponsorship aligns with a broader trend of CFD brokers investing in sports partnerships to boost recognition. The announcement comes as iFOREX prepares for a London Stock Exchange listing, though the IPO has been delayed due to a compliance review in the British Virgin Islands.

    About iFOREX
    iFOREX is a global fintech company with over 25 years of experience, offering a proprietary online and mobile trading platform for multi-asset CFDs. With a strong presence in over 30 countries and more than 60,000 daily transactions, the platform supports 21+ languages and boasts an annual trading volume exceeding $460 billion.

    • User-Friendly Platform: Advanced trading tools, real-time pricing, and intuitive interfaces for both desktop and mobile.
    • Client Loyalty: 56% of revenue comes from clients who’ve been with iFOREX for over three years.
    • Risk Management: Features like negative balance protection and stop-loss orders help safeguard traders.
    • Education & Support: Free 1-on-1 training, market updates, and multilingual support.
    • Brand Visibility: Strategic sports sponsorships, including partnerships with PSV Eindhoven and Lech Poznań, enhance brand recognition across Europe.

    Compliance & Trust
    iFOREX Europe is regulated by CySEC and adheres to strict EU marketing guidelines. Promotions must include risk warnings and avoid exaggerated claims.

    For a detailed comparison of brokers, you can check ADVFN Broker Listing.

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  • eToro Launches 4% Stock-Back Debit Card for UK Customers

    eToro Launches 4% Stock-Back Debit Card for UK Customers

    eToro has unveiled a compelling new incentive for UK users of its Visa debit card: up to 4% cashback in the form of UK-listed stocks. The initiative allows cardholders to earn equity rewards on everyday purchases, with a monthly cap of £1,500 in stock value.

    The programme enables users to select from a curated list of UK equities to receive as cashback. These stock rewards can either be held as investments or sold at the user’s discretion. According to Doron Rosenblum, Executive Vice President of Business Solutions at eToro, the offering is designed to integrate spending with long-term investing goals.

    “Eligible eToro UK clients can now manage their money efficiently while building their investment portfolios through everyday spending,” Rosenblum noted.

    Dan Moczulski, Managing Director of eToro UK, added that the initiative aims to “redefine cashback” by turning routine purchases—from coffee to groceries—into incremental stock ownership.

    The launch follows eToro’s recent public listing on Nasdaq, which raised $403 million. The company’s aggressive push into the debit card space reflects a broader trend among brokers to enhance user engagement through financial incentives. Competitors such as IG Group and NAGA have also introduced interest-bearing features on idle cash balances to attract and retain clients.

    eToro’s stock-back debit card is part of its broader mission to lower the barriers to investing and foster habitual wealth-building through accessible tools.

    About eToro

    Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Israel, eToro Group Ltd. is a global multi-asset investment platform known for pioneering social trading. The company enables users to trade and invest in equities, cryptocurrencies, commodities, currencies, and options—either directly or via derivatives. With over 38 million registered users across 140 countries, eToro combines traditional investing with innovative tools like CopyTrader™ and thematic portfolios.

    eToro operates under regulatory oversight from the FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), ASIC (Australia), and FinCEN (US). In 2025, the company went public on the Nasdaq under the ticker ETOR, achieving a valuation of $5.5 billion. Its ecosystem includes eToro Money, eToro Academy, and a growing suite of financial education and trading tools.

    For a detailed comparison of brokers, you can check ADVFN Broker Listing.

  • Moneta Markets Unveils Prop Trading Venture, Launches Executive Search

    Moneta Markets Unveils Prop Trading Venture, Launches Executive Search

    Moneta Markets is preparing to enter the proprietary trading space with the launch of a dedicated prop trading firm. The initiative, led by CEO and Founder David Bily, is nearing completion, with the company now actively recruiting a General Manager to spearhead operations.

    In a recent LinkedIn announcement, Bily described the ideal candidate as a “results-driven” leader capable of scaling the new venture into a competitive force within the industry. The role will encompass team building, operational oversight, performance management, and strategic growth.

    “The product is nearly ready,” Bily stated. “Now I just need the right person to scale it into a fierce industry competitor.”

    The firm is targeting candidates with proven experience in proprietary trading, strong leadership and strategic planning capabilities, and a deep understanding of risk management and trader support. Sales and marketing expertise are also key, with a preference for candidates based in Dubai or willing to relocate.

    This move signals Moneta Markets’ broader ambition to diversify its offerings and tap into the growing demand for structured trading opportunities.

    Industry Recognition

    Moneta Markets has earned multiple accolades at the ADVFN International Financial Awards, including Best Low Cost Broker and Best Forex Trading App in 2025. These awards underscore the firm’s commitment to delivering accessible, high-performance trading solutions to a global client base.

    About Moneta Markets

    Founded in 2009 and headquartered in George Town, Cayman Islands, Moneta Markets is a multi-asset trading platform offering access to over 1,000 instruments, including forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and ETFs. The company operates globally with regulatory oversight from the FSCA and SLIBC, and it maintains client fund security through segregated accounts and negative balance protection.

    Moneta Markets handles over $100 billion in monthly trading volume and supports a suite of platforms including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ProTrader, and AppTrader. With a client base exceeding 70,000 accounts and more than 1.5 million trades executed monthly, the firm has positioned itself as a trusted name in the online trading space.

    For a detailed comparison of brokers, you can check ADVFN Broker Listing.

  • Hantec Markets Partners with Swiset to Deliver Real-Time Analytics and Gamified Engagement Tools to Trader

    Hantec Markets Partners with Swiset to Deliver Real-Time Analytics and Gamified Engagement Tools to Trader

    Global multi-regulated broker Hantec Markets has announced a strategic partnership with fintech innovator Swiset, aiming to enhance the trading experience for its clients through the integration of real-time analytics, performance tracking, and gamified engagement tools.

    This collaboration marks a significant step in Hantec’s ongoing mission to empower traders with cutting-edge technology and actionable insights. By embedding Swiset’s platform into its trading environment, Hantec is offering clients a more interactive and data-driven approach to trading—one that supports both skill development and community engagement.

    “Together, we’re helping traders of all levels unlock their potential, backed by the technologies and tools that matter,” said Raj Naik, Chief Marketing Officer at Hantec Markets.

    A New Era of Trader Engagement

    The integration will provide Hantec clients with access to a suite of tools designed to elevate their trading journey. These include real-time trade analytics, performance dashboards, and interactive challenges that allow users to track progress, benchmark against peers, and participate in competitions.

    The first initiative under this partnership is a demo trading competition, offering participants the chance to win exclusive prizes—including a VIP matchday experience with Atlético de Madrid, one of Hantec’s key brand partners.

    Swiset’s platform is already known for its robust capabilities in portfolio management, trader performance analysis, and gamified learning environments. It supports seamless integration with popular trading platforms like MetaTrader and cTrader, enabling brokers and proprietary trading firms to deliver a more engaging and educational experience to their users.

    “At Swiset, we are building an ecosystem where traders don’t just compete—they evolve,” said Andrés Jiménez, COO of Swiset. “Collaborating with a leading broker like Hantec strengthens our commitment to excellence, community, and innovation.”

    Driving Innovation in Retail Trading

    This partnership reflects a broader trend in the retail trading space: the shift toward personalized, data-rich, and community-driven platforms. As traders increasingly seek tools that go beyond execution—tools that help them learn, grow, and connect—brokers like Hantec are responding with strategic investments in fintech partnerships.

    By combining Hantec’s global trading infrastructure with Swiset’s analytics and engagement engine, the two companies are creating a more dynamic and supportive environment for traders of all experience levels.

    The move also reinforces Hantec’s commitment to transparency, education, and trader empowerment, aligning with its broader vision of delivering a best-in-class trading experience.

    With over 500 employees worldwide, a growing list of industry accolades—including “Most Transparent Broker Global” and “Best Trading Experience LatAm”—and a strong focus on client success, Hantec Markets continues to redefine what it means to be a modern broker.

    For a detailed comparison of brokers, you can check ADVFN Broker Listing.

  • ATFX Connect Expands Prime Brokerage Capabilities with Standard Chartered Partnership

    ATFX Connect Expands Prime Brokerage Capabilities with Standard Chartered Partnership

    ATFX Connect, the institutional division of ATFX Group, has announced a strategic collaboration with Standard Chartered Bank, marking the addition of the bank as its second foreign exchange prime broker. This move significantly enhances ATFX Connect’s institutional service offerings and strengthens its global market presence.

    The partnership integrates Standard Chartered’s top-tier prime brokerage services into ATFX Connect’s advanced liquidity infrastructure. This expansion is set to benefit a broader range of institutional clients by offering deeper market access and a more robust trading environment.

    “As we grow our FX prime brokerage services, our focus remains on delivering transparent, direct market access to institutional clients,” said Wei Qiang Zhang, Managing Director at ATFX Connect. “Standard Chartered’s capabilities align perfectly with our existing framework and elevate the quality of service we provide.”

    ATFX Connect caters to institutional and professional traders through both Agency Prime Brokerage and Margin accounts. Its liquidity pool is built from Tier 1 banks and non-bank providers, offering trading in Spot FX, NDFs, indices, commodities, and precious metals. Clients can connect via FIX API, third-party platforms, or ATFX’s proprietary systems.

    This development underscores ATFX Connect’s commitment to delivering tailored, high-performance trading solutions to hedge funds, banks, asset managers, and other institutional players.

    For a detailed comparison of brokers, you can check ADVFN Broker Listing.

  • Solitics Unveils Market Pulse at iFX EXPO International 2025

    Solitics Unveils Market Pulse at iFX EXPO International 2025

    Solitics, a leader in engagement automation for fintech and trading platforms, is set to debut its latest innovation—Market Pulse—at the iFX EXPO International 2025 in Limassol, Cyprus. This new feature, powered by the company’s proprietary Follow Engine, enables real-time, hyper-personalized user engagement based on live market activity.

    Unlike traditional platforms that send delayed or generic alerts, Market Pulse delivers instant, tailored messages to users based on the assets they follow, hold, or monitor. For example, a user tracking Bitcoin might receive a push notification when BTC spikes: “Bitcoin is moving. Time to act?” Similarly, someone holding Amazon stock could get an in-app alert when the price dips: “Amazon dropped—consider your next move.”

    This level of automation allows brokers to re-engage users at the exact moment market events occur, without the need for manual segmentation or campaign setup. The Follow Engine dynamically matches users with relevant market triggers and delivers content through the most effective channel—whether that’s email, push, in-app, or pop-up.

    Solitics will showcase Market Pulse at Booth 74 in Hall 1 of the City of Dreams Mediterranean venue on June 18–19. The company aims to demonstrate how this tool can help brokers boost engagement, conversion, and retention—at scale and with minimal operational effort.

    Solitics is a customer engagement and data analytics platform founded in 2013 and headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel. It specializes in helping B2C companies—especially in fintech, banking, iGaming, and brokerage—deliver real-time, personalized customer experiences without the need for complex data infrastructure.

    At its core, Solitics connects disparate data sources and turns them into actionable insights. Its platform enables businesses to automate hyper-personalized messaging across channels like email, push notifications, in-app messages, and more. This is all powered by their proprietary data engine, which processes over a billion customer engagements and events daily.

    The company emphasizes a customer-centric approach and has earned multiple industry awards for its ease of use and business impact. It’s privately held, with a relatively small team of around 29 employees, and recently expanded into the UK with a registered office in London.

  • ThinkMarkets Introduces Traders’ Gym: Revolutionizing Strategy Backtesting on Mobile

    ThinkMarkets Introduces Traders’ Gym: Revolutionizing Strategy Backtesting on Mobile

    ThinkMarkets, a global leader in online CFD trading, is enhancing its proprietary platform with the launch of Traders’ Gym, an exclusive backtesting tool, on the ThinkTrader mobile app for iOS and Android. This feature allows traders to test their strategies in real-time, 24/7, whether on the web or mobile. The addition aligns with ThinkMarkets’ commitment to building a powerful and seamless trading platform.

    Nauman Anees, CEO and co-founder of ThinkMarkets, expressed excitement about the launch, highlighting that Traders’ Gym has been a highly requested feature. He emphasized that the tool will enhance the overall trading experience by providing users with charting, signals, multiple order types, real-time backtesting, and market news resources.

    ThinkMarkets, established in 2010, offers access to 4,000 CFD instruments across various markets, including FX, indices, commodities, and equities. The company operates globally with offices in London and Melbourne, along with hubs in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and South Africa.

  • CMC Markets’ Profit Growth Fails to Prevent Share Price Collapse

    CMC Markets’ Profit Growth Fails to Prevent Share Price Collapse

    CMC Markets has reported a strong 33% increase in annual profit, reaching £84.5 million for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. However, despite the impressive growth, investors reacted negatively to earnings that fell short of expectations, leading to a staggering 18% drop in its share price.

    Profit Gains vs. Market Reaction

    The London-listed financial services firm saw its net operating income rise by 2% to £340.1 million, slightly exceeding analysts’ forecasts. Earnings per share improved to 22.6 pence, but still missed the projected 24 pence, causing concern among shareholders. While the company’s profit margin expanded to 24.8%, reflecting a significant improvement from the previous year’s 19%, these financial gains were not enough to sustain bullish sentiment in the market.

    CMC Markets had enjoyed an upward trajectory in its stock price since April, fueled by investor optimism about its revenue streams and profitability. However, following the earnings release on June 5, the stock plunged to a two-month low of 230.5 pence, marking a sharp contrast from its recent highs. As of June 9, the stock continued to struggle, trading at 241.5 pence, still down more than 2% for the week.

    Key Drivers Behind the Decline

    Despite positive fundamentals, several factors contributed to the steep sell-off:

    • Missed Earnings Forecasts: Investors were expecting a more substantial earnings beat, particularly after the company’s strong profit growth. Falling short of £90.6 million in expected profit raised concerns about future performance.
    • Market Sentiment & Volatility: The financial services sector has faced heightened volatility, with investors becoming increasingly sensitive to economic indicators and central bank policies.
    • Profit Margins vs. Growth Prospects: Although CMC Markets improved its profit margin, questions remain about whether the growth trajectory can be sustained in the coming quarters.

    Industry Trends & Future Outlook

    CMC Markets operates in a highly competitive industry, where global economic conditions and investor sentiment play a crucial role. As central banks adjust interest rates and inflation continues to be a key focus, trading activity and brokerage revenues remain under scrutiny.

    Looking ahead, analysts will be watching CMC Markets’ performance closely to determine whether this decline represents a short-term correction or a more prolonged trend. The company may need to address investor concerns by demonstrating stronger growth in revenue streams and improved profitability metrics in the next quarterly earnings report.

    The sharp decline in CMC Markets’ share price following its earnings report has several potential implications for its future performance:

    Investor Sentiment & Market Confidence

    • The 18% drop in share price suggests that investors were disappointed with the earnings miss, despite the company’s 33% profit growth. This could lead to lower investor confidence, making it harder for CMC Markets to attract new shareholders or maintain its valuation.
    • If the stock continues to struggle, the company may need to reassure investors through strategic moves such as cost-cutting, expansion into new markets, or stronger revenue growth.

    Financial Strategy Adjustments

    • CMC Markets has been investing in automation and infrastructure, which led to a 17% increase in IT costs. If the market reaction persists, the company may need to reassess its spending to ensure profitability remains strong.
    • The firm has also expanded into decentralized finance (DeFi) and Web 3.0, aiming to diversify its revenue streams. However, these investments require significant infrastructure upgrades, which could pressure short-term financial performance.

    Competitive Positioning

    • The financial services industry is highly competitive, with firms like IG Group and Plus500 vying for market share. If CMC Markets fails to meet profit expectations consistently, it could lose ground to competitors.
    • The company has seen strong growth in international trading revenue, particularly in Australia, where client activity has surged. Maintaining this momentum will be crucial to offset any negative investor sentiment.

    Future Outlook

    • Analysts will closely watch CMC Markets’ next earnings report to see if it can recover from this setback. If the company demonstrates strong revenue growth and improved profitability, the stock could rebound.
    • The firm’s cash reserves and financial investments have increased significantly, which could provide stability during this period of uncertainty.
    • The shift to Web 3.0 and DeFi presents long-term opportunities, but the company must navigate the challenges of integrating new technologies while maintaining profitability.

    For a detailed comparison of CFD brokers, you can check ADVFN Broker Listing.