The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has announced the withdrawal of Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) membership for four investment firms: IFCM Cyprus Ltd, Arumpro Capital Ltd, Greenpost Trading Europe Ltd, and Reliantco Investments Ltd . This regulatory move comes after these companies lost their Cyprus Investment Firm (CIF) licenses , affecting their ability to provide financial services under CySEC’s framework. Impact on Investors Despite the ICF membership revocation, CySEC clarified that eligible clients can still claim compensation for investment operations conducted before the loss of membership status. This ensures that investors retain their rights under the Directive DI87-07 for the Operation of the ICF . According to CySEC, the withdrawal does not automatically eliminate clients’ rights to compensation . The regulator reassured investors that if they meet the necessary conditions, they can still receive financial compensation for any potential losses...

  A Strategic Acquisition IG Group Holdings plc (LON: IGG) has announced the acquisition of neobroker Freetrade for £160 million (USD $195 million) . This move marks IG’s expansion into the UK’s fast-growing direct investment market, strengthening its trading and investment services. Why Freetrade? Since its launch in 2018, Freetrade has established itself as a major player in the UK neobroker market. With 720,000 customers and £2.5 billion in assets under administration (AUA) , it has seen rapid growth. In 2024 alone, Freetrade reported revenues of £27.5 million , reflecting a 32% year-over-year increase . The acquisition provides IG with: A direct-to-customer investment platform with strong brand recognition. A scalable technology infrastructure. A growing user base and diversified revenue streams from subscriptions, foreign exchange fees, and interest income . IG’s Vision and Plans IG has confirmed that Freetrade will continue operating as a standalone business , retaining i...

 Enhancing Trader Confidence with Additional Security Measures Mitrade, an Australian-based CFD trading platform, has introduced a $1 million Excess of Loss Insurance Policy to provide an additional layer of protection for its retail traders. This insurance, backed by Lloyd’s of London , aims to safeguard traders in the event of company insolvency and comes at no extra cost to Mitrade’s clients. This initiative places Mitrade among a growing group of brokers offering extra security beyond regulatory requirements. Other brokers, including ATFX, Hantec Markets, and VT Markets , have launched similar insurance policies to enhance trader confidence. Why This Matters for Traders The retail trading industry in Australia is expanding rapidly, particularly in forex and cryptocurrency markets . As accessibility to digital platforms increases, so does the demand for stricter financial security measures. While Australian regulators, including ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commi...

  Saxo Bank, the multi-asset investment specialist, has announced upcoming changes to its lineup of trading instruments. As part of these changes, the Japan 225 Index CFD will be discontinued. The company has informed its white-label partners (WLs) about this decision, allowing them time to manage their clients' existing positions. Traders can reduce their current exposure to this product until February 28, 2025. On this date, any remaining open positions will be closed automatically by Saxo. For WLs looking to offer alternatives, expiring CFDs such as "JP225DEC24" or "JP225MAR25" can be made available. However, Saxo has clarified that redistributing the underlying price data for these expiring CFDs requires a direct license agreement with the Singapore Exchange (SGX). Partners who do not already hold an SGX license will need to enter into an agreement directly with SGX. This strategic adjustment is part of Saxo’s efforts to streamline its offerings and comply w...