USD/CHF

WTI Reaches $100, Falls as Trump Talks Up Hormuz Reopening; Trump Says Iran Not Ready to Negoitate; Trump Threatens to Delay China Summit Over Hormuz; Stock Markets Higher as Iran Military Capabilities Crumble

There is a medium-term descending price channel which continues to hold the price lower, but the price action is ascending from the low and looks likely to test pivotal resistance.

RBA delivered a widely expected 25bps hike to 4.10%, but the real surprise lay in the 5–4 split decision, exposing a deeply divided board. The narrow margin suggests that while policymakers are concerned about inflation, there is no strong consensus that further tightening is clearly warranted. At the center of the debate is the energy-driven […]

At its meeting today, the Board decided to increase the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 4.10 per cent. While inflation has fallen substantially since its peak in 2022, it picked up materially in the second half of 2025. Information since the February meeting suggests that some of the increase in inflation reflects greater capacity pressures. […]

Bitcoin is staging a notable recovery this week, climbing back above the 75,000 handle even as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remain elevated. The move challenges the typical risk-off playbook, where escalating conflict would normally pressure crypto assets. Instead, improving sentiment as oil stabilizes has helped, but the rebound appears to be driven more […]

Key Highlights Bitcoin started a steady increase above $72,000 and $75,000. A bullish trend line is forming with support at $71,500 on the 4-hour chart of BTC/USD. Ethereum also climbed over 10% and surpassed $2,350. Gold failed to settle above the $5,200 resistance and trimmed gains. Bitcoin Price Technical Analysis Bitcoin price remained supported above […]

Metals have been responding very unusually to the latest and ongoing US-Iran-Israel conflict, initially spiking higher but failing to withstand the pressure that followed. What is bothering Metals, as with virtually all other assets on the Market except for Crude and its beloved Petrodollar, is that supply tensions in Energy are known for their long-lasting […]

AUDUSD: ⬆️ Buy AUDUSD reversed from support zone Likely to rise to resistance level 0.7160 AUDUSD currency pair recently reversed from the support area between the key support level 0.6965 (low of the eagerly wave 2), support trendline from November, lower daily Bollinger Band and the 38.2% Fibonacci correction of the upward impulse from December. […]

USDCAD: ⬇️ Sell USDCAD reversed from resistance zone Likely to fall to support level 1.3625 USDCAD currency pair recently reversed from the resistance zone between the key resistance level 1.3725 (which stopped wave A), upper daily Bollinger Band and the 50% Fibonacci correction of the downward impulse from January. The downward reversal from this resistance […]

S&P 500: ⬆️ Buy S&P 500 reversed from strong support level 6600.00 Likely to rise to resistance level 6800.00 S&P 500 index recently reversed from the support area between the multi-month support level 6600.00 (which has been reversing the index from September), lower daily Bollinger Band and the 50% Fibonacci correction of the upward impulse […]

The Euro bounced from new multi-month low (1.1410) on Monday as traders collect profits from strong fall in past two weeks (the pair was down 3%). Slight optimism over the Middle East crisis contributed to technical signals on oversold daily studies, which paused broader downtrend. Violation of significant supports at 1.1500 zone (former base / […]

Markets Markets are in some kind of wait-and-see stance today after the energy-repositioning of the previous two weeks. Bond yields drop a few bps. The dollar eases off recent top levels and equities avoid a further decline. It is unclear what label/explanation is appropriate. Is it markets hoping that a solution on the passage of […]

Markets are pricing in a 68% probability for a 25-basis-point (bps) rate hike, lifting the cash rate to 4.1%. The board needs to move policy past the current “neutral” rate (where interest rate ≈ inflation) to cool the “very hot” economy and suppress climbing prices. A hawkish statement pointing to further hikes could propel AUD/USD […]

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.1373; (P) 1.1452; (R1) 1.1494; More…. Intraday bias in EUR/USD is turned neutral with current recovery and some consolidations could be seen. But further decline is expected as long as 1.1666 resistance holds. Below 1.1408 will resume the fall from 1.2081 to 38.2% retracement of 1.0176 to 1.2081 at 1.1353. Firm break […]

Daily Pivots: (S1) 1.3171; (P) 1.3271; (R1) 1.3323; More… Intraday bias in GBP/USD is turned neutral with current recovery and some consolidations would be seen. But risk will stay on the downside as long as 1.3482 resistance holds. Below 1.3216 will resume the fall from 1.3867 to 1.3008 structural support. Firm break there will carry […]

Daily Pivots: (S1) 159.23; (P) 159.49; (R1) 160.00; More… Intraday bias in USD/JPY is turned neutral with current retreat. On the upside, above 159.74 will target a retest of 161.94. Firm break there will confirm larger up trend resumption and target 61.8% projection of 139.87 to 159.44 from 152.25 at 164.34. However, considering bearish divergence […]

Headline CPI inflation cooled in February to 1.8% year-on-year (y/y) slightly below consensus expectations. The GST/HST break ended partway through February 2025, which lead to large price increases in that month, but puts downward pressure on the year-on-year price change in February 2026. Energy prices were a source of downward pressure on inflation including gasoline […]

Daily Pivots: (S1) 0.7866; (P) 0.7893; (R1) 0.7939; More…. A temporary top is in place at 0.7921 in USD/CHF and intraday bias is turned neutral first. Some consolidations would be seen but further rally is in favor as long as 0.7746 support holds. Rise from 0.7603 is seen as correcting whole down trend from 0.9200. […]

Oil slipped back below $100 today as signs emerged that the Strait of Hormuz remains navigable, easing fears of a full disruption to global energy supply. Dollar weakened broadly as traders scaled back the most extreme oil shock scenarios tied to the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Overall market sentiment also improved with major European indexes […]

Canada’s inflation slowed more than expected in February, with headline CPI easing from 2.3% yoy to 1.8% yoy, below market expectations of 1.9%. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.5% mom, also slightly below forecasts of 0.6%, suggesting price pressures continued to moderate. The slowdown was driven by declines across several components. Energy prices as […]

Market Overview The crypto market cap is on an upward trend, having surpassed the $2.5 trillion mark, the region of previous local highs and the 50-day moving average. Consequently, the technical picture is becoming more favourable for the bulls, who are steadily reclaiming one high after another. This gradual growth appears to be a further […]

Commerzbank shares rise after UniCredit's bid for additional stake Central banks expected to pause rate cuts amid economic uncertainty Goldman raises target for Britain's FTSE 100 March 16 Reuters European shares rebounded after an early wobble on Monday as oil prices eased, offering some relief to investors stung by the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The panEuropean STOXX 600 index closed 0.45 higher after falling as much as 0.45 earlier in the session. It snapped a threeday losing streak, thanks to gains of 1.48 and 1.2 in real estate and energy shares, respectively. Investors have been highly sensitive to crude prices, which have soared since the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began more than two weeks ago. But the prices eased on Monday on hopes that more ships would be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments. The market seems to be counting on a U.S. president who in the past has consistently shown a relatively low tolerance to adverse financial market movements, said Richard de Chazal, macro analyst at William Blair. It is hoping he decides to end the conflict sooner... before too much domestic economic damage takes place ahead of the important midterms. PACKED CENTRAL BANK WEEK Attention is also shifting to a busy slate of central bank meetings this week, where policymakers will have a chance to outline how recent events are shaping their outlook and give investors fresh clues on how to...

Manufacturing output increases 0.2 in February Homebuilder sentiment edges up in March Middle East conflict could raise operating costs WASHINGTON, March 16 Reuters U.S. factory production increased marginally in February as manufacturing remained constrained by tariffs on imports, and the conflict in the Middle East could raise operating costs. Other data on Monday showed sentiment among singlefamily homebuilders nudging up in March. Manufacturing and the housing market have been hardest hit by higher interest rates and President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, with business leaders and builders saying the duties had increased costs. Trump has defended the tariffs, which have been struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, as necessary to protect domestic manufacturing, though about 100,000 factory jobs have been lost since January 2025. The tariffs have failed to provide a substantial 'reshoring boost' to the sector so far, with the lift from reduced foreign competition apparently mostly offset by higher input costs, supply chain disruption, and the hit to investment demand from uncertainty around trade policy, said Oliver Allen, senior U.S. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics. Manufacturing output rose 0.2 last month after an upwardly revised 0.8 gain in January, the Federal Reserve said. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast production for the sector, which accounts for 10.1 of the economy, rising 0.1 after a previously reported 0.6 rise in January....

WASHINGTON, March 16 Reuters A JPMorganled group of banks on Monday began marketing to investors a 5.75 billion loan helping finance the leveraged buyout of Electronic Arts, according to a term sheet seen by Reuters. The sevenyear term loan B consists of a 4 billion U.S. dollar portion as well as a 1.531 billion euro 1.75 billionequivalent portion, according to the term sheet, which will help finance game publisher EA's 55 billion takeprivate deal by a consortium of investors including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. There is also a 3.25 billion term loan A and 9 billion in other dollar and eurodenominated secured and unsecured debt, according to the term sheet. The takeprivate deal is expected to close in June, according to the firms' September announcement. The banks are marketing the 4 billion portion and the 1.531 billion euro portion of the term loan B at a discounted 98.5 cents on the dollar and a floating interest rate of 350 basis points bps to 375 bps over the Secured Overnight Financing Rate SOFR and the Euro Interbank Offered Rate Euribor, respectively, according to the term sheet. The loan sale's deadline is currently set for market close on March 23, according to the term sheet. EA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reporting by Matt Tracy in Washington; Editing by Keith Weir

All 23 analysts in Reuters poll expect a 50 bps cut Oil prices spike creates new uncertainty Analysts warn of proinflationary risks MOSCOW, March 16 Reuters The Russian central bank is likely to cut its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to 15 at a meeting on March 20 as a spike in global oil prices after the U.S.Israeli attacks on Iran creates new uncertainty, a Reuters poll of 23 analysts showed on Monday. Global oil prices have surged by 40 since the attacks began, climbing to their highest since 2022, while the U.S. has also lifted sanctions on some Russian oil. Both factors have made Russia one of the biggest beneficiaries of the conflict. However, Russian policymakers, who drafted a package of austerity measures just before the Iran war started to counter the impact of falling oil prices and prevent the country's fiscal reserve fund from being depleted, are yet to formulate their response. This need for austerity measures, which arose when oil prices fell below 45 per barrel in DecemberFebruary, may quietly disappear along with the cause that generated it, said Maxim Petronevich from Rosselkhozbank. All 23 analysts polled said they believe the central bank will cut by 50 basis points. PROINFLATIONARY RISKS The central bank has been cutting its key rate since last June but, currently at 15.5, it is still above the 12 level which businesses think could allow economic growth to speed up. The central bank may adjust its signal regarding future...

JOHANNESBURG, March 16 Reuters The South African rand strengthened on Monday, as a softer dollar helped offset fading hopes of a nearterm interest rate cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve due to the elevated energy prices. At 1448 GMT the rand traded at 16.77 against the dollar , more than 1 stronger than its previous close. The greenback was down 0.4 against a basket of currencies. Gold prices, a key South African export, were steady on Monday after recovering from an earlier near 1 drop, supported by a softer dollar. On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top40 index was last up 1.3. South Africa's benchmark 2035 government bond was also stronger, as the yield fell 2 basis points to 8.91. Later this week local investor attention will turn to February inflation data and January retail sales numbers. South African inflation expectations continued to fall in the first quarter of this year, a survey showed on Monday, with the average forecast for inflation over the next five years reaching a record low. Reporting by Anathi Madubela and Sfundo Parakozov; Editing by Ros Russell

March 16 Reuters Jack Daniel's maker BrownForman on Monday named longtime Whirlpool executive Jim Peters as its new finance chief, effective March 31. He will succeed Leanne Cunningham, who will retire on May 1, the company said. Cunningham was the CFO for nearly five years, and has spent more than three decades at the company. BrownForman's shares have slumped 68 during Cunningham's tenure, as the company has faced challenges with weak alcohol demand in several markets, including the U.S., with economic volatility further weighing on the industry. The whiskey maker posted a quarterly results beat in early March but said it expects operating environment for fiscal 2026 to be challenging due to macroeconomic volatility and consumer uncertainty. Peters, who spent a decade at Whirlpool, will resign from the company effective March 30, the home appliance maker said in a separate statement. He had stepped down as CFO of the company on December 31. Reporting by Koyena Das in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo

On a monthly basis CPI rose by 0.5 in February Food prices rose by 5.4 on a annual basis Grocery prices have risen by 30 in last five years OTTAWA, March 16 Reuters Canada's annual inflation rate fell to 1.8 in February, driven by base year effects as prices in the same period a year ago had risen sharply after the government's sales tax relief ended, Statistics Canada said on Monday. Excluding the effect of indirect taxes, the Consumer Price Index rose 1.9 year over year in February, it said. The inflation data for March will be the final month affected by the baseyear effect of the sales tax break. Economists polled by Reuters had expected inflation to fall to 1.9 yearoveryear in February from 2.3 in January, and 0.7 monthovermonth compared with no change in the prior month. On a monthly basis consumer prices rose by 0.5 in February, StatsCan said. The inflation data comes as the Bank of Canada has held its key policy rate at 2.25, as inflation stabilized around its 2 target within a 13 control range. But with the war in the Middle East and rising crude oil prices, inflation expectations and forecasts are likely to change. The BoC will give some indication on inflationary pressures this week when it announces its latest monetary policy decision. Despite the base year effect, food prices in February rose by 5.4 on a annual basis as food purchased at restaurants increased by 7.8 last month. Food prices have remained a major pressure point for Canadian...

LONDON, March 16 Reuters British consumers have turned their least confident since the start of last year following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, financial data firm SP Global said on Monday in an early sign of the potential impact of the conflict on the economy. SP Global's Consumer Sentiment Index based on a survey conducted March 59 dropped to 44.1 in March from 44.8 in February, its lowest since January 2025. A marked deterioration of consumer sentiment in March means we are seeing the first concrete signs of the war in the Middle East damaging the UK economy, Maryam Baluch, an economist at SP Global Market Intelligence, said. Households were the most downbeat about their financial prospects since December 2023 and the wariest about making big purchases in 14 months, the firm said. The Bank of England, along with private economists, is watching for the impact of the U.SIsraeli war with Iran on the economy, including any hit to consumer spending as the rise in global energy prices threatens to push up inflation. The BoE is likely to delay a previously expected interest rate cut on Thursday. A separate survey published by polling firm YouGov on Monday showed 77 of respondents expected the conflict would have a negative impact on the UK and global economies in the longer term, and 64 expected a hit to their household finances. Only one in four of those surveyed thought the attacks on Iran would succeed in stunting the country's apparent nuclear...

BoE delivers monetary policy decision on Thursday US dollar has been investors' haven of choice Pound sheltered slightly by lower reliance on energy imports compared with others LONDON, March 16 Reuters The pound rose for the first time in a week on Monday, but uncertainty over the longerterm impact on global growth and inflation from war in the Middle East kept it near threemonth lows as investors favoured the U.S. dollar as a safe haven. The Bank of England delivers its decision on monetary policy on Thursday and is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged at 3.75. Markets are close to pricing in one rate hike by the end of the year and investors want to know how closely this aligns with the views of Governor Andrew Bailey and other BoE policymakers. Prior to the outbreak of the war, the markets had priced in two rate cuts. STERLING FARES BETTER THAN SOME CURRENCIES Sterling was last up 0.2 on the day at 1.3248, narrowly above Friday's trough at 1.3222, the lowest since early December. The pound was steady against the euro at 86.37 pence. Since the start of the war on Iran, the dollar has been investors' haven of choice, even more than gold, government bonds and other defensive currencies such as the Swiss franc. Sterling has fared slightly better than the Japanese yen or the euro, which have lost 2 and 3 in value, respectively, in the last three weeks, compared with the pound's 1.7 loss. This is in part because of the UK's slightly lower...

Sterling up versus all developed European peers in March Larger moves in shortdated British rates major factor Analysts sceptical it can last LONDON, March 16 Reuters The pound is Europe's surprise currency market winner of the Iran warinduced market turmoil, supported by surging British shortterm interest rates, even if, analysts say, it still looks vulnerable mediumterm. It has appreciated against every major European currency so far in March, including the positively oilexposed Norwegian crown, and jumped 1.4 on its nearest neighbour the euro. For sure, the big currencymarket winner of the war so far has been the dollar, and the pound has fallen 1.7 against that. But the broader outperformance of the pound, one of the most actively traded global currencies, has grabbed attention because it stands in contrast to its usual trading pattern. Typically, sterling weakens when equities fall as they have since the war began and recently it weakened when longerdated government bond yields rise, as has been the case this month. ALL ABOUT SHORTDATED RATES The pound should be lower, the trade deficit's getting higher, said Jordan Rochester, head of fixed income and currency strategy at Mizuho. However, he said it had been rising because British interest rates had jumped. The problem for foreign exchange is interest rates sometimes matter and sometimes they don't. And now they matter. Britain's twoyear gilt yield has risen by a monster 60 basis points so far...

MUMBAI, March 16 Reuters The Indian rupee was pinned near its alltime low on Monday, averting losses largely on the back of likely central bank intervention, via staterun banks, as hostilities in the Gulf kept oil prices elevated. The rupee closed at 92.42 per dollar, nearly flat on Monday, and in touching distance of its alltime low of 92.4750 hit last week. Brent crude oil futures rose over 1 to 104.5 per barrel, with the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remaining a major focus area for investors. U.S. President Donald Trump's demands for a coalition to help reopen the key energy artery appeared to have met little success, as allies Japan and Australia said they were not planning on sending naval vessels. In FX, the reaction is largely being driven by moves in oil prices wherein traders are identifying which economies are more at risk and positioning accordingly, a trader at a Singaporebased hedge fund said. India's external balance and government finances could be hit if oil prices stay high for an extended period, economists have said. The surge in oil prices since late February constitutes a significant termsoftrade shock for the INR, especially at a time when its nonoil trade deficit is also large, analysts at HSBC said in a Monday note. Oil prices have risen over 40 since the war broke out. HSBC has revised its rupee forecast lower to 92 by endMarch compared with 88 earlier. India's merchandise trade deficit narrowed monthonmonth in February, per...

FTSE 100 up 0.08, FTSE 250 down 0.6 Standard Life falls despite betterthanexpected annual profit rise CAB Payments surges after StoneX Group's acquisition proposal March 16 Reuters London's FTSE 100 was little changed on Monday, as gains in energy shares offset weakness in other sectors amid Middle East tensions, while investors awaited a rate decision from the Bank of England later this week. As of 1011 GMT, the bluechip FTSE 100 was 0.08 up after logging a second consecutIve week of losses. Now in its third week, the U.S.Israeli war on Iran continues to create turmoil across the Middle East and rattle global energy markets. On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump insisted that nations heavily reliant on Gulf oil have a responsibility to help protect the Strait of Hormuz through which 20 of the world's energy transits. Energy sector rose 1.2, with oil major BP and Shell up more than 1. On the flip side, the travel and leisure sector fell nearly 2. Metal miners were also among the top losers as gold prices were steady, and copper prices fell. Britain's midcap index was on track for deeper losses on Monday, down 0.6, weighed down by weakness in industrials and financial stocks. Investors' focus this week will be on interest rate decisions in the UK, the U.S., and Europe, with central banks holding their first full meetings since the start of the war and widely expected to pause further rate cuts for now. Economists polled by Reuters mostly expect a 72...

UniCredit's Commerzbank tieup plans have met with opposition UniCredit expects low takeup up of bid given small premium Aim of offer is to secure discussions with rival, government MILANFRANKFURT, March 16 Reuters Italy's UniCredit launched an unsolicited bid to increase its stake in Commerzbank above 30 on Monday in an effort to unlock an 18month stalemate and push its German rival to accept merger talks. The surprise offer, whose modest premium implies a value for Commerzbank of roughly 35 billion euros 40 billion, ratchets up pressure on the lender and the German government, which have both previously expressed strong opposition to a tieup. Our message to Commerzbank today is it is now time to talk, UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel told an analyst call. German takeover laws mandate a full buyout offer once a suitor crosses the 30 ownership threshold in a company. UniCredit said its lowball offer should lift its holding just above that threshold, and leave it free to buy Commerzbank shares on the market in the future. This is a more 'technical' offer, aimed at managing the issue related to the German takeover code, said Jerome Legras, head of research at Axiom Alternative Investments fund. Commerzbank declined to comment. Shares in the German lender rose 4 in early Monday trading. This seems to be an astute move, providing UniCredit with additional flexibility going forward, Citi analysts said. UniCredit said it did not expect to achieve control of...

Feb trade deficit narrows to 27.1 bln from 34.68 bln in Jan Exports rise marginally, imports decline monthonmonth Hormuz crisis poses risks to energy supply, says trade secretary Government considering support measures for affected exporters Secretary says IndiaUS trade deal to be signed once US finalises tariff regime NEW DELHI, Mar 16 Reuters India's merchandise trade deficit narrowed in February as imports eased from a month earlier, though economists have warned that the escalating Middle East crisis could stall shipments and raise costs for the energyimporting country. A blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas, has already disrupted shipments, including those of liquefied natural gas, rice, fertilisers and could affect Indias broader trade with the region. This year has been challenging for Indian exports and there are logistical challenges due to the West Asia crisis, Rajesh Agrawal, India's trade secretary, told reporters on Monday, adding the government was considering measures to support affected exporters. Shipments to the Middle East, estimated at about 100 billion annually, have been hit by the regional conflict, he said. India's trade deficit narrowed to 27.1 billion in February from 34.68 billion in the previous month, data released by the commerce ministry showed. Economists had expected the trade gap at 28.8 billion, according to a Reuters poll. Merchandise exports rose marginally to 36.61 billion in February...

Oil volatile as Hormuz shipping plans lack detail Host of central banks seen warning on inflation, growthU.S. stock futures, Asia shares slightly higher, Europe flat Dollar off highs, still near major chart levels LONDONSYDNEY, March 16 Reuters Investors were in a wary mood on Monday as hostilities in the Gulf kept oil prices elevated, clouding an inflation outlook that should keep most central banks on pause at policy meetings this week, though Australia is likely to hike. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz remained a major investor focus and U.S. President Donald Trump's demands for a coalition to help reopen the vital waterway appeared to fall on deaf ears on Monday as allies Japan and Australia said they were not planning to send vessels to escort ships through it. Further complicating matters, Trump told the Financial Times on Sunday that he was expecting China to help unblock the strait before his scheduled meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing at the end of this month. He said he might postpone his trip if China did not provide assistance. He also warned that NATO faces a very bad future if its members failed to come to Washingtons aid. Benchmark Brent crude was last at 106.30 a barrel, up 3.7 on the day. It was below 70 a barrel in late February before the war began and had dipped under 60 in early January. This sharp move has caused market participants to dramatically reassess what they think central banks will do and traders have slashed the...

Dollar pulls back slightly, still near 10month high Fed, ECB, BoE, BOJ among central banks to meet this week Focus on inflation, growth outlook as Middle East war drags on RBA expected to hike rates LONDON, March 16 Reuters The dollar pulled back from 10month peaks on Monday in a tentative start to a week that brings a slew of central bank meetings held under the shadow of the U.S.Israel war on Iran. The U.S. Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan are among those to hold their first policy meetings since the Middle East conflict began, offering investors a sense of how rate setters view the impact of soaring oil prices on inflation and growth. As the European session got underway, the dollar index was a touch lower at 100.27 and holding below a 10month high hit on Friday. The dollar has benefited from a flight to safety since the U.S.Israeli strikes on Iran began at the end of February. Other major currencies such as the euro have been hurt by their economies' dependence on oil imports. Since the start of the conflict, investors have almost eliminated their bearish bets against the dollar, according to weekly data from the U.S. markets regulator . Still, the euro bounced from a 712month low hit earlier in the session to trade 0.25 higher at 1.1442, while sterling was up 0.23 at 1.3252 not far from the 312month low it hit on Friday. The fact that we have central bank meetings this week means markets have an...

Oil holds above 100 as Middle East conflict enters third week Trump talking to seven nations about securing Strait of Hormuz Fed expected to hold rates steady in policy meeting this week March 16 Reuters Gold prices dipped on Monday, pressured by concerns that surging oil costs could stoke inflation further and prompt a more hawkish policy stance by major central banks including the U.S. Federal Reserve, dulling the appeal of the nonyielding asset. Spot gold fell 0.7 to 4,983.17 per ounce, as of 0944 GMT. U.S. gold futures for April delivery fell 1.5 to 4,987.30. The gold market has moved its focus from looking at the implications of the Hormuz trade closure, and towards implications of longerterm inflation, said Bernard Dahdah, an analyst at Natixis. Higher oil prices mean higher inflation and this has repercussions on the Fed. The Fed could pivot, stop cutting rates and that puts downward pressure on gold prices. Oil held above 100 a barrel, up more than 40 this month to its highest levels since 2022, after U.S.Israeli strikes on Iran prompted Tehran to halt shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday pressed allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz as Iranian forces continue attacks on the vital waterway amid the U.S.Israeli war on Iran, now in its third week. The Fed will meet this week for a twoday policy meeting, where it is widely expected to hold interest rates steady. Other central banks including the European...

US in talks with other countries to protect Strait of Hormuz, Trump says Brent, WTI have surged more than 40 this month US hit military targets on Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub Oil reserves to begin flowing to market soon, IEA says Trump rejects efforts for Iran ceasefire talks, sources say LONDON, March 16 Reuters Oil prices rose on Monday as the U.S.Israeli war on Iran continued to disrupt oil production and shipping in the Middle East, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's call for global efforts to secure the vital Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures rose 2.30, or 2.2, to 105.44 a barrel by 0903 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 1.29, or 1.3, to 100 a barrel. Both contracts have surged more than 40 this month to their highest since 2022, after the U.S.Israeli attacks on Iran prompted Tehran to halt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for energy shipments, choking off a fifth of global oil and LNG supplies. Oilloading operations have been suspended at the United Arab Emirates port of Fujairah on Monday, two sources told Reuters, after a drone attack sparked a fire in the emirate's petroleum industrial zone. Fujairah, outside the Strait of Hormuz, is the outlet for about 1 million barrels per day of the UAE's flagship Murban crude oil a volume equal to about 1 of world demand. The war in the Middle East is creating the biggest oil supply disruption in history, the International Energy Agency said on...

TAIPEI, March 16 Reuters U.S. memory chipmaker Micron Technology said on Monday it plans to build a second manufacturing facility in Taiwan at the Tongluo site it recently acquired from Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. The new facility will help it expand supply of leadingedge DRAM products including highbandwidth memory HBM to support surging AI demand, the company said. Micron also said it has completed the acquisition of PSMCs Tongluo P5 site and the new second facility would be of similar scale to the existing fab in Miaoli County. Construction is scheduled to begin by the end of fiscal 2026. Reporting by WenYee Lee; Editing by Jacqueline Wong

Foxconn Q4 profit at T45.21 billion, versus estimated 63.86 billion Says Middle East conflict poses a challenge Tech giant forecasts strong revenue growth for full year Foxconn's shares have dropped 6 so far this year TAIPEI, March 16 Reuters Taiwan's Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics maker, said on Monday it expected strong revenue growth in the first quarter and the whole of this year, even as it posted a fall of 2 in quarterly profit, lagging estimates. The technology giant, Nvidia's biggest server maker and Apple's top iPhone assembler, blamed a rise in its tax rate for the drop, which came despite robust global demand for AI products and a jump of 22 in fourthquarter revenue. Foxconn's guidance for both first quarter and full year revenue are for strong growth, the highest outlook it can give, as the company does not provide a numeric outlook. Artificial Intelligence's strong growth was not just for this past year or two, Chairman Young Liu told an earnings call. It will last through the next two to three years. He added, Our major customers expect the size of the AI industry to hit 1 trillion over the next two to three years. It is the first time the company, which generates a significant share of revenue from AI servers, has given an outlook for the full year 2026. Growth would be driven by sustained strong demand for AI servers, in which its market share would reach 40, it said. Despite predicting a good 2026, Liu...

BoE expected to delay rate cut amid inflation risks from Iran war Analysts see inflation at 34 by end2026, pushed up by energy prices BoE likely to change guidance on borrowing costs amid uncertainty LONDON, March 16 Reuters The Bank of England will choose its words even more carefully than usual this week alongside its expected decision to delay an interest rate cut in the face of inflation risks from the war in the Middle East. Still stung by criticism that it and other central banks moved too slowly when Russia's fullscale invasion of Ukraine drove British inflation above 11 in 2022, the BoE will be wary of missteps. Governor Andrew Bailey and his colleagues can only wait to see how long the U.S.Israeli war on Iran lasts, and how persistent the jump in oil and gas prices will be. That means bets on a rate cut on Thursday, at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee's March meeting, are now off. Economists polled by Reuters mostly expect a 72 vote by the MPC to keep Bank Rate at 3.75. Before the start of the war on February 28, a cut to 3.5 was seen as a near certainty. INFLATION NOW SEEN AT 34 Britain's economy was facing a risk of weak growth and stubborn inflation pressures even before the crisis in the Gulf, which has once again exposed the country's heavy reliance on imported natural gas. Analysts say the direct impact of higher energy prices is likely to push British inflation to about 34 by the end of 2026, if oil and gas prices stay at current...

Indexes down Dow off 0.26, SP 500 down 0.61, Nasdaq drops 0.93 Brent crude settles above 100 per barrel for the first time since August 2022 Q4 GDP slashed in half, PCE inflation remains elevated, capital goods orders disappoint Meta drops following report of AI rollout postponement Adobe falls after CEO Shantanu Narayen to leave amid AI disruption worries NEW YORK, Reuters U.S. stocks ended down on Friday, capping a week in which erratic crude oil prices whipsawed equities, as investors gauged how the war in Iran was affecting the global oil supply. All three major U.S. stock indexes logged daily and weekly declines. The smallcap Russell 2000 ended at its lowest close of the year so far. Crude prices fluctuated before heading higher, even after U.S. President Donald Trump temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil to assuage supply concerns. We've seen volatility in the energy market that rivals any twoweek period in cryptocurrency history. So, it's hard to say that it's being driven by fundamentals, said Paul Nolte, senior wealth advisor market strategist at Murphy Sylvest in Elmhurst, Illinois. It's very much an emotional market, so it really doesn't make sense trying to trade, let alone invest in this market. Nolte added You just sit back and wait for things to unfold and to settle, and that may happen over the course of a couple of weeks. Frontmonth WTI crude futures settled at 98.71 per barrel, up 3.11 on the day. Brent rose 2.67 to 103.14,...

MUMBAI, March 16 Reuters The Indian rupee and government bonds face another tough week as the Iran war disrupts global energy supplies and weakens investor demand for emerging markets. The rupee hit a record low of 92.4750 last week, avoiding further losses mainly due to central bank intervention. Oil prices rose above 100 per barrel as military action disrupted a major energy supply route. The U.S. has rebuffed efforts by Middle Eastern allies to start diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the Iran war and threatened more strikes on Iran's main oil export hub, Kharg Island. The dollar continued to benefit from safehaven flows, rising 1.6 last week as investors mulled the risks of a global energy disruption on a scale not seen in decades. India faces a material termsoftrade shock from higher energy prices, with meaningful spillovers via trade, energy supply chains, and remittances, analysts at Goldman Sachs said in a note. The firm expects the rupee to weaken to 95 over the next 12 months, down from its earlier forecast of 94. Traders, meanwhile, expect the Reserve Bank of India to remain active in India's FX markets to curb excessive volatility, but reckon that the central bank won't defend specific levels if oil prices remain elevated. Sustained foreign portfolio outflows could also compound the pressure on the rupee. Overseas investors have already net sold over 5.5 billion of local stocks so far in March. BONDS India's benchmark 10year yield ended...

Warner Bros wins 11 awards on movies' biggest night Paramount's 110 billion deal to reshape Hollywood studios Industry fears consolidation amid streaming, labor pressures LOS ANGELES, Reuters Warner Bros emerged as the biggest winner at the Academy Awards on Sunday, though the mood was clouded by its pending 110 billion sale to Paramount Skydance, a deal reshaping Hollywood's studio landscape. The studio received 11 Oscars, led by One Battle After Another, a tale of violent resistance in a dystopian America, which received six awards, including for best picture, director and supporting actor. Sinners, Warner Bros' genredefying fantasia set in the Jim Crow South, collected four Academy Awards, including lead actor. I want to thank Warner Bros, said Michael B. Jordan, who won the best actor Oscar for playing twin brothers in Sinners, lauding the studio for betting on original ideas and artistry. Warner Bros became the focus of a monthslong bidding war between Paramount Skydance and Netflix for the studio's corporate parent, Warner Bros Discovery. Paramount CEO David Ellison prevailed with a higher bid, backed by his billionaire father, Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison. The deal will merge two of Hollywoods storied studios, narrowing the ranks of major film players at a time of accelerating consolidation and mounting pressure from streaming rivals, labor unrest and higher costs. It will be impossible to ignore that we will be celebrating the achievements...

JD.com looking to expand beyond China Joybuy launching in UK, Germany and France Fast delivery is key focus LONDON, March 16 Reuters Chinese ecommerce giant JD.com on Monday launched its Joybuy online marketplace in the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, stepping up its push beyond its home market and taking aim at market leader Amazon. JD.com wants to internationalise its business and last year agreed to buy German electronics retailer Ceconomy, owner of the MediaMarkt and Saturn brands, for 2.2 billion euros 2.52 billion. The launch comes as Chinese retailers and brands have been expanding abroad in the U.S. and Europe, looking for new growth drivers away from the cutthroat competition and weak consumer demand they face at home. Joybuy's website and app will sell products across technology, appliances, beauty, homeware, and grocery. Its platform will also feature dedicated brand stores including L'Oreal, Braun, DeLonghi, BRITA, and Bodum. JD.com said prices will be competitive. FAST DELIVERY IS KEY SELLING POINT Fast delivery to shoppers in major cities will be a key selling point, said Matthew Nobbs, Joybuy UK managing director, with orders placed by 11 a.m. arriving the same day, and orders placed before 11 p.m. arriving the next day. More than 15 million households in Europe and the UK overall would be covered by sameday delivery from launch. Delivery is free on orders over 29 euros 33.21 or 29 pounds 38.52, and Joybuy is...

Kraken Pro has introduced 70 traditional finance futures markets for eligible EU clients, giving them access to equity indices, commodities, and FX contracts alongside more than 290 existing crypto perpetuals. Kraken Pro Expands Futures Access for EU Traders According to Monday's announcement, the expansion lets users trade short or long positions on assets such as the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, gold, oil, and major currency pairs on the same interface used for digital assets. The contracts follow the CME Group’s extended 23-hour trading schedule, available from Sunday evening to Friday afternoon ET. The launch means Kraken, ranked #14 in daily volumes on CoinMarketCap, is turning into a more full‑service trading venue for European clients by letting them trade major equity indices, commodities and FX futures on the same platform they already use for crypto. You may also like: Maven Joins Wave of Prop Firms Launching Crypto Funded-Trader Platforms The products are offered through Payward Europe Digital Solutions (CY) Limited, Kraken’s Cyprus-based investment firm regulated by CySEC. Traders must complete an eligibility assessment before activating derivatives trading on Kraken Pro. Funded accounts receive free real-time Level 1 data, with optional Level 2 for deeper market insight. Macro traders, this one's for you 🫵TradFi futures are now live on Kraken Pro.Trade S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, gold, oil, FX and more directly on Kraken Pro alongside crypto.Global markets. One terminal.Get started 👇 https://t.co/iDprZ0UHrs pic.twitter.com/264XzyjYpu — Kraken Pro (@krakenpro) March 16, 2026 CySEC-Regulated Offering This launch builds on Kraken’s 2025 rollout of regulated crypto futures in Europe and marks another step toward a unified multi-asset platform. EU traders can now act on global market events across both traditional and digital assets without leaving the exchange’s environment. In recent months, Kraken has laid the groundwork for this move with a series of EU‑focused initiatives. The exchange secured an EU MiFID license via the acquisition of a CySEC ‑regulated Cyprus investment firm, paving the way for regulated crypto derivatives across the bloc. Kraken has also deepened its push to blur the lines between digital and traditional assets, extending 24/7 access to tokenized equities and equity‑linked perpetual futures via its xStocks product and it also entered a collaboration with Deutsche Börse aimed at unified trading, custody and settlement across crypto, stocks and futures. On the futures side, Coinbase is the clearest peer moving in a similar direction to Kraken. The exchange recently launched regulated crypto and equity‑index futures across 26 European countries via its CySEC‑licensed MiFID entity. It offers leveraged contracts and index products to eligible users on the same Coinbase Advanced interface they use for spot trading. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Prop trading firm Maven has rolled out a new crypto-focused proprietary trading brand that runs entirely on simulated trading. Dubbed WenCrypto, the platform operates under the Maven Trading brand and targets traders who want to trade crypto without using real deposits or accessing live markets. WenCrypto is here. 💎A prop firm where crypto gets the spotlight it deserves. Built by the Maven Trading team. Fast, structured, and designed for people who want momentum. https://t.co/Tt41Km8Gpb pic.twitter.com/RQTwYOrpKD — WenCrypto (@WenCryptoTrade) March 16, 2026 Crypto Prop Push In crypto prop trading a firm backs traders to trade with the firm’s capital and infrastructure in return for a share of any profits. Traders focus on strategies in spot and derivatives, while the firm handles risk limits, platforms, and funding. This setup attracts traders who want a professional environment without running their own fund or managing outside clients. In the past year, more firms have entered this space, including teams with a background in major banks. In Hong Kong, former executives from JP Morgan and Dresdner Kleinwort recently launched a dedicated crypto prop venture that targets professional and semi-professional traders. You may also like: TTT Markets Joins Prop Firms Expanding into CFD Brokerage As new players arrive, competition in crypto prop trading increases. Established crypto shops now face rivals backed by people with experience from global banks and hedge funds. That push raises expectations around risk management , compliance awareness, and trading technology, even when firms focus on training, simulations, or non-broker structures instead of direct market access. Prop Firms Diversify into Crypto and Brokerage Several other firms have moved into crypto-focused prop trading. Crypto Fund Trader has positioned itself as a crypto-native prop platform and recently disclosed that it has paid about $18 million to traders, underscoring demand for funded-style crypto programs. Retail prop firms that started in forex and indices are also adding crypto. Besides its crypto prop launch, Maven is one of the prop firms now in the brokerage space. Last year, it secured a brokerage license to restore MetaTrader 5 access for its traders . It launched Maven Trade Ltd in Saint Lucia, allowing it to offer MT5 under its own authorization after MetaQuotes’ earlier crackdown on grey-label setups forced many prop firms, including Maven, to remove the platform. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

Polymarket has generated 62.3 billion dollars in notional trading volume over the past three years, giving it a 54.5% share of the 114.4 billion‑dollar prediction markets segment tracked by Token Terminal. Kalshi ranks second with 52 billion dollars in three‑year notional volume, underscoring how the two venues now dominate on‑chain and regulated event trading. According to Token Terminal’s market breakdown, prediction markets as a whole have cleared more than 114 billion dollars in notional flow over the same three‑year period, with Polymarket sitting at the top of the category by cumulative volume. Most of this activity on Polymarket has settled on Polygon, which remains the primary chain for its event contracts over the observed timeframe. Iran-linked event contracts drive record trading volumes as US regulators and lawmakers move to tighten oversight of prediction markets. CFTC Advances Rules on Event Contracts US regulators have started to formalize how they treat these products. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has issued guidance that categorizes event contracts as a financial asset class and launched a rulemaking process to determine how the Commodity Exchange Act applies to prediction markets. CFTC chair Michael Selig has argued that the agency holds exclusive jurisdiction over these venues, though a recent Ohio court ruling questioned whether federal law fully preempts state gambling statutes in some cases. At the same time, lawmakers are targeting war-related contracts. Senator Adam Schiff has introduced the DEATH BETS Act, which would amend the Commodity Exchange Act to bar CFTC -regulated venues from listing markets tied to war, terrorism, assassination and individual deaths. Read more: Can Your Platform Launch Prediction Markets? A CFTC Compliance Checklist Prediction markets tied to the escalating US–Iran conflict have pushed trading activity on Polymarket and Kalshi to record levels, even as Washington moves to restrict some of the most controversial contracts. Weekly notional volume on both platforms recently hit new highs, while aggregate prediction market activity has climbed to tens of billions of dollars in notional terms and millions of users. Schiff Bill Targets War and Assassination Markets The proposal followed reports that several Polymarket traders earned about 1 million dollars by correctly positioning for a US strike on Iran, and that Israeli authorities arrested two people accused of using confidential information about an Israeli strike to trade on the platform. No injuries are reported in Iran's latest ballistic missile attack on Israel, the fourth today.One missile struck an open area just outside Beit Shemesh, first responders say and footage shows.Sirens had sounded across the Jerusalem area, the West Bank, and parts of southern… pic.twitter.com/j6sovAsDwz — Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) March 10, 2026 Meanwhile, an Israeli war correspondent says he has received death threats from online gamblers who tried to pressure him into changing a Times of Israel report on an Iranian missile impact so they could win a high‑stakes bet on prediction platform Polymarket. In an account published on Monday, Times of Israel military reporter described a coordinated campaign of emails, social media messages and WhatsApp calls demanding that he amend his description of a March 10 ballistic missile strike near Beit Shemesh from a direct hit to “interceptor debris.” According to the correspondent, anonymous bettors posing as concerned readers, sources and even a lawyer escalated from polite requests and fabricated email screenshots to explicit threats to “finish” him and his family if he did not correct his reporting, claiming they stood to lose around 900,000 dollars if the market resolved against them. This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.

The Financial Commission has approved FP Trading as its newest member, the organization announced today (Monday). The Financial Commission recently added RA Prime as a member . Other firms that have joined the organization include FP Markets, OneRoyal, FXON, and GTCFX. Neex, which provides trading in forex, indices, and commodities , has also joined the commission. Separately, the commission certified iTech Software , confirming that its technology meets the organization’s trading infrastructure standards. The company provides solutions for forex, CFD, crypto, and NFT brokerages. Commission Offers €20,000 Protection Per Complaint With its approval, FP Trading and its clients gain access to the commission’s dispute resolution services, including protection of up to €20,000 per complaint through the Compensation Fund. The Financial Commission operates as an independent dispute resolution body for the financial trading industry. It offers mediation when brokers and clients cannot resolve complaints directly. For participants in CFDs, foreign exchange, and cryptocurrency markets, the commission says its third-party process can be faster and simpler than arbitration or local courts. Broker FP Trading Gains Access to Mediation Services FP Trading is an online brokerage providing access to global financial markets, including forex and CFD instruments. The company states it offers trading tools, pricing structures, and order execution systems for both new and experienced market participants, with a focus on technology, transparent conditions, and customer support. By joining the Financial Commission, FP Trading becomes part of a network of brokerages and independent service providers that use the organization’s mediation services as part of their client dispute handling process. Traders Targeted by Fake Commission Representatives Separately, the Commission provided an update on a scam involving individuals falsely claiming to represent the organization . The imposters targeted traders who experienced losses or blocked withdrawals from non-licensed brokers, offering funds recovery and chargeback services for a fee. Some issued letters of guarantee through fictitious companies and falsified contact details resembling legitimate digital wallet providers. The Commission reiterated that it does not offer recovery services, charge fees, send unsolicited messages, or issue guarantees. Traders should consult the official member list, use the Dispute Resolution Form for inquiries, and verify all communications directly with the organization. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

What began as a tool for crowdsourced forecasting is rapidly evolving into a contest of speed, automation, and trading infrastructure. Automation is beginning to reshape prediction markets in much the same way it transformed forex and crypto trading. As volumes surge on platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi, bots are exploiting latency and arbitrage opportunities faster than human traders can react. In the global FX market, algorithmic trading already accounts for roughly 70–80% of spot activity, according to estimates from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS, 2022). High-frequency traders, execution algorithms, and quantitative strategies now dominate price discovery and liquidity. Prediction markets may be moving in the same direction. Evidence of this shift is starting to appear in trader data. A simple review of Polymarket’s public leaderboard found that 14 of the 20 most profitable wallets are bots. 14/20 most profitable traders on @Polymarket are bots.The team that builds a proper agentic infrastructure layer for prediction markets will easily be a billion-dollar project. pic.twitter.com/HXYY2aRcaJ — Stacy Muur (@stacy_muur) March 16, 2026 If the pattern continues, prediction markets may follow a trajectory familiar from forex and crypto exchanges: a transition from human speculation toward machine-driven liquidity and price formation. Bots Do Not Need to Predict the Future One widely discussed example illustrates how the edge works. Wallet 0x8dxd reportedly turned roughly $300 into more than $400,000 within a month trading ultra-short crypto prediction contracts. The system did not outperform humans by forecasting outcomes better. It won because it reacted faster. The bot traded 15-minute BTC, ETH and SOL contracts, exploiting latency arbitrage between Polymarket and crypto exchanges such as Binance and Coinbase. When probabilities on Polymarket lagged behind real-time signals from those markets, the system bought the mispricing instantly. Research suggests such strategies can be highly profitable. The paper “Unravelling the Probabilistic Forest” (August 2025) estimates that arbitrage traders extracted roughly $40 million from Polymarket between April 2024 and April 2025 by exploiting structural pricing inefficiencies. The advantage came from execution speed rather than predictive accuracy. The Arbitrage Playbook Most automated trading in prediction markets relies on structural arbitrage rather than superior predictions. Bots exploit simple pricing inconsistencies: buying YES and NO contracts when their combined price drops below $1, capturing price differences between platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi , or identifying logical mismatches between related contracts. Because these strategies depend on speed rather than insight, automated systems can execute them far more effectively than human traders. Why Humans Are Losing the Game For human traders , the disadvantage is structural. Bots operate 24/7, monitor hundreds of markets simultaneously and execute trades without hesitation or emotion. More importantly, they exploit a layer of the market many participants rarely see: data feeds, latency, order routing and cross-venue price differences. In many cases, opportunities exist only for milliseconds — the gap between two systems updating at different speeds. The dynamic is becoming visible across prediction markets. “You have human participants in prediction markets alongside many machines,” said David Minarsch, co-founder of Valory AG in an interview with CoinDesk. “So humans are already in a battle with machines.” Some analyses suggest that only 7–8% of wallets consistently generate profits, a pattern common in speculative markets where most participants lose money over time. However, automation’s dominance is not uniform across all prediction markets. Ultra-short crypto contracts, where outcomes resolve within minutes, are especially vulnerable to latency strategies. Longer-dated markets — such as elections or sports outcomes — still leave more room for human judgment and sentiment analysis. The Rise of Agentic Infrastructure Automation is also creating a new layer of fintech infrastructure around prediction markets. The opportunity is no longer simply building profitable bots. It is building the tools and rails those bots rely on: real-time data aggregation, arbitrage scanners, analytics dashboards, execution engines and automated strategy platforms. Some platforms are already experimenting with autonomous trading agents. “In a nutshell, Polystrat is an autonomous AI agent that trades on Polymarket 24/7 on behalf of its human user,” said Minarsch. Around that core layer, a broader ecosystem is emerging: whale-tracking tools, mispricing detection platforms, arbitrage scanners and institutional-style trading terminals. In effect, prediction markets are developing an algorithmic trading stack similar to the infrastructure that already underpins forex and crypto markets. In financial markets, trading strategies rarely remain profitable forever, but infrastructure often scales much further — supporting thousands of automated participants at once. Who Owns the Bots? Prediction markets were originally designed to aggregate human judgment about future events. But as automation spreads, the crowd increasingly competes with machines. If automated systems already dominate many of the most profitable wallets, the long-term question may no longer be whether humans can outperform prediction markets. The real question is who controls the infrastructure — and the bots — that shape them. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

HTFX is moving to dismantle its regulated European footprint, having applied to cancel its Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) license on January 7, 2026. The move follows the official renouncement of its CySEC license earlier this month. The broker's ownership structure also appears to have significantly changed in recent years. Corporate records indicate that before October 2023, the firm was controlled by Lijun Li, alongside an offshore company, both holding authority from August 2022 until the most recent change in governance. Control now rests with Stephen Williams and Levy Benarroch, who serve as director and CEO, respectively, at the UK entity. The dual exit from two of the world’s most prominent regulatory hubs marks a definitive retreat for the broker. In a further sign of the wind-down, the company’s HFTX.eu domain (it belonged to the Cyprus entity) is parked free on GoDaddy, usually a placeholder for something soon to be on sale. It remains unclear what prompted the withdrawal from both jurisdictions; it had been operating in Cyprus and the UK for 7 and 9 years, respectively. Under the terms of its license cancellations, the broker must now fulfill all remaining legal obligations, including the orderly notification of clients and the completion of wind-down procedures for its regulated activities. Cyprus' Rising Costs of Doing Business HTFX’s departure from Cyprus comes amid a broader regulatory overhaul on the Mediterranean island, joining a growing list of brokers that have relinquished their CySEC licenses over the past year CySEC has recently moved to adjust the cost of doing regulated investment business, proposing a new fee structure in early 2026 that significantly increases application and annual levies for Cyprus Investment Firms (CIFs). This article was written by Adonis Adoni at www.financemagnates.com.

Crypto exchange MEXC has launched a prediction market platform with zero trading and settlement fees, entering a sector that until recently was dominated by specialised venues such as Kalshi and Polymarket. The move adds to a growing trend of large exchanges integrating event-based contracts into their trading ecosystems, potentially increasing competition in a market that has expanded rapidly over the past year. The launch comes as activity in prediction markets has increased significantly over the past year. Industry data suggests that leading platforms processed more than $18 billion in trading volume in February, highlighting rising interest in the format. MEXC said the new product will run on its existing exchange infrastructure. According to the company, the platform uses the same low-latency trading systems that support its spot and derivatives markets. “The next frontier of trading isn’t just assets, it’s outcomes,” said MEXC Chief Operating Officer Vugar Usi. “At MEXC, we’re transforming global events into real-time probability signals traders can act on instantly.” Big step for us today!Prediction Markets Beta is now live on MEXC — the first crypto CEX to launch it.We build with a user-centric mindset, always exploring new products that traders actually want.Try it out, share your feedback in the comments, and join the giveaway 🎁… pic.twitter.com/5Ye8zMKbTW — MEXC Product | Jamie (@Jamie_MEXC) March 16, 2026 Competing on Fees and Infrastructure Prediction markets have so far been dominated by a small number of specialized platforms. However, large trading venues are beginning to integrate event contracts into broader trading ecosystems. Coinbase launched regulated prediction markets in January 2026 through a partnership with Kalshi, allowing U.S. users to trade contracts tied to political and economic outcomes. Crypto.com has also introduced a CFTC-regulated prediction product through its North American derivatives unit. Other platforms are preparing similar launches. Kraken has said it plans to add prediction markets to its trading lineup, while Robinhood is developing event-based derivatives through the MIAXdx exchange . Against this backdrop, MEXC’s decision to introduce zero trading fees suggests an attempt to compete on pricing and infrastructure rather than market exclusivity. Implications for the Market The entry of large crypto exchanges could change how prediction markets develop. Platforms with existing trading infrastructure and large user bases may be able to launch event-based products quickly and experiment with different pricing models. For trading platforms and brokers watching the sector, the development highlights how prediction markets are beginning to spread beyond specialized venues into broader multi-asset trading ecosystems. This article was written by Tanya Chepkova at www.financemagnates.com.

As FX trading volumes in Singapore continue to grow, market participants are confident that the connectivity and trading infrastructure are in place to support current and future market requirements. FX Volumes Surge in Singapore The most recent triennial central bank survey of the global FX and OTC derivatives market, conducted by the Bank for International Settlements, found that average daily FX trading volumes in Singapore increased by 60% between April 2022 and April 2025, driven by robust growth in US dollar, Japanese yen, and euro trading. Volumes in FX spot, forwards, and swaps (which together accounted for 90% of Singapore’s turnover) rose by between 42% and 61%. Singapore strengthened its position as the third largest FX centre in the world after the UK and the US , with its share of global FX volumes rising to 11.8% and accounting for almost $1 trillion of FX trading every day. MAS Highlights Liquidity Role The executive director of the financial markets development department at MAS refers to deeper liquidity in the Asian time zone to support economic and hedging needs in the region as a key factor in this increase and highlighted Singapore’s role as an efficient price discovery hub. Join the inaugural Finance Magnates Singapore Summit 2026 , which will bring together brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds across APAC. Banks Anchor Regional FX Teams With all of the top five global banks housing their regional FX sales and trading teams in Singapore, the city-state offers a deep and liquid market for the trading and hedging of G10 currencies, as well as Asian emerging market currencies. Electronic Trading Demands Rise As more trading shifts to electronic platforms, the demands on infrastructure naturally increase—especially during volatile periods when activity spikes. That is the view of Jean-Philippe Malé, CEO SGX FX, who is satisfied that infrastructure development has kept pace with the development of the FX market. “The market continues to function smoothly, and that speaks to the depth of investment in infrastructure in Singapore,” he says. “We operate from Singapore to connect global participants to Asian currency risk with our on-premise and cloud-based environments to support trading at scale.” Infrastructure Supports FX Expansion Singapore is a highly advanced economy with world-class digital infrastructure and ubiquitous internet access, and Interactive Brokers sees growth in domestic clients using its institutional-grade FX rates in support of their trading of overseas assets. “From our perspective, data centre capacity and trading bandwidth has not been an issue, and we are confident that the local infrastructure is more than capable of supporting future growth,” says Yujun Lin, CEO of Interactive Brokers Singapore. Chaitanya Peddada, chief operating officer of Spark Systems (a Singapore-based fintech that develops ultra-low latency FX trading platforms and technology solutions), also observes that Singapore’s data centre infrastructure has broadly kept pace with the growth in electronic FX trading, particularly as the market has moved towards more continuous, automated execution. Shift to Localised Processing A key shift has been the move to localised processing and matching, which has reduced reliance on offshore infrastructure and improved latency for institutional participants. “FX trading has become significantly more data-intensive,” he says. “Platforms are processing large volumes of market data, orders, and trade information on a near-continuous basis, placing increasing demands on infrastructure. As a result, the focus is on delivering consistent, sub-millisecond performance, resilience, and the ability to scale without introducing latency.” Singapore Positioned for FX Growth With strong global connectivity, sub-millisecond performance, and scalable infrastructure in place, Peddada reckons Singapore is well-positioned to support its continued expansion as a leading global FX trading hub. From a sell-side perspective, Singapore’s data centres have on the whole kept up with demand, suggests Philip Huang, chief risk officer at Orient Futures Singapore. “The infrastructure is stable and capable of supporting electronic FX trading,” he says. “That said, most liquidity in Asia is still concentrated in Tokyo (TY3), which remains the main price discovery centre. While Singapore (SG1) has strong CNH liquidity, broader G10 and regional FX liquidity is still largely anchored in Tokyo, New York, and London.” MAS Builds E-Trading Infrastructure Over the last few years, MAS has been working with banks and trading platforms to build up Singapore's e-trading infrastructure . The regulator hopes this will improve price discovery and FX trade execution in the region and provide market participants with reduced latency, better pricing, and liquidity. According to Malé, Singapore already has the fundamentals it needs to support its future electronic FX ambitions in the form of deep liquidity, global participation, and strong regulatory oversight. “That is why it consistently ranks among the top FX centres globally,” he says. “What is changing now is how firms trade, as more risk is managed across asset classes. For us, FX is part of our broader multi-asset platform, which allows participants to manage currency exposure alongside equities, rates, and commodities. That integrated set-up strengthens Singapore’s role in a market that is becoming more electronic and interconnected.” Connectivity and Matching Engines Singapore’s rise as a major global FX centre has been closely linked to improvements in connectivity and trading infrastructure, and the city-state now benefits from strong regional and international network links, local matching capabilities, and an increasingly sophisticated institutional ecosystem—all of which support low-latency electronic trading, explains Peddada. “From our perspective, the ability to operate local matching engines across key FX centres—including Singapore, Tokyo, London , and New York—plays an important role in mitigating latency in a global market,” he says. “By matching trades closer to end users, participants can access liquidity more efficiently without relying solely on offshore infrastructure.” South East Asia Colocation Data Center Portfolio Report 2025: Singapore Dominates the Existing Market with a Power Capacity of More Than 780 MW - https://t.co/guyiBA7QmK https://t.co/7YkMcocVyc pic.twitter.com/OrYIF0TofQ — Latest News from Business Wire (@NewsFromBW) January 6, 2026 Future Electronic FX Challenges Given Singapore’s status as a fast-growing and systemically important FX hub, Peddada believes the combination of low-latency infrastructure, deep connectivity, and institutional participation positions the market to play a leading role in the next phase of electronic FX development. Huang also agrees that Singapore has the connectivity and technical infrastructure needed to support further growth in electronic FX trading, although he acknowledges that other challenges remain. “The bigger issue is where pricing is generated,” he concludes. “Many liquidity providers still run their main pricing engines in other regional hubs. For Singapore to strengthen its position as an electronic FX hub, more liquidity providers would need to originate pricing directly from SG1 rather than simply distribute prices from other regional centres.” This article was written by Paul Golden at www.financemagnates.com.

Saxo Bank executive Casper Andreas Solbakken is stepping down after more than 20 years at the company. The departure comes shortly after ownership changes at Saxo Bank . Earlier this month, J. Safra Sarasin Group completed its acquisition of a majority stake in the Danish trading platform and installed Daniel Belfer as chief executive. Saxo Executive Solbakken Steps Down Solbakken announced his departure in a LinkedIn post on Monday. He wrote that “after 20 incredible years at Saxo Bank, the time has come for me to start a new chapter.” He said his time at the company “shaped me profoundly,” adding that it strengthened his leadership and broadened his perspective. He also said the experience reinforced his belief in “disciplined execution , strategic clarity, and strong collaboration across teams and functions.” Solbakken most recently served as Global Head of Commercial Offering & Experience at Saxo Bank. He assumed the role in May 2024 . Before that, he held several senior leadership roles at the company. He served for around 10 months as Global Head of Products, Pricing and Platforms, and for almost two years as Global Head of Products and Services. From Student Assistant to Executive: Exits His earlier roles at Saxo Bank included Head of Equities for over two years. Prior to that, he worked for about 10 months as a Product Specialist for equities. Solbakken joined Saxo Bank as a quantitative trader and remained in the role for more than a decade. Before becoming a trader, he worked for over two years as a student assistant in the equities and derivatives division. Prior to joining Saxo Bank, he worked for just over two years as a student assistant at Nykredit. Ownership Deal Completes After Yearlong Approval As Saxo Bank is now part of a new ownership structure, the combined entity will oversee more than $460 billion in client assets. J. Safra Sarasin manages over $460 billion and has around 5,000 employees across more than 35 locations. Its parent, the J. Safra Group, controls $590 billion in assets and operates in over 230 locations globally. The deal, approved by FINMA and Denmark’s FSA, took about a year to complete. This article was written by Tareq Sikder at www.financemagnates.com.

Finance Magnates announces the opening of nominations for the Finance Magnates Annual Awards 2026, marking the third edition of its annual awards programme, which recognises leading brands across online trading, fintech, payments, and related services. Nominations open today, March 16, 2026, and winners will be revealed live at the Gala Dinner in Limassol, Cyprus, on Friday, November 6, 2026. In an industry where trust can shape every decision, awards mean far more than a trophy. They show the market that a brand has earned attention, respect, and confidence. For nominees and winners, this kind of recognition can help build stronger brand awareness, create new business opportunities, and give clients and partners one more reason to believe in who they choose to work with. Why the Finance Magnates awards matter The Finance Magnates Awards are designed to reflect real market input, not closed-door decisions. The process combines: Community voting (50%) through Finance Magnates channels for B2B categories, and investingLive channels for B2C categories Expert panel scoring (50%) by a panel of industry specialists This approach helps ensure winners are recognised for impact and reputation, supported by both community feedback and expert assessment. Awards 2026 timeline Nominations phase (6-month window) Nominations open: March 16, 2026 Nominations close: September 11, 2026 Voting phase (21-day period) Voting opens: September 28, 2026 Voting closes: October 16, 2026 Gala Dinner and winners announcement Awards ceremony and winners announced: Friday, November 6, 2026 How the Awards work The Awards follow three main stages: 1) Open call for nominations Industry peers and supporters can nominate brands during the nominations period. Brands may veto nominations, but each participating brand must enter at least two categories based on its business type and activities. 2) Voting (50/50) Community vote (50%) B2B categories: Finance Magnates channels B2C categories: investingLive channels Expert panel (50%) Each brand is recognised in the single award category where it achieves its highest final vote total. 3) Gala Dinner winners reveal Winners will be revealed at the Gala Dinner in Cyprus on Friday, 6th of November 2026, where trophies will bepresented on stage. Award groups for 2026 (B2B and B2C) The 2026 Awards are structured into B2B and B2C groups: B2C groups (Brokerage Brands) Global Regional National B2B groups (Fintech Brands) Institutional Trading Services for Brokers Tech for Brokers Winner exposure packages (available on request) Alongside the awards process, Finance Magnates offers optional winner-exposure packages designed to help brands communicate their nominations and results throughout the year. ➡️Discover the Exclusive Exposure Opportunities These options may include, depending on the nominated group : Pre-awards visibility for nominated brands (such as nominee announcements and social content) Gala Dinner attendance and on-site networking opportunities Post-awards winner announcements across Finance Magnates channels Winner PR coverage and editorial formats Visibility placements are linked to the winning category for the following year Brand placement on the FM Awards winners' website for 12 months For selected groups, winner interviews and directory listing support Brands can submit a nomination and request the Awards information pack to receive full details on categories and exposure options. Gala Dinner: Friday, November 6, 2026, Cyprus The Finance Magnates Annual Awards will be celebrated at the Gala Dinner in Cyprus on Friday, November 6, 2026, bringing finalists, partners, and winners together for an in-person celebration and trophy presentation. How to be part of the Finance Magnates Awards 2026 Nominations open on March 16, 2026 and run through September 11, 2026. Companies and industry professionals can nominate brands they believe have delivered strong results across products and services over the past year. Submit a nomination and request the Finance Magnates Awards 2026 information pack to get full details on categories, voting, and winner exposure options. Reflecting on Success: 2025 Award Winners Last year, the Finance Magnates Annual Awards showcased a remarkable array of talent and innovation across the financial industry. We celebrated outstanding contributions from leaders in brokerage, fintech and payments sectors. By reflecting on their success, you can find inspiration for your entries in the upcoming 2025 awards. Relive the Finance Magnates Awards 2025 with our official video highlights. This article was written by Finance Magnates Staff at www.financemagnates.com.