There were a number of stories that transpired across the FX industry this week, including developments and updates on both the retail and institutional front. London hosted the 2014 Forex Magnates Summit with several brokers announcing key changes.
Innovation Focus
The biggest news of the week came from London, where over 1,000 industry professionals gathered for two days of exhibitions, discussions, and networking events.
One notable session in the first day of the Summit was the Innovation Stage, introducing new features by established companies right before the young start-ups took the limelight to pitch their products to an venerable panel of judges consisting of CEOs of industry leading brokers such as FXCM and Integral.
Tradimo play, a Danish company offering to generate new leads via a gamified educational platform, has won the contest gaining most of the votes. As part of the its Summit pitch, Tradimo play has announced a first cooperation in the trading space, signing a deal with DMM FX.
And the winners Are...
The Summit's second and closing day concluded with the awards ceremony, announcing the industry players who excelled in the eyes of their peers, from all across the board:
Best Social Trading Network: Myfxbook
Best Liquidity Provider: CFH Clearing
Best Educational Tool: FXSTREET Learning Center
Best Binary Service Provider: TRADOLOGIC
Best Binary Options Broker: 24option
Best Connectivity Provider: OneZero
Best Mobile Platform Solution: Tradable
Best White Label Trading Platform: MetaTrader
Most Innovative Product: TRADIMO
Best Forex Broker: Saxo Bank
Dubai-Based Fortress Eyes British Regulation
After quietly launching in September, Middle Eastern prime brokerage Fortress Prime, has announced that it is aiming for regulation from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The company is a division of Fortress Investments LLC, which is 100% owned by Fortress Capital Investments PJSC.
Fortress Investments is privately owned with a key share held by the Abu Dhabi royal family. The prime brokerage division, Fortress Prime, is run by Mitch Eaglstein, while the company’s board benefits from the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Sultan Bin Hamdan Al Nehayan as Honorary Chairman and Partner. Read More Here
Saxo Bank Raises €42.5 Million in Corporate Bond Issue, Lifts Tier 1 Capital
Saxo Bank deployed a timely bond issue to the tune of €42.5 million, thereby raising its regulatory capital ratio to 17.5%, well clear of the 12.4% stipulated in CRR/CRD requirements.
The Denmark-based multi-asset brokerage, has conducted a corporate bond issue to be listed on the Irish Stock Exchange.
The issuance raises €42.5 million ($54 million) and bolsters the company’s Tier 1 capital ratio under the European capital requirement rule (CRR) and capital requirement directive (CRD), now in its fourth iteration.
The new issuance is a perpetual with a first call at 26/02-2020; with the coupon being fixed at 9.75% until first call date, with semi-annual interest Payments and an issue price of 100.00%. Read More Here
Cyprus Watchdog Suspends EZTrader Financial License over Three Alleged Violations of the Law
The decision was reached after serious consideration that the alleged violations may possibly endanger the interests of the clients of EZTrader (WGM Services Ltd) and the operation of the capital market.
The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has just announced that the authorisation of the Cyprus Investment Firm, ‘WGM Services Ltd’, number 203/13, has been suspended pursuant to the country’s Investment Services and Activities and the Regulated Markets Law.
The Cypriot regulator’s only explanation was that these actions resulted from alleged violations of the following three sections of the law:
- Operational requirements – Clients’ funds, Safeguarding of clients’ funds.
- Own Funds- on the capital adequacy of investment firms.
- CIFs large exposures- on large exposures.
No specifics for the alleged violations were given other than the sections they apply to. However, CySEC said that the decision for suspension was reached after serious consideration of possible endangerment that could be caused to the interests of the clients of WGM Services Ltd and the operation of the capital market. Read More Here
