Automated investment adviser BetaSmartz launches in Asia LeapRate

February 14, 2017 BY Valentina Kirilova

Automated investment adviser BetaSmartz launches in Asia

A business-to-business automated investment platform for all sizes of investors, from institutional to retail, has announced it has opened new offices in Hong Kong. BetaSmartz which offers hybrid digital investment or "robo-advice" that combines automated and face-to-face financial advice, will run sales and service from the Hong Kong office, complementing its headquarters in Singapore. The…

February 14, 2017 BY Valentina Kirilova

SFC withdraws Restriction Notice issued to a broker in connection with client’s suspected insider dealing

The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has withdrawn the Restriction Notice issued to Kingsway Financial Services Group Limited (KFS) in connection with a client account that holds proceeds of suspected insider dealing in the shares of TeleEye Holdings Limited. The withdrawal of the Restriction Notice came after the SFC obtained court orders to prevent dissipation…

February 14, 2017 BY Valentina Kirilova

Saxo Payments launches Banking Circle Virtual IBAN for FX and Payments businesses

Banking Circle Virtual IBAN eliminates the need for multiple bank accounts in multiple countries and currencies Saxo Payments, a subsidiary that Saxo Bank established in 2013, just announced that is launching Banking Circle Virtual IBAN. Delivering full transparency and faster settlement on payments and transfers, Banking Circle Virtual IBAN is a proposition, giving FX and Payments…

February 14, 2017 BY Valentina Kirilova

Hong Kong SFC adds mhi-shipping.com to its alert list

Hong Kong’s financial regulator the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has updated its Alert List, which features the names of businesses that are unlicensed in Hong Kong and are believed to be, or to have been, targeting Hong Kong investors or claim to have an association with Hong Kong. Added to the SFC Alert List…

February 14, 2017 BY Valentina Kirilova

FCA warns on Jazz Loans firm

UK financial regulator Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued its latest warning against an unregulated financial services provider targeting UK consumers. The FCA’s latest warning is against the firm Jazz Loans. Jazz Loans is not authorised by the FCA but has been targeting people in the UK and is also carrying on regulated activities which…

February 14, 2017 BY Valentina Kirilova

Singapore MAS announces changes to finance company regulations to enhance their ability to finance SMEs

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced some regulatory changes to strengthen the resilience of finance companies and enhance their ability to provide financing to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Relaxation of business restrictions with enhanced prudential standards Finance companies fill a useful niche in SME financing, complementing the role of banks. They often…

February 14, 2017 BY Valentina Kirilova

Bats reports $29.6 billion traded on Hotspot in January, nears closing of CBOE transaction

Bats Global Markets, Inc. (Bats: BATS) reported January volume and highlights, which included average daily notional value of $29.6 billion traded on Hotspot, its global spot FX trading platform, the highest ADNV in 11 months. Additionally, average daily notional value traded on Hotspot’s London matching engine was $2.5 billion in January, equating to 8.5% of…

February 14, 2017 BY Valentina Kirilova

Colt adds BT executive Andrew Housden as VP of Capital Markets

Telecommunications company Colt Group S.A. (LSE: COLT) today announced that Andrew Housden has joined the company as VP of Capital Markets, reporting to Tom Regent, Colt’s Chief Commercial Officer. Housden will be responsible for growing Colt’s Capital Markets vertical, overseeing some of Colt’s largest accounts across Europe, Asia and North America. Colt works with 18…

February 14, 2017 BY LeapRate Staff

CMC Markets issues IPO bonus shares one year after

London-based online trading firm CMC Markets Plc (LON:CMCX) has announced the issuance of 28,861 shares, as part of the bonus offer to clients from its IPO last year. Last week marked one year since CMC Markets' IPO. In the IPO, an offer was made to retail clients who purchased shares in the offering, that they…

February 14, 2017 BY Valentina Kirilova

Italy regulator CONSOB outlines risks of Binary Options trading

Italy’s financial markets regulator National Commission for Companies and the Stock Exchange (CONSOB) has published a communication for investor protection on the risks associated with new highly-speculative, risky and complex forms of financial investment such as contracts for difference (CFDs), rolling spot forex and binary options which, over the last few years, have spread more…