Sam Boughedda
LeapRate Analyst
Hong Kong
August 08, 2025 BY Sam Boughedda

OTP Bank Joins CLSSettlement to Boost FX Risk Mitigation

OTP Bank is one of Hungary’s largest commercial banks and part of OTP Group, a leading banking group in Central and Eastern Europe undergoing significant growth.  Its decision to join CLSSettlement is said to reflect the increasing adoption of payment-versus-payment (PvP) settlement solutions among financial institutions seeking to reduce foreign exchange settlement risk, enhance operational…

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August 08, 2025 BY Sam Boughedda

FCA Secures Conviction in £1.3 Million Ponzi Scheme

Pugh was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of one count of conspiracy to defraud.  He had earlier pleaded guilty to carrying out unauthorised regulated activity and breaching sections 19 and 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Through his fraudulent Imperial Investment Fund (IIF), Pugh is said to have targeted 238 investors,…

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Ripple CEO on speaking trail, but draws criticism for rewriting XRP history
August 08, 2025 BY Sam Boughedda

Ripple to Acquire Stablecoin Payment Infrastructure Platform Rail

The San Francisco-based blockchain company said Rail’s technology will enhance Ripple Payments’ network, which already offers broad payout capabilities, liquidity in digital assets, and more than 60 licences for compliant payment flows.  Rail adds virtual accounts and automated back-office infrastructure to streamline customer operations. “Stablecoins are quickly becoming a cornerstone of modern finance, and with…

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Hong Kong
August 08, 2025 BY Sam Boughedda

Genesis Global Appoints James Harrison as CEO

The London- and New York-based software provider serves financial markets with AI-native application development tools aimed at modernising legacy systems, reducing vendor dependencies and replacing end-user computing. “Leading Genesis has been the thrill of my career,” Murphy said. “I am deeply proud of what we have built in partnership with our inspirational clients, strategic partners…

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August 08, 2025 BY Sam Boughedda

eToro Unveils AI-Powered Marketplace and Companion to Transform Social Investing

The company said its new offerings, including a public API, AI-powered dashboards, and algorithmic trading tools, will allow vetted users known as Popular Investors to build and share bespoke strategies.  “We’re enabling our Popular Investors to innovate like top quantitative hedge funds,” said CEO Yoni Assia. The rollout includes Tori, eToro’s AI companion, which delivers…

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financial buildings
August 07, 2025 BY Sam Boughedda

Euroclear Appoints Szandra Nagyné Komócsi as Chief Internal Auditor

Szandra succeeds John Bendermacher, who is retiring after a tenure leading the group’s internal audit function.  Her appointment marks a return to Euroclear’s audit roots, having begun her career at the company in 2010 within its Internal Audit team. She brings extensive experience and a deep knowledge of the organisation to her new role.  Since…

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Stuart Brock joins oneZero as Head of Institutional Sales, UK and Continental Europe
August 07, 2025 BY Sam Boughedda

oneZero Hires Adam Collins as Head of Institutional Sales in Americas and EMEA

Based in Somerville, Massachusetts, oneZero is a global provider of multi-asset enterprise trading technology.  In his new role, Collins will oversee the firm’s institutional sales strategy and execution in both regions. Collins brings more than two decades of financial services experience, including senior roles at LSEG FX, Refinitiv, Bloomberg LP and BNP Paribas.  At Refinitiv,…

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Malaysia fx Bursa Malaysia exchange
August 07, 2025 BY Sam Boughedda

Ant International Gains Bank Negara Malaysia Class A Money Services Business Licence

The approval enables WorldFirst to expand its product suite in Malaysia, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with global payment collections, foreign exchange services and treasury management.  The licence adds to WorldFirst’s portfolio of over 60 regulatory approvals worldwide. Clara Shi, Vice President of Ant International and CEO of WorldFirst, said: “The licence marks a…

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