Forex Industry News this week was again headlined by several stories seen exclusively on LeapRate (some of which were later copied on other blogs).
There was definitely a UK focus to our coverage this week. LeapRate broke the news of FCA and ASIC regulated retail forex broker ThinkForex rebranding its operations to ThinkMarkets, including the launch of a new proprietary trading platform. (We understand that one of our competitors actually sent out a newsletter eight hours after we first broke the story with the same ‘exclusive’ news. We’re flattered.)
For the second week in a row, we’re pleased to bring our readers exclusive news about another London-based retail FX brokerage launching, in what is becoming an increasingly crowded FCA regulated broker field. Last week was regarding BlackPearlFX. This week was TempletonFX.
We also broke news of the departures of two of the longest serving executives at London-based FCA regulated forex brokers Gain Capital (UK) and ETX Capital – each having been with his (now former) employer for more than 10 years. A rare feat in today’s fast paced world.
Our most popular guest posts this past week? Marketing automation: How FX brokers can make sales teams more productive, and 5 Personal Habits that Optimize Forex Trading.
Some of our most popular, shared and commented-on posts on what was certainly a week to remember at LeapRate included:
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ThinkForex set to rebrand as ThinkMarkets. LeapRate Exclusive… LeapRate has learned that FCA and ASIC regulated retail forex broker ThinkForex is about to rebrand its operations under the ThinkMarkets brand. We expect a formal announcement from the company in the near future. Alongside the new name, logo and brand, we understand that the new ThinkMarkets will also be launching its own proprietary trading platform called ThinkTrader. Currently ThinkForex offers MT4 and mobile trading.
Templeton Securities launches FCA regulated retail FX brokerage, TempletonFX. LeapRate Exclusive… LeapRate has learned that FCA regulated stock broking house Templeton Securities is launching its own branded retail forex outfit, called appropriately TempletonFX. The TempletonFX website just went live last week. LeapRate spoke today with TempletonFX co-founder and Director Mike Andrews on the decision to launch a retail forex brokerage, and how TempletonFX plans to differentiate itself in what is becoming an ever crowded UK online trading market. Which trading platforms will TempletonFX offer? Which markets will TempletonFX focus on?
Joe Rundle resigns as Head of Trading at ETX Capital. LeapRate Exclusive… LeapRate has learned that longtime ETX Capital executive Joe Rundle has resigned from the company. Rundle had been with the FCA-regulated ETX for more than 12 years. His title at ETX was Head of Trading, however he was involved beyond the trading floor in a number of the company’s key business development initiatives. Most recently, Mr. Rundle spent a lot of time going back and forth to Shanghai building up ETX’s presence in China and the Far East. Last year, one of Rundle’s major projects was the rebranding at ETX Capital (new logo, website…) including the launch of a new unified trading platform. So why did Joe Rundle leave ETX?
Matthew Wright resigns as COO of Gain Capital and Forex.com UK. LeapRate Exclusive… LeapRate has learned that Gain Capital’s long-serving regional director in the UK and COO of Gain Capital / Forex.com UK Matthew Wright has left the company. Mr. Wright’s departure was effective June 30. Who will replacing Mr. Wright at Gain Capital?
ASIC crackdown on 40 binary options brokers includes 24Option, Banc de Binary, OptionRally. Australia financial regulator ASIC has warned of a dramatic increase in the extent of unlicensed conduct by retail OTC derivative providers seeking to expand their market with new customers. ASIC has raised its concerns with more than 40 unlicensed providers. The majority are binary option brokers – but also contacted were some binary option review websites, binary option trading signal providers, binary option broker affiliate websites, margin FX providers and managed FX service providers. So which brokers have been targeted by ASIC? And which binary options brokers have (so far) ignored ASIC, or aren’t cooperating?