This week, the US SEC and CFTC collectively issued new steering clarifying how federal regulation applies to cryptocurrencies. The 2 outlined the situations beneath which the token will transition from a safety to a commodity.
SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins mentioned the brand new information “acknowledges what the earlier administration refused to acknowledge: that the majority crypto property usually are not securities per se.”
At this time 🚨: The Fee issued an interpretation clarifying the appliance of federal securities legal guidelines to crypto property.
This is a crucial step in direction of offering higher readability on the fee’s remedy of crypto property.
Learn the discharge right here: https://t.co/DDykVLHZQI pic.twitter.com/zbLFS2JH6g
— U.S. Securities and Trade Fee (@SECGov) March 17, 2026
What does it imply for brokers? This framework units clearer boundaries for cryptocurrency participation whereas redefining the strategy to threat oversight and compliance on this evolving market. Threat is now in on a regular basis enterprise, and the standing of crypto property can change relying on how they’re offered available in the market.
Our interpretation of crypto property relies on present regulation, primarily based on broad public opinion, and acknowledges what the earlier administration refused to acknowledge…
Most crypto property usually are not securities themselves. pic.twitter.com/fbHan0vmmb
— Paul Atkins (@SECPaulSAtkins) March 17, 2026
That is additionally a significant milestone in cryptocurrency regulation, with the introduction of a five-category classification system that replaces earlier regulatory uncertainty. Nonetheless, the framework additionally raises considerations about potential gaps in investor safety and the steadiness between innovation and oversight by transferring from a disclosure-focused mannequin to a market behavior-focused mannequin.
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Banks apply insider buying and selling guidelines to prediction markets
Insurance policies are additionally altering within the fast-moving area of prediction markets. Giant banks are starting to contemplate how present compliance guidelines apply to prediction markets. This is likely one of the first clear indicators that event-based buying and selling is transferring from the sidelines to formal company coverage.
Be a part of us for the first Monetary Powerhouse Singapore Summit 2026, bringing collectively brokers, fintechs, banks, EMIs, wealth managers, and hedge funds from throughout APAC.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. might rapidly overview its inner insurance policies relating to workers buying and selling these contracts and supply clear steering to its 320,000 workers on using platforms resembling Calci and Polymarket.
Cryptocurrency alternate joins TradeFi
In the meantime, on this planet of cryptocurrencies, diversification is rapidly turning into the brand new home rule. Crypto platforms are more and more transferring into buying and selling merchandise that when belonged firmly in conventional finance.
The newest instance is Kraken, which introduced in late February that it could provide perpetual futures on tokenized shares to non-U.S. clients, giving merchants 24/7 entry to stock-like value motion with as much as 20x leverage and the power to go lengthy or quick.
These merchandise will initially observe tokenized variations of main inventory indexes, commodities, and well-known publicly traded corporations. Perpetual futures haven’t any expiry date and are sometimes cited because the lacking hyperlink in tokenized shares.
IG considers transatlantic crossing
IG Group is contemplating transferring its itemizing from London to New York because it additional expands its footprint in one of many world’s largest monetary markets. The brokerage mentioned it was contemplating the place to checklist its shares, its authorized foundation and whether or not to pursue the acquisition as a part of a broader progress technique.
Chief Monetary Officer Clifford Abrahams mentioned: bloomberg A U.S. itemizing might assist IG stand out amongst its opponents, entice new traders and provides it extra choices for closing offers. He additionally famous that such a transfer may gain advantage workers by enhancing entry to international capital markets and probably offering extra enticing equity-based incentives.
IG reported report revenues of £1.12bn in 2025, supported by robust double-digit progress in internet buying and selling income and new buyer additions from free commerce integration. Web buying and selling earnings for the 12 months to 31 December 2025 elevated by 10% to £1,004.6m from £910.6m in 2024.
Swissquote bullish on 2026 earnings
Additional figures can be found from Swissquote, which expects internet income of CHF 760 million and pre-tax revenue of CHF 385 million on the finish of 2026. It additionally raised its 2028 internet income goal from CHF 900 million to CHF 950 million, however lowered its pre-tax revenue margin goal from 55% to 53%.
This steering follows a robust 2025 by which Swissquote reported internet income of CHF 723.3 million and revenue earlier than tax of CHF 420.2 million, up 9.4% and 21.6% respectively. Revenues final yr have been supported by elevated buying and selling exercise, with internet price earnings growing by 17.5% to CHF 209.4 million and internet buying and selling earnings growing by 52.6% to CHF 119.5 million.
Colmex Professional terminates CFD and stops new purchasers
Some brokers within the CFD area usually are not doing properly and Colmex Professional is the newest instance. The Cyprus-regulated firm has stopped accepting new retail clients for Contracts for Distinction (CFD) because it regularly exits the product line.
Colmex Professional mentioned the transfer is a part of a long-term plan to shift its enterprise in direction of funding merchandise and market entry providers. The corporate now plans to deal with merchandise resembling shares, ETFs, and different exchange-traded merchandise.
HTFX withdraws CySEC license and withdraws from UK
HTFX is decreasing its regulated operations in Europe after making use of to have its Monetary Conduct Authority (FCA) license revoked on January 7, 2026. The submitting comes on the heels of the dealer formally relinquishing its CySEC license earlier that month, signaling a broader exit from Europe’s two main regulated markets. In line with firm filings, HTFX’s possession has modified considerably since 2023.
Dealer’s web site is on sale
Earlier than October of the identical yr, the administration rights belonged to Lijun Li and the offshore firm, and from August 2022, the offshore firm retained the authority. The UK firm is at present managed by Stephen Williams and Levy Benarroch, who function Director and CEO respectively. The corporate’s twin exits from CySEC and the FCA spotlight a transparent shift away from the area’s extremely regulated framework.
Admiral not onboarding CFD customers beneath Jordan and Kenya licenses
Admirals will stop onboarding clients beneath its Jordanian license within the fourth quarter of 2025 and has additionally ceased accepting new clients via its Kenyan entity. As an alternative, new merchants from each international locations at the moment are registered beneath the corporate’s Seychelles license.
A customer support government informed Finance Magnate that clients have been knowledgeable in regards to the transition and offered options tailor-made to regulatory necessities and particular person wants. Nonetheless, a consultant mentioned he couldn’t share further particulars for compliance causes.
iFOREX inventory slumps
It has been two weeks since there was any motion in iFOREX Monetary Buying and selling Holdings shares on the London Inventory Trade, however the lack of motion is attracting consideration. The CFD dealer, which lastly listed on the LSE’s principal market on February 25 after an eight-month delay, was buying and selling at round 207p per share, about 6% larger than its providing value of 195p.
Nonetheless, this small enhance does not reveal a lot about investor sentiment or buying and selling momentum. When iFOREX launched its IPO at 195 pence per share, it issued 4.49 million new shares, representing simply 20.2% of its complete share capital. Not one of the present traders offered their shares, protecting nearly all of their shares firmly in place. The general public providing raised £8.75 million, giving the corporate an total valuation of round £43.3 million, however with so few shares in public arms, the market at present feels extra frozen than free.
Will the Comoros license mirage finish?
Regardless of the claims of a number of island-based authorities, the one respectable monetary regulator within the Comoros Federation is the Comoa Central Financial institution. Some teams recommend that small charges and tropical manufacturers should purchase regulatory legitimacy, however that could not be farther from the reality.
The Union of the Comoros is made up of three islands off the coast of East Africa: Ngajidja (Grand d’Arcoma), Mwari (Moheli), and Nzwani (Anjouan).
Whereas the nation has a singular political and authorized historical past, its monetary laws are extra advanced than marketed. Two native our bodies, Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA) and Mwari Worldwide Providers Authority (MISA), declare to problem banking, international alternate and insurance coverage licenses. Nonetheless, their authority to take action is very questionable.
CFD brokers face more durable UK reporting guidelines
Persevering with to be on the forefront of regulation, the FCA has confirmed new guidelines to enhance how monetary companies, together with CFD brokers, report operational incidents and points involving third-party suppliers.
The regulator mentioned the up to date framework will make reporting clearer, extra constant and simpler to trace. It additionally goals to assist authorities reply extra rapidly to main disruptions resembling cyberattacks or energy outages, and to offer corporations clear steering on what to report and when.
This variation comes as cyber threats and operational dangers enhance throughout the sector. In line with the FCA, over 40% of reported cyber incidents in 2025 concerned third-party suppliers. Current outages affecting providers associated to Cloudflare and Amazon Net Providers have highlighted the business’s elevated dependence on exterior expertise companions.
Brokers are assured in Singapore’s foreign money progress
Lastly, international alternate (FX) buying and selling exercise continues to extend in Singapore, with market contributors expressing confidence that the nation’s connectivity and buying and selling infrastructure can assist each present and future demand. Business officers say the techniques in place are well-equipped to deal with elevated buying and selling volumes and elevated international participation.
Singapore’s common day by day international alternate buying and selling quantity elevated by 60% from April 2022 to April 2025, in line with the Financial institution for Worldwide Settlements’ triennial survey of world international alternate and OTC derivatives markets. This progress was primarily pushed by robust buying and selling within the US greenback, Japanese yen and euro, cementing Singapore’s place as one of many world’s main international alternate hubs.
On the similar time, the Financial Authority of Singapore is advancing its management in asset tokenization via Mission Guardian, launched in 2022. The initiative has already tokenized cash market funds and bonds and settled them on-chain, reflecting the nation’s balanced strategy to innovation and regulation.
