IG Group announced the acquisition of Freetrade, a commission-free investment platform, for £160 million. The move aims to strengthen IG’s presence in the UK and expand its market reach. Regulatory approval is expected by mid-2025, with IG CEO Breon Corcoran calling it “a rare opportunity to enhance IG’s UK trading and investment offering.”
Plus500 Hits New Highs
Plus500 ended 2024 with $768 million in revenue and $342 million in EBITDA. Despite a slight dip in Q4 revenue, its shares hit a record 2,770 pence. Plus500 will join the STOXX Europe 600 Index, marking its continued success in multi-asset trading.
Swissquote Surpasses Expectations
Swissquote reported CHF 655 million in revenue and a pre-tax profit of CHF 345 million for 2024. These numbers reflect significant growth from 2023 and underscore its strong operational performance.
Capital.com Records $1.7 Trillion in Trading Volume
Capital.com announced a 33% increase in trading volume, reaching $1.7 trillion in 2024. Client activity rose by 20%, driven largely by traders in Europe and the Middle East.
Trading212 Enters Germany
Trading212 expanded to Germany through its acquisition of FXFlat Bank. It now offers commission-free trading on global markets, including NASDAQ and Xetra-listed stocks.
Equiti Group Launches Balanced Fund
Equiti Group announced the Equiti Global Balanced Fund, approved by the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority. With a $1,000 minimum investment, the fund aims to attract a broader range of investors.
eToro Plans $5 Billion IPO
eToro confidentially filed for a Nasdaq IPO, targeting a valuation over $5 billion. The filing follows its 2023 $250 million funding round and marks a key step after abandoning a 2021 SPAC merger.
Copy Trading on the Rise
Copy trading contributed up to 20% of trading volumes for some brokers over two years. Brokeree Solutions highlighted its growing influence on retail trading.
DXtrade SaaS Accounts Triple
DXtrade SaaS accounts surged to 1 million in 2024, reflecting high demand from CFD brokers and proprietary trading firms.
Thailand Eyes Bitcoin ETFs
Thailand’s SEC is exploring Bitcoin ETFs for retail and institutional investors. This follows approval of a fund-of-fund Bitcoin ETF in 2024.
BitMEX Settles $100 Million AML Case
BitMEX agreed to a $100 million fine to resolve anti-money laundering violations. The case highlighted lapses in Know Your Customer (KYC) standards.
Robinhood Fined $45 Million
Robinhood settled SEC charges with a $45 million fine for compliance failures, including deficiencies in monitoring and cybersecurity.
Australia Tightens BNPL Rules
Australia’s ASIC will require BNPL platforms to obtain credit licenses by June 2025. This move subjects them to stricter compliance under the National Credit Code.
Blue Origin Prepares New Glenn Rocket
Blue Origin is set to launch its New Glenn rocket, marking a key step in Jeff Bezos’ space exploration goals.
SEC Sues Elon Musk
The SEC sued Elon Musk for failing to disclose his 2022 5% Twitter stake acquisition on time. The agency seeks penalties and recovery of profits tied to the delayed filing.
