This week brought big news in trading and fintech. eToro is taking another shot at going public, Saxo Australia changed hands, and Capital.com deepened its partnership with LSEG. Meanwhile, Revolut rolled out new payment features in Europe, and a troubling incident in Cyprus involved gunfire at an investment firm’s office.
eToro Moves Closer to IPO
One of the biggest stories this week was eToro filing for an initial public offering (IPO) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company hasn’t set a firm timeline yet, but the listing will move forward once regulators give the green light.
This isn’t eToro’s first attempt at going public. The platform previously planned a $10.4 billion SPAC merger in 2021 but backed out due to market conditions. In 2023, eToro raised $250 million at a $3.5 billion valuation, bouncing back as stocks and crypto surged.
Saxo Australia Gets a New Majority Owner
Saxo Australia is under new ownership. South African tech firm DMA has acquired an 80.1% stake, while Denmark’s Saxo Bank retains the remaining 19.9%.
This comes as Saxo Bank itself explores potential buyers after a failed attempt to go public. Reports suggest multiple acquisition offers are on the table, but nothing has been confirmed. The DMA-Saxo Australia deal is expected to close in late 2025.
Capital.com Expands Partnership with LSEG
Capital.com is strengthening its ties with the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). The new deal brings real-time market data, sentiment analysis, and AI-powered analytics to Capital.com’s platform.
With an average monthly trading volume of $147 billion and 750,000+ traders worldwide, Capital.com is expanding its services. The goal is to improve market intelligence tools, especially for traders in the MENA region.
MyFundedFX Rebrands as Seacrest Funded
In the prop trading space, MyFundedFX is now Seacrest Funded. The rebrand aligns with Seacrest Markets, a newly launched forex and CFD brokerage. However, its futures division, MyFunded Futures, will keep its current name for now.
Meanwhile, another shakeup in prop trading saw CFD broker Sway Markets shut down. The firm deleted its social media accounts, and its website is offline. However, its prop trading arm, Sway Funded, is still operational.
A PipFarm survey found that 70% of traders support regulations for proprietary trading firms, while only 15% oppose them.
CySEC Cracks Down on AI and Crypto Compliance
The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has laid out its top priorities for 2025, focusing on AI in trading and compliance with the Market in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).
With financial influencers playing a bigger role in trading, CySEC is tightening compliance rules. Chairman Dr. George Theocharides warned that stricter measures will be in place to curb risks from AI-driven financial services and social media promotions of trading products.
Gunfire at Investment Firm in Cyprus
A disturbing incident in Limassol saw a masked gunman fire seven shots at an investment firm’s office in the Ayios Andreas district. The attack happened just after midnight, with the suspect fleeing on a motorcycle.
Police are investigating, but no arrests have been made. Witnesses say the shooter wore dark clothing and a helmet. No one was injured, but the attack shattered windows while employees were inside.
FXStreet Launches International Trading Institute
FXStreet is stepping into trader education with the launch of the International Trading Institute. The institute initially planned to offer a four-year Bachelor’s degree but is starting with online Master’s programs.
FXStreet founder Francesc Riverola says the long-term goal is to introduce in-person classes and a full-degree program. This move highlights the growing demand for structured education in trading.
Revolut Expands Payment Services in Europe
Revolut is rolling out installment payment options in Spain, Ireland, and Poland. Customers can now split purchases over €50 into fixed payments, offering an alternative to traditional credit.
This expansion is part of Revolut’s larger push in Europe as it cements its position in digital banking.
Gemini Gets Green Light for Crypto Derivatives in Europe
Crypto exchange Gemini has secured in-principle approval from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) for an investment firm license. Once fully approved, Gemini will be able to offer regulated options and futures across the European Economic Area (EEA) under MiFID II rules.
Meanwhile, Robinhood saw its stock jump 15.3% after strong earnings. The company posted $1.01 billion in revenue—beating the $849 million forecast—and reported earnings per share of $1.01, far above the expected $0.32. Robinhood is also expanding in the UK, now offering options trading.
This week’s developments highlight major shifts in trading, fintech, and regulation. As companies make strategic moves and regulators tighten oversight, the market is set for more changes ahead. Stay tuned for next week’s updates.
