B2Core Releases New iOS
Update Featuring cTrader Integration
B2Core has
released a new iOS update that integrates the cTrader trading software, aiming
to enhance the user experience and functionality for traders. The update brings
a range of new features, including simplified market monitoring and order
execution. The integration also offers more news analysis, market insights, and
charting options directly on the app.
The update
leverages B2Broker’s liquidity service across more than 1,000 financial
instruments, offering traders more options to diversify their portfolios. The
merger between B2Core and cTrader aims to provide a comprehensive trading
experience, allowing users to manage everything from registration to fund
transfers in one place.
CFTC’s Whistleblower
Program Reports Significant Results
FM
The
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has released its 2023 Annual Report
on the Whistleblower Program, revealing that the program has awarded nearly
$350 million to whistleblowers. These awards have led to more than $3 billion
in enforcement sanctions. The report also highlighted that the majority of tips
received this year involved crypto-related fraud.
“This
includes $16 million in awards this year, including more than $15 million to
two whistleblowers who provided significant information and assistance that led
the CFTC to bring separate successful enforcement cases,” CFTC commented.
The
Whistleblower Program provides both incentives and protections for individuals
who come forward with information. The report confirmed that the program
received 1,530 tips this year, the highest number ever, emphasizing whistleblowers’
critical role in CFTC investigations.
Komainu to Boost
Institutional Crypto Services in Japan
Komainu, a
regulated digital asset custody service, and Crypto Garage, a subsidiary of
Digital Garage, have announced a collaboration to enhance institutional crypto
services in Japan. The partnership will focus on developing advanced digital
asset custody solutions with an emphasis on security and compliance.
Digital
Garage is also investing in Komainu to accelerate its market presence in Japan.
The collaboration aims to provide a secure and reliable platform for managing
digital assets, targeting the growing interest from Japanese institutions.
The venture
is backed by Nomura Holdings Inc. and Digital Garage Inc., and aims to instill
confidence in Japanese institutions by showcasing a strong commitment from
traditional finance sectors. Both companies share a vision of providing crypto
services that meet high standards of security, compliance, and user experience,
and this collaboration is seen as a significant step forward in the evolution
of the institutional crypto landscape in Japan.
FINRA Announces Departure
of Deputy Head of Enforcement
The
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has announced that Christopher
Kelly, the Deputy Head of Enforcement, will be leaving the organization to
pursue other opportunities. Kelly has been with FINRA for nine years and has overseen
the work of FINRA’s Enforcement attorneys nationwide. He departed after serving
as the Acting Head of Enforcement from February to August 2023.
FINRA CEO
Robert Cook expressed gratitude for Kelly’s investor protection and enforcement
contributions. The organization will conduct a search to select a new Deputy
Head of Enforcement, emphasizing the importance of the role in overseeing
regulatory compliance and investor protection.
FMA Charges Former
Financial Adviser
The
Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has charged former financial adviser Natalie
Ann Carter with multiple counts of dishonesty, including making false documents
and obtaining by deception. Carter pleaded guilty to eight of the 15 charges
against her in Napier District Court. She is accused of creating false
documents to obtain home loans for herself and two clients, totaling $2.91
million in value.
The FMA
initiated the investigation after Carter’s engagement at a Hawke’s Bay-based
brokerage was terminated in January 2020. Carter also attempted to join another
brokerage in April 2021 and allegedly made false statements during the
application process. She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment for
the lead charge under the Crimes Act.
ZA Bank Opens Operating
Account for OKX Hong Kong
ZA Bank,
Hong Kong’s leading virtual bank, has opened an operating account for OKX Hong
Kong, a global virtual asset exchange. The account will support OKX Hong Kong’s
daily banking needs and its plans to apply for various licenses under Hong
Kong’s regulatory framework. ZA Bank aims to become the go-to banking partner
for SFC-licensed Virtual Asset Trading Platforms (VATPs) and Web3 companies in
Hong Kong.
ZA Bank’s
collaboration with OKX is part of its broader ‘Banking for Web3’ vision. The
bank is excited to work closely with OKX to support the development of a
vibrant Web3 ecosystem in Hong Kong under the new licensing regime for VATPs.
MAS Imposes Six-Month
Pause on DBS Bank’s Non-Essential Activities
The
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has imposed a six-month pause on
non-essential IT changes at DBS Bank to focus on restoring the resilience of
its digital banking services. This action follows repeated disruptions in DBS
Bank’s services earlier this year. An independent third-party review identified
shortcomings in the bank’s system resilience, incident management, and
technology risk governance.
MAS has
directed DBS Bank to suspend all changes to its IT systems except those related
to security, regulatory compliance, and risk management. The bank is also
prohibited from reducing the size of its branch and ATM networks during this
period. MAS will review the bank’s progress at the end of six months and may
extend the duration of the measures based on the review.
B2Core Releases New iOS
Update Featuring cTrader Integration
B2Core has
released a new iOS update that integrates the cTrader trading software, aiming
to enhance the user experience and functionality for traders. The update brings
a range of new features, including simplified market monitoring and order
execution. The integration also offers more news analysis, market insights, and
charting options directly on the app.
The update
leverages B2Broker’s liquidity service across more than 1,000 financial
instruments, offering traders more options to diversify their portfolios. The
merger between B2Core and cTrader aims to provide a comprehensive trading
experience, allowing users to manage everything from registration to fund
transfers in one place.
CFTC’s Whistleblower
Program Reports Significant Results
FM
The
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has released its 2023 Annual Report
on the Whistleblower Program, revealing that the program has awarded nearly
$350 million to whistleblowers. These awards have led to more than $3 billion
in enforcement sanctions. The report also highlighted that the majority of tips
received this year involved crypto-related fraud.
“This
includes $16 million in awards this year, including more than $15 million to
two whistleblowers who provided significant information and assistance that led
the CFTC to bring separate successful enforcement cases,” CFTC commented.
The
Whistleblower Program provides both incentives and protections for individuals
who come forward with information. The report confirmed that the program
received 1,530 tips this year, the highest number ever, emphasizing whistleblowers’
critical role in CFTC investigations.
Komainu to Boost
Institutional Crypto Services in Japan
Komainu, a
regulated digital asset custody service, and Crypto Garage, a subsidiary of
Digital Garage, have announced a collaboration to enhance institutional crypto
services in Japan. The partnership will focus on developing advanced digital
asset custody solutions with an emphasis on security and compliance.
Digital
Garage is also investing in Komainu to accelerate its market presence in Japan.
The collaboration aims to provide a secure and reliable platform for managing
digital assets, targeting the growing interest from Japanese institutions.
The venture
is backed by Nomura Holdings Inc. and Digital Garage Inc., and aims to instill
confidence in Japanese institutions by showcasing a strong commitment from
traditional finance sectors. Both companies share a vision of providing crypto
services that meet high standards of security, compliance, and user experience,
and this collaboration is seen as a significant step forward in the evolution
of the institutional crypto landscape in Japan.
FINRA Announces Departure
of Deputy Head of Enforcement
The
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has announced that Christopher
Kelly, the Deputy Head of Enforcement, will be leaving the organization to
pursue other opportunities. Kelly has been with FINRA for nine years and has overseen
the work of FINRA’s Enforcement attorneys nationwide. He departed after serving
as the Acting Head of Enforcement from February to August 2023.
FINRA CEO
Robert Cook expressed gratitude for Kelly’s investor protection and enforcement
contributions. The organization will conduct a search to select a new Deputy
Head of Enforcement, emphasizing the importance of the role in overseeing
regulatory compliance and investor protection.
FMA Charges Former
Financial Adviser
The
Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has charged former financial adviser Natalie
Ann Carter with multiple counts of dishonesty, including making false documents
and obtaining by deception. Carter pleaded guilty to eight of the 15 charges
against her in Napier District Court. She is accused of creating false
documents to obtain home loans for herself and two clients, totaling $2.91
million in value.
The FMA
initiated the investigation after Carter’s engagement at a Hawke’s Bay-based
brokerage was terminated in January 2020. Carter also attempted to join another
brokerage in April 2021 and allegedly made false statements during the
application process. She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment for
the lead charge under the Crimes Act.
ZA Bank Opens Operating
Account for OKX Hong Kong
ZA Bank,
Hong Kong’s leading virtual bank, has opened an operating account for OKX Hong
Kong, a global virtual asset exchange. The account will support OKX Hong Kong’s
daily banking needs and its plans to apply for various licenses under Hong
Kong’s regulatory framework. ZA Bank aims to become the go-to banking partner
for SFC-licensed Virtual Asset Trading Platforms (VATPs) and Web3 companies in
Hong Kong.
ZA Bank’s
collaboration with OKX is part of its broader ‘Banking for Web3’ vision. The
bank is excited to work closely with OKX to support the development of a
vibrant Web3 ecosystem in Hong Kong under the new licensing regime for VATPs.
MAS Imposes Six-Month
Pause on DBS Bank’s Non-Essential Activities
The
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has imposed a six-month pause on
non-essential IT changes at DBS Bank to focus on restoring the resilience of
its digital banking services. This action follows repeated disruptions in DBS
Bank’s services earlier this year. An independent third-party review identified
shortcomings in the bank’s system resilience, incident management, and
technology risk governance.
MAS has
directed DBS Bank to suspend all changes to its IT systems except those related
to security, regulatory compliance, and risk management. The bank is also
prohibited from reducing the size of its branch and ATM networks during this
period. MAS will review the bank’s progress at the end of six months and may
extend the duration of the measures based on the review.
