This week, the US SEC and CFTC jointly issued new guidance clarifying how federal law applies to cryptocurrencies. The two outlined the conditions under which the token will transition from a security to a commodity.
SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins said the new guide “recognizes what the previous administration refused to recognize: that most crypto assets are not securities per se.”
Today 🚨: The Commission issued an interpretation clarifying the application of federal securities laws to crypto assets.
This is an important step towards providing greater clarity on the commission’s treatment of crypto assets.
Read the release here: https://t.co/DDykVLHZQI pic.twitter.com/zbLFS2JH6g
— U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (@SECGov) March 17, 2026
What does it mean for brokers? This framework sets clearer boundaries for cryptocurrency participation while redefining the approach to risk oversight and compliance in this evolving market. Risk is now in everyday business, and the status of crypto assets can change depending on how they are sold in the market.
Our interpretation of crypto assets is based on current law, based on broad public opinion, and recognizes what the previous administration refused to recognize…
Most crypto assets are not securities themselves. pic.twitter.com/fbHan0vmmb
— Paul Atkins (@SECPaulSAtkins) March 17, 2026
This is also a major milestone in cryptocurrency regulation, with the introduction of a five-category classification system that replaces previous regulatory uncertainty. However, the framework also raises concerns about potential gaps in investor protection and the balance between innovation and oversight by moving from a disclosure-focused model to a market behavior-focused model.
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Banks apply insider trading rules to prediction markets
Policies are also changing in the fast-moving field of prediction markets. Large banks are beginning to consider how existing compliance rules apply to prediction markets. This is one of the first clear signs that event-based trading is moving from the sidelines to formal corporate policy.
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JPMorgan Chase & Co. may quickly review its internal policies regarding employees trading these contracts and provide clear guidance to its 320,000 employees on the use of platforms such as Calci and Polymarket.
Cryptocurrency exchange joins TradeFi
Meanwhile, in the world of cryptocurrencies, diversification is quickly becoming the new house rule. Crypto platforms are increasingly moving into trading products that once belonged firmly in traditional finance.
The most recent example is Kraken, which announced in late February that it would offer perpetual futures on tokenized stocks to non-U.S. customers, giving traders 24/7 access to stock-like price action with up to 20x leverage and the ability to go long or short.
These products will initially track tokenized versions of major stock indexes, commodities, and well-known publicly traded companies. Perpetual futures have no expiry date and are often cited as the missing link in tokenized stocks.
IG considers transatlantic crossing
IG Group is considering moving its listing from London to New York as it further expands its footprint in one of the world’s largest financial markets. The brokerage said it was considering where to list its shares, its legal basis and whether to pursue the acquisition as part of a broader growth strategy.
Chief Financial Officer Clifford Abrahams said: bloomberg A U.S. listing could help IG stand out among its competitors, attract new investors and give it more options for closing deals. He also noted that such a move could benefit employees by improving access to global capital markets and potentially providing more attractive equity-based incentives.
IG reported record revenues of £1.12bn in 2025, supported by strong double-digit growth in net trading revenue and new customer additions from free trade integration. Net trading income for the 12 months to 31 December 2025 increased by 10% to £1,004.6m from £910.6m in 2024.
Swissquote bullish on 2026 earnings
Further figures are available from Swissquote, which expects net revenue of CHF 760 million and pre-tax profit of CHF 385 million at the end of 2026. It also raised its 2028 net revenue target from CHF 900 million to CHF 950 million, but lowered its pre-tax profit margin target from 55% to 53%.
This guidance follows a strong 2025 in which Swissquote reported net revenue of CHF 723.3 million and profit before tax of CHF 420.2 million, up 9.4% and 21.6% respectively. Revenues last year were supported by increased trading activity, with net fee income increasing by 17.5% to CHF 209.4 million and net trading income increasing by 52.6% to CHF 119.5 million.
Colmex Pro terminates CFD and stops new clients
Some brokers in the CFD space are not doing well and Colmex Pro is the latest example. The Cyprus-regulated company has stopped accepting new retail customers for Contracts for Difference (CFD) as it gradually exits the product line.
Colmex Pro said the move is part of a long-term plan to shift its business towards investment products and market access services. The company now plans to focus on products such as stocks, ETFs, and other exchange-traded products.
HTFX withdraws CySEC license and withdraws from UK
HTFX is reducing its regulated operations in Europe after applying to have its Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) license revoked on January 7, 2026. The filing comes on the heels of the broker formally relinquishing its CySEC license earlier that month, signaling a broader exit from Europe’s two major regulated markets. According to company filings, HTFX’s ownership has changed significantly since 2023.
Broker’s website is on sale
Before October of the same year, the management rights belonged to Lijun Li and the offshore company, and from August 2022, the offshore company retained the authority. The UK company is currently managed by Stephen Williams and Levy Benarroch, who serve as Director and CEO respectively. The company’s dual exits from CySEC and the FCA highlight a clear shift away from the region’s highly regulated framework.
Admiral not onboarding CFD users under Jordan and Kenya licenses
Admirals will cease onboarding customers under its Jordanian license in the fourth quarter of 2025 and has also ceased accepting new customers through its Kenyan entity. Instead, new traders from both countries are now registered under the company’s Seychelles license.
A customer service executive told Finance Magnate that customers were informed about the transition and provided solutions tailored to regulatory requirements and individual needs. However, a representative said he could not share additional details for compliance reasons.
iFOREX stock slumps
It has been two weeks since there was any movement in iFOREX Financial Trading Holdings shares on the London Stock Exchange, but the lack of movement is attracting attention. The CFD broker, which finally listed on the LSE’s main market on February 25 after an eight-month delay, was trading at around 207p per share, about 6% higher than its offering price of 195p.
However, this small increase doesn’t reveal much about investor sentiment or trading momentum. When iFOREX launched its IPO at 195 pence per share, it issued 4.49 million new shares, representing just 20.2% of its total share capital. None of the existing investors sold their shares, keeping the majority of their shares firmly in place. The public offering raised £8.75 million, giving the company an overall valuation of around £43.3 million, but with so few shares in public hands, the market currently feels more frozen than free.
Will the Comoros license mirage end?
Despite the claims of several island-based authorities, the only legitimate financial regulator in the Comoros Federation is the Comoa Central Bank. Some groups suggest that small fees and tropical brands can buy regulatory legitimacy, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
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).
While the country has a unique political and legal history, its financial regulations are more complex than advertised. Two local bodies, Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA) and Mwari International Services Authority (MISA), claim to issue banking, foreign exchange and insurance licenses. However, their authority to do so is highly questionable.
CFD brokers face tougher UK reporting rules
Continuing to be at the forefront of regulation, the FCA has confirmed new rules to improve how financial firms, including CFD brokers, report operational incidents and issues involving third-party providers.
The regulator said the updated framework will make reporting clearer, more consistent and easier to track. It also aims to help authorities respond more quickly to major disruptions such as cyberattacks or power outages, and to give companies clear guidance on what to report and when.
This change comes as cyber threats and operational risks increase across the sector. According to the FCA, over 40% of reported cyber incidents in 2025 involved third-party providers. Recent outages affecting services related to Cloudflare and Amazon Web Services have highlighted the industry’s increased dependence on external technology partners.
Brokers are confident in Singapore’s currency growth
Finally, foreign exchange (FX) trading activity continues to increase in Singapore, with market participants expressing confidence that the country’s connectivity and trading infrastructure can support both current and future demand. Industry officials say the systems in place are well-equipped to handle increased trading volumes and increased global participation.
Singapore’s average daily foreign exchange trading volume increased by 60% from April 2022 to April 2025, according to the Bank for International Settlements’ triennial survey of global foreign exchange and OTC derivatives markets. This growth was primarily driven by strong trading in the US dollar, Japanese yen and euro, cementing Singapore’s position as one of the world’s leading foreign exchange hubs.
At the same time, the Monetary Authority of Singapore is advancing its leadership in asset tokenization through Project Guardian, launched in 2022. The initiative has already tokenized money market funds and bonds and settled them on-chain, reflecting the country’s balanced approach to innovation and regulation.
