Prop firms dodge restrictions in India with “education” branding
Prop firms seem to have found a way into India’s market: Using “education” campaigns to attract clients while avoiding banned terms like forex
and CFDs. Ads in Hinglish – a blend of Hindi and English – are also proving
especially effective.
A sector-wide analysis of the top 50 prop firms found that
around 40% of their organic website traffic comes from India. Google Trends
also highlights growing local interest, showing sharp increases in searches for
“prop firm” and “prop trading” since 2023.
Google Trends for the keyword “prop firm” in India
To get past platform restrictions, firms are reshaping their
messaging. Instead of promising profits or highlighting forex and CFDs, they
market trading as “education” and offer “free demo accounts.”
Brokers brush off CySEC’s new CFD limits
In matters of regulations, CFD brokers in Europe are adjusting to new rules from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), which imposed tighter limits
on leverage for certain contracts.
The regulator capped leverage at 10:1 for non-major
commodity and index CFDs, aligning Cyprus more closely with stricter EU
standards. With the directive now in force, CySEC-regulated brokers are
reshaping their offerings and compliance setups.
MENA accounts for 52% of Capital.com’s H1 trading
As regulations tighten in Cyprus, brokers are reaping big
elsewhere. Capital.com reported that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) accounted for 52% of its trading volume in the first half of 2025, cementing
the region as its biggest market.
UAE traders dominated activity, contributing nearly
three-quarters of MENA’s total. Overall, the broker processed $804.1 billion in
volume across the region, up 53.3% from the previous six months.
ATC Brokers doubles profit in the UK
ATC Brokers reported a sharp rise in its UK business performance for the year ended 30 April 2025, with revenue climbing 125% to
£12.7 million. Operating profit doubled to £1.87 million, while net profit came
in at more than £1.4 million.
Income statement of ATC Brokers Limited
Commissions contributed £7.84 million and brokerage income
£4.8 million, up 151% and 100% respectively from the previous year. The broker
attributed the higher turnover to increased trading volumes but did not
disclose specific figures.
Revolut tops 34 Polish brokers, XTB still leads
In the fintech space, Revolut surpassed 34 traditional Polish brokerage firms to secure the second-largest position in the country’s
retail trading market. Despite the rapid rise, the fintech still trails behind
XTB, which remains the dominant player.
According to data from Poland’s Central Securities
Depository (KDPW), XTB held almost 615,000 Polish market accounts at the end of
August, while Revolut reported 590,000 investment accounts.
Capital Index UK posts a loss
Meanwhile, Capital Index (UK) Limited narrowed its annual losses for 2024, posting a net loss of £18,000 compared to a much larger
deficit a year earlier.
For the year ended 31 December 2024, the company
reported a pre-tax profit of £23,678, a significant turnaround from the
£207,006 pre-tax loss recorded in 2023.
Crypto derivatives drive record trading volumes
Derivatives trading has emerged as the leading driver in crypto markets. Shift Markets will host a webinar on September 25, 2025,
focusing on the rapid rise of crypto derivatives and their role in reshaping
digital asset trading.
With derivatives trading volumes now surpassing spot
markets, the session will explore how these instruments are driving higher
revenues, attracting more sophisticated traders.
Kraken’s Breakout bet
Still with crypto, Kraken has
strengthened its presence in active trading by acquiring Breakout, a
crypto-native proprietary trading firm. The move marks the first time a major
exchange has integrated a prop trading arm into its platform..
Breakout offers a model familiar to forex and futures
traders: participants pay a fee to enter a challenge or evaluation phase.
Traders who meet profit targets without exceeding drawdown limits gain access
to funded accounts, with up to $200,000 in notional capital, and retain most of
the profits—sometimes as much as 90%.
Retail confidence rebounds
Retail investors are showing renewed optimism in the US market after two straight quarters of waning sentiment, according to eToro’s
latest Retail Investor Beat survey.
The quarterly survey, which polled 10,000 retail
investors across 13 countries, revealed that 38 percent now see the US as
offering the strongest long-term return potential.
CFTC to weigh MiCA platforms entering U.S. markets
In the US, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
is considering allowing trading platforms licensed under Europe’s MiCA
framework to operate in American markets, Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham told
UK lawmakers.
Remarks by @CFTCpham before the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Blockchain Technologies, Parliamentary International Roundtable Digital Assets Policy & Regulation: https://t.co/wpRhrRlphF
— CFTC (@CFTC) September 8, 2025
Pham said the agency is exploring whether MiCA-authorized
platforms could meet the criteria under the CFTC’s existing cross-border
recognition rules.y
FCA charges 3 finfluencers over CFDs – could rules tighten?
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has criminally charged three UK-based finfluencers for allegedly promoting high-risk contracts for
difference (CFDs) to their social media followers. The regulator says the trio
encouraged retail investors to trade in foreign exchange through CFDs without
proper authorisation.
The accused—Charles Hunter, Kayan Kalipha, and Luke
Desmaris—appeared individually at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
All three pleaded not guilty and are scheduled for a hearing on 8 October 2025.
Robinhood launches social trading
Also this week, Robinhood unveiled plans for a new social trading platform that allows users to share live positions and trading performance. The move is seen as a direct challenge to Reddit’s influential WallStreetBets community, as the broker seeks to expand its footprint in active trading services.
The announcement came at Robinhood’s annual HOOD Summit in Las Vegas, where the company also revealed AI-powered trading tools and an expanded range of futures offerings. Robinhood Social will initially launch by invitation to select U.S. customers early next year, with a broader rollout planned thereafter.
Nasdaq seeks SEC approval for tokenized securities
Nasdaq filed a proposal with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to introduce tokenized securities on its exchange.
The initiative aims to combine the benefits of digital assets with the
established infrastructure of U.S. equity markets.
The exchange emphasized that tokenized securities would
operate like conventional stocks, maintaining investor protections and market
stability.
Oracle stock jumps on AI forecast, Ellison nears Elon Musk
Outside the industry, Wall Street reacted with surprise as Oracle unveiled an ambitious cloud revenue forecast, sending its stock sharply
higher and propelling founder Larry Ellison’s net worth closer to Elon Musk’s
territory.
Analysts and investors were taken aback by the scale of the
projection, with many likening it to a high-energy startup pitch rather than a
long-established tech giant’s guidance.
Elon Musk’s $1 trillion Tesla pay plan
Lastly, Tesla has unveiled a massive pay package for Elon Musk that could be worth nearly $1 trillion over the next decade, potentially
making him the first trillionaire.
If approved by shareholders and all targets are met, the
award could exceed $1 trillion, though more conservative estimates put it
around $900 billion.
Prop firms dodge restrictions in India with “education” branding
Prop firms seem to have found a way into India’s market: Using “education” campaigns to attract clients while avoiding banned terms like forex
and CFDs. Ads in Hinglish – a blend of Hindi and English – are also proving
especially effective.
A sector-wide analysis of the top 50 prop firms found that
around 40% of their organic website traffic comes from India. Google Trends
also highlights growing local interest, showing sharp increases in searches for
“prop firm” and “prop trading” since 2023.
Google Trends for the keyword “prop firm” in India
To get past platform restrictions, firms are reshaping their
messaging. Instead of promising profits or highlighting forex and CFDs, they
market trading as “education” and offer “free demo accounts.”
Brokers brush off CySEC’s new CFD limits
In matters of regulations, CFD brokers in Europe are adjusting to new rules from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), which imposed tighter limits
on leverage for certain contracts.
The regulator capped leverage at 10:1 for non-major
commodity and index CFDs, aligning Cyprus more closely with stricter EU
standards. With the directive now in force, CySEC-regulated brokers are
reshaping their offerings and compliance setups.
MENA accounts for 52% of Capital.com’s H1 trading
As regulations tighten in Cyprus, brokers are reaping big
elsewhere. Capital.com reported that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) accounted for 52% of its trading volume in the first half of 2025, cementing
the region as its biggest market.
UAE traders dominated activity, contributing nearly
three-quarters of MENA’s total. Overall, the broker processed $804.1 billion in
volume across the region, up 53.3% from the previous six months.
ATC Brokers doubles profit in the UK
ATC Brokers reported a sharp rise in its UK business performance for the year ended 30 April 2025, with revenue climbing 125% to
£12.7 million. Operating profit doubled to £1.87 million, while net profit came
in at more than £1.4 million.
Income statement of ATC Brokers Limited
Commissions contributed £7.84 million and brokerage income
£4.8 million, up 151% and 100% respectively from the previous year. The broker
attributed the higher turnover to increased trading volumes but did not
disclose specific figures.
Revolut tops 34 Polish brokers, XTB still leads
In the fintech space, Revolut surpassed 34 traditional Polish brokerage firms to secure the second-largest position in the country’s
retail trading market. Despite the rapid rise, the fintech still trails behind
XTB, which remains the dominant player.
According to data from Poland’s Central Securities
Depository (KDPW), XTB held almost 615,000 Polish market accounts at the end of
August, while Revolut reported 590,000 investment accounts.
Capital Index UK posts a loss
Meanwhile, Capital Index (UK) Limited narrowed its annual losses for 2024, posting a net loss of £18,000 compared to a much larger
deficit a year earlier.
For the year ended 31 December 2024, the company
reported a pre-tax profit of £23,678, a significant turnaround from the
£207,006 pre-tax loss recorded in 2023.
Crypto derivatives drive record trading volumes
Derivatives trading has emerged as the leading driver in crypto markets. Shift Markets will host a webinar on September 25, 2025,
focusing on the rapid rise of crypto derivatives and their role in reshaping
digital asset trading.
With derivatives trading volumes now surpassing spot
markets, the session will explore how these instruments are driving higher
revenues, attracting more sophisticated traders.
Kraken’s Breakout bet
Still with crypto, Kraken has
strengthened its presence in active trading by acquiring Breakout, a
crypto-native proprietary trading firm. The move marks the first time a major
exchange has integrated a prop trading arm into its platform..
Breakout offers a model familiar to forex and futures
traders: participants pay a fee to enter a challenge or evaluation phase.
Traders who meet profit targets without exceeding drawdown limits gain access
to funded accounts, with up to $200,000 in notional capital, and retain most of
the profits—sometimes as much as 90%.
Retail confidence rebounds
Retail investors are showing renewed optimism in the US market after two straight quarters of waning sentiment, according to eToro’s
latest Retail Investor Beat survey.
The quarterly survey, which polled 10,000 retail
investors across 13 countries, revealed that 38 percent now see the US as
offering the strongest long-term return potential.
CFTC to weigh MiCA platforms entering U.S. markets
In the US, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
is considering allowing trading platforms licensed under Europe’s MiCA
framework to operate in American markets, Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham told
UK lawmakers.
Remarks by @CFTCpham before the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Blockchain Technologies, Parliamentary International Roundtable Digital Assets Policy & Regulation: https://t.co/wpRhrRlphF
— CFTC (@CFTC) September 8, 2025
Pham said the agency is exploring whether MiCA-authorized
platforms could meet the criteria under the CFTC’s existing cross-border
recognition rules.y
FCA charges 3 finfluencers over CFDs – could rules tighten?
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has criminally charged three UK-based finfluencers for allegedly promoting high-risk contracts for
difference (CFDs) to their social media followers. The regulator says the trio
encouraged retail investors to trade in foreign exchange through CFDs without
proper authorisation.
The accused—Charles Hunter, Kayan Kalipha, and Luke
Desmaris—appeared individually at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
All three pleaded not guilty and are scheduled for a hearing on 8 October 2025.
Robinhood launches social trading
Also this week, Robinhood unveiled plans for a new social trading platform that allows users to share live positions and trading performance. The move is seen as a direct challenge to Reddit’s influential WallStreetBets community, as the broker seeks to expand its footprint in active trading services.
The announcement came at Robinhood’s annual HOOD Summit in Las Vegas, where the company also revealed AI-powered trading tools and an expanded range of futures offerings. Robinhood Social will initially launch by invitation to select U.S. customers early next year, with a broader rollout planned thereafter.
Nasdaq seeks SEC approval for tokenized securities
Nasdaq filed a proposal with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to introduce tokenized securities on its exchange.
The initiative aims to combine the benefits of digital assets with the
established infrastructure of U.S. equity markets.
The exchange emphasized that tokenized securities would
operate like conventional stocks, maintaining investor protections and market
stability.
Oracle stock jumps on AI forecast, Ellison nears Elon Musk
Outside the industry, Wall Street reacted with surprise as Oracle unveiled an ambitious cloud revenue forecast, sending its stock sharply
higher and propelling founder Larry Ellison’s net worth closer to Elon Musk’s
territory.
Analysts and investors were taken aback by the scale of the
projection, with many likening it to a high-energy startup pitch rather than a
long-established tech giant’s guidance.
Elon Musk’s $1 trillion Tesla pay plan
Lastly, Tesla has unveiled a massive pay package for Elon Musk that could be worth nearly $1 trillion over the next decade, potentially
making him the first trillionaire.
If approved by shareholders and all targets are met, the
award could exceed $1 trillion, though more conservative estimates put it
around $900 billion.
