Overall market share

Fintech start up aims to spot market rigging, using clues in how traders talk, not what they say

Barclays has suffered the biggest blow in the latest round of billion-dollar regulatory fines for rigging currency markets, with a penalty of almost $2.4 billion from five regulators, with the spotlight shifting to FX options.

Any hopes the $5.7 billion settlement between the leading FX banks and US authorities will finally put the FX fixing scandal to bed are likely to prove misplaced.

Companies’ financial results have revealed the impact of unprecedented currency volatility on revenues and is a running theme this year, say analysts, emphasizing the need for a flexible hedging policy.

A rising dollar, a falling euro, a vulnerable Chinese currency and critical elections are just some of the reasons why experts predict heightened emerging-market (EM) currency volatility in 2015.

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) has formed a new FX working group to settle the problem of conflicting codes of conduct for FX market practitioners, promising to draw the best from all six existing codes to create a single document that will be universally applicable.

The recent strength of the Australian dollar has continued unabated since April, despite dovish statements from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and a second cut in a row on May 5, bringing the cash rate down to a record 2%.

Saxo Bank has consolidated its disparate trading systems onto single platform SaxoTraderGO in a bid to modernize the look and feel. Saxo hopes it will secure the allegiance of a footloose trader community, allowing clients to monitor their positions on the move and execute orders while serving up dinner.

The rouble’s crash sent currencies tumbling across the Caucasus and Central Asia. Banks look relatively well placed to withstand an inevitable downturn. But with protracted stagnation looming, is it time for policymakers to build bridges further afield?

Hedging experts share their advice on how to find the most suitable product and negotiate the best possible price, and what to do if your hedges go pear-shaped.

As the race to reach an agreement on Greek reforms and the latest instalment on the European aid package enters its final weeks, prime minister Alexis Tsipras looks set to make the necessary concessions to secure European assistance.

So far in 2015 we have been witnessing death by a thousand policy rate cuts around the world. That is turning the US Federal Reserve’s dream of rate normalization into a dystopian nightmare.

Mis-selling cases of foreign-exchange hedging products are on the rise with claimants inspired by the success of interest-rate swap mis-selling claims. Moreover, sharp volatility in currency markets has hit some businesses' hedges hard, leading them to question the suitability of FX products sold to them by their banks.

The number of EU countries with real-time payment systems continues to rise, but prospects for systems that work across borders remain uncertain outside Europe, though block-chain technology could offer one solution.

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has expanded the scope of its negative rates policy, meaning more assets deposited at the central bank will incur charges – but more must be done to substantially weaken the currency, say analysts.

The internationalization of the renminbi could be further turbo-charged if knowledge and liquidity concerns were addressed, according to a new study on corporates' views of the Chinese currency.

FX broker FXCM has unveiled its plans to sell its non-core assets to repay loans post-Swiss National Bank disaster, and focus its resources on wholesale as well as prime of prime services.

A husband-and-wife business pursuing a negligence claim against RBS for product mis-selling is taking its fight to the Court of Appeal, in a gripping case that could open the floodgates for more mis-selling claims. It could even bring into question basic terms and conditions of standard banking contracts across all asset classes.

While EU regulators debate the merits of introducing a leverage cap, one online broker offering extreme levels of leverage makes a case for the defence.

Non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) have experienced impressive growth in recent years, providing a solution to the problem of trading spot FX in many emerging markets (EMs) where currencies are not deliverable. Regulatory and liquidity concerns, combined with competing FX products, have moderated buy-side enthusiasm.

The Canadian dollar typically trades in the shadow of the all-powerful US currency, but last month that momentarily changed as global interest in the ‘loonie’ soared to intergalactic highs.

The UK has entered election mode, with concerns about the country’s political future dominating trading in sterling. Volatility is rising and investors are seeking protection in the options market.

Facebook’s arrival on the digital payment scene will inevitably see it become a significant player. But, so far, Facebook is not offering a revolution in the global payment infrastructure and tie-ups with disruptive new technologies would truly transform the FX landscape.

The meteoric rise of the US dollar seems unstoppable but cynics are beginning to emerge, as economic data and relative valuations suggest the currency’s ascent is starting to look overheated.

Falling real creates value; upturn predicted for 2016.

The internet responds to the crunch facing FX trading platforms post-SNB.

The convulsions after the SNB’s decision to cease pegging the Swiss franc to the euro are still being felt, with regulators in Europe and Australia debating the merits of tougher controls on leverage in FX markets for retail investors.

FX platform Hotspot will launch a European matching engine later this year, after its acquisition by Bats Global Markets.

Foreign-exchange broker FXCM’s CEO calls for wider adoption of circuit breakers on FX platforms to prevent another Swiss franc shocker as seen on Black Thursday, but critics question whether it is the right solution and even suitable for an over-the-counter (OTC) market such as FX.