Kraken steps into prop trading
Prop trading is attracting a new market segment: crypto. This week, Kraken acquired Breakout, a proprietary tradingfirm that provides traders with access to capital for executing strategies. The acquisition marks Kraken as the first cryptocurrencyexchange to enter the proprietary trading space.
NEW: Kraken acquires Breakout to launch performance-based prop trading on Kraken Pro pic.twitter.com/bcyD8aMih6
— Blockworks (@Blockworks_) September 4, 2025
Unlike traditional prop trading firms, which offer funded accounts but no exchange platform, Kraken is combining its exchangeinfrastructure with Breakout’s evaluation-based trading model.
RoboMarkets secures Dubai license
In the regulatory front, RoboMarkets, which recently exited the retail CFDs market inEurope, obtained a license in Dubai.
The approval, classified as “Dealing in Securities,” allowsfirms to operate as trading and clearing brokers, trading brokers in globalmarkets, brokers for non-exchange-traded derivatives and spot FX, on-markettrading brokers, and securities dealers.
AETOS closes offshore CFDs operation
However, not all brokers are expanding. AETOS, whichsurrendered its United Kingdom license in June, closed its offshore operations under the Mauritius-licensed entity. The CFD broker also stopped onboarding newclients through its offshore unit.
According to an AETOS spokesperson, the move is part of abroader strategic review to exit certain offshore markets, including entitiesregulated in Mauritius and Seychelles.
EC Markets’ profit up 15%
In numbers this week, EC Markets Group closed 2024 with stronger earnings as revenue nearly doubled year-on-year. The forex and CFD brokerage reported a turnover of $3.24 million, up from $1.71 million in 2023, alongside higher profits and an improved balance sheet despite rising costs.
Operating profit almost doubled to $614,622 from $315,933, while net profit rose 14% to $513,869 from $448,157. Administrative expenses climbed 58% to $1.64 million, but gross profit still increased to $2.26 million from $1.35 million, highlighting a year of growth for the firm.
Valutrades cuts 2024 loss
At the same time, UK-based Valutrades narrowed its annual loss in 2024 despite continued challenges from lower client activity andrevenue pressures.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, Valutradesposted a net loss of £2.59 million, an improvement from the £3.82 million lossrecorded in 2023. Revenue rose 27% to £1.94 million from £1.52 million a year earlier.
eToro shares jump
In the fintech space, shares of eToro rose 5.25% on Tuesday to close at$46.73, marking the trading platform’s strongest single-day gain since July 23and one of its best sessions since its Wall Street debut in May.
eToro Key Performance Metrics Table
The surge followed eToro’s release of business metrics for July andAugust, showing sharp momentum across core indicators. Assets under administration climbed to $19.7 billionin August, up 77% from a year earlier, underscoring the platform’s rapidexpansion.
eToro also added support for USD Coin, a fiat-backed stablecoin issuedby Circle and Coinbase through the Centre Consortium, designed to maintain a1:1 peg with the U.S. dollar.
Regulators rein in CFDs
Meanwhile, institutional interest in contracts fordifference (CFDs) is on the rise as portfolio managers increasingly adopt themfor hedging purposes. This approach helps avoid the costs of closing and reopening positions,as well as potential capital gains tax liabilities
For many funds, CFDs can serve as an efficienttactical tool for short-term positioning, hedging or market access whenphysical settlement is not required.
Crypto regulations ease in the US
In the crypto space, regulations are easing in the US.The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures TradingCommission said that exchanges registered with either regulator are not prohibited from facilitating trades in specific spot commodity products,including some crypto assets.
🚨 The NYSE, Nasdaq, CBOE, CME, etc, will soon have spot trading for BTC, ETH, and more. https://t.co/qZo3YsYDQA
— matthew sigel, recovering CFA (@matthew_sigel) September 2, 2025
Still with matters of regulation, fraudsters are taking advantage of the UK’s upcomingcorporate transparency reform by sending phishing emails to company directorsabout fake identity verification requirements. Companies House has issued a warning that the messagesare fraudulent and urged directors not to act on them
Top crypto firms eye crypto custody services
In contrast, the UK has taken a more restrictivestance. Retail investors still face limits on access to spot crypto trading,and no clear framework exists for mainstream exchange listings.
Several of the world’s largest banks are stepping uptheir cryptocurrency custody strategies, including State Street and JPMorganChase. The move comes as most stablecoin transactionscontinue to occur outside the traditional banking system, even as these digitalassets edge closer to mainstream payments use.
Six RegTech firms merge
Six regulatory technology firms have combined to forma new entity called ComplyMAP Group. The merger brings together Complyport, MAPS.Platis, MAP FinTech, Quadprime, MAP RMS, and MAPiTek under a single brand.
As part of the consolidation, Quadprime, MAP RMS, andMAPiTek have been integrated into Complyport. The newly formed group willexpand its services in operational resilience, cybersecurity, and prudentialregulation, with coverage extending across the UK, European Union, and the UAE.
FX brokers skim £22m from Premier League clubs
Lastly, Premier League clubs paid over £22 million inhidden foreign exchange (FX) fees during this summer’s transfer window,according to new analysis.
The study, conducted by financial platform Glyde,examined 71 permanent transfers between June 16 and September 1 involvingEnglish clubs converting pounds into euros to sign players from leagues such asthe Bundesliga, La Liga, and Serie A.
This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.
