Which CIF-licensed firm did ThinkMarkets acquire? And who has ThinkMarkets hired to help run its Cyprus operation? (Hint: ex FP Markets, Windsor Brokers, Trading.com, LCG, FxPro, Pepperstone, Axiance, IronFX, GMI, FXPrimus)?

What is the new +Insights which Plus500 about to launch all about?

Which Retail FX broker is now a sponsor of Spain’s LaLiga?

Answers to these questions, and a whole lot more, appeared first or exclusively this past week at FNG. Some of the most read and commented-on FX industry news stories to appear over the past seven days on FNG included:

Exclusive: ThinkMarkets acquires CySEC license, expanding EU services from Cyprus. FNG Exclusive… FNG has learned that Australia based Retail FX and CFDs broker ThinkMarkets has acquired a CySEC licensed entity (and thereby its CIF license), and is actively building up its capabilities to serve EU clients from its Cyprus office. ThinkMarkets (like many other brokers) had traditionally serviced its EU client base out of the company’s FCA licensed entity in London, TF Global Markets (UK) Limited. However leading up to “Hard Brexit” the company needed to find a base in the EU to serve EU resident clients.

Exclusive: Plus500 launching social trading platform +Insights. FNG Exclusive… FNG has learned that London and Israel based CFDs broker Plus500 (LON:PLUS) is preparing to launch its own data-focused version of social trading, under the moniker +Insights. The broker, which operates its own software development arm in Israel and Bulgaria, developed the +Insights platform in-house. Plus500 plans to formally launch +Insights in early November. +Insights not be offering “traditional” copy or social trading but instead will use community driven data to allow users to analyze millions of Plus500 traders’ activity in real time.

INGOT Brokers becomes official MENA partner of Spain’s LaLiga. MENA region focused Retail FX and CFDs broker INGOT Brokers has announced that it has signed a multi-year agreement as the Official Regional Financial Broker Partner of Spain’s LaLiga in MENA. Through this partnership, INGOT Brokers said it will work with LaLiga to help expand its reach and strengthen its regional presence, while enhancing financial literacy – especially amongst the youth – to assist them in redefining their financial future. As part of the collaboration, INGOT Brokers will be provided with access to diversified assets and digital billboard advertising at matches featuring Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Atlético de Madrid.

Top FX industry executive moves reported at FNG this week included:

❑ Exclusive: ATFX hires ADSS sales head Khaldoun Sharaiha as CEO MENA.

❑ Exclusive: ADSS promotes Ammar Bader to Head of Sales, replacing Khaldoun Sharaiha.

❑ Exclusive: Chantelle Lea leaves GMI for ThinkMarkets.

❑ Exclusive: XTB hires Admirals marketing exec Lisa Kreller.

❑ Exclusive: CMC Markets hires BUX exec Nathan Sage as Equities Risk Trading Manager.

❑ Exclusive: Exness hires easyMarkets’ Constantina Kyriacou as Legal Counsel.

❑ Saxo Bank appoints Marika Fredriksson to Board of Directors.

❑ Exclusive: Beeks’ CSO Alan Samuel moves to post-trade solutions provider Taskize.

❑ Exclusive: Commerzbank Head of eFX Sales Peter Hahn retires.