Rival FCMs reportedly say shared clients have inquired about moving clearing funds from Marex following early-August allegations by short-seller Ningi Research of opaque accounting and off-balance-sheet entities. Marex CEO Ian Lowitt told investors the impact has been "pretty modest," rebutting all claims and stressing full consolidation in financial reporting. Marex's shares, which fell over 8% after the report, rebounded 3.3% on Aug. 13 after its earnings call.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US will not purchase Bitcoin for its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, instead relying on $15-$20 billion in seized assets, but later left the door open to "budget-neutral" acquisitions. The reserve, created by President Trump in March, will be built from forfeited Bitcoin that can no longer be sold, removing a potential $10B supply overhang from the market. While fresh sovereign buying could have signaled strong institutional support, the plan remains largely symbolic until new funding mechanisms emerge.

Japan's power derivatives market is on track to more than double in 2025, with volumes projected to hit 160 terawatt-hours, up from 72 TWh last year, according to the European Energy Exchange. Rising participation from domestic utilities and international traders is fueling the growth, as firms increasingly use derivatives to hedge price volatility. The surge is positioning Japan as a budding energy finance hub in Asia, with ambitions to rival Europe's mature markets.

CME Group and Intercontinental Exchange set all-time highs in interest rate derivatives open interest this week, underscoring the market's demand for risk management amid shifting monetary policy. CME hit 40 million lots across its Treasury and SOFR futures and options, while ICE reached 11.2 million lots, driven by surging UK SONIA and euro ESTR contracts. Traders are piling in as central bank rate cuts and economic data reshape yield curve expectations, deepening liquidity and solidifying both exchanges' dominance in global rates trading.

Optiver has joined the London Metal Exchange as a non-clearing member, marking its entry into one of the world's most prominent metals markets. The move allows Optiver, a major electronic options market maker, to expand its metals trading activities, initially focusing on options in aluminum and copper.

Saudi Aramco has signed an $11 billion lease agreement with a consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners, part of BlackRock, for the Jafurah gas processing facilities. The deal involves a newly formed subsidiary, Jafurah Midstream Gas Co., leasing development and usage rights for the Jafurah Field Gas Plant and the Riyas NGL Fractionation Facility, and leasing them back to Aramco for 20 years.

China has warned foreign companies against stockpiling rare earths or risk worsening shortages. The move comes as China increases controls on rare earth supplies in response to US tariffs, processing about 90% of the global supply and producing 94% of permanent magnets.

Goldman Sachs is offering investors a chance to purchase a stake in Millennium Management for as little as $1 million as part of a broader effort by Millennium to sell a 10% to 15% equity stake at a $14 billion valuation. The initiative, managed through Goldman's Petershill unit, aims to raise up to $2 billion, targeting high-net-worth individuals and institutions.

Coinbase has completed its acquisition of Deribit for $2.9 billion, with $700 million in cash and the rest in stock. The deal adds about $60 billion of open interest to Coinbase's platform, aiming to create a comprehensive global crypto derivatives trading platform.

Miami International Holdings has completed an IPO, raising $345 million by pricing 15 million shares at $23 each. The company, known for its proprietary trading technology, operates multiple regulated markets and has expanded significantly since the pandemic. Bullish, a digital asset exchange, has also gone public on the New York Stock Exchange, raising $1.1 billion.

The Australian Securities Exchange is committed to advancing technology and data projects in its derivatives business while managing the aftermath of the failed CHESS upgrade. CEO Helen Lofthouse says the ASX24 activity product has been launched and a working group has been formed to overhaul the electronic trading system.

Japan's Securities Dealers Association is reportedly weighing steps for brokers to identify and act against accounts used in a phishing scam that fueled over $4 billion in fraudulent trades this year. The Internet Brokers Council -- including Nomura and SBI Holdings -- may add the issue to its annual agenda, with possible measures such as account suspensions, sources say. The move marks a shift from focusing solely on victim compensation toward targeting perpetrators directly.

Most market participants have identified necessary changes ahead of the UK's transition to a T+1 settlement cycle in October 2027, according to a poll by the Financial Conduct Authority. The FCA has expressed support for the transition, highlighting the importance of automation and warning it will take action if firms are unprepared.

The Federal Reserve's overnight reverse repurchase agreement facility usage has dropped to $28.8 billion, the lowest level since April 2021, as the Treasury Department issues more short-term debt. This shift could lead to a reduction in bank reserve balances, a critical measure for market stability.