October 27, 2025 | 09:03Dutch digital banking pioneer Bunq BV has achieved a significant regulatory milestone, receiving approval from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to operate as a broker-dealer in the United States. This landmark decision, announced on Monday, enables the Amsterdam-based fintech to offer securities trading services to American customers, marking a strategic advancement in its international growth strategy beyond European markets and positioning it to compete in the world’s largest financial marketplace.
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Ondo Finance Acquires Oasis Pro to Boost US Tokenized Securities
Ondo Finance has completed its strategic acquisition of regulated digital asset platform Oasis Pro, positioning the company to develop compliant tokenized securities markets in the United States. The deal provides Ondo with critical SEC-registered broker-dealer and alternative trading system licenses, strengthening its position in the rapidly growing real-world asset tokenization space. This move comes as the tokenized asset market is projected to reach $18 trillion by 2033, with major platforms like Robinhood and Coinbase also expanding into tokenized equities.
read moreSEC, FINRA Probe Insider Trading in Crypto-Treasury Firms
U.S. regulators are launching a major investigation into potential insider trading involving publicly traded companies that announced plans to acquire cryptocurrencies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) have identified suspicious trading patterns occurring just hours before crypto-treasury announcements, suggesting some investors may have profited from non-public information. This probe represents the most significant regulatory scrutiny yet of the booming corporate digital asset adoption trend, with potential implications for how companies disclose crypto-related plans.
read moreSEC Probes Crypto Treasury Firms Over Insider Trading
U.S. regulators are investigating multiple digital asset treasury companies for potential insider trading linked to cryptocurrency acquisition plans. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) are examining suspicious trading activity that preceded official crypto purchase announcements. This scrutiny highlights growing concerns about market transparency as corporate crypto adoption accelerates.
read moreSEC Probes Crypto Treasury Leaks, Insider Trading Risks
U.S. regulators are investigating potential leaks and insider trading linked to corporate crypto treasury announcements. The SEC and FINRA have contacted firms after identifying unusual trading activity before digital asset strategy disclosures. The probe focuses on whether material non-public information was selectively shared or traded upon, raising significant legal and reputational risks for companies adopting this increasingly popular financial strategy.
read moreMerrill Lynch Ordered to Pay $3.7M in Damages
Merrill Lynch, Bank of America’s wealth management division, must pay $3.7 million in damages and fees after losing an arbitration case filed by two clients, Qun He and Haihui Zhang. The claimants accused Merrill of violating securities laws, breaching fiduciary duty, and negligently supervising investments in illiquid proprietary feeder funds. A FINRA arbitration panel awarded $2.73 million in compensatory damages, $2,002 in costs, and $954,634 in attorneys’ fees. The disputed funds, linked to private equity firms like Apollo and Blackstone, underperformed advertised returns of 15-20%, yielding only around 3% after fees. Merrill Lynch denied wrongdoing but was held accountable by arbitrators.
read moreOndo Finance Acquires SEC-Regulated Oasis Pro
Ondo Finance, a DeFi protocol, has acquired Oasis Pro, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and infrastructure provider for real-world assets (RWAs). The acquisition enhances Ondo’s capabilities in tokenized securities within the U.S. regulatory framework. Oasis Pro operates as a broker-dealer, Alternative Trading System (ATS), and Transfer Agent (TA), providing Ondo with a critical foothold in compliant tokenized markets. While financial terms remain undisclosed, Oasis Pro CEO Pat LaVecchia will join Ondo as part of the deal. This move signals Ondo’s strategic push into regulated DeFi and institutional-grade asset tokenization.
read moreOndo Finance Acquires Oasis Pro to Expand Tokenized Stocks
Ondo Finance has acquired Oasis Pro, an SEC-regulated digital assets infrastructure provider, to expand its offerings in the tokenized real-world assets market. The deal grants Ondo access to Oasis Pro’s broker-dealer, alternative trading system, and transfer agent licenses, enabling it to provide U.S. investors with tokenized stocks. This strategic move aligns with Ondo’s vision of building a compliant and accessible tokenized financial system. The acquisition also strengthens Ondo’s regulatory standing, as Oasis Pro is a member of FINRA and has contributed to shaping U.S. crypto regulations. The tokenized assets market, currently valued at $24.79 billion, is projected to grow significantly, with Ondo positioning itself as a key player alongside competitors like Robinhood and Kraken.
read moreCaladan Expands to NYC Amid US Crypto Regulatory Shift
Caladan, a Singapore-based crypto trading firm, has announced plans to establish a representative office in New York City, committing at least 5% of its global workforce to the U.S. expansion. The firm is pursuing broker-dealer registration and FINRA membership to strengthen institutional partnerships and regulatory engagement. This strategic move coincides with the Trump administration’s pro-crypto stance, marked by relaxed enforcement, the appointment of a crypto-friendly SEC chair, and support for legislation like the GENIUS Act. Caladan aims to bridge Asia’s crypto infrastructure with U.S. institutional momentum, emphasizing transparency and regulatory dialogue. The firm has hired a seasoned team, including Gian-Paul Caccia, to lead its U.S. operations. The regulatory shift has also encouraged other firms, like Nexo, to re-enter the U.S. market.
read moreRipple’s XRP Ledger to Power Hidden Road’s Prime Brokerage
Ripple has announced that its XRP Ledger (XRPL) will act as a post-trade infrastructure for Hidden Road’s prime brokerage services after acquiring the firm for $1.25 billion. The acquisition, approved by FINRA, grants Ripple a US broker-dealer license through its subsidiary, Hidden Road Partners CIV US LLC. Hidden Road brings 300 institutional clients and processes over $3 trillion annually. Ripple’s Managing Director Cassie Craddock emphasized the focus on enterprise-grade digital asset solutions, while Crypto Eri clarified XRPL’s role in trade settlements and stablecoin collateral. Analysts predict XRP could surge to $15, buoyed by this deal and potential ETF approval. Currently, XRP trades at $2.1, up 3% in 24 hours.
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