New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against Coinbase Financial Markets and Gemini Titan, alleging that their prediction markets violate state gambling laws. The suit claims the companies failed to secure licenses from the New York State Gaming Commission and allowed users as young as 18, despite a state law requiring a minimum age of 21 for mobile sports betting. James seeks civil fines, restitution, and stricter age and marketing restrictions for the platforms.

Polymarket is launching perpetual futures trading as rival Kalshi also explores offering similar crypto-linked derivatives, marking a broader push by prediction market platforms into leveraged products. The shift intensifies competition with crypto exchanges and brokers while targeting retail demand for higher-risk, short-term trading instruments.

The largest commodity traders, such as Vitol, Trafigura, Gunvor, and Mercuria, are seeing exceptional profit gains in 2026 amid the turmoil sparked by the war in Iran. Vitol reported approximately $2 billion in first-quarter profits, while Gunvor exceeded its entire 2025 earnings in just the first quarter. Mercuria is on pace for a return on equity at the high end of its historical range, suggesting profits between $2.3 billion and $3.2 billion.

The impact of the war with Iran will likely last for months even if a deal is reached to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to some of the world's largest oil traders. Executives from companies including Vitol Group, Gunvor Group and Mercuria Energy Group warn that the oil market faces a guaranteed supply loss of around 1 billion barrels, and prices may need to rise to the point of pushing the global economy toward a recession if the conflict continues.

Sucden Financial has expanded its offerings to include trading of nickel futures and options on the Shanghai Futures Exchange, following the exchange's decision to open these contracts to international participants. This addition allows Sucden's clients to manage their nickel exposure directly on SHFE, alongside other major exchanges like the London Metal Exchange, all through a single account.

High-frequency and proprietary trading firms are enjoying a sharp revival, driven by market volatility, consolidation, and expansion into new asset classes including crypto. Strong retail participation and broader trading strategies have boosted revenues, with leading firms generating record profits and increasing their influence across global markets.

TMX Group has emerged as the preferred bidder to acquire Cboe Global Markets' Australian unit, according to the Australian Financial Review. This potential deal comes after Cboe's parent company announced the spinoff of its Australian and Canadian businesses, raising questions about the future of Cboe Australia. TMX's entry would make it the second Canadian entity to enter the Australian market in the past year.

A key hedge fund trade underpinning Taiwan's convertible bond market has unraveled after regulatory changes disrupted currency hedging, stalling about $2.7 billion in planned issuance. Higher hedging costs and reduced insurer activity are forcing companies to delay deals or offer more favorable terms to investors.

The Mercantile Exchange of Vietnam has partnered with Trading Technologies International to enhance global connectivity and market access. The collaboration will allow MXV members to access international derivatives markets such as CME Group, the London Metal Exchange, Intercontinental Exchange and Singapore Exchange.

The Athens Exchange Group has officially rebranded as Euronext Athens, unveiling a new corporate identity that signifies its integration into the Euronext pan-European model. This rebranding is described as a milestone that builds on the 150-year legacy of the Athens Stock Exchange, aiming to enhance the Greek market's visibility, access to Europe's largest liquidity pool, and connectivity for both local and international participants.

SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda has highlighted the agency's progress on the Treasury Clearing Rule, including publishing a request for exemptive relief from the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association regarding the interaffiliate exemption and reopening the comment period on a request from the Institute of International Bankers regarding extraterritorial transactions. Uyeda emphasized the importance of transparency and collaboration in implementing the rule to maintain the resilience of the US Treasury market.

The European Securities and Markets Authority has updated its European Single Electronic Format XBRL taxonomy and conformance suite to support the transition to International Financial Reporting Standard 18. The update, aimed at issuers preparing 2026 consolidated financial statements, includes dual reporting pathways for International Accounting Standard 1 and IFRS 18, minimizing operational risks.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission filed 456 enforcement actions in fiscal 2025, the lowest level in over 20 years, as activity slowed following a shift in priorities after January's administration change. Penalties surged to $7.2 billion, largely driven by long-running cases, highlighting a disconnect between declining case volumes and rising monetary sanctions.