$FI

Been watching $FI closely today, especially the action around the 64.00 mark. It seems to be pressing up against the upper end of its recent range, specifically today's high of 64.18. We've seen it flirt with this area a few times this week, but it hasn't really managed to establish a firm foothold above it yet. The intraday low of 62.67 suggests there's some support there, but the persistent push higher makes me wonder if we're building up for something.

My thought is that a sustained break above 64.20 could open up some room to run, possibly testing 65.00 or even higher if momentum really kicks in. However, the risk that invalidates this scenario for me is if it gets rejected decisively from this level again, perhaps with a quick move back towards the 63.50 area. That would suggest this ceiling is stronger than it looks and we're likely to remain range-bound for a bit longer. Just observing for now, curious what others are seeing.

Watching the DAX and FTSE carefully today. DAX holding up despite some underlying pressures. FTSE saw $FI hit 63.8 recently, which is encouraging given the day's range. The big question remains ECB's stance on future rate cuts – that's the real driver for these markets going forward.

Powell's recent hawkish leanings have me looking at the regional banks with a bit more scrutiny. While $FI is only up a hair today at $63.8, it's those whispers of 'higher for longer' that make me wonder about their loan books. I'm keeping a very close eye on the sector for any cracks if this rate rhetoric holds up – could be an interesting short-term play, or a chance to pick up some strong names cheaper.

Noticed $FI hit 64.18 today, right at the top of its recent range. On the daily, that 64 handle has been a tough nut to crack on previous rallies. If it can break clean above that and hold, maybe we see some follow-through. Otherwise, a rejection here could mean a retest of the lower 62s. Risk is pretty clear – a sustained close above 64.18 would invalidate the idea of resistance holding.

Running into a persistent issue lately with onboarding new brokers and payment service providers. It seems that many of the Tier 1 institutions, while offering competitive spreads and robust infrastructure once you're in, have incredibly protracted Know Your Business (KYB) processes. I'm not talking about basic due diligence; I'm referring to a seemingly endless loop of document requests, internal compliance reviews, and often, a lack of clear communication on timelines.

For a lean quant firm trying to diversify liquidity or access new markets, this delay translates directly into opportunity cost. We've had instances where it's taken 3-4 months to get an account fully operational, even with all required documentation submitted promptly. It feels like the process is optimized for larger, established funds with dedicated legal and compliance teams, but leaves mid-sized operators in a lurch. Wondering if others in the 'Deal Flow' room have encountered similar bottlenecks or found particular strategies to streamline these onboarding cycles, especially when trying to connect to multiple venues for different asset classes ($FX, $FI, $CRYPTO)? Any insights on which providers might offer a more agile, yet still secure, onboarding experience without sacrificing core infrastructure quality would be appreciated.