Blockchain Press Releases
DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IN CONSULTING AS CLIENTS ACROSS THE GLOBE TURN TO THE UK FOR EXPERTISE: Management Consultancies Association (MCA) Reports
- Consulting sector grew 23% in 2022 with a further increase of 13% expected in 2023 as clients turn to management consultants for their expertise in digital technology, AI and business transformation
- Global clients continue to turn to the UK’s leading sector for expert advice with over £5.6 bn of services exported overall
- Number of MCA member firms collecting diversity and inclusion data improves while there are advances in the number of female partners (28%) and/or identifying as coming from a non-white background (17%) however, more to be done in a number of areas
- Increase of 35% of graduates joining the profession as well as 11% more trainees, school-leavers and apprentices as firms increase headcount by 16% to help meet client demand
LONDON, July 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The consulting sector in the UK is expected to grow this year following record growth of 23% in 2022. The latest research from the Management Consultancies Association (MCA) also revealed an increase in headcount and more graduates, trainees and apprentices joining the profession from across the country. The MCA Annual Industry Report 2023, conducted with the independent research firm Savanta, showed strong growth by MCA member firms as clients turn to management consultants during uncertain times. Industry leaders in the sector also expect this double-digit growth to continue in 2023 with a forecast of 13% increase in services. Overall, the UK total management consultancy fee income for last year was £18.6bn in 2022, compared to £14.4bn in 2021 and £12.5bn in 2020, reflecting the 4.5% growth in 2020 and 18% in 2021. Firms of all sizes experienced an increase led by medium sized firms (26%), followed by large (23%) and small (19%) as both the private and public sector used the services of consultants to help drive digital transformation, transform operations and put in place plans for meeting sustainability targets.
Contributing to this success is the increased use of UK consulting firms by clients from across the globe. The uplift in the exporting of services, first seen during the pandemic, has continued as 31% of UK fee income now comes from overseas, bringing in an extra £1.4bn in consulting services per year. Fee income from Europe has seen a significant increase (15%, up from 6% in 2021) while the majority of income beyond Europe comes from North America (9%) and Asia Pacific (3%). Popular markets include the US, Saudi Arabia and UAE as well as China, Singapore, Canada and Australia. Businesses are not seeing the absence of a UK base or link as a barrier and are turning to the expertise and experience of the sector to help.
Tamzen Isacsson, MCA Chief Executive, said:
“Over the next few years, we expect our industry to experience double digit growth assisting clients with some of their greatest challenges during a period of significant global disruption from seizing the advantages of working with new technologies, to making real impacts on confronting climate change.
“The UK consulting sector is forecast to increase in size by around 13% in 2023 while the number of people we employ has jumped by 16% with 25% more graduates and 11% more school leavers and apprentices joining our industry. Part of that growth is because our profession is widening the services we offer to clients, increasingly in the digital space with more demands placed on us by firms from tackling cybersecurity threats to providing critical support on adopting artificial intelligence. Our responsibility on AI will be helping our clients with the appropriate use of this technology managing data and confidentiality and upholding the highest ethical standards and integrity so that we can help society deploy this emerging and powerful technology.”
Nusrat Ghani MP, Minister for Industry and Investment Security, added
“It is great to see the continued strength and growth of the vibrant UK consulting sector. Growing demand in areas such as digital transformation and sustainability advice is creating thousands of new jobs across the UK, including opportunities for school leavers and young apprentices, advancing the latest technologies and helping grow the economy.”
Consulting in Financial Services and Government and Public Sector remain the largest areas as they have been for many years. Manufacturing (43%), Infrastructure (36%) and Retail and Leisure (28%) sectors saw the largest growth in 2022 and were all sectors that were significantly impacted by the pandemic. Digital and technology consulting and programme and project management continue to be the two largest services for businesses as they look to re-evaluate their strategies, including procurement and plan for the future. Especially pertinent is the impact of AI as rapid technological progress impacts on both clients and consulting firms themselves. This is in addition to the increasing component of sustainability across all service lines as businesses look to achieve their green goals.
This demand from clients has understandably led to a requirement for more staff across firms of all sizes. Overall, there has been a 16% increase in headcount with medium sized firms in particular hiring more employees from across the UK. One in three (35%) of consultancy jobs were created outside London, with the North West and South West having the highest proportion of staff based in regional offices while Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and Edinburgh were the most common locations. Hybrid working continues to evolve with each consultant spending on average two days in the office or two days client site – but there are vast differences across different client sectors.
Due to hybrid-working and as part of this increased headcount, MCA member firms hired 2,809 graduates and 795 trainees, school-leavers and apprentices in 2022, a 35% and 11% increase respectively from 2021.The opening up of the talent pool is positive news and coincides with more experienced professionals also joining the consulting sector after careers in the private sector.
More firms than ever are collecting diversity and inclusion statistics to help ensure that their workforce reflects the clients and society that they serve. Although the overall gender split has been declining, at partner level, there were 28% identifying as women compared to 21% in 2019 showing gradual progress but at least in the right direction. 29% of consultants come from a minority ethnic background while at partner level, 17% identify as coming from a non-white background, an 8% increase since 2021. There continues to be under representation though on the number of partners and senior leaders identifying as Black African, Caribbean or Black British.
Tamzen Isacsson, MCA Chief Executive, added:
“It is encouraging to see that more member firms than ever before are tracking their data and analysing their progress on diversity and inclusion however the results show we have more to do.
We are making some progress in some areas and in others we are not. As a growing sector, bringing in tens of thousands of people each year into our industry we have a huge opportunity to move the dial now on diversity and inclusion.”
The MCA’s Annual Industry Report 2023 provides an unrivalled assessment of the performance of the leading consulting firms in the UK which are part of the trade body the Management Consultancies Association. The report examines fee income data provided by member firms over recent years to identify the size, diversity, and growth trajectory of consulting activity of MCA members, as well as the wider consulting industry. Independent market research agency Savanta, partnered with the MCA to collect and analyse industry data for the 2023 report.
Notes to Editors: The Management Consultancies Association (MCA):
The MCA is the representative body for the UK’s leading management consulting firms. For over 65 years, the MCA has been the voice of the consulting industry, promoting the value of consulting to business, the public sector, media commentators and the public. The MCA’s mission is to promote the value of management consultancy for the economy and society. The MCA’s member companies comprise over 50% of the UK consulting industry work with the vast majority of the top FTSE 100 companies and almost all parts of the public sector. The UK consulting industry is amongst the best in the world and a vital part of the business landscape. Click to see the full list of current MCA members see link.
Compliance with the MCA’s tough entry criteria and adherence to the principles of Consulting Excellence means that MCA member companies are widely acknowledged to provide high quality services to their clients. Many of their achievements are recognized in the annual MCA Awards.
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Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 9, 2025 | Robinhood, Solana, Tether, China, Women in Web3
Today’s blockchain landscape pulses with innovation, expansion and strategic jockeying. From established trading platforms laying the groundwork for international tokenized US asset markets to fresh efforts empowering women in Web3, the industry is evolving at frantic pace. Solana-based tokenization pathways, China’s state-driven blockchain masterplan and Tether’s push onto new Layer-1 rails further underscore diversification. In this daily op-ed, we unpack five major developments—examining what they mean for DeFi growth, NFT marketplaces, regulatory contours and the ongoing quest for greater inclusivity in crypto.
1. Robinhood’s European Blockchain Trading Ambitions
News Summary
Robinhood Markets Inc. is reportedly constructing its own blockchain infrastructure to facilitate trading of U.S. equities and other assets in European markets. Insiders suggest the project seeks to leverage distributed-ledger technology for settlement efficiency, near-real-time clearing and reduced reliance on legacy central counterparties. The move signals Robinhood’s ambition to transcend its domestic brokerage roots and capture European retail and institutional order flow.
Key Details
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Infrastructure Build: A private, permissioned ledger governed by Robinhood and selected counterparties.
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Asset Scope: U.S. equities, ETFs and potentially tokenized debt instruments.
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Regulatory Interface: Engagements with the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) to align on custody and market-making rules.
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Timeline: Internal pilots slated for Q4 2025, with public rollout in mid-2026.
Analysis & Opinion
Robinhood’s pivot underscores a broader industry trend: exchanges and brokerages striving to “own the rails” rather than simply interface with existing clearinghouses. By internalizing settlement on a bespoke blockchain, Robinhood hopes to slash settlement times from T+2 to near-instant, a boon for liquidity providers and high-frequency traders. However, risks include the complexity of cross-border regulatory compliance and the operational challenge of maintaining robust on-chain and off-chain reconciliations.
From a DeFi convergence standpoint, Robinhood’s ledger could bridge traditional and decentralized finance, enabling tokenized margin lending and programmable corporate actions directly on-chain. Should Robinhood open permission to DeFi protocols, we may witness new hybrid liquidity pools that blend CEX order books with AMM liquidity. This would mark a milestone in mainstream DeFi adoption—and potentially pressure incumbents like Nasdaq to innovate their own on-chain settlement layers.
Source: Bloomberg
2. Women in Web3: Cultivating Greater Gender Diversity
News Summary
A recent deep-dive from Cointelegraph spotlights the persistent gender gap in blockchain and crypto. Despite Web3’s ethos of decentralization, women represent less than 20 percent of crypto investors and under 10 percent of core development teams. The article outlines initiatives—from targeted grants and incubation programs to mentorship networks—aimed at lowering barriers and attracting more female talent.
Key Details
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Current Statistics: Women account for approximately 17 percent of crypto traders globally; in development, the share dips below 8 percent.
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Notable Initiatives:
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Women in Blockchain Fund: USD 50 million allocated for early-stage female founders.
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Global Web3 Sisters Network: Mentorship platform pairing novices with veteran executives.
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University Partnerships: Scholarships for women studying blockchain engineering and cryptography.
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Analysis & Opinion
Web3’s promise of equal-opportunity innovation rings hollow if half the population remains sidelined. Heightened grant funding and mentorship can help, but systemic change requires cultural shifts within DAOs, core teams and investor circles. Projects and protocols must adopt policies—like blind code reviews, diversity hiring quotas and inclusive governance frameworks—to ensure sustainable participation.
Moreover, as the industry grapples with regulatory scrutiny, diverse leadership can foster better risk management and community trust. Women leaders have often been at the forefront of compliance, ethics and consumer protection—even in traditional finance—qualities sorely needed in crypto’s maturing phase. Token projects that embed gender-diverse advisory boards may see stronger reputational profiles and wider community buy-in.
Source: Cointelegraph
3. SOL Strategies: Tokenizing Shares on Solana
News Summary
SOL Strategies, a financial-services startup, is exploring a pathway to tokenize private and publicly traded shares on the Solana blockchain. Their recently filed whitepaper proposes a framework where equity is represented as SPL tokens, enabling fractional ownership, 24/7 trading and programmable dividend distributions.
Key Details
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Token Standard: Extension of Solana Program Library (SPL) with “Equity Token” schema.
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Custody Model: Licensed custodian holds underlying shares; token holders have legal claim via smart-contract link.
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Compliance Layer: On-chain KYC/AML middleware to restrict token transfers to approved wallets.
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Pilot Partners: Early engagements with two mid-cap European tech firms eyeing capital-raising via tokenization.
Analysis & Opinion
Tokenized equity stands to revolutionize capital markets by lowering minimum investment thresholds and unlocking global liquidity. On Solana, with its sub-second finality and low fees, fractional shares could trade seamlessly—outpacing Ethereum’s scalability challenges. Yet the critical hurdle lies in regulatory acceptance: will securities regulators view these tokens as bona fide equity or as unregistered securities?
SOL Strategies’ integrated custody approach could mollify regulators, replicating existing T+2 standards while enabling T+0 settlement on-chain. Should they secure regulatory sandbox approvals in the U.K. or Singapore, other blockchains—like Stellar and Polkadot—may race to develop similar tokenization toolkits. For DeFi protocols, tokenized equities could become collateral in lending pools, further intertwining traditional and decentralized finance.
Source: Newsfile Corp.
4. China’s Blockchain Playbook: Infrastructure, Influence & New Frontiers
News Summary
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) published an extensive analysis of China’s state-driven blockchain strategy. Beyond its digital yuan rollout, Beijing is investing in cross-border infrastructure, influencing global standards bodies and forging Belt and Road blockchain corridors across Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Key Details
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Key Initiatives:
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BSN 2.0: Blueprint for national and international consortium chains.
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International Standards: Active lobbying in ISO/TC 307 for governance models favoring state-actors.
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Tech Diplomacy: Blockchain MOUs with Pakistan, Indonesia and several African union members.
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Strategic Goals: Extend digital yuan acceptance, export Chinese ledger tech, shape global governance.
Analysis & Opinion
China’s multi-pronged approach signals blockchain’s emergence as a theater of geopolitical competition. By undercutting SWIFT dependency and offering turnkey consortium-chain solutions, Beijing enhances its financial influence in Belt and Road countries. Western governments and multinationals must navigate this blockchain bifurcation—between open public rails and permissioned state-backed consortia.
For crypto projects, the CSIS report offers both caution and opportunity. While the digital yuan may corner state-aligned corridors, decentralized networks remain resilient by design. Projects focusing on interoperability—such as Polkadot bridges and Cosmos IBC—can link fragmented chains and preserve open value transfer. Investors should monitor on-chain metrics in emerging markets, as Chinese-backed consortium chains gain traction in cross-border trade finance.
Source: CSIS
5. Tether Expands Stablecoin Reach to 196 Million Users via Kaia
News Summary
Tether has launched USDT on the Kaia blockchain, bringing its flagship stablecoin to Kaia’s user base of approximately 196 million. Kaia, a burgeoning Layer-1 optimized for high-throughput mobile applications, opens new corridors for USDT in gaming, remittances and micro-trading in emerging markets.
Key Details
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Technical Integration: USDT issued as a native Kaia token, supported by Tether’s reserve-backing audit framework.
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User Impact: Near-zero fees for micro-transactions; sub-second confirmation times even on mobile networks.
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Partnership Scope: Integration with Kaia’s wallet SDK and gaming marketplace; joint launch of an educational DApp for fiat-on-ramp literacy.
Analysis & Opinion
By deploying on Kaia, Tether diversifies its blockchain footprint beyond Ethereum, Tron and Solana, underscoring a multi-chain thesis for stablecoin ubiquity. Emerging-market users—often plagued by volatile local currencies—stand to benefit immensely from a mobile-first, low-cost remittance rail. Moreover, Kaia’s developer incentives may spawn DeFi lending dApps collateralized by USDT, fueling localized credit markets.
Yet healthy competition among blockchains for stablecoin volume could concentrate risk: reserve transparency, network stability and regulatory compliance will differentiate winners. Tether’s public attestations and reserve audits are critical, but as US regulators intensify scrutiny on stablecoin giants, projects deploying on smaller chains may face fresh legal complexities around money-transmission licensing.
Source: Bitcoin.com
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
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Institutional On-ramp Acceleration: Robinhood’s European chain signals major brokerages view blockchain as core infrastructure—not mere gadget.
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Inclusivity Imperative: Women’s underrepresentation remains a blindspot; targeted grants and cultural reforms are needed for equal Web3 participation.
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Tokenization Tide: Solana’s high-speed rails may host the next wave of equity tokens, bridging capital markets and DeFi.
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Geopolitical Battlegrounds: China’s consortium chains and digital-yuan corridors illustrate how blockchain is reshaping global influence.
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Stablecoin Multichain Strategy: Tether’s Kaia integration reflects the logic of diversifying rails to reach underserved, mobile-first users.
As blockchain advances, the interplay between technological innovation, regulatory frameworks and social inclusion will define whether the next chapter of crypto fulfills its vision of open, equitable finance—or replicates old hierarchies in digital garb. Today’s headlines underscore that the path forward lies in cross-chain interoperability, proactive policy-shaping, and a relentless focus on broadening the community that stewards and benefits from these transformative networks.
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Blockchain Press Releases
MEXC Lists USD1, Accelerating Global Stablecoin Innovation with World Liberty Financial
VICTORIA, Seychelles, May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, announced that it will list World Liberty Financial USD (USD1) in the Innovation Zone on May 9, 2025 (UTC). The USD1/USDT trading pair will also open at 08:00 on May 8, 2025 (UTC), and the MEXC Convert feature will be available from 09:00 on May 8, 2025 (UTC), offering users a seamless asset conversion experience. This listing expands the range of digital assets on the platform and further demonstrates MEXC’s commitment to advancing the global stablecoin ecosystem.
USD1: A New Era in Stablecoins and Financial Transparency
USD1 is World Liberty Financial (WLFI)’s stablecoin that provides secure and transparent digital asset services for global users. The stablecoin is backed 1:1 by the US dollar, with its reserve assets custodied by BitGo, held and subject to regular audits by third-party accounting firms to ensure transparency and stability. Currently, USD1 is deployed on both Ethereum and BNB Chain, with plans to expand to additional blockchains in the future to enhance interoperability.
Furthermore, USD1 has made significant strides in the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. For example, ListaDAO has launched a USD1 lending vault on BNB Chain, providing liquidity support for 20 million USD1. Renowned market maker DWF Labs has also deployed USD1 liquidity across multiple platforms, further enhancing its availability and market depth. According to the data from CoinMarketCap, USD1’s market capitalization has surpassed USD 2.12 billion, demonstrating strong market demand.
Special Promotion to Celebrate the Listing
To celebrate the successful listing of USD1, MEXC is launching a series of special offers to thank its users for their support. Starting May 8, 2025, at 08:00 (UTC), users can enjoy the following benefits:
- Zero Trading Fees: The USD1/USDT spot trading pair will have 0 trading fees.
- Zero Withdrawal Fees: Users will enjoy 0 withdrawal fees when withdrawing USD1.
MEXC Drives the Evolution of Stablecoins Through Ecosystem Empowerment
As a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, MEXC has earned the trust of 36 million users across 170+ countries worldwide, thanks to its fast token listing process, diverse asset offerings, deep liquidity, and robust security. At the same time, MEXC continues to empower quality projects and partners, actively promoting the healthy development of the global digital asset and stablecoin ecosystem.
Looking Ahead: A Shared Vision for the Future of Stablecoins
MEXC’s listing partnership with World Liberty Financial further drives innovation in the development of stablecoins. Looking ahead, MEXC will continue to strengthen its support for stablecoin projects, promoting the widespread adoption of stablecoins globally. At the same time, the platform will keep iterating its products and services to provide users with a more secure and seamless trading experience.
About MEXC
Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 36 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC
Risk Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article regarding cryptocurrencies does not constitute investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully assess market fluctuations, the fundamentals of projects, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.
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Blockchain Press Releases
BingX Unveils ChainSpot: A CeDeFi Innovation for Simpler and Safer On-Chain Trading
PANAMA CITY, May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — BingX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, is proud to unveil ChainSpot, a pioneering CeDeFi (Centralized-Decentralized Finance) feature that empowers users to access decentralized tokens directly from their BingX accounts — without the need for external wallets or complex on-chain processes. As part of its 7th anniversary celebration, BingX becomes one of the first major exchanges to roll out such a hybrid product, signaling a bold leap forward in its product evolution.
With the promise of “One Tap, All Chains”, ChainSpot introduces an effortless way to explore and trade on-chain assets while staying fully protected by BingX’s centralized infrastructure. As a CeDeFi innovation, it blends the best of both centralized and decentralized worlds — offering the ease and reliability of a centralized exchange with the openness and innovation of DeFi protocols.
Key Benefits of ChainSpot
Designed to make on-chain trading simpler and safer, ChainSpot offers a host of features that enhance user experience:
- Enhanced Security: Users enjoy trusted safeguards like two-factor authentication and cold wallet storage while interacting with decentralized markets.
- Broader Asset Access: Seamlessly explore trending DeFi tokens and new on-chain projects — no bridges, no external wallet setup required.
- Smarter Discovery: AI-driven filters surface high-quality DeFi projects quickly, reducing research time and noise.
- Cross-Chain Compatibility: Built for a multi-chain future, ChainSpot supports cross-chain asset trading efficiently — all within one centralized interface.
Vivien Lin, Chief Product Officer of BingX, commented on the launch: “Over the past seven years, BingX has grown by staying close to our users. ChainSpot is a direct result of listening to their desire for more flexible, decentralized opportunities — without losing the security and convenience of our platform. Our goal with ChainSpot is to redefine what access to DeFi looks like, making it simple, intuitive, and protected. This isn’t just another feature — it’s part of a broader vision to shape a financial future where innovation meets inclusivity, and where security coexists with freedom.”
ChainSpot marks a strategic milestone in BingX’s evolution as a CeDeFi enabler. As the platform continues to expand its ecosystem, more innovative features and product enhancements are expected in the months ahead. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or just getting started in crypto, ChainSpot opens the door to DeFi’s full potential — without the friction.
About BingX
Founded in 2018, BingX is a leading crypto exchange, serving over 20 million users worldwide. BingX offers diversified products and services, including spot, derivatives, copy trading, and asset management – all designed for the evolving needs of users, from beginners to professionals. BingX is committed to providing a trustworthy platform that empowers users with innovative tools and features to elevate their trading proficiency. In 2024, BingX proudly became the official crypto exchange partner of Chelsea Football Club, marking an exciting debut in the world of sports.
For more information please visit: https://bingx.com/
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