Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
May 21, 2025

Image: Freepik/DC Studio
Synthetic indices are a new phenomenon in the world of online trading that has drawn interest from both novice and experienced traders. These digital assets provide a distinctive and dynamic trading experience by simulating actual market conditions. However, as their popularity increases, so does the number of questions. The most important one is "Are synthetic indices manipulated?" How much real power do brokers have over the results, if any at all? In a market unrelated to tangible things, it's a legitimate worry. This article delves into how you can ascertain whether synthetic indices are as fair as conventional trading instruments or just a new kind of risk wrapped in tech-savvy terminology.
Here are facts about synthetic indices:
The fact that synthetic indexes are not based on actual assets is one of the primary ways they differ from conventional financial instruments. These algorithms replicate the movement and volatility of actual markets, but they are not directly related to economic indicators, company performance, or geopolitical events. Some traders doubt the validity of their price behavior because they are simulated. Given that the market movements are artificial, you may well wonder, "Are synthetic indices manipulated?"
The foundation of synthetic indexes is the idea of controlled volatility. The degree to which the price is anticipated to change during a specified period is determined by the predefined volatility level of each index, such as Volatility 10, 25, 50, or 75. On the positive side, controlled volatility lets you create exact strategies since it offers a level of predictability that real-world assets do not. Conversely, this leads to the question of whether synthetic indices are manipulated, and it is a valid one.
Regulation and broker dependency are important considerations when asking, "Are synthetic indices manipulated?" As a result of this arrangement, traders rely significantly on the broker's transparency and reliability. Concerns regarding market manipulation can be reduced if the broker conducts business fairly and uses certified algorithms that have undergone third-party audits. The answer to the question of "Is synthetic indices gambling?" primarily depends on the broker's policies. You can check over here to explore synthetic indices.
Synthetic indices have the unquestionable advantage of being accessible around the clock, in contrast to traditional markets that have set operating hours. Traders with erratic schedules or those in different time zones still have easy access. Whatever time works best for you, you can trade on the weekend, at midnight, or during your lunch break. This feature, nevertheless, also heightens worries about possible manipulation. Every tick in these indexes is produced within the broker's ecosystem because they are not dependent on outside variables or actual market hours. This brings up the question of whether synthetic indices are manipulated.
Slippage and liquidity are ongoing issues in traditional markets. Because the market is mimicked, liquidity and slippage are not as big problems with synthetic indexes. The algorithm is followed to execute each order, guaranteeing a steady and reliable trading experience.
However, the lack of friction in the actual world occasionally prompts doubters to ask themselves, "Are synthetic indices manipulated?" This is especially the case when results seem unduly controlled or smooth. Understanding that synthetic indices are distinct, not better or worse.
Are artificial indices, then, manipulated? There is more to the answer than a simple yes or no. To answer the question, "Are synthetic indices manipulated?" it's critical to realize that trading in any way carries some level of risk. However, with the right broker, discipline, and understanding, trading on synthetic indices doesn't have to be a gamble. As with any other market, whether genuine or simulated, synthetic indices present a distinct combination of opportunity and risk.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Report | May 20, 2025

Image: Deloitte 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey
The 14th edition of the annual 2025 Deloitte Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey provides a global snapshot of generational attitudes towards work, money, technology and values, offering fintech founders, banks, credit unions, and policymakers core insights into what's driving the new economy and markets.
By 2030, Gen Z and millennials will represent nearly 75% of the global workforce. These generations are not just using financial technologies. They are building it, and reverse engineering what problems they should solve while establishing new expectations for how financial service tools operate.
The self-administered online survey data was collected from October 25 and December 24, 2024, gathering responses from a total of 23,482 respondents including 14,751 Gen Zs (born 1995 - 2006) and 8,731 millennials (born 1983 - 1994) across 44 countries, including regions such as North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
Young workers are very anxious about money.
- 48% of Gen Zs and 46% of millennials say they do not feel financially secure
- 52% of both groups live paycheck to paycheck, and over 33% struggle with basic monthly expenses
- 41% of Gen Zs and 44% of millennials are unsure whether they’ll be able to retire with financial comfort
These data points highlight the need for fintech products go well beyond basic budgeting dashboards. Gen Z and millennials need fintech tools to help them achieve financial resilience, such as income stabilization or smoothing, flexible savings tools, automated rent/bill buffers, and fair access to emergency funds. Financial service providers that can help reduce voltaility, and not just optimize credit scores, have an opportunity to earn trust and loyalty.
Adoption of generative AI tools is already a daily routine for young professionals.
- 57% of Gen Zs and 56% of millennials use GenAI tools in their daily work
- About 30% of each group use AI most or all of the time
- 74% of Gen Zs and 77% of millennials believe AI will significantly change how they work within the next year
These users are engaging with and building fintech products through an AI-first lens. They expect tools to respond in natural language, deliver almost instant relevant insights without friction, and adapt quickly. Static interfaces and dated workflows will lose ground quickly.
Fintech platforms in particular need to integrate GenAI not just in the back-end system but into product design and customer experience because these cohorts are fluent in AI which is quickly becoming the standard in how they source, think and consume.
Gen Z and millennials care less about climbing corporate ladders and more about doing work that aligns with their values.
- Only 6% of Gen Zs say their main career goal is to reach a leadership role
- 44% of Gen Zs and 45% of millennials have left jobs that lacked purpose
- 41% of Gen Zs and 40% of millennials have rejected employers due to ethical or values misalignment
For fintech employers, this creates both risk and opportunity. A strong mission with aligned values can attract high performers but the opposite will scare talent away quickly. To attract and retain the next generation of fintech talent, companies must offer more than good compensation. They need clear values, meaningful impact, and room for personal growth.
Formal degrees are no longer the default path into the fintech sector.
- 31% of Gen Zs and 32% of millennials chose not to pursue higher education.
- 70% of Gen Zs and 59% of millennials are building career skills at least once a week.
- The majority are doing this on their own time, outside of work hours.
There's more acceptance and shift now towards non-traditional education from bootcamps and peer networks to self-teaching, which has huge implications for hiring, funding, and human capital development. This means founders, operators and technical resources, may not originate from familiar backgrounds. Fintech leaders and investors need to adapt recruitment and due diligence models to focus more on traction, experience, and skills - and not just degrees.
Environmental and ethical values are a key part of how decisions are made.
- 65% of Gen Zs and 63% of millennials say they are willing to pay more for environmentally sustainable services
- 23% of Gen Zs and 22% of millennials have researched a company’s environmental practices before accepting a job offer
- Almost 50% say they’ve left or declined work that didn’t match their personal ethics
Social and environmental alignment is becoming a core user expectation, not a brand differentiator. Fintechs must design for transparency and shared impact from day one.
Fintech companies and financial institutions must design and deliver intelligent products with purpose and transparency that meet the moment of Gen Z and millennials who are under financial stress, fluent in AI, and prioritize values and ethics. The opportunity is to not just help these generations but to earn their trust and grow with them to create the next iteration of smart, modern, and purposeful finance.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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May 15, 2025

Payoneer, a global company specializing in cross-border transactions for small to medium businesses, is reportedly seeking a buyer. This comes after it suspended its already issued full-year 2025 guidance.
This also comes at a very interesting time, given that fintech and global payment processing are more in demand than ever before. Take the world of gambling, for example. In the past, payment options for online gambling were quite limited, and consumers were left in a tough spot. Now, these online casinos offer a myriad of payment methods, and this has only drawn in more customers. As Alex Hoffmann writes, many of the apps for seamless gaming for gambling lovers also come with multiple fintech-enabled payment methods.
Payoneer seems to be facing issues behind the scenes that critics and customers are struggling to make sense of. On the one hand, its Q1 report shows a valuation of five cents per share, which is significantly less than the nine cents per share that analysts had predicted. But on the other hand, its revenue rose by 8% to $246.6 million, which was higher than analysts' initial predictions.
Despite this, the company announced that it would be suspending its full-year 2025 guidance.
“There are a broad range of potential outcomes and as a company supporting cross-border businesses that may be negatively impacted, we face substantial risks which could impact our financial results,” said Bea Ordonez, Payoneer’s CFO, noting the decision.
But the real scandal seems to be Payoneer's decision to seek an acquisition. According to some executives who chose not to identify themselves, the company is looking for a buyer and has hired a financial advisor to this effect.
So far, Payoneer has had quite the journey. It was first formed in 2005 and has become one of the most popular online payment processors with over 2 million customers. Back in 2021, it joined the likes of MoneyLion, another payment processor, which merged with a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, to secure public valuation. This is often seen as an easier path compared to traditional IPOs. Money Lion has also sought an acquisition and was sold to Gen Digital last year for roughly a billion dollars. Now, Payoneer is looking to do the same. It is worth noting that it will probably receive a higher buyout price, given that it was valued at $2.89 billion just recently. Even with this, it is roughly a 30% decline from its initial $3.3 billion valuation when it first merged in 2021.
Fintech companies overall have seen a complex and often unforgiving market, and so, 2025 will be a fight for Payoneer's long-term survival. The fintech market is projected to expand over the next few years, but that also means more competition compared to 2005, when the company first started.
Its PR team has refused to confirm or deny any of the speculation, but as time goes on, the true situation at Payoneer should come to light.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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