Binance.US plans to apply to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission for designation as a contract market as it moves into U.S. prediction markets. CEO Steve Gregory said the exchange could launch its own prediction market if it secures the licence and expects to apply in August. No application had been filed as of July 29, according to CFTC records. The move could set up competition with Kalshi and Polymarket.

KB Securities said its second-quarter operating profit and net profit more than doubled from a year earlier, delivering its best-ever first-half performance. The brokerage reported consolidated operating profit of 600.6 billion won, up 175.5 percent, and net profit of 450.8 billion won, up 180.6 percent. First-half operating profit totalled 1.05 trillion won and net profit 801.0 billion won, the highest on a half-year basis.