Omar Faridi

UK’s Digital Bank Zopa Reports £65M Profit in Past Year

UK’s digital bank Zopa has announced its third successive year of profitability. The milestone highlights the lender’s impressive growth trajectory since securing its full banking license in 2020 and scaling into a comprehensive financial services provider. For the financial year ending 31 December 2025, Zopa… Read More

DeFi Execution Risk Analysis : $50M Swap Collapses to $36K in One Block

In the latest edition of the Coin Metrics (now acquired by Talos) State of the Network report, analysts highlight a shocking example of the perils facing large-scale trades in decentralized finance. On March 12, a user attempted a straightforward collateral conversion on Ethereum, swapping roughly… Read More

iCapital Announces Acquisition of Hexure to Create Annuity and Insurtech Platform

iCapital has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Hexure. This strategic move is designed to establish the first fully integrated technology system dedicated to annuities and insurance products, seamlessly linked with iCapital’s existing infrastructure for alternative and structured investments. The initiative creates a single operating… Read More

Global Fintech Thunes Launches Stablecoin Payouts for Banks via Swift Connectivity

Singapore-based payment infrastructure provider Thunes has announced a groundbreaking development that promises to transform cross-border transactions. The company now enables financial institutions to execute immediate payouts to stablecoin wallets by leveraging their established SWIFT connections, eliminating the need for any new technical setups. This latest… Read More

PayPal Introduces Stablecoin PYUSD to Users Across 70 Markets

PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) has unveiled a significant expansion of its dollar-backed stablecoin, introducing PayPal USD (PYUSD) to users across 70 international markets. Revealed on March 17, 2026, this development allows millions of consumers and merchants to integrate the regulated digital asset seamlessly into their PayPal accounts,… Read More

Digital Bank OakNorth Reports YoY Increase in Gross Originations with Considerable US Activity

Digital bank OakNorth delivered steady performance in 2025, posting a pre-tax profit of £223 million ($289 million) while expanding its lending activities significantly across the UK and US. The specialist lender to entrepreneur-led businesses in the lower mid-market segment reported gross revenue of £605.9 million… Read More

Binance Introduces Loans to Support Bitcoin Mining Operations

Binance has introduced improvements to its lending services, potentially making it easier for users to access liquidity while keeping their crypto holdings intact. The platform’s flagship Flexible Loan product now stands out as a versatile, isolated, and over-collateralized borrowing option with open-ended terms. Users can… Read More

Upvest Reports $125M Round to Strengthen Role as Europe’s API-first Investment Infrastructure Provider

Upvest, the Berlin-based investment technology provider for European markets, has announced a $125 million financing package that solidifies its status as the continent’s top provider of API-first infrastructure for securities trading and wealth management. This capital injection comes at a pivotal moment as traditional banks… Read More

Accenture, Databricks Enable Enterprise Adoption of AI Apps and Agents

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and Databricks have deepened their collaboration to help businesses worldwide harness enterprise data more effectively and rapidly expand the use of sophisticated AI applications and intelligent agents. The two companies announced the creation of the Accenture Databricks Business Group on March 17,… Read More

SEC Moves Toward Making Quarterly Earnings Reports Optional for U.S. Public Companies

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is now said to be actively exploring a potential overhaul of corporate disclosure rules by potentially scrapping the long-standing requirement for mandatory quarterly earnings reports among American companies. According to an update from The Wall Street Journal, regulators… Read More

Mastercard Set to Acquire BVNK to Bridge On-Chain Payments with Traditional Fiat Systems

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) unveiled plans to purchase BVNK, a firm specializing in stablecoin technology, in a deal worth up to $1.8 billion that includes performance-based incentives of $300 million. The acquisition, disclosed on March 17, 2026, from the company’s base in Purchase, New York, aims… Read More

Crypto.com, KG Inicis Partner to Streamline Digital Asset Payments in South Korea

Crypto.com has forged a new alliance with KG Inicis, South Korea’s payment gateway and value-added network operator, marking a key development in the integration of digital assets into everyday commerce. Announced on March 17, 2026, the partnership focuses on embedding Crypto.com’s Pay solution within KG… Read More

Coin Center Calls on SEC to Introduce Comprehensive Rulemaking and Blockchain Tech for Securities

In a formal submission made this month, the cryptocurrency advocacy group Coin Center has encouraged the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to refine its approach to digital asset oversight. Addressed to Chairman Paul Atkins and Commissioner Hester Peirce, the letter commends the pair for their… Read More

Fintech Airwallex Commits Over $1B to Enable EMEA Business Expansion

Global payments and financial technology provider Airwallex has announced a major capital injection exceeding $1 billion into the EMEA region. The $1.135 billion commitment, spread across the next five years, is designed to accelerate expansion through 2030. Funds will support entry into fresh markets, the… Read More

CFTC Grants No-Action Relief to Phantom Wallet, Potentially Clearing Path for Self-Custodial Trading Access

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has extended a no-action position to Phantom Technologies Inc., the developer behind the popular Phantom wallet. Announced on March 17, 2026, this move offers important clarity for self-custodial wallet software in navigating U.S. regulatory requirements. The CFTC’s Market Participants… Read More

Cboe Global Markets Submits SEC Proposal for Extended Near-24×5 US Stock Trading

Cboe Global Markets has formally asked the Securities and Exchange Commission for permission to introduce extended trading sessions on its EDGX equities exchange, paving the way for nearly continuous U.S. stock trading five days a week. The Chicago-based operator, known for its innovation in derivatives,… Read More

US Private Credit Sector Faces Potential Vulnerabilities Amid Economic Challenges : Analysis

JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) has indicated that the private credit sector has faced intense examination, with reports highlighting potential vulnerabilities amid shifting economic conditions. However, a closer look reveals that while certain challenges exist, the underlying strengths of this asset class remain robust. This analysis delves into… Read More

Kraken Launches TradFi Futures for Professional Traders in the EU

Investment platform Kraken has rolled out new capabilities on its advanced Pro platform, delivering fresh avenues for portfolio diversification, hedging, and income generation. Announced recently this month, these features merge conventional market exposure with crypto-native tools, catering to experienced traders who demand multi-asset functionality in… Read More

Accenture Finalizes Acquisition of UK based AI Firm Faculty

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has officially closed its deal to acquire Faculty, a UK based artificial intelligence firm known for its expertise in deploying AI responsibly across government and commercial organizations. The transaction, finalized on March 16, 2026, strengthens the consulting giant’s position as a go-to… Read More

UK Banking Undergoing Transformation with Advancements in International Payments : Research

UK Finance shared that Britain’s banking industry is undergoing a quiet but significant transformation, with fresh momentum in customer pricing strategies and international payment systems. Recent analyses from leading trade body UK Finance spotlight two forward-looking trends that promise better value for consumers and stronger… Read More

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