March 22, 2023 @ 4:19 pm By JD Alois  |  

As widely predicted by market followers, the US Federal Reserve increased benchmark rates by 25 basis points. Not too long ago, prognosticators were vacillating on whether the March meeting would increase rates by 50 bps or 25 bps. The recent bank crises caused the financial… Read More

March 22, 2023 @ 12:10 pm By JD Alois  |  

Green Angel Syndicate (GAS) says its 5th Climate Change Fund has raised a record amount in record time. The fund is said to be almost 2X the prior fund. Green Angel did not disclose the amount of the fund, which is an EIS vehicle, but… Read More

March 22, 2023 @ 11:52 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK delivered some unwanted news today as inflation delivered a number that was hotter than anticipated – bucking a recent downward trend. The UK Office of National Statistics reported that the consumer price index (CPI) increased by an annual 10.4%. This was above expectations… Read More

March 22, 2023 @ 11:36 am By JD Alois  |  

Payments platform Checkout.com has announced a new service offering both physical and digital cards for its customers. The new service was announced at Thrive, Checkout.com’s annual customer event. Clients of the Fintech may now create custom cards while Checkout.com gains another revenue stream. The moves… Read More

March 22, 2023 @ 9:26 am By JD Alois  |  

As the US stumbles in crafting bespoke regulation for digital assets, Circle, the issuer of dollar-based stablecoin USDC, has applied to be regulated in France. France crafted digital asset regulation some years ago in an attempt to provide clarity for firms looking to offer crypto…. Read More

March 21, 2023 @ 10:05 pm By JD Alois  |  

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, widely expected to enter the presidential race in the coming months, is aiming to put a stop to central bank digital currency (CBDC) being utilized in his state, and all of the United States for that matter. “Central Bank Digital Currency… Read More

March 21, 2023 @ 3:48 pm By JD Alois  |  

While US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen claims the situation is stabilizing – not everyone in the banking sector is as certain.  Typically considered a mundane sector of finance and investing, US banks have tanked as everyone became aware of problematic balance sheets. While… Read More

March 21, 2023 @ 2:32 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House Financial Services Committee has scheduled its “first” hearing on the failure of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. The hearing will be held at 10:00 AM ET on March 29, 2023, and is said to be the first of multiple hearings the Committee… Read More

March 21, 2023 @ 11:40 am By JD Alois  |  

eToro, a “social investing” platform that provides access to both crypto and more traditional securities, has published information on performance during 2022. Not too long ago, eToro raised $250 million at a $3.5 billion valuation. The funding was an “Advance Investment Agreement” (AIA) which eToro… Read More

March 21, 2023 @ 11:03 am By JD Alois  |  

US Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen, addressed the American Bankers Association today, tackling the topic on everyone’s mind. The precarious financial services industry and the possibility for contagion. The collapse of multiple banks in the US has now spread to Europe. This past week,… Read More

March 21, 2023 @ 10:24 am By JD Alois  |  

WiseAlpha, an investment platform that provides access to fractional bonds, is preparing to raise growth capital on Seedrs. Regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, WiseAlpha aims to give smaller investors the opportunity to corporate bonds at a low minimum of £100.  To participate, you… Read More

March 21, 2023 @ 9:59 am By JD Alois  |  

Xapo Bank says it is the first regulated bank to accept USDC deposits and withdrawals. Issued by Circle, USDC is the second largest stablecoin by market cap, pegged to the US dollar. Xapo Bank is regulated and based in Gibraltar. Xapo Bank states that USDC… Read More

March 21, 2023 @ 9:43 am By JD Alois  |  

Eric Vanraes, Portfolio Manager of the Strategic Bond Opportunities Fund at Eric Sturdza Investments, has distributed a warning on the consequences of the Credit Suisse debacle. In the past week, Credit Suisse was acquired by UBS in a deal supported by the Swiss government. The move… Read More

March 20, 2023 @ 8:17 pm By JD Alois  |  

President Joe Biden executed the first veto of his administration, axing a bill that garnered bipartisan support in making its way to the President’s desk. Biden tweeted out his action while blaming “Maga House Republicans.” Peter Schiff, a well-known investor and advisor summarized the President’s… Read More

March 20, 2023 @ 7:40 pm By JD Alois  |  

Last month, CI reported that Fierce had launched its financial “super app” that aims to offer high-yield returns for its users. The App is available on both iOS as well as Android. At the same time, it announced a $10 million Seed round backed by… Read More

March 20, 2023 @ 7:13 pm By JD Alois  |  

Private equity firm NewVest has partnered with global securities crowdfunding platform OurCrowd. Noting that private equity has “outperformed other investment markets over the past 20 years” yet remains elusive for smaller investors, OurCrowd touted its new offering for its investors. The NewVest Private Equity 50… Read More

March 20, 2023 @ 7:03 pm By JD Alois  |  

The House Financial Services Committee is demanding answers on how regulators failed in their oversight of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. Chair of the Committee, Patrick McHenry, has been joined by the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Tim Scott, are requesting… Read More

March 20, 2023 @ 6:50 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will hold the 42nd Annual Small Business Forum as a virtual event. The event is hosted by the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation. During the tenure of Jay Clayton, the Forum was held at various… Read More

March 20, 2023 @ 5:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

In 2020, rules were approved by the European Union to facilitate cross-border online capital formation for issuers raising up to €5 million. For platforms, they must seek approval from the relevant authority in their home member state. While the process has been a bit slow,… Read More

March 20, 2023 @ 4:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

As part of the deal to save Credit Suisse from a potential collapse, the agreement that was cut for UBS to take over the bank included a write-down to zero of AT1 (Tier 1) bonds. This means holders will receive nothing for the securities. Following… Read More