March 11, 2022 @ 3:35 pm By JD Alois  |  

Visa (NYSE:V) has completed the acquisition of Tink, a Swedish open banking platform. The acquisition was announced in June 2021 at a valuation of €1.8 billion. At that time Tink stated that it became clear that they shared a common mission with Visa to “connect… Read More

March 11, 2022 @ 2:35 pm By JD Alois  |  

Traditional banks, the brick and mortar operations that pepper the landscape as they have for hundreds of years, have been slow to upgrade and migrate to a digital-first (or only) service. This has created an opportunity for agile Fintechs to move in and Hoover up… Read More

March 11, 2022 @ 12:43 pm By JD Alois  |  

Stellar Development Foundation, MoneyGram International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGI), and Techstars, have announced a partnership to recruit founders globally who are focused on tech innovation in areas such as blockchain and digital payments to further streamline cross-border payments and support financial inclusion. The partnership builds on the… Read More

March 11, 2022 @ 10:42 am By JD Alois  |  

In the United States, securities or investment crowdfunding was legalized under the JOBS Act of 2012. This bi-partisan legislation was in recognition of changes in technology as well as an understanding of the need to better facilitate capital formation for early-stage firms. Effectively, there are… Read More

March 11, 2022 @ 8:59 am By JD Alois  |  

Insurtech MGA Loadsure has closed on an $11 million Series A funding round, led by MMC Ventures, according to a statement by the company. Additional investors in the round include Crowley and existing investor Insurtech Gateway. Loadsure claims title as the industry’s first transactional cargo… Read More

March 11, 2022 @ 8:06 am By JD Alois  |  

Digital bank Revolut has raised €10 million to benefit the people of Ukraine. The donations have been coordinated with Red Cross Ukraine and include matching contributions from Revolut. Russia invaded Ukraine in an unprovoked act of war on Thursday, February 24. On March 1st, Revolut… Read More

March 10, 2022 @ 8:35 pm By JD Alois  |  

The German Crowdfunding Association (Bundesverband Crowdfunding) has issued a statement criticizing new funding guidelines for venture capital grants recently enacted by the German Government. Under the INVEST Grant for venture capital in Germany, smaller investors receive a 25% tax benefit following the sale of the… Read More

March 10, 2022 @ 3:45 pm By JD Alois  |  

Following the news that Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) was exiting operations in Russia, JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) is reportedly doing the same. The move follows heavy economic sanctions targeting Russia by many countries around the world following Russia’s draconian invasion of Ukraine. JPMorgan Chase is the largest bank… Read More

March 10, 2022 @ 11:39 am By JD Alois  |  

Congressman Tom Emmer, a supporter of blockchain technology and crypto in general, has tweeted out his thoughts on the Executive Order on Digital Assets. Published yesterday by the Biden White House, the Executive Order has been widely embraced by the crypto community as doing no… Read More

March 10, 2022 @ 11:08 am By JD Alois  |  

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), the most prominent investment bank in the world, will exit the Russian market due to the unprovoked war with Ukraine, according to multiple reports. Goldman Sachs has had a presence in Russia since 1998. On the bank’s Russia page it notes that… Read More

March 10, 2022 @ 10:42 am By JD Alois  |  

Estateguru, an online investment platform matching SMEs in need of capital with individual investors, will lunch a fund targeting institutional investors in a move that should significantly scale the firm’s operations. Importantly, the European Investment Fund (EIF) has committed to be an anchor investor in… Read More

March 10, 2022 @ 9:00 am By JD Alois  |  

Real estate investment platform Roofstock has raised a $240 million Series E round at a $1.9 billion valuation, according to a statement from the company. Simultaneously, Roofstock shared that it has topped $5 billion in transaction volume as it gears up for more growth. The… Read More

March 9, 2022 @ 5:01 pm By JD Alois  |  

Marqeta, Inc. (NASDAQ: MQ) has posted its Q4 earnings as well as full year 2021 numbers. According to a corporate release, Marqeta generated revenue of $155 million during the quarter while delivering a GAAP net loss of $37 million. The revenue was a 76% increase… Read More

March 9, 2022 @ 4:20 pm By JD Alois  |  

Bitcoin is rebounding today jumping by over 8% since the early hours of the morning. Industry followers believe that the White House’s Executive Order addressing digital assets has helped to fuel the rise of Bitcoin as well as other cryptocurrencies. Earlier this week it was… Read More

March 9, 2022 @ 3:51 pm By JD Alois  |  

Only 6 months after their Series B round, Fintech Branch has announced a $75 million Series C funding round. The company did not disclose the valuation. The funding was led by Addition with the participation of General Atlantic. Returning investors include Drive Capital, Crosscut Ventures,… Read More

March 9, 2022 @ 3:37 pm By JD Alois  |  

Acorns, an online investing platform, has confirmed a $300 million funding round at a $1.9 billion valuation. Last year, Acorns announced its intent to go public via a SPAC deal valued at $2.2 billion only to turn around and cancel the deal at the beginning… Read More

March 9, 2022 @ 11:49 am By JD Alois  |  

Bank North, a forward-thinking bank serving UK SMEs, has added several new executives to its team. According to a note from the company, the bank has appointed a Head of Valuations, Head of Financial Reporting and Financial Control, Head of Underwriting, and acting Treasurer, along… Read More

March 9, 2022 @ 10:37 am By JD Alois  |  

Earlier today, the White House posted an anticipated Executive Order on Digital Assets. Currently, the interpretation from industry insiders is cautiously optimistic that the Administration is aiming to balance responsible innovation with the obvious benefits of crypto. The Order was not excessively prescriptive but leaves… Read More

March 9, 2022 @ 9:54 am By JD Alois  |  

Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen has issued a commend on the Executive Order published today that addresses the fast-growing digital asset industry. Secretary Yellen said that President Joe Biden’s order calls for a coordinated approach to digital asset policy: “This approach will support responsible innovation… Read More

March 9, 2022 @ 9:00 am By JD Alois  |  

Neobank Upgrade, Inc., has distributed a note that once again it is being recognized as one of the fastest-growing US credit cards by outstanding balances, according to the Nilson Report. Upgrade adds that it is the only Fintech card issuer on the list. Last year,… Read More