December 1, 2021 @ 11:16 am By JD Alois  |  

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is out with a note that hammers traditional banks and their reliance on overdraft fees. Frequently the target of neobanks and other Fintechs, the overdraft fee has been criticized as the $30 cup of coffee when someone inadvertently makes… Read More

December 1, 2021 @ 10:53 am By JD Alois  |  

Bitcoin, the world’s most popular crypto, is always a bit of a roller-coaster ride. Rocketing higher one week, only to tank the next, Bitcoin is not an asset for the faint of heart. Recently, Bitcoin hit an all-time high of almost $69,000. Within a few… Read More

December 1, 2021 @ 8:42 am By JD Alois  |  

Republic, a leading US-based securities crowdfunding platform, has acquired Seedrs – a top UK-based investment crowdfunding platform that operates across Europe. The deal brings together two of the most effective investment platforms in the online capital formation sector. Republic is a full-stack crowdfunding platform offering… Read More

November 30, 2021 @ 4:34 pm By JD Alois  |  

David Marcus, the lead executive at Facebook / Meta (NASDAQ:FB) heading the charge for Facebook’s botched attempt to create a digital currency is exiting the firm to “pursue other projects,” according to a report in Bloomberg. Marcus joined Facebook from PayPal in 2014. According to… Read More

November 30, 2021 @ 11:31 am By JD Alois  |  

Earlier this month, the European Crowdfunding Service Providers Regulation (ECSPR) went into effect across the entire European Union. A dramatic step forward in removing internal borders in regards to capital formation, and part of the overall Fintech Action plan, the regulation allows firms in need… Read More

November 30, 2021 @ 10:37 am By JD Alois  |  

Grayscale has launched its Grayscale Solana Trust for investors. This is a single asset vehicle for investors (accredited) interested in the native digital asset issued by the Solana Network. Solana (SOL) is one of the most popular digital assets trading in the marketplace. SOL has… Read More

November 30, 2021 @ 10:22 am By JD Alois  |  

LendingClub (NYSE:LC) says its auto lending vertical, launched in 2016, now covers 94% of the US population. LendingClub was initially launched as a peer-to-peer consumer lender. Over time, it has morphed from a marketplace lending platform to a fully chartered digital bank. Adding new verticals… Read More

November 30, 2021 @ 9:55 am By JD Alois  |  

The Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen has provided responses to questions put forth by Senator Pat Toomey – the ranking Republican on the Senate Banking Committee. The questions are in follow-up to a recent hearing at the Committee. Yellen, along with Fed Chairman Jerome… Read More

November 30, 2021 @ 9:03 am By JD Alois  |  

The French Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) is out with a report that highlights the interest of retail investors in the financial markets. A follow on report to a prior study in April 2020, the AMF states that trading volumes in regulated financial instruments have… Read More

November 30, 2021 @ 2:00 am By JD Alois  |  

OurCrowd, a global online investment platform, has released its OurCrowd High-Tech Jobs Index Q3 2021. According to the index that measures job demand, openings at OurCrowd portfolio companies jumped by 244% year over year. But following this period of robust growth, many early-stage firms anticipate… Read More

November 29, 2021 @ 10:29 pm By JD Alois  |  

Athene (NYSE: ATH) and Apollo (NYSE: APO) have agreed to purchase a controlling stake in consumer lender Aqua Finance. The valuation was said to be approximately $1 billion. Under the terms of the deal, Apollo will manage the investment on behalf of Athene. Blackstone, an… Read More

November 29, 2021 @ 9:43 pm By JD Alois  |  

  YouTrip, a digital financial services platform and aspiring neobank, has raised US$ 30 million in Series A funding, according to a company statement. YouTrip is a Major Payment Institution licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) that launched in Singapore in 2018 and… Read More

November 29, 2021 @ 11:24 am By JD Alois  |  

The UK research firm Hardman & Co. has distributed a white paper that says investors are underweight venture capital. The research was published with the support of SyndicateRoom, Deepbridge, One Four Nine, and Nova Growth  Capital. Once a securities crowdfunding platform, SyndicateRoom now offers a… Read More

November 29, 2021 @ 9:45 am By JD Alois  |  

Bank North, a challenger bank that is digital-first with a unique strategy with physical operations, has hired Louise Halliwell as Head of Savings. Bank North recently completed a Series A funding round after receiving a Banking License (AWR (Authorised with Restrictions)) approved by the Financial Conduct… Read More

November 29, 2021 @ 9:30 am By JD Alois  |  

British Business Investments, has committed £7 million to Folk2Folk, a peer-to-peer lender with a unique approach for loan originations. British Business Investments is a commercial subsidiary of the British Business Bank, a UK government-backed entity. According to a note from Folk2Folk, British Business Investments aims… Read More

November 29, 2021 @ 9:16 am By JD Alois  |  

Paysend, a global payments Fintech, has selected former President Mastercard Europe, Javier Perez, to its Board of Directors. Paysend states that Perez will have an active role in its future business strategy, working closely with the company’s senior management team to drive further global expansion. Perez… Read More

November 28, 2021 @ 11:47 pm By JD Alois  |  

Lithuania has been working to position itself as a competitive Fintech center in Europe. In fact in April 2021, Lithuania Reserve bank Governor Vitas Vasiliauskas publicly stated that Fintech should compete with traditional financial services firms. A recent report issued by Fintech Hub LT shares that… Read More

November 28, 2021 @ 8:49 pm By JD Alois  |  

  Judith Hartley, CEO of British Patient Capital, says the performance of UK venture capital is a notable success story during a challenging period for businesses across the world British Patient Capital is a wholly-owned commercial subsidiary of British Business Bank plc, the UK government’s… Read More

November 28, 2021 @ 7:56 pm By JD Alois  |  

Australian Ethical has, a “responsible investment and fastest-growing super fund manager” with over $6 billion in Funds Under Management (FUM), has awarded $500,000 to fund climate and tech solutions in its inaugural 2021 Visionary Grants. The funding was made via the philanthropic entity the Australian… Read More

November 27, 2021 @ 2:04 pm By JD Alois  |  

The People’s Bank of China has banned the use of WeChat and Alipay payment codes for businesses beginning on March 1, 2022, according to reports. WeChat and Alipay are the two most popular digital payment platforms in China. According to China News, personal collection codes… Read More