April 13, 2020 @ 10:31 am By JD Alois  |  

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has published an FAQ in regards to the new Payment Services Act. The Payment Services Act has gone through a consultation process with MAS responding in December 2019. The FAQ is meant to provide guidance on the licensing and… Read More

April 13, 2020 @ 9:22 am By JD Alois  |  

Governments around the world are scrambling to backstop halted economies impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Just weeks ago, the global economy was full speed ahead but today with lockdowns, social distancing and face mask requirements in place, businesses are closed and everyone is suffering…. Read More

April 13, 2020 @ 7:40 am By JD Alois  |  

Equisafe and Lemon Way have formed a new partnership, according to a note from the companies. Lemon Way is a widely utilized payment platform. Lemon Way offers payment solutions for marketplaces providing a secure and regulated framework. Lemon Way obtained the Payment Institution license in… Read More

April 11, 2020 @ 1:07 pm By JD Alois  |  

Digital Bank Current says it has received the first government stimulus payments five days faster than anticipated. Current told Crowdfund Insider: “Current started receiving government stimulus payments today for individuals and families and we are crediting all transactions to all our members immediately. We’re delivering… Read More

April 10, 2020 @ 7:10 pm By JD Alois  |  

Following approval by the British Business Bank as  CBILS lender, Starling Bank – a digital-only bank, has issued a statement. Starling is a fully licensed and regulated bank, founded by Anne Boden, former Allied Irish Banks COO, in 2014. Helen Bierton, Starling Bank’s Chief Banking… Read More

April 10, 2020 @ 7:01 pm By JD Alois  |  

The British Business Bank has announced new lenders participating in the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) including several digital banks. Established in 2014, the British Business Bank is the UK government’s economic development bank. The Bank’s mission is to make finance markets for smaller… Read More

April 10, 2020 @ 4:55 pm By JD Alois  |  

Snowball Effect, a leading investment crowdfunding platform in New Zealand, is launching new debt products as it expands it services to firms looking to move beyond equity capital. Since platform launch, Snowball Effect has helped Kiwi businesses raise over $70 million. By providing online capital… Read More

April 10, 2020 @ 12:04 pm By JD Alois  |  

It will take some time to fully understand the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic but clearly the economic fallout will be profound. Markets have tanked, default risks are rising and unemployment is moving up rapidly in a historic fashion. Simultaneously governments everywhere are moving… Read More

April 10, 2020 @ 10:10 am By JD Alois  |  

Funding Circle (LSE:FCH), an SME lender that facilitates loans in both the US and parts of Europe, has decided to pause its secondary market due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a blog post. Funding Circle has recently taken multiple actions to buttress the platform… Read More

April 9, 2020 @ 5:09 pm By JD Alois  |  

In 2016, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) detected an intrusion of the Commission’s EDGAR test filing system that may have provided the basis for illicit gains. A vulnerability in EDGAR was promptly patched but it highlighted the perils of a financial system that is… Read More

April 9, 2020 @ 4:52 pm By JD Alois  |  

LendingClub (NYSE:LC) has filed a new form with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Form “FWP” states that LendingClub has suspended the facilitation of new D Grade loans as of April 10, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, LendingClub has taken measures to… Read More

April 9, 2020 @ 4:00 pm By JD Alois  |  

Yesterday (April 8, 2020), the US Department of Homeland Security issued an alert – warning consumers about COVID-19 related scams. The joint statement actually included the Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the United Kingdom’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) due to the depth of the… Read More

April 9, 2020 @ 12:30 pm By JD Alois  |  

Chatter continues to disseminate as to how venture capital is pulling back or funding is simply vaporizing. At best, some deals are being reconfigured as pre-pandemic pricing is being called into question. The COVID-19 crisis is hitting early-stage firms hard. Private companies that may be… Read More

April 9, 2020 @ 12:16 pm By JD Alois  |  

Cryptoasset insurance company Evertas, formerly doing business as BlockRE, say adoption of crypto and blockchain in general is being held back by lack of a “robust insurance market.” The company cites a survey that claims just over half (55%) of insurance executives it interviewed believe companies… Read More

April 9, 2020 @ 11:00 am By JD Alois  |  

Online lender and aspiring neobank Upgrade has launched its first contactless-enabled Upgrade Card. The new Upgrade Card is also available in digital form through both Apple Pay and Google Pay to enable mobile payments, according to a release from the company. Upgrade notes that the World… Read More

April 9, 2020 @ 10:17 am By JD Alois  |  

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell delivered a speech today following the announcement of historic actions being taken by the central bank to stem the collapse of the once strong US economy. Earlier today, the Fed announced an unprecedented $2.3 trillion vehicle to backstop the economy… Read More

April 9, 2020 @ 9:00 am By JD Alois  |  

Digital asset lending company BlockFi has received a strategic investment from Three Arrows Capital (TAC) via a secondary transaction, according to the company. Three Arrows Capital is a crypto hedge fund manager that focuses on emerging markets. TAC has reportedly been providing greater risk-adjusted returns… Read More

April 9, 2020 @ 9:00 am By JD Alois  |  

Molinari Media has acquired UK based Fintech Worldwide, according to a company release. Molinari Media is a new company created by Vince Molinari – a well-known individual in the Fintech and crowdfunding world. Molinari was recently involved with Templum – an ATS platform that was… Read More

April 9, 2020 @ 8:40 am By JD Alois  |  

Today, the US Federal Reserve took unprecedented actions to provide up to $2.3 trillion in loans to support the economy. The Fed said the funding will assist households and employers of all sizes and bolster the ability of state and local governments to deliver critical… Read More

April 8, 2020 @ 8:07 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Securities and Exchange Commission has announced that it is providing temporary, conditional exemptive relief for business development companies (BDCs) to enable them to make additional investments in small and medium-sized businesses. The SEC pointed out that this included firms affected by COVID-19. BDCs invest… Read More