June 18, 2019 @ 5:45 pm By JD Alois  |  

Several US politicians have issued statements critical of Facebook’s new cryptocurrency – Libra. Officially announced today, Libra is first a payment platform but Facebook has much bigger ambitions with the crypto. Facebook views it as a step in the direction of redefining financial services. US… Read More

June 18, 2019 @ 1:37 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has filed a civil enforcement action against UK based defendants Control-Finance Limited, a Bitcoin trading and investment company, and principal, Benjamin Reynolds.  According to the CFTC, the defendants are  charged with “exploiting public enthusiasm for Bitcoin by fraudulently obtaining… Read More

June 18, 2019 @ 11:11 am By JD Alois  |  

UK-based Insurtech Zego has closed on a $42 million Series B funding round which is said to be the largest ever for a European based Insurtech startup. In total, Zego has now raised $51 million. Zego says its company has grown over 900% in the… Read More

June 18, 2019 @ 9:49 am By JD Alois  |  

Securitize and the Japan Security Token Association (JSTA), an association advocating for a compliant digital securities industry, have partnered to accelerate the adoption of digital securities in Japan. According to a release, Securitize and JSTA will work closely with financial institutions and businesses to educate… Read More

June 18, 2019 @ 9:13 am By JD Alois  |  

Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) launched its long-anticipated cryptocurrency today with an onslaught of documents, commentary and punditry feedback. Two new websites were revealed each affiliated with a different aspect of their new crypto-ecosystem. First there is the Libra stablecoin, a global currency “backed by a collection of… Read More

June 18, 2019 @ 9:00 am By JD Alois  |  

LendingClub (NYSE:LC), an online lender mostly catering to the consumer market, has announced an enhanced service to help individuals pay down debt – largely from high-interest rate credit cards. According to LendingClub, after extensive testing, the online lender has announced the broader launch of “balance… Read More

June 18, 2019 @ 3:02 am By JD Alois  |  

MobiKwik has partnered with DT One (formerly TransferTo) to expand internationally. MobiKwik is an India-based Fintech in the payments space. DT One One is a global B2B network for “mobile top-ups/recharge, rewards and airtime credit services.” Indian users will now be able to add money… Read More

June 18, 2019 @ 2:30 am By JD Alois  |  

In partnership with the NSW Government, Sydney Launch Festival opens this week to give NSW startups a chance to pitch their startups t to a global audience and learn from the world’s top startup founders and investors. Launch Festival is the creation of Jason Calacanis…. Read More

June 17, 2019 @ 11:14 pm By JD Alois  |  

Accion, a non-profit that seeks to boost financial inclusion aroundn the world, has announced the “Inclusive Fintech 50” list recognizing Fintechs that are helping to accomplish the goal of inclusion. The project has been completed in partnership with the MetLife Foundation, Visa, and the IFC…. Read More

June 17, 2019 @ 10:43 pm By JD Alois  |  

Aspiring bank Mt Pelerin has announced a “one-stop shop” service to help companies tokenize and issue securities using blockchain tech. Mt Pelerin’s new tool is described as “giving companies of any size the possibility to access fundraising methods like IPOs more easily and without significant… Read More

June 17, 2019 @ 6:25 pm By JD Alois  |  

Hong Kong’s First Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Platform. In April of this year, AngelHub became the first investment crowdfunding platform to receive a license from a Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong. In the past couple of years, Hong Kong has moved quickly to… Read More

June 17, 2019 @ 1:01 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Vice Premier of China, Hu Chunnhua, is visiting UK government officials this week. As part of the tour, the UK government has announced a series of deals designed to boost trade with China including financial services. The new business deals were agreed to by… Read More

June 17, 2019 @ 11:16 am By JD Alois  |  

Paysend, an FCA regulated payments platform, has officially launched its anticipated stablecoin. The Pays XDR stablecoin is backed by a basket of five fiat currencies including the US Dollar, Euro, Yen, Chinese Yuan and Pound Sterling. The stablecoin is using the Stellar blockchain and is… Read More

June 17, 2019 @ 10:57 am By JD Alois  |  

OurCrowd portfolio company Zebra Medical Vision has received its third FDA clearance for its HealthICH product which is an AI alert for intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), based on head CT scans. The process is said to be the first of its kind. The Zebra Med solution… Read More

June 17, 2019 @ 8:57 am By JD Alois  |  

Security token issuance platform Polymath has formed a partnership with Regtech Blockpass. According to a release, Hong Kong-based Blockpass will now provide client onboarding services surrounding customer identification or KYC. Globally, having a solid KYC process is vital for any digital asset issuer. The two… Read More

June 16, 2019 @ 9:04 pm By JD Alois  |  

SigOne Capital says it is now offering a full suite of crpto trading services for the institutional/HNW investor. The OTC service says they are now offering OTC trading through voice, API & web portal along with a lending desk to borrow and lend crypto. SigOne… Read More

June 15, 2019 @ 6:36 pm By JD Alois  |  

Silicon Prairie, an investment crowdfunding platform that offers securities as a Reg CF portal as well as under intrastate securities exemptions, is now a broker-dealer. But Silicon Prairie is not required to be regulated by FINRA as it has received approval to operate under the… Read More

June 14, 2019 @ 6:25 pm By JD Alois  |  

Another day, another crypto-hack.  From exploits to exit scams, the song remains the same – it’s just the technology that is different. The bad guys are always looking for new and devious ways to steal money from the unsuspecting. The most recent hack came courtesy… Read More

June 14, 2019 @ 12:42 pm By JD Alois  |  

Monax is a blockchain based platform that seeks to lead the sector regarding “digital legal infrastructure.” While finance may be the immediate focus for much of the blockchain industry, other early-stage firms are using the tech to improve a diverse sector of businesses. Edinburgh-based Monax… Read More

June 14, 2019 @ 11:54 am By JD Alois  |  

PeopleFund, a South Korea based online lender, has raised $35 million as part of an extension of a Series B funding round which was announced in October 2018.  PeopleFund is a marketplace lending platform which means it accepts investments from both individuals and institutions. PeopleFund… Read More