March 18, 2026 @ 3:01 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) unveiled plans to purchase BVNK, a firm specializing in stablecoin technology, in a deal worth up to $1.8 billion that includes performance-based incentives of $300 million. The acquisition, disclosed on March 17, 2026, from the company’s base in Purchase, New York, aims… Read More

 Tagged acquisition, bvnk, mastercard, payments

March 17, 2026 @ 2:09 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

Global payments and financial technology provider Airwallex has announced a major capital injection exceeding $1 billion into the EMEA region. The $1.135 billion commitment, spread across the next five years, is designed to accelerate expansion through 2030. Funds will support entry into fresh markets, the… Read More

 Tagged airwallex, emea, europe, fintech, payments

March 17, 2026 @ 10:38 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Cboe Global Markets has formally asked the Securities and Exchange Commission for permission to introduce extended trading sessions on its EDGX equities exchange, paving the way for nearly continuous U.S. stock trading five days a week. The Chicago-based operator, known for its innovation in derivatives,… Read More

 Tagged cboe, sec, trading, us

March 17, 2026 @ 9:10 am By Omar Faridi  |  

UK Finance shared that Britain’s banking industry is undergoing a quiet but significant transformation, with fresh momentum in customer pricing strategies and international payment systems. Recent analyses from leading trade body UK Finance spotlight two forward-looking trends that promise better value for consumers and stronger… Read More

 Tagged banking, insights, payments, uk, uk finance, united kingdom

March 17, 2026 @ 9:07 am By Omar Faridi  |  

In a move set to transform how small and medium-sized enterprises manage their finances, iwoca – one of Europe’s premier lenders to SMEs – has rolled out a groundbreaking resource called Credit Compass. Launched on 16 March 2026, this no-cost platform aims to give every… Read More

 Tagged iwoca, lending, sme's, uk, united kingdom

March 17, 2026 @ 7:11 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Euroclear Bank and Clearstream have activated their new paperless issuance platforms for Eurobonds, opening the door to a completely dematerialised process across the world’s third-largest debt market. The two leading international central securities depositories (ICSDs) now enable issuers to launch bonds entirely electronically, eliminating the… Read More

 Tagged clearstream, digitalization, euroclear

March 17, 2026 @ 3:13 am By Omar Faridi  |  

Lending to smaller UK firms rose noticeably last year, signalling a gradual thaw in credit markets after a period of economic strain, according to fresh research released today by the British Business Bank. The organisation’s Small Business Finance Markets 2025/26 report reveals that total bank… Read More

 Tagged british business bank, Research Study, small businesses, sme's, uk

March 16, 2026 @ 7:27 pm By Omar Faridi  |  

In the evolving Fintech sector, a notable shift is underway, with more companies opting for stock repurchases to reallocate capital and enhance their market value. This approach involves firms buying back their own shares from the open market, effectively shrinking the total number of outstanding… Read More

 Tagged digital assets, ripple, share buyback, Web3

March 16, 2026 @ 11:26 am By JD Alois  |  

Earlier this month, it was reported that Lloyds has a mission to become the UK’s largest Fintech by leveraging customer data and automating compliance. In the FT, Chief Operating Officer Ron van Kemenade said this goal is part of a broader tech overhaul to cut… Read More

 Tagged banking, lloyds, uk, united kingdom

March 16, 2026 @ 10:12 am By Tony Zerucha  |  

  Web3 had plenty to say about stablecoins, legislation, crypto and their intersection this week. Read below to find out more. Bitcoin “This is indeed notable. In prior geopolitical shocks, BTC could register 5-10% drawdowns, so this time is at the high end of the… Read More

 Tagged Antoine Scalia, Aurelie Barthere, bitcoin, clarity act, Igor Pejic, paypal, stablecoins, stripe